HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
June 2, 1998
The meeting convened at 7:00 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 Matt Nester, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner,
and the following list of interested parties: Mary Andreola, Jim Nugent, Betty Cronin, Lois
Bond, Jane Fiore, Sandra Michaud, Kevin Hayes, Nancy Eaton, Chris Campbell, Stewart
Chipman, Andrew Herlihy, Gerard McDonald, Alfred Wolstoz, John Atwood, Ted McIntire,
Gina Snyder, Gay Williams, Joanne O'Brien, Rev. Robert Sweet, Karen Flammia, David Bryant,
Claire Bolger, Alan Beaulieu, David Libassi, Dale Marie Merrill, Leone Sullivan, Joe Delaney,
Paul Guerrette, Joseph Tello, Gail Wood.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into
Executive Session for the purpose of approval of Executive Session minutes, and discussion of
strategy with respect to the purchase or sale of real estate, to come back into Open Session at
approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, all four members present voted in the affirmative
and the motion was carried.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened from Executive Session at 7:30 p.m.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — MacDonald noted that he had heard concern
expressed about the Woburn Street design but that the Selectmen's Minutes specifically reflected
a decision to design a project in accordance with the way it was finally approved. This was
based on consensus with the neighborhood.
The Police Station Building Committee continues to meet. The cost estimates are about
$215,000 higher than original estimates, and some reductions have been made.
Camille Anthony thanked the Friends of the Historic Preservation for all their hard work with
regard to preservation of the Foster Emerson House. She noted that she is aware they.were
disappointed because they did not get the bid but that their interest and hard work on this project
has resulted in the preservation of the site.
Discussion/Action Items
Appointments—Human Services:
Board of Health—James Nugent was interviewed and questioned by the Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Board of Health for a term expiring June 30, 2001:
James J. Nugent, Jr. received four votes and was appointed.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 2, 1998 —Page 2
Council on Agin — Mary Andreola, Gay Williams, Elizabeth Cronin and Joanne O'Brien were
interviewed for positions on the Council on Aging.
On motion by MacDonaId seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for three positions on the Council on Aging for terms expiring June 30, .
2001: Mary J. Andreola, G. Gay Williams, Elizabeth Cronin and Joanne O'Brien. Mary J.
Andreola, G. Gay Willilams and Elizabeth Cronin received four votes each and were appointed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Council on Aging for a term expiring June 30, 1999:
Joanne O'Brien received four votes and was appointed.
Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee—Kevin Hayes was present and interviewed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for a position on the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee for a term expiring
June 30, 2001: Kevin P. Hayes received four votes and was appointed.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go through a process of changing the
membership on the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee to five from the current seven
members.
Housing Authority — Rev. Robert Sweet and Karen Flammia were interviewed for one position
on the Housing Authority.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for one position on the Housing Authority for a term expiring June 30,
2003: Robert K. Sweet and Karen L. Flammia. Robert K. Sweet received four votes and was
appointed.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Karen
Flammia as an Associate member on the Housing Authority for a term expiring June 30, 1999.
The motion received four votes and was approved.
Recreation Committee — David Bryant, Claire Bolger and Alan Beaulieu were interviewed for
three positions on the Recreation Committee.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for three positions on the Recreation Committee for terms expiring June
30, 2001: David H. Bryant, Claire Bolger and Alan Beaulieu received four votes each and were
appointed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mark Eric
Nelson as an Associate member on the Recreation Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1999.
The motion received four votes and was approved.
Board of Selectmen Meeting;—June 2 1998 —Page 3
Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council — Sandra Michaud, David Libassi and Dale
Merrill were interviewed for the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council. Leone Sullivan
is a candidate who is also the D.A.R.E. Officer.
On motion by Nestor seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for four positions on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council
for terms expiring June 30, 2001: Sandra J. Michaud, David Libassi, Dale Marie Merrill and
Leone Sullivan received four votes each and were appointed.
Open Space Advisory Committee — Andrew Herlihy was interviewed for one position on the
Open Space Advisory Committee.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Open Space Advisory Committee for a term expiring
December 31, 1998: Andrew K. Herlihy received four votes and was appointed.
Nancy Eaton spoke and noted that the Committee has been inactive and needs to become more
active. Part of the work of the Committee is going to be to review and rewrite the plan. Nancy
has been working on the list of Town-owned parcels and their ownership.
Stewart Chipman talked about mechanics for funding for open space, acquisition including land
banks. For unique opportunities like Longwood, the Town should consider a Prop 2 '/2 override.
The Board asked for an assessment of the Open Space Advisory Committee by the Committee
no later than October I'.
Recreation and CPDC membership on the Open Space Advisory Committee is needed.
Sidewalks— Charles Street Killam School to Haverhill Street—Town Engineer Joe Delaney and
Killam School Principal Paul Guerrette were present. Joseph Tello and John Atwood were also
present. Mr. Atwood was represented by Counsel.
Joe Delaney explained the sidewalk project which was to provide sidewalks on the school side of
Charles Street across the frontage of the Killam School and northward to Haverhill Street.
Principal Paul Guerrette noted that this was a high priority project within the Killam School
District. This is largely for the elementary schools, and without school busing, the safety of
pedestrians is critical. Parents pick up and drop off their children primarily on Charles Street.
Mr. Atwood's attorney noted that the school traffic should be on the school grounds and not on
adjacent streets. He suggested requiring parents to drop off their children on the school property.
Mr. Atwood presented photographs of the frontage of his property and the abutting properties.
He agreed that the property where the sidewalks are proposed is Town-owned. He presented a
petition in support of not extending the sidewalk all the way down Charles Street.
..._........
The Board agreed to postpone a decision on this project until they have a chance to review it in
the field.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 2, 1998—Page 4
Beer and Wine Licenses — Discussion — The Town Manager presented a draft of the beer and
wine license provision to implement the Home Rule Petition and vote of the Town. The Board
made a few comments and this will be scheduled for a hearing.
Review Water Supply Study Project - Ted McIntire, along with-Gail Wood and Stewart
Chipman from the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee, were present. McIntire presented an
outline of a Steering Committee. The Town Manager suggested that we expand a study
committee and develop a scope and outline of the water supply project. He suggested that the
Town consider an addition to technical expertise, hiring a facilitator who would develop a Town-
wide process for evaluating the Town's future water supply.
Camille Anthony noted that in the month of August a low water use and low maintenance
landscaping plan will be developed for the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church property by the
Reading/North Reading Stream Team.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen adjourned their meeting
of June 2, 1998 at 10:40 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary