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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 24, 1994 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger, Bill Bur- ditt and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Jill McFadden, Bill Anthony, Jessica Anthony, Carl McFadden, Ron Wood, Marjorie Merrill, Nancy Eaton, John Diaz, Catherine Quimby, Ellie Dube. Swearing in Ceremony - The Chairman welcomed Camille Anthony to the Board. Town Clerk Catherine Quimby administered the oath of office to Camille Anthony. Ms. Anthony was accompanied by her family for the swearing in. Election of Vice Chairman - On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, Bill Burditt was elected Vice Chairman by. a vote of 4-0-1 with Burditt abstaining. This is for a term expiring June 30, 1994, filling the unexpired term of Gene Nigro. Camille Anthony will accept Gene Nigro's liaison assignments un- til the end of the fiscal year. These include Library, Community Development, Reading Business Park Task Force, and speaker at the Charles Lawn Cemetery on Memorial Day. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board discussed the minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting of March 8, 1994 . There were amendments that needed follow-up, and therefore on mo- tion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to table these minutes by a vote of 4-0-1. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bill Burditt indicated that he had attended the Swimming Pool Task Force meeting and that they are requesting estimates of cost on alternative courses of action. They will make a report of progress to Town Meeting. He thanked the Band Parents for the fine reception that they gave last Friday. Dan Ensminger also thanked the Band Parents. He attended the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force and the concerns about the elevation of the bridge were raised. He noted that there is a resignation on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. He will be attending his first MMA Healthcare Task Force meeting next week. Sally Hoyt indicated that she was not able to attend the Band Parents meeting but appreciates the invitation and sent her con- gratulations. The Senior Center will be hosting a regional meet- ing regarding Mystic Valley Elder Services Strategic Plans; a Cat and Dog Rabies Clinic will be held in Stoneham on April 9 ; Recreation is developing pre-school programs for the summer. George Hines attended the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force meet- ing and the profile of the bridge can be built at existing levels with existing clearance. The MBTA would then be responsible for t Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 24, 1994 - page 2 lowering the track if needed for future rail work. He thanked the Band Parents for their invitation but he was not able to at- tend because he was out of town. Hines indicated that he ap- preciated the new format for the monthly reports. He noted that the Police Department is using interns and applauded this program. He was concerned that Meals on Wheels were canceled twice last month, and the Town Manager noted that this was weather related. The Town Manager will follow up on who makes the call on canceling. Public Comments There were no public comments. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported that the election process went well and that the Town Clerk's election staff deserve a great deal of credit for running three elections within a seven week period with minimum problems. He thanked the School Department, Police Department, and the Department of Public Works for helping out on elections. He indicated that he has signed the final grant reim- bursement request for the Water Treatment Plant project in the amount of $62,000. He indicated that the Board of Selectmen will be holding a public hearing on street acceptances on April 5, 1994. He noted that building has started on the Ice Arena, and construction is expected to be complete by winter. He noted that there is a vacancy on the Conservation Commission for a term ex- piring June 30,. 1994, due to the election of Camille Anthony to the Board of Selectmen and her subsequent resignation from the Commission. There is also a vacancy on the Water and Sewer Ad- visory Committee due to a recent resignation. Discussion/Action Items Public Hearing - Policy on Donations - Secretary Sally Hoyt read the Public Hearing notice on the Policy on Donations and on the Ice Arena Road Signal Design. The Board reviewed the proposed policy and made modifications including requiring reports to be made to the Town Manager in writing, and also adding a fourth item to the fundraising guidelines indicating that 114 . A dona- tion receipt report as developed by the Town Manager will be filed acknowledging receipt of all donations. " George Hines indicated that people had expressed concern that the previous discussion by the Board of Selectmen reflected nega- tively on some of the Public Safety unions. Hines noted that that was not the intent; that the intent was to raise people's consciousness about professional fundraising. Marjory Merrill asked what the Donations Policy applies to, and the Town Manager noted that it is to Town operations only. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board of Selectmen - closed the Public Hearing on the Donations Policy by a vote of S-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to ap- prove the Donations Policy as amended by a vote of 4-0-1 with An- thony abstaining. Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 24, 1994 - page 3 Public Hearing - Ice Arena Road Signal Design - The Public Hear- ing on the Ice Arena Signal was opened. John Diaz from McDonough and Scully presented the plan. It is a vehicular and pedestrian actuated traffic demand responsive device. The normal operation will be green on Haverhill Street and red on the side road. The signal will be controlled through a control box, and a signal timing plan was attached to the plans. The Town Manager asked if the police would have a remote wire control and Diaz indicated that that is possible. There will be 15 seconds of green time on the side road which will allow five to seven cars to exit the ac- cess road. The controller can be reprogrammed if needed. A com- puter to do the modification to the controls can be ordered and can be bid as an alternate. The estimated cost of the project is $44,000 - $45,000. Diaz indicated that the post would be a Stan- dard yellow, but that it could be a spun aluminum. The Board opened the Public Hearing. Nancy Eaton, President of Reading Rifle and Revolver, spoke. She noted that the Offenstein house which had been purchased by the Church is up for sale again. She's concerned about the location of the "school ahead" sign vis-a-vis visibility. She feels that there should be a flashing signal ahead sign. She indicated that in conversations with Bill Robertson speeds on Haverhill Street had been clocked at 80 M.P.H. The Town Manager indicated that this was not the case. She feels that the 15 second timing for exiting traffic is not enough time. She noted that she hoped the 40 foot elm tree would be saved and that there would be nothing in the controller, wiring, or master arm that would interfere with this tree. She asked how the signal would function - it would operate 24 hours/day, with the signal being green on Haverhill Street unless there is side traffic. The Town Manager asked about the sight distance for northbound traffic, and Diaz indicated that it would be 400-500 ft. and that 475 ft. at the 85th percentile speed is standard. A supplemental light head on the pole could be at- tached which would improve that visibility. Ron Wood asked about how motorcycles would effect the control pads. Diaz indicated that they were sensitive enough to pick up motorcycles. A ques- tion was asked as to whether or not a right turn on red would be permitted and it was indicated that it would be permitted. In a related matter, George Hines noted that at the Ice Arena Authority meeting it was agreed that the rink will be named after Mr. Burbank - the major donor. The Ice Arena Authority also adopted a policy that the facility will be smoke free. In response to a question, he indicated that they probably will not be able to use an electric Zamboni because they are not developed to an appropriate design at this point. He indicated that proper operation of the ice rink is the greater concern. on motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to close the Public Hearing on the Design of the Signal for the Ice Arena road by a vote of 5-0-0. i Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 24, 1994 - page 4 On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to ap- prove the design of the traffic signal at the intersection of Haverhill Street and the ice rink road by a vote of 5-0-0. Specific items that will be addressed are location of the control box; an additional traffic light head will be attached to the pole to improve visibility for northbound traffic; an alternate will be bid for the computer to enable easier change for the con- trol signal; and relocation of the "school ahead" signal will be considered. Review of Warrant Articles - The Board reviewed Warrant Articles. The Town Manager presented the three Articles related to the Franklin Street PRD. Present were Cemetery Director Bob Keating and Vice Chairman of the Cemetery Board Joyce Miller. The Board asked for clarification on two issues. 1) What is the intent of the PRD with regard to open space - ie. is the cemetery con- sidered open space within the definition of the PRD. 2) Can Ar- ticle 21 be narrowly drawn to apply to only this planned residen- tial development? 3) Can different language be developed for Article 21 which will not get the Town involved in the issues of land takings without compensation to the owner. The Town Manager noted that any land to be donated would have to be accepted by Town Meeting unless it was Conservation land. The Board reviewed the subject matter of Article 23 - Police Chief Civil Service issue. Ron Wood, one of the petitioners, made a presentation. He noted that the Fire Chief's position in Reading is non-civil service. He noted that Stoneham, Melrose and Wakefield are non-civil service and all are working well. In response to questions he noted that in Stoneham he had talked to someone in the Clerk's office, in Melrose he had talked to the Clerk's office and in Wakefield he had talked with one of the members of the Board of Selectmen. Wood noted that it doesn't affect Chief Marchand - it would go into effect after his retire- ment. With Civil Service the Town would have to pick within the department. The purpose of going to the "weak Chief" is so that the Board of Selectmen has greater control . over the Police Chief as it does the Fire Chief. Selectmen Hines noted that it is not the Board of Selectmen that appoints or disciplines the Chief - it's the Town Manager. Bill Burditt asked why Wood wanted this position removed from Civil Service, and Wood indicated so that the Board would have more control over the Police Chief in nego- tiations and discipline matters. Chief Marchand reviewed a packet with the Board of Selectmen that indicated why he felt the Chief's position should remain in Civil Service. There is also a copy of a letter from Town Counsel, and a copy of a letter from the Patrolman's and Superior Officers Unions. The Town Manager was asked how he felt about the issue. He indicated that he didn't view Civil Service as a reason or ex- cuse for not exercising discipline or in fact terminating a per son from a position if there is cause. He indicated that his general preference was not to have Civil Service because he felt it was cumbersome but he did not feel there was any particular driving need to change at this time. Board of Selectmen Meeting - March 24, 1994 - page 5 Ensminger moved and Burditt seconded a motion to support the sub- ject matter of article 23 . The motion was defeated by a vote of 0-5-0. Catherine Quimby and Ellie Dube from the 350th Parade Committee were present. They expressed the need to regulate silly string and other devices because of problems that other communities have experienced with use of these materials in parade situations. They would like to add at the end of the Article as part of the motion "and any explosive device" if Town Counsel will permit it under the Article. Following discussion, on motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to support the subject matter of Article 24 with the additional language as proposed by the Parade Committee by a vote of 5-0-0. Appeal of Water Bill - The Town Manager reviewed the issue of an appeal on a water bill. The appellant was not present. The Town Manager presented the situation which was a problem with a water break in -a' house that resulted in an excessively high water bill. The Town Manager indicated that generally the sewer portion of that extraordinary bill would be abated by. the Town but this property had no sewer. The Town has not abated bills like this in the past. On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to allow the 10% discount but not abate interest provided there is a reasonable payment plan. The motion was ap- proved by a vote of 4-1-0 with Ensminger opposed. On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litiga- tion and labor negotiations and approval of minutes, not to come back into open session. All five members present were polled in- dividually and voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, �4' 1 Secret ry