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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 15, 1996 The meeting was convened at 7:37 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 and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Selectmen Chairman George Hines arrived at 8:10 p.m. The following list of interested parties were also present: K. Brennan, William Carrick, Mark Gillis, Jean Garofoli, Catherine Kosta, Stephen Crook, Nancy Eaton, Richard Smith, Joe Connelly. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 1, 1996 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments Dan Ensminger noted that the Reading Business Park Development Policy Advisory Committee, consisting of Chairs of the major bodies, met. They reviewed the history of this project. They meet one week from Thursday. They will determine what the Town needs to do to position itself to sell the site. They need to reduce site uncertainties using CDM data, permitting timetable, review of Town of Reading regulations, premarketing of the site, and confirmation of the use. They hope to go to the Spring Town Meeting for a vote regarding reauthorization of the sale, potential appraisals and brokerage fees, and any necessary zoning amendments. Ensminger acknowledged a call from a John Street resident relative to notification on the adult entertainment. Sally Hoyt noted that on October 10, 1996, the Middlesex County Advisory Board Legislative Committee met. They will be holding three hearings on the County Charter - they had one at Newton City Hall, on Thursday they will be in Lowell, and a week from Thursday, they will be at Cambridge City Hall. Bruce MacDonald noted that relative to Police Station siting issues, Bill Brown had provided information regarding the Oakland Road site. The Police Station Task Force has a perceived lack of progress on the project. He noted that the project is not forgotten. The Town is awaiting a follow-up call from an abutter. He also received a call from Valerie Rappel regarding the process of relocation of Square Liquors. Camille Anthony noted that the RMLD had offered the Board a tour of their facilities in all towns. She suggested that a meeting be set up with the RMLD to talk about restructuring. She mentioned that the Open Space Committee is still to be formed. She noted that the landfill capping should be on the list of the Reading Business Park Development Policy Advisory Committee's goals. They need to keep in touch with staff regarding this process. She noted that tomorrow Sally Hoyt will be installed as President of the Middlesex County Selectmen's f Association. Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 15, 1996 -page 2 Public Comment Mr. William P. Carrick of 239 West Street spoke about the Barrows School, and submitted a letter regarding concerns. - Town Manager's Report The Town Manager went through an exhaustive report, noting that the Chairman of the School Building Committee has offered to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen, perhaps jointly with the FinCom, relative to the discussion on the RMHS capital needs; the Phase III Traffic Study is complete and a public meeting was held on October 9; the last right of entry has been received on the Mineral Street Bridge and the project can now go forward; the Prescott and Summer Avenue contract has been_awarded; the RMLD 25 Haven Street sale is complete, and environmental testing was done on Green Street. He also has directed the Zoning Officer to cease enforcement of open banners for businesses in Reading until a review and possible amendment to the Sign Bylaws can be completed; Representative Jones has asked the Mass Highway Department to replace the entering Reading sign located south of Route 128; the Recreation Administrator held a public hearing on the issue of what recreation improvements should be provided at the Bear Hill open space site; the Town has received a request for a Town Meeting Article to sell to the Town a parcel of land on Van Norden Road and is being evaluated by Conservation; the first 12 certificates of occupancy have been issued for Summit Village; the Executive Office of Elder Affairs has approved a grant in the amount of$14,105, which is $1,300 more than anticipated; the Longwood at Pearl Street Grand Opening is October 24, 1996; the Town did not get the grant for the evaluation of building maintenance consolidation. The Bear Hill water tank painting will start this week; the improvements at the Water Treatment Plant for discharge elimination have been bid; CDM has been selected to do the landfill closure and environmental work enclosure design in the amount of $140,000; bids were accepted for rubbish collection disposal and have been evaluated; bids have been awarded for tennis and basketball court renovation and they are in-line with estimates; we are seeking quotes for the remainder of the line striping; the air quality reports for Town Hall, Library and Fire Station have been completed; Woburn Street railroad crossing is complete and awaiting testing by the DPU. Fire Prevention Week was the week of October 5 - 12 and there was an Open House at the Central Fire Station on October 12; the recount election for the County Commissioner's race in the Democratic Primary was completed last week; issues of the Main Street development and drainage runoff were addressed; the issue of the ditch cleaning work at the Minoti property was addressed; Hopkin Street issues were addressed; the Suburban News has been transferred to Associated News in Stoughton; a grant application for 600 tree seedlings has been submitted; COPS and D.A.R.E grants have been received; donations to Pop Warner and Youth Hockey are not from the D.A.R.E. funds. Personnel and Appointments Arts Council - Ann Marie Rotondo had previously been interviewed. There were no other applications. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to appoint Ann Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 15, 1996- page 3 Marie Rotondo to a position on the Arts Council for a term expiring June 30, 1997, with four votes in favor. Hines was absent. Chairman George Hines joined the quorum at this point. Board of Health - Jean Garofoli was interviewed for a position on the Board of Health. On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board appointed Jean Garofoli to a position on the Board of Health for a term expiring June 30, 1997 with five affirmative votes. Conservation Commission - Mark Gillis was interviewed. He prefers the Conservation Commission to the Zoning Board of Appeals. On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to appoint Mark Gillis to a term on the Conservation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1997 by a unanimous vote. Council on Aging - The applicant for the Council on Aging was not present. Substance Abuse Advisory Council - The Board interviewed two candidates for the Substance Abuse Advisory Council - Cheryl A. Schaitel and Cathy A. Kosta. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to place Cheryl A. Schaitel and Cathy A. Kosta into nomination for two positions on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council for terms expiring June 30, 1999. Each received five votes and were appointed. Zoning;Board of Appeals - There were no applicants. Discussion/Action Items Recommendations for Recreational Development - Bear Hill (Summit Village) - Joe Connelly, Recreation Administrator, reviewed the results of the hearing of September 30, 1996. Concerns expressed were access to the site- access is available from the back and from Cedar Street. Other concerns were parking, rate of speed of vehicles on Hopkins Street, placement of trash compactor next to the playground, not enough kids in the Summit Towers to use the facility. Connelly noted that he got an additional six calls from abutters and future Summit Village owners who want the playground. The question was asked as to what would happen with the $15,000 that the developer would spend if no development was to take place. The response from the Town Manager was that it would go back to the developer. Connelly noted that the Recreation Committee is split on the issue. There is 7700 square feet of flat space, and they evaluated what would fit on this site. A swing and playground set similar to Barrows School would fit. This is about the size of the Board of Selectmen Meeting Room. No organized uses would fit. MacDonald noted that the property was too small and it was landlocked. Anthony noted that there would be kids in the Summit Village Development and there will need to be a place for kids to play. Ensminger agreed noting that the unpolled group is future residents. He would like to see this develop commensurate to what the Summit Village need is. Hines asked what happens to the property if it is not used. Connelly noted that access is available via Cedar Street. The neighbors oppose to using this for access. They are concerned that parking and pedestrian access [ would be through yards. Jonathan Edwards is evaluating whether on-site parking is available near the dumpster. The Board agreed that they would have a site walk at 9:00 a.m. on November 2, Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 15, 1996 -page 4 1996. At that time, we should revisit why the recreational improvements are required, show how it would be laid out on the site, notify those who had expressed interest, and answer legal questions. Hines suggested that we also plan for 10:00 a.m. that morning to visit the Common and the Memorial Park site relative to the bandstand. Authorization to Offer Plat 160 Lot 19A for Sale - Linnea Lane - The Board reviewed a request to sell Plat 160, Lot 19A on Linnea Lane. The Town Manager noted that it is landlocked and of no use to the Town and would be required to be used by an abutting property owner. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to authorize the Town Manager to offer for sale to an abutting property owner the property known as Plat 160, Lot 19A on Linnea Lane consisting of 3,145 square feet, subject to a minimum price as established by the Board of Assessors and subject to the condition that the property be redeeded to be made a portion of the purchaser's lot at the purchaser's expense. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Rubbish Collection/Disposal/Recycling Bids - Ted McIntire reviewed the rubbish collection/disposal and recycling bids. After a lengthy discussion on the different alternatives, McIntire will come back with an analysis of the pros and cons of each approach. Closing of the Warrant for the Election - George Hines recused himself from the meeting for this item. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the Warrant for the f, State Election to be held on November 5, 1996. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Town Manager Evaluation Form Revisions -The Board reviewed the Town Manager evaluation form. Camille Anthony and Dan Ensminger will work to review the form and develop a draft for the Board's consideration by mid-November. Regulations on Vending in Public Parks - The Town Manager reviewed a memo asking whether or not the Board wanted to provide for regulation of vending in public parks and in the public ways adjacent to public parks. The Board agreed that they would like to have a proposed regulation before them for consideration. This would assist with rubbish accumulation disposal, providing for control over where food is eaten- problems like Imagination Station; and insure that private non-profit groups that are selling food as fund-raisers within the parks - Little League Field at Hunt Park, and Babe Ruth at the lighted softball field - would be insured their market. Additionally, it would avoid traffic safety issues of having food vendors on crowded public streets. Rebidding Legal Services - The Chairman asked Bruce MacDonald and Sally Hoyt to work on a committee to do a complete review of legal services. Dan Ensminger suggested that we look at litigation cost. The Board also asked for a review of Labor Counsel. The Town Manager noted that Labor Counsel is appointed by him, but it could be combined with Town Counsel. Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 15, 1996 -page 5 On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn the Board of Selectmen's Meeting of October 15, 1996 at 10:52 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted Se etary