HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 29, 1996
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Bruce MacDonald,
Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the
following list of interested parties: Laura M. Gregory, Ted McIntire, Susan DeMatteo, Bryan
Irwin, Jonathan Edwards.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Dan Ensminger reported on the Budget Council
Meeting. He attended the Longwood Place Dedication. The Business Park Development Policy
Advisory Committee has been meeting. They are looking for three sets of Warrant Articles for
the Annual Town Meeting -- we are authorizing a sale, funding for professional assistance and
bylaw changes for PUD streamlining. With regard to the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant,
and the PRD proposal on Howard Street, he wondered if the sewer collapse on Howard Street
might be a concern. He attended the Middlesex County Selectmen's Association and Sally Hoyt
was elected President.
Sally Hoyt noted that she attended the Budget Council Meeting and the Longwood Place
Dedication. She attended the Middlesex County Advisory Board Legislative Committee
regarding the County Charter. She attended the Mystic Valley Elder Services Auction at the
Hillview Country Club -- Cosmo Ciccarelli from Stoneham was the Auctioneer. She participated
in the Day of Caring. She received calls from business owners regarding ticketing of vehicles
parked in front of their own businesses. She felt that the Town should give each business owner
one designated parking space in front of their business. She received a number of calls regarding
Howard Street and Westcroft Road PRD.
Bruce MacDonald attended the Budget Council Meeting and felt it was a good process. He noted
that the report in the newspaper was not terribly accurate. The Board of Selectmen reviewed an
option proposal to grant some tax relief as part of the FY '97 tax rate -- the effect would have
been $38.00 per average household. He has received calls regarding Bond Street and the need for
traffic calming, but the island at Lowell and High Street as it is reconstructed as part of the Lowell
Street project may resolve this. He asked about curbing and sidewalk on King Street. It is
heavily rutted area that needs the walk repaved. He received a call from Mike DeLeo of Howard
Street regarding the PRD, and there is a meeting tomorrow night at the Unitarian Church. He
visited the Bear Hill site regarding the recreation site on his own. He attended the Board of
Library Trustees Meeting and there is a number of issues including the HVAC work at the
Library, and the Library Foundation has been set up. The Library has received an additional gift
from Eleanor Bishop. The collaborative Library project needs to have a written project plan.
George Hines noted that he had received calls on the Howard Street PRD. Time is needed to
address issues on PRD development. He received a letter regarding the proposed high school
`- project and the role the Budget Council could play in this.
Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 291996 - page 2
Hines noted that the Capital Improvements Program has been in place and, unfortunately, not all
schools have been covered by capital projects. He noted the RMHS soccer team has won two
straight Middlesex County League Championships. He expressed concern about the College Fair
at the fieldhouse. The facility may have been outgrown by the program, and perhaps better
organization, scaling back the program, or looking at an alternative site may be appropriate. He
noted that the stop sign at Washington and Minot Street needs a review. He and Camille Anthony
collaborated regarding the Liberty Elm project in Reading, and this will be on the next Agenda.
The Longwood Place Dedication was a very nice event -- this is an elegant facility, and he looks
forward to the participation of the community in use of the facility. With regard to pumpkining,
the question of the week in the Chronicle dealt with this issue, and the majority of respondents felt
that the Town of Reading should do more. He felt that these activities could be done in a more
positive way -- through purchase of pumpkins. He was dismayed regarding the stories about lack
of prosecution.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Town Manager's Report
Proclamation - National Hospice Month - On motion by MacDonald, seconded by Ensminger,
the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a Proclamation declaring the month of November, 1996
as Hospice Month in Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Town Manager noted that all the Town's emergency services did an excellent job in dealing -
with the record rainfall two weekends ago. He noted that FEMA assistance is available for
victims of flooding. The Recreation Administrator held a public hearing on the issue of recreation
improvements at Bear Hill. The results have been reviewed, and the Board of Selectmen had a
site walk. The Longwood Place at Pearl Street School had a Grand Opening on the 22nd. The
Compost Center will be open on Monday as well as Friday, Saturday and Sunday, thanks to the
Senior Tax/Work Program. The Bear Hill water tank painting has started. Bids have been
received for the Water Treatment Plant discharge elimination project. Tennis and basketball court
renovations are underway. Quotes are being secured for the remainder of the line striping. The
Woburn Street railroad crossing is complete and awaiting testing by the Public Utilities
Department. The last right of entry for the Mineral Street Bridge has been received, and bidding
is expected next Saturday. The Route 129 project has received its final clearance and is expected
to be bid on December 7. The Prescott and Summer Avenue construction contract has been
awarded. The drainage ditch cleaning work on the Minotti property will be done by this Winter.
The large tree at 127 Hopkins Street has been removed by the Town to avoid a traffic hazard.
Thursday, bids are being taken for the Lincoln Street and Rotary Square project. Pending
Conservation Commission approval, the water main looping from Bancroft Avenue to John
Carver Road will be done this Fall. The Opticom System is being installed in the Square. Curbing
and sidewalk construction is underway in a number of locations.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 29, 1996 -page 3
Personnel and Appointments
Zoning Board of Appeals - Laura M. Gregory was interviewed for a position as an Associate
Member on the Zoning Board of Appeals. MacDonald noted that there is a conflict of interest
law, and felt that this would be no problem. Dan Ensminger asked if she would seek
re-appointment, and she indicated that she would and that she would be willing to seek a
leadership position eventually.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board placed into nomination for a position as
Associate Member on the Zoning Board of appeals for a term expiring June 30, 1997 the name of
Laura M. Gregory. Ms. Gregory received four votes and was appointed.
Discussion/Action Items
Hearing - Amendment to Personnel Policies re: Sexual Harassment - The Secretary read the
hearing notice regarding an amendment to the Personnel Policies on sexual harassment. The
Town Manager explained the policy and noted that it needed to be in place by November 7. The
bi-annual review of the Personnel Policies is scheduled for this Winter, and any necessary changes
could be made at that time. The Board asked that the prohibition on age discrimination be added.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to close the public hearing on the
adoption of an amendment to the Personnel Policies - Section 7.3 - Harassment Prohibited - by a
_ vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve an amendment to the
Personnel Policies - Section 7.3 -Harassment Prohibited - as amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
Solid Waste Options - Ted McIntire reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the options for solid
waste collection and disposal. Dan Ensminger asked about the maximum exposure and felt that it
was approximately $135,000. He asked about changes in clean air regulations and how those
changes would effect this contract. Ted McIntire noted that any changes currently in the works
would be exempt from any pass through. Bruce MacDonald asked about the Public Works
Director's recommendation and whether that is the most cost effective for the Town. Dan
Ensminger asked if Ogden facility has been brought up to RESCO standards. It was noted that
they have not but with recent changes, they will try to avoid the RESCO retrofit. The Town
would be exempt in any case.
Sally Hoyt noted that she would agree with Ted McIntire's recommendation to go with Waste
Management and Ogden. George Hines agreed.
Following further discussion about the costs, MacDonald moved and Ensminger seconded a
motion that the Board of Selectmen recommend Option A at the prices established. This motion
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was withdrawn.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 29. 1996 - page 4
Chris from Advanced Disposal asked to speak but this was not permitted since this was not a
public hearing and no further information should be added. George Hines noted that the Charter
delegates to the Town Manager responsibility for contracts such as this, and the Town Manager is
therefore accountable. He felt that the Board should not take action on this matter, but should let
the Town Manager know if they have any specific recommendations.
Meeting with CPDC - Susan DeMatteo, Brian Irwin and Jonathan Edwards joined the
Selectmen's Meeting. They felt they should focus on Town Meeting Zoning issues, Sign Bylaw
and the Open Space Plan. The discussion about Article 21 - PRD-G Application to the property
on Howard Street. It was noted that the neighborhood did .not understand the process for
approval of a PRD. It was agreed that CPDC needs to be more effective in explaining what the
PRD is about. Bruce MacDonald asked about service provision. Sally Hoyt asked about the
impact of 100 year storm.
The Board talked about Article 18. This is the article dealing with communications towers. The
primary objective in the past was for residential structures. This deals with the commercial
structures only. TASC has no objection to the proposal. George Hines noted that the Town,
therefore, still does not deal with the residential issues of satellite dishes, etc. Bruce noted that
dish technology has changed, but this also does not deal with radio towers.
The Board reviewed Article 19. Dan Ensminger noted that this proposed article gives the
Reading Housing Authority significant new authority. His concern relative to the PUD and what
the effect of this "linkage" may have on PUD Development. He asked if Section 2 creates a
problem with grants, etc.
The Board discussed Article 20 dealing with Home Occupations. It was noted that this liberalizes
the options for Home Occupations.
The Board talked about signs. There are a number of issues including "open" banners the size of
paper window signs, etc. that need to be dealt with. CPDC, the Sign Board, the Downtown
Steering Committee and the Chamber of Commerce will be meeting this Winter to review the
Sign Bylaw and make recommended changes prior to Town Meeting in April. It was suggested
that perhaps we should allow free standing signs by special permit to avoid the "McDonald's"
problem.
License for McDonald's Landscaping - The Town Manager discussed the need for licenses for
Osco, Concord Oil and McDonald's for landscaping. These were deferred until the next meeting.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 29, 1996 -page 5
Review Warrant- Subsequent Town Meeting- The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Subsequent
Town Meeting Warrant and took the following actions:
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the
subject matter of Article 6 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 7 by a vote of 4-0-0.
No action was taken with regard to Article 8 until the Board has a chance to meet with Town
Counsel.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 9 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 10 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 11 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support the subject matter
of Article 14 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 15 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to support the subject matter'
of Article 16 by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to support the subject matter of
Article 17 by a vote of 4-0-0.
Liquor Store Sunday Hours for the Holidays - The Board discussed the subject of liquor store
Sunday hours for the holidays. Dan Ensminger noted that he wants the liquor stores brought into
compliance with the Sign Bylaw before approving this.
Federal RR Administration re: Whistles -The Town Manager noted that the Federal Railroad
Administration's new regulations on whistle blowing would take place beginning November 1st.
Dan Ensminger asked for a report to be made to Town Meeting on the sale of real estate, and he
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will draft something by Friday and have it in the packets.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 29 1996 -page 6
Approval of the Sale of BANS -On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to
approve the sale of bond anticipation notes in the amount of$5,750,000 to State Street Bank&
Trust at 4.25% with a premium of $22,710.26, with an NIC of 3.744%. The motion was
approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to go into Executive Session
for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to purchase or sale of real estate 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.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
Respectfully submi ,
J
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