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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 24, 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, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following fist of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Dennis Lucyniak, Joe Connelly, David Blanchard, Peter Moscariello, Preston Lucas, Michael Moscariello, Paul Dodge, Chris Campbell, Kate Kaminer, David Bryant, Lorraine Salter, Ken Maguire, Frank Driscoll, Ted McIntire, Martha E. Moore, Sally Sabo, Lynda Zarrow, Kay Clark, Anne Mark, Bob Brown. Approval of Minutes There were no minutes to approve. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Dan Ensminger had no report. Camille Anthony noted that the presentation from Tufts to the School Committee was very good, and she hoped the Board of Selectmen would write a letter to the teachers who participated in this training program. She also attended the Urban Tree Planting Symposium and thought it was - excellent. She noted that we need to reactivate the Water Supply Task Force. Bruce MacDonald attended two Downtown Steering Committee meetings, including their training. He has established a Home Page for Reading on the world wide web, and ten people have responded who are willing to help out. The plans are that the Library will become the lead agency. He attended the Business and Professional Women's Association program honoring Cathy Quimby as Women of the Year. He met with the Police Station Building Committee and discussed their two Warrant Articles for the Fall Town Meeting. He and the Town Manager met with the abutters of the Police Station(Molyneaux)yesterday and they are not interested in selling their property. The existing site by itself is not viable. We need to work with the School Committee relative to the Oakland Road site. He thought that the best approach would be to continue to develop a financial package, and to report to Town Meeting but not ask for Town Meeting action. The High School Council has asked for a hearing on the subject of the Police Station on Oakland Road across from the High School. The design work that has been done is good- not lavish, but safe and adequate. George Hines asked about a funding cycle for the Police Station project, and whether or not public safety facilities grant monies would be available. The Bill was not filed yet, but it is ready to be filed. George Hines attended Cathy Quimby's Dinner, attended a Teen Center Committee meeting and e noted that a Teen Council had been established; attended the Downtown Steering Committee meeting and hopes that their enthusiasm will be catching within the community. - Board of Selectmen's Meeting-October 24, 1995 - page 2 Sally Hoyt noted she was sorry she missed Cathy Quimby's Testimonial Dinner. She was abroad and visited Reading, England. She read a letter from Senator Tisei regarding funding for Police and Fire facilities. George Hines noted that he was distressed to see that "pumpkining" is back. He would like comments from the Police Department relative to this issue. He thinks strong action should be taken and the parents must be aware of what their teens are doing. It is the Boards' responsibility to speak out. Public Comment Nancy Eaton noted that the Town needs to reauthorize the Open Space Planning Task Force in order for it to continue its work. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported on the Police Station Building Committee and that the home adjacent to the Police Station is not available. He noted that South Street reconstruction is going very well. Upper Pearl Street construction is underway and the binder course of pavement is complete. All local approvals have been granted for the Pearl Street School project and the oil tank is being removed. The 75% design plans for the Mineral Street Bridge are available at the Library and have been reviewed by the Engineering Division staff. The Downtown Steering Committee visioning process is scheduled for October 28, 1995, and training for volunteers was done on October 19, 1995. Staff held a hearing on Temple Street and received input which is to be presented to the Board of Selectmen this evening. The Board of Selectmen have set a date for a site walk on Salem and Lowell Street for November 4, 1995, at 8:00 a.m. Notices of residential values have gone to property owners and residents were in late last week and this week to talk with the Assessment staff. The revaluation is required every three years and this is not a method to increase taxes beyond what is permitted under Proposition 2 1/2. The Tax Classification Hearing is scheduled for November 11, 1995, and a copy of the previous study will be sent out to the Board members for their information. The Reading Fire Department displayed its brand new pumper this evening - the cost was $185,000. The Fire Fighters Association will be collecting food for the Food Pantry at the Open House and at the Halloween Party on October 31, 1995. The Flu Clinics are scheduled for October 24, 1995, at 6:00 - 8:00 at Coolidge and November 15 at 4:00 to 6:00 at Coolidge. The School Custodians are also organizing a food drive. The joint meeting of the School Committee and FinCom is scheduled for November 1, 1995, at 8:30 p.m. - moved because of the School Council meeting on the Oakland Road site for the Police Station at 7:00 p.m. The Town Manager also noted that the follow-up' on condo trash fees will be scheduled for early 1996;the budget process discussion has to move forward in order to prepare a '97 budget; and the Town has offered a dispute resolution program for the Sanborn Lane issues. Board of Selectmen's Meeting-October 24, 1995 -page 3 Finally, the Board approved a Proclamation designating November 1995 as National Hospice Month. Discusion/Action Items Demonstration of Fire Turn-Out Gear - Richard Puopolo and Bob Beck demonstrated the Fire Turn-Out Gear. Review of Status of Water Supply - Ted McIntire presented an update of the status of the water supply, and also the water main flushing program scheduled for this Fall. Bruce MacDonald asked about the status of well #15. George Hines asked about lifting water use restrictions. Camille Anthony asked about involvement with the Ipswich River Water Shed Association. Hearing on Temple Street - One Way - The previously adjourned staff hearing was reopened. Following discussion, on motion by Ensminger seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted March 28, 1995, by taking the following actions: Add to Article 6, Section 6.25.3 the following language: do not enter 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, August 25 through June 30, 1995, emergency vehicles exempted, and add Appendix 16a as follows: "Appendix 16a, 6.25.3 do not enter - Temple Street northeasterly direction at Summer Avenue". The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted March 28, 1995, by taking the following actions: Add to Appendix A-13, 6.17 - left turns prohibited at the following location: "No vehicle traveling southeasterly in the access driveway to Parker Middle School shall make a left turn onto Temple Street". The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted March 28, 1995, by taking the following actions: Add to Appendix A-14 special speed regulations the following: "300 feet in advance of a point where the projected line of the school building intersects the abutting roadway the following streets: Temple Street, King Street, Haverhill Street, Charles Street, Arthur B. Lord Drive, Birch Meadow Drive, Summer Avenue, Oak Street". The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Recreation and Sports Clubs Re: Facility Maintenance - The Board discussed the field use fee and maintenance concerns of our recreational facilities. Lorraine Salter spoke for the Recreation Committee and indicated that the Recreation Committee had voted to reduce the fee until or unless the Town can commit to better maintenance. David Blanchard spoke representing Reading Youth Soccer and asked about the possibility of having dedicated fields for particular uses and thereby having the organizations take care of the fields. Camille Anthony noted that to make the Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 24, 1995 -page 4 Capital Improvements viable we need to give priority to field maintenance. Gail Wood said that we do not have enough recreational facilities. The Board of Selectmen expressed a great deal of concern that the Recreation Committee, contrary to direction from the Board of Selectmen, had voted to reduce the field fees. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board of Selectmen voted in accordance with Section 6.2.2.8 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies to establish a field use fee of$10 per game, the intent of which is to improve field capital projects and field maintenance, said fee to be collected and accounted for by the Recreation Administrator in the same manner that other fees are collected by the Recreation Division of the Town. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Traffic Control Agreement- Mineral Street- The Board discussed the traffic control agreement for Mineral Street. The Board was not willing to sign it as written and expressed concern about the flexibility that the Town needed with regard to future traffic regulations. The Town Manager was directed to go back and see what changes could be negotiated on this issue. Signing; of Deeds and Other Documents for Pearl Street School and Bear Hill - Town Counsel was present to discuss the signing of the deeds and other documents for the Pearl Street School and for Bear Hill. Because these items are recently drafted and the Board has not had a chance to review it, the Board decided to postpone action until their next meeting. On motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve the extension of the closing date between the Town and Reading Bear Hill Limited Partnership until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Unit Pricing of Rubbish Collection - Martha Moore made a presentation on behalf of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee regarding unit pricing of rubbish. Members of the Board expressed concern that this would be going back on their previous commitment not to put a trash fee into place. The Board did discuss the desirability of encouraging recycling, and perhaps could deal with the concern about a new trash fee by reducing the tax rate. This might be done with a one time adjustment in the tax rate. We still would need to deal with the issue of multi-family dwellings and condominiums. The Board agreed that the Solid Waste Committee could develop a program and come back to the Board of Selectmen to present it. The Board expressly did not guarantee that it would agree to such a program, but has an open mind on it. Sally Sabo talked about landfill mining. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee has investigated it in terms of the economic feasibility and they have not found anyone who has mined a landfill and not reopened it as a landfill. It looks like it is not economically feasible. The Town Manager Evaluation The Board reviewed the evaluation material that was submitted, and established an evaluation subcommittee consisting of George Hines and Camille Anthony. A copy of the Town Manager's goals will be sent to the Board of Selectmen and the Board may develop its own goals. Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 24, 1995 -page 5 Licenses, Permits and Approvals Readiniz Overseas Veterans - On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board approved the change in Manager for Reading Overseas Veterans, Inc. at 575 Main Street to Gerald W. Horton of 3 Reading Terrace in Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Taxi License Application - On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a taxi drivers license for Malcolm W. Hubbard driving a taxi for Town Taxi, the license to expire December 31, 1995, and subject to the condition that the vehicle is garaged at 43 Washington Street, Reading, and the vehicle trips to Lothrop Road in Reading will be minimized. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Common Victuallers' License - On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to confirm the issuance of a Common Victuallers License for Moe's Italian Sandwiches operating at 297 Salem Street in Reading, the license to expire December 31, 1995, and subject to the condition that all sign regulations and other bylaws, rules and regulations of the Town of Reading be adhered to. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board directed the Town Manager to develop a draft policy delegating issuance of all licenses to the Town Manager. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines, the Board voted to adjourn at 11:20 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, y Secretary