HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 21, 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, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and George Hines and the
following list of interested parties: Kathy Greenfield, Chris Campbell, Bill Hughes, Tom
Stohlman, Dick Haggerty, Pamela Andren, Laura DiBacco, Judith Junker, Beatrice Flammia,
David Brigham, Jack Downing, Mark Eric Nelson, John B. Winne, Jacqui Chipman, participants
in the Adopt-an-Island Program.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— Sally Hoyt attended the Budget Council meeting
on October 150'. She received a call from a resident who did not approve of locating the
bandstand on the Common or Town Hall property.
George Hines reported that he attended the Longwood Place Anniversary Party on October 14"',
the Budget Council Meeting on October 15`1', the Business Park Task Force on October 16`h, and
met with Representative Casey regarding the Home Rule Petition on traffic regulations on
October 20''. Hines also commented on the recent Donahue murder case, complimented the
Police Department on their excellent work on the case, and urged people who have a problem
with behavioral or addiction issues to take advantage of available assistance to avoid destroying
their families or themselves.
Personnel and Appointments
Arts Council—The Board interviewed candidates for two positions on the Arts Council for terns
expiring June 30, 2000.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed the following names into nomination
for three positions on the Arts Council: Pamela Andren, Laura DiBacco, Judith Junker and
Beatrice Flammia. Pamela Andren reported. that her .,first preference was the Recreation
Committee. Judith Junker and Beatrice Flammia each received five votes and were appointed
with terms expiring June 30, 2000. Laura DiBacco was appointed with a term expiring.June 30,
1998.
Council on Agin —The Board interviewed one candidate for a position on the Council on Aging
with a term expiring June 30, 2000.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed the name of David Brigham into
nomination for one term on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2000. Mr.
Brigham received five votes and was appointed.
Recreation Committee — The Board interviewed candidates for four positions on the Recreation
Committee.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 21, 1997—page 2
On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board placed the following names into
nomination for a position on the Recreation Committee with a term expiring June 30, 1998:
Pamela Andren, Jack Downing, Mark Eric Nelson and John B. Winne. Ms. Andren received
four votes(Hoyt abstained) and was appointed with a term expiring June 30, 1998.
On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger the Board placed the following names into
nomination for a position on the Recreation Committee with a term expiring June 30, 1999: Jack
Downing, Mark Eric Nelson and John B. Winne. Mr. Downing received five votes and was
appointed with a term expiring June 30, 1999.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed the following names into nomination
for Associate positions on the Recreation Committee with a term expiring June 30, 1998:
Mark Eric Nelson and John B. Winne. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Winne were both appointed as
Associate members of the Recreation Committee with terms expiring June 30, 1998.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager was not present at this meeting.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Adopt-an-Island — On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve
Certificates of Appreciation for the participants in the "Adopt-an-Island" Program for 1997.
Participants of the program were present to receive their Certificates.
SWAC America Recycles Day—On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to
approve a Proclamation for "America Recycles" Day. Jacqui Chipman and four members of the
SWAC were present to receive the Proclamation.
Discussion/Action Items
Bandstand - Presentation — Tom Stohlman and Dick Haggerty from the Bandstand Committee
made a presentation proposing that a bandstand be built on the Common. A member of the
Downtown Steering Committee spoke in opposition to the bandstand going on the Common.
The Historical Commission sent a letter also in opposition. It was requested that the computer
generated model be made available for members of the Board and the public to view to get a
sense of the relative massing of the bandstand to the existing buildings. The consensus of the
Board was to defer a decision until all new material including the computer model can be
evaluated. The Board of Selectmen decided to place this item on the November 18, 1997
Agenda at which time they will make a decision.
Bruce MacDonald and Tom Stohlman will prepare a virtual reality presentation to be available at
the Library. It is a computer-aided design to show the bandstand on each of the Common
locations.
Approval of Yield Intersection — Puritan and John Carver Road Puritan and Withrop Avenue
and Tower Road and Winthrop Avenue - The Board discussed the placing of yield signs at the -
Puritan and John Carver Roads, Puritan and Winthrop Avenue and Tower Road and Winthrop
Avenue.
Board of Selectmen Meeting;—October 21, 1997—page 3
Neighbors were present to request that stop signs be considered. Mr. Leach who is the originator
of the request reported on his efforts to get a stop sign and his communication with the Mass.
- Highway Department in which he was informed that the Town could establish regulations
without the prior approval of MHD. Hines reported that in his follow up with Representative
Casey, he was informed by the Council for the Public Safety Committee that this was also her
interpretation of the General Law. A neighbor presented material on the characteristics of the
roadway and intersections which justify stop signs. Also included in the information was an
excerpt from the MHD guidelines outlining the criteria for stop signs. This neighbor reported on
3-4 serious accidents at the intersection including at least one which ended up on the lawn in
front of his house. He reported that a Police Officer responded to the scene in each of these
accidents.
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to amend the traffic rules to place
a stop sign at John Carver and Puritan Road and Winthrop Avenue and Tower Road. The motion
was approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining.
Review Imagination Station Policy' Review Recreation Program Results — The Board reviewed
the policy for use of Imagination Station. The Board decided to accept the policy and to review
it again next September.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their
meeting on October 7, 1997, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-1, with Ensminger abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adjourn their meeting at 11:00 p.m.
by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
f
Secretary