HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 12, 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, Selectmen George Hines and Matthew Nestor, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen and the following list of interested parties:
Maria Silvaggi, Dick Ogden, Cherrie Dubois, Stephen Connor, Fire Chief Don Wood, Fire
Captain Greg Burns, Jane Burns, Jacqui Carson, Jol�l Giorgio.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Matthew Nestor had no report.
Bruce MacDonald asked for a follow-up on a violation at Eric's Greenhouse.
George Hines attended a meeting of the Business Park Task Force.
Camille Anthony attended a meeting of the RMLD Advisory Committee.
Public Comment—There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
e The Reading Business Park RFP and the RFP for the marketing consultant have
both been sent out and advertised. We will have a complete set of materials for
the Board of Selectmen.
+ We have received the proposals from Media One for the,renewal of the Cable TV
franchise. The Cable TV Advisory Committee has been reviewing the proposals.
We expect to begin the negotiations next week. The negotiating team will be
Town Counsel, myself, and two members of the Cable TV Advisory Committee.
The bids for the sale of the Grove Street property for the preservation of the Foster
Emerson House are due back on May 15, 1998 at 10:00 a.m.
Bulk Waste Collection, the week of May 0', was very successful but because of
the volume of material, it had to be extended to Saturday to collect all of the
material that was put out.
The Mill Street Bridge project has been bid and awarded. The pre-construction
_meeting is Wednesday, and work will be started soon afterward. The road will
be closed during construction.
Longwood Road sewer pre-construction meeting this week or next.
Charles Street and Rustic Lane re-paving—bid opening 5-27;
13 Union Street—the property is in the Town's possession. The Fire Department
has used it for training and demolition should take place next week.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 12, 1998—Page 2
Personnel and Appointments
Board of Library Trustees — Board of Library Trustee Members Maria Silvaggi, Dick Ogden,
Cherrie Dubois and Stephen Connor were present. The Board of Selectmen and the Board of ----'
Library Trustees placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of
Library Trustees for a term ending upon the Town Election in March 1999: Donna Bramante
InDeiicato. Ms. InDelicato received 8 votes and was appointed.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Certificates of Appreciation for Reading's 1998 Fifth Grade D.A.R.E. Graduations — On motion
by Nestor seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve Certificates of
Appreciation for Reading's 1998 Fifth Grade D.A.R.E. graduates at Killam, Barrows, Birch
Meadow and Joshua Eaton Schools. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Badge Pinning—Fire Captain Greg Bums—Chief Don wood, Greg Burns and his mother, father
and wife Jane were present for the badge pinning ceremony.
Quarterly Meeting with Town Counsel — Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen was present to
review pending litigation.
Regarding the Video Expo litigation, the court found the Adult Entertainment Bylaw to be
deficient, and Town Counsel recommended that the Bylaw be referred back to CPDC for
amendments.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to refer the court
decision in the Video Expo case to the Community Planning and Development Commission so
that they, working with Town Counsel and staff, can determine whether to propose amendments
to the Bylaw in order to address and remedy the deficiencies found by the court; and that CPDC
be directed to proceed as expeditiously as possible on this matter so that it may be brought to the
next available Town Meeting, including possibly a September Special Town Meeting. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Regarding the Homart case, a settlement has been negotiated and Town Counsel requested
authorization to settle this case.
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted pursuant to Section
4.2 of the General Bylaws to authorize Town Counsel to settle the suit brought by the Town
against Sears Development Co. and Sears & Roebuck & Company, as successor corporations to
- Homart Development Company and Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, currently pending in the Middlesex Superior Court as Civil Action No. 98-01162D, whereby the Town would receive
not less than $82,500 from the Homart deposit currently held in escrow by Lawyers Title
Insurance Corporation, with the balance and any accrued interest being returned to Homart's
successors. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Mgy 12, 1998—Page 3
Follow-up on Baystate Road Si neral—Jacqui Carson, Manager of Peter Sanborn Place, appeared
before the Board of Selectmen. She's concerned about the intersection of Baystate Road and
- Salem Street. The concern is that it is very hard to get out of Baystate Road onto Salem, and it is
very hard to cross Salem Street because of visibility and speed of traffic. She suggests possibly
moving the speed limit sign back, and having sidewalks and improved signs would be a big help.
She would like to see a signal put in this location.
Camille Anthony noted that there are new homes on Baystate Road. The Town Manager noted
that there are only four. George Hines suggested that if the "REI" property is developed to the
maximum. the studies show that they don't need a signal, then why do it. He felt that
channelization on Salem Street as part of the reconstruction may help.
John Giorgio suggested that perhaps having Police details at busy times at the Registry may help.
It was noted that many of the people trying to cross Salem Street are elderly and disabled
residents who live in Peter Sanborn Place. One of the concerns of having a traffic signal would
be that it would help to slow traffic as it comes off the Rotary. George Hines asked Giorgio if
there are other plans for development of the site, and Giorgio noted that there were not.
Bruce MacDonald suggested that we might put conduit in for future signalization while the road.
construction is being done. John Giorgio noted that the property owner is trying to work with the
Town of Reading. He felt a signal may be detrimental to the traffic flow in the area.
The Board of Selectmen asked for an accident history of the property, some information on
actual speeds, and some counts of how many people actually try to use this intersection as
pedestrians. Bruce MacDonald felt that the combination of speed and elderly/disabled population
make this a special situation. He suggests getting conduit in and do speed counts.
Matt Nestor noted that it is always safer.to have a light but if we can get the left turn Lane
constructed, curbing constructed, more signs and selected enforcement, that might be the most
effective solution. A signal may create as many problems as it would solve. He suggests that we
don't waste money on a conduit at this time.
Camille Anthony asked for a schedule of construction. It was agreed that a traffic study would
be done and presented to the Board of Selectmen.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of April 21, 1998, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of
4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
minutes of their meeting of April 28, 1998, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of
4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 12, 1998—Page 4
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of May 12, 1998 at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
S eretary