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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting May 21, 1996 The meetingwas convened at 7:36 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, r Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Dan Ensminger (Selectman Bruce MacDonald came at 7:38 p.m. and Selectman j George Hines joined the quorum at 8:05 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Mary J. Andreola, Lois Bond, Bill Brown, Dorothy Foxon. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of the meeting of December 19, 1995, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved the minutes of January 16, 1996, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of February 12, 1996, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of February 13, 1996, as amended, by a vote of 3-0-1 with MacDonald abstaining. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the minutes of April 23, 1996, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved the minutes of April 30, 1996, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Dan Ensminger offered congratulations to the boys' and girls' track teams, and especially the boys' track teams 25th undefeated season. Camille Anthony attended the Peer Leadership Dinner with the Town Manager and Sally Hoyt. She noted that many students are doing a lot of community service. She also noted that Monday is Community Day. Bruce MacDonald offered congratulations to the track teams and Hal Croft. Monday, he attended a Council on Aging meeting regarding the implementation of the Senior Tax/Work Program. He also attended a citizen's meeting at Old South Methodist Church regarding the adult video store. He congratulated the group on their civility and good sense in conducting their business. He attended the Finance Committee meeting as liaison to the Solid Waste Committee. He also noted that the Reading Home Page has been revamped and the site is now in Reading. `' Reading residents, Steve Ryan and Phil Picard, assisted in this project. Board of Selectmen Meeting -May 21 1996 -Page 2 Sally Hoyt offered congratulations to the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team. She attended the Peer Leadership Program and gave appreciation to Jane Fiore for her work with this group. She attended the Senior Volunteer Recognition event at the Senior Center with the Town Manager and Bruce MacDonald, and offered thanks to Lee Roberts and Lois Bond. She attended the Century Club Awards at the High School. She hopes that there is some way for the School Department to raise funds for projects like the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team. Public Comment There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a Certificate of Appreciation for the "It's Good to Care Program" by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager will present this award at the Recognition event. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen will be conducting interviews for appointments to the various Boards, Committees and Commissions in June. Applications are available in the office of the Town Clerk. A hearing on the Board's denial of a liquor license transfer to 34 Salem Street is tomorrow in Boston before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The Selectmen's Forum is scheduled for June 11. The Town Manager distributed a sheet for the Board to begin to think about liaison assignments. Shadow Day with RMHS students was a great success. Over 20 students participated. The Town Manager has posted a number of job opportunities in-house and conducted interviews. Several of the positions will be advertised if they are not able to be filled in-house. The week of May 12 was "National Police Officer's Week" and May 15 was Police Memorial Day. At Chief Marchand's request, the flag on the Common was flown at half staff. Mark Segalla has been appointed to the Police Department to fill the vacancy created by retirement. We have received additional Federal grant funding to hire an additional Police Officer. The Town will need to provide approximately $15,000 for a match, and this will be requested at the Fall Town Meeting. Street sweeping has begun and will continue until completed. We have sent correspondence to the Mass. Highway Department relative to the Prescott and Summer Avenue intersection improvements to.see if we can get this project bid awarded immediately. Work has recommenced on Upper Pearl Street, and the contractor for South Street is expected to complete their work this week. The issue of 78-80 Woburn Street and the demolition of this building has been reviewed. The survey team has completed their work and the report is being compiled. Additional action will be t dictated by the report. Board of Selectmen Meeting; - Ma�21, 1996 -Page 3 The CPDC is holding a hearing on June 3rd at the RMHS Lecture Hall regarding adult entertainment uses in the community, and whether there is a need to regulate them. The Town has received notice of the demolition of structures at the Industriplex site. We also have received notice of the availability of information relative to the North Reading ground water clean-up efforts by GE. The Town is selling approximately $10,000,000 in bonds this summer for the Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow school projects, school roofs, school boilers, burners and the RMLD project. Bond rating agencies will be in Reading on June 3rd and 5th. We are selling the bonds one year early but the savings to the Town are over$500,000 over the life of the bonds. The Worker's Comp Program is the healthiest it has been for at least 8 years and approximately $150,000 will be closed to free cash from that account. Memorial Day and Community Day are events that are scheduled for Monday, May 27. With regard to Route 129, the right of entry forms are going well. The landscaping plan is being finalized. The final submission is scheduled for early July. Pearl Street is being paved tomorrow. The D.A.R.E. graduations have taken place and are being completed this week. South Street is primarily done. The Wood End Cemetery is under construction. The Hazardous Waste Collection Program is scheduled for 6/i/96. Computer collections is scheduled for 6/8/96. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked about the Mineral Street Bridge status, and about timing of the improvement of the Lincoln Street parking lot. Discussion/Action Items Update on Water Supply The Town Manager reviewed the Public Works Director's memo regarding the gas spill site. Progress has been made on the two interim deadline items. Senior Citizen's Tax/Work Program Lois Bond, Dotty Foxon and Mary Andreola were present. The Town Manager identified three issues to focus on: Should there be income limits to the program; should payment be by voucher or payment; should participation in the program be rotated from year to year. The Board identified a further issue which is the age of participants. Some members of the Board felt that 60 years old was not appropriate, although Lois Bond noted that 60 years is the age people become eligible for Elder Services. George Hines suggested that perhaps we should use the age as established by Social Security eligibility. Bruce MacDonald agreed. The consensus was that we should use a voucher program rather than direct payment. Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 21, 1996 -Page 4 Dan Ensminger suggested that the staff should develop the rules of the program and George Hines agreed that we should develop some rules or criteria for selection. It was suggested that fairly strict guidelines should be used at first in order to assess the needs. The criteria of "difficulty paying property taxes" seems difficult to determine. Camille Anthony asked if there were guidelines on income for financial planning purposes. Bruce MacDonald made a motion seconded by George Hines that we use an age eligibility of 62 years, that we use a voucher payment program, that we tie the upper limit at $25,000 per year income with flexibility for extenuating circumstances, and that we give a priority in the second year to new applicants. George Hines suggested that perhaps we should use a 65 year old age criteria and go to 62 years of age if there is still available slots in the program. It was also suggested that we tie the income to some kind of measure or standard rather than arbitrarily $25,000 per year. Dan Ensminger moved and George Hines seconded a motion that staff be directed to prepare a plan:to match participants with physically appropriate tasks. Following further discussion, on motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to table the issue by a vote of 5-0-0. Staff will prepare a more complete outline. There is a question as to whether the participants in the program are employees or independent contractors. Hearing on Keno Policy Camille Anthony read the notice of the hearing. The Town Manager reviewed the background of Keno. Bruce MacDonald noted that the policy he had developed was based on other material in the Board's policy book, and had the feeling that guidelines were needed but that there should be some flexibility. Hines noted that from the attendance at the hearing, this was not a big -- community issue. He has not heard anything positive about the game. He feels that Keno is a more pervasive form of gambling than other lottery games, and that it should be prohibited. Based on the legislation that has been signed by the Governor, the Town would not be at any economic disadvantage by prohibiting Keno. He views Keno being in the same category as adult entertainment. Dan Ensminger noted that Keno is a relatively minor dollar generator. Scratch tickets are more pervasive. If Keno is removed from sight, and limited in scope in an area of the Town, he would not have an objection to allowing Keno. Hines noted that if we felt it was okay to be out of sight than perhaps some other things would also be appropriate in the community as long as they were out of sight. Camille Anthony noted that she felt convenience stores were changing from convenience stores to a place where people are sitting around, smoking and gambling. Gambling is a problem - that is why we have Gambler's Anonymous. Gambling is pervasive and she opposes Keno in the community. Dan Ensminger asked about providing Keno for non-profits. He agreed that he does not like it in convenience stores. Bruce MacDonald noted that he has been all over the issue -- from George Hines' view of outright prohibition to considering it in private clubs. He would be willing to sacrifice income to the Town by prohibiting Keno. He asked if it could be limited and managed. He believes it represents an escalation in gambling mentality. He would like to work to roil back Keno entirely. George Hines noted that if MacDonald wants to roll it back, then the policy should be to prohibit it outright. __ i Board of Selectmen Meeting -.May 21, 1996 -Page 5 Sally Hoyt noted that it is unlikely that it would be rolled back the state and the towns depend on the income. Bruce MacDonald noted that the policy he had drafted was intended to limit the damage of Keno if we cannot outright prohibit it. Sally Hoyt spoke in favor of allowing Keno in service clubs. The service clubs are experiencing serious financial problems and they use revenues to fund community activities. In one instance, she knows of a club that is paying $1,000 per month for electric costs. It can be allowed in portions of the property where no minors are allowed. MacDonald noted that the policy he had developed does not deal with clubs - one would evaluate any location. George Hines took exception to the arguments with regard to service clubs. He feels that service clubs benefit the community. Within their mission, they will find a way to serve their constituents. They deserve community support but not to allow gambling. Dan Ensminger asked about the feeling on Bingo supporting non-profit organizations. MacDonald noted that he does not think the state should support gambling. Camille Anthony noted that she felt that there was a difference between allowing activities sporadically like Bingo, rather than having them as a permanent part of their business. George Hines asked that the minutes reflect that no one was in attendance for or against Keno. Dan Ensminger noted that he was inclined to support Keno in restaurants and in non-profit organizations. George Hines noted that membership in the non-profit clubs is dying off and the clubs have not adjusted to that. Keno is not a long term solution to the problem. Bruce MacDonald agreed noting that the fate of the service organizations does not belong in this discussion. He is conflicted about this but would vote for prohibition of Keno entirely. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to close the hearing on a Keno policy. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to establish the following policy with respect to Keno in Reading: that Keno be entirely prohibited within the community. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0 with Hoyt and Ensminger opposed. Response to Audit Richard Foley and Beth Klepeis joined the meeting to review the audit. There were very few comments made in the management letter, and the Town Manager noted that the management letter is used as a learning tool. Ms. Klepeis suggested that one thing that could be done for better checks and balances would be to require better security for the signature plate and to have the signature plates signed out by the person using it. Camille Anthony noted that the policies need to be looked at disregarding person in a job. There is no further Board action with regard to this matter. Review Instructional Motions from Town Meeting The Board reviewed the instructional motions from Town Meeting, and suggested that we should prioritize these with public safety being the highest priority. The issue of Summer and Prescott €-1 Avenue will be discussed at the next meeting. Board of Selectmen Meeting-May 21, 1996, 1996 -Page 6 The issue of creating a traffic safety committee or task force will be reviewed after the Board gets through the work of appointing members to the Boards, Committees and Commissions. Approval of Conservation Grant-Greenhouse Acres On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved the "Grant of Conservation Restriction and Public Access Easement" for Greenhouse Acres as approved by the Conservation Commission by a vote of 5-0-0. Dan Ensminger asked if any residents had been involved or briefed. It was noted that this action was to finalize the development approval process for this site, and the restrictions did not come from property that the individuals own as part of their condominium unit but was the restrictions and covenance on the common lands that were wetlands surrounding the property. Review of Procedures for Interviews-Boards Committees and Commissions The Board reviewed the procedures for interviewing Board, Committee and Commission members and approved it. Discussion Regarding Recognition of Students The Town Manager is going to discuss the issue of student recognition during the summer with the Superintendent of Schools and will have this on the agenda for discussion in the Fall, potentially in some kind of a joint effort with the School Committee. Licenses, Permits and Approvals Dan Ensminger raised a question about one of the applicants for a taxi license, and the Town Manager will check out the particular incident that Ensminger was concerned about. The Board also asked about the age of taxi driver's and the Town Manager noted that our policy requires them to be at least eighteen years of age. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approval of minutes, not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, Hoyt, Anthony, Ensminger and MacDonald voted in the affirmative, Hines voted in the negative, and the motion was carried. Respectfully submitte See- ry