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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-12-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting December 5, 1995 The meeting was convened at 7:35 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: Stewart Chipman, Richard Moore, John Casey, Cathy Quimby, Ruth Clay, Carol Nelson, Elizabeth Stockwood, Paul Golzalaro. Approval of Minutes There were no minutes to be approved. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bruce MacDonald reported that he had missed the Route 129 hearing. He met with volunteers creating a Reading Home Page for the Internet. There are a number of people interested. He followed up on one discussion item with a tenant of the Reading Housing Authority who had raised concerns about the Housing Authority's policies. He noted that a tenants union may be being formed. He complimented the Department of Public Works and the School Department on the Superbowl events. George Hines noted that on the 29th he had attended a Teen Center meeting. The Teen Center Committee has been meeting for a couple of years, and teen programs in Town are taking two - directions - activities which involves a Teen Center Youth Council meeting once a month to help plan activities and issues; and a long-term hope to get a Teen Center facility. He attended the School Superintendent's Forum on Special Education on the 30th, and found the information "interesting and depressing". The RMUS Auction was well attended and it raised $9,000. Hines noted that at the Superbowl game, the culture of Reading whereby adults support the activities of their kids was very well displayed. A Proclamation was presented to the football team. On the 4th, the Board of Selectmen attended a meeting with the RMLD, and he was very pleased with the outcome. The sale of the 25 Haven Street property should be in the long-term interest of Reading and its retail uses, and will allow the Atlantic to expand their supermarket. He hopes that we can work with the other bidder to locate them in Town. Hines announced that as an incumbent, he felt it appropriate to announce his intentions with regard to running for re-election, and noted that he will run for re-election for another three years on the Board of Selectmen. Issues of capital planning, infrastructure improvement, Downtown revitalization and development of the Reading Business Park still need to be attended to. Camille Anthony attended the Route 129 hearing and had two points: she wondered if the state can be present at the 75% design meeting - someone well versed in the project is needed to be at that meeting. She had also received a complaint about the quality of snow plowing and feels that has been alleviated. She found the Special Education meeting enlightening and feels the state has an obligation to pick up the costs of Special Education. The issue is not whether or not special education costs are appropriate, but how it should be funded. i Board of Selectmen Meeting - December 5, 1995 - page 2 Anthony attended the RMHS auction. She was not able to attend the AIDS vigil. She expressed appreciation to the School Department, coaches and players for an exciting time at the Superbowl. She hoped that a community wide calendar can be developed - she is finding often that there are many issues on the same evening that she would like to attend. With regard to the issue of residency for members of Boards, Committees and Commissions, we should notify those affected. She asked the Town Manager's Evaluation forms be back by this Friday. Sally Hoyt attended the Christmas Lighting Ceremony on the 26th, and thanked the RMHS Band and Color Guard as well as Doyon's and the Chamber of Commerce. She attended the 25% design hearing on Route 129, and the Special Education meeting on the 30th. She attended the AIDS vigil, and proposed a Proclamation for the football team naming the month of December as RMHS Football Appreciation Month. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the motion to approve the Proclamation was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hoyt received information on the EOCD Soft Second Loan Program extension until March 1, 1996. She noted that the VFW Senior Citizen Christmas Party is on December 16. She attended Middlesex County budget hearing. Sally Hoyt noted that she is also up for election in March and she will be a candidate for re-election. She attended the December 3 Open House for Parker Tavern which was decorated by the Garden Club. On the 3rd, she also greeted the Polar Express consisting of 10 railroad cars of approximately 1000 people from Melrose. She attended the RMLD meeting last evening, and noted that the Reading Police Department Christmas Party is on December 10 at Austin Prep. Public Comment There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that there is a need for Meals on Wheels volunteers. The tax rate has been set at $16.38/$1,000 assessed valuation. GerryHorton from the VFW has setup a TIPS training here in Reading. A hearing has been scheduled for the petition to construct sewers on Bunker Ave. Superbowl XXIV was a great success partly because of Reading's win, and partly because of the spirit of cooperation and pride that was generated by having the game here in Reading. There have been many compliments about the outstanding job that the DPW did helping to prepare the Football Stadium for this event. The FY'95 audit is complete, and is delivered to the Board of Selectmen this evening. The Audit Committee will be meeting during the next week or two to review the Management Letter, and that will be passed along to the Board when it is complete. South Street reconstruction should be complete by the end of the week except for the final seeding and tree planting which will be done in the Spring. A letter will be sent to South Street residents keeping them up-to-date. Additionally, Upper Pearl Street is buttoned up for the Winter, and residents have been notified of its status. The Pearl Street School project has all of its permits. Bids were awarded by the Board of Selectmen and the RMLD Board for the sale of 25 Haven Street to PJC Realty for Brooks Pharmacy in the amount of$370,000 without contingencies. The Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force has discussed and recommended a change in parking on Woburn Street from Summer Avenue to Berkeley Street in Board of Selectmen Meeting -December 5, 1995 - page 3 order to allow parking on the north side of the street. Input from abutters will be solicited. The Route 129 hearing was held in the Lecture Hall on November 29, 1995. There was good attendance and some issues, especially about parking and access to abutting properties, were raised. The consultant, MHD, and staff are meeting tomorrow to review the issues raised. We are also meeting with the Historical Commission and will be scheduling a meeting with representatives of Old South Methodist Church. Ken Maguire has left the Chronicle to join another paper. Personnel and Appointments The Board interviewed Carol Nelson for a position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee as the Associate Member. On motion by Anthony seconded by MacDonald, the Board appointed Carol A. Nelson as an Associate Member on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1996. Discussion/Action Items Hearin -Delegating to the Town Manager the Approval of Licenses Camille Anthony read the notice of the Public Hearing. The Town Manager noted that the change in policy would allow the Town Manager to approve the initial issuance, and renewal of Entertainment, Peddler, Class 1, II and H Motor Vehicle licenses; taxi vehicle and taxi driver's licenses. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to close the Public Hearing on amendments to Section 3.1 of the Selectmen's Policies relative to delegation of the issuance of certain licenses to the Town Manager. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing-Fees--Public Safety Camille Anthony read the notice of the hearing. The Town Manager explained the intent of the hearing relative to establishing certain fees for the Fire Department and fines for illegal parking in a handicap parking space. It was noted that the charges proposed are charging for the cost of service- not to make a profit. MacDonald moved and Hines seconded the approval of the Fee and Fine Schedule for the Fire and Police Departments as follows with all other fees and fines remaining unchanged: Fire Department Permits Miscellaneous $15.00 Oil Burner 15.00 Propane Storage 20.00 Flammable Storage 10.00 Gunpowder Storage 15.00 Blasting 50.00 Fireworks 50.00 Tank Truck Permit(including inspection) 50.00 Tank Truck Package Permit 50.00 Tank Installation (underground) 50.00 Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 5, 1995 - page 4 Fire Dear ent Permits (continued) Tank Installation (above ground) $25.00 Fire Alarm System Permit 15.00 Cutting and Welding 25.00 Tank Removal 50.00 Fire Department Inspections Residential Plan Review $15.00 Smoke Detector Inspections (1 family) 15.00 Smoke Detector Inspections (multifamily) 10.00 per unit Commercial Plan Review(including inspections) Up to 7,500 sq. ft. 25.00 7,500 to 12,500 sq. ft. 50.00 Over 12,500 sq. ft. 100.00 Fire Department Alarm Permits Connection to Municipal Fire Alarm (initial) $50.00 Excessive Alarm Activation 25.00 per call in excess of 6 per year Nursing Home Quarterly Inspection 40.00 Copies of Fire or Ambulance Reports 10.00 Work on Fire Alarm Systems 10.00 Fire Department Ambulance Fees Base Rate $206.81 Mileage 9.25 Oxygen 38.10 Defibrillation 81.64 Police Department Fines Illegally Parking in a Handicap Parking Space $ 50.00 On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted 3-1-0 to increase the handicap parking space fine to $100.00. The main motion as amended was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Sign-Reading;Health Center Elizabeth Stockwood and Paul Golzalaro from Winchester Hospital spoke with the Board about the proposed sign to be installed at the intersection of Walkers Brook Drive and Newcrossing Road. The Town Manager recommended approval of the sign. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve a license to allow the Reading Health Center to install and maintain a directional sign on town owned property at the southwest corner of the intersection on Newcrossing Road at Walkers Brook Drive, and one Board of Selectmen Meeting -December 5, 1995 -page 5 pathfinder sign on Newcrossing Road. The signs will be in substantially the form presented by the Reading Health Center, and in a specific location as approved by the Town Manager. The Reading Health Center will maintain the sign and landscaping. This approval is contingent on review by the Sign Review Board and installation of a mock up. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board was very pleased with the sign. Hines noted that it meets the requirements of the Sign Bylaw, that the Reading Health Center would incur the cost, and would adopt and landscape the site. Winchester Hospital will maintain the sign. Concern was expressed by an unknown resident relative to setting a precedent. It was felt that this would not set any kind of a precedent. Sewer Rate Hearin The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee was represented by Stewart Chipman and Richard Moore. They presented a proposed rate modification to go into effect after July 1, 1996, and reflecting the vote of Town Meeting on the budget. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to close the public hearing on the modification to the Town of Reading sewer rates effective with the first billing after January 1, 1996. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The dater and Sewer Advisory Committee noted that some of the savings in the sewer reserve could and should be set aside for rate stabilization and a depreciation fund. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a sewer rate of$3.84 per 100 cubic feet of water used, with a minimum bill of$19.20 per quarter, with the rate to go into effect with the first bill rendered after January 1, 1996. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Petition re: Smoking The Board of Selectmen discussed the petition received relative to placing on the ballot in March of 1996 an issue of a smoking ban waiver being permitted for restaurants in Reading. Bruce MacDonald noted that he supports having the question on the ballot, but would work to defeat the ballot question. George Hines noted that the Board of Health utilize Town resources relative to campaigning for or against the question. The Board of Selectmen supported the Board of Health's action. There are other remedies available rather than having the Board of Selectmen put this issue on the ballot for residents. Bruce MacDonald would like to put the issue to rest permanently. Sally Hoyt felt that there may be an obligation to the community to get this issue to the voters. Cathy Quimby noted that the Board of Selectmen will be responsible for wording the question. Camille Anthony noted that there would be lobbying restrictions on this issue. Cathy Quimby noted that time is of the essence for the Board to make a decision on this since the Board must place any question to be placed on the ballot at least ninety days prior to the election. The deadline is tonight, December 5th. If the Board chooses not to place a question on the ballot, then petitioners can gather 1400 signatures and place the question on the ballot without the Selectmen's approval. Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 5, 1995 - page 6 Ruth Clay noted that there is now a waiver provision within the smoking regulations. Cathy Quimby noted that if the Board of Selectmen put this on the ballot, then it would be the Board of Selectmen's question and a Selectmen's initiative and that there had been no process to gather - public information. MacDonald moved and Hoyt seconded a motion that the Board of Selectmen agree to place on the ballot for the March 5, 1996 Town Election a non-binding referendum relative to the issue of granting by the Board of Health waivers to smoking restrictions in restaurants. Noting that waivers are available within the current regulations and the wording of the petition was such that the waiver would have to be unconditionally granted, the motion was withdrawn. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to adjourn at 11:15 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Sec ary