Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 15, 1998 The meeting was convened-at 7:34 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 and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Stewart Chipman, Gail Wood, Bernice Svedlow, Joe Santangelo, Mike Longo, Jim Biller, Jeff Lamson, Steve Ryan, Karen Sawyer, Brenda Smith, Kevin Vendt. Discussion/Action Items Certificate of Appreciation-- Stephen Carpenter Eagle Scout of Troop 702 — George Hines noted that he would present the Certificate of Appreciation to Stephen Carpenter on December 27, 1998. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a Certificate of Appreciation for Stephen Carpenter for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Appointment — Cable Access Cothoration Board — Bernice Svedlow, Joe Santangelo, Mike Longo and Jim Biller from the Cable TV Advisory Committee were present. Bernice Svedlow, Chairman of the Cable TV Advisory Committee, noted that two member of the Cable TV Advisory Committee, Richard Cohen and Brenda Smith, have resigned so they could be considered for the Reading Public TV Board of Directors. It is the Selectmen's responsibility to appoint the seed Board consisting of at least five but no more than seven members. Bruce MacDonald asked if there was a residency requirement. Brenda Smith noted that the Bylaw that is being drafted does not require residency. The Board interviewed Jeff Lamson, Steve Ryan, Karen Sawyer, Brenda Smith and Kevin Vendt for positions on the Reading Public TV Board of Directors. It was noted that the School Department has chosen John Marion as their representative. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for two positions on the Reading Public TV Seed Board of Directors for a term expiring June 30, 2001: Jeff Lamson, Steve Ryan, Karen Sawyer, Brenda Smith, Kevin Vendt and Richard Cohen. Karen Sawyer received 1 vote, Brenda Smith received 4 votes and Richard Cohen received 3 votes. Brenda Smith and Richard Cohen were appointed. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following narnes into nomination for two positions on the Reading Public TV Seed Board of Directors for a tern expiring June 30, 2000: Jeff Lamson, Steve Ryan, Karen Sawyer and Kevin Vendt. Jeff Lamson received 3 votes, Steve Ryan received 2 votes, Karen Sawyer received 2 votes and Kevin Vendt received 1 vote. Jeff Lamson was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 15, 1998 —Paize 2 On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for one position on the Reading Public TV Seed Board of Directors for a term expiring June 30, 2000: Steve Ryan, Karen Sawyer and Kevin Vendt. Karen Sawyer received 3 votes and was appointed. On motion. by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for two positions on the Reading Public TV Seed Board of Directors for a term expiring June 30, 1999: Steve Ryan and Kevin Vendt. Steve Ryan received 4 votes, Kevin Vendt received 4 votes and both were appointed. The Board of Selectmen determined that the School representative on the Reading Public TV Seed Board of Directors would have a term expiring June 30, 2001. Awardii�� of Bids for the Pool — The Town Manager noted that the YMCA was the only bidder for services for an indoor swimming pool complex. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to award the bid for services for an indoor swimming pool complex to the YMCA of Greater Boston, Inc., and. authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing—Adoption of Policy Establishing an Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the policy sets up an ad hoc committee consisting of one CPDC member, I Conservation Commission member, one Finance Committee member, one member from the Ipswich River Watershed Association or the Stream Team, one Water and Sewer Advisory Committee member, three members at large and one Selectman. The Town Manager noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee are requesting that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee representative be increased from one to three, that one Town Forest Committee member be added and that the at large member be appointed chairman. George Hines asked why this committee is being formed. Gail Wood noted that a decision as to whether or not to keep our own water supply has to be made. Stewart Chipman noted that this will be a$10415 million expenditure, and it is better to have a larger cross section of input from the very beginning. Bruce MacDonald asked why we need a new Water Treatment Plant, and the Town Manager noted to meet the Safe Water Acts. George Hines noted that the Ipswich River Watershed Association was not a Town body. The Town Manager noted that was correct but Reading residents are in this Association. Camille Anthony noted that the Ipswich. River Watershed Association brings a wealth of inforination on the subject. 4 Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 15, 1998—Page 3 On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen closed the public hearing on the adoption of the policy establishing an Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to delete the Ipswich River Watershed Association or Stream Team member and add one member of the Town Forest. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with MacDonald opposed. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to increase the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee members from one to three, and to add to the number one charge after the word scope"issues, goals and tasks." The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adopt the policy as amended in the draft dated 12/15/98 establishing an Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Gail Wood noted that she knows of applicants who want to be Associate Members of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Bruce MacDonald noted that the Board would appoint Associate Members and will revisit the issue in the future. Goals—The Town Manager reviewed the top priority goals for the Board of Selectmen. Priority #1 — Landfill. Sale and Closure — The plan is to have a Purchase and Sales Agreement -' negotiated and executed by February 1, 1999. Have all permits in place by July 1, 1999. Priority 42 — Water Supply — The Board started the process for evaluating the Town's water .supply options tonight. A consultant to work with the task force will be hired by March 1, 1999. A draft report to the Board of Selectmen will be developed by July 1, 1999. The Selectmen will present the options and a recommendation to the Subsequent Town Meeting in November, 1999. Priority #3 —Economic Development Focused on Downtown and South Main Street—The Town Manager noted that Gates Leighton has done the design for signs to be placed at the gateway areas of the community. We will continue to work with the Downtown Steering Committee to pursue outside funding for improvements to the Main Street corridor. We work on streamlining the business application process. Will identify and pursue opportunities to encourage high quality development/redevelopment of the Downtown and South Main Street. Complete the Police Station, Blight, and Brande Court parking lots. Priority #4 — Traffic Manaumen.t Program — The goal is to develop a program that would educate the public. Also work with the Police Department to developed a unifonn system of evaluating changes in traffic rules and regulations, and to improve the standards and record keeping for traffic enforcement. Review the CIP with a view to the needs for traffic and �, pedestrian safety including sidewalks. Implement West Street traffic improvements. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 15, 1998—Page 4 Camille Anthony noted that she got a phone call from a resident regarding parking on sidewalks. The Town Manager noted that the problem is that people question what a sidewalk is; i.e., tree lawns. George Hines asked that the speed limit billboard be placed on West Street. The Town Manager suggested that George Hines should attend the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force meetings. Mr. Hines indicated that he would attend the meetings, and asked that the Mineral Street Bridge be added to the list. Priority#5 —Implementation of the Police Staffing and Deployment Study- The Town Manager noted that he would like to implement the study into the development and "move in" to the new Police Station. This would include addressing the clerical and technology needs. Maintain staffing levels. Monitor and control the use of sick leave in the Department and implement the Performance Evaluation Program. Priority#6—Implementation and Evaluation of the Consolidated Building Maintenance Program Develop a program for implementation of the Peat Marwick Report. Develop the legal mechanism to ensure that the Building Maintenance budget cannot be used for any other purpose if the Building Maintenance Department is to remain in the School Department. Expand on the program as buildings are added, retract as space is reduced. Complete the collective bargaining process to incorporate all building maintenance employees into the same Union with the same - benefits. Implement the recommendation with respect to contracting the building maintenance for Town buildings and a sample school. Priority#7—..Continue to Focus on the 10 Year Capital Improvements Program—Incorporate the sale of the Reading Business Park. Develop a pavement management strategy and incorporate in the FY 2001 CIP. Develop a comprehensive management plan for the water and sewer systems and incorporate them into the FY 2001 CIP. Update the curb and sidewalk master plans and incorporate them into the FY 2000 CIP. Budget - The Town Manager indicated that the Selectmen received a copy of the new program requests and that they should rank them with A, B or C with A being the highest priority. Camille Anthony requested a presentation from the Department Heads before ranking. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of December 15, 1998 at 10:30 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hines abstaining. Resp tfulsubinitted> cretary