HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 27, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:33 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Secretary Bruce MacDonald (acting Chairman),
Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the
following list of interested parties: Stephen Ippolito, Nancy Eaton, Lois Bond, Deirdre Hanley,
Don Nadeau, Bob Silva, Mike Saunders, Mark Segalla, Carol Roberts,Frank Cirrocco.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of May 6, 1997 will be held for the next meeting when the full Board
is present.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting of May 20, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 3-0-0.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen Liaison Reports and Comments - Sally Hoyt noted that she had attended the Volunteer
Recognition Program at the Senior Center. She had attended the Disabled American Veteran's
installation of officers. She met Daniel Nickerson in the Memorial Day Parade. He is a 1982
RMHS graduate who is in the U.S. Navy and will take command of the Constitution once its
refurbishment is completed. She attended the 1997 Mass. Historical Preservation Ceremony for
the Pearl Street School. She attended the Memorial Service for Dewey Smith. She participated
in the Memorial Day celebration, and extended congratulations to the three veteran's
organizations for a great job.
Daniel Ensminger spoke at the Memorial Day ceremonies at.Laurel Hill and noticed that the
crowd for this event is growing. With regard to the landfill, he noted that office space in
Downtown Boston is at a premium. The Business Park Task Force will be meeting within a
week. He also noted the debate on the rule making for the River Protection Act. The 200 foot
buffer area is reduced to 25 feet in densely populated areas. This has a potential negative effect
on the Walkers Brook Drive Reading Business Park site. He hopes we can get comments
submitted through our consultants. He noted that improvements to the site would reduce the run
off. This item will be put on the Selectmen's Agenda for June 10th for action.
Bruce MacDonald asked for an update on sign violations. The Town Manager noted that the
Larkin and Larkin sign is legal by action of the Board of Appeals going back a number of years.
MacDonald also noted that he saw the notice on the comment period and is concerned about the
Rivers Protection Act's impact on the Town's Reading Business Park but we need more
information.
Sally Hoyt noted that she received a letter regarding Lawrence "Pushy" Doucette and the
possibility of a memorial commemorating the fact that he was the first Massachusetts soldier
killed in Korea. The Town Manager is reviewing it with the veteran's organizations.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-May 27, 1997 -page 2
Public Comment - Stephen Ippolito of 52 Fairchild Drive spoke. He has frustrations with regard
to the water - taste problems, restrictions, and the fact that the second water meter rate is higher.
He requested a public hearing to which owners of the second water meters would be invited. He
finds this a form of discrimination. Dan Ensminger noted that this higher rate was put into place
after a public hearing. MacDonald agreed that a hearing had been held and the consensus of the
Board was to try to put in place measures that would reduce water use. He noted that the
Ipswich River is the fifth most stressed river in the United States. The Town is being prudent and
conservative in such issues. Ippolito noted that watering with sprinklers is a more efficient way to
use water. They are paying a premium rate and he is asking for a hearing. Dan Ensminger noted
that we should send a notice of the hearing with water bills. The Town Manager noted that
would be too late for this year. Ensminger suggested that in the notice on the rates, we should
include language noting the proposal for a higher rate for second water meters. It was also noted
that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee should have discussions on this issue. MacDonald
asked that we improve our efforts at enforcing violations of the water regulations.
Town Manager's Report
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation
recognizing Charles Papandreou's retirement as Principal of the Barrows School. The motion was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation for
"World -No Tobacco Day." The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Present were Ruth
Brophy and a group of kids who participated in an athletic event commemorating this program.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the naming of the
landscaped area on the west side of High Street at the foot of Haven Street as "Rotary Square," in
recognition of the adoption of this site for development and maintenance by the Reading Rotary
Club. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
The Town Manager reported on a number of issues including the fact that the Summer Avenue
project from Main to Oak Street has been funded as part of the Transportation Bond Bill and will
probably be constructed in the next construction cycle- 1998.
Discussion/Action Items
Approval of Easement - Pasture Road - Town Counsel was present to review the issue of the
easement documents on Pasture Road.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved the creation of the easement for
Michael Larkin and Phyllis Larkin to the Town of Reading under the terms and conditions as
outlined in the easement document dated May 28, 1997, and the Board has authorized to sign the
easement documents and all other documents related to this transaction. The motion was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0. The passing of papers on this project is scheduled for May 28,
1997.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-Mav 27, 1997- page 3
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License - cul-de-sac on Lucy Drive - The Town Manager reviewed the history of the resident
requests for elimination of the cul-de-sac in this location. Two property owners are affected.
Nancy Eaton spoke and noted that the Conservation Commission had voted to support this issue
when it was an Article on the Town Meeting Warrant by a vote of 5-1-0. The removal of
impervious material is desirable. The one vote against support was that there are continuing
wetland violations in the rear of the property.
Ori motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve authorizing Town
Counsel to draft a license to Kevin and Patricia Thompson of 32 Lucy Drive and Edgar and
Nancy Lovell of 26 Lucy Drive for the use of a portion of the cul-de-sac on Lucy Drive for
purposes of a driveway, lawn area and appurtenant fixtures. The motion was approved by a vote
of 3-0-0.
Hearing on Pay and Classification Plan - The notice of the hearing was read by Dan Ensminger.
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts presented the
Classification Plan. Carol Roberts reviewed the process used, including reviewing job
descriptions, developing internal and external comparability, and reviewing the results with all
staff involved. Lois Bond from Elder Services suggested that the process should continue to have
the immediate Supervisor involved in discussion of positions.
The Board discussed whether or not to leave the Assistant Fire Chief position in the Classification
Plan at this time, and agreed to have discussion on it at the June 17, 1997 meeting.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the public hearing on the
Pay and Classification Plan as noted in Appendix Al and B 1 of the Personnel Policies of the
Town of Reading, said plan to be effective July 1, 1997, except as noted. The motion was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the Pay and
Classification Plan noted as Appendix Al and BI of the Personnel Policies of the Town of
Reading except for the Assistant Fire Chief position, said plan to be effective July 1, 1997, with
the exception of the Elder and Human Services position which will be effective immediately
subject to available funding. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Hearing on Second Water Meters - The Board of Selectmen opened the hearing and the notice
was read by with Dan Ensminger. The Town Manager explained that the Town's policy requires
the Board to review the issue of second water meters annually by July 1, 1997. Sally Hoyt noted
that the Town is still having problems with the use of all of its wells and we still have restrictions
and, therefore, perhaps, we should continue to have the moratorium on second water meters.
Dan Ensminger asked how we get water from the MWRA. The Town Manager noted that we
would still have to have our restrictions in place in order to have the emergency necessary to turn
the MWRA water connection on. There was discussion about the MWRA sewer billing structure.
Board of Selectmen Meeting=May 27, 1997 - page 4
Frank Cirrocco from 15 Hillcrest Street spoke. He asked how long the restrictions were likely to
be in place. The Town Manager noted that we hoped we were close to the end of the problems
related to the gasoline spill, but that the fragile nature of our water supply was a permanent
situation. Nancy Eaton from the Conservation Commission spoke and noted that D.E.P. has
proposed regulations and a model bylaw on water use restrictions. She noted that outdoor water
use does keep the water recharged in the water basin. The Town Manager noted that Reading is
in three water basins and the Ipswich River being the source of our water is the smallest and least
populated of the three basins covering Reading. Eaton noted that other communities downstream
from Reading have total bans on outdoor water use during the summer.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to make no change to Section 5.1 of
the Board of Selectmen Policies relative to the moratorium on second water meters. The motion
was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Acceptance of ChUter 288 re: Group Insurance- The Town Manager explained that acceptance
of this section of law allows the Town to continue to do what it is doing with things like dental
insurance - i.e., to have group dental insurance but have employees paying more than 50% for it.
This reflects the status quo and in effect legalizes what the Town has been doing for a couple of
years.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the acceptance of
Chapter 288 of the Laws of 1996 relative to the offering of long-term group disability insurance,
group dental insurance, or group vision care insurance with the Town paying any part or none of
the premiums of said insurance, and subject to appropriation for any part of the insurance to be
paid by the Town. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Approval of Parking Regulations - Killam School Area-- The Town Manager noted that we have
not heard from the PTO yet - they don't meet until the first week in June. The Town Manager
noted that the proposed regulations have support from the Principal of the school, and we have
had discussions with each of the abutting property owners who would be affected. The Town
Manager noted that if the regulations are approved now, then a notice would go out with all of
the school children before the end of the year letting parents know that the regulations will be in
effect next year.
On motion by Hoyt 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 Section 5.4.9 -No parking, stopping or standing from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and
from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; add Appendix A9.1:5.4.9 - Parking
prohibited during certain hours on certain streets - 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to
3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday: Dana Road northerly side from Charles Street to Small Lane,
Haverhill Street - easterly side from Symonds Way northbound to 357 Haverhill Street inclusive.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-May 27, 1997 -page 5
Approval of Traffic Regulations - Grove Street - The Town Manager noted that the Town had
requested approval of a reduced speed limit on Grove Street particularly at the s-curve near
Criterion Road and Hensey Street. The Mass Highway Department came out and reviewed the
situation and would not grant the reduced speed limit for this area. However, they did grant
approval to post it for 30 mph for the entire length of Grove Street.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve an amendment to the
Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading to provide for the posting of the entirety of
Grove Street as a 30 mph speed limit. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Uniforms for Honor Guards - Lt. Silva, Mike Saunders, and Mark Segalla, who are members of
the Honor Guard, appeared before the Board. Fundraising has taken place to get the Honor
Guard uniforms, and approximately 75% of the cost has been raised. The shortfall is
approximately $2,500. Additionally, the Honor Guard would like to have an ongoing
commitment in the amount of$500-$700 per year for the repair and replacement of Honor Guard
uniforms.
The consensus of the Board is that we would look at this in the Fall to see what the shortfall was
at that time and request funding from Town Meeting for this purpose. As part of the FY '99
budget, the Board will look at including money for this purpose.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:55 p.m. by a vote of
3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
"Secretary