HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes i
Board of Selectmen Meeting
August 22, 1995
The meeting was convened at 7.30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman George Hines,
Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner
and the following list of interested parties: Marlene Cohen, Barbara Giordani, Robert
D'Ambrosio, Patty Fothergill, David Mitchell, Ellen Mounteer, Karen M. O'Connell, Donna
Fettus, J. Fiore, Bob Silva, Jonathan Edwards, Philip Rushworth.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony the minutes of June 20, 1995, were approved as
amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony the minutes of July 11, 1995, were approved as
amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with Hines abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the minutes of July 25, 1995, were approved as
amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with MacDonald abstaining.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines the minutes of August 1, 1995, were approved as
amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with Anthony abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the minutes of August S, 1995, were approved as
amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with MacDonald abstaining.
Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments
Bruce MacDonald attended the Downtown Steering Committee meetings and noted that blitz
marketing to expand businesses into Reading was being planned. He attended the CPDC meeting
and they've talked about potential Bylaw amendments. CPDC is meeting with the Board tonight
but that should not be a substitute for the quarterly review of the Master Plan. He has received
calls from neighbors in the Mineral Street area regarding the slow pace of sidewalk construction.
George Hines attended the MMA Labor Subcommittee meeting, and asked the Town Manager to
review the proposals and make any additions.
Camille Anthony attended the School Committee meeting and has met with the Superintendent of
Schools. She expressed some concern that the Retreat was scheduled only for the FinCom,
School Committee and Board of Selectmen and none of the staff and wondered why. The Town
Manager explained that this was intended to be a leadership retreat and provide team building for
the committees. Staff and the public are certainly invited, but the focus is intended to be on the
three Boards and Committees. She asked about the possibility of a Bread and Circus being
located in town and the Town Manager indicated that the Cerretani's market was not available
because of business restrictions when Cerretani's sold the business to Shaw's supermarket. She
Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 22, 1995 - page 2
asked about the number of liquor licenses available for restaurants and the Town Manager
indicated that there were approximately 25 licenses available and only five in use. She asked that
we review the issue of parking in the Meadowbrook area for sledders and cross country skiing.
She also attended the burying of the Time Capsule at the RMLD.
Sally Hoyt attended the RMLD Time Capsule Burying Ceremony. She noted that Mystic Valley
Elder Services is looking for residents to participate in a softball tournament, and she has received
comments about the Summer Avenue/Oak traffic island.
Public Comments
Marlene Cohen from 65 Timbemeck Road presented a petition signed by over 400 residents
protesting a boot camp in Reading in a residential neighborhood. MacDonald noted that CPDC
has dealt with this issue in that the Master Plan calls for alternative development of the property if
it is not to be used for the National Guard. Anthony noted the article in the Northwest Weekly
edition of the Globe which talks about North Reading's Task Force on the Berry Center and
maybe we should activate such a group. George Hines noted that the Master Plan work puts us
ahead of the situation and that the town is keeping on top of the issue with our State
Representatives and Senator.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager reviewed a number of issues including South Street construction, upper Pearl
Street project bids, Woburn and High Street signal improvements, sidewalk improvements, water
restrictions, the status of our water supply testing, and additional sewer rate relief that may be
available through the final State Supplemental Budget. He noted that free cash has been certified
at $1,755,000; the School Department Annual Report has been done by the Town Accountant on
the School Department and reflects that Reading will be spending $2.8 million in addition to the
actual School Budget on behalf of the Schools. The revised Vocational School assessment for
FY96 is $86,722, up from the previously estimated and budgeted amount of$62,435. The Pearl
Street School project has cleared its final State and Federal hurdles and is before CPDC on
September 11, 1995. Bear Hill issues seem to be almost resolved. Extensive sign enforcement
has been ongoing. Wakefield will be installing traffic exclusion signs on Hopkins Street by the
end of the week. Three Crossing Guards have retired and the Police Department is looking for
replacements. The Cops Fast Program for hiring Police Officers has additional funding, and the
Board consented to making application for an additional Police Officer under the three year grant
program. There should not be much demand for funds for this program this year. The Police
Department has received a $7,900 grant for two mobile video recording units. The Downtown
Steering Committee has been active. The new Superintendent of Schools will be the Town
Manager's guest on a special hour long version of"Ask the Town Manager" on Monday, August
28, 1995.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- August 22, 1995 - page 2
asked about the number of liquor licenses available for restaurants and the Town Manager
indicated that there were approximately 25 licenses available and only five in use. She asked that
we review the issue of parking in the Meadowbrook area for sledders and cross country skiing.
She also attended the burying of the Time Capsule at the RMLD.
Sally Hoyt attended the RMLD Time Capsule Burying Ceremony. She noted that Mystic Valley
Eider Services is looking for residents to participate in a softball tournament, and she has received
comments about the Summer Avenue/Oak traffic island.
Public Comments
Marlene Cohen from 65 Timberneck Road presented a petition signed by over 400 residents
protesting a boot camp in Reading in a residential neighborhood. MacDonald noted that CPDC
has dealt with this issue in that the Master Plan calls for alternative development of the property if
it is not to be used for the National Guard. Anthony noted the article in the Northwest Weekly
edition of the Globe which talks about North Reading's Task Force on the Berry Center and
maybe we should activate such a group. George Hines noted that the Master Plan work puts us
ahead of the situation and that the town is keeping on top of the issue with our State
Representatives and Senator.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager reviewed a number of issues including South Street construction, upper Pearl
Street project bids, Woburn and High Street signal improvements, sidewalk improvements, water
restrictions, the status of our water supply testing, and additional sewer rate relief that may be
available through the final State Supplemental Budget. He noted that free cash has been certified
at $1,755,000; the School Department Annual Report has been done by the Town Accountant on
the School Department and reflects that Reading will be spending $2.8 million in addition to the
actual School Budget on behalf of the Schools. The revised Vocational School assessment for
FY96 is $86,722, up from the previously estimated and budgeted amount of$62,435. The Pearl
Street School project has cleared its final State and Federal hurdles and is before CPDC on
September 11, 1995. Bear Hill issues seem to be almost resolved. Extensive sign enforcement
has been ongoing. Wakefield will be installing traffic exclusion signs on Hopkins Street by the
end of the week. Three Crossing Guards have retired and the Police Department is looking for
replacements. The Cops Fast Program for hiring Police Officers has additional funding, and the
Board consented to making application for an additional Police Officer under the three year grant
program. There should not be much demand for funds for this program this year. The Police
Department has received a $7,900 grant for two mobile video recording units. The Downtown
Steering Committee has been active. The new Superintendent of Schools will be the Town
Manager's guest on a special hour long version of"Ask the Town Manager" on Monday, August
28, 1995.
Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 22, 1995 -page 4
The Board discussed extensively the proposed intersection of Salem Street and Main Street.
Special concern was a proposal to widen Route 129 between the Old South Church and the
Common in order to accommodate four lanes of traffic which would then provide for eventual
closing of Lowell Street in front of the Town Hall. The Board agreed to include that design as
part of the public hearing process and to get community input.
Meet with CPDC - PUD Streamlininiz - Jonathan Edwards, Planning Director, was present. The
members of the CPDC were not able to be present this evening. Discussion centered on possible
warrant articles and streamlining of the PRD and PUD process. The Board felt that the proposals
were in the right direction.
Senior Citizen Program to Earn $ for Tax Payment - The Board deferred action on the Senior
Citizen Program to earn tax dollars.
Cellular Communications on Bear Hill Water Tower - The Town Manager asked the Board to
take action authorizing him to proceed with negotiations for a license or licenses for use of
Reading's water towers for cellular communication systems. He reviewed the analysis that had
been done, indicating that in other communities these water tower installations were not a
problem, and added revenue to the community. The Town has found that the scientific literature
determines there to be no negative health effects of cellular communication. On motion by
MacDonald seconded by Hines the Board voted to authorize the Town Manager to enter into
negotiations for a license or licenses for non-exclusive use of the Town of Reading's water towers
for use by cellular communication systems, excluding microwave, and the final approval of the
license will be made by the Board of Selectmen. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Discussion - Old Sanborn Lane - Discussion of Old Sanborn Lane was deferred at the request of
the resident who had asked that it be put on the Agenda.
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald the Board voted to go into Executive Session for
the purpose of discussion of labor negotiations, the sale of real estate, and approval of minutes,
not to come back into Open Session. All four members present voted in the affirmative on a roll
call vote, and the motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
' 1
t
/61
X.
Secretary 7