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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes t 't Board of Selectmen Meeting February 15, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7:31 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bill Burditt, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Ginny Lane, Mary J. Andreola, Mary Mundjer, Gladys B. Cail, Nancy Eaton, Camille Anthony. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of the sale of real estate. negotiations, to come back into open session at approximately 8 : 00 p.m. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the Board went into Executive Session. The Board reconvened in open session at 8:27 p.m. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill- Bur- ditt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Discussion/Action Items Closing of the Warrant - On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the Warrant for the 1994 Annual Town Meeting by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of Election Schedule - The Board of Selectmen reviewed possible changes to the election schedule which would result in moving the election date later in the year to take advantage of better weather. The sense from Town Meeting members when this was discussed in the Fall was, that while they might support some change to an early April date for the election, they were not willing to make wholesale changes. Based on these comments, the Board decided to drop the issue. Public Comment Ginny Lane, Chairman of the Council on Aging, spoke to enlist the support of the Board of Selectmen in support of their mission to accomplish a survey of all senior citizens. The purpose is to find out what kind of programs that seniors would need, and specif ically to evaluate the need for a bathroom on the main floor of the Senior Center. The Board talked about possibilities of doing a telephone survey, using the Suburban News notes, or doing a scout project. Lane indicated that the council wanted an objective method and thought that the best way to make the as- sessment would be through a mailed survey. George Hines noted that the Board of Selectmen is sympathetic to make the assess- ment, and indicated that they would have a flexible time table. Dan Ensminger indicated that perhaps this would be done as part of the Spring FY94 budget transfers.- - Approval of Purchase and Sales Agreement for the Pearl Street School - The Town Manager reviewed the Purchase and Sales Agree- ment with Pearl Street Associates. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the Purchase and Sales Agreement be- tween the Town of Reading and Reading Senior Living Incorporated, for the sale of the Pearl Street School facility, and authorized Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 15, 1994 - page 2 the Board to sign all documents relative thereto. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Ed Levit from Longwood Management signed the purchase and sale agreement and disclosure statements, and each of the Board members also signed. Levit thanked the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen. He indicated that they were excited about the project and felt that they were warmly and enthusiastically greeted. Review of the Warrant - The Board went back to review the War- rant. The Board decided not to include the material outlined as Article 25, and to change Article 7 to allow Town Meeting to ap- propriate all Chapter 90 funds available at the time . Dan Ensminger expressed concern that Articles 21, 22 and 23 were on the warrant without appropriate background. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to strike the proposed Article 24 by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board also had some discussion about the enforceability of the "silly string" bylaw proposed as Article 25. Ted McIntire and Peter Tassi were present to review water supply issues. Specifically reviewed were the gasoline spill site clean up, current status of the water emergency, well 82-20 contamina- tion and clean up, and residual handling and wetlands. The staff will do a review on water restrictions and specifically how they effect Town facilities and will make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for any changes. Camille Anthony asked about the salt content pursuant to a Northwest Weekly Globe article on Sunday. McIntire indicated that the raw water from the wells does not meet the minimum standard - the primary standard is 28 parts of sodium chloride per billion. The blended rate that we produce is 30-40 parts per billion. It was noted that the sand and salt operation for snow and ice control on Reading roadways stops at the Meadowbrook Golf Club. We are talking to the State about creating a low salt area. There is a possibility of using calcium chloride. There is a direct connection between the sur- face water and our ground water supplies. With regard to the gasoline spill site clean up, it appears that at least for the first part of 1994 , we will have to continue with water use restrictions. The concern is that we should not do anything that would draw contaminated water towards or into the wells. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Ensminger indicated that he had attended the Parker Middle School Open House. He congratulated the girls track team on co-winning the league, and indicated that the boys track team was well on its way to winning the league this year. Bill Burditt had no report, but indicated that Saturday morning the Swimming Pool Task Force will be meeting. Sally Hoyt reviewed the Alzheimers Support Group, and the Arts Center Task Force's work. Board of Selectmen Meeting - February 15, 1994 - page 3 Ensminger felt that the Selectmen should tell the Arts Center Task Force that the landfill site is not available. i Sally Hoyt indicated that she would attend the Winchester Hospi- tal Rehabilitation Department open house on February 23 . Proclamation for Vocational Technical Education Week - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger the Board approved a proclamation designating the week of March 7, 1994 to March 11, 1994 as Voca- tional Education Week in Reading by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of the Budget - The Board discussed Town Counsel's budget. Hines felt that we should increase at the same rate as the salary increases and he would prefer 2.50. The remainder of the Board felt that the 4.5% as recommended was appropriate, especially in light of zero increases in the past. The Board of Selectmen will meet on March 3, 1994, at 6:00 p.m. in Executive Session. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for purpose of discussion of labor negotiations and approval of minutes, not to come back into open session. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the Board ad- journed from open session at 11:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secret ry