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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-31 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 31, 1996 The meeting was convened at 7:12 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman, Sally Hoyt, Vice-Chairman, George Hines, Secretary, Camille Anthony, Selectman,Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Paul Feely, Jr. from the Reading Daily Times Chronicle;Nancy Eaton, Short St.;Bill Murphy, Cumberland Rd.;Brian Morris, 15 Dana Rd.; Chris Duggan, 154 South St.; Carrie Morris, 15 Dana Rd.; Steve Gover, 47 Dana Rd.; Monty Wilson, 27 Dana Rd.; Thomas Kiezulas, 34 Dana Rd.; Sharlene Santo, 46 Wakefield St.; Carl and Diane Kariger, 21 Dana Rd.;Fred Boni, 116 Van Norden Rd.;Dawn Cotter, 60 Dana Rd.; Barbara Calla, 63 Dana Rd.;Don Cowan, 25A Hamden St.; Kathy and Chris Grevelis, 21 Hamden St.; Tom Sullivan, 21 Hamden St., Jonathan Edwards, Town Planner; Michael Linnane, Reading Lion's Club; Ruth Clay, Human Services Director. The Board broke their schedule in order to have a photograph taken with Michael Linnane, First Vice President and Don Cowan, Executive Board Member of the Reading Lion's Club. The Lion's Club presented a check in the amount of$1,000 for the Human Services Revolving Fund. The moneys will be used to help Reading families in crisis during the year. The Board expressed appreciation for this donation, and presented Mr. Linnane and Mr. Cowan with a Certificate of Appreciation from the community. There were no minutes to approve. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments: Bruce MacDonald noted that all members of the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager had attended the Massachusetts Municipal Association Meeting in Boston for two days. All members, except for the Chairman, attended the Budget Council Meeting last Saturday. With regard to the Police Station, George Hines has followed up on one adjacent property and he will report later. MacDonald is trying to get the specifications from the architect relative to the size of land needed from the neighbors on Pleasant Street in order to make a plan for this site viable. He will continue to work on this. George Hines, with the Town Manager, met with the neighbors to the rear of the Police Station property at the corner of Parker and Haven Street. It was a very good discussion, and the property owners are very open to discussing the sale of their property for expansion of the Police Station. The Police Station Building Committee needs to keep an open mind as to the viability of the existing site, and the Board of Selectmen should schedule a meeting with the Police Station Building Committee as soon as possible. Hines attended the Winchester Hospital Healthy Community Program, and there is an agreement to start a healthy Reading program with the configuration of that program to be determined. There is a meeting next week at the YMCA. Board of Selectmen Meeting, January 31, 1996 -Page 2 The Reading Ice Arena Authority met and Hines noted that the snow removal from the building was handled well. The Reading Ice Arena Authority continues to reduce its debt-it was approximately$800,000 --it is now under$475,000. There are a lot of popular programs being run there including the open skating. Hines apologized for not being present last evening but personal business called him away. Camille Anthony noted that the Open Space and Recreation Task Force met, and as of tonight, the Task Force ceases to exist. We need to have on the Selectmen's Agenda discussion as to who will be responsible for carrying out the intent of this plan. She noted that there were very few comments on the plan, but that she was impressed that MAPC did read the plan in detail. Anthony noted that we are planning a Community Day in May, using some of the funds available from the 350th Trust Funds, if granted. Sally Hoyt noted that all five members of the Board of Selectmen with the Town Manager attended the MMA Conference, and it was an excellent opportunity to learn and to network. Public Comments: There were no Public Comments. Town Manner's Report: The Town Manager noted that we had received complaints about the audio portion of the last Selectmen's Meeting. There seems to be a problem in the mixers here at Town Hall. We are working with Continental Cable to correct the problem. Route 129 plans have been revised, and all issues appear to have been evaluated and solutions proposed. A Public Meeting will be scheduled for mid-March once the plans are 100% completed. The Town Manager has made two applications for funding from the Celebration Trust - one to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Reading's Home Rule Charter;the other to work with recreation and conservation volunteers to have a Community Day this spring, in accordance with the recommendation of the Open Space and Recreation Task Force plan. The Finance Committee has transferred $50,000 for snow and ice removal, and has concurred in an action that will place any additional snow and ice expense on the 1997 tax rate. It is the stated intention to ask Town Meeting in April to transfer the necessary funds from free cash or other available resources to cover the deficit so that we will not actually have to put the snow and ice overrun on next year's tax rate. The state is proposing to fund approximately $44,000 in snow and ice assistance to Reading for the blizzard of 1996. The Town Manager outlined the schedule for the 1997 budget process, including scheduling a joint meeting of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the three boards and committees, and setting a March 2nd date for the Final Budget Council review of the budget. The Selectmen have scheduled their budget meeting for 2/6/96 and agreed to an additional meeting on 2/12/96. Board of Selectmen's Meeting, January 31, 1996 -Page 3 The Cable TV franchise negotiations continue with another meeting scheduled next week. Depending on the result of that meeting;an additional meeting will be scheduled with the Board of Selectmen and Continental Cable. The Town Manager reviewed the Purchase and Sales Agreement for 25 Haven Street, and the Board agreed to take action on this at their meeting on the 6th as long as it did not take time from the Selectmen's meeting on the budget. Discussion/Action Items: Engineers/Water Treatment Plant Operators Contract: The Town Manager reviewed the Engineers and Water Treatment Plant Operator Agreement. After a couple of questions, on motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve a contract between the Town of Reading and AFSCME Local 1703 Engineers and Water Treatment Plant Operators for a term beginning 7/1/95 and expiring 6/30/98. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. 1996 Annual Town Meeting Warrant: The Town Manager reviewed the proposed 23 article warrant with the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to close the warrant for the 1996 Annual Town Meeting consisting of 23 articles by a vote of 4-0-0. Wellfield Cleanup: The Town Manager reviewed the status of the wellfield cleanup, and the status of the lagoon elimination. A more detailed report will be made at next meeting. KENO Application for American Legion: The Public Hearing on KENO applications for KENO Sales Agent Licenses at the Reading Overseas Veterans Club, 575 Main Street, and at the American Legion Post 62, 37 Ash Street. Brendan Hoyt, Jr. appeared before the Board to discuss the application of the American Legion Post 62 for a KENO Sales License. Sally Hoyt absented herself from the meeting for the duration of the discussion on KENO. Mr. Hoyt noted that the American Legion had filed an application on June 9, 1995 for a lottery license including KENO. The American Legion has had reduced income, and thought this would be a good way to raise revenues. They have pull-tab lottery tickets and scratch tickets but he noted that you could lose money on the pull-tab lottery tickets. The American Legion is a non-profit organization and funds go to local charities or are put in the bank for future use. Last year, they used $16,000 from their bank account. They support such local activities as American Legion Baseball, the Scholarship Fund, Understanding Handicaps, the Memorial Park Concerts, Band Parents, Challenger Basketball, Boosters, Reading Elderly Services, etc. Board of Selectmen Meeting, January 31. 1996 -Page 4 They had initially hoped to have the lottery machines and KENO open to the general public but having seen the Board's discussion on the KENO license at the P & S Convenience Store, they changed their recommendation to sell just to members, not to the general public. He noted that the Town of Reading gets a lot of money from the lottery and the lottery itself is gambling. They would like to use the lottery to keep the club open and to continue to contribute to the community. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked a number of questions including: How many members are there in the American Legion? (300-350, of whom 60 or 70 people are active members and, in addition, there is a Ladies'Auxiliary of approximately 20, and Sons of American Legion of 30-40 members. They had a Victory House Associate Membership but this has been disbanded.) What are the qualifications for membership ? (You must be 21 years old - most of members are male, most women belong to the Ladies' Auxiliary. There are national membership requirements including having been in the Armed Services during certain dates of national emergency.) Where would the KENO be? (It would be in the Canteen Room in the basement. There are seldom children there although members do sometimes bring kids. The unofficial rule is that after 7:00 p.m., kids have to be out. The Canteen is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Sunday, it opens at noon.) - How is money made on KENO? (Money is made on all the lottery games the same way- 5% of the sales goes to the American Legion, and 1% on cash distributed also goes to the American Legion. The lottery does not have standards for a minimum amount of traffic-only for financial and security regulations.) Is smoking allowed in the canteen area? (Smoking is permitted because it is a private club and not regulated by the Town smoking regulations.) Who issues the license? (The State issues the license and the Town has the ability to comment on it.) Members of the Board expressed their feelings about the license. MacDonald felt that it was a different situation relative to a convenience store and he is willing to approve a license if it is for members only. He feels that this type of location is not very visible, and there is a controlled membership situation. Hines commended the American Legion for the work done, and noted that he is a third generation Legion eligible member of his family. His objection is not to the Legion but he has a major concern about consistency vis-a-vis the P & S Convenience Store. He noted that the club already enjoys one privilege that others do not -that is a liquor license. He thought that the combination of drinking, smoking and gambling is not appropriate. Board of Selectmen Meeting, January 31, 1996 -Page 5 Camille Anthony expressed concern because the Town of Reading has no way to control whether sales are done to members only or not. Mr. Hoyt noted that he thinks this could be done through a Town objection to the license if this provision was violated. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to close the hearing on an application by the American Legion Post 62, 37 Ash Street, for a KENO Sales Agent License. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony to approve an application by American Legion Post 62, 37 Ash Street, for a KENO Sales Agent License was denied by a vote 1-2-0, MacDonald in favor, Hines and Anthony opposed. KENO Application for Reading Overseas Vets: There was no representative from the Reading Overseas Veterans Assn. present. On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to close the hearing on an application by the Reading Overseas Veterans Assn., 575 Main Street, for a KENO Sales Agent License. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony to approve an application by Reading Overseas Veterans Assn., 575 Main Street, for a KENO Sales Agent License was defeated by a vote of 0-3-0. Dog Hearing, 15 Dana Road-Morris: Chairman Sally Hoyt rejoined the meeting at this point. Secretary Camille Anthony read the notice of the dog hearing scheduled for 9:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, regarding the dog at 15 Dana Road. Human Services Health Director, Ruth Clay, and Animal Control Officer, Susan Tapley, made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen regarding the history of problems at this address. A one and one-half page chronology beginning May 12, 1994 was reviewed with the Board of Selectmen. Their recommendation is to have the dog removed from the Town until the enclosure is built, and once allowed back, if the dog is ever loose again, that it be permanently removed from the community. It was noted that the Postal Service does not deliver mail at that end of Dana Road because of the dog running loose. This site is near the Killam School and next door to a day care center. The Morrises have two dogs - but only one dog is the problem now- the rottwieler. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions of staff, including how the enclosure was defined, whether or not the animal is friendly, whether the dog could be a danger, and how many complaints have been received. George Hines read a letter from Virginia Shaw of 28 Dana Road who was not able to be present. Brian Morris, 15 Dana Road, spoke. His family owns the dog and he has lived at that site for 22 years. He admitted that the dog has been loose many times. They had a cable type of run but the rottwieler is a big dog and he has broken the run several times. There is now a steel run. Board of Selectmen Meeting, January 31, 1996 -Page 6 The Morris family has hired a fence installer, and has purchased$400.00 of supplies to build an enclosure. This will be a$2,000 expense. The enclosure will be built on the right side so that it will not be near the adjacent day care center. The dogs are not vicious and have not bitten anyone. They do not have the money to put the dog in a kennel for now until the enclosure is finished. He noted that the children next door antagonize the dog. Carrie Morris, the owner of the dog, spoke. She noted that when the issue first arose, her father was sick and had open heart surgery, and that was the family's major concern. Greg Lyman, from Boston Fence in Peabody, spoke. He noted that all materials have been delivered to the site and he has started to install the fence as of yesterday. The fence will be 6 ft. chain link, with the top rail and a bottom wire. The size will be 36'x 20' and connected to the house. The work should be done within one week. He has contracted to do this work within the last two days. He is digging the holes by hand, and the Morrises were waiting for the snow to disappear before starting the work. All posts will be cemented. Dawn Cotter of 60 Dana Road, Diana Karigan of 21 Dana Road, Sharlene Santo of 46 Wakefield Street, Barbara Calla of 63 Dana Road, Steve Gover of 47 Dana Road and Fred Boni of 116 Van Norden Road spoke in favor of removing the dog until an enclosure is built. Carrie Morris noted that they can't build a fence for everyone else's convenience, and Susan Tapley noted that privacy slats may help. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to close the public hearing by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board of Selectmen expressed their concern for lack of work on this to date. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to take the following action with regard to the rottwieler kept at 15 Dana Road, owned by Carrie Morris: The Board ordered that the animal be removed from the corporate boundaries of the Town of Reading until the described kennel enclosure is completely built and secured to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer, and screened from the street by landscaping or solid fencing, and that the dog will be permanently removed from Town if there is any further instances of the dog being loose. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Economic Development Proposals -East Main Street: Jonathan Edwards appeared before the Board of Selectmen to review a proposal for economic development grants on the east side of Main Street. Property owners and tenants at 21-37 Harnden Street were present. The proposal includes a declaration of blight of a proportion of the easterly side of Main Street from Green Street to Union Street. This will make the Town eligible for certain funds which can be used for private property improvements, and public improvements including parking. Edwards showed the Board of Selectmen some sketches showing how parking could be arranged, and Mr. Grevelis, who is the owner of the property, expressed a willingness to cooperate with the Town on this project. The Board was excited by the prospects of doing improvements in this area of Main Street. Board of Selectmen Meeting JanuM 31, 1996-Page 7 i On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to direct the Town j Manager and staff to pursue the economic development of the east side of Main Street business district, which will include: (1)Activities to determine the status of the area pursuant to possibilities of re-development. (2)Preparation of materials necessary to secure grants. (3)Preparation of materials for public hearings. (4)Work with other boards and task forces including CPDC and the Downtown Steering Committee on this process. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. There was discussion as to timing, and it was noted that it would probably take three to four months to prepare the applications and all the background material, and that securing a grant could take between six to nine months to three years depending on availability of funds and competition for those funds. Everyone agreed to expedite this process as much as possible. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectful) submitted, Secretary