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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 24, 1996 The meeting was convened at 7:15 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt (Chairman George Hines-and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner joined the quorum at 7:30 p.m.), and the following list of interested parties: Cherry M. Dubois, Chairman, Board of Library Trustees, Maria Silvaggi, Secretary, Board of Library Trustees, Christine Redford, William Diamond and Robert Fields, Members of the Board of Library Trustees, Susan DeMatteo, Carol Grimm, Gerry McDonald, Rocco Nenarella, Thomas Green, Jr., Nathan White, Joseph Delaney, Stephen O'Keefe, Walter Mack, Sheilah Griffin from Latham & Latham, Kim Marotta, Curt Nitzche, Mark Cambley, Attorney for the U.S. Postal Service, Greg Hadden, Donald DeAngelis and Dan Bailey, Esq., Chief Edward Marchand, Chief Donald Wood, Peter Simms. Personnel and Appointments Board of Library Trustees (Joint Meeting with Trustees) - The Board of Selectmen and the Members of the Board of Library Trustees interviewed Stephen Connor and Anne Marie Rotondo for a position on the Board of Library Trustees to fill Elia Marnik's unexpired term. Following the interviews, on motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensn nger, the following names were placed into nomination by the Board of Selectmen and the remaining members of the Board of Library Trustees to fill a vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees for a term expiring March 25, 1997: Stephen Connor and Anne Marie Rotondo. On a roll call vote, Connor received nine votes and was appointed to the Board of Library Trustees. Hines and Hechenbleikner joined the meeting at this point. Approval of Minutes Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - The Board dispensed with Approval of Minutes and their reports. Public Comment - Stephen O'Keefe from Hopkins Street spoke regarding concerns about street cleaning, catch basin cleaning, weeds in front of the stone wall, the tree at 127 Hopkins Street, and on-site speed bumps. Walter Mack from 911 Main Street spoke regarding the status of the drainage project on the "Minotti property," and was concerned about the new subdivision on Main Street and the lack of a holding tank and storm drains. Board of Selectmen Meeting- September 24, 1996 -page 2 Licenses,Permits and Approvals The Board heard an application for a transfer of a liquor license to Savories, Inc. d/b/a Wes Parker's. The applicant was represented by Sheilah Griffin from Latham and Latham. Kim Marotta will be the new manager. She presented a copy of the menu and agreed that they understood the liquor pouring policy. They had agreed that employee parking for the late night employees would be located at REI so that the disruption to the neighborhood at shift change would be minimal. The applicant testified that Gilberto Bacci is the President of the corporation and is also the Chef. Louise Marotta is the mother of the licensee. Sally Hoyt asked if the owners operate any other restaurants in Massachusetts. They had owned a restaurant which has been sold. They have seven year's experience. The Entertainment License will be for Cable TV only, and no adult video. Camille Anthony asked if employees would go through TIPS training. They are keeping all of the old employees and they will be retrained. Bruce MacDonald asked whether there was financing on the project, and if so whether it was large or small. The applicant noted that it was neither large nor small. There is a capital infusion that was needed and this should give confidence to the Board of Selectmen as to their commitment. Extensive cleaning has been done. In response to the question about the business outlook, the owner noted that they are looking for stability first and then growth. The history of the property is that it may have been over- leveraged. There is no debt service. George Hines asked if the corporation is the lessee of the building, and it was noted that they are. Dan Ensminger asked if the application was in order and it was noted that it was. George Hines -- asked if Kim Marotta is the primary manager, and it was noted that she is. There will also be another manager. They are aware of the Town's pouring policy and smoking regulations. Curt Nitzche asked if the liquor license is increased and it was noted that it is not. He asked if the Town could look at the parking. He noted that they have only a Gentlemen's Agreement with REI with regard to allowing Wes Parker's to use that area for parking. There are no assurances that they won't be parking on Baystate Road. He asked if this is definitely a restaurant and not a Sports Bar. It was noted that it was. Dan Ensminger noted that he doesn't think Nitzche's comments are relevant to the liquor license. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the public hearing by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve the transfer of a license from Wes Parker's Restaurant, 296 Salem Street, Reading, Massachusetts for an all alcoholic restaurant beverage license for a term expiring December 31, 1996, subject to the condition that all employees be TIPS trained. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting- September 24, 1996 -page 3 Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant for Subsequent Town Meeting= On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to close the Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 12, 1996 consisting of 22 Articles as presented. The Town Manager presented 24 Articles and the Board took two of the Articles off the Warrant considering them for action at a future date. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board agreed to remove proposed Article 17 and hold that for a Special Town Meeting Warrant, if needed -- this is for handicapped parking. They also voted to eliminate Article 19 and Article 21. The Retirement Article is by petition with the Retirement Board. Election of Retirement Board Members - The Board reviewed the proposed election of Retirement Board Members, and the change in process. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the recommended election schedule in terms of officers for the Contributory Retirement Board. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Request for Extension of Sewers to U.S. Postal Facility - North Reading - The Board heard a presentation on the extension of sewers to North Reading to serve the U.S. Postal Service. Mark Cambley, Attorney for the U.S. Postal Service, Greg Hadden, Donald DeAngelis and Dan Bailey, Esq. were present. They need 26,000 gallons per day of sewer capacity with the maximum of 48,000 per day. There is no industrial waste. Much of the sewerage is air handling units condensation. The U.S. Postal Service is the owner of the facility. When asked whether the property could be sold for future industrial use, it was noted that this was unlikely. Joe Delaney, Town Engineer, was present. The following were comments: 1. The U.S. Postal Service would own and maintain all of the piping and pump stations, etc. 2. The Town would need to evaluate pump stations and see whether they need to be upgraded. 3. It was a concern that there should not be any stagnate points within the system. 4. The Postal Service has agreed to connect other properties, but there would not be any they could connect because of the force main. 5. The preferred method of treatment is at their site. The cost of on-site treatment vs. connecting through Reading were the same. 6. The Postal Service is providing for no vehicle maintenance facilities at this site "at this time." 7. The question was raised as to North Reading's plans and whether there is interest in tying in existing businesses into the line. Board of Selectmen Meeting- September 24, 1996 - page 4 8. Would the Mass Highway Department allow construction of this project along its newly built Route 28? 9. Have other approvals been secured? 10. Are there benefits to the Town of Reading? Bruce MacDonald asked about their deadline, and they would need to move now. Sally Hoyt asked about the number of employees -- there are 820 employees, there are 3 shifts plus 120 employees in the Administration Building on one shift. George Hines asked if Federal facilities were subject to Title 5. Camille Anthony asked if there was compensation to the MWRA. Joe Delaney noted that there was very little benefit to the Town of Reading. Bruce MacDonald asked if we had heard anything from DEP. Ensminger moved and Anthony seconded a motion to support further evaluation of the request that the U.S. Postal Service for the force main into the Town of Reading. On a vote of 0-5-0, the motion was not approved. Joint Meetings with FINCOM re: Public Safety and Downtown Steering Committee Follow-Un The Finance Committee joined the Board of Selection to discuss two issues: Public Safety needs and Downtown Steering Committee follow-up. Chief Marchand and Chief Wood presented material on staffing needs and comparison with other communities. The Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen thanked them for their presentation. This presentation was made preparatory to proceeding with the FY'98 budget. Gerry MacDonald asked if Fire Prevention at the Assistant Chiefs level is appropriate and why. Steve Blewitt asked if the need for the position of Assistant Fire Chief is temporary, and whether projects at the current level are ongoing. George Hines noted that if the position is established and the emphasis is on prevention, whether there would be a reduction in the firefighting staffing. Chief Wood noted that it would slow down the need for additional staffing, and would keep the staff and the community much safer. Inspections are important. Dan Ensminger asked about the role of the Assistant Chief and the role in EMT services. Tom Greene asked about other long range plans. Chief Wood did not see other new initiatives. They have their ongoing capital requests. Greene asked to get a clearer understanding of how the Chiefs arrive at their staffing requirements. Sally Hoyt asked if passage of Public Safety legislation would provide for staffing. Chief Wood noted that we have the S.A.F.E. grant through Metrofire. Chief Marchand noted that 1/3 of the overtime in the Police Department is for court time and 2/3 is for filling of shifts, etc. A new State Accreditation Program is in the works. An average OUI (Operating Under the Influence) arrest will take an Officer three hours. An average 209A will take at least two hours. George Hines noted that we are getting grants now, but we have to consider the completion of those grants as we look at our Public Safety costs in the future. i Board of Selectmen Meeting- September 24, 1996 -page 5 Sally Hoyt noted that the Board of Selectmen supports Public Safety as their number one priority Bruce MacDonald noted that he needs to understand what that means. Steve Blewitt asked how COPSFAST Officers are deployed. What would happen if we did not fund them when the grant is over. The Chief noted that the shifts would run shorthanded and this would increase overtime. Hines noted that priorities do change. Steve Blewitt noted that he appreciated the update from the Chiefs, and Tom Greene asked what the vision for Public Safety in the community was. The combined Boards discussed the Downtown project. Steve Blewitt asked what we have put into Downtown, for what sources. When we determine that, we need to figure out going forward what the commitment will be and for what sources. This should come from the consulting processes. Gerry MacDonald asked what the landlords are putting into this process. Peter Simms noted that most are waiting to see what the community comes up with. If they will be improving buildings. We should be able to tell more within a month. George Hines noted that this is "pre-seed" money. This funding is needed in order to encourage business owners to invest. Jim Keigley noted that the Town should be the leader, and once this process gets going, then property owners will commit. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the expenditure of $20,000 to complement $10,000 in private donations to hire a consultant for economic development, pending the identification of the funding source. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Lincoln Street Parking; Lot Design and "Rotary Square" Proposal - The Board deferred discussion on the Lincoln Street Parking Lot Design and Rotary Square Proposal. CVS License for Use of Parking Lot - The Town Manager noted that construction is iminent on this project, and that the Board needs to approve a license. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve a license between the Town of Reading and the CVS Pharmacy at 650 Main Street to use a portion of the Town owned parking lot known as Plat 64, Lot 5a for purposes of the handicapped ramp and planter area to access the revised rear access to the store building, and that the previous license for use of a portion of the property for the same purpose in a different location is hereby revoked upon construction of the new access, and that the Town Manager is hereby authorized to execute the license on behalf of the Town. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to adjourn the Board of Selectmen's meeting of September 24, 1996 at 11:30 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitte , 7 S 'cr ary