HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 2, 1996
The meeting convened at 8:01 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: David Schurman, Ralph Blunt, Paul Feely, Steve Ravinski,
Chris Vaccaro, James Queeney, Rusty Harris, Tim Kelley, Ann Ward, Nancy Eaton, Karol
McLaughlin, Lauretta Raffi, Paul Peoples, Rick Shaffer.
The Chairman explained that Dan Ensminger had been briefly hospitalized and is now resting at
home.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of their
meeting of September 26, 1995 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0..
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board approved the minutes of their meeting of
March 12, 1996, as amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of their meeting of
March 26, 1996, as amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Review of the Warrant - Annual Town Meeting-- The Town Manager reviewed the Town
Meeting Warrant, Article by Article. There was no action by the Board on Articles 2, 3, 4, and 5.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 6 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of
Article 7 by a vote of 4-0-0.
The-Board discussed Article 8 at length. This is the Article that would accept a donation from
Atlantic Realty Trust to the Town of Reading for a parcel of land adjacent to the Municipal
Parking Lot on Woburn Street. This parcel would then be converted by the Town into an
addition to the Municipal Parking Lot. The Town Manager explained that the opportunity is
present because the property had a major fire in November of 1995, and therefore this can be
accomplished without relocating any residents. A letter from Arnold Rubin, Trustee of the
Reading Atlantic Realty Trust, responded to a letter to the Editor that was in the April 1, 1996,
Daily Times Chronicle.
Bruce MacDonald noted that an opportunity has come up through an unfortunate situation. He
feels that we are only looking at one piece of the issue - the need for parking versus residential
preservation. He noted that this takes care of only about 10% of what the need is for parking in
Board of Selectmen Meeting-April 2, 1996 -page 2
this part of downtown. He wonders what this does to change the street character. He also
questions whether there is a zoning issue relative to Section 4.1.1. of the Zoning By-Law. He
noted that the neighbors don't want to see the parking lot and he feels that the proponents of the
Article have not made the case and he cannot support it.
George Hines asked what would happen if the Board of Selectmen support the Article, and Town
Meeting approves it. His concern was that if, as part of the site plan approval, the Board of
Selectmen decide not to proceed with the project. He noted that the timing is awkward and the
community has not had a chance to take a hard look at the proposal. He would like to support,
and wondered if the Article could be put off until a later date either in this Town Meeting or in a
future Town Meeting.
Camille Anthony noted that when she had heard of the proposal, her perception was that the
parking would be behind the area where the house is. She doesn't want to see parking "down the
hill" from Woburn Street. She asked if$3500 per space was a good deal and the Town Manager
noted that it is.
Bruce MacDonald noted that if this Article went to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting
and was approved now, we would have precluded a larger public involvement process. George
Hines noted that we would have to lay out the process. He thinks that the major issue is not a
financial one, but is a neighborhood one. MacDonald noted that if we table this Article now and
look for additional dialogue, what would the dialogue be. He would want to know if developing
this property as a parking lot would be the beginning of a decaying process for the Woburn Street
neighborhood.
Sally Hoyt asked for one neighbor to speak for the group. Chris Vaccaro came forward and the
Town Manager noted to the Board of Selectmen that because Mr. Vaccaro is an employee of the
Town (member of the Zoning Board of Appeals) he is not allowed to represent others before the
Board. As the Town Manager understands, he can represent himself. Vaccaro thanked the Board
of Selectmen and Arnold Rubin for being willing to discuss the concerns. He felt that the
proposal is detrimental to the residential character of the neighborhood. He felt that it would be
tragic if this began the process of neighborhood decay in this area. He and others have worked
hard on their homes and feel that this parking lot will be an encroachment in a residential
neighborhood. He wondered if it was worth selling out the neighborhood to get 10 - 12 parking
spaces. The Town Manager noted that the commercial areas in Reading are long and narrow -
there is no area adjacent to or even part of the commercial property in Reading that does not also
abut residential property.
Cathy Vaccaro of 57 Woburn Street wondered if the Town would delay dealing with the building
in order to pursue this parking issue. The Town Manager noted that the Town has and will
continue to pursue the issue of keeping the building safe and having it removed or rehabilitated
regardless of what happens with this proposed Article. MacDonald noted that there were
concerns about zoning. He also asked what the Downtown Steering Committee felt about this
Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 2, 1996 -page 3
proposal and whether there were any members present. George Hines wondered whether the
Atlantic would work with us if the processed is delayed somewhat.
David Schurman of 456 Haverhill Street spoke. He indicated that the Town needs to reinforce its
center. Haven Street has become a hodge podge of parking lots, and Woburn Street is a strong
residential element next to downtown. If this building was replaced, it would not be replaced as it
is. He noted that if it is a bad idea to pursue this project, then why not just kill it now.
Cathy Vaccaro noted that if the issue doesn't come up Monday night in its normal order, this may
discourage people from attending the meeting. If it's going to be discussed at Town Meeting, she
asked that it be taken in order. Rick Shaffer from 67 Woburn shared Cathy Vaccaro's concern.
He wondered why the letter from Arnold Rubin was read into the record, but the letter from the
neighbors was not. The Secretary read the neighbors' letter into the record. The Town Manager
noted that the Town had never received a copy of this letter.
Tim Kelly of 84 Woburn Street is an immediate abutter. He initially thought that development of
the site into a parking lot to be a good idea. He has to live with the building in its current state
next to his property. However, he felt it was important to support the neighborhood initiative.
He noted that traffic is difficult to "read" coming out of his driveway. This is a safety factor. His
two concerns were parking close to the property line, and the possibility of two way traffic to
Woburn Street. He felt that it would make the street dangerous. He would prefer to see a house
on the site.
Anthony moved and Hines seconded a motion to recommend the subject matter of Article 8.
Hines then moved and Anthony seconded a motion to table Article 8 and ask Town Meeting to
defer action until later in Town Meeting. This amendment was not approved on a vote of 1-3-0
with Hines voting in the affirmative. On a motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the
Board voted to indefinitely postpone Article 8. This motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0
with Hines opposed.
The Board of Selectmen went on to discuss the rest of the Warrant. On motion by Hines
seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 9 by a vote of
4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter
of Article 10 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter
of Article 11 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 12 by a vote of 4-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 2, 1996 -page 4
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter
of Article 13 by a vote of 4-0-0. Hines noted that he felt that this was important for the future
recreational opportunities within the community.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 14 by a vote of 3-0-1 with Hines abstaining. Hines noted that this was a School
Department Article and the Board of Selectmen normally do not take action on such Articles.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of
Article 15 by a vote of 3-0-1, with Hines abstaining for the same reason as Article 14.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of
Article 16 by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Board took no action on Article 17.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter
of Article 18 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of
Article 19 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 20 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the intent of the
subject matter of Article 21 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to recommend the subject
matter of Article 22 by a vote of 3-0-1 with Hines abstaining. There was discussion as to whether
or not the Board should take action on recommending this Article. The FinCom is taking no
action and the Bylaw Committee voted action pending.
No action was taken on Article 23.
The Town Manager noted that bond anticipation notes for the Wood End Cemetery project were
sold on April 2, 1996. The successful bid was Century Bank at 3.77%, and the Board will sign
the bonds this evening.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the
purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation, strategy with respect to purchase of sale
Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 2, 1996 -page 5
of real estate, and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote all
four members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
__
IV
Secretary