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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-07-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 29, 1997 The meeting was convened at 7:05 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Dan Ensminger(Selectman George Hines arrived at 8:45 p.m..), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Nancy Eaton, Kathy Greenfield, Mary Slack, Jonathan Edwards, Alan Foulds, Anna Carroll Foulds, Mark Eyerman, Peter Simms, Bill Goodrich, Dick MacDonald, John Coote, Jim Laurella, Bob Nordstrand. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 17, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 24, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Dan Ensminger noted that the High School grounds have never looked better. He congratulated the Town's work forces on their efforts. Sally Hoyt congratulated Osco on their opening. She received a letter opposed to changes on the Common from Dorothy Anderson; she was on the USS Constitution on July 4, 1997 and saw the USS Constitution at Marblehead. Camille Anthony has received calls regarding the Compost Center problem requesting to close the Compost Center on Sunday. She also asked if there are any issues with hazardous waste at Camp Curtis. She expressed concern about people running in front of the train at the Depot, and wondered if the Police Officer there could not manage or control that in some manner. Sally Hoyt asked if the Compost Center could be open other days instead of Sunday. The Town Manager presented the Board with copies of letters that were received as well as the use of the Compost Center over the past several months. Town Manager's Report ♦ The "Reading Notes" began publication and will be distributed again this weekend as part of the "Headliners" advertising publication of the Boston Globe. Every household should receive a copy. Captain Jack Mooney has been appointed to the position of Assistant Fire Chief starting July 28. ♦ Richard Nelson has begun work effective July 28 as our newest firefighter, and will be trained in a Fire Academy that begins in September. Board of Selectmen Meeting=July 29 1997—page.2 ® Cemetery Director Bob Keating has suffered a heart attack and is now at home. Tami Bernat has resigned as the Coordinator of Volunteers after two months because of family considerations. —= ♦ We have received a number of calls about the National Guard work on the Wood End Cemetery. They have been hauling material from the Strout Avenue site to the cemetery all week including this weekend. We notified the abutters of the cemetery site of the work but neglected to notify the residents of Grove and Franklin Streets until Friday. There have been a lot of complaints about hours, noise, fumes and spilling of dirt. The work has been done at virtually no cost to the Town and a great deal has been accomplished. They will finish their work this Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank the Guard and the Town employees for their efforts. ♦ We have also received complaints about Sunday hours at the Compost Center, and will be scheduling some time on the Board of Selectmen's schedule in September for that issue. We will also be evaluating alternatives to Sunday hours at that site. As the Board of Selectmen is aware, the testing of back flow preventers for certain installations where there is a second water meter is required by State law. After a great deal of follow-up, seven residents still have not submitted their tests for this year. It is, therefore, our intent to bill the water used by the second meters along with the sewer rate for those units second water meters. The requirement for a back flow preventer is a State requirement, and is an absolute must to preserve the integrity and quality of the public water supply. The Board has a copy of the correspondence and lists in their material. One of the property owners has had correspondence with the y Department that must be answered before this procedure is put in place for this situation. ® The Town has continued test pumping the two additional wells which have been closed since 1992 as a contamination preventative. We are running and testing them together for a month. We are also continuing to monitor and test relative to taste issues that were a concern earlier this year. ♦ Water restrictions are still in place. Watering is on an odd/even schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enforcement is taking place. s The Pre-construction Meeting on the Mineral Street Bridge was conducted by the Massachusetts Highway Department today. There is some discussion about building a new temporary pedestrian bridge next to the existing bridge, and then demolishing and building the new bridge all at one time. The contractor will be in touch with each of the abutters directly. ♦ The Pre-construction Meeting on Route 129 took place last week. Construction on Summer Avenue has begun—the base course of pavement is in place and curbing and wall work are under way. Board of Selectmen Meeting?—July 29, 1997—page 3 ® The hearing on the improvement to Walnut Street was held on June 26. Many residents have expressed concerns about construction of sidewalks and the impact on the trees on the street. Staff is putting together a synopsis of the comments and we will schedule this for Board discussion in September with notice to the residents. I need to schedule a date for the Board to take a walk on the street. I have sent to the RMLD a list of street lights to be converted from mercury vapor to sodium vapor —there are 130 lights that have been amortized and should be done at no cost to the Town, and 227 lights that the Town will pay for. Additionally, there are lights that will be turned back on with the savings in electrical costs from the conversion. ♦ The Town has received an invitation to apply for a grant to implement a GIS system in the Town. 0 Pending the Board of Selectmen's action tonight, the Town with the Downtown Steering Committee will make an application for an additional grant for the Downtown Fagade and Loan Improvement Program. ♦ Grants for preservation of Historic Parks and Open Spaces are available, and the Community Development office with the Historical Commission and the Conservation Commission are evaluating opportunities. ♦ Several Solid Waste Grants are available and the material has been sent to the SWAC and the Department of Public Works for review. 0 The "Island" at Minot and Washington is being adopted by the Band Parents' Association. ♦ The State Budget has been adopted and the final "cherry sheet" has been sent out and is included in the Board of Selectmen's packet. Reading's increase in State Aid is about $800,000 and there is also a reduction in assessments. Additionally, the reimbursement of SBAB projects, including the reimbursement for the Parker Middle School, has been moved up one year, and we are developing an analysis of the impact on the Capital Improvements Program and whether we should sell bonds a year earlier than anticipated in what is now a very favorable bond market. ♦ A local business has committed to make a donation for playground construction and Joe Connelly and I are working with them on helping to offset the expenses of the Washington Park playground improvements that is included in the Capital Improvements Program for this year. This program intends to upgrade all of the playgrounds in the community over time to a safe, standard and easily maintained type of playground structure. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 1997—page 4 ® 110 Van Norden Road will close tomorrow, following a great deal of work by Town Counsel, the Conservation Commission and its Chair and Administrator, the Town Department of Public Works and its Engineers and Surveyors and, of course, the donors. Eagle Scout Certificate—Christopher Laabs On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to issue a Certificate of Appreciation to Christopher Laabs in recognition of achieving the Eagle Scout Award for his project of preparing the land and riverbank to Reading's Canoe Launch Site. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Gasoline Tank License— 749 Main Street-The Town Manager presented the request for installation of two 10,000 gallon gasoline storage tanks and one 8,000 gallon diesel fuel storage tank at 749 Main Street in accordance with the application received and recommended by the Fire Chief. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the installation of two 10,000 gallon gasoline storage tanks and one 8,000 gallon diesel fuel storage tank at 749 Main Street in accordance with the application received and the recommendation of the Fire Chief. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Joint Meeting with Reading Business Park Committee re: Acceptance of Central Artery Excavate and Use of Membrane for Closure — Present from the Reading Business Park Committee were Bill Goodrich, Dick MacDonald, John Coote and Dan Ensminger. Also ' present was Jim Laurella from CDM. Laurella presented a letter dated July 25, 1997 outlining the reasons for recommending a geomembrane fabric instead of Central Artery clay for capping the landfill. Richard MacDonald asked if the cost assumptions were valid if the clay was free and it was noted that they were. John Coote asked about other affects of using a clay. Laurella noted that gas collection is better using the geomembrane fabric. Goodrich asked about the manufacturer's warranty on the geomembrane fabric. It was noted that it is 20 years. There is no guarantee on the clay. Bob Nordstrand asked about whether the front part of the site needs to be surcharged by piling additional material on this part of the site. Laurella noted that this part of the site is already to be-closed. John Coote asked where the geomembrane has been used. Laurella noted that it has been used for about 30 years. Bill Brown asked about gas collection. Laurella noted that it can be flared; i.e., ignited or it can be vented in the air. Camille Anthony asked about timing and utilities, and what the effect of the geomembrane fabric would be on the utility corridor. It was also noted that the development should be pushed to the Route 128 and the Walkers Brook Drive frontages E-- Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 1997—page 5 to lessen residential impact. Goodrich asked about moving the utility corridor and it was noted that if using either clay or the geomembrane, it could be moved. It was noted that --1 approximately four feet of fill above the cap is needed. The concept grading plan is being prepared by VHB. It is estimated that approximately 75,000 cubic yards of excavate can be used — there's a chance that it can be up to 100,000 cubic yards. This depends on the amount of settlement that is anticipated and these calculations are being completed. The excavate goes above the waste but below the core sand level. Goodrich asked if we can select what we want. Laurella noted that the material would be eight inches or less material screened. Nancy Eaton asked that the Conservation Commission be involved in this process. Bill Goodrich asked that we evaluate the type of material that we would get. John Coote asked if we need the material. Other issues to be dealt with are going to be dust control, decibel levels on the site and vibration. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Reading Business Park Task Force voted to recommend that the Board of Selectmen give tentative approval to the use of an HDPE geomembrane for the use of the closure of the Reading Sanitary Landfill based on the recommendation of CDM, and that Modern Continental, DEP and other appropriate agencies be notified of this decision. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to give tentative approval to the use of the HDPE geomembrane for the use of the closure of the Reading Sanitary Landfill based on the recommendation of the Reading Business Park Task Force and CDM, and be it further resolved that Modern Continental, DEP and other appropriate agencies be notified of the decision. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nordstrand, the Reading Business Park Task Force recommended tentative approval to the acceptance of approximately 75,000 cubic yards of excavate from the Central Artery project for use of the closure of the Reading Sanitary Landfill based on the recommendation of CDM, and that the Reading Conservation Commission, Modern Continental, DEP and all other appropriate agencies be notified of this decision. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen gave tentative approval to the acceptance of approximately 75,000 cubic yards of excavate from the Central Artery project for use of the closure of the Reading Sanitary Landfill based on the recommendation of the Reading Business Park Task Force and the consultant CDM. Be it further resolved that the Reading Conservation Commission, Modern Continental, DEP and all other appropriate agencies be notified of this decision; and be it further resolved that the Town Manager be directed to carry out purpose and intent of this vote. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 1997—pages Hearing on Temple Street Traffic Regulations - The Secretary read the notice of the hearing. There was no public present. The Town Manager reviewed comments from residents about keeping the existing traffic regulations on Temple Street. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to close the hearing of the continuation of traffic regulations that were put into place on Temple Street for the duration of the construction of the Parker Middle School project. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve the continuation on an indefinite basis of the traffic regulations that were put into place on Temple Place for the duration of the construction of the Parker Middle School project. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Continued Hearing Millennium Steering Committee — The Secretary read the notice of the hearing. Allan Foulds and Anna Carol Foulds were present to discuss this matter with the Board. The Town Manager explained the purpose of the Committee and following discussion, the Board deleted the paragraph that one member should be a candidate recommended by the Historical Commission and/or the Antiquarian Society and increase the at large members to three. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public hearing on the policy establishing a Millennium Steering Committee by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the policy establishing a Millennium Steering Committee, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing on Application for Downtown Fagade and Signage Revolving Loan Program — Jonathan Edwards presented the proposed grant application which would supplement the "blight parking" application that has already been made. Peter Simms noted that the Downtown Steering Committee supports it. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the public hearing on the grant application to the Community Development Fund II (CDF II) for funding a proposed Downtown Fagade and Signage Improvement Program. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board approved the filing of the grant application to the Community Development Fund II (CDF II) for funding of the proposed Downtown Fagade and Signage Improvement Program by a vote of 4-0-0. Hines noted that the noise from the loud speakers at the Crestview Exxon Station appears to be back. Camille Anthony asked the Board for input into goal setting. --% Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 29, 1997—page 7 Town Counsel Quarterly Meeting — Town Counsel met with the Board of Selectmen to review ongoing issues and distributed a report dated July 29, 1997. He noted the large number of hours spent this year to date. The Board asked questions on some specific cases. Town Counsel will develop a tracking sheet which can be used for review of legal services and legal projects. Sally Hoyt asked about Video Expo. The State Attorney General has entered the case. The court case is going well. However, everything is status quo until the court acts. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, Anthony, Hines, Hoyt and Ensminger voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. Respe5fully submitted, t, ,Secretary `