HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes i
Board of Selectmen Meeting
July 25, 1995
The meeting was at 7:30 p.m. at the Police Station, 67 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA. Present
were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Bruce MacDonald (Selectman,
Vice Chairman George Hines arrived at 8:15 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Chief
Edward Marchand, Lt. Robert Silva, Police Officer Paul Peoples, Police Officer James Cormier,
Police Station Building Committee members Mike DeBrigard, Bill Lavoie, Carol McLaughlin,
Wilbar Hoxie, Lauretta Raffi, Chronicle representative Paul Feely and residents Gloria Hulse,
Lucky Hulse, Virginia Adams, Bill Bogeart, Architect Max Ferro.
Lt. Silva took the entire group on a tour of the Police Station, both inside and out, and the tour
completed at 8:30 p.m. at which time the group assembled in the Great Room at the Senior
Center adjacent to the Police Station.
There was considerable discussion about alternate sites. Lt. Silva noted that there may be a time
problem with the adjacent house being available. The residents indicated that they are in no rush
to sell - it might be a year to a year and one half. They have a dog that they would want to take
with them wherever they went. It is his impression that the property will not be available for
some time. He also noted that there is an issue of traffic congestion. Max Ferro noted that in
another community-Adams, Mass, they had moved a house for the residents and solved the issue
that way.
Max Ferro went through a packet of material outlining the Police facility needs and a sketch of
how that can be accomplished on the existing site.
There was discussion on potential other sites. It was noted that the project needs two acres to be
comfortable. They talked about the Walker's Brook Drive site, and a property on Oakland Road
across from the Reading Memorial High School which consists of 4.5 acres. The RMLD site at
25 Haven Street is too small. Concern was expressed about the Oakland Road property, and Mr.
Bogeart of Pleasant Street noted that the existing station is in a neighborhood and he is concerned
about the impact that an expansion would have on the neighborhood.
Silva noted that the committee had gotten a list of all available properties and reviewed them -
many sites are either too far out of the center of town, too small, or have wetland or other
concerns. Discussion took place with regard to using a portion of the landfill site and the effect
on landfill closure. It was noted that the committee has not looked at properties that were not tax
exempt. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony the Board voted to amend the charter
of the Police Station Building Committee to allow them to review all potential sites including
taxable properties. Hines noted that he will support the motion but would be concerned that
because of financial considerations we could be headed right back to "square one". The motion
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager asked that the committee come back to the
Board of Selectmen with the list of all potential sites and the criteria used to evaluate them,
Board of Selectmen Meeting-July 25, 1995 - page 2
including financial criteria. The committee will come back to the Board of Selectmen with a
report in two weeks.
Public Comment
Gloria and Lucky Hulse appeared before the Board of Selectmen and read a letter expressing
concern about the court action related to Old Sanborn Lane. Counsel will be asked to review the
letter and come back to the Board of Selectmen at their next meeting. (Camille Anthony noted
that she would not be there.)
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony the Board voted to go into Executive Session for
the discussion of the sale of real estate, and labor negotiations, possibly to come back into Open
Session. On a roll call vote all four members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried.
At 10:35 p.m. the Board of Selectmen came back into Open Session. On motion by MacDonald
seconded by Anthony the Board approved the contract between the Town of Reading and the
Reading Patrolmen's Association expiring June 30, 1998, subject to approval of all language. The
motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Camille Anthony asked about the progress on the Mineral Street Bridge. The Town Manager
responded that 75% design will be completed at the end of August.
The Board discussed that we need to look at the issue of trash collection for the condos.
Additional information required is a memo from Ted Cohen outlining what legal restrictions may
exist for collecting rubbish at the condos. Also, Ted McIntire will be asked to update the costs,
and the Board asked for information on what Stoneham has done and how they are funding
rubbish collection at the condos.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 10:54 p.m. by a vote
of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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Secretary