HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 24, 1998
The meeting was convened at 7:10 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt,
Selectmen Camille Anthony (Matthew Nestor arrived late), Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, Paula Schena and the following list of
interested parties: Jane Fiore, Bob Marson, Neil Sullivan, Michael Lucy, Mark Reilly, Brenda
Smith, Jim Biller, Mike Longo, Christ Shomos, Sheila Wong.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Sally Hoyt attended two meetings of the Bell and
Clock Committee. She attended the Police Station groundbreaking ceremony. She spoke with
Senator Tisei's Office regarding a firing range, and she spoke with Senator Kerry's Office
regarding cellular communications. She urged residents to call Senator Kerry's Office regarding
the Senate bill on cellular communications.
Camille Anthony attended a Water and Sewer Advisory Committee meeting.
Bruce MacDonald attended the Police Station groundbreaking ceremony.
Public Comment—There was no public comment.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
♦ We have received applications from 18 candidates for the Planner's position. A
preliminary screening indicates a very qualified pool of applicants. Camille Anthony
and Richard Howard will be involved in the screening, interviewing and selection
process;
♦ Funding for clock maintenance and repairs at the Old South Church—the Lion's Club
has agreed to lead this fundraiser;
♦ Tree lighting is scheduled to take place this Sunday;
♦ Polar Express is December 6, 1998 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.;
♦ The Aids Awareness program will take place Tuesday evening, December 1, 1998
at 7:00 p.m.;
♦ The Town has been served in a suit by Sprint relative to the denial of a license to
utilize the water tower site as a location for cellular communications facilities;
♦ Construction has begun on the East Main Street (blight grant) parking lot. It is
our plan to have the base course of pavement on the site within the next week and
a half, with construction completed next Spring,
♦ The Police Station groundbreaking took place Saturday and the project is under
construction;
e The Mill Street Bridge construction is complete, and the DPW has placed a
pavement overlay from the Bridge to Short Street as a temporary measure;
Board of Selectmen Meetingt—November 24, 1998 —Paye 2
♦ The Mineral Street Bridge will not be open to traffic until next Spring;
♦ Library parking lot bids have been protested and the protest has been withdrawn.
Construction will not be done until Spring; -
♦ The Wilson and Pleasant Street lot was not approved by the Conservation Commission.
Personnel & Appointments
CPDC — The Board interviewed Bob Marson and Neil Sullivan for one position on the
Community Planning and Development Commission.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed the names of Bob Marson and Neil
Sullivan into nomination for one position on the Community Planning and Development
Commission with a term expiring June 30, 1999. Neil Sullivan received three votes and was
appointed.
Substance Abuse Advisory Council — The Board interviewed Michael Lucy for one position on
the Substance Abuse Advisory Council.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed the name of Michael Lucy into
nomination for a position on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council for a terns expiring June 30,
2001. Michael Lucy received four votes and was appointed.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation --
Proclamation — World Aids Day— Jane Fiore and members of the Peer Leadership were present
to accept the Proclamation.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a
Proclamation declaring December 1, 1998 as World Aids Day. The motion was approved by a
vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Approve CATV License—Town Counsel Ted Cohen, Mark Reilly, Brenda Smith, Jim Biller and
Mike Longo were present to discuss the CATV license.
The Town Manager noted that the Cable TV Advisory Committee recommends approval of this
license by a vote of 6-0-0. This is a 10 year renewal and is non-exclusive. A 10% senior citizen
discount will be offered to the needy. The biggest change is the creation of a public access
channel.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the execution
of a renewal license between the Town of Reading and Media One of Massachusetts, Inc. for a
10 year term commencing on November 24, 1998 and terminating at midnight on November 23,
2008, such license to supersede and replace the renewal license dated October 6, 1998 authorized
by the Board of Selectmen by vote on October 6, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of
4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 24, 1998—Page 3
Approval of Dispatcher's Contract— The Town Manager noted that the contract will include an
EMT stipend for Dispatchers who are EMI's. There are language changes to conform with the
Personnel Policy. The salary increase is 3.5% to bring them up to surrounding communities.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the contract
between the Town of Reading and the Reading Public Safety Dispatchers, Mass Cop Local 191A
for a tenn expiring June 30, 2001. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Approval of 1999 Liquor Licenses —The Town Manager noted that all licenses will be held until
their taxes are paid.
Christ Shomos, owner of Square Liquors, indicated that it is redundant to keep sending the same
employees to training. The Town Manager noted that employees do not have to be trained every
year,just the new employees.
Sheila Wong, Manager of the Mandarin Reading Restaurant, requested the Board to allow
restaurants to be open on Christmas Day. It was noted that the restaurants may be open but they
cannot serve liquor.
Matthew Nestor noted that he doesn't want to encourage people to have to work on Christmas
Day.
Sally Hoyt noted that we need at least one restaurant open in Reading on Christmas Day.
The Board directed the Town Manager to call the surrounding towns and report back to them on
December 8, 1998.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the. Board of Selectmen voted to approve the All
Alcoholic Club Liquor Licenses for:
Reading Overseas Veterans, Inc., 575 Main Street
Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street
Knights of Columbus, I 1 Sanborn Street
Reading Veteran's Association, 37 Ash Street
for a term expiring December 31, 1999 subject to the following conditions:
1. All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts shall be followed;
2. All employees of the establishment involved in the serving of alcoholic beverages
shall be trained in TIPS, or an equivalent program on the effective date of this
license, and new employees shall be trained within three months of being hired, and
the operator of the establishment will certify in writing to the Town Manager that
this condition has been met;
-- 3. There shall be no video gambling machines on the premises.
__ The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 24, 1998 —Paye 4
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the All
Alcoholic Package Store Liquor Licenses for:
Reading Liquors, Inc., 345 Main Street
Athens Liquors, Inc., d/b/a Square Liquors, 11 High Street
for a teen expiring December 31, 1999 subject to the following conditions:
1. All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts shall be followed;
2. All employees of the establishment involved in the serving of alcoholic beverages
shall be trained in TAMS, or an equivalent program on the effective date of this
license,and new employees shall be trained within three months of being hired; and
the owner shall certify in writing to the Town Manager that this condition has been
adhered to.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the All
Alcoholic Restaurant Liquor Licenses for:
Mandarin Reading Restaurant, 296 Salem Street
Mecom, Inc. d/b/a/Cafe Capri, 355 Main Street
Station House Restaurant, 32 Lincoln Street
Harrow's Poultry Products, Inc. d/b/a/Harrow's Restaurant, 126 Main Street
Emperor's Choice Restaurant, 530 Main Street
for a term expiring December 31, 1999 subject to the following conditions:
1. All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts shall be followed;
2. All employees of the establishment involved in the serving of alcoholic beverages
shall be trained in TIPS, or an equivalent program on the effective date of this
license, and new employees shall be trained within three months of being hired, and
the operator of the establishment will certify in writing to the Town Manager that
this condition has been met;
3. There shall be no video gambling machines on the premises.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Hearing on Approval of Sunday Liquor Sales for Holidays — Secretary Matthew Nestor read the
hearing notice to open the hearing. The Town Manager noted that there have been no reported
problems from the Police Department regarding liquor stores being open on Sundays. Owners of
the liquor stores were present and hours of operation were discussed.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public {
hearing on the Sunday Liquor Sales for Holidays. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 24, 1998 —Page 5
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sale of
liquor beginning on November 29, 1998 and continuing on Sunday, December 6, Sunday,
December 13, Sunday, December 20 and Sunday, December 27, 1998 from the hours of 12 noon
until 6:00 p.m. in accordance with State law, subject to the premises coming into compliance and
remaining in compliance of the local Zoning Bylaw with respect to signs and particularly related
to illuminated signs.
It was moved by Anthony seconded by Hoyt that the main motion be amended to change the
closing time to 8:00 p.m. The main motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Nestor
opposed and the amendment was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Town Manager's Evaluation— The Town Manager indicated that the Board of Selectmen need to
review the process and form and to designate two Selectmen to be compilers.
Bruce MacDonald suggested that one of the Selectmen sit down with the Town Manager and get
suggestions on how to get infornlation that is needed for the evaluation. Camille Anthony will
work with the Town Manager on this.
Sally Hoyt volunteered Camille Anthony and Matthew Nestor to compile the Town Manager's
evaluation.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes
of their meeting of October 20, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their
meeting of November 24, 1998 at 9:50 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
etary