HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 13, 1996
The meeting was convened at 7:40 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, Selectmen Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the
following list of interested parties: Chris Shomos, Tim Nimblett, Bruce Berger.
On motion by MacDonald, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve a Certificate of
Appreciation for Dr. David Reid congratulating him on his 25 years of pastoral service to the First
Baptist Church. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Present with Dr. Reid was his
wife, and two representatives from the First Baptist Church.
Reports and Comments
The Board had no liaison reports or comments.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Town Manner's Report
The Town Manager noted that the Woburn Street railroad crossing is complete and has been
tested by the Public Utilities Department. Camille Anthony questioned the striping and signage at
- the intersection. The Mineral Street Bridge project has been bid. The drainage ditch cleaning on
the Minoti property on North Main Street is complete. The proposed agreement with the
Massachusetts Highway Department for north Main Street sidewalks will be considered by the
Board at their next meeting. The Opticom System for emergency override of the signals in the
Square is being installed and should be complete within the next week. Curbing and sidewalk
construction is underway at King Street and Summer Avenue, Haverhill Street at the Killam
School, Arthur B. Lord Drive at the Birch Meadow School, Edgemont Avenue at the Barrows
School, and Oak and Summer Avenue at the Joshua Eaton School. Curb work should be
completed very soon, and sidewalk construction in the school areas will follow, with some of it
done this Fall.
The Lincoln Street and Rotary Square project will be done in the Spring. Staff is concerned that
starting it this Fall might result in a partially done project during the Winter. A staff hearing on
the lower Summer Avenue improvement project is being scheduled for the week of December 9
and all abutters will be notified. The tentative design is a 27 foot pavement width, curbs on both
sides, and sidewalks on the north side. Resident input will be solicited.
Beth Klepeis has been appointed as a member of the Reading Retirement Board. The Town
Manager is looking for a Reading representative on the MBTA Advisory Board, and George
Hines suggested that we look among the staff and members of the Boards, Committees and
Commissions. A recount of the Congressional Election will be held in Precincts 1 and 8B for the
6th Congressional Race. The Town Manager and staff will be meeting with residents in the area
Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 13, 1996 - page 2
of the Reading Public Library on December 2 to talk about issues they may have. The Board of
Selectmen is meeting with the RMLD Board on the 25th of the month. Railroad whistles are
delayed one year. FEMA notices are going out to all residents who were affected by the flooding.
The Town Manager reviewed the miscues on Veterans Day relative to the reporting.
Discussion/Action Items
Meet with Town Accountant Re: Quarterly Reports - Town Accountant Richard Foley met with
the Board of Selectmen and reviewed the Quarterly Reports. All accounts except for
unemployment seem to be in good shape, and additional monies were just put into unemployment
this month.
Sunday Holiday Liquor Sales - The Board discussed the issue of Sunday Holiday liquor sales.
The representatives of the three liquor stores were present as was Jonathan Edwards, Community
Development Director and Zoning Officer Glen Redmond. The liquor store owners are all
interested in having Sunday sales during the holidays. They are concerned about enforcement of
the illuminated sign regulations. The liquor store owners agreed to work with the Town on a
review of these regulations that will be done this Winter, for possible action by the Town Meeting
in the Spring. Meanwhile, it is clear that the Town interprets the illuminated signs advertising
brand names to be in violation of the Sign Bylaw, and this will be enforced after a consultation
between the Town Manager and enforcement staff. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt
the Board voted to approve the Sunday sale of liquor beginning Sunday, November 24, 1996 and
continuing on Sunday, December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Hours will be from 12 noon to no later
than 8:00 p.m. in accordance with the State Law. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
High Street/Middlesex Avenue - The Town Manager reviewed the pedestrian accident that took
place with a middle school student near this intersection. He noted that even if there had been a
Crossing Guard the accident would not have been avoided because the Crossing Guards for
elementary school children would not have been on duty yet. We received a number of calls and
comments from residents in the area. The Police Department has indicated that this is their next
highest priority for a Crossing Guard. The Town Manager recommended that a Crossing Guard
be located at this intersection as soon as possible and cover the hours for both middle and
elementary school students. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony the Board voted to
direct the Town Manager to arrange for a School Crossing Guard to be located at the intersection
of High and Middlesex Avenue for the middle and elementary school students, with the necessary
budget adjustments to made by reserve fund transfer or annual Town Meeting transfer in the
Spring of 1997. The motion was approved by vote of 4-0-0.
Approval of November 23 - December 25 as Townwide Promotion - The Town Manager
reviewed the proposed townwide promotional event for the holiday season. This is sponsored by
the Chamber of Commerce. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to
approve a license for a townwide promotional event in accordance with Section 6.2.3.2 i of the
Zoning Bylaw for the period of time from November 25, 1996, through December 31, 1996. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager noted that the tree lighting would
be on through the first week in January to cover the 12th Night Celebration, but that the
promotional event is usually done by the end of the calendar year.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 13, 1996 -page 3
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt 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. All four members present voted in the affirmative
and the motion was carried. The regular meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
S cr t ry