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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 16, 1996 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: (Vice Chairman George Hines joined the quorum a little bit late) Paul Feely, Robert Silva, Steve Blewitt, William Lavoie, Wilbar Hoxie, Lauretta Rafl'i, Karol McLaughlin,Nancy Eaton, James Cormier. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Dan Ensminger reported on the joint Board of Selectmen/FinCom/School Committee meeting of January 3, 1996. This was follow-up to the budget council meetings Three issues were on the Agenda and two were discussed - technology and Libraries. With regard to the Libraries, issues discussed were school access to the Noble Program and opening school libraries and/or their materials being made available to the public on shared use. With regard to technology, the distinction is made between administrative technology and educational or instructional technology. The Town will operate the administrative technology program, and the School Department will operate the instructional or educational technology programs. Camille Anthony got a call from Ann Mark regarding unit pricing. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee won't have information ready in early February- it will be March. There were several issues on unit pricing that they will address including condominiums and multifamily housing, impact on recycling, and recycling report card. If any members of the Board of Selectmen can think of anything else as part of their presentation, please get back to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. MacDonald noted that it makes sense to coordinate the discussion on rubbish collection for units with unit pricing. Bruce MacDonald has received a number of comments on snow plowing - primarily favorable. He commended the Public Works Department for their excellent job. He noted that residents can help out by keeping catch basins in front of their homes clear. He thought that Reading handled the snow conditions much better than other towns. He attended a Recreation Committee meeting and they discussed recreation schedules and plans. Sally Hoyt spent the day at the State House on behalf of Middlesex County Advisory Board issues. They met with legislators with respect to the proposed Charter to replace the County Commissioners. Public Comment There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported that the Route 129 hearing was held at the Lecture Hall on November 29, 1995. There was good attendance and some issues about parking and access to Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 16, 1996 -page 2 abutting properties. The consultant, MHD, and staff met to review the issues and the issues with regard to the Common appeared to be resolved. The Town Manager noted that Paula Schena, the Administrative Assistant in the Department of General Services, was hit by a car at High and Haven Street last week. She is at home and on the mend, but will be out for about 12 weeks. The Town Manager will be making a reserve fund transfer request from FinCom for snow and ice expenditures. He will also ask FinCom to concur in an action that will place any additional amount of snow and ice expense on the FY97 tax rate, with the intention of rescinding that action by having transfers done at the Spring Town Meeting. The Town Manager and financial staff will be making a presentation on Thursday evening at the School Committee hearing on their budget relative to the status of revenues for FY97. The Town Manager commended the Department of Public Works on their job with snow plowing and removal, and commented on their cooperative work between the Department of Public Works, Fire Department and School Department on clearing school roofs of heavy snow load. A dog hearing will be scheduled for the meeting of January 30, 1996. The newspaper article about the loss to Reading of funding for Main and Ash Street improvements is not accurate - the project funding was postponed for one year. Because we were not able to get a response from one of the eight effected property owners immediately abutting the Mineral Street Bridge, in order to secure a right of entry to do the necessary construction, the bidding on that project is delayed until Spring while the State goes about acquiring a necessary right of entry through eminent domain proceedings. The other seven property owners have been very cooperative. The 90 day and 30 month Cable TV Franchise Agreement has been signed, Town Counsel, Special Counsel and Town Manager are meeting with Continental Cable next Monday. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation celebrating Margaret Mary Dunn Dee's 80th Birthday. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Board of Health - Cathy Baranfosky resigned from the Board of Health, and the position was posted. Three applications for a position on the Board of Health were received. Carol Fiocco was interviewed. She noted that the only public health issue she was aware of at this time was the ratio of school nurses to school which she felt was not satisfactory. She's been involved in Reading in assisting at the Health Fair, as a Block Leader on recycling bins, distribution of food baskets to low income and elderly residents, and volunteering in pre-school and elementary school settings as a Teachers Aid. Petra Conboy was interviewed. Board members asked about issues, and she noted that she thought the smoking regulations were good. Bruce MacDonald asked if she was prepared to deal with conflicts and she indicated that she was. ._.......... i Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 16, 1996 -page 3 Cynthia Richards was interviewed. She is going for her Ph.D. in Biology at Boston University. She feels strongly about prohibiting smoking in public places, and is also interested in the issue of excessive use of antibiotics. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the following names were placed into nomination for a term on the Board of Health for a term expiring June 30, 1997: Carol Fiocco, Petra Conboy and Cynthia Richards. Carol Fiocco received three votes and was appointed to the Board of Health. The Board also discussed whether there are or should be Associate Memberships since we have a number of very qualified candidates. This will be discussed with the Board of Health. The Town Manager noted that there are also vacancies on the Cemetery Board of Trustees, Council on Aging, Housing Partnership Committee, and Reading Substance Abuse Advisory Council. Discussion/Action Items Approval of Agreement, Police Superior Officers - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed agreement between the Town and the Reading Police Superior Officers Association. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved a contract between the Town of Reading and the Police Superior Officers Association - IBPO, for a term beginning July 1, 1995 and expiring June 30, 1998. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing on Amendment to Selectmen's Policies - Requiring identification of people speaking before the Board. Secretary Camille Anthony read the notice of the public hearing. The Town Manager reviewed the draft policy. Ensminger suggested a change instead of using the address of residents use city or town of residents. Bruce MacDonald noted that he strongly supports this policy. He noted that civil discourse is difficult enough, and a basic of dialogue is knowing who you are talking to. Anonymous discourse is difficult. George Hines asked if not having a street address is adequate. Sally Hoyt noted that she'd check with Ted Cohen. If somebody speaking before the Board does not want their name known, they can check in advance with the Town Manager, or they could ask someone else to speak for them. The Board of Selectmen opened this item for public comment. Bill Brown noted that the proposal makes sense. You have to identify yourself at Town Meeting. Tom Stohlman asked what brought this on. Sally Hoyt gave him the history. It was noted that the policy as drafted requires the Chairman to withdraw permission for the individual to speak if they don't identify themselves. Nancy Eaton asked whether members of a Board, Committee or Commission need to give their address. It was felt that as a member of a Board, Committee or Commission appointed by the Board of Selectmen they would not have to give their address. George Hines asked if the intent was to give discretion to the Chair. Ensminger noted that the Chair always has discretion in any case. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to close the public hearing on an amendment of Section 1.1 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies relative to identification of a Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 16, 1996-page 4 person wishing to speak before the Board of Selectmen. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved an amendment to Section 1.1 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies relative to identification of a person wishing to speak before the Board as follows: 1.1.5 Identification of a Person Addressing the Board of Selectmen - Each person appearing before the Board of Selectmen who wishes to speak will upon recognition of the Chairman of the Board, identify him/herself by name and city or town of residence. Failure to identify him/herself may result in the Chair withdrawing permission for that individual to speak to the Board of Selectmen. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Another issue related to Selectmen's Policies that was brought up was the issue of Selectmen's Reports. Sally Hoyt noted that she wants members of the Board of Selectmen to continue with their Liaison Reports and Selectmen's Comments. The public wants to know what the Board has been doing. As long as she is Chair, Sally intends to continue this process. If more than one Selectman has attended a function or meeting, one Selectman will make a report. Police Station Siting- Lt. Robert Silva and Architect Max Ferro presented a status report of the Police Station siting. They reviewed a document from the Police Department outlining the major functions of a Police Station. Ferro reviewed the Reading Police Station Program for expansion which would provide for a 19,200 square foot building at a project cost of $3 million for expansion of the existing building to $3.8 million for new construction. George Hines noted that he's had some informal discussion with abutters to the existing Police Station site to the rear - the Russells- and he suggested that the Town Manager and member of the Board of Selectmen make contact to see if they are interested in selling their property. Considerable discussion took place with regard to expansion of the existing site, even if the Molineaux property on Pleasant Street is not available. He noted that anything can be done, but that the footprint of the building needs to grow by two plus times. The existing site slopes to the rear. A long building expanded onto the Russell property would descend two times as it goes down the hill. To build a long narrow Police Station is not in the best interest of the station. He feels the Town would be better advised to pursue acquisition of the adjacent property or a portion of the property. Hines noted that if the Town uses creativity for land acquisition, we could come up with a good design. Ensminger asked if all parking spaces need to be on site, or could we use some of the Reading Housing Authority's site or the Union Street lot. Concern was expressed about vandalism to personal vehicles and/or parking non-police vehicles with Town equipment in them in a remote location. Camille Anthony noted that in previous site plans, we have been looking at 46 spaces plus 20 for the Senior Center. Would a plan on the existing site open spaces on the street. Sally Hoyt asked about the Salem Street site which was previously considered for a DPW site. Do we know if the property owners are willing to sell. She also asked about the Cerretani's site. t I Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 16, 1996 - page 5 Bill Brown noted that when the Fire Station was built if we had a willing seller on Main Street (with access on Salem Street), we could have built a five bay versus a three bay site. MacDonald asked how long we can wait for a decision to be made. Dan Ensminger asked if the Oakland Road site is in fact owned by the School Committee. Blewitt noted that there are issues with respect to funding. Debt service is 2/3 of the capital expenses and will rise to about 100% over three to four years. Bill Brown noted that in 1949 when the Oakland Road site was given to the School Department they were given the option of using "any or all". Dan Ensminger asked if Town Counsel is researching and the Town Manager noted that he was not but that the Town Clerk has done some research. MacDonald noted that even if the School Department owns it, it is time to do something with the Oakland Road site because it is being put to no use now. Tom Stohlman noted that he can't speak regarding the Oakland Road site because all of the review has not been done yet. George Hines noted that even if the Town has control of the Oakland Road site, they should work with the School Committee regarding possible uses. Dan Ensminger asked about the timing with regard to the Oakland Road site, and Tom Stohlman noted that the RFP has gone out for architects, and it is being reviewed. Realistically, we won't know anything about that site until Fall Town Meeting or perhaps until next Spring. Lauretta Raffi noted that being in real estate, there are two buildings that are important to the Town in terms of quality of community - these are the Police Station and the Fire Station. We have a new Fire Station. We need a new - Police Station that is large enough to grow with. Bruce MacDonald suggested that the Board should accept the Police Station program as presented i.e., to develop a Police Station that will be approximately 2.50 times the size of the existing building. We should pursue the availability of the Russell property, and if it is not available then we are stuck with,options with regard to the Pleasant Street site (the Town Manager and George Hines will follow up on this). Pursue an option, right of refusal, or partial acquisition on the Molineaux property (Silva and MacDonald will pursue this). Continue to investigate the Salem Street site. Continue to work with the School Committee on the Oakland Road site. The Board thanked the Committee for their work. Discussion on Route 129 - Town Engineer Joe Delaney was present to review four issues that were raised at the public hearing, and to suggest solutions. The four issues were taking land from the Common, on street parking, driveway openings, and the extent of work at the Lowell/Willow/Grove Street intersection. The issue of taking land from the Common has been resolved in discussions with the Historical Commission and the Old South Church. With regard to on street parking, the Engineer suggested some criteria for establishing where limited on street parking spaces could be established. ._...._..... With regard to driveway openings, a modified curb opening program was developed which should address the concerns that were expressed. Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 16, 1996 - page 6 The Lowell/Willow/Grove Street intersection has been modified to reduce the impact. The criteria for developing on street parking spaces will include lot sizes, location of drop offs, other available parking, number of parking spaces that can be acquired. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support the project as designed except that the Town Engineer will evaluate the area between Middlesex and Bancroft for parking and bring a schematic back to the next Selectmen's meeting. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager distributed budget material for follow up. The Town Manager noted that there is an issue with regard to "brown bagging" at restaurants and that we will schedule a discussion on this at the Selectmen's Meeting on February 13, 1996. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to adjourn at approximately 11:00 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary