HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 4, 1999
The meeting was convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt,
Secretary Matthew Nestor, Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines (Hines arrived at 8:10
p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula
Schena and the following list of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Richard Moore, Beth Klepeis,
Sue Reardon, Jane Fiore, Lt. Kevin Patterson, Ted McIntire, Gail Wood, Fire Chief Don Wood,
Scott Dole, Phil and Barbara Dole, Carol Roberts, Joanne Roy, Chris Coleman.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Reports and Comments — Camille Anthony noted the clean up of Imagination
Station on April 24th was a great success and thanked everyone for their help. She met with Bob
Keating and Anne Krieg regarding tree planting in the Town.
Matthew Nestor noted that the debate at Town Meeting was very good. He thanked everyone for
helping to clean up Imagination Station.
Sally Hoyt attended the Reading Advocate's Anniversary party. She and George Hines attended
the Horne Goods Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. She attended several hearings at the State House.
Bruce MacDonald also agreed that the debate at Town Meeting was very good.
Public Comment—There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
♦ Reading Business Park—The lease language is complete except for one section from
Corporex which we are expecting immediately. The lease will then be ready to sign.
♦ The Police Station project is showing real progress. The basement and %z of each of the top
2 floors have been poured. We had to work late one evening and the neighbors were notified
in advance. All steel is erected
♦ The Mineral Street Bridge will be opened to traffic on or about May 1 Ith. Notices have gone
out to parents of Parker and Barrows students and to residents of the neighborhood. Police
officials will be present during the first week that the Bridge is open to traffic to provide
instruction and guidance to pedestrians.
♦ Walnut Street paving was interrupted by rain today. The base course will be finished as soon
as weather allows, and the entire project should take another month or so.
♦ Hamden Yard parking lot is closed for construction through next week. All curb is installed
and lighting, fencing, landscaping and final paving will be done this week, weather per-
mitting.
® Library parking lot construction will be started once the Hamden Yard lot is completed —
hopefully, in a week to two weeks.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 4, 1999—Page 2
Brande Court parking lot construction will be started with the demolition of the house,
hopefully by next week.
♦ There was an oil spill at the Coolidge Middle School. The DPW is working with the School
Department to clean it up. This was related to the removal of the old oil tank as part of the
construction project. The renovated building will be heated with natural gas.
♦ The "Rocket"has been dismantled and the site is being cleaned up. A consultant is
evaluating the water storage needs of the Town, and will have a report to the Board of
Selectmen within the next couple of months.
♦ We hope to start the work on the Auburn Street neighborhood improvement project within
the next couple of weeks.
♦ Town Meeting was completed on 4-26-99, after a highly unusual 3 sessions. A Special
Town Meeting may be needed this Summer to modify the budget.
♦ A TV spot on diversity will air on Channel 5 this evening. I was interviewed. The Police
Department is working on training within the next several weeks, and I am also working on
community leadership diversity training.
♦ Cherry Lane parking problems when park is in use.
♦ Is it the Board of Selectmen's intent to revisit the Grove Street—Franklin Street stop sign
issues when a full Board is available?
♦ The property owners at 26 Beacon Street have written requesting the Board of Selectmen
grant a license for the use of a portion of Town property for a driveway. If the Board of
Selectmen is willing to consider it, we will prepare the necessary paperwork.
The Board directed the Town Manager to put the 26 Beacon Street issue on a future Agenda.
♦ The Finance Director needs approval from the Board of Selectmen to establish the financing
of the Walkers Brook Drive sewer.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to enter into and
execute a Financial Assistance Agreement and Loan Agreement with the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority(the"MWRA") and any other agreements as may be deemed
necessary in connection with the issue and sale of an interest free loan in the aggregate
principal amount of a$660,950 Sewer Bond(the`Bond")to MWRA:
Further, that the Bond has been authorized as a portion of the $1,000,000 authorized by
Town Meeting in Article 16 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting, and shall be repaid to
MWRA at $132,190 on May 15`h in the years 2000 to 2004;
Further, that a grant in the amount of$314,190 from MWRA is hereby accepted.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Assistant Town Manager Russsell Dean gave an update on Marion Road. He noted that the
Trust for Public Land is negotiating with the landowner. This is the last piece of undeveloped
land in Reading on the Ipswich River. June 1, 1999 is the deadline for preliminary grant
applications and the full grant application is due in October of 1999. The appraisal deadline is
July 1, 1999.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-May 4, 1999-Pasze 3
- = Personnel and Appointments
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Reading Contributory Retirement Board - The Board interviewed Elizabeth Klepeis for a
position on the Reading Contributory Retirement Board.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one vacancy on the Reading Contributory Retirement Board with a term
expiring December 31, 1999: Elizabeth W. Klepeis. Ms. Klepeis received 5 votes and was
appointed.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Proclamation - Volunteer Recognition - Coordinator of Volunteers Sue Reardon was present.
She noted that 160 volunteers will be recognized on May 12, 1999.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a
Proclamation proclaiming May 12, 1999 as a Day of Recognition for Volunteers for Reading's
Senior Citizens. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Proclamation-No Bullying Zone in Town of Reading-Jane Fiore and Lt. Kevin Patterson were
present to receive the Proclamation.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a
Proclamation proclaiming Saturday, May 8, 1999 as a No Bullying Zone in the Town of
Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Fire Fighter Badge Pinning - Chief Don Wood, Scott Dole and Phil and Barbara Dole were
present for the badge pinning. Barbara Dole pinned the badge on her son Scott. Chief Wood
noted that Scott's father, Phil Dole, is retiring from the Fire Department in September.
Hearing on Water and Sewer Rates-The Secretary read the notice of the hearing. Public Works
Director Ted McIntire and Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Members Gail Wood and
Richard Moore were present.
Ted McIntire noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommends setting the rate
for water at $3.56 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of$10.68, and the sewer at $5.30 per
100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of$15.90, all effective with the August 1, 1999 billing.
Bruce MacDonald asked what impact the removal of the second water meters had, and Gail
Wood responded that the sewer dropped $.10 and water increased $.01.
Gail Wood noted that a reduction in revenues demands an increase in rates. Ted McIntire noted
that "other revenue" has dropped from $185,456 in FY 1999 to $61,000 in FY 2000. Richard
Moore noted that an increase will put more money in the reserves for a new water tank. George
Hines asked if we are prepaying this and Gail Wood noted that it will cost approximately $1
million to build a new water tank and this will help avoid major increases - it will level out the
peaks.
Board of Selectmen Meeting May 4, 1999—Page 4
The Town Manager disagreed and noted that it is not necessary to put money away in the water
fund because the project is already funded. Matthew Nestor asked if the water tank is in the
Capital Improvements Program and the Town Manager noted that it is in for two years, an
amount of$50,000 for FY 2000 and $900,000 for FY 2001. The Town Manager noted that the
financing plan for capital is already stabilized.
Richard Moore noted that projects come up on short-term basis and, if we reduce now, then there
will be a big increase in the future. Ted McIntire noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory
Committee wants to establish a stabilization fund. This increase in rates would generate an
additional $200,000.
Matthew Nestor noted that he had no problem putting back the $98,000 that Town Meeting took
out but not the large increase that the Water and Sewer Advisory Board is recommending when
the funding for the water tank is already funded.
Gail Wood noted that the Selectmen need to set guidelines on a stabilization fund, and also need
to look at block rates for a conservation method.
Nancy Eaton of 13 Short Street asked about quarterly billings and minimum bills.
George Hines indicated that the Town should go to a monthly billing and then consider an
ascending block rate which would charge more for increased use.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public hearing
on the water and sewer rates. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the following
water and sewer rates effective with the bill dated August 1, 1999: Water - $3.56 per 100 cubic
feet with a minimum bill of$10.68, Sewer - $5.30 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of
$15.90.
Nestor moved and Hoyt seconded to amend the motion to set the water rate at $3.41 per 100
cubic feet with a minimum bill of$10.23. The main motion as amended was approved by a vote
of 5-0-0.
Hearing on Pay and Classification Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Personnel
Administrator Carol Roberts was present and reviewed the plan. She noted that out of 73
positions, 32 are being reclassified.
Camille Anthony asked if job change or salaries was the driving force on changing the grades.
She had concerns about changing grades. The Town Manager noted that in most cases it was
salary and a few are job change. The Town Manager noted that the maximum increase would be
6.8%, the intermediate is 3.8% and the minimum is 1.8%. He noted that this will put Reading in
the middle of the pay scale in comparison to other communities. He also noted that almost all of
the surrounding communities have automatic increases but that step increases in Reading are tied
to performance.
Board of Selectmen Meetin-a-May 4, 1999-Page 5
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public hearing
on the Compensation and Classification Plan. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the FY 2000
Compensation and Classification Plan as presented on May 4, 1999, effective July 1, 1999. The
motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Hearing on Package Store Liquor License-The Secretary read the hearing notice. The applicant
Joanne Roy and her Counsel Chris Coleman were present.
Chris Coleman noted that the Uptown Liquors license has expired, and this is not a transfer but a
new application. The previous license was pledged but this one will not be.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public hearing
for a Package Store Liquor License for North Side Liquors at 1349 Main Street in Reading. The
motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On-motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the All Alcohol
Package Store Liquor License for North Side Liquors, 1349 Main Street, for a term expiring
December 31, 1999 subject to the following conditions:
1. All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts shall be followed;
2. All employees of the establishment involved in the selling of alcoholic beverages shall
be trained in TAMS, or an equivalent program on the effective date of this license,
and new employees shall be trained within three months of being hired; and the owner
shall certify in writing to the Town Manager that this condition has been adhered to.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Civil Service Appointment Process - The Town Manager noted that the Town currently uses the
resident list, and the Town won't get any diversity with the resident list because we don't have
any. He noted that if the Town requests a non-resident list, once it is done, it is permanent.
George Hines asked if we have ever had a situation where there were not enough qualified
candidates. The Town Manager answered no -- the last time they interviewed for Fire Fighters,
there were 60 applicants.
The Town Manager noted that over half of the Police and Fire Departments don't live in Town.
They are required to live in Reading at the time they take the exam. Town policy allows them to
live within 15 miles of Reading.
Sally Hoyt noted that she is in favor of staying with the resident list.
George Hines noted that he doesn't have a problem with employees representing the community.
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How we fill the Fire and Police Department is not a remedy for the diversity problem.
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Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 4, 1999—Paye 6
Fire Chief Donald Wood noted that a person who lives outside of Reading has no connection
with the Town and requires more training.
The Town Manager noted that of all the employees in the Town, only Police and Fire are
resident required.
Bruce MacDonald noted that he supports going outside to get the best of the best. Hiring from a
resident list ensures no diversity. Even though there is no diversity in the community, it is a
transient community. The Police and Fire Departments respond to situations that may deal with
a diversity of people in situations such as train and car accidents.
Sally Hoyt noted that the major communities around Reading hire only residents.
Matthew Nestor indicated he would like to stay with the resident list because the residents
wouldn't have a viable chance in other communities.
Camille Anthony noted that she would like to go to non-resident but it could create a problem for
residents to get hired elsewhere.
The Town Manager noted that he would stay with the resident list for now.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes
of their meeting of March 30, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Anthony
and Hoyt abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of
their meeting of April 6, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of
their meeting of April 13, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of
May 4, 1999 at 10:40 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Resp t ully submitted,
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