HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 10, 1995
The meeting was convened at 7:02 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(Selectmen Daniel Ensminger joined the
meeting at 7:07 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested
parties: Elizabeth Kushinsky, Lois B. Cairl, Janice MacDonald, Jack Cairl, Phil Pacino, R. Smith,
Nancy Eaton, Michael Piscatelli.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to go into Executive Session
for the purpose of discussion of labor negotiations to come back into Open Session at
approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote Hoyt, Hines, Anthony and MacDonald voted in the
affirmative and the motion was carried.
The meeting reconvened from Executive Session at 7:47 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of
September 12, 1995, were approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Minutes of September 27, 1995, were
approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0.
Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments
Bruce MacDonald noted that the Selectmen's Forum was a very positive experience. He was
impressed that it was very constructed and very civil. He received a copy of a petition regarding a
planter island at Oak and Summer Avenues. He attended the dedication of Collins Field at the
Parker Middle School site. He received calls on Bear Hill, and wanted people to know that two
of the housing units at that site are to be deeded to the Town of Reading through its Housing
Authority. He attended a budget follow-up session which was very productive - not everyone
was singing the same note, but everybody was in harmony.
George Hines also attended the Forum and thought it was very positive. He attended the Reading
Ice Arena Authority meeting as a Selectmen representative. There is a significant growth in youth
figure skating. The financial health of the project is beyond all projections in all areas including
debt retirement. He attended the budget meeting and thought that it was very positive. He also
attended the ground breaking at Parker Middle School, and the Collins Field dedication. He
received a petition regarding the island at Oak and Summer Avenues.
Dan Ensminger attended the Forum and found the comments from merchants regarding
regulations especially helpful. The retreat follow-up meeting was the best collaborative process
that he has seen in 15 years in local government. One particular aspect that he appreciated was
the joint Town/School Technology Task Force. He also attended the Parker Middle School
Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 10, 1995 -page 2
groundbreaking and the Collins Field dedication. He noted that the Board of Health will hold
four hearings for various local restaurants on smoking regulations.
Camille Anthony noted that the Open Space and Recreation Task Force has expired and needs to
be extended - this will be on the next Agenda. She also asked about no parking at Hopkins and
Main Street and this will be on the future Agenda. She noted that the Rotary and others are doing
marking of the Town Forest trails for cross country skiing. She relayed a positive story about
people shopping in downtown. In attending the dedication of Stephen Collins Field, she was
especially impressed by the dimension of volunteering in the community. She felt the Retreat and
follow-up were wonderful but noted that it does involve a lot more work for the Board of
Selectmen and the Town Manager. She received calls from a Town Meeting Member who is not
in favor of condo trash collection, and not in favor of rescinding the smoking regulations.
Sally Hoyt attended the Mystic Valley Elder Services meeting. She attended a hearing on the
Police Station siting. She attended a Joint Committee on Public Safety hearing, attended the
Public Forum, the Parker Middle School Ground Breaking, and the Collins Field dedication. . She
noted that we had received a Community Policing Grant. The Reading Housing Authority has
also received a grant. She received calls on the Summer Avenue and Oak Street island. She also
relayed a concern by the owner at 126 West Street regarding the walks grown over in the area of
West and Lewis Street.
Public Comment
Elizabeth Kushinsky asked about whether or not the Town considered tax classification, and it
was noted that on October 24, 1995, the Board will have its annual hearing on this issue. George
Hines noted on the Police Station funding that this is still a major hurdle to move this project
forward.
Town Manager's Report
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation honoring
the National Business Women's Week of October 15 - 21, 1995. The motion was approved by a
vote of 5-0-0 and Sally Hoyt will present the Proclamation.
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a Certificate honoring
Catherine Quimby, Business Woman of the Year. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0
and the Town Manager will deliver it to Cathy at a dinner in her honor.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation honoring
Jack Cairl by a vote of 5-0-0. Mr. Cairl was present and accepted the Proclamation.
On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation
honoring the United Nations 50th Anniversary and Proclaiming October 24, 1995, as United
Nations Day. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 10, 1995 -page 3
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation
establishing the Second Annual Day of Caring in Reading during the week of October 22 - 28,
1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Proclamation will be delivered to
representatives to the Division of Elder Services.
Discussion/Action Items
Closing of the Warrant - On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen
voted to close the Warrant for the 1995 Subsequent Town Meeting to be held on November 13,
1995, consisting of 20 Articles by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager reviewed the Articles on
the Warrant with the Board of Selectmen. The Board members noted that Article 6, establishing
a revolving fund for compost bins, was done at the request of the Town Accountant. Articles 10
and 11 will be to acquire property for the Police Station site, and these may or may not be
indefinitely postponed. Article 13 is the Demolition Review Bylaw which has been reviewed by
Town Counsel and a number of changes were made as a result of discussion with the Board of
Selectmen. Changes included modifying the criteria to eliminate the 75 year age requirement, and
further defining the criteria; requiring a vote of 4/5 of the members for certain actions; simplifying
the submission requirements; and revising the enforcement sections. Phil Pacino from the Bylaw
Committee was present to discuss Article 17 - an amendment to the Zoning By-Law dealing with
communications towers. He asked if it was legal. It was noted that this proposed Bylaw was
based on the North Andover Bylaw which was approved by the Attorney General. George Hines
wondered why it was so complex, and asked for Ted Cohen's review.
Nancy Eaton, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, commented on Article 18. She noted
that the Conservation Commission hadn't seen the final draft and they will be voting on this
tomorrow evening. Article 19 deals with the issue of taking a bond for a portion of Carriage
Estates Phase 1 (Roma Lane). Camille Anthony noted that we shouldn't have to go to Town
Meeting for these things. This is too time consuming and cumbersome.
Town Manager's Report
The Board went back to the Town Manager's Report. The Town Manager noted that he had
attended the Mystic Valley Elder Services Legislative Luncheon on September 27, 1995, the
Police Station Building Committee met with the Board of Selectmen on September 27, 1995; the
ground breaking for Parker Middle School was on October 5, 1995; the Retreat follow-up was on
October 5, 1995, with a joint meeting on the budget; Collins Field was dedicated on October 9,
1995; Cathy Quimby is being honored by the Professional Business Women's Association on
October 11, 1995; South Street reconstruction is going very well; upper Pearl Street construction
is underway; all local approvals were granted for the Pearl Street School project; the Mineral
Street Bridge work is ongoing - the 75% design plans are available at the Library; the Downtown
............
Steering Visioning process will be October 28, 1995, and volunteer training is on October 19,
1995; a staff hearing on one way regulations for Temple Street is scheduled for October 18, 1995;
the Board set the date of November 4, 1995, at 8:00 a.m. for a site walk on Salem and Lowell
Streets; notices on residential values have gone to property owners and residents have been in to
Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 10, 1996 -page 4
talk with the assessment staff on their new property values. The revaluation is required every
three years. This is not a method to increase taxes beyond what is permitted under Prop 2 1I2 - as
property values increase the tax rate will decrease. Residential property values are up an average
of 10%.
The Reading Fire Department is having an Open House during Fire Prevention Week - October
14, 1995. Featured will be Reading's new pumper and the Fire Fighter's Association will be
collecting for the Food Pantry. The Fire Department is also conducting the Halloween Party on
October 31, 1995. Flu Clinics are scheduled for October 18, 2:00 - 5:00 at Eaton, October 24,
6:00 - 8:00 at Coolidge, and November 15, from 4:00- 6:00 at Coolidge. The School Custodians
are organizing a food collection at the clinics. South Main Street is on the State's list for signal
upgrading and installation of a pedestrian signal. We will try to find out more information on the
timing of the upgrade.
Sign Deed - Bear Hill and Pearl Street School - The Town Manager noted that the Board may
vote to authorize the execution of the deeds for Bear Hill and for Pearl Street School and
substantiate the form as noted. The Board wanted the chance to review the deeds and this can be
done at their next meeting. However, on motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board
voted to approve the release between the United States of America and the Town of Reading and
substantiate the form as submitted by H Theodore Cohen dated October 10, 1995. The motion
was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Condo Rubbish - Review of Outline of Issues - The Board of Selectmen reviewed an outline of
issues to be dealt with regarding rubbish collection and disposal at condominiums. In addition to
the seven items that the Town Manager had listed, the Board added the following questions: #8
Would services provide additional wear and tear to private roads and would there therefore be
additional costs for providing the service; #9 Is there another way to give residents credit for
collecting their own trash in areas that we don't pick up trash; #10 Are equipment changes
necessary to handle recycling from the large complexes; #11 If the Board gives relief to the
condo owners regarding rubbish collection disposal, could the Board ask for deed restrictions or
some other guarantee that they would not be back to ask for relief for snow plowing and street
lighting.
Street Naming - MacMillan Way - Mike Piscatelli from Colonial Manor was present. The
developer has asked for a change in the name, and this has been reviewed by staff. There are no
objections to the change in name. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted
to approve the renaming of the street formerly known as MacMillan Way to Lynn Village Way as
requested by the property owner by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Town Manager reviewed the Fee Survey and suggested that the first priority would be for
public safety fees. This will be scheduled for a future meeting.
Board of Selectmen- October 10, 1995 -page 5
Licenses, Permits and Approvals
On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved a taxi driver's license for
Kenneth G. Quinn, Jr., driving a taxi for Acura International, the license to expire December 31,
1995, and subject to the condition that the vehicle be garaged at Continental Court Building 5
Unit 11, Woburn, and that the trips to 93 Dana Road will be minimized. The motion was
approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board voted to go into Executive Session at
10:34 p.m.'for the purpose of discussion of labor negotiations, not to come back into Open
Session. On a roll call vote, all five members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was
carried.
Respectfully submitted, ;t
Secretary