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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 25, 1995 The meeting convened at 7:01 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman Sally Hoyt, Selectman Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion relative to the sale of real estate, to come back into Open Session at 7:30 p.m. On a role call vote, all three members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board reconvened at 7:25 p.m., and spent approximately 15 minutes on taking group photos for Arbor Day, Local Government Week, and SADD. The business session of the meeting reconvened at 7:40 p.m. In addition to those present earlier, George Hines was present. Proclamations On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board approved a Proclamation for Arbor Day to be celebrated on April 28, 1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Tree Warden Bud Dickey and Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Peter Webber spoke to the Board about Arbor Day. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve a Proclamation for Local Government Week to be celebrated the week of May 1, 1995, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve a Certificate of Appreciation for Nathaniel M. Fowler in honor of his Eagle Scout Award to be presented on May 7, 1995, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded Hines the Board voted to approve a Proclamation for SADD Month to be celebrated in April 1995 by a vote of 4-0-0. Les and Irene York, Advisors for SADD were present along with the members of SADD. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bruce MacDonald noted that he will be going to the RMLD meeting next Monday. He has participated on the Police Station Task Force. He expressed concern that the plans for the 25% design review of the Mineral Street Bridge will be available only one hour before the hearing and expressed the need to see the plans beforehand. The Board asked if they could be available by Friday. He noted that the Solid Waste Committee, specifically Ann Mark and Bob Brown demonstrated a compost bin on Saturday at the Compost Center. Sally Hoyt attended the Middlesex County Advisory Board meeting and was happy to note that the county budget is level funded for next year. She also attended the County Advisory Board 1 E Board of Selectmen Meeting-April 25, 1995 -page 2 legislative meeting; the Cracker Barrel meeting; and she is running for a Senate position in the Silver Hair Legislature. George Hines noted that a resident contacted him with regard to a multi-unit development in the neighborhood and concern about lack of action by Town Counsel. He understands from staff that this is being taken care of. He attended the beginning of the Reading Hockey Banquet and offered congratulations to the Middlesex League Champs. Dan Ensminger has had no liaison meetings, and suggested that we follow up on an issue that was previously raised about having informal meetings during the year where public comment is the only item on the agenda. The Board decided on June 15 with a phone-in format to be televised on Cable. The Town Manager will arrange the details. Public Comment Tom Stohlman noted that the issue of the Mineral Street Bridge plans being available had previously been mentioned. He hopes that the Town will also be able to review these plans. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported on the following items: annual bulk waste collection is scheduled for the week of May 1; Local Government week is scheduled May 1 -May b and Shadow Day for the Town and RMHS students is scheduled for May 10; 33 properties were advertised on April 19 for 1994 tax titles; Dr. Munnelly's Retirement Party on April 30 is "sold out"; drop voter notices will be going out within the next couple of weeks - there are approximately 900 registered voters who have not yet answered their census; Cable TV system is being upgraded; street sweeping is in process; street improvements on Grove and Franklin will be scheduled for May; the Mineral Street Bridge 25% design hearing is scheduled for May 4, 1995, at the RMHS Lecture Hall; water restrictions are still in place; the Auburn Street water tank is being repainted; we've had problems at Imagination Station with regard to cleanliness, and our concern about a recurrence of the rodent problem. As a result, trash barrels have been removed from Imagination Station but placed outside where they can be collected a couple of time per week. Picnic tables are being replaced with benches so that there is no message to residents that picnicking is OK; we will do an educational effort through the Chronicle and the Suburban News; the ice cream vendors will be asked to stay away from imagination Station and provide their own trash pick up; we are asking the community including families to help with clean up on a volunteer basis. The Board of Selectmen had previously held an Executive Session regarding the Bear Hill project and its progress. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to extend the closing date for the Bear Hill project until May 31, 1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board noted that this was only for the purpose of collecting all of the necessary documentation in order to have a closing on that date. - Board of Selectmen Meeting-April 25, 1995 - page 3 Personnel and Appointments There were no applicants for positions at this time. Discussion/Action Items Changing taxi license year to January 1 for renewals. The Town Manager indicated that our Town policy provides for taxi license renewals on May 1, but that all of our other license renewals are January 1. He suggested that we make them all consistent, and has had the current applicants for taxi licenses prorate the fees until next January 1. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald the Board of Selectmen voted to close the public hearing on the amendment to Section 3.5.2.5 of the Selectmen's Policies dealing with the term and fee for the issuance of taxi and vehicle forhirelicenses. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the amendment to Section 3.5.2.5 of the Selectmen's Policies dealing with the term and fee for the issuance taxi and vehicle for hire licenses as proposed by a vote of 4-0-0. South Street/Hopkins Street Traffic Issues with Wakefield -John Drinkwater reviewed a proposal in Wakefield to prohibit traffic turning from Prospect onto Hopkins Street during the morning rush hour - 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The Board of Selectmen in Wakefield is considering this. Drink-water noted that the problem of traffic on South Street in Reading started in 1987 when the lights at Main and South were installed. He noted that there were no pedestrian lights at Main and South. He noted that Reading's Police Chief is in favor of the restrictions in Wakefield (the Town Manager indicated that his discussion with the Police Chief indicated that he was not in favor). Several residents spoke in favor of such regulations and Mo Berger from 149 Hopkins Street in Reading, and Susan Assenzo from 40 Hopkins Street in Wakefield spoke in favor, The Board of Selectmen in Wakefield is having a discussion on May 10, and the Town Manager will write a letter to Wakefield indicating that the Board has been presented with the issue, and is willing to follow up depending on whatever action Wakefield may take. Bancroft Avenue Parking Regulations - The Town Manager presented proposed regulations to Bancroft Avenue. This would amend the recently adopted Traffic Rules and Regulations to incorporate regulations that were previously in place but were omitted. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve an amendment to the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations dated March 28, 1995, as follows: add to Appendix Al "5.3 parking prohibited on certain streets - no parking anytime" the following locations: Bancroft Avenue on northeast side from Hartshorn Street in a northwesterly direction for 200 feet; Bancroft Avenue on the southwest side from Hartshorn Street to 230 Bancroft Avenue; Bancroft Avenue at the dead end of Bancroft Avenue an area of 100 feet. Add to Appendix Al "5.3 parking prohibited on certain streets - no parking anytime" add the following locations: no parking of buses - on Bancroft Avenue in a northwesterly direction to the end of Bancroft Avenue. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. This is not added new regulation - it merely includes regulations that had been omitted in the previous codification. ---- Board of Selectmen Meeting-April 25, 1995 -page 4 Board members raised an issue of visibility of signs - can we replace some old or rusty signs particularly with parking regulations. The Town Manager asked that the Board identify any such signs and we would have them replaced. The Board also asked staff to look at the possibility of a four way stop at John and Green Street, and a stop at the end of Washington Street at Minot Street. Discussion with Cable TV Committee - Messrs. Guarante, Guyott, Longo, Liston and Cohen from the Cable TV Committee attended the meeting. Silva Gerrity came in late. The Cable TV Committee reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the draft Community Needs Document for renewal of the Cable TV franchise. This document was developed based on results of hearings, community surveys, and department surveys. It was noted that the franchise renewal can't deal with pricing and programming, but flexibility of the contract will be important so that we can respond to improvements in technology. There was discussion about the I-Loop and potential community uses for video and data transmission. The target is to deliver the Community Needs Document to Continental Cable on May 1, 1995 and to give Continental Cable approximately 30 days to respond. It was noted that having a fixed camera in some of the meetings like the Selectmen's meeting in addition to the moveable camera would be a help in improving telecasting, and also better microphones would be appropriate. The Board wanted a few days to completely - review the document and will get back to the Town Manager by Friday if they have any additional comments. Bruce MacDonald reviewed some possible changes in the Prop 2 1/2 law that would respond to issues of increasing enrollment and their impact on local budgets. The proposal would be to have the State share the cost of such increases. The Board will discuss this issue at the neat meeting and will try to get MMA backing for any such changes. Licenses, Permits and Approvals Taxi License Renewals - The Town Manager reviewed the taxi license renewals, and the Board had no objection to any of the renewals. The Town Manager will proceed with the renewals of the licenses expiring December 31, 1995. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 10:55 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, a Secretary