HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 8, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:30 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
Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Joan Vitale, Katie Vitale, Jane Fiore,
Nancy Eaton, Kim Honetschlager, Betty Cronin, M.J. Andreola, Bill Brown, Virginia Adams,
Gladys Jones, Beth Klepeis, Bob Brown.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the
meeting of March 20, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-1 with Hines abstaining.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the
meeting of March 26, 1997 by a vote of 4-0-1 with Anthony abstaining.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Dan Ensminger noted that he had reviewed material
on Police Station site costing, and will review that with the Board later this evening. He also met
with the Reading Business Park Task Force,
Camille Anthony noted that Community Day is June 1, 1997. There will be two clean-ups -
Imagination Station and the football field. They need people to help. There will also be a picnic,
a band concert and square dancing.
Sally Hoyt attended a meeting of the Board of Library Trustees. She also attended a session at
the State House regarding County Government. She noted the sale of the County Hospital has
been reversed.
Bruce MacDonald also attended the meeting of the State Library Commissioners. He attended
the Police Station Open House and noted that it was sparsely attended. He hopes that Town
Meeting Members will pick up their Warrant quickly. Lt. Silva and Officer Peoples conducted the
tour. He checked with Burlington - Town Manager David Owen, and Tewksbury - Town
Manager David Cressman with regard to building construction costs and how close their architect
was to the target. It was noted that the Preservation Partnership has been very close to the
estimated cost on the Burlington station site.
George Hines extended acknowledgment to the Public Works employees regarding their response
to the April 1, 1997 blizzard.
Public Comments - Bill Brown noted that he had discussed with Town Counsel the history of the
Oakland Road site as to ownership. He also noted that 54 people previewed the Police Station,
only 14 of them Town Meeting Members.
Board of Selectmen Meetin_g,- April 8, 1997 - page 2
Dan Ensminger noted that the Police Department is willing to rehost the meeting on this Sunday.
Nancy Eaton noted that the Police Station in Burlington was a 1900 to 1910 era wooden
construction building.
Town Manager's Report
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board approved a Certificate of Recognition
for the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team. Jim Biller was present for the coaches
and parents, and Amy Padulo accepted the Certificate.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve a Certificate of
Appreciation for James J. Tucker in recognition of the achievement of his Eagle Scout Award.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. George Hines will present the Certificate.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation for
Public Health Week from April 7, 1997 - April 13, 1997. Jane Fiore and Joan Vitale were present
to receive the Proclamation.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve an event reenacting
the Revolutionary War ride of April 18, 1775. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Gladys Jones and Virginia Adams gave the Board some background on the reason for and the
history of the ride.
The Town Manager made the following report:
The water quality study sample test results will be completed this week, and there will be a
meeting with the consultants early next week. Gas Spill Site - due to the water quality problems
in Town Forest Well, Well #2 and Well #15, we are unable to operate these wells. Activation of
the wells is subject to water quality test results and recommendations from our consultants.
Water Treatment Plant Holding Tank Project - progress is being made on sewer service; lagoons
are being cleaned; work on the tank is expected to start next week. Bear Hill Water Storage Tank
- contractor will be in the end of this week or early next week - weather dependent. Water main
flushing started on April 7;the estimated completion is May 5th. We are now operating only Well
82-20, Revay and B Well. Well #3 is down for cleaning and rehabilitation until early next week.
The Town has received three proposals for the Downtown Facilitator/Economic Consultant.
These are being evaluated and a decision should be made within a week. This project is funded by
a partnership of the Town and local businesses through the Chamber of Commerce and the
Downtown Steering Committee.
Brush collection - DPW is removing everything in the public way - one sweep is being made.
Residents should be encouraged to bring private brush and limbs to the Compost Area. -
Board of Selectmen Meeting=April 8 1997- page 3
The Compost Area is now open on Fridays (7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), Saturdays (7:00 a.m.-3:30
p.m.), Sundays (12 noon to 5:00 p.m.) and Mondays (7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). This schedule of
Fridays and Mondays will continue through May 30th.
Household Hazardous Materials Collection will be held at the DPW facility on Saturday, May 17,
1997 from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. (for residents of Reading and Stoneham).
The DPW did an excellent job handling the third worst snowstorm in our history. It was
disappointing to have to spend the extensive amount of funds for this storm so late in the season
but public safety warranted it. The snowstorm expense estimate is $100,000.
Bids were opened for the HVAC work at the Library, and the bids were significantly over budget.
The project has been modified and re-bid, and once bids are accepted will be evaluated.
The Depot area work is continuing on the Depot parking lot by Town forces (prep work) and at
"Rotary Square" by Santorelli Construction. Construction was delayed by last week's blizzard.
The Summer Avenue project is out to bid.
Camille Anthony asked when the Wood End Cemetery would be dedicated, and it was noted that
it would probably be in September.
Discussion/Action Items
Approval of Bond Anticipation Notes - Finance Director Beth Klepeis was present. On motion
by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen approved the sale of$867,000 of Bond
Anticipation Notes to Bay Bank at a net interest cost of 3.97%. The motion was approved by a
vote of 5-0-0 with congratulations to Ms. Klepeis on the successful sale.
Consideration of Length of Term - Custodian of Soldier's and Sailor's Graves - The Board
discussed the length of term for the Custodian of Soldier's and Sailor's Graves. The Town
Manager recommended a three year term consistent with other appointed positions. The
consensus of the Board was to go with the three year term.
Review of Audit Management Letter- The Town Manager reviewed the audit management letter.
The Board asked for three items: 1) a policy on how Police cash collections are handled; 2) can
we get a written warranty from Admins for backing up their system; 3) relative to the year 2000
concerns, we need to appoint a task force to make sure that everything including Police vehicle
computers, motor voter system, traffic lights, elevators, fax machines, etc. will all operate after
December 31, 1999.
The Board also asked us to consider in the FY '99 budget the cost of different back up systems
for the Admins computer.
Board of Selectmen Meeting,- April 8, 1997 - page 4
Future of Camp Curtis Guild - The Town Manager reviewed the correspondence with regard to
this issue. He will set up a meeting at the earliest possible date to meet with the other
communities and the National Guard with regard to future planning for the site.
Approval of Parking Regulations - Killam School Area - The Board of Selectmen deferred action
on this to await input from the PTO. The Town Manager noted that the Principal and the
abutters to the proposed parking restrictions have been notified and have approved.
Parking Regulations -Willow Street The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed restrictions
and changed the distance to 100 feet in both directions of the driveway.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the following
amendments to the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March
28, 1995: Add Appendix A - 1.1:5.3.1 No Parking, Stopping, Standing at any time - Willow
Street - northwest side from Austin Preparatory School driveway for a distance of 100 feet in
both directions. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Approval of Design of Intersection of Brook/Summer/Summit - The Board approved the design
of the intersection of Brook and Summer Avenue at Summit Drive.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the design of the
intersection of Brook/Summer and Summit Drive as proposed for construction as part of the
Summer Avenue construction project. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review of the Warrant- Annual Town Meeting-The Board reviewed the Warrant for the Annual
Town Meeting. The Board asked for a job description for the department head position that the
Board was recommending. He suggested expertise in the economic development area was
important and planning expertise may be appropriate. The wording should suggest that this is a
management position, not an administrative position.
Bob Brown had no comments on the overall plan, but wondered whether the Hazardous Waste
Committee should be in the Public Works Department or in the Human Services Department. He
suggested that we should create an administrative structure and plan most consistent with how we
currently operate but there is a need to be flexible.
The question was raised as to whether the department head would become a "super planner."
Bruce MacDonald noted that there may be an affect on the current Planner. Dan Ensminger was
concerned that our organizational structure must have a positive effect on the Reading Business
Park sale. Dan Ensminger expressed concern that this should have been included as part of the
priority requests. George Hines asked if it could be phased. Sally Hoyt asked about the dollar
amount needed to implement the administrative structure and the cost of the benefits.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 8, 1997-page 5
Bruce MacDonald supports the plan because it is a good idea, but he doesn't know yet how to
fund it. George Hines noted that the Board could support the concept of an administrative
structural change, but that it not be implemented until the budget is available to implement. Dan
Ensminger noted that part of the cost of this position could be offset by savings in the landfill
closure plan. George Hines noted that there are savings in the FY '97 budget that flow into Free
Cash. The Town Manager will come back with a financing plan.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to close the public hearing on
Article 9 on a change to the administrative structure by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 9 by a vote of 5-0-0.
Beer and Wine Licenses - Home Rule Petition on Town Meeting Warrant - The Board had some
discussion on a Home Rule Petition for beer and wine licenses. They asked a number of questions
including who else has proposed changing of the beer and wine regulations in this manner.
George Hines will draft the motion for Article 31. The Board discussed what the cut-off should
be for the number of seats, and the sense was there should not be any cut-off.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session at
10:41 p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to the purchase or sale of real
estate, not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, all five members voted in the
affirmative and the motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary