HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 17, 1998
The meeting was convened at 7:35 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, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and George Hines, Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Fred Van Magness, Richard
Stosez, Sandra Michaud, Chris Zanru, Gina Snyder, Kim Honetschlager, Karen and Kevin
Roche, Clayton Jones, Ted McIntire, Paul O'Donnell, Debbie Powers, Judy Kramer.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — George Hines noted that the Board of Selectmen
need to be more involved in school decisions.
Sally Hoyt attended a Board of Health meeting, and noted that aerial spraying will be taking
place soon.
Camille Anthony noted that there is a Strearn Team Meeting on Wednesday night. A
demonstration lawn is going to be created at the Episcopal Church. She also noted that Cliff
Proctor passed away. He was a member of the Conservation Commission for 20 years.
Public Comment—There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
♦ The Board of Selectmen and the Reading Business Park Task Force met last week in
joint session to hear a presentation on the two proposals and to recommend a course
of action. Today is the date for any additional inforination from either of the
proponents. That material will be copied and distributed to the RBP Task Force
and the Board of Selectmen. I have received calls from several businesses and from
residents relative to the Home Depot proposal.
Joseph Belmonte and Alan Perkins began their Police Academy training last month
and will be back on the force by the beginning of July.
® We are in the process of hiring two Firefighter's positions and when all testing is
completed, I will announce the appointees.
® A meeting was held February 26 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. Fining is available on a betterment basis.
Approximately 80 people attended, and 16 property owners seem very interested
in the pfogram.
Rabies clinics will be offered in March— See Chamiel 22 and the Reading Notes
for further infonnation as to dates and times.
The last day for voter registration for the March 24 Town Election was Wednesday,
March 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Election is next Tuesday at the Hawkes
Field House.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 17, 1998—Page2
♦ Our very talented DPW has replaced the Fire Department sign with a temporary one
until we get a new design approved as part of the Downtown Improvement Program.
The goal is to have coordinated signage system for entry signs, public building signs
and directional signs. The Town Hall sign has also been taken down for repairs.
♦ The recent issue of the Reading Notes is the 1997 Annual Report, and was distributed
in last week's Headliners.
The Town narrowly averted a gas related problem in Reading Square last week when
our Public Works Department working in accordance with the layout provided by
Boston Gas, pulled up a gas service in the street. Disaster was averted by the quick
thinking of the machine operator, Jim Richardson, who pulled the gas line out of the
ground entirely so that it would vent to the air and not to the adjacent building.
1 have expressed our very deep concern in a letter to the President of Boston Gas.
® FinCom has reviewed the budget and capital program, and will be making its
recommendations to the Budget Council tomorrow night. A copy of the
recommendations has been distributed to the Board of Selectmen this evening.
Personnel and Appointments
Historical Commission — The Board interviewed Clayton Jones for a position on the Historical
Commission.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board place the following name into nomination for
a term on the Historical Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1998: Clayton Jones. Mr. Jones
received 5 votes and was appointed.
Discussion/Action Items
Approval of Fire Lane — Middlesex Avenue — On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the
Board voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on
March 28, 1995 as follows:
Add to Article 5, Section 5.13, the following:
Street Location Regulation
Middlesex Ave. From Daniels Nursing Home Driveway No Parking - Fire Lane
For a distance of 50 feet in a northeasterly
direction
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review Proposed Policy on Board of Selectmen Communications—The Board reviewed the
proposed policy on Board of Selectmen Communications and had no changes.
Review Board of Selectmen Tracking Schedule—The Board reviewed the tracking schedule and
noted they would like the schedule to show the category, priority, date of initial contact and
updates.
Board of Selectmen Meeting_—March 17, 1998—Page 3
Compost Center Operations for 1998—Public Works Director Ted McIntire was present to
review the Compost Center hours.
Bruce MacDonald asked about alternative sites in Town, and also asked about the appearance of
the site.
George Hines had concerns about access to the site when it is not staffed and illegal dumping.
Paul O'Donnell of 244 Grove Street noted that all of the Compost Centers in surrounding Towns
are closed on Sunday.
Fred Van Magness of 243 Franklin Street noted that he was in favor of some Sunday openings.
Kim Honetschlager had concerns about traffic and illegal dumping.
Dick Stosez of 25 Emerson Street suggested reducing the number of hours on Monday and
Friday by 2 hours per day, and adding four hours on Wednesday mornings.
Debbie Powers of Grove Street suggested closing Saturday and opening Sunday.
Camille Anthony noted that the Clergy has requested to open in the afternoon only on Sunday.
Judy Kramer of Grove Street felt the Town should be looking at alternative sites.
Ted McIntire encouraged people to compost at home, and noted that brochures and bins are
being made available.
Chris Zanni noted that signs are not posted.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
following hours of operation for the Reading Compost Center for calendar year 1998:
April 1 through April 30:
Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
May 1 through May 31:
Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
June 1 through September 30:
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 17, 1998—Page 4,
October 1 through October 31:
Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
November 1 through November 30:
Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
Hines moved and Anthony seconded to amend the hours to Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and
Sundays Noon to 5:00 p.m.. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hoyt opposed.
MacDonald moved and Hines seconded to amend the hours to start no later than 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, Monday and Fridays, and noon on Sundays. The motion was defeated on a vote of
1-4-0.
Hoyt moved and Anthony seconded that the Sunday opening be restricted to April 5th and 12th,
and November 23rd and 30th. The motion was defeated on a vote of 1-4-0, with Hoyt in favor.
Hines moved and MacDonald seconded that the hours be modified to provide for opening 8:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday and Friday, and 800 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. The motion was
defeated on a vote of 2-3-0, with George Hines and MacDonald in favor.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the main motion as amended approved by a vote of
4-1-0, with Hoyt opposed.
Review with Board of Selectmen Strategic Planning Efforts of School Department - Focus
Group - The Board reviewed the strategic plamiing rating sheet that was submitted by Sandra
Michaud.
Review Public Information Schedule — Pool — The Board reviewed the schedule that Recreation
Administrator Joe Connelly submitted for community awareness of the future indoor pool at the
YMCA.
Vacating Decree — Shurman — 456 Haverhill Street — The Town Manager noted that the Town
had taken the property for nonpayment of taxes. Subsequently, the taxes have been paid, and the
motion is to petition the Land Court to vacate the final decree, thereby returning ownership of
this property to Mr. Shurman.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to petition the land
Court to vacate the final decree issued on February 25, 1997 relative to Case No. 107513 T.L.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 17, 1998—Page 5
On motion MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of March 17, 1998 at 10:25 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
.? All
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