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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 25, 1999 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Matthew Nestor (arrived late), Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: James Biggs, Nathan White, Sean Corcoran, David Puopolo, Nancy Eaton, Jean Marie Halley, Will Finch, Arthur Reynolds, David Gould. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of sale of real estate to come back into Open Session at 8:00 p.m. On a roll call vote, all three mernbers voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:00 p.m. Public Comment — Will Finch, Conservation Commission Member, noted that he had concerns that the Town is not pursuing the Mill Street property the best that they can. Discussion/Action Items — License for Use of Portion of Town Owned Land by Resident at 26 Beacon Street — David Puopolo, the owner of the 26 Beacon Street property, was present. The Town Manager noted that the Puopolo's driveway goes through a portion of Town owned property. He requested Town Meeting to sell a portion of the land, and Town Meeting turned it down, and suggested that the Town issue a license that could be revoked at will. Camille Anthony asked if the driveway could be located elsewhere. Mr. Puopolo indicated that there is a telephone pole in the way. George Hines asked Mr. Puopolo if he would have to pay to relocate the pole and Mr. Puopolo said he wasn't sure. George Hines noted that this lot is not buildable, and if the Town doesn't build another water tank on the adjacent property, then the two lots combined would make it buildable. He feels that there are alternatives. Camille Anthony noted that there is a water study going on and this is an inappropriate time to discuss this. She also noted that she has a problem with a license because the house could be sold and the new owners would think the property was theirs. Matthew Nestor noted that Town Meeting voted "no," and he doesn't want to circumvent Town Meeting. Sally Hoyt noted that if the license is revocable, she would support it. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 25, 1999—Page 2 On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to have a license agreement executed between the Town and the owners of 26 Beacon Street for use of Town owned property as a driveway. The motion was not approved by a vote of 1-3-0, with Hines, Anthony and Nestor opposed. The Town Manager noted that the Board may want to revisit this issue after the water study. Matthew Nestor indicated that the time to give up use of the property should go past Spring Town Meeting. Future of the Open Space Committee — Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean noted that the Open Space Committee expired in December, 1998. Updating of the Open Space and Recreation Plan is an issue. The Town Manager noted that when the Open Space and Recreation Plan was created, not one committee could own it which is why the Open Space Committee was formed. Nancy Eaton noted that there is a problem getting a quorum. The Master Plan has to be revised and submitted to the State by November of 2000. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Town Planner, Anne Krieg, will be working on updating the Master Pian. Camille Anthony asked how we can effectively do what needs to be done. George Hines noted that a staff task force with review by other Boards, Committees and Commissions might be the best way to deal with it. Matthew Nestor noted that if the Town has a proposition 2 %2 override, then citizen input will be needed. George Hines directed the Assistant Town Manager to communicate to the Open Space Committee that the Board of Selectmen would like their input, and to reschedule this for another agenda. The Town Manager asked the Board if they wanted to go ahead with the Self Help Program for Marion Road. The consensus of the Board was to move forward with this. Abandonment of Grandview Road — The abutting property owners, Arthur Reynolds and David Gould, were present. The Town Manager noted that the Board needs to decide whether to vacate the paper street that doesn't exist. The Town has no need for it—the land is very steep. Camille Anthony asked Mr. Reynolds if he was willing to pay for the land, and he indicated that he would. Matthew Nestor asked Mr. Reynolds if he was thinking of building on this land, and Mr. Reynolds answered no. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support in concept the abandoning of the paper street known as Grandview Road pending legal review by Town Counsel. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Nestor abstaining. Board of Selectmen Meeting_—May 25 1999—Page3 Vacating Easement—47 Warren Avenue - The owner of 47 Warren Avenue, Jean Marie Halley, was present. The Town Manager noted that Article 22 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting authorized the Board of Selectmen to vacate a portion of an easement across the property at 47 Warren Avenue. The property owner is building an addition to their house. On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to release and/or abandon a ten (10) foot portion of a certain thirty (30) foot sewer easement situated on land known as 47 Warren Avenue for One Dollar ($1.00) as authorized by vote under Article 22 of the Annual Town Meeting of April 26, 1999, and that the Board execute and deliver a release of easement effectuating the same. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of Board of Selectmen Policies—The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen's Policies need to be reviewed and updated. He suggested that the Selectmen pick one topic for each work meeting, and the review will be finished by the end of the year. Camille Anthony noted that the appropriate departments need to be involved in the review. Preview of Appointment Process - The Town Manager reviewed the process that was followed last year. George Hines suggested strengthening the language in the incumbents letter that strongly suggests that if they were not present at their previous renewal, that they should appear — this time. George Hines also noted that reappointment time is not the time to focus on Board, Committee and Commission issues. Camille Anthony requested that appointments not go past 10:00 p.m. Follow Up Goals—The Town Manager reviewed the Selectmen's goals. ♦ Complete the sale and/or lease of the Reading Business Park—Not all of the goals have been met. ♦ Options for public water supply—Should be ready for Annual Town Meeting 2000. ♦ Downtown Development Strateg.Y—The Town Planner is working with the property owners on South Main Street. The blight parking lot is done. The Brande Court parking lot is under construction. s Traffic Management Program—This is ongoing. George Hines suggested selecting an alternative site if the traffic calming measures cannot be done on Birch Meadow Drive right now. Camille Anthony asked if there was a way to track resident com- plaints on traffic. ♦ Implementation of the Police Staffing and Deployment Study—This is all budgetary except for the use of sick leave. ♦ Building Maintenance—The Town Manager noted that this needs a great deal of focus. The Town is in the process of interviewing for its third Director of Building Maintenance. e Refine the Capital Improvements Program—The Finance Committee wants to evaluate this program. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 25 1999—Page 4 On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of May 25, 1999 at 10:10 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, AU Secretary