HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 20, 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 Dan Ensminger (Selectman George Hines entered
the meeting at 8:00 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of
interested parties: Patrice Todisco, Ralph Medbery, Elfreda Kallock, Ann Marciano, Louie
Gardner, Louise Gardner, Mary Hayes, Brenda Crowley, Mary Heard, William Robinson,
Barbara Robinson, Bob Connors, Jean Carr, Frances Bevilacqua, Joseph Bevilacqua, Cecilia
Lewis, Joyce Frangolis, Loula Sawyer, Mary Xavier, Daniel Lewis, John Cole, Charlotte Lord,
Joseph Champa, Anna Champa, Nora Buckley, Fred McGrane, Kathy Mahoney, Debbie
Boschetti, Thomas Freeman, Anthony Schena, Judy Meagher, Kieran Meagher, Terry Bastian,
Diane Kurkjian, Jane Murray, Eric Krupka, Virginia Ryan, Pat Ryan, Dorothy Casolaro, Mike
Coltman, Paula Fitzgerald, Jonathan and Tina Moss, Mary Lou Horn, Michael Horn, Craig
Vickery, Don•'and Gerry Ann McGillicuddy, Stewart Chipman, Judy Sullilvan, John Fuller,
Gerard Sevigny, Pat Keane, Russell Kaplan, William Garrick, Gretchen Latowsky, James
Maloney, Ruth Carmichael, Becka Roolf, Gina Snyder, Eileen Barrett, James Twomy, Kim
Honetschlager, Indira Balkisson, Butch Conary, Will Finch, David Williams, Daniele Lantagne,
Bob Watkins, Jim Keigley.
Discussion/Action Items
Recognition — Stream Team - Ipswich River — Photos were taken of the presentation of a
Proclamation regarding the Stream Team program. Regina Snyder was present with other
members of the Stream Team to receive the Proclamation.
West Street Follow-Up on Heavy Vehicle Exclusion — Sally Hoyt read a letter from the PTO.
There were 55 residents in attendance.
Brenda Crowley, Crossing Guard at West/Woburn/Westcroft spoke in favor of the heavy vehicle
exclusion.
Cecilia Lewis noted that tall trucks in a storm can rip down wires.
Kathy Mahoney of 454 West Street, whose husband is a truck driver, noted that the trucks cannot
stop quickly at West and West Hill Circle.
Gerard Sevigny of 503 West Street noted that wires have been ripped down three times by
trucks. There are trucks at midnight.
Pat Keane of 105 King Street asked what could be done to help.
Bob Watkins of 351 West Street noted that his side of West Street has no sidewalks and has a
long way to go for a Crossing Guard.
Board of Selectmen Meeting=-January 20, 1998 —Page 2
Virginia Ryan of 87 West Street/Countryside Road spoke about trucks being stuck at the
intersection and trying to get out.
Bill Garrick of 239 West Street spoke.
Stewart Chipman of 94 Summer Avenue spoke about two problems — speed and trucks, and
asked for more intensive enforcement.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen approved the
designation of West Street for "Heavy Commercial Vehicles Excluded," and directed the Town
Manager to develop the necessary documentation to make an application to the Massachusetts
Highway Department to effectuate this designation at the earliest possible date, including
concurrence with the Town of Wilmington and City of Woburn. Once such designation is
approved by the Massachusetts Highway Department, final approval by the Board of Selectmen
will be required to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading, specifically
Appendix A-18. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Retreat Follow-Up—The Board discussed follow up on the Retreat. Items discussed were use of
letterhead, speaking for Town Meeting and other bodies as a member of the Board of Selectmen
and other items. The Board went through the use of the decision-making process at the Retreat
to determine what decisions the Board can make with regard to these matters.
The Town Manager will develop a draft policy to incorporate the Board's directions.
Budget Priorities and Schedule — The Board discussed the budget priorities and schedule. The
Board determined the schedule within which it would review the budget requests. The Town
Manager went through the new program requests with the Board of Selectmen to familiarize
themselves with the requests.
Update on Library Representation on Budget Council — The Board of Selectmen discussed the
Library representation on the Budget Council. Ensminger felt that if the Library Board wants to
come to the meetings, they can and they may participate. He pointed out, however, that the
Board of Library Trustees does not have budget responsibility and therefore should not be a full
partner —they should work through the Board of Selectmen. Camille Anthony agreed. George
Hines noted that the Budget Council was designed as a "get to yes" process that can be
cumbersome at times. If additional Boards, Committees and Commissions are made part of the
Budget Council, then where would this process end? He felt that the Library has been well
represented during the process.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the Board
of Library Trustees becoming part of the Budget Council process with the Board of Trustee's
directions being advisory to the Board of Selectmen within the Budget Council. The motion was
approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hines opposed.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 20. 1998 —Page 3
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting of
January 20,1998 at 11:30 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted, .
ecretary