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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-31 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 31, 1995 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Jonathan Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Keniston, Tom Baillie, Theodore Cohen. Approval of Minutes On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board approved the Minutes of January 21, 1995, by a vote of 3-0-2 with Hines and Hoyt abstaining. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments George Hines noted that he had attended the MMA Annual Meeting on Friday and Saturday; had attended the Safe Homes Program at the Library on Monday; had noted that the sewer problem on Howard Street points out the need to continue to invest capital monies in the Town's infrastructure. Bill Burditt noted that he had also attended the MMA Annual Meeting, and that he had attended the RMLD meeting at which they recognized a long term employee. Camille Anthony attended the Reading Business Park Task Force; attended the MMA Annual Meeting and was impressed at how powerful the number of municipal officials can be when they focus on an issue; and attended the Safe Homes Program. Sally Hoyt attended the ceremony dedicating the Eagle that was donated at the Senior Center by the Oldmixon family; attended the fourth meeting of the Citizen's Police Academy which dealt with domestic abuse; walked upper Pearl Street with Bud Dickey and Joe Delaney; was at the State House on a number of issues; and attended the MMA Annual Meeting including sessions on Federal and State Transportation, the Municipal update, and error free municipal hearings. Dan Ensminger also attended the dedication of the Eagle at the Senior Center; attended the Selectmen's meeting on the 21st, walking the full length of Pearl Street; had a phone call about the sewer problems on Howard Street; attended the School Committee meeting on the 23rd regarding Reading RMHS 2000; attended the MMA meeting; and attended the Safe Homes Program. Hines added that the Board of Selectmen has been in touch with the School Committee regarding the issues related to the second grade teacher. The incident has been handled appropriately within the legal limits for such situations, and the School Department will continue to be in touch with the Board with regard to this issue. Public Comment Ron Wood noted that if you work in public service and worked in another state that the laws of the other state don't apply in Massachusetts. He also asked why the Chairman of the Board of Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 31, 1995 -page 2 Selectmen has always been a male, why the Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen has always been a male, and why the Secretary of the Board of Selectmen is not a male. Dan Ensminger responded that the Board members vote individually for these positions, and that there has in the past been a female Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that he has appointed Bill VanHorn of Reading as a Fire Fighter replacing Verlon Curtis who retires in February. He has appointed another Reading resident as a Police Officer, subject to successful completion of the medical and psychological examination, for a position replacing Bill Arakalian who will be retiring in March. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen met on upper Pearl Street at 9:30 a.m. on the 21st. They walked the street and voted to remove the tree in front 633 Pearl Street because there was no feasible alternative to its removal. They decided to defer the removal of trees at 692 and 644 Pearl Street so that Engineering can review alternatives to the removal, and it appears that the road can be designed without the removal of these trees. It also appears from field observations that the construction of sidewalks on one side of the road is not feasible without the removal of approximately 25 trees and other severe disruption to the area. The Board of Selectmen agreed not to proceed with sidewalks. The Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager attended the two day MMA Annual Meeting in Boston on Friday and Saturday. The group attended the opening session, the Annual Meeting, the MIIA Annual Meeting, and 18 workshops on a variety of issues. This is scheduled for further discussion on the 28th. The Town Manager noted that he has been elected to a three year term on the MIIA Health Insurance Board of Directors, and looks forward to representing community interests on that Board. The Town has been notified that the money expected to be reimbursed by the State for special elections held last Winter will not be forthcoming. This may leave a shortfall in the election account. There was considerable discussion about how this happened, and the Town Manager will transmit Representative Jones'letter on the issue to the Board. The Pearl Street School project for the sale and conversion of 75 Pearl Street into assisted housing for the elderly was recommended by CPDC for approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals for both the variances and the issuance of a special permit. The hearing on this before the Board of Appeals is scheduled for February 16. The project has strong neighborhood support, and should be a significant addition to the community. The project also has a firm loan commitment from the MHFA. - Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 31, 1995 -page 3 The Veteran's groups will need the list of speakers for the Memorial Day activities at the Town's three cemeteries as soon as possible. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen's packet has a number of alerts regarding potential federal budget reductions and their impact on the communities of this state. The Town Manager noted that we had received information on the Governor's budget proposal and have modified our revenue forecast accordingly. The Town Manager commended the Safe Homes Program that was kicked off Monday evening at the Reading Public Library. The Town Manager noted that he has assigned a grant application to the Department of Environmental Management for a public information program on Conservation issues, that the Summerfest donation of $1,000 will be put towards improving Washington Park, and that home owners should review their coverage with regard to sewer issues since the Town's insurance will not always cover. Personnel and Appointments Conservation Commission On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board placed into nomination for a position on the Conservation Commission the names of Hope A. Bogosian and Ronald L. Wood for a term expiring June 30, 1995. Bogosian received four votes and Wood - received one vote. Bogosian was appointed. A third candidate had indicated that he was not able to serve at this time for family reasons. Discussion/Action Items Water Appeal-200 Grove Street - The Board reviewed a water appeal at 200 Grove Street. Mr. and Mrs. Keniston were present. W. Keniston noted that the bill had to be an error and was "bogus." Mr. Keniston offered to split the bili. The Town Manager indicated that it was staffs opinion that the bill was rendered properly and that the property was vacant for some period of time. There was discussion that the Keniston's should go to the bank from whom they purchased the property and ask them to pay the bill since the water use was prior to their owning the property. When they purchased the property they did not do a lien certificate or the issue would have come to the buyer's attention at that time. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the appeal for the water bill at 200 Grove Street and abate the amount owed to $275 rather than $543.24. Four voted in favor and one (Hines) voted against and the motion was carried. CPDC Review of Potential Warrant Articles - Tom Baillie and Jonathan Edwards were present as well as H Theodore Cohen, Town Counsel, regarding possible CPDC warrant articles. The articles would be potentially two map changes to apply the PRDG zone, one to Harold Avenue off of Van Norden, and the other at an undisclosed location. Additionally, there would be a "Goldhirsch" article which Town Counsel is drafting. This would return the status of an approval process for nonconforming properties to what it had been prior to the Goldhirsch decision. Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 31, 1995 -page 4 - Additionally, there will be an article to create an S 15 zone. Town Counsel and the Town Planner disagreed on the approach, but CPDC will be recommending Town Counsel's approach which is to create an S 15 zone. The Board reviewed the impact of such a change on existing properties. . Five scenarios were outlined as follows: 1. Larger parcels of land that can be subdivided - they would have to conform to a new S 15 zone. 2. Properties of more than 20,000 square feet but less than 30,000 square feet can now be subdivided. There would be no protection and there are probably two dozen such properties in Town. This is where the greatest impact would lie. 3. Existing lots in common ownership of 10,000 square feet each. If the lots were created prior to January, 1976, they have a five year period to secure a building permit in the second lot. After that they would need a special permit. 4. Lots that were created after January 1, 1976, would need to get a special pernut. The law is that if there is a 5,000 square foot lot that has at least 50 feet of frontage as of 1978, then these properties can be built on with a special permit. 5. Pre-existing lots not in common ownership - as long as they have a 50 foot frontage and 5,000 square feet they are grandfathered in perpetuity. Sally Hoyt asked if home owners would be informed prior to the zoning change and it was - indicated that they would not- there have been hearings and legal notices. Additionally, there will be a bylaw to eliminate neon signs. There was discussion of the issue of sign enforcement and Edwards noted that 25% of the Building Inspector's time is spent on zoning enforcement. CPDC is meeting on these issues on the February 6, and the hearing will be scheduled for the 27th. Approval of Health Insurance Agreement- On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to approve the Town of Reading Health Insurance Agreement with Town employees covering a period of March 1, 1995 to February 29, 1996, by a vote of 5-0-0. The cost savings in the health insurance program will be shared equally by the Town and the employees. Review of Audit Report and Management Letter - The Board reviewed the Audit Report and suggested that the Town Manager revise the letter noting that the Town will conduct additional training on grants administration. Review of the Capital Improvement Plan-The Board reviewed the Capital Improvement Program and felt it was appropriate as presented. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend the FY96 - FY2005 Capital Improvements Program as presented by the Capital Improvements Advisory Subcommittee with the request that the project PSF-18, replace Fire II I Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 31, 1995 -page 5 Fighter turnout gear, be moved to FY96 in the minimum amount of$40,000. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Budget Review - The. Town Manager reviewed the latest budget figures with the Board of Selectmen. . These are based on increases in State aid as included in the Governor's budget proposal. The Town Manager also distributed to the Board the proposed water and sewer budgets for future review and discussion. It was noted that the Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force is going to report to the Finance Committee tomorrow. Members of the Board of Selectmen expressed great concern that this committee is appointed by the Board of Selectmen and the report should be first to the Board of Selectmen. It was agreed that they would go ahead and meet with the Finance Committee, but would report back to the Board of Selectmen either on February 28 or at a later date to be agreed, and would defer until that time discussion of financial implications of the plan. Licenses,Permits and Approvals On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve a taxi drivers license for Joseph Gatta of 49 Pleasant Street driving for Acura Industries, for a term expiring April 30, 1995, and subject to the condition that the vehicle be garaged at 49 Pleasant Street, and the vehicle trips to 93 Dana Road be minimized. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board adjourned at 11:02 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary