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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting August 1, 1995 The meeting was convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Selectman George Hines arrived late. Also present were: Barbara Hoyt, Paul Feely Jr., Gloria Hulse, Harold Hulse, Kenneth Brown, Franca Barrasso, Ann Greenwood, Nancy Eaton, Stewart Chipman, Richard Moore, Will Finch, Paul Anderson, Dick Harper, Mr. and Mrs. James Vatcher, Pat Connelly, Ted McIntire, Peter Tassi, Gail Wood, Richard Moore, Kerstin and Arthur Scarpa, Steve Gousie, Natalia Goncalves, Jon Goncalves, Jean and Peter Lenox, Jan White. Approval of Minutes There were no minutes for approval Proclamation - 100 Year Old Resident - On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger the Board approved a proclamation congratulating Edith Raye Jewett on her 100th Birthday by a vote of 3-0-0. Chairman Sally Hoyt read the proclamation, and Barbara Hoyt was present to receive it. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Dan Ensminger noted that he has received a number of letters from residents of Carnation Circle regarding rubbish collection at condos. We need to review the legal issues with regard to this. Bruce MacDonald also received eight letters from Carnation Circle residents regarding rubbish collection. The Police Station Building Committee met with the Board of Selectmen last week and toured the Police Station. The Board of Selectmen voted to look at additional sites. He will be on vacation and will be unable to attend the Downtown Steering Committee meetings scheduled for next week. Sally Hoyt also received letters from the Carnation Circle residents. She sent a note indicating that the Board will be looking into it. She congratulated the Town's legislators regarding the Home Rule petition. Last Tuesday the Board of Selectmen toured the Police Station, and expanded the scope of the Police Station Building Committee. There are issues relative to the residents next door, and she received calls from citizens concerned about the Oakland Road site. She attended the Middlesex County Advisory Board meeting which is looking for the passage of several bills. She attended a session where Reading hosted six Japanese students and she thanked the host families for hosting them. She has received a call regarding the Recreation Committee's policy on closing the pool. She regrets Eugene's closing after 65 years in business and noted that a possible new business at the location will be an Asian restaurant. She noted that the Open Space Bond Bill has passed the House and provides for $500 million for purchase of Open Space (Dan Ensminger noted that this Bill would have the Commonwealth holding the deeds for all properties purchased through this mechanism). She also noted that there is $12.5 million for Board of Selectmen Meeting- August 1, 1995 - page 2 landfill capping for communities that recycle at least 50% of their solid waste (Dan Ensminger asked why there was a connection between recycling and the landfill closure). With regard to the Prison Bond Bill and the Bootcamp, our Representatives have met with the Governor and we have not yet heard the results of the meeting. Lynnfield and Wakefield also have concerns. Public Comments Bill Brown brought up information relative to changing of the voting date and felt that the Legislature should amend the law making the election date the home rule issue. He also noted that Stoneham is doing rubbish collection pick up. Finally, he noted that Home Depot has offered $1 million to assist in construction of the Interchange of the Industriplex Connector. He also noted that the 1931 Town Reports noted that there was a traffic study done in the downtown area and concerns were expressed about traffic congestion. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that South Street is under construction - the Town has done the tree removal and has finished reconstruction of catch basins. Utilities are being relocated currently, and the contract has been awarded for road construction which will begin the week of August 14. Construction should take two to three weeks for the major work and all work should be completed by mid-October. Upper Pearl Street reconstruction is out to bid and bids are due back August 9 with construction expected mid-September and completion by mid-November. Utility pole relocation will begin as soon as possible. The Town is bidding the signal extension at Lincoln and Woburn Street as a "force account" item to be reimbursed by the MBTA. Sidewalk improvements are underway in the King/Hancock/Mineral/Prospect Street area with preparation done by the DPW. Curb work is scheduled for next week. All construction will be done by the start of school. The Town Manager noted that the DPW has done extensive work on the part of the Schools. They installed the water and sewer lines for the portable building located at Killam because the School Department did not have adequate funding. They have removed the wall at the Barrows School to expand the media center. They have removed the foundation of the former portable buildings at Eaton and will be putting the binder course in place for a playground. The Mineral Street bridge will be 75% design by mid-August and we will request a copy of the plans. Bidding should be completed by the end of the year. Water Restrictions are still in place and a notice was sent to all households. The Town has received State reimbursement for funds for the removal of the oil tank at the Joshua Eaton School. This was a 50% reimbursement, but most importantly we were able to learn the process of seeking reimbursement for such projects in the future. The salt storage shed bid has been awarded and will be completed by Winter. The Special Employee status for the Library Board of Trustees has been rescinded. f Board of Selectmen Meeting- August 1, 1995 - page 3 The Board of Selectmen met with the Police Station Building Committee. The Board of Selectmen has approved a three year contract for the Police Patrolmen's Union with a total cost per year of just under 2.5%. The Town hosted six Japanese students at Town Hall and received a gift to the Town from the Mayor of Miyakonojo City. The Town Manager attended the SWAT Team Challenge at Camp Curtis Guild coordinated by Lt. Silva. The Downtown Steering Committee is meeting Thursday to look at short and long-term goals and has concerns about another restaurant in downtown. The new Superintendent of Schools started work today. Discussion re: Hulse letter on Sanborn Lane - Gloria and Lucky Hulse appeared before the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Hulse read her letter of July 21, 1995, regarding the Sanborn Village Homeowners Association versus the Town of Reading residents of Old Sanborn Lane. The Town Manager gave the background behind the development of this area of the community, and the barricading of Old Sanborn Lane. Ted Cohen's letter of July 27, 1995, and attachments was read by the Town Manager and reviewed by the Board of Selectmen. Gloria Hulse asked how many times this issue was discussed with the Board of Selectmen, whether the Board had a neutral position, and expressed that she had problems with how Ted Cohen represented his town in court. Bruce MacDonald asked Ms. Hulse what they were asking of the Town and the Board of Selectmen. She indicated that she did not know. Mr. Ken Brown of 99 Old Sanborn Lane, Dot Hayes of 97 Old Sanborn Lane, and Mr. Hulse also spoke. The Board of Selectmen committed to be cooperative with all of the property owners to effectuate a solution to this situation. Discussion/Action items Review of Water Restriction Status - Ted McIntire, Peter Tassi, Pat Connelly from Weston and Sampson and the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee attended the meeting. Mr. Connelly reviewed the computer model of the testing that is going on in this location. He noted that because of the dry weather, this was actually a worst case scenario. The Board asked what our consumption rates were and it was noted that our highest consumption was 2.1 to 2.3 million gallons per day. The Town Manager pointed out that during the past 10 years we've had daily consumption rates as high as 5 million gallons per day. The Board thanked all in attendance for the report, and indicated that it was anxious to follow this process to its conclusion. Hearing on Traffic Regulations - Main/Pearl/Mill Streets - The Selectmen opened the hearing on Traffic Regulations at Main/Pearl and Mill Streets. Bruce MacDonald read the notice of the Public Hearing. The Town Manager and Traffic Safety Officer Joe Veno were present and explained the proposed regulations. The regulations would allow right turn only from Pearl Street to Main Street, allow right turn only from Mill Street to Main Street, and allow no left turn on southbound Main Street to Pearl Street. The following residents spoke, and were not in favor of the regulations: Chris Scarpa, 679 Pearl Street; Peter Lenox, 722 Pearl Street; Arthur Scarpa, Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 1, 1995 - page 4 679 Pearl Street; Nancy Eaton, 13 Short Street; Steve Guisie, 746 Pearl Street; Janet Baronian, 75 Mill Street; Paul Anderson, 753 Pearl Street; resident at 51 Mill Street; Richard Harper at 695 Pearl Street; Jim Vatcher, 692 Pearl Street. Concern was expressed that the restrictions are not needed and will be inconvenient. Concern was also expressed that residents on Mill Street and Short Street did not get notice. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to close the public hearing on the amendment to the Traffic Rules and Regulations relative to the intersection of Main/Mill and Pearl Streets. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald the Board voted to table an amendment to the Traffic Rules and Regulations as proposed until traffic counts are done, all other issues are looked at, and residents of Pearl/Mill/Short and Main Streets are noticed at least one week before final decision. The motion to table was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board approved the following amendment to the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995, by amending Section 6.1.7 to read as follows: 6.17 Turns Regulated - Turns should be regulated at all locations and in the manner listed in Appendix A-13; and by amending "Appendix A-13 - 6.13 Turns Regulated" by adding the following: Hopkins Street eastbound at Main Street—Right Turn Only. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Naming of Parker Middle School soccer field for Steven Collins - Mike Haley spoke on behalf of Reading United Soccer in requesting that the soccer field at Parker Middle School be named for Steven Collins. He gave some of the history of Mr. Collins' involvement in youth soccer. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board approved in conjunction with the Reading School Committee to agree to name the Parker Middle School field in memory of Steven Collins, longtime volunteer soccer coach in Reading who was affiliated with the Reading United Soccer program; and the Board approved the suitable marking of this site in memory of Steven Collins subject to the approval of the marker by the Town Manager. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Modifying Policy re: Housing Partnership and Fair Housing Committee - Bruce MacDonald read the notice opening the hearing. The Town Manager explained that the purpose was to have a consolidated Housing Partnership and Fair Housing Committee which will be called the Housing Partnership Committee. John Coote was present in the audience and as a member of the Housing Partnership Committee. He had no objection to the proposal. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to close the public hearing on a policy combining the functions of the Fair Housing Committee and the Housing Partnership Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. (MacDonald was not present). Board of Selectmen Meeting- August 1, 1995 -page 5 On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the policy combining the functions of the Fair Housing Committee and the Housing Partnership Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 with MacDonald absent. Review and Endorsement of Open Space Plan - The Board reviewed the Open Space Plan with Nancy Eaton, Chairman of the Open Space Task Force. Ms. Eaton showed the Board a copy of the GIS map and indicated a couple of amendments dealing with flooding concerns and additions to the inventory will be made. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to endorse the Open Space and Recreation Plan as presented as a working document to guide the Board in the future development and acquisition of open space and recreation facilities in the Town of Reading, and that the Board expresses its thanks and appreciation to the adhoc Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force for a job well done. Acceptance of the report shall not constitute a recommendation by the Board of Selectmen for funding a specific land acquisition. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Licenses and Permits Limousine License for Duncan's Limousine Service - The Board considered an application for a limousine license for Duncan's Limousine Service. Mr. Duncan does not have off street parking available at this time. He will have off street parking within 60 days and will park the vehicle off street. He has had no moving violations - problems with his license had to do with excise and parking tickets when he had moved. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to approve a Livery License for Duncan's Limousine Service for one vehicle to be garaged at 62 Sanborn Street in Reading to provide service to and from Logan Airport for a period expiring December 31, 1995, and subject to a review by the Town Manager a location that the limousine is to be parked on the premises. The vehicle will be parked over night off the street at all times. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Taxi License Applications for Harry Thibault and Andrew Valle rX - On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to approve a taxi drivers license for Harry Thibault of 2 Ashburton Avenue in Woburn, driving for Acura International, Inc. subject to the condition that the vehicle be garaged at 2 Ashburton Avenue in Woburn and the vehicle trips to 93 Dana Road are minimized; license is to expire on December 31, 1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve a taxi driver's license for Andrew Vallery of 145 Albion Street, Somerville, driving for Acura International, Inc., subject to the condition that the vehicle is garaged at 145 Albion Street, Somerville, and the vehicle trips to 93 Dana Road are minimized; license to expire December 31, 1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 1, 1995 -page 6 Follow-up on Selectmen's Public Forum - The Board followed-up on the Selectmen's Public Forum and agreed to do a new Forum on October 3, 1995. Efforts will be made to make the setting more audience friendly. Additionally, there was discussion as to whether or not the Board should establish a focus for discussion at the session-there was a concern that if this is done then you wouldn't get the free flow of ideas coming from the audience. There being no further business, on motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary