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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 15, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7 : 44 p.m. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Gene Nigro, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Gene Nigro thanked the Board members and the Town Manager for the coffee that was held immediately preceding the meeting, and which included past and present members of the Board of Selectmen, past and present School Committee members, and Mr. Nigro's family mem- bers. This is Mr. Nigro's last meeting of the Board of Selectmen. The Board members thanked Mr. Nigro for his community service. A letter from Sally Hoyt, who was not able to be present, was read. Ensminger moved and Hines seconded a motion which would develop and offer a Town of Reading Volunteer of the Year Award named for Gene Nigro. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Nigro abstaining. According to tradition, the outgoing Selectmen chairs the last meeting of the Board. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, Eugene Nigro was designated as Chair of the Board of Selectmen for the March 15, 1994 meeting. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-1, and Mr. Nigro took over the chair. Approval of Minutes There were no minutes to approve. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bill Burditt had no report. George Hines reported that the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force met and that the Task Force was evaluating the possibility of hiring a traffic consultant. Dan Ensminger indicated that tomorrow afternoon he, would be at- tending a conference on "Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems. " He has also been named to the MMA Healthcare Committee. Gene Nigro had no report. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager indicated that newly elected State Representa- tive Brad Jones is not able to meet with the Board this evening and will try to reschedule for a later date. The State House has passed the local aid resolution, and a supplemental budget ap- propriation for snow and ice. Hearings in the Senate are scheduled for next week. Staff is working on grant applications as follows: -PWED application for improvements related to the landfill site. Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 15, 1994 - page 2 Incentive aid grant application for strategic planning to follow up on the retreat. -Incentive aid for the improvement to communications systems - - within the Town including E-Mail. -Incentive aid grant to consolidate building maintenance services with the School Department. -Transportation enhancement grants to complete the depot parking lot improvements; construct a North Main Street bikeway/sidewalk; improve Mill Street as a scenic way; reconstruct the intersection of Oakland Road and Birch Meadow Drive; and construct a bikeway from Criterion/Grove/Henzie/Rice Roads to Birch Meadow Drive. The Board of Selectmen indicated that the Town Manager should proceed on all of these. The principal of Parker Middle School has expressed interest in making Temple Street one way from Woburn to Summer, and this is being evaluated by the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force. Street acceptance hearings are scheduled for April 5. A building permit for the foundation of the Ice Arena has been issued. The design of the traffic light for the Ice Arena road was discussed last night with CPDC. FinCom has met every Monday and Thursday and tentative agreement of the Budget Committee has been reached as to appropriate al- location of resources between the School and Town departments which will allow the Town to achieve the first seven of its priorities and which will allow the School Department to get most of its FY95 goals accomplished. Personnel and Appointments Gene Nigro read a card that the Board of Selectmen received from Joe LaMonica and his daughters Diane and Denise regarding Phyllis LaMonica who had worked for the Town for several years prior to succumbing to breast cancer. He indicated that the Town of Read- ing has many fine employees and that Phyllis was certainly a fine example of the quality of employees that we have. Appointment of Town Accountant - On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board appointed Richard P. Foley to the position of Town Accountant for a term beginning April 1, 1994, and expir- ing March 31, 1995, by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board commended Mr. Foley on his outstanding work. Cable TV Advisory Committee - The Board interviewed Mr. Cloutier for a position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board appointed Mark Cloutier to a position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1995, by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 15, 1994 - page 3 Solid Waste Advisory Committee - There were no candidates avail- able to interview for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Discussion/Action Items Smoking Program - Jane Fiore and Paula Curran appeared before the Board with three graduates of the recently completed Smoking Ces- sation Program. Fiore noted that four people quit totally, and three cut down significantly. Janet O'Brien told the Board that this program was just what she needed to quit - it was affordable and she had a lot of support. Debby Roberts indicated the program helped her to avoid smoking as a real problem. It's just what she needed to stop. The group camaraderie and excellent motivators helped her to quit, and she would encourage others to take the program. Bill Burditt indicated that he knew it was time to quit and the support of the staff and his classmates made it possible. The next program is March 28 at the Senior Center from 7:00 - 8: 00 p.m. They will also be doing a Mother's Smoking Cessation Program in April or May from 10:00 a.m to 11: 00 a.m. Sewer Debt Service - Beth Klepeis joined the meeting and reviewed the issue of the new State law that allows communities to make water and sewer debt part of the tax levy and therefore tax deductible. Because of inequities in the current program she did not recommend that the Board adopt this program at this time. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to take the Water and Sewer Tax/Fee issue under advisement and that staff report back to the Board of Selectmen in the fall with any changes in law and further suggestions. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Mystic Valley Elder Services - Year of the Family was not able to appear this evening and will be rescheduled. Order of Taking - Washington/Main Street - The Town Manager reviewed the order of taking for Washington and Main Street. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve and execute the order of taking for three parcels of land at the intersection of Main and Washington Streets in Reading as authorized by Town Meeting on April 12, 1993, and as detailed in the order of taking prepared by H Theodore Cohen, Town Counsel. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Settlement with Joseph Cunningham - The Town Manager reviewed the settlement of litigation between the Reading Conser- vation Commission and Joseph Cunningham. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board approved the settlement of litigation between the Reading Conservation Commission and Joseph Cunningham in accordance with the outline of settlement approved by the Con- servation Commission all that is outlined in the March 8, 1994 , letter from H Theodore Cohen, Town Counsel. The motion was ap- proved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 15, 1994 - page 4 Licenses Acura International - Mr. Ken Wiswall appeared before the Board of Selectmen requesting a modification in one of his licenses to reflect the new name of Acura International. This is recommended ---- by his accountant. The company is being split into two parts and will be a partnership. All new licenses will be issued to Acura International. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board approved the issuance of a taxi license for a medical transporta- tion and currier service to Acura International, Inc. doing busi- ness at 93 Dana Road, Reading. The license is issued for a term expiring April 30, 1994 . The vehicle for which a license is issued is a 1987 Oldsmobile Station Wagon VIN 1G3BP81Y5H9017570. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Taxi Driver License - Robert D. Weadick - On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the issuance of taxi drivers license for Town Taxi for Robert D. Weadick of 77 Forest Street, Reading, MA, for a term expiring April 30, 1994 . The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Class II License for Key Auto Sales Inc. (formerly Russo) - Mr. and Mrs. Puppo were present. They have an application to modify their Class II license to change their name from Russo Auto Sales to Key Auto Sales. The Board reminded them that they need to comply with the new Sign Bylaw and have appropriate methods available for disposal of fluids. On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board approved the change of name for a Class II motor vehicle license to Steven J. Puppo and Ruth Ann Puppo of 23 Longbow Circle, Lynnfield, to change the name of Russo Auto Sales to Key Auto Sales, doing business at 6 West Street in Reading, subject to all of the original terms and conditions of the license, and for a term expiring December 31, 1994. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Warrant Preview - The Board reviewed the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting and after discussion took the following actions: On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support the subject of Article 5 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support the subject matter of Article 7 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to sup- port the subject matter of Article 8 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to sup- port the subject matter of Article 12 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support the subject matter of Article 14 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to hold action on Article 15 for further discussion. i Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 15, 1994 - page .5 On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to sup- port the subject matter of Article 16 by a vote of 4-0-0. Actions on Articles 20 - 22 was postponed until April 5. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to hold discussion on Article 24 until they could hear from the 350th Committee. They agreed with the intent, but felt that it might go too far. Dan Ensminger asked if the Moderator could be requested, when he is aware of instructional motions, to make sure that copies go to the Board, Committee or Commission affected at the beginning of the meeting at which that issue is to be discussed so that the Board, Committee or Commission may have the opportunity to review it. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 10: 17 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secr ary