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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 27, 1996 The meeting was convened at 7:35 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, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Steve Chuha, Barbara Smith, Mari O'Sullivan, Steve Crook, Kathy Crook, Richard J. Moore, Lilya Moore, Laura Crook, Catherine Mead, Alyssa Reid, Alyssa Smith, Ashley Chuha, Naomi Dyson, Sarah O'Sullivan, Nma Dinunsio, Christine Sullivan, Denise Iozzo, Paul Feely Jr., Nancy Eaton, Eileen Woods, Peter Wright, James Collins, Gail Wood, Marianne Jarema, Norma Degel, Frank Driscoll, David Roy, Susan Stewart, Linda Driscoll. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bruce MacDonald noted that he had been out for a couple of weeks on business. He did attend the FinCom meeting regarding the DPW budget, and attended a Conservation Commission meeting regarding 41 Mill Street. George Hines attended candidates night and expressed thanks to Tim Keigley, the League of Women's Voters and John Upton for this event. He has gotten a number of calls regarding "brown bagging" Dan Ensminger reported on a number of resident phone calls he had received. Camille Anthony had received calls regarding Town employees serving on two positions (coaches) and on "brown bagging". She's asked the Town Manager to contact other towns and see how they handle "brown bagging". She also attended the Ipswich River Watershed Association meeting and will report to the Board at a later date on that. Sally Hoyt attended the North Suburban Planning Council meeting. Among the items discussed were a presentation by a Mr. Hawke from Peabody regarding Downtown revitalization. They also talked about the new Federal Regulations regarding train whistles. She noted that there is surplus soil from the Pillings Pond project in Lynnfield and it might be valuable for the landfill. She noted that Reading should consider a snow removal bylaw. Regarding a public safety facility legislation, it has cleared the committee and will be before the full House. She greeted the Mayor from Haverhill who was walking from Boston to Haverhill as a publicity event for support for the schools in Haverhill. Public Comment There was no public comment. Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 27, 1996-page 2 Town Managers Report Proclamation - Girl Scout Week - On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved a Proclamation for Girl Scout Week for the week of March 10 - 16, 1996, by a vote of 5-0-0. Several Girl Scouts were present to receive the Proclamation. Proclamation - Third Annual Drug Free Week- On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved a Proclamation for the 3rd Annual Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Free Week the week of March 1 - 10, 1996. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Sandra Michaud received the Proclamation on behalf of the council. Proclamation - Vocational Education Week - On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board approved a Proclamation for Vocational Education Week the week of March 4 - 8, 1996, by a vote of 5-0-0. John Pacino was present to receive the award. The Town Manager asked the Board of Selectmen to approve and execute the deeds for 25 Haven Street. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to execute, acknowledge and deliver a deed to 25 Haven Street to P.C.S. Realty Inc. on behalf of the Town, and execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all other documents or certificates that are necessary or appropriate in connection with the aforesaid transaction, and to authorize Sally M. — Hoyt as Chairman or George V. Hines as Vice Chairman of the Board to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all other instruments, documents or certificates necessary or appropriate in connection therewith in order to consummate the aforesaid transaction, all in accordance with the Purchase and Sales Agreement. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that the Budget Council meeting is scheduled for March 2, 1996, to wrap up the FY97 budget. He noted that the Presidential Primary Election and Town Election are combined on March 5, 1996. This is the first combined Election in the State and staff is working hard to make sure that it will go well. Selectmen's Forum is scheduled for March 7, 1996, after the Housing Lottery. The Disabled American Veterans are having their Forget-Me-Not sale on April 22 - 28, 1996. The American Legion is working on the Memorial Day Observances and will need the names of members of the Board who will speak at each of the three cemeteries. Sally Hoyt will speak at Laurel Hill, Bruce MacDonald will speak at Charles Lawn, and George Hines will speak at Forest Glen, Longwood Management will be having a groundbreaking ceremony on March 15, 1996, at the Senior Center, and George Hines will represent the Board at that event. The Town Manager noted material on the Framingham Extension Relief Sewer Project with the MWRA that he has given to them. Copies of the FY96 revenues through 1/31/96 are included in the Selectmen's packet and revenues are tracking in accordance with estimates. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee is scheduling a hearing on March 6, 1996, and the draft water and sewer rates would increase 9.5% from current FY96 composite rates. This is subject to change based on the ability of the MWRA budget to be reduced. Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 27, 1996 -page 3 Two Girl Scouts have conducted the linen drive these past several months and have earned their Gold Award as a result. Seven local churches participated and over 100 boxes of linens have been donated to Spot Pond Motel. On March 16, the RMHS boys soccer program hosts the Mass Special Olympics basketball program in Reading. The Board has received a copy of the Performance Review of Reading's PRIT Fund for retirement investments. The performance for calendar year 1995 was 24.2%. The Town Manager noted that Katy's Hallmark store has moved to the former Eugene's property, that the Town will be getting a bookstore on Woburn Street facing onto the rear parking lot, and that Brooks Pharmacy is scheduled to move into the former RMLD building. Finally, the Town Manager noted that he has talked with our State Representative about the Route 28 sidewalk project, and he is going to try to get money for this into the Open Space Bond Bill. Personnel & Appointments Vacancies exist on a number of Boards, Committees and Commissions, and there were no applicants available for the Council on Aging, CPDC, or the Substance Abuse Advisory Council. Discussion/Action Items Report on MMA Meeting - The members of the Board of Selectmen each spoke on their involvement in the MMA Annual Meeting in January. Dan Ensminger noted that he had attended the information technology session, and had attended a session on permit streamlining, and had gone to the session on Cable TV update. Camille Anthony attended sessions held by DEP for regional issues, a session on Public Works Chapter 90 roadwork, a session on using local media effectively, and attended a very good WEMO (Women Elected Municipal Officials) program on domestic violence. Bruce MacDonald attended a session on Economic Development, one on Municipal Electric Departments and a session on Municipal Law. The Municipal Law session he was particularly interested in the discussion on KENO and also noted that the Town should consider a Zoning Bylaw for adult entertainment. Bruce MacDonald was asked by the Board of Selectmen to talk with CPDC about both an entertainment zoning district regulation and a possible soil removal bylaw for Fall 1996 Town Meeting. George Hines attended the keynote speaker which featured HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros. He attended sessions on the impact of changes in state and federal government on local funding, a session on collaborative decision making (Reading is in the forefront in its work with the FinCom and School Committee), a session on the Board of Selectmen/Administrator team, and Performance Appraisals in the workplace. Sally Hoyt spoke about the WEMO Luncheon, and how valuable the entire conference was. Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 27, 1996-page 4 Discussion on Town Employees being; members of Boards, Committees and Commissions and Serving in Two Positions-Town Counsel reviewed the Conflict of Interest laws. There are three or potentially four situations where Town employees are also serving in coaching capacity at the High School. These include David Roy who is a Fire Fighter and girls' Freshman Basketball Coach; James Collins who is a Police Officer and Junior Varsity Hockey Coach; Lois Margeson who is the Girls Swim Team Coach and wants to work for the Town Recreation program in the summer; and Frank Driscoll who is a Fire Fighter and wants to work as the Girls' Freshman Softball Coach. Several residents spoke in favor of asking the Board of Selectmen to do the necessary exemption or special employee status required to allow these people to continue to serve as coaches. Susan Stewart spoke on behalf of David Roy; Aileen Woods and Peter Wright spoke on behalf of James Collins. Frank Driscoll asked if the Board of Selectmen could make a decision now. Town Counsel indicated that we should be able to do this fairly quickly - it will require certification from the employee and from the Superintendent of Schools. This issue will be back on the agenda for the Selectmen's Meeting of March 12, 1996. Town Counsel went on to talk about the conflict of interest in Town employees serving on Boards, Committees and Commissions. This could be resolved only through granting a special employee status. Areas identified as being in conflict include a Conservation Commission Associate Member, the Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves, and two members of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council. Nancy Eaton asked if an Associate Member of the Conservation Commission could be its own discreet category of special employee, and Town Counsel said that it was theoretically possible but it would probably be more appropriate as a separate class. He will check this with the Ethics Commission. Eaton noted that the Board of Selectmen had granted special employee status for the Board of Library Trustees and that they should also grant it for other positions. George Hines noted that we should look at this as a policy, and not for individual employees. Dan Ensminger noted that composition of the Board with respect to background would have an effect on his decision on this matter. Hearing on Bunker Avenue Sewers - The Board opened a hearing that was previously opened by staff to consider the extension of sewers on Bunker Avenue. Joe Delaney, Town Engineer, was present and presented the proposal to the Board of Selectmen. The major concern is that one of the septic systems on this street is failing, and that resident would like to have sanitary sewers installed. Delaney reported that the three property owners who would benefit were all in favor of installation of the sewer, and are in favor of the betterments being equally assessed to all three benefiting property owners. James Cotter of 5 Bunker Avenue spoke and requested that this project be expedited as soon as possible. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to close the adjourned public hearing of February 15, 1996, regarding a construction of a sanitary sewer on Bunker Avenue. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. �� Board of Selectmen Meeting-February 27, 1996 -page 5 On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve the assessment of the cost of construction of sanitary sewers on Bunker Avenue in accordance with the recommendation of the Department of Public Works; that the Board's policy on the method of assessment be varied in this instance because the sewer line is to be constructed on a dead end street with no possibility of extension beyond one additional lot; and that the assessment to the three benefiting property owners be shared equally in an amount not to exceed $1,175 per property owner. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that the Small Lane sewer project may have been incorrectly assessed in that 100% of the costs was assessed as opposed to the 30% permitted by State law. Action will be taken to rectify this matter. Discussion on Budget Priorities - The Town Manager presented a compilation of the Board of Selectmen's priorities for the FY97 budget. The Board agreed that this fairly represented their priorities and this will be used as part of the Budget Council meeting on March 2, 1996. The hour being late, the Board agreed to carry over discussion on the Town Meeting Warrant, discussion relative to recognizing student achievements, and train whistle issues to later meetings. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation, to come back into Open Session at approximately 11:40 p.m. On a roll call vote, all five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board returned from Executive Session, and on motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to direct the Town Manager and Town Counsel to develop a regulation on "brown bagging" similar to the Cambridge regulation, and to post a hearing on that on March 12, 1996. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to adjourn at 11:45 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, E f f Secretary