HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 6, 1996
The meeting was convened at 7:34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony,
Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectman Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner
and the following list of interested parties: K. Brennan, A. DaSilva, Christopher Emery, R.W.
Robbins, Jonathan Edwards, Bryan Irwin, Susan DeMatteo, Bob Brown, Kevin Douglas, Dave
Nugent, Mollie Ziegler, Beth Klepeis, Dave Billard, Frank Reen.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved the minutes of October 15,
1996 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments
Bruce MacDonald noted that he had met with Howard Street neighbors with respect to Article 21
on the Subsequent Town Meeting. Thirty to thirty-five people from the neighborhood attended,
and he noted that the leadership did a good job presenting the issue. He was impressed with the
rationality and civility of the group. He attended the bandstand siting field trip on Saturday, and
continues to believe that the bandstand should be located on the Common. He thinks that this
would be a positive change for the Common and for the downtown area and would be part of a
renewed civic center. He was not able to attend the Board's field trip to Bear Hill but did visit it
on his own.
Dan Ensminger received a letter from Howard Street area residents and was impressed with the
way the concerns were presented. He noted that there were some problems at the polling place
relative to traffic, and we need to work more on customer service and better channeling of
pedestrian traffic to the site. He feels that removal of the permanent speed bumps would help.
He attended the Bear Hill and bandstand walk and is leaning towards the bandstand only if Lowell
Street is closed. He needs to be convinced that the traffic can be handled under the
circumstances. With respect to Bear Hill, he feels that a small scale tot lot would be appropriate.
for current and new residents. He asked for Selectmen's comments on the Town Manager
evaluation which will be on for a future meeting.
Bruce MacDonald noted that he wanted to congratulate Jeff Murley from the Finance Department
for his work on the Home Page.
Camille Anthony received a call from a C Street resident regarding the Dunkin' Donuts truck
parked as a sign at the Registry. The Town Manager noted that enforcement is underway. She
asked about additional street lights at Charles Street near the Cemetery. She also noted that
additional street lights at the fieldhouse may be needed. The Town Manager noted that the spot
light at Oakland and Waverly needs repairs and George Hines felt that it may help if the sign
holders could be spread out more rather than concentrated at this one location. Anthony also
Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 6, 1996 - page 2
asked what the history of four way stops versus signalization is from a safety perspective,
particularly at Prescott and Summer.
George Hines congratulated the Town employees including the Reading Police Department and
Town Clerk and staff for their outstanding work on the Election. For major elections, we still
have some work to do on traffic flow, but he feels that things can be worked out. Hines noted
that the field trip on Saturday was very helpful. He feels that the open space at Bear Hill should
be retained, but is open as to exactly how it will be configured. He feels that there is some
support for a botanical garden, but that the open space needs to be able to adjust to neighborhood
changes. A small tot lot could also be appropriate as a local neighborhood attraction. (Dan
Ensminger noted that if it's anything but a tot lot it may need CPDC approval). George Hines felt
that the bandstand would be a great addition to the community and he likes the idea of the
visibility on the Common. Noise may be an issue, however, and Memorial Park setting is a
quieter setting.
Dan Ensminger asked the Town Manager to make sure that he had discussion with Ms. Moberger
on Hopkins Street relative to drainage.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Town ManaLler's Report
The Town Manager noted that thanks to the Senior Tax Work Program, the Compost Center will
be open on Mondays as well as Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Monday and Friday hours are
7:30 to 2:30 p.m. starting this Friday. The Center will be open until 5:00 p.m. on Sundays in the
future, and he expressed apologies to the residents who were inconvenienced by the change in
closure hours last Sunday.
The Attorney General's Office has approve the Adult Use Bylaws passed by Town Meeting and
the Town Clerk will proceed to publish them. The Woburn Street railroad grade crossing is
complete and is awaiting testing by the Public Utilities Department on November 12, 1996. The
Mineral Street Bridge project will be advertised on November 9, 1996 and bids will be open in
late January. The Route 129 project has gotten its final clearance and bidding is expected on
December 7, 1996. The Prescott and Summer Avenue intersection project has been bid and
awarded as a fully operational signal system and the pre-construction meeting is November 19,
1996. The Town Manager noted that he regretted the Chronicle "Question of the Week" since it
raised expectations that a four way stop is an option on this property. The drainage ditch cleaning
work on the Minotti property is underway with a majority of the work to be done next week. The
Opticom System is being installed in the Square and has been installed on all fire vehicles.
Curbing and sidewalk construction are underway and have been completed at King Street at
Summer Avenue, and Edgemont Avenue at the Barrows School. MacDonald asked if we could
hot top the other side of King Street where the walk has eroded. The Town has received notice
of approval of the grant for the purchase of the Pasture Road open space. The Fire Department
has received an $8,500 S.A.F.E. grant for grade school education. Chief Wood has been
Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 6, 1996-page 3
accepted into the U.S. Fire Academy's National Training Academy. The blowing of railroad
whistles scheduled for November 1, 1996, has been delayed by the Federal Railroad
Administration for one year. Monies through F.E.M.A. are available to Town residents for
damages done in the recent flooding. The Election had over 12,000 voters, over 81% turnout,
and an excellent job was done by staff. Town work forces are in the process of installing the
lights on the trees on the Common. The Town Manager has awarded a trash contract as follows:
2 1/2 years- collection-Advance Disposal
• 2 1/2 years- recycling-Waste Management
• 15 years- disposal -Ogden Martin
Discussion/Action Items
Tax Classification Hearing - The Secretary of the Board of Selectmen read the notice on the Tax
Classification Hearing. Present were Board of Assessors members David Nugent and Mollie
Ziegler, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Tax Appraiser David Billard and Assistant Tax Appraiser
Frank Reen.
Mr. Billard made the presentation of the three options before the Board: to set a residential
factor; to set the open space discount (this is not possible because there is no property that is
assessed as open space); decide whether to have a residential exemption, and decide whether to
have commercial exemption. The Board of Assessors is recommending retention of everything
status quo. There was no public comment. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the
Board voted to close the hearing on Tax Classification by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve a residential factor
of 1 - i.e. not have a different tax rate for different classes of properties. The motion was
approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted not to approve a residential
exemption by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted not to approve a commercial
exemption by a vote of 3-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining.
The Board asked that the Board of Assessors come back and meet with them at some point about
whether or not we should have an open space assessment. This should be done after the first of
the year.
Mill Street Update- The Town Manager reviewed Mill Street issues with the Board of Selectmen.
The issues are future capital construction for sewers, use of developer donated funds for
sidewalk, and road improvements including improvement of the bridge. The Board directed the
Town Manager as follows:
1. Put the sanitary sewer construction project back into the Capital Improvement Program
for the earliest appropriate date.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 6, 1996 - page 4
2. Explore with North Reading the possibility of a joint heavy vehicle exclusion on Mill
Street.
3. Discuss with North Reading the rehabilitation of the bridge in its current footprint
respecting the scenic and historic nature of the area and consistent with current and future
traffic volumes and patterns.
4. Send a letter to residents letting them know the status of the Mill Street issues.
5. Plan the improvements of Mill Street in accordance with the Capital Plan, with ample
public input, and include in that project the installation of sidewalks on one side of the
roadway.
The Town Manager will have discussions with North Reading and then, hopefully, North Reading
will write a revised letter and Reading can support their application with a letter.
Stop Intersection, Washington Street and Lincoln not Street - The Town Manager reviewed
the proposed stop intersection, and a memo from the Police Department indicating that this
intersection was appropriate for a stop sign since there have been three accidents at the location.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony the Board voted to approve an amendment to
Appendix Al2 of the Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts
pursuant to Chapter 89, Section 9 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding the following
location to the list of"obedience to isolated stop signs": Washington Street at Lincoln Street -
eastbound. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board expressed a need for lots
of education through the paper and through Cable TV, and warning residents prior to
enforcement.
Sunday Liquor Sales - The Board discussed Sunday liquor sales. The Board was especially
concerned about lack of compliance with Sign Regulations that do not permit brand name
illuminated signs in liquor stores. The opinion was expressed that if the liquor stores want to have
the privilege of Sunday opening during the holiday seasons, then they need to comply with the
Sign Regulations. The Town Manager was directed to write' a letter to the three liquor store
owners expressing the concern, and asked them to come into the next meeting.
American Liberty Elm Trees - The Board of Selectmen reviewed a memo from Bud Dickey as
well as material on the American Liberty Elm Trees. The Board would very much like to have
Elm Trees reintroduced into the community as one of the several types of trees permitted. They
can either put this in the budget for FY98 as a new program request in the amount of$2,500, or
get residents to buy into such a program through donations. They would like to have Bud Dickey
make a recommendation with regard to where such trees could be planted, and especially where
they would have a good community focus. The Board agreed to request a reserve fund transfer
from the Finance Committee at their meeting in December to effectuate this program.
Additional Review - Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant - The Town Engineer reviewed with the
Board of Selectmen the proposed Longwood Road sewer project. The Board asked how long
payments could be spread out and whether interest had to be charged. Betterments could be
spread out over up to 10 years for sewers, and the Board can access what it feels is the
appropriate level of interest. The Town Manager suggested that the project proceed through
Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 6, 1996 -page 5
Town Meeting approval, and that a hearing be held with the residents who would be affected to
get their input. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to support
the subject matter of Article 12 in the amount of$194,000 by a vote of 3-1-0 with Hines opposed.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support subject matter of
Article 13 -Elliot Street sewer by a vote of 4-0-0.
MacDonald asked about Article 21 and whether or not the Board of Selectmen was going to take
a position on it. Camille Anthony noted that we needed to deal with the issue of trash pick up and
PRD's. MacDonald felt that Town Meeting will be asked to make a decision with a lack of
information as to the wetlands delineation, the underlying subdivision layout, and the PRD layout.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board requested that CPDC look at
amending the PRD-G zoning process that would provide for information being developed earlier,
especially with regard to wetland delineation, possible subdivision patterns and PRD layout. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
With respect to Article 19, Dan Ensminger suggested that the PUD references in this Article be
eliminated so that when we evaluate the PUD Bylaw for Spring Town Meeting action, it can be
looked at as a whole. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board offered to
support an amended version of Article 19 that would eliminate the last two paragraphs relative to
the PUD. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0 with MacDonald opposed. If CPDC
makes the motion for the entire Article, the Board of Selectmen will offer an amendment.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to go into Executive Session
for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to the purchase or sale of real estate, and
approval of minutes, 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 Board adjourned at 10:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
5 i
Secretaryeary