HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of selectmen Meeting
February 8, 1994
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting
Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman
George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt,
Selectmen Bill Burditt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties:
Nick DeMatteo, Sally Sabo, Ruth Cogan, Nancy Eaton, Bill Murphy,
Audrey Augustin, Jeanni Bastoni, Lyn Schmidt, Paul Guazzaloca,
Mike Slezak, Tom Stohlman, Thomas Coleman, Edwin Kaine, Bernice
Herrick, Robert J. McIsaac, Tony and Roberta Guarciariello,
Marie Murphy, Ron Grand, Francis Doughty, Marjorie Merrill,
Thomas C. Baillie, John Costigan, Ron McGuire, Patrick Fennelly.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve
the minutes of January 25, 1994, as amended by a vote of 5-0-0.
Liaison Reports/selectmen's Comments
Bill Burditt indicated that he had attended the MMA meeting on
Friday and Saturday, and it was very worthwhile. He indicated
that the Selectmen and the Town Manager paid for their spouses to
attend the Saturday dinner, and that the Selectmen gave up their
time on Friday and Saturday to attend.
Sally Hoyt expressed sorrow over Phyllis Lamonica's death. She
attended the Arts Center Task Force visit to Newburyport. She
attended the MMA meeting. She was in Washington, D.C. , meeting
with the legislative delegation. She shared a letter from
Senator Tisei regarding the FY95 budget. She passed along to the
Board of Selectmen that she has received comment that Selectmen
should not express preference for candidates for public office.
Dan Ensminger attended the MMA meeting, and attended specific
sessions on closing landfills, highway funding, and health care
reform. He noted that there may be clay cover from the central
artery construction that may be available to close landfills. He
also indicated that there had been some concerns about the opera-
tion of the carwash over the weekend.
Gene Nigro attended the MMA meeting and found the labor relations
seminar very worthwhile. He also attended a session on how to
make public works projects cost effective, including privatiza-
tion. He noted that he had received a letter from Ken McKinnon
and that we need to follow up on the cost of rubbish removal at
Carnation Circle.
George Hines attended the MMA meeting, and attended the North
Suburban Planning Council Legislative breakfast regarding a new
planning and development act. This will provide for regional
zoning and review. He attended sessions at MMA on youth violence
and youth commissions. He has also attended the Reading Business
Park Task Force at which marketing concepts were discussed.
Brochure and signs have been developed.
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 8, 1994 - page 2
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager noted that Phyllis LaMonica, a long time
employee of the Town, passed away on the 31st. She will be
missed very much by all of her co-workers. He noted that there
is a vacant position available on the Solid Waste Committee. He
noted that the School Committee's meeting and tour of Parker
Middle School was rescheduled for February 9. The Library dedi-
cated the new reference desk on February 6, in memory of Trudy
Paradis. Snow and ice control has overrun the budget by about
$110, 000. The Town Manager intends to ask FinCom for $75,000
reserve fund transfer, and to defer the remainder of the cost to
next year's tax tate. This deferral would then be rescinded by a
requested transfer from free cash in April. There may be State
assistance forthcoming. The Town Manager shared the Elder Serv-
ices questionnaire with the Board and the Board decided not to
request a reserve fund transfer at this time. Reading officials
have been invited to participate in Concord in the Patriot's Day
celebration. Reading now has three representative's on the MMA
Policy Committee - George Hines is a member of the Public Works
Policy Committee; Dan Ensminger is a member of the Health Care
Policy Committee; and the Town Manager is a member of the
Regional Planning Policy SubCommittee. The Town Manager further
noted that we are advertising for a Recreation Supervisor, and
the Board agreed that we should proceed with a full time person
since there is adequate money in the revolving fund.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board of Selectmen
approved the settlement of the case between the Town of Reading
and Star Realty Trust as recommended by the Community Planning
and Development Commission, by a vote of 5-0-0.
Certificates of Appreciation to REI and the Chamber of Commerce
for their support of the Recycler of the Month program were
presented.
A certificate of Appreciation to 128 Saab Volvo and their
employees for contributions to Human Services program was ap-
proved.
Public Comment
Leslie McGonagle, President of the Chamber of Commerce indicated
that Banker and Tradesman would be doing an article on Reading
for their April 13 issue. She asked for any input that the Board
may have on the contents of the article. She also indicated that
she would be willing to serve on the Sign Review Board.
Personnel and Appointments
Sign Review Board - The Board of Selectmen interview Jeanne Bas-
toni, Paul Guzzaloca, Robert McIsaac, and Leslie McGonagle for
the Sign Review Board. They had previously interviewed Geraldine
Varney and Wayne MacLeod.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro the Board appointed
Robert McIsaac to a term on the Sign Review Board expiring June
30, 1996.
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 8, 1994 - page 3
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the names Geraldine Var-
ney, Wayne MacLeod, Jeanne Bastoni, Paul Guzzaloca, and Leslie
McGonagle were placed in nomination for a position on the Sign
- - Review Board for term expiring June 30, 1995. Jeanne Bastoni was
appointed.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the names Geraldine
Varney, Wayne MacLeod, Paul Guzzaloca, and Leslie McGonagle were
placed into nomination for a term on the Sign Review Board for a
term expiring June 30, 1994. On the first polling of the Board,
Wayne MacLeod and Leslie McGonagle each received two votes. On a
second vote, Leslie McGonagle was appointed to this position.
On motion by Ensminger seconded Burditt the names Geraldine Var-
ney, Wayne MacLeod, Paul Guzzaloca were placed into nomination
for a position on the Sign Review Board for terms expiring June
30, 1996. Wayne MacLeod was appointed.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the names Geraldine
Varney and Paul Guzzaloca were placed into nomination for a posi-
tion on the Sign Review Board expiring June 30, 1995. Geraldine
Varney was appointed.
MAPC Representative - William F. Crowley was interviewed for the
position on the MAPC. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro, Wil-
liam F. Crowley was appointed to a position as Reading's repre-
sentative to the MAPC for at term expiring December 31, 1996, by
a vote of 5-0-0.
Mineral Street Bridge Task Force - The Board of Selectmen inter-
viewed the following candidates for terms on the Ad Hoc Mineral
Street Bridge Task Force: Michael F. Slezak, Bernice M. Herrick,
Thomas C. Baillie, Thomas J. Stohlman, Thomas W. Boshar, Thomas
E. Coleman, Francis N. Doughty, Cornelia N. Durham, Ron Grand,
Anthony Guarciariello, Roberta Guarciariello, Leslie J. Haley,
Marie E. Murphy, Mary Ellen O'Shea, Diana Kaine, Gail Wood.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board appointed
William Goodrich as the CPDC representative, George Hines as the
Board of Selectmen representative, and Richard Coco as the FinCom
representative by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the names of Michael
F. Slezak, Bernice M. Herrick, Thomas C. Baillie, Thomas J.
Stohlman, Thomas W. Boshar, Thomas E. Coleman, Francis N.
Doughty, Cornelia N. Durham, Ron Grand, Nancy Guarciariello,
Roberta Guarciariello, Leslie J. Haley, Marie E. Murphy, Mary E1-
len O'Shea, Diana Kaine and Gail Wood were placed in nomination.
The following members were appointed: Francis N. Doughty, An-
thony Guarciariello, Michael F. Slezak, Bernice M. Herrick, Marie
E. Murphy, Gail Wood.
Substance Abuse Advisory Council - On motion by Ensminger
seconded by Hoyt the following names were placed in nomination
for the Reading Substance Abuse Advisory Council for 16 terms:
Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 8, 1994 - page 4
Mark J. Alterio, Robert T. Bennett, David H. Bryant, Janet E.
Cloutier, John E. Costigan, Partricia A. Donnelly, William H.
Downing, Patrick Fennelly, Gaynell Knowlton, Guy LeConte, Sandra
J. Michaud, Erica Newell, Dennis A. Richards, Gordon S. Richards,
Jean Russo-Parks, Lynda W. Schmidt, Walter Shirkoff, Robert J.
Silva, Donald L. Welford.
The following were appointed with terms expiring June 30, 1996:
Marc J. Alterio, David H. Bryant, Janet E. Cloutier, John E. Cos-
tigan, Particia Anne Donnelly, Partick M. Fennelly.
The following were appointed with terms expiring June 30, 1995:
Gaynell Knowlton, Erica Newell, Sandra J. Michaud, Dennis A.
Richards, Gordon S. Richards.
The following were appointed with terms expiring June 30, 1994:
Robert Towle Bennett, Jean Russo-Parks, Lynda Wall Schmidt,
Robert J. Silva, Donald L. Welford.
Solid Waste Committee - There are no applicants for the Solid
Waste Committee, this will continue to be posted.
Discussion/Action Items
Discusssion with the Board of Health - Bill Murphy and Jim Nugent
from the Board of Health, and 'Ruth Cogan, Health Director, were
present. They presented information on the rabies epidemic and
the regional rabies clinics that are scheduled; on radon and
recommended testing; and the smoking cessation program.
Budget Review - The Board reviewed the budget for General Serv-
ices, Police, Animal Control, and Dispatch, and Public Works in-
cluding Water and Sewer.
There being no need, the Board did not go into Executive Session.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro the Board voted to ad-
journ at 11: 00 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary