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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 18, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7:26 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Dan Ensminger and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of in- terested parties: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cann, Nancy Eaton, Jane Fiore, Deirdre Hanley, Nancy Shipes. Selectman Bill Burditt joined the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to ap- prove the minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting of January 4, 1994 as amended by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to ap- prove the minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting of January 11, 1994 as amended by a vote of 3-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Sally Hoyt reported on the Board of Health radon detection program, Recreation events, and Elder Services. She also had at- tended the Town Hall Christmas Party and the Library Apprecia- tion. She responded to the MMA alert regarding lottery funds. Dan Ensminger had no report. Eugene Nigro indicated that George Hines was out ill and would not be able to join us this evening. He cautioned residents to drive carefully. Public Comments There were no public comments. Town Manager's Report On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to ap- prove a proclamation declaring January 17 - 23 as United Cerebral Palsy Week in Reading. The Town Manager reported that the Arts Center Task Force first meeting will be this Thursday and we are still looking for a business representative and other citizens to serve. He com- mended the Department of Public Works on snow plowing, and noted that we had taken the unusual measure of doing snow removal at the school sites. He also expressed concerns about behavior of some very few residents regarding snow plowing. The Ice Arena is through with all of its hearings and Conservation Commission decisions are due by the end of this month. The Town staff is meeting with the Corp of Engineers on the construction schedule of the Nike Base clean up and the Ice Rink in order to reduce conflicts and construction schedules. The Town will be mindful of keeping active access to the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club during site construction. The Board of Selectmen is having a special meeting in executive session tomorrow to review the status of the sale of the Pearl Street School. The Town Manager reported that the Public Duty Rule has been amended through an Board of Selectmen Meeting - January 18, 1994 - page 2 outside section of the budget. The February newsletter will be the Town's annual report and will also include the Recreation brochure for Spring and Summer programs. Licenses The Board reviewed the license application for Andrew and Elizabeth Cann at 34 Marla Lane. They've been in business for nine years previously in Malden. They sell vehicles as is and do book work only from the house. There are no employees. None of the vehicles ever come to the property. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to ap- prove the Class II Motor Vehicle License for Andrew and Elizabeth Cann of 34 Marla Lane for a term expiring 12/31/94 and subject to the following conditions: No vehicles will be brought to the property at 34 Marla Lane; a proper repair facility will be designated. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Substance Abuse Advisory Council - The Board interviewed four candidates for the Substance Abuse Advisory Council and will try to make appointments next week. The candidates were Lt. Robert Silva, Donald L. Welford, Gordon S. Richards, and Jane Fiore. Sign Review Board - The Board interviewed applicants for the Sign Review Board. Two applicants were interviewed and the Board will try to make appointments next week: Geraldine Varney and Wayne A. MacLeod were interviewed. Cable TV Advisory Committee - The Board interviewed Joseph M. Hagan for a term on the Cable TV Advisory Committee. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board appointed Joseph M. Hagan to a position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee expiring June 30, 1994 by a vote of 4-0-0. Arts Center Task Force - On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board appointed Carol Grimm as the FinCom representative to the Ad Hoc Reading Arts Center Task Force by a vote of 3-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Establish Mineral Street Bridge Task Force - The Board reviewed a proposed policy creating the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force. The Board after input from several members of the public, ap- proved a nine member task force which will include six citizens. The Town staff members who were previously proposed to be on the task force will act as support staff to the work of the task force. Sally Hoyt suggested that one of the six citizen members be from Tannerville. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve the policy establishing the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. _ Quarterly Meeting with CPDC - The Board met with members of the Community Planning and Development Commission and staff for their quarterly meeting. Present were Thomas Baille, Nancy Shipes, Board of Selectmen Meeting - January 18, 1994 - page 3 Bill Goodrich, and Planning Director Jonathan Edwards. It was noted that the focus of the Department and of the Commission should be on economic development. This will include a focus on the Reading Business Park site as well as the Arts Center and RMLD sale. It was noted that the new program requests from the department did not include any effort for the task force, and that the Town may need money for signs, printing, and potential outside engineering for the landfill site. Dan Ensminger asked that the P.U.D. regulatory provisions be reviewed to see if they can be simplified. Sally 'Hoyt asked about retail outlet stores on the property and it was indicated that they did not represent a good return to the Town in tax dollars and the market was ques- tionable. Baille indicated that research and development, biotech, office and hotel and restaurant were the preferred uses. Edwards noted that retail outlets might be more appropriate to the downtown area. It was felt that there should be a report to Town Meeting and that all efforts would be made to focus the Commission's and staff's attention on economic development issues during the upcoming months. Budget Review - The Board reviewed budgets for Accounting, Com- munity Development, Finance, Debt Service, Employee Benefits. The Board reviewed the second draft of the. Town Manager's proposed budget priorities, and agreed to the 13 highest priorities as proposed. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to ad- journ at 11:05 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secre ry 7q