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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 9, 1997 The meeting was convened at 7:07 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Dan Ensminger(Bruce MacDonald entered the meeting at 7:10 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Tom Stohlman, Elizabeth York, Connie Kelly, Mr. And Mrs. David Sprague, Al DiCampo, Mr. And Mrs. Ernest Gesetto, Pete Dana, Daniel Bourque, Matt Lordan, Ted McIntire, Peter Tassi, Clay Jones, Nikolas Gregory, Gloria Brown, Chris Zanm, Laura DiBacco, Mitchell Moody, Quen Lee, Ann O'Donnell, Paul O'Donnell, Laura Gregory, Carol and John DiPetro, Kate Adams, George Perry, Judi Kramer, Mike Piscatelli, Dick and Mary Ellen Campbell, Kevin Roche, Karen Roche, Jane Fiore, Richard Stosez, John Powers, Debbie Powers, Chief Edward Marchand. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Dan Ensminger noted that the Due Diligence draft report on the landfill will be in next week. Bruce MacDonald noted that the Police Station Building Committee has met. We received proposals from architects. We are receiving proposals for a Project Management Services tomorrow. He also noted that he has had conversations with people from the arts groups regarding possible disposition of the Police Station as an Arts Center. Sally Hoyt attended the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting on the 29'x' relative to municipal recycling initiatives. The Town may be awarded a grant of up to $11,400 if it meets the requirements. She also attended the Council on Aging meeting. Camille Anthony attended the Ipswich River walk on Saturday. She attended the last Downtown Steering Committee meeting and the Committee is working on Downtown amenities. She felt that it would be a good idea if members of the Board of Selectmen rotate attending the different Task Force meetings. Public Comment — Tom Stohlman, a member of the School Committee, appeared before the Board of Selectmen. Based on a training session held last Spring, he has determined that he has a conflict of interest in practicing architecture within the Town of Reading and being a member of the School Committee. He is going to try to get necessary legislation adopted to make his conflict of interest no longer problematic. In the meantime, however, he asked the Board of Selectmen to take two actions: 1. To put an Article on the Warrant for the Fall Town Meeting rescinding a portion of the Town's conflict of interest bylaw; 2. Granting School Committee members special employee status. Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 9, 1997—page 2 He noted that if the Board of Selectmen is then willing to grant special employee status, or to place the necessary Article on the Warrant,then he would resign from the School Committee and work toward eliminating this conflict of interest issue. -- ' Camille Anthony noted that the Board of Selectmen was the initiator of the conflict of interest bylaw. This will be discussed at the Selectmen's next meeting. Bruce MacDonald asked how much a piece of Stohlman's business is Reading work. Stohlman noted that it wasn't as large as 50% but that any percent matters. The Town Manager noted that once a conflict of interest is known, the person in conflict has 30 days to resolve the issue. Stohlman noted that he is not doing any jobs in Reading right now and, therefore,there is no conflict at this time. Bruce MacDonald asked that we draft a potential Warrant Article for consideration by the Board when the Warrant closes on the 23`a Sally Hoyt noted that we need to consider other professionals in similar positions — architects, attorneys, contractors, etc. Town Manager's Report • The "Reading Notes" was distributed again September 6th as part of the "Headliners" advertising publication of the Boston Globe. Every household should receive a copy. If you have not received a copy, please call the Town Clerk. • Local Government Week is being celebrated the end of this month. Town Clerk Cheryl Johnson is working with the Departments and establishing a program for the week. • The Treasurer of the Old South United Methodist Church has informed me that the fund established a number of years ago for the repair and maintenance of the clock and bell has enough money in it for another year and a half of maintenance. In the past, the Town had appropriated funds for this purpose, but in 1983 a community effort was put forth to raise funds for major repair and maintenance. The Town will need to decide whether to go back to the Town annual appropriation for this purpose, or whether another community wide effort should be undertaken for this purpose. I have already talked with the leadership of one civic group about participating in this effort, and there seems to be some interest in privately raising the funds. • I have appointed Greg Burns as Provisional Fire Captain, pending the Civil Service exam for the position. • We have interviewed candidates for the position of Fire Lieutenant, and will be making an appointment shortly. • Lisa O'Brien has been appointed as Administrative Assistant in the Accounting Department. 0 The Town has continued pumping the two additional wells that have been closed since 1992 as a contamination preventative. We have been running them together for over a month without problems and this evening, we are prepared to recommend to the Board of Selectmen Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 9 1997—page 3 the revision of the current water use restrictions. We are also continuing to monitor and test the series of test and monitoring. • The Water Treatment Plant construction project is going well. Completion is scheduled for the end of October. • I have directed staff to undertake a comprehensive review of our water and sewer billing procedures, and to make a recommendation to me and to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Issues to be reviewed include the billing schedule vis-a-vis the cycle of use, the possibility of a more frequent billing schedule, and our procedure of granting discounts and minimum billing. • Relative to the question as to whether there is a more cost-effective way to provide water service to our residents, the FY 1999 Capital Improvements Program has proposed a study of the alternatives for water supply, including possibly using the MWRA. This item is programmed as it is in order to make an informed decision as to whether to undertake a multi-million reconstruction of the Water Treatment Plant in order to continue to meet Federally mandated safe drinking water standards. A number of elements to the study need to be considered, including: we have learned during the past five years about how fragile our water system is; in the past, the MRWA has not been willing to expand the water service to unserved communities because of lack of supply. In the past couple of years, the MWRA has embarked on a massive improvements program and has improved the"tightness" of the system saving a great deal of lost water and thereby increasing the available supply. Indications are that they may be willing to expand the service area. Residents of communities next to Reading have complained of odor and taste problems but the capital improvements being undertaken should resolve most of those; we have learned a great deal about the fragile nature of the Ipswich River watershed, and this may have an impact on the decision. Consultants working with staff and the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee will conduct the evaluation and it will be a very public process. Consideration will be given to financial, quality and environmental issues. • Construction has begun on the Mineral Street Bridge. The contractor has proposed building a new temporary pedestrian bridge next to the existing bridge, and then demolishing and building the new bridge all at one time. This proposal is being reviewed by the State. • Surveying work has begun on Route 129. The Board has received a construction schedule. Most of the heavier work will be done next Spring and Summer. The schedule does not detail where on the road they will be working at any particular time. Completion is scheduled for the end of 1998. • Construction on Summer Avenue continues — the base course of pavement is in place and curbing and wall work are underway. Some of the sidewalk work has been done. • Staff has put together a synopsis of the comments from the hearing on the improvements of Walnut Street. The Board of Selectmen will walk the street on Saturday, September 13, and discussion is scheduled for September 23. A notice of both events was sent to the residents. Board of Selectmen Meeting September 9, 1997—page 4 • The reconstruction of the soccer field at the Parker Middle School will be started on or about October Ist, and the field will be out of use until Spring. Joe Connelly is working with DPW and the School Department on this project which is being funded through the school construction bond. • We are working with Reading United Soccer and the developer to get the soccer field at the Pearl Street site in condition for use. Reading United Soccer will be paying for an irrigation system to be installed, and the developer will then reseed or sod the site so it can be used in the Spring. Joe Connelly is working with both groups on this project. • The Town has made an application for a grant to implement a GIS system in the Town. • The Town has been successful in securing a $500,000 grant for elimination of blight on the East Side of Main Street. This is a complex project that will fund the construction of a 31 car public parking lot, and create a revolving loan program for the improvement of the "Christy's" block of stores. • The Town, with the Downtown Steering Committee, has made an application for an additional grant for a Downtown Facade and Loan Improvement Program. • We have made an application for a grant for the planning of improvements to the Lobs Pound Mill site on Mill Street pursuant to the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan. Personnel & Appointments Millennium Steering; Committee — Alan E. Foulds, Anna Carol Foulds and Richard Stosez were present to be interviewed for positions on the Millennium Steering Committee. - On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the names of Alan E. Foulds and Richard Stosez were placed into nomination for positions on the Millennium Steering Committee for terms expiring no later than March 31, 2000. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the name of Anna Carol Foulds was placed into nomination for the position of Chairman of the Millennium Steering Committee for a term expiring no later than March 31, 2000. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Mystic Valley Elder Services — Rheta McKinley has requested reappointment to the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board of Directors but was not available to be interviewed. On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the name .of Rheta McKinley was placed into nomination for a position on the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board of Directors for a term expiring September 30, 2000. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Meet with Town Accountant re: Year End Wrap-Up — Town Accountant Richard Foley presented to the Board of Selectmen the status of cash reserves and where they have come from. The Board of Selectmen asked for a percentage of variance figures to be included on future reports. The Board also asked when we have future presentations like this that we note what the known expenses to come out of reserves might be to give us a truer picture of our cash reserves. Board of Selectmen Meeting September 9, 1997—page 5 Water Issues — Update on Testing and Suggested Action on Restrictions — Ted McIntire and Peter Tassi were present to review the status of the water supply and testing. It had been hoped that the Town would be able to eliminate the mandatory water restrictions. However, the last test received showed a problem in monitoring Wells 32 and 33. Until we can find out whether these were bad tests or the data is accurate, the staff would not be in a position to recommend modification to the current restrictions. Dorothy L. Burbank Estate — The Town Manager noted that the Town of Reading is the beneficiary to the Estate of Dorothy L. Burbank. He presented the schedules outlining the amount of the estate and what was owed. The total amount that the Town will receive from the estate is $210,305.83. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize the Town Manager to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the final disposition of the Estate of Dorothy L. Burbank to the benefit of the Town of Reading in accordance with the letter from Mario L. Simeola dated September 4, 1997. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Mill Street — Heavy Vehicle Exclusion - The Town Manager noted that we have received approval from the Massachusetts Highway Department to designate Mill Street for "Heavy Vehicle Exclusion" in the Towns of Reading and North Reading. Normally, this would be subject to a hearing, but the hearing process has already taken place. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve an amendment to Article 9, Section 9.1, by adding to "Heavy Vehicles Excluded" the following location: Mill Street from Main Street to the North Reading Town Line. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Sign Order of Taking — Street Acceptances — Anson Lane, Ashley Place, Autumn Lane, Azalea Circle, Family Circle. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the signing of the order of takings for Anson Lane, Ashley Place, Autumn Lane, Azalea Circle and Family Circle. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion — Compost Center — The Town Manager noted that he had been contacted immediately following the work by the National Guard in hauling material from the Compost Center for the Wood End Cemetery. A number of questions and issues arose, and all residents on Grove and Franklin Streets were notified that the Board would be discussing this matter this evening. He presented a chart that showed the usage of the Compost Center in 1996 and in 1997 to date. He noted that the main interest on the part of the residents seemed to be to eliminate Sunday hours. Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 9, 1997—page 6 David Sprague of 338 Grove Street noted that the numbers on the chart should be multiplied by 2 since all trips.to this dead end location requires somebody to enter the site and then to leave it. Paul O'Donnell of 244 Grove Street spoke. He feels traffic has risen to a level of nuisance and reiterated the legal definition of"nuisance." He feels that the site is a fire hazard and that it is a nuisance because of odors. Debris taken to the site is uncovered and frequently drops on the roadway. Loads brought into the site by residents are uncovered which is a violation of the Massachusetts General Law. The proposed solutions are to develop a transfer station, "Downtown;" to limit hours of operation to all day Saturday and, perhaps, Monday and Friday; to do curbside collection and have the hauler bring leaves and grass clippings to the site. Dan Ensminger asked what Downtown location he was referring to, and O'Donnell thought the former landfill area would be appropriate. Ensminger noted that it is not available. He also noted that the DPW site on New Crossing Road is too restricted to handle an operation like this. Ted McIntire noted that with respect to brush that is brought to the site, the Town has a contract with Needham to use their chipper. The Town has also been working on eliminating the "mountain" and will be removing the Water Treatment Plant's sledge pile to make the Compost Center site bigger and, therefore, more efficient and less obtrusive in the neighborhood. O'Donnell asked if the site had been inspected by the Board of Health. McIntire indicated that he did not know whether it had, but this site is used for a model statewide. Gloria Brown of 378 Franklin Street noted that residents drop debris on the roadway. The National Guard initially fill their trucks too full and was also dropping debris and rocks on the street. They also were not traveling 30 mph which is the speed limit. Chris Zanni of 400 Grove Street noted that the National Guard operation did not bother him so much — that was a temporary situation. His concern is traffic, and that the site has become a dump. Material is dropped on the side of the roadway. On Sundays, traffic is backed up to the Meadow Brook Country Club and he has a hard time getting back to his house. There used to be a sign at the site saying "Grass Clippings Only—No Brush" but that has been changed. He feels that the operation should be put down at the former landfill site. Dan Bourque of 71 Grove Street noted that his biggest complaint is speed of motorists. Kevin Roche of 392 Grove Street noted that there are no sidewalks. Traffic is bad on weekends. On weekdays, Town trucks seem to be removing the material that has been put there by residents. . . Ted McIntire noted that we take some of the material to the former landfill site on a temporary basis to make loam out of it to use on Town projects. John Powers of 256 Grove Street noted that safety was his concern. He asked why trucks were not covered and the problem has not been addressed. Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 9, 1997—page 7 Laura Gregory of 75 Grove Street noted that the Compost Center is an asset to the Town. We need to solve problems related to this operation, but we need to keep the Compost Center. Ernie Gesetto at 368 Grove Street asked how big the Compost Center has to be. He wondered how much of the "mountain" has to be moved. McIntire noted if the "mountain" is removed then we will be able to handle the vehicles much better. Gesetto was concerned about there being only one exit than it being a safety issue. McIntire noted that if the Compost area is bigger, the vehicles could get off the street and should not be backed up. Gesetto asked for no Sunday hours, screening of vehicles for out of Town use, developing a new site somewhere else in Town, relief of traffic in the event of a fire or other emergency and dealing with debris being dropped from vehicles. He thought Town trucks should pick up the debris that is dropped. He asked if we could have satellite containers at the peak of the leaf drop off period to relieve some traffic. He feels that Grove Street has been devalued because of this situation. He objected to speeding cars. He felt that the Compost Center creates an odor on hot days. Things at the site seem to be helter-skelter and out of hand. The Town trucks sometimes speed and take up the whole road. Chris Zanni of 400 Grove Street spoke and he noted that the Compost Center has to be somewhere. His concern is traffic and times of operation. Debbie Powers noted that she has two small children who ride their bikes, and she does not allow them to ride on Grove Street when the Compost Center is open. She also noted that nobody stops at the stop sign on Franklin Street. Kate Adams of 255 Grove Street noted that bicycling and walking on Grove Street is impossible. She can't get out of her driveway. There is debris on the roadway. Bruce MacDonald asked for a comprehensive review including an evaluation of other possible sites, alternative means of delivery, curbside pickup, and alternative hours of operation. Dan Ensminger agreed. Ensminger felt that almost immediately we can enforce speed limits and falling debris from motorists. Ultimately, we need to look at alternative sites — he asked about the Nike site on Symmonds Way. The Town Manager noted that this is already committed to recreation sites. He also asked about curbside collection. David Sprague wanted to know about the time line for answers on this. He hoped it would be able to be done by this Fall. Debbie Powers also asked how long this would take. Camille Anthony noted that we would look at some solutions for this Fall including covering Town vehicles, enforcement of speed on weekends, and the Board of Selectmen will visit the site. Kate Adams and Judi Kramer will be the contact people for the Town relative to residents who have concerns. This item will be on the Agenda for the 23rd for a briefing. Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 9, 1997 —page 8 Discussion on Domestic 'Violence - Chief Marchand and Jane Fiore were present. The Chief reviewed his memo from March relative to what kind of programs are available. He noted that designation of an officer to deal with these issues such as Quincy has had would improve the follow-up and perhaps be something of a preventative. He reviewed the statistics but noted there are a lot of situations where violence occurs where there is no 209A issued. Dan Ensminger asked whether the Chief felt that arrested persons should be published, and the Chief noted that he would like to see names of people who are convicted in the paper. He would like to be able to do more domestic violence follow up. Sally Hoyt asked about the major cause, and the Chief noted that it is primarily spouses and boyfriend/girlfriend. Sometimes, it has to do with inability to control children in the household. Jane Fiore noted that the largest amount of domestic violence is spousal and significant others followed by situations involving children. There are efforts through the Health Division working with the School Department and with the Police Department to do education. This has been going on for three years and takes a lot of time to have an effect. Camille Anthony asked about Arthur Reynolds' letter and whether or not there is a lot of instances of parties that get out of hand and breaking and entering. Marchand noted that the Federal Street situation was a very unusual one. Most of the participants were out of town. The Reading Police Department is bringing charges against the juveniles. There was another instance on Glenmere Circle — a situation where the house was vacant and work was being done on it. Sally Hoyt asked what the penalties were for violations, and the Chief noted that these situations would be prosecuted. Follow-up on the Hearing on the Use of Auburn Street Water Tower for Cellular/Digital Communications — The Town Manager noted that all the issues had been resolved — Omnipoint would be going into the half of the shelter constructed by AT&T and the cost was a more reasonable one. New plantings will be placed, and the rest of the site will be cleaned up. Approval of Exemptions from Provisions of Section 20 of Conflict of Interest Law—Connelly - The Town Manager noted that Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly had been asked to be the Assistant Coach for the Cross Country team. He recommended this on a trial basis for this year, having discussed the impact with staff. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve an exemption for Joseph J. Connelly from the provisions of Section 20C of the Conflict of Interest law, allowing him to act as Assistant Cross Country Coach for the Reading Memorial High School Cross Country team for the 1997 season. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 9, 1997—page 9 There being no further business, on motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to go into Executive Session at 10:40 p.m, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to purchase or sale of real estate and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session, with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respedfully submitted, a Secretary