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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen's Meeting January 6, 1998 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Bill Hughes, Francis Driscoll, Robert Beck, Bill Brown, Matt Lordan, David Gentile, Brian Ryan, Kenneth Campbell, Jr., Dan Cahoon, Stephen Pelrine, Tony Gentile, James Cormier, Bill Lavoie, Mike DeBrigard, Nelson Burbank, Dana Hennigar, Paul Dustin, Brett Donham, Paul French. On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to go into Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to purchase or sale of real estate, to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. On a roll call vote, Anthony MacDonald, Hoyt and Hines voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board returned to Open Session at approximately 8:10 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— George Hines had no report other than to wish the residents of the community a very Happy New Year. Sally Hoyt heard from a resident regarding a complaint about taxi cabs. For the next meeting, she would like West Street Heavy Vehicle Exclusion on the Agenda. Bruce MacDonald had no liaison report. He did announce that he will run again for the Board of Selectmen. He still believes strongly in local government and appreciates the opportunity to serve. He thanked those who have initially been supportive. Issues that still need extensive Selectmen involvement include the Police Station project, the Downtown redevelopment, the Reading Business Park sale, water supply decisions, the promotion of conservation, quality of schools and open space. Dan Ensminger announced that he will not run for re-election this year. He has served since March of 1989 and has enjoyed working with the entire community. He commended the Town Manager on his work.. He felt that his candidacy in serving had been about serving the community and he felt that it is time to move on. He offered to stay involved with the Reading Business Park process if the Board would like. Camille Anthony thanked Dan Ensminger for his years of service, and noted that the Board would miss his involvement on the Board. Board members brought up issues of snow plowing at Woburn and High Street and whether the Task Force would serve as a screening committee for the Business Park . Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 6, 1998 —page 2 Public Comment - Bill Brown noted that he has raised questions regarding sale of real estate discussions in Executive Session, and has written a letter to the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that this is being reviewed by Town Counsel. He suggested a seminar dealing with public meeting law for all Boards, Committees and Commissions. Bill Hughes addressed the Board of Selectmen as a Town Meeting Member. He indicated that he has been approached by three or four veterans in Reading about the Town's practice of hiring of veterans. He referred these individuals to the departments that hire. He asked if Frank Driscoll could speak.. Frank Driscoll noted that there has been a vacancy in the Reading Fire Department. The Town Manager is using new and different procedures to fill the position which may lower the standards. He would like to address the Board of Selectmen further on this issue. George Hines noted that he feels the primary issue here is the approach to collective bargaining. Having gone through arbitration for the last two contracts, he would like to see a better bargaining relationship with the Firefighter's Association. Another issue is hiring practices. The Board of Selectmen set the policy for hiring practices for the Town. If this is creating friction, it should be discussed. At least the firefighter's concerns should be heard. It may result in no change in the policy. The timing may not work out with the current hiring process. The Town Manager noted that hiring practices were not a negotiable item. MacDonald noted that the Board has already given the Town Manager approval regarding this hiring. This is separate from the bargaining situation. Frank Driscoll noted that he does not like the way this is being done. Steve Pelrine, a Reading Firefighter, noted that Reading residents, veterans status, etc. are important considerations. Bruce MacDonald indicated that the Board of Selectmen supported the decision on filling this position which is to use a gender list and he supports that decision. Frank Driscoll noted that nepotism considerations should not apply in this situation. He believes that the Town Manager is cutting out the legs from under the Civil Service process. The Chair noted that this would be scheduled for a future meeting. Town Manager's Report • The Reading Business Park RFP has been advertised and is available. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning and bids are due January 23rd. Notices were sent to almost 50 interested parties. Calls were made this week to all that had expressed interest. • The Board of Selectmen has received notice from the Reading Veterans' Council that it is planning the 1998 Memorial Day Celebration and will need the names of the speakers at the four cemeteries. This is the first year that the Town has had four cemeteries with their respective veterans' plots. • There is a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals and no candidates to fill the position. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 6, 1998 —page 3 • The Compost Center is open this Saturday for Christmas trees, and also for residents to bring leaves from the Fall. The hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Reading's Solid Waste Advisory Committee has received a state award for the preparation and distribution of the booklet "Reading's Hidden Treasures." • A reminder to residents that piling snow on streets and sidewalks in the Town is prohibited, and warnings, and if necessary fines will be issued. It is also a violation of local bylaw to plow or blow snow into or across a public way. • The Water Treatment Plant residuals elimination project work is completed. • The Hepatitis-B Immunization Program starts next week in the schools - middle school through high school aged kids are eligible. This is the third year of the program and almost 300 are registered. • Questionnaires have gone to all property owners who have septic systems or cesspools, as part of the Title V Program funded by the State to assist property owners in getting tied into municipal sewers where possible, or in assisting in the improvement of their systems. Funding is available on a betterment basis. • The Board of Health has adopted regulations that limit youth access to tobacco, and the compliance and cooperation of the business community is good. • The new senior citizen's van has been delivered by 128 Sales to the conversion shop where it is being outfitted for our use. 128 Sales has donated the 3-year lease of the van to the Town. • Rabies clinics will be offered in March - see Channel 22 and the Reading Notes for further information as to dates and times. Discussion/Action Items Burbank re: Ice Arena Report to BOS - Nelson Burbank was present to make a report to the Board of Selectmen on the status of the Ice Arena. Burbank made a financial report which noted that the Burbank Ice Arena has been in operation for three years and two months. In year 1, the estimated revenues were $394,000, and the actual revenues were $763,000. In year 2, the estimated revenues were $442,000, and the actual revenues were $783,000. By the end of fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, all debt has been paid off two years ahead of time. In addition, there is $100,000 in a contingency fund, and the Arena plans on making a payment to the Town of Reading this year. Discount rates have always been charged for Reading teams, and that rate has actually been reduced by $30.00 per hour. The Ice Arena Authority is completing a room over the snack bar which should be finished by - the end of the month. This will be available for Reading organizations at no cost. The Arena has twelve hours of public skating weekly which is more than all"other rinks around except for the MDC rinks. This includes two hours on Monday afternoons for early release days for elementary school students. They feel they are a good neighbor and keep up their property. The Board of Selectmen Meeting-Januar, 1998 –page 4 Financial health of the Reading Ice Arena Authority is excellent, and they appreciate the support of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, the Department of Public Works and the entire community. Dana Hennigar, Chairman of the Ice Arena Authority, spoke on who the users of the rink are. The rink is filed as a 501C3 corporation with the IRS and is, therefore, non-profit. Its purpose is to foster youth recreation. The major users are the North Shore Skating Club which is a figure skating club. Additionally, Reading Youth Hockey has 540 participants ages 4-16 at six levels. The Ice Arena Authority does not allow leagues which would take away hours from the people of Reading. Reading Memorial High School, varsity and junior varsity teams use the rink for thirteen weeks during the season. There is a senior hockey program of 110 individuals ages 20-50, most of whom live in Reading or use to live in Reading. Sunday night is their biggest night for open skating. There are some special programs like the New Year's Eve program which drew 450 people this year. There is special needs skating. They have worked with the D.A.R.E. program on public skating. They have worked with Drug Free Week, and the Killam School PTO. On behalf of the Directors, Mr. Hennigar thanked the Board of Selectmen for their support. George Hines noted that he has been the Board of Selectmen representative on the Authority Board and has enjoyed this experience in working with this very successful program. Bruce MacDonald asked if there is community pressure to increase the hours for public skating. Nelson Burbank and Dana Hennigar noted that there are very few comments. Some have requested Friday nights but this would create a problem for the high school hockey team. Additional hours are usually available during vacation weeks, and the Authority needs to publicize these better. Review Building Program with PSBC and Review Schematic Plans – Present for the Police' Station Building Committee were Paul Dustin, Chairman, Brett Donham, Architect and Paul French, Construction Manager. Paul Dustin reviewed the history of the project and the refinement of the program. The program currently calls for 18,600 square feet. The Police Station Building Committee is looking for the Selectmen's endorsement of the building program, and the schematic plan. Brett Donham reviewed the building program in detail. He noted that there is potential expansion built within the program, and the building design will also have potential additional expansion space. The site plan shows 35 parking spaces which is required. Donham also reviewed the schematic plans. Hines asked about the use of the upper level or "attic" space for uses in addition to the fan room. Following discussion, Dustin agreed that we would look at an option that would make that a future possibility. MacDonald asked if there is some expansion space or storage space in the -- "knee walls" in the gables. The architect agreed that this was the case. Sally Hoyt asked that this building be built in a colonial design like the Post Office. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January b, 1998 —page 5 There was discussion as to how the building scale and texture would be similar to that of colonial -- design, but that it was probably inappropriate to have a colonial design imposed on the building. The architect noted that the design of the exterior is still schematic and will be worked on in future phases. Paul Dustin reviewed the projected cost estimates of $4.2 million. The building construction cost is estimated at $3.5 million, and when adding in architectural, engineering, furnishings, etc., the estimate is $4.2 million. The Board of Selectmen talked about quality of materials, and the $4.2 million includes reasonable quality materials to protect the Town's investment in this facility. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the Building Program as presented dated December 29, 1997, corrected January 5, 1998, as the building program for the new Reading Police Station. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the concept plan shown as C-1 for the design of the new the Reading Police Station. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion re: Changing BOS Meeting, Schedule The Board of Selectmen discussed changing their meeting schedule. The purpose would be to add an additional work session per month. The intent of the work sessions would be to try to have no formal business on the Agenda, and to forego Liaison Reports and Comments, Town Manager's Report, Approval of Minutes, etc. The hope is that the Board can get into the in-depth discussion during the work sessions that they are not always able to do at their regular meetings because of the press of formal business. The Board agreed to change their schedule, with the understanding that there be no prohibition of having formal business on the Agenda but that the Agenda should be fairly small. For the 20"' of January, the Board will discuss West Street, Retreat Follow-Up, Budget Priorities (using the Retreat process) and Library Representation on the Budget Council. George Hines also asked that the Board of Selectmen consider the process of a second vote on changes in policies. We used to have this process but when the bylaw was amended, the Board of Selectmen went with the bylaw requirements. Retreat Follow-Up - The Board agreed to follow up on Retreat issues at their meeting on January 20th_ Quarterly Budget Report—FY 1998 —The Town Manager reviewed the Quarterly Budget Report for FY1998 for the first half of the year. Firefighter salaries are problematic but most of the budget categories are within guidelines. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 6, 1998 —page 6 The Town Manager handed out the new program requests for the budget, and the Board will be reviewing this at their next work session. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of November 4, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of November 17, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of November 18, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of December 2, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of December 9, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-1, with MacDonald abstaining. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of December 16, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-1, with Hines abstaining. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of January 6, 1998 at 11:20 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, E Secretary P