HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 7, 1997
The meeting was convened at 7:00 p.m, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Bruce
MacDonald, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman George Hines, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Housing Authority Chairman Robert Sweet, Jr., Housing Authority Members
Tim Kelley and Jean Galvin and Housing Authority Director Peg Plansky. Also present were the
following interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Thomas Hildreth, Brian McMahon, Paul Robertson,
Harland Roberts, John Rezendes, Clarence Enos, David Lee, Kim Honetschlager, Robert Brown,
Judi Kramer, Ed Peddle, Virginia Adams, Representatives Brad Jones and Paul Casey, Senator
Richard Tisei, Don Cowan, Mary Street, Peter Simms, Bill Brown, Julie Lastella, Ted McIntire,
David Sprague.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session at 7:00
p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to the purchase or sale of real estate, to
come back into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, Anthony, Hoyt and
Hines voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
The meeting reconvened at 7:30 p.m.
Town Manager's Report:
�= I have accepted bids for the sale of a portion of Town land on Pearl Street. There was one
bidder at the minimum bid price, and I recommend to the Board a motion to approve the
sale.
➢ John Pacino passed away last week. John was the Town's representative on the Regional
Vocational School Committee, and a member of the Recreation Committee at the time of his
passing. He was involved in many volunteer activities in Reading during his lifetime.
y Local Government Week was celebrated last week. Town Clerk Cheryl Johnson, working
with the Departments, established a program for the week and the response was very
positive.
Y I have received proposals for the Police Staffing and Deployment study, and have received
input from the Chief, from the FINCOM liaison and from the Selectmen's liaison. I will be
interviewing 3 firms on Thursday evening.
Line striping has been completed for the Fall.
We have discovered the potential for a spill of gasoline at the DPW site on Newcrossing
Road, and have engaged the services of a licensed site professional to help us evaluate
whether there is a problem, and if there is a problem, LSP will help us identify the_
t
magnitude of the problem.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 7, 1997—page 2
Restoration work on the Civil War Memorial at the Laurel Hill Cemetery has been
completed. This work is to preserve this Memorial, and consisted of work to the base of the
monument and cleaning and sealing the monument.
➢ The project to modify the Water Treatment Plant is going well. Completion is scheduled for
the end of October.
The Police Station Building Committee has recommended an architect and a construction
manager to assist with the project. We would project a completion of design by the end of
December, with the potential for a Special Town Meeting in February for funding of the
project.
Y Construction has begun on the Mineral Street Bridge. The State Highway Department has
approved the building of a new temporary pedestrian bridge next to the existing bridge, and
then demolishing and building the new bridge all at one time. This should speed the
construction time frame and reduce neighborhood impact.
r The Town has acquired a new radar display board that is being used by the Police
Department to inform motorists of their speed. This does not take the place of regular
enforcement but supplements it and helps educate motorists.
y Construction on Summer Avenue continues and will be substantially complete by the end of
this year.
The reconstruction of the soccer field at the Parker Middle School is in progress, and the
field will be out of use until Spring. Town crews will do much of the work with contractors
doing the irrigation system.
y 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 re-seed or sod the site so it can be used in the
Spring. Joe Connelly is working with both groups on this project.
The next Budget Council meeting is set for October 15 to get the FY 1999 budget process
underway.
Proclamations:
Day of Caring - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a
Proclamation designating the week of October 19 through October 25, 1997 as a week to
encourage residents to participate in a Day of Caring in Reading.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Sue Reardon, Coordinator of Volunteers, was
present to receive the Proclamation.
Knights of Columbus - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to
approve a Proclamation designating October 10, 11 and 12, 1997 as KniZD
ghts of Columbus
Weekend for the Physically and Mentally Challenged in Reading.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—..October 7, 1997— page 3
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and representatives of the Knights of Columbus
were present to receive the Proclamation.
The Town Manager asked the Board to concur in the sale of the property known as Plat 131,
Lot 3. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, the Board voted to award the sale of the property
known as a portion of Plat 131, Lot 8 on Pearl Street to Richard B. Hoyt of 187 Pearl Street in
accordance with the bid opened on October 7, 1997. The motion was approved by a vote of
3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
State Legislators — Review of Items Before the Legislature — Representative Brad Jones and
Senator Richard Tisei were present. Jones and Tisei presented to the Board of Selectmen a
"mock" check in the amount of$500,000 for the "blight elimination program." They noted that
when the Town of Reading applies for grants, the Town does a first class job of making the
application and it makes their job much easier. Jones noted that it is very helpful to them to
know when the Town has made an application for a grant. Richard Tisei noted that there are two
commitments that the State has been able to meet — the education reform bill has been fully
funded. Additionally, the State is assisting with debt service for the MWRA.
The legislative delegation reviewed the status of Home Rule Petitions. With regard to the
Bacigalupo Home Rule Petition it has been referred to study. There is a concern about he
precedent that this bill would set and it is unlikely to move. Any changes in the pension system
are difficult to do. Sally Hoyt asked if there were any options, and Jones noted that the options
are to approve House 803 which is unlikely to happen, or to approve a bill allowi.ug the Town of
Reading to pay the difference between retirement if Mr. Bacigalupo is a veteran and his current
retirement directly.
Traffic Regulations — Casey noted that this was referred to the Committee on Public Safety of
which he is a member. More than eight communities have made the same request. The
Massachusetts Highway Department has opposed these petitions because of concern about topsy
turvy regulations. George Hines noted that Reading's request was to specifically apply these
regulations only to Reading residential streets. It should not cause Massachusetts Highway
Department any concerns. The Town can also agree to use the Massachusetts Highway
Department's standard controls. Bruce MacDonald agreed with Hines. We should be able to
define a class of roads that are purely local. Sally Hoyt agreed. Hines talked about heavy
vehicle exclusion on West Street, and the Town Manager reviewed the history of this issue. Paul
Casey noted that this bill is in study because if it was voted upon, it would be voted down. Hines
will meet with Casey about further potential for this bill.
Beer and Wine Home Rule Petition — This bill has been reported out of the House and should not
be a problem with the Senate. The Town will let Tisei know when this Bill has to be passed in
order to appear on the ballot.
Landfill Easement— House 1412 has passed the House and is in Senate Ways and Means. Tisei
has been told that there won't be a problem in getting it through. In the future, all Home Rule
#- Petitions will be sent to our State Senator as well as to our State Representatives.
Board of Selectmen Meeting— October 7, 1997—pa Tae 4
The Board talked about the need for working with the State Massachusetts Highway Department
and DEP relative to spill containment on I-93. Paul Casey will coordinate something with the -
Massachusetts Highway Department. Additionally, the Board of Selectmen should consider
adding this item to the MMA agenda. The Board also asked for consideration of low salt use on
1-93.
The Board and legislators talked about grant applications that have been submitted. The Lobbs
Pound Mill Planning Grant will be announced around the end of October. The Fagade
Improvement Grant will be announced during the first two weeks in November. The grant
application has gone through the first round and it is still alive. The State will view this as part
of a bigger program. With regard to additional grants for Downtown, Tisei feels that the Town
will be successful in such grant applications, considering the history. Stoneham also received a
large grant for its downtown. Casey agreed. With regard to landfill closures, there is a 0%
interest revolving fiord available now. The legislators will look into potential grants.
Discussion on Real Estate Transfer Tax - There was a lot of discussion regarding the Land Bank
and real estate transfer tax. MacDonald noted that there is a general provision statewide in
several bills, and it would leave it as a local option. Jones noted that there are several Home
Rule Petitions also including some specific like the Cape Code Land Bank. Tisei noted that the
most broadly scoped proposal is the Community Preservation Act which would provide for land
acquisition for open space, housing improvements and historic preservation. The Cape Cod Bill
has passed the Senate and House but the Governor will veto it. Tisei feels that under Prop 2 '/2, if
an acquisition makes good sense there is a mechanism for the local voters to approve. The
problem with the proposed bills are that they are all good and will benefit the community, but the
cost sharing is only on the buyers or sellers of new property and the burden should be shared by
the entire community. Jones noted that these bills increase the cost of home ownership — it's like
an exit tax. Jones noted that most first time home buyers have a hard time with down payment,
etc. and this would likely affect them. Jones also noted that there is money available from the
State for open space acquisition. He noted in some communities sellers were dealing with Title
5 issues and a transfer tax would create more problerns. In some communities, a transfer tax
would be viewed to be exclusionary. Paul Casey, unlike Tisei and Jones, favors a land bank bill.
Hoyt noted that the burden will always be on the home buyer. She likes the Cape Cod Bill
because there is a $100,000 exemption. Jonathan Edwards noted that one problem with the State
Bond Funds is that the process needs to be streamlined so that one can deal with the time frame
outlined in a Chapter 61 acquisition — i.e., 120 days. Nancy Eaton noted that the Open Space
Bond Bill has been renewed. The application is due May 30. By the end of October, they let the
community know whether they have been successful in obtaining funding for open space. In
order to acquire property under this scenario there has to be a willing seller who will work with
the community on this time frame. The advantage to a real estate transfer tax is that a local body
with the oversight to spend local funds will be properly funded. She noted that there have been
plenty of opportunities in Reading to exercise acquisition of open space but many of these have
been lost. Brad Jones noted that the communities can always do a Prop 2 '/2 override, or budget
money to set aside on an ongoing basis.
Board of Selectmen Meeting— October 7, 1997—page S
On new business, Jones felt that the community should watch the electric utility deregulation
— issues. Richard Tisei felt that Special Education changes will be coming which will improve the
system.
Nancy Eaton asked about the Pitman Bike Path, and the Town Manager noted that we have not
requested the funds since we are not in the position to spend them until FY `99.
Kim Honetschlager spoke in favor of the real estate transfer tax. She likes the Community
Preservation Act. She thinks it is a great vehicle for getting more open space.
Discussion of Process re: Future Use of Former Police Station Site- The Town Manager outlined
a process that he was recommending whereby organizations who may be interested in the use of
the Police Station should submit an RFP on an informal basis to be reviewed by the Board of
Selectmen. This would allow the Board to evaluate whether there were viable alternate uses to
some Town use or use for parking. George Hines noted that the Board should make a decision
on whether or not to keep the building before it asks for people to submit proposals. If the
Town's intention is to use it for parking in any case, then there is no sense in having people go
through that exercise. He noted that the new Police Station will be using much of the Union
Street parking area, and there is already an identified shortage of parking. He feels that we
should have the cost of demolition of the old Police Station and conversion into parking as part
of the consideration of the Police Station development in February of 1998. Bill Brown noted
that there are currently 33 spaces on the Union Street lot which will be "lost." Peter Simms
noted that the Downtown Steering Committee is concerned about parking. The Committee has
not taken a vote. They want to encourage new business and retention of existing businesses such
as Creative Arts for Kids. However, there is a severe parking problem. We need to focus first
on filling the commercial buildings that exist in Town, prior to dealing with bringing new
businesses into a site like the former Police Station.
Don Cowan noted that the Union Street parking lot will be taken up by a Police Station. We
have picked up spaces from the old Police Station to substitute for those. If the existing Police
Station building is sold or rented, then they will need a place to park which will further expand
the parking problem. What will happen in Downtown Reading when all buildings get to full
occupancy?
Virginia Adams noted that the Historical Commission would like the Board of Selectmen to
preserve at least the facade of the existing Police Station. There interest is in the older part of the
building, not the new part.
Mary Street from Creative Arts for Kids noted that Creative Arts is trying to obtain a grant to
study the feasibility of using the old Police Station or another site for an Arts Center. They have
a meeting next Wednesday. Bruce MacDonald asked about the study time, and she noted that it
would be done in the Spring.
Bruce MacDonald noted that the Union Street parking lot is currently under utilized. It is not
quality downtown parking. Peter Simms noted that it is intended to be used for employee
Board of Selectmen Meeting;— October 7, 1997— page 6
parking. MacDonald thought that the Board of Selectmen needs to look at all dimensions of the
issues, and not just parking. He asked about the possibility of acquiring the land abutting the old
Police Station site as a willing seller and providing parking at that location. He suggested not
precluding the possibility of selling the Police Station site to Creative Arts for an Arts Center.
Sally Hoyt noted that there are two additional possible uses for the site: One for the Council on
Aging to provide for adult daycare next to the Senior Center; the other is a Museum for Square
Dancing artifacts.
Bill Brown noted that the Town took 25 years to decide to sell the former Reading High School
site for the Schoolhouse Condos. The Pearl Street sale took a long period of time. These
facilities were available and none of the organizations that are expressing interest now could
make those projects feasible. The Town has a poor history of dealing with real estate.
Julie Lastella from the Co-op Bank noted that there was representation made in grant
applications that the "blight parking" would expand the available parking by 30 spaces. The
Board needs to keep this in mind. Hines noted that our State Representatives just told the Board
that the Town grants are looked upon very favorably, and if the Town reneges on this grant it
would hurt our potential future.
Sally Hoyt noted that the Historical Commission has indicated that we should try to preserve the
old part of the existing Police Station.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to solicit informal detail proposals
for the reuse of the old Police Station as outlined in the Town Manager's October 3, 1997 memo
to be received by November 15, 1997. The motion was approved by a 3-1-0 vote, with Hines
opposed.
Approve Purchase and Sales Agreement for the Purchase of 13 Union Street - The Town
Manager presented the Purchase and Sales Agreement for 13 Union Street.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the execution of the P
Purchase and Sales Agreement for the purchase of 13 Union Street from Eastern Middlesex
Board of Realtors for the sum of$250,000 plus $30,000 in relocation expenses. The motion was
approve by a vote of 3-1-0, with Hines opposed.
Discussion Re: Compost Center — Ted McIntire was present. He noted that the Town had
cleaned up the site. Signs have been posted on the Common at Franklin and Grove Street, and at
the Center. On Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.rn., there were 90 cars. On Saturday, from 7:30
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., there were 646 cars. On Sunday, 22 cars showed up and were turned away.
He does not have the number for Monday. George Hines asked for a comparison with last year
and McIntire gave him the figures noting that approximately 10,000 cars used the Compost
Center for the last four weekends of the season.
_..._..__.
On Veteran's Day last year, there were 490 cars. Camille Anthony asked how many people use
curbside collection and no data is available on that. Anthony also noted that Soni Lee is going to
Board of Selectmen Meeting— October 7, 1997— page 7
do a logo for the curbside collection weeks. Sally Hoyt noted that the Solid Waste Advisory
Committee had a great article in the paper encouraging home composting. Hines noted that he
had hoped the Board of Selectmen would reconsider their vote. Camille Anthony asked how the
hours that the Board had voted would work. McIntire said he thought it would be awful — one
can't tell now how much of a backup on Grove Street it will cause. The Department of Public
Works is increasing the capacity on the site as much as possible to move as much traffic through
there on Saturday as we can.
McIntire was asked about the possibility of adding a site for Sunday drop off. McIntire noted
that he would not recommend it now. There is no feasible way to prepare a site and to advertise
it for this Fall. It needs to be a site that can be secured, and traffic would be a problem in some
other neighborhood. There also needs to be a public process. We need a large area for leaves.
Hines felt that we need to get the neighborhood some relief, but it may not be achieved this year.
Some things need to be done and have been done. We need to take a comprehensive approach
and not do this at the spur of the moment. Camille Anthony agreed that it would be hard to
reinform residents if the rules were changed now. Hoyt felt that we should do this on a trial basis
this Fail. George Hines asked for comment from staff on how we can expedite traffic, perhaps
through having staff unload vehicles for residents. An operating plan with associated cost will
be presented to the Board next week. David Sprague of 386 Grove Street called other towns and
gave the Board a handwritten sheet showing what other towns do for the Compost Center.
Review Architect Selection Committee Recommendations re: Police Station Architect — There
were a total of 14 proposals submitted by architects and a summary was submitted for eight.
George Hines commended David Lee on the write ups that were done. He would like to have
had the Board of Selectmen and the Police Station Building Committee review the proposals in
more detail. The Board took no action and agreed that the Town Manager should proceed with
awarding the contract.
Retorts and Comments
Selectmen Liaison Reports and Comments - There were none. Bruce MacDonald left at 10:45
p.m.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session at 10:55
p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to the purchase or sale of real estate, and
approval of minutes, not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, Anthony, Hoyt
and Hines voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
.' Secretary