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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 3, 1996 The meeting convened at 7:34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Bruce MacDonald, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Gerry MacDonald, Kay Noone, Matt McNamara, Angela McNamara, Tom Covino, Judy Covino, John Edson, John Kilban Jr., Bruce Gustafson, John Biscomb, Timothy Leary, Edwin Covell, Bob Hanscom. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 6, 1996, as amended by a vote of 4-0-1, with Hoyt abstaining. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 19, 1996, as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 25, 1996 as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments Dan Ensminger noted that he had received a couple of calls from the Superintendent of Schools Harry Harutunian regarding the Capital Plan. He's pleased to note that the plan now provides for full renovation of the school within the term of the Capital Improvements Program. He feels that we are on the right track. He also noted that the Reading Memorial High School Football Team has won the league championship and will be playing Acton/Boxboro High School in the Superbowl on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Camille Anthony noted that the Town Manager evaluation forms need to go to all members in their packets on Friday, and they need to go back to Camille and/or Dan by December 12, 1996. She noted that the MMA Conference is the weekend of Martin Luther King's Birthday. That would leave the 1 lth or the 25th for the tour of the RMLD facilities. She asked for follow-up on the Liberty Elms. The Town Manager noted that we are pursuing the possibility of getting some elms at no cost. Sally Hoyt noted that she was there for the lighting of the Common on Sunday as were a number of people. It was postponed until the following Sunday. The Town Manager noted that he had directed the lights to be turned on today, but there will be a new lighting ceremony on Sunday. Sally also attended the Aids Awareness Program on Monday evening on the Common. Bruce MacDonald noted that he was saddened to hear of the death of Mary Reese. He asked about the Savories license (because of conditions attached by the ABCC, the license is under appeal). He asked about the Mass Highway Department regarding the acquifer protection; he thought that the School Department Capital Improvement Program was an improvement, but it Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 3, 1996 - page 2 continues to need work; he along with the Town Manager met with the Police Station Building Committee, and recommends that the Police Station Building Committee work be suspended until Town Meeting action on the site is completed. This will be put on the Agenda for December 17, - 1996. George Hines noted that the Board of Selectmen met with the Reading Municipal Light Department last week, along with the Finance Committee, regarding re-regulation of the electric industry. Town Manaeer's Report The Town Manager reviewed the agreement on Mill Street, and on motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to direct the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the letter to North Reading regarding the Mill Street Bridge. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager reported on the installation of the Opticom System, curbing and sidewalk construction (MacDonald expressed concern that these projects be "buttoned up"); the staff hearing on lower Summer Avenue is scheduled for December 12; the sidewalk project mentioned on King Street by a member of the Board of Selectmen has been reviewed and is not recommended by staff at this time; the State is developing plans for signal upgrades at Main and South, Main and Forest, and Main and Franklin Streets; the Common Tree Lighting Ceremony was postponed from last Sunday because of weather and all events are rescheduled for this Sunday (the Town Manager directed the lights to be turned on beginning Tuesday). The recount in Precincts 1 and 8B for the 6th Congressional District went very well. The ballots that were read by the optical scanners were 100% accurate. The only changes were in unmarked ballots. A meeting with staff and neighbors of the Reading Public Library took place last evening and it was a very productive discussion regarding improvements to parking; the Board is meeting in a Public Hearing on the Police Station siting on December 11; Representative Brad Jones is filing bills for the vacating of the drainage easement through the landfill site, and refiling Reading's two Home Rule Petitions on the Bacigalupo issue and control of traffic regulations; the Compost Center will be open this weekend for the last weekend of the year; the Town Manager met with the MED Commissioner and Representative Jones about the Industriplex Connector and also about the protection of Reading's wellfields. Personnel and Appointment Substance Abuse Advisory Council - The Board interviewed David LiBassi for a term on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, Mr. LiBassi was appointed to a position on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council for a term expiring June 30, 1998, by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Bear Hill Recreation Area Decision - Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly reviewed the proposed plans with the Board of Selectmen. Suggestions were that ballards be placed so that no cars can enter the sidewalk; that we get someone to adopt the botanical gardens - perhaps the Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 3, 1996 - page 3 Garden Club. Gerry MacDonald asked who's driveway would be relocated - the Town Manager noted that it would be the Watson's driveway, and MacDonald suggested that we look out for the large trees there. He commended Joe Connelly and Jonathan Edwards. The Board of Selectmen commended staff for the work that they did. They want to be involved in the final details of the project. Camille Anthony questioned the weight that the swings and the track would handle. The Board also questioned the cost, and the Town Manager noted that the total amount available for the project was $15,000. The Board also agreed by consensus that the Town Manager should inquire about the availability of the remainder of the property where the new house is to be built, to see if that might be acquired by the Town. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the plan concept as presented, dated November 25, 1996, for the recreation area at the Bear Hill site to be constructed as part of the Summit Village Development, and the Town Manager is directed to work with staff and the developer to implement these plans. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing With Longwood Road and Kelch Road Residents Re: Sewer Project - The Secretary read the notice of the hearing. Town Engineer Joe Delaney reviewed the proposed project. He noted the duration of the project will be about two months, and there will be blasting. He discussed the method of assessment - i.e. assessing all property owners equally, or assessing on a front footage. He recommended that all residential units be assessed equally. Questions were raised with regard to blasting liability. It was noted that the assessment of the betterment would be based on the lower of either the estimate or the bids. Questions were raised as to whether or not property values are increased with sewers versus non-sewers. The Town Manager noted that Title 5 has changed the picture somewhat so that sanitary sewers are considered a real asset in terms of value of property. The following residents spoke about the project: + John Biscomb, 85 Longwood Road, noted he had just put in a $17,000 septic system and it should last for 40 years. He has an 1880 year house on a rock foundation and is concerned about blasting. He does not favor the project. + Tim Leary is the last house on Longwood Road, and he doesn't want to go through the cost and trouble. This part of Longwood Road is a private way. He doesn't want to tie into the MWRA. He is not in favor of the project. + Bob Hanscom at 57 Longwood Road is in favor of the project. He bought his house before Title 5, and he would have a very difficult time adding onto the house or selling it. + Bruce Gustafuson of 16 Kelch Road is in favor of the project. He asked if the project would definitely require blasting. + TomCovino, 9 Kelch Road, spoke in favor of the project. + John Edson of 67 Longwood Road strongly supports the project. Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 3, 1996 - page 4 • Mr. Kilban of 84 Longwood Road built a new home with a new septic system two years ago. He noted the condition of the road was bad and asked if it would be upgraded. Delaney noted that it could be asphalted to the end if the contingency funds are adequate. He asked about access to homes during construction, and it was noted that although there may be some delays, access to all the properties during construction would be assured. He is opposed to the project. • Mr. McNamara of 10 Kelch Road is retired and has misgivings about the project and he is opposed. His wife spoke and she is in favor. • Katherine Noone of Kelch Road spoke in opposition. She is elderly and retired and couldn't bear the costs. George Hines asked if the cost of the pump station could be taken out of the costing equation, but the consensus was that it should not be. Dan Ensminger asked how many homes the pump station would accommodate, and Delaney noted that it would handle 15 homes plus 30%. It was questioned as to whether or not the project could go out to Arcadia Avenue under the Aberjona and save the cost of the pump station. Delaney felt that this was not feasible because we have no easements and the construction costs would be just as expensive because of jacking the pipe underneath the river. The Board asked Delaney to run a scenario of doing just 10 houses on the easterly part of Longwood Road and on Kelch Road. He returned a few minutes later noting that the project costs would be $150,000 with the assessed cost of$4,500 per house. It was questioned as to whether or not deferral was available, and the Town Manager was not sure. The Board polled each of the residents present and noted that there were seven residential properties in favor, six opposed and two no response. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to close the hearing on the installation of sanitary sewers on Longwood Road and Kelch Road by a vote of 5-0-0. Members of the Board spoke about the need for long range planning, and also about the need to listen to the requests of the residents. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the installation of sanitary sewers for Longwood Road and Kelch Road selecting the alternative that serves 15 homes, with a maximum assessment of$3,750 per residential lot or potential residential lot, and direct the Town Manager to arrange for the design and bidding of this project for construction in the Spring of 1997. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Hines and MacDonald opposed. Hines then asked the Board to consider what the interest rate on the remaining balance of the betterment should be. MacDonald moved and Hoyt seconded a motion to set the interest rate at no higher than the cost of money to the Town, but no higher than 4% than the assessed betterment. An amount was offered by Hines seconded by Anthony that the interest rate be 0% so long as the interest rate on outstanding sewer betterments for other projects can also be Board of Selectmen Meeting- December 3, 1996 -page 5 reduced at the same rate. The amendment passed by a vote of 4-1-0, and became the main motion which passed by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board noted that this is a very difficult decision to make, but the public process was well served. Handicap Parking Regulations - The Town Manager reviewed the issue with the Board, which is whether or not to have a Bylaw on handicap parking regulations for action at the Annual Town Meeting. The Board noted that we should have a hearing and notice it appropriately,-prior to the closing of the Warrant. Curb and Sidewalk Construction Priority Criteria - The Town Manager presented the criteria and the application of it. The Board appreciated the work, and noted that it would focus on this further when it reviews the Capital Improvements Program. 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, and approval of minutes, not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, all five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. Respectfully submitte r [ Secretary