HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 25, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony,
Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbieikner and the following list of interested parties: Ruth Clay, Nancy Eaton, Kathy
Greenfield, Virginia Adams, Chief Edward Marchand, Lt. Michael Cloonan, Patrol Officers Pat
Iapicca and Chris Voegelin, Kay Clark, Ann Mark, Donald Leighton, Randall Collins, Frank
Romeo.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved the minutes of their meeting of
February 4, 1997 as submitted by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of their meeting of
February 11, 1997 as amended by a vote of 3-0-2, with Hoyt and Anthony abstaining.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Dan Ensminger had no report other than that the
water taste problem exists in his area of Town and has remained present.
Camille Anthony noted that in reviewing the material submitted by the Department of Public
Works, one woman noted that a Brita water filter helps, and that information may be valuable.
Bruce MacDonald noted that he has a water filter in his house that also helps the taste problem.
Anthony noted that any groups having events during the month of June should have that event
included in the Community Day Calendar.
Sally Hoyt noted that she had attended the County Advisory Board. On March 12, the judge will
decide whether or not Middlesex County is to go into receivership. The Marzilli bill may be
moving too fast - she's concerned that the Town would have a double pension assessment under
this bill. When asked if MMA was tracking this, it was noted that this would come under the
Regional Policy Committee.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted that the Town of Reading go on
record as opposed to the Marzilli bill or any other bill that would mandate a double pension
assessment to the Town of Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0, and the Town
Manager was directed to send this information to the Town of Reading representatives and
Representative Marzilli.
Bruce MacDonald noted that 24 RFP's to 24 legal firms have been sent out, and they will be
reviewed in March with a decision in April.
George Hines was away last week and had no report.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 25, 1997 -page 2
Town Manager's Report
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved a Proclamation designating the
month of March 1997 as Red Cross Month in Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of
5-0-0, and Ruth Clay was present to accept the Proclamation.
The Town has received a recycling report grade of B and a grant for education in the amount of
$2313.00. The water consultant - Weston and Sampson - has been selected. Candidate's night is
March 13, 1997. The Historical Commission has acted not to intervene under the demolition
delay Bylaw on a case involving a property on John Street, but there still is interest in preserving
the property. On March 15, 1997, the Downtown Steering Committee's "Third Step" will be held
at the Senior Center from 9:30 - 3:30. The Town has received three proposals for the Downtown
Facilitator and Economic Development Consultant, and a selection should be made within the
next two weeks. The MBTA is using the Reading Depot parking program as a model to
recommend other communities in the old colony extension project. The City of Fall River and
other communities are using Reading's bylaw and "finding of fact" onAdult Entertainment issues
as a model, at the suggestion of the Attorney General's office.
Michael O'Halloran has been promoted to the position of Administrative Assistant in the
Department of Public Works. Chris Picco is graduating from the Academy as a Police Officer this
Saturday. The flag on the Common is being flown at half staff today in memory of Edwin
Opland, former Reading employee who passed away recently.
Bids are being advertised for the HVAC work at the Library. An application has been submitted
under the Transportation Enhancement Program for a grant to improve the three municipal
parking lots in the Downtown area. The Town has signed as a co-applicant for a bikeway
planning grant with the communities of North Reading, Wakefield, Lynnfield and Wilmington.
North Reading will be the lead agency. The Mill Street Bridge reconstruction project as been
approved by the Mass Highway Department. North Reading is taking a lead on the project,
which will be a restoration. The cost is $98,500, all of it State funds. Reading will share in the
design cost which is expected to be no more than $7,500 from each of the two communities. The
Main Street sidewalk project has been bid and awarded with construction in the Spring. The
Summer Avenue project is out to bid with construction in the Spring.
Discussion/Action Items
Amendment to Police Patrol Officer's and Police Superior Officer's Contracts re: Police Details -
The Town Manager reviewed the change in the contracts. There were various modifications
which will be effective March 2, 1997. The amendments also include a process to proceed with
performance evaluations.
On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved an amendment to the
current contract between the Town of Reading and the Police Superior Officer's Association
amending Section 3.2 - extra paid details and adding Section 1.9 - management rights and
authorizes the Chairman to sign on the Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of
5-0-0. Lt. Michael Cloonan was present and signed the agreements for the Superior Officers.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 25, 1997 -page 3
On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve an amendment to the
current contract between the Town of Reading and the Reading Police Patrolman's Association
amending Section 3.4 - extra paid details and adding a side letter relative to performance
evaluations, and authorizes the Chairman and the Town Manager respectfully to sign on the
Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Patrol Officers Pat lapicca and
Chris.Voegelin were present for the Patrolman's Union.
Presentation re: D.A.R.E. Cards - Chief Marchand was present and spoke to the Board about the
D.A.R.E. Program and presented each member of the Board a set of"trading cards" representing
each of the Officers of the Reading Police Department. He also reviewed the RAD Program
which is a "Rape Aggression Defense" system program being run by the Department. He also
noted the Department was embarking on a mountain bike club for middle school youth, and
reviewed some of the fundraising efforts being done on the part of the D.A.R.E. Program. The
Board thanked the Chief for his presentation, and askedthat he express to the Department the
Board's thanks and appreciation for the good work-in'these programs. Camille Anthony asked
how the Town of Reading was working cooperatively with other agencies on domestic violence,
and suggested that the Police Department make a presentation to the Board on the various
domestic violence programs. The Chief agreed that this would be very worthwhile.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee Presentation Re: Educational Efforts - Kay Clark made a
presentation to the Board of Selectmen regarding the history and current efforts on the part of the
Solid Waste Advisory Committee. This was in response to previous discussion with the Board of
Selectmen expressing concern for the ongoing support of recycling by the community, and the
need to improve recycling efforts.
Bruce MacDonald asked what two or three big things can be done to get us to the goals that are
proposed. There was a great deal of discussion on what some of these elements might be. The
Solid Waste Advisory Committee proposed goals of 100% participation in recycling, 25%
recycling by weight and 50% diversion of solid waste.
Following discussion, on motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen
voted to endorse and adopt the goals of 100% participation, 25% recycling by weight, and 50%
diversion. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board thanked the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for an excellent presentation. Camille
Anthony asked what the plans were for Earth Day, and Anne Mark noted that they are trying to
have a video film festival through Continental Cable, that the Massachusetts Coalition for
Homeless would do a bulk collection of furniture, and we would try to get the recycling trucks
present at the elementary schools. George Hines asked if the recycling program would be more
effective if it was done weekly and although that is not "in the cards" for FY '98, maybe it could
be reinstituted in FY '99. The Board talked about the availability of recycling bins, and whether
some assistance could be given to people who physically cannot recycle. Perhaps block captains,
or recycling "buddies" could be established.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 25, 1997-page 4
Discussion with Downtown Steering Committee and Consultant re: Streetscape Program - The
firm of Gates & Leighton was represented by Donald Leighton, Randall Collins, and Frank
Romeo, the subcontractor from Beta Engineering for traffic. They presented to the Board a
scope of work for the Streetscape Program. The scope includes mapping and surveying to be
completed by May 30, the traffic analysis to be completed by March 15, review existing
information and conditions to be completed by March 15, design analysis to be completed by
April 15, conceptual design to be completed by May 31, and final design to be completed by
January 1998. The consultant would like to have a work session with the Board of Selectmen in
early May. Camille Anthony asked what happens January 1, and it was noted that we would be in
a position to be able to make grant applications to the Massachusetts Highway Department for
construction at that time. Questions were asked about involvement of the business community,
and attention needs to be paid to ongoing maintenance issues. The Board of Selectmen thanked
the Downtown Steering Committee and the consultants for their presentation, and noted that they
look forward to participating in this entire.process.
Metropolitan Planning Organization - The Town of Reading has votes for a Town representative
and a city representative on the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Board had previously
endorsed Burlington as the Town representative. The Board discussed alternatives of supporting
Peabody with Mayor Torigian or Woburn with Mayor Dever. R
Following discussion, Selectmen Hines, Anthony and MacDonald supported the vote for Peabody
to be our representative based on the stronger track record of planning.
Review Warrant for Annual Town Meeting - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Warrant. On
motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the subject matter of Article
10 by a vote of 5-0-0, and Ensminger will be the presenter.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 14 by a vote of 4-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining, and MacDonald will be the presenter. The
Town Manager will get more cost on the design of the Police Station.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted 0-5-0 to not support the
subject matter of Article 16.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to not support the subject
matter of Article 17 by a vote of 0-5-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to not support the subject
matter of Article 19 by a vote of 0-5-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to not support the subject
matter of Article 20 by a vote of 0-5-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 25, 1997 - page 5
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 21 by a vote of 5-0-0,with Ensminger doing the presentation.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 23 by a vote of 5-0-0, with Ensminger doing the presentation.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:50 p.m. by a vote
of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary