HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 7, 1998
The meeting was convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Secretary Sally Hoyt,
Selectmen George Hines (arrived late) and Matthew Nestor, Fire Chief Don Wood, Town
Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brow, David
Nugent, Bob Lynch, Tom Stohlman, Susan DeMatteo, Pete Dahl, Robert Nordstrand, Paul
Slovin, Sid Hodson, Debbie McCulley, Fred Van Magness, Joe Calareso III, Joe Calareso Sr.,
Dick McDonald, Linda King, Anna Carroll Foulds, Bobbie Botticelli, Nancy Eaton, John Coote,
Kim Honetschlager, Joe Musgrove, Mike Wood, Lisa Palermo, David Palermo, Jack Downing,
Walter Tuvell, Mary Gail Ranaldi, Nick Makrys, Earl Sweeney, John Corbett.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive
Session for the purposes of discussion of strategy with respect to the purchase or sale of real
estate; discussion of strategy with respect to litigation; Approval of Minutes to come back into
Open Session at 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, MacDonald, Hoyt and Nestor voted in the
affirmative.
The Board came back into Open Session at 7:30 p.m.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Matthew Nestor had no report.
Sally Hoyt met with Wilmington and Woburn regarding West Street.
George Hines had no report.
Bruce MacDonald had received many phone calls regarding the landfill options.
Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that he hoped the Board would make a decision regarding
the office park in Open Session.
Town Manager's Report
There was no Town Manager's Report.
Discussion/Action Items
Introduction and Pinning of Badges — Fire Fi hters — Chief Don Wood, Mike Wood, Lisa
Palenno and David Palermo were present for the badge pinning ceremony.
Request for Variance—Driveway Openings— 685 Haverhill Street—Nick Makrys was present to
request that the Board grant a variance for a circular driveway at 685 Haverhill Street. He noted
that it was for safety reasons.
Board of Selectmen Meeting=April 7, 1998 —Page 2
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a variance --
from the "policy concerning access to public ways" to allow a second driveway access point at
685 Haverhill Street with a minimum frontage of less than 150 feet. The motion was approved
by a vote of 4-0-0.
Presentation Police Staffing and Deployment Study — Earl Sweeney from EMS was present to
review the study. He noted that the Town has a disciplined and well run Police Department and
is a credit to the Chief and the Department. Mr. Sweeney reviewed his recommendations in the
report.
George Hines indicated that this was the best report he has received. It is well written, thorough
and balanced. He noted that the Department needs to prepare an action plan showing time
frames, budget and collective bargaining issues.
Bruce MacDonald noted that this was an excellent study.
Discussion—RMLD Adviso1y Board Member—John Corbett, the Citizen Advisory Board
Representative, was present to update the Board and discuss deregulation.
Decision - Reading Business Park— George Hines noted that the Board of Selectmen asked him
to Chair the Reading Business Park Advisory Committee. He is frustrated that there weren't
more responses and the Town didn't get what they wanted. Town Counsel has advised of some
potential problems and suggested to move towards a more structured re-bid process.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to reject the current bids
for the acquisition of the "Reading Business Park" site, and request the Reading Business Park
Task Force to review the RFP, and prepare to go back out to bid no later than May 1, 1998. The
motion was approve by a vote of 3-1-0, with Nestor opposed.
Review Decision Making Process — Longwood Poultry Farm — This was continued until May 5,
1998.
Review Warrant for Annual Town Meeting — The Board reviewed each Article on the Warrant
for the Annual Town Meeting and made the following recommendations:
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 5. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 7. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 8. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 9. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 7, 1998—Page 3
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 11. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 12. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 13. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 14. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 15. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the
subject matter of Article 17. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 20. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hines abstaining.
- On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 21. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Nestor opposed.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 23. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend. the
modification to the FY 1999 budget by:
Moving $8,269 from Line F2, Library Non-Personal Expenses to Line Fl,
Library Personal Services, and by
Moving $5,000 from Line D1, Property and Casualty Insurance to Line F1,
Library Personal Services, the intent of which is to fund the project to
adjust the classification for Library Division Heads and Librarians.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines opposed.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of
April 7, 1998 at 11:22 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Resp tfully submitted,
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