HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 18, 1999
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Matthew Nestor,
Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant
Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Planner Ann Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of
interested parties: Bill Brown, Stephen Meehan, William Freeman, Michael Iodice, Saul
Feldman, Lois Bond, Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan, Clayton Jones.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — George Hines noted that he had attended the
Home Goods Grand Opening. He also attended the Police Station Building Committee Meeting
on May 3, 1999.
Camille Anthony noted that she had a request for putting in a crosswalk on West Street at
Louanis Drive. She also noted that a dead end sign or no through traffic sign is needed on
Warren Avenue. She noted that she and Anne Krieg met with Mr. Arsenault regarding South
Main Street improvements.
Matthew Nestor noted that it was a pleasure serving with Bruce MacDonald and he wished him
well in his endeavors. He and Sally Hoyt will be attending a meeting at Camp Curtis Guild this
week.
Sally Hoyt gave her regrets regarding Bruce MacDonald leaving and wished him well. She
attended the Volunteer Recognition Reception on May 12, 1999, and the Dedication of the
Converse Community Room at Peter Sanborn Place. She received a phone call from a resident
requesting that the Board put the second water meter issue back on the agenda.
Public Comment—There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
o The Police Station project is showing real progress. The basement and the top two
floors have been poured. All steel is erected. Concrete block work is being done in
the basement. The framers are working this week. At one of the Board of Selectmen
meetings in June, we will be presenting color boards for the Board of Selectmen's
information.
e The Mineral Street Bridge is open to traffic as of last Thursday afternoon. Notices
went out to parents of the Parker and Barrows School students and to residents of the
neighborhood. Police officials were present during the first week that the Bridge was
t
-- open to traffic to provide instruction and guidance to pedestrians. The project has
come out very well thanks to a very cooperative Massachusetts Highway Department
and their contractor.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—MU 18 1999—Page 2
♦ The Route 129 project progresses well. It appears that some areas—the westerly end
of Lowell Street and the easterly end of Salem Street - are nearing completion with the
placement of curb and installation of sidewalks.
♦ Walnut Street base course and intermediate course including fabric have been installed.
Curb and wall work should be underway this week and next. There will be some
additional curbing needed in the area from Holly to Old Farm due to grade differences.
♦ Hamden Yard parking lot is closed for construction through this week. All curb is
installed, the final paving and sidewalk are done, and the fence is being installed this
week. We will have to wait until June for the lighting which is ordered.
o The Library parking lot construction has started. The pavement removal is done—
curbing and walk work will start by next week.
♦ The building in the Brande Court parking lot has been demolished, and DPW has started
grading and other construction.
♦ Marion Road—Russ is handling—Trust for Public Land has not made a deal with land-
owner.
♦ The new fuel tanks at the DPW Garage are completed.
♦ We hope to start the work on the Auburn Street neighborhood improvement project
within the next couple of weeks.
♦ Cherry Lane is experiencing parking problems when park is in use. We will be looking
at the issue and may be making a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.
♦ I need the Board of Selectmen's authorization to sign grant agreements for the Walkers
Brook Drive sewer.
♦ The Police Department is undergoing diversity training with several other Police Depart-
ments this week.
♦ I have interviewed Fire Fighter candidates today to fill a position created by Phil Dole's
retirement.
♦ The Community Room at Peter Sanborn Place was dedicated Sunday to Ruth and Herb
Converse who have been actively involved in the community and in this project since its
inception almost 25 years ago.
s The Spring D.A.R.E. Graduations are scheduled for tomorrow at the Birch Meadow School
and next Tuesday at the Joshua Eaton School.
♦ The Division of Elder and Human Services held a Volunteer Recognition Reception last
Wednesday at the Senior Center.
o The Town had an outstanding Household Hazardous Waste Collection day on Saturday.
This is a shared program with Stoneham. There were approximately 600 vehicles,
almost three times that expected. Staff and the contractor did an excellent job_ handling
the workload.
♦ Russ Dean will be meeting with Corporex on Thursday, and will hopefully have an
agreement on Friday.
♦ George Hines and I attended the Violence Prevention Program.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 18 1999—Page 3
♦ Regarding the second water meter issue,"Roberts Rules of Orders"indicates that a person
on the prevailing side of the vote would have to move to reconsider. George Hines indicated
- that he had no interest in revisiting this issue again this year.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to designate Town
Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner to execute all documents related to the I/I Local Assistance
Program of the MWRA for the construction of the Walkers Brook Drive sewer project WRA-P3-
28-3-315. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Personnel and Appointments
Board of Cemetery Trustees — The Board interviewed Stephen Meehan for a position on the
Board of Cemetery Trustees.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Board of Cemetery Trustees for a term expiring 6/30/01:
Stephen Meehan. Mr. Meehan received four votes and was appointed.
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed William C. Freeman for one
position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into
nomination for one position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee for a term expiring
6/30/01: William C. Freeman. Mr. Freeman received four votes and was appointed.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Certificate of Appreciation - Reading Rotary Club's 75th Anniversary Celebration - On motion
by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Certificate of
Appreciation in recognition of the Reading Rotary Club's 75th Anniversary Celebration. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Follow up on Downtown Parking—Town Planner Anne Krieg was present to discuss Downtown
parking. She noted that her goal is to increase parking and improve aesthetics. She can apply
for funds through the Community Development Fund II Program to demolish the old Police
Station. She will be working with CPDC and the Downtown Steering Committee to evaluate
timed parking. She noted that signage funding is also needed.
Camille Anthony asked if a two story parking garage could go where the old Police Station is.
The Town Manager noted that deck parking is very expensive, approximately $10,000 per space.
The Town Manager noted that the property next to the old Police Station is available. It is
18,000 square feet. Sally Hoyt asked how many spaces we will get from the old Police Station.
It was noted that we would get 32 spaces.
Matthew Nestor asked how many spaces we would get from the 18,000 square feet. It was noted
that we would get 36 spaces. George Hines felt that the Town should consider looking at this
property. A portion of the land could be used for a tot lot and the rest for parking.
Board of Selectmen Meeting=May 18, 1999—Page 4
The Town Manager noted that making Pleasant Street one way would give an additional 5 to 6
parking spaces.
George Hines asked about funding for the streetscape. The Town Manager noted that the money
is in the TIP and scheduled for construction in a couple of years.
License for Use of a Portion of Town Owned Land by Resident at 26 Beacon Street - The Town
Manager noted that the property owner was not able to be present tonight and that this would be
rescheduled.
George Hines asked what the concept of the license is. The Town Manager indicated that the
Town was approached by the property owner to purchase Town property for a driveway. Town
Meeting turned it down and suggested that the Town issue a license that would be revocable at
will by the Town with the condition that the driveway be removed. The Board of Selectmen is
the issuing authority for licenses.
George Hines noted that the sense of Town Meeting was that the problem was exaggerated.
Matthew Nestor noted that fair value was another issue at Town Meeting and if we give a
license, then there is no value. Both George Hines and Matthew Nestor felt that this is a Town
Meeting issue and should go back to Town Meeting.
Request for Rubbish Collection — Chadwick Arms Apartments — Michael Iodice and Attorney
Saul Feldman were present. Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt temporarily removed herself from the '
position due to a conflict on this matter. Attorney Saul Feldman noted that the Board of
Selectmen had recently amended Section 5.6 of the Board of Selectmen Policies to include -
condominiums. In 1981, Chadwick Arms Apartments became condominiums, and it is unfair to
distinct between other complexes.
George Hines asked how many condos there were, and Saul Feldman noted that there are 92
units and Mr. Iodice owns all of them.
Matthew Nestor noted that Mr. Iodice has created a legal fiction of condos but is functioning as
apartments. Mr. Iodice noted that the use is the same as condos. Matthew Nestor noted that a
condominium is freely transferable from one owner to the next - this is an apartment building
that hasn't been transferred since 1981. Matthew Nestor noted that if this began functioning as a
true condo complex, he would be willing to revisit the issue.
George Hines noted that he has already lost the battle over rubbish collection for condominiums
and he was inclined to side with the proposal to include apartments.
The Town Manager noted that there are a total of 401 apartments in the Town. It would cost an
additional $53,446 to include trash removal for apartments based on the bids taken 2 % years
ago. The Town would have to renegotiate with Ogden Martin to include trash removal for
apartments.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-My 18 1999-Page 5
George Hines noted that the debate at Town Meeting was over funding. He requested the Board
to put this item on a future agenda and hold a hearing to develop the policy.
Resignation of Board of Selectmen Member - The Town Manager noted that Bruce MacDonald
has resigned from the Board of Selectmen. State statute says that the position can be left vacant
until the next election or hold a Special Election.
The Town Manager noted that there is an issue of the Chairman acting as a member of the
Finance Committee Appointment Committee by virtue of office and a new Chairman should be
appointed with a term expiring June 30, 1999.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for the position of Chairman for a term expiring June 30, 1999 or until such date
as a successor Chairman is appointed: Sally M. Hoyt. Mrs. Hoyt received four votes and was
appointed Chairman.
All four Board Members agreed that 10 to 11 months is too long to go without a full Board. It
was noted that this might be a good time to try a Saturday election. Sally Hoyt noted that if it is
done on a Saturday, it shouldn't go pass 6:00 p.m.
The Board directed the Town Manager to put this issue on the June 8, 1999 agenda, and to come
- back to the Board with different scenarios for a Saturday and Tuesday election.
Legislative Initiatives The Town Manager reviewed the list of legislative initiatives:
♦ PRIT retirement funding;
♦ Home Rule petition for the Wood End Cemetery-done;
♦ Home Rule petition for the easement on the landfill site;
Change in the purchasing laws to move the threshold for bidding;
♦ Reinstatement of Police and Fire retirees;
♦ Fire Fighting Academy training for Fire Fighters;
o 5933 -Notice of change for Board of Health regulations;
♦ H539 -Change in the Open Public Meeting law relative to discussing value of land;
e Library-funding;
♦ Gorton/Kerry bill (federal)re: public power;
♦ Regulatory issue WRT census, voter list, and public safety employees;
e Preserve Chapter 90 funding for highways;
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to adopt a resolution
on gas tax revenue sharing for local road projects and to get the information to the public. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
♦ Chapter 70 funding for schools;
- ♦ Special Education reform;
e MBTA"forward funding"which would reduce Reading's assessment;
♦ Public Safety building fund;
® Streetscape improvement funding.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 18, 1999—Page 6
Senior Center Roof — Elder Services Administrator Lois Bond and Historical Commission
Members Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan and Clayton Jones were present.
The Town Manager noted that when the Senior Center was renovated, the roof was shingled with
slate look alike shingles. The product was defective and the manufacturer has gone bankrupt.
The shingles are falling off the roof and there is an urgent need to replace the shingles. A new
slate roof would cost$100,000 to $110,000. An asphalt roof would cost $38,000. The Historical
Commission wants slate but we don't have the time or the money for it.
Lois Bond noted that this is a safety issue and it needs to be addressed immediately.
Clayton Jones noted that the Historical Commission feels that slate is the best investment and
best aesthetic value. We can seek special funding through the State. He suggested putting up
rain and snow guard and scaffolding as temporary measures while the Historical Commission
explores funding through the State. The Town Manager noted that scaffolding costs thousands
of dollars.
The Town Manager suggested stripping the tiles and going out to bid for both asphalt and slate.
George Hines had concerns that roofers will not guarantee work if the roof is left unprotected for
two months. The Board directed the Town Manager to get multiple opinions on stripping the
roof and go out to bid for both slate and asphalt shingles.
Approval of Town Manager's Employment Agreement — The Town Manager reviewed the
changes to the Agreement. Matthew Nestor suggested removing Section 8 and renumbering. It
was also suggested that the performance evaluation date be changed.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
Employment Agreement between the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Peter I.
Hechenbleikner effective July 1, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the-minutes
of their meeting of May 4, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the
purpose of discussion of litigation and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session.
On a roll call vote, all four members voted in the affirmative and the Open Session was
adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
cretary