HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes .; Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 27, 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 (Selectman Dan Ensminger joined
the quorum at approximately 9:30 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following
list of interested parties: William Brown, Chris Vaccaro, Joan Hoyt, Frank Romeo, Randy
Collins, David O'Sullivan, Gladys Montgomery Jones.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — George Hines noted that the Board of Selectmen
attended the Mass. Municipal Association Annual Meeting over the weekend. He commented on
the snow removal after the last storms, and suggested some changes in removal at the Depot.
Sally Hoyt attended the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting. DEP had corresponded
regarding the well contamination. DEP has given approval to start up Wells 13 and 15 (on
1/15/98 they were started). Staff is meeting with Cumberland Farms. The long-term cost to
connect to the MWRA is expensive. Hoyt attended the meeting in Wilmington regarding West
Street. She suggested the three communities get together with members of the Planning Board,
- Town. Counsel, the Highway Department and legislative representatives. They discussed the
Inwood Office Park, and the fact that this is now proposed to be 300 homes with the new
developer. We must get the approvals in place for heavy vehicle exclusion on West Street prior
to developing this site in Mrs. Hoyt's opinion.
Bruce MacDonald suggested a letter to our State Senator and representatives regarding West
Street, asking for their help, with a copy to Commissioner Kevin Sullivan. The Board agreed.
He is getting a lot of questions regarding the Charter School, and he wrote a letter to the
Commissioner recommending that the Charter School not be approved. He noted that the Town
would start to lose money over time from State aid. At the MMA meeting, he got in contact
with a State Agency who specializes in connecting buyers of commercial property with sites
available.
Camille Anthony noted that Senator O'Brien spoke with regard to Special Education and support
for the current bill. She and Sally Hoyt met with Old Sanborn Lane neighbors two weeks ago.
Bill Brown asked if we were doing the icing operations on Old Sanborn Lane, and the Town
Manager noted that he would check.
Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that he had written a letter to the Board of Selectmen
regarding the Open Public Meetings Law, and that it did not get into their first packet and it
should have.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27, 1998—page 2
Town Manager's Report: s
The Town Manager gave the following report:
• The Reading Business Park RFP has been advertised and is available. A pre-bid meeting
was held in early January and a site visit was held last week. Bids are due February e.
Notices were sent to almost 50 interested parties. Calls were made to all that had expressed
interest.
• Budget Council, a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, FINCOM and the School
Committee is scheduled for tomorrow night.
• The Compost Center opened in early January for Christmas trees, and also for residents to
bring leaves from the Fall. Over 500 residents visited the site.
• The Department of Public Works is picking up storm brush curbside this week.
• A reminder to residents that piling snow on streets and sidewalks in the Town is prohibited
with 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 Hepatitis-B Immunization Program has started 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.
• A meeting is scheduled for February 26`h on the Title V Program to provide assistance to
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 meeting will
be 7:30 to 9:30 at the Senior Center.
• Rabies clinics will be offered in March — see Channel 22 and the Reading Notes for further
information as to dates and times.
Bruce MacDonald asked about the possibility of putting together a noise bylaw.
Personnel & Appointments
Zoning Board of Appeals—Chris Vaccaro was interviewed for a vacancy on the Zoning Board of
Appeals. Stephen Tucker, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, spoke in favor of this
appointment.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into
nomination for a term on the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring 6-30-98: Christopher
R. Vaccaro. Vaccaro received four votes and was appointed.
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Board of Selectmen Meeting;—January27, 1998 -page 3
Discussion/Action Items
Approval of Deed for Sale of Property on Pearl Street—Richard and Joan Ho vt—Joan Hoyt was
present. In response to a question from George Hines, Sally Hoyt noted that she was no relation.
This is for the sale of a 7200 sq. ft. parcel of land on Pearl Street. The full bid process was used.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen approved the signing of
the Deed and all other documents necessary to effectuate the sale of a portion of Plat 131, Lot 8
consisting of approximately 7200 square feet to Richard B. and Joan A. Hoyt, for the sum of
$5150 in accordance with the bid received. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Presentation on Downtown Streetscape Program — Frank Romeo from Beta Engineering and
Randy Collins from Gates Leighton made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen. Three issues
have been identified by the Board as needing further review. The issues were:
Chute Street - Saving the tree at Chute and High Street. This intersection has been redesigned to
keep the tree and also maintain the sidewalk"bump out."
Pleasant Street one way— This has been discussed with the Police Chief on December 17`h and
he is okay with the proposed change. Pleasant Street from Parker to Main will be one way
westbound and we will gain four spaces in this area. This also eliminates a left turn on Main
Street and Pleasant Street.
George Hines asked about additional traffic on Haven Street, and it was noted that this would not
be appreciable.
Ash Street at Main Street — The consultants met with Chief Marchand and Chief Wood on this
issue. Based on discussion, a design has been developed to make Ash Street two way for its
entire length from Main Street to Washington Street. The curb line may have to be shifted
slightly but there is room to maintain the traffic and parking.
Sally Hoyt asked about the left turn from Ash Street onto Main Street across from the VFW, and
it was noted that this would be designed for future signalization and if it was not working well, a
left turn could be prohibited in that area.
Bruce MacDonald asked if we looked at the possibility of going around the Fleet Bank building,
and it was noted that it has been reviewed but that there would be too much land taking.
On December 17th, the Downtown Steering Committee voted to forward the application to the
Massachusetts Highway Department. Once the letter and application is accepted, the consultants
will work to refine the design, and there will be a public hearing at 25% design.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the plan
for the Downtown Streetscape Program, and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen
to send.a letter dated January 27, 1998 requesting the assistance for this project from the
Massachusetts Highway Department, and that a letter be sent to the Town's legislative
delegation requesting assistance on this project. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27, 1998 page 4
George Hines also suggested that the Downtown Streetscape consultants meet with the Police
Station architect to make sure that the projects are consistent.
The Town Manager reviewed the status of the blight grant.
Camille Anthony asked about signage as part of the Downtown Streetscape Program, and that is
being refined as part of the next part of the project. Ultimately, the Board of Selectmen will be
the organization responsible for approving the Downtown Streetscape improvements.
Discussion of glass versus plastic globes and light pollution will all be considered as part of the
final design.
FY 1999 Budget — The Town Manager presented the Board of Selectmen with the summary
budget and Capital Improvements Program. The Board agreed to meet on February 3rd and
February 12`h. On the 3rd, they will discuss all of the budgets except for the Police Department
and will not review the new program requests. On the lfh, they will review the Police
Department budget after having received the staffing and employment study. They will also
discuss the new program requests.
Town Manager's Evaluation — The Board of Selectmen went over the Town Manager's
Evaluation in detail. The Town Manager asked for clarification in some areas. The Board
suggested that it would establish liaisons to the RMLD and the School Department on a multi-
year basis, or perhaps have two liaisons assigned to those departments. The Board agreed that
more Department Head and staff involvement in presentations to the Board of Selectmen by
projects may be appropriate, but a higher priority would be to have the various Boards,
Committees and Commissions before the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager will put -
together the list of goals from the Retreat, and we will have a quarterly review on those goals.
The Board agreed to review the Town Manager's compensation vis-a-vis the evaluation. They
also agreed to do a market survey and Dan Ensminger will conduct this.
Review Special and Annual Town Meeting, Warrant Outline — The Town Manager reviewed a
draft of an outline for the Annual Town Meeting, and also for a Special Town Meeting which
will be held on March 9. The Warrants for both meetings will close on February 17`x'.
The Board heard a presentation on the preservation of the Forster Emerson House from David
O'Sullivan, Chairman of the Historical Commission, and Gladys Montgomery Jones, President
of the Friends of the Reading Historic Preservation. The proposal is that the Town will donate a
parcel of land on Grove Street and if the moving, restoration and sale of the Forster Emerson
House on that lot generates any "profit," than that would go to the Town to compensate them for
the lot. Questions raised were the nature of historic covenants to be placed on the property and
the effect of these on the resale, the total budget for the project, the effect of the reduction on
open space, the cost, and the amount of Town Counsel and staff time which would be needed to
prepare this matter. The members of the Board of Selectmen supported the concept but felt there
were a lot of hurdles.
At 11:15 p.m., George Hines left the meeting.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27, 1998—page 5
- Bruce MacDonald asked for a review with CPDC of any Warrant Articles at least two weeks
before the Warrant closes.
It was also noted that a"pooper scooper" bylaw was supposed to be drafted for this Spring, and
the Town Manager will review the instructional motions to see if there are other articles.
Dan Ensminger talked about the process of reviewing proposals for the Reading Business Park,
and he and the Town Manager will work out a process.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting at 11:25 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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Secretary j �-�