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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting April 30, 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, (Bruce MacDonald entered the meeting at 7:40 p.m.). Also in attendance was Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Peter Simms, Marjory Wentworth, Kathy Greenfield, Virginia Adams, Soni Clarke Lee, Ruth Brophy, Paul Feely Jr., Tim Kelley, Jonathan Edwards, Don Cowan. Discussion/Action Items Meeting with Downtown Steering Committee - The Downtown Steering Committee made a presentation. Cathy Greenfield noted that the Steering Committee has assessed the situation through surveys;they have raised community awareness of the downtown; and they noted that the Board of Selectmen are the stewards of Reading's Downtown and especially its public areas. Brian Irwin from the Steering Committee and also the Chairman of CPDC noted that the Downtown Steering Committee has run through their mandate which is data gathering and support gathering. He noted that there is strong community support for making changes in Downtown. The Transportation Enhancement Grant has been applied for. There are strong possibilities for Downtown. The Committee asked what they should do now. Camille Anthony asked what the Downtown Steering Committee sees as their future role. George Hines noted that two residents in attendance - Tim Kelley and Paul Feely from the Chronicle should also participate. He noted that the success of the group is that it is a grass roots effort with some help from veteran government personnel and business people. He asked if they felt they have a charge or mandate to proceed. Brian Irwin noted that they need to have a comprehensive plan for Downtown. Development of a Master Plan is beyond the Downtown Steering Committees capabilities. They need to determine how quickly that work needs to be done. He noted that some short term decisions are being made. One,of the things that's needed immediately is drawings of physical improvements and design guidelines. Camille Anthony asked if we had interns to do this work. Brian Irwin noted that the cost of developing a full blown Master Plan would be $40,000 - $50,000 and can be done in three to four months. Harvard Design School has interns for 10 weeks in the summer at the cost of$5,000 and they may be able to work on the design guidelines. Peter Simms noted that the Downtown Steering Committee has talked with some consultants informally. He felt that MAPC may not have been as effective as possible in terms of the time that this process has taken to date. Jonathan Edwards noted that by the first of May we should know the first "cut" on the Transportation Enhancement Grant, and we should know for sure by the end of September whether we have the grant. He noted that a consultant can bring in other experience, and deal with issues of economics, marketing, and promotion. Camille Anthony noted that somebody from outside may be a help, because we don't always see what we need because we are too close to it. George Hines noted that perhaps a facilitator is needed in order to focus the group on the vision for the Downtown. He noted that this is an evolutionary process, but we would like to come together at a revolutionary pace. Peter Simms noted that communications is a big issue and a concern. Bruce MacDonald noted that perhaps Board of Selectmen Meeting- April 30, 1996 -page 2 there are two tracks that could be taken: 1)interview consultants and determine where the money comes from, or 2) come back with a recommendation on specific issues regarding traffic flow, parking, the visual environment, etc. The Town Manager recommended a four pronged approach: 1) that we try to secure an intern for the summer hopefully with some assistance from the business community; 2) that the Downtown Steering Committee develop a focus of four or five major areas to be dealt with, and collect the information that is available on those four or five areas. These could include parking, traffic flow, business mix, facade improvements, and street scape design. 3) The Downtown Steering Committee can explore the possibility of having a consultant come in and work with the Town on these issues. 4) The Town Manager will personally be responsible for improvement of communications relative to Downtown. George Hines noted that the Town Manager's recommendations address the critical points. The Chairman of the Downtown Steering Committee and others should focus their communications through the Town Manager. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the Board voted to endorse the Downtown Steering Committee being a clearinghouse for Downtown issues by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Consent Order - Landfill - Cheryl Blaine from McGregor and Shea was present as was Ted McIntire. Blaine noted that the consent order is "very generous". The Town Manager noted that the Consent Order is completely consistent with the Town's Capital Improvements Program. Camille Anthony asked about the status of Central Artery Clay and whether or not we are committed to CDM to do the consulting work. Bruce MacDonald asked about the timetable and this was reviewed. George Hines noted that the Town of Reading missed an opportunity to get Central Artery clay, and the second contract is "on the street" now. It has just been awarded, and communications relative to this need to come directly from the Town Manager's office. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the Consent Order for closure of the landfill by a vote of 4-0-0. Decision on Whether to Proceed with Keno Policy - The Board of Selectmen discussed whether or not to proceed with the Keno policy. The Town Manager reviewed the results of the hearing on P & S Convenient Store. He noted that the hearing officer wanted to know whether or not the Town would rehear the P & S Convenient Store issue on the issue of whether or not the Town had properly considered the equity of their licensing situation. George Hines noted that the community needs to balance equity and protecting the interests and policies of the community. Sally Hoyt noted that she has a concern in that the installation of P & S Convenient Store had been scheduled. George Hines noted that the installation was delayed because of the moratorium. Bruce MacDonald noted that he doesn't feel the Town has responsibility to correct equity issues if they are creating by an action of the state. He agreed with George Hines that there was an installation moratorium because of the out cry from communities. He wondered if we de-facto agreed to approve the P & S Convenient Store location if we agreed to rehear it. The Town Manager noted that was not his sense from the hearing officer of the Lottery Commission. The Board agreed that at its first meeting in May they would decide whether or not to rehear the P & S Convenient Store application. At that same date they will also have a hearing on Uptown Board of Selectmen Meeting-April 30, 1996 -page 3 Liquors. At their meeting on May 21, 1996, they will have a hearing on a policy on whether or not to prohibit or allow Keno under certain conditions. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary