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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting i` May 10, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman . George Hines, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list. of interested parties: Nancy Eaton, Ron Wood. Selectmen Dan Ensminger was unavailable because of a business commitment. Certificate of Appreciation - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Bur- ditt the Board approved a certificate of appreciation for Robert T. Bennett for his years of service as president of Reading Memorial High School's S.A.D.D. program. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Mr. Bennett a graduating senior at Reading Memorial High School, introduced other members of the S.A.D.D. Board as well as the student advisors - Leslie and Irene York. Proclamation - Reading Scholarship Foundation Day - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved a proclamation proclaiming May 29, 1994 as Reading Scholarship Foundation Day in Reading and urging all residents to support the worthwhile goal of raising funds for scholarships for local residents. The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Thomas J. Mehard was present to receive the proclamation on behalf of the Scholarship ---- Foundation. He noted that the Scholarship Foundation has raised over $800, 000 in scholarships assisting nearly 2 , 000 students over the last 25 years. Proclamation - Festival to Honor Reading's 350th - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved a proclamation declaring the period from April 29, 1994 through June 10, 1994, for the celebration of Reading's 350th Anniversary Festival, and declared June 10, 1994, as Reading Day. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Support for Letter Carriers Food Collection - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve a community ap- preciation certificate for the Letter Carriers of the Reading Post Office for their participation in the May 14, 1994, Letter Carriers National Food Drive to benefit the local food pantry. Reading Postmaster Jack Driscoll and Randy Keller, Shop Steward and President of Branch 25 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) , were present to receive the certificate. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Sally Hoyt indicated that she was able to attend the celebration of National Secretary's Day at Town Hall, and congratulated all of those who were honored at this luncheon. She also comple- mented Cathy Quimby, Beth Klepeis, and Deirdre Hanley for coor- dinating the event. She completed her legislative training ses- sion and received her certificate and was honored at a luncheon. She asked about progress in the remaining issues on Pay and Clas- sification, and the Town Manager indicated that some reviews were being donecurrently. i Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 10, 1994 - page 2 Camille Anthony attended the CPDC meeting last evening, and will meet with the Library Board of Trustees next week. Bill Burditt attended a Pool Task Force joint meeting with the Capital Improvement Advisory Subcommittee. The Pool Task Force is just about wrapped up and there are strong feelings to work towards an indoor pool, the major issue being affordability. A possible scenario would be to build a new outdoor pool with a timing and funding commitment to enclose it within a specified period of time. He also met with Chairman George Hines, Chief Marchand, and the Town Manager regarding general information about public safety. He received a call about Eric's Greenhouse over the weekend, and noted that commercial parking was taking place illegally on an adjacent residential lot and that the Town was pursuing enforcement action. George Hines acknowledged the tragic bicycle/vehicle accident on Hopkins Street last week, and noted that the entire community shares the families' grief over this incident. He also noted that he appreciated the community support during the recent death in his wife's family. He met with Bill Burditt, Chief Marchand and the Town Manager and had a good dialogue with regard to a number of issues including Community Oriented Policing. Public Comment Bill Brown thanked Bill Burditt for follow-up on his phone call regarding a zoning violation. He noted that he is pro-business, but that everybody must obey the laws and when they don't, they should be prosecuted. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that friends of Peter Savia had set up a donation fund at the Reading Cooperative Bank to assist the family with some of the extraordinary financial expenses related to his "good samaritan" incident. Residents who wish to make a donation to help a neighbor in need can drop off a check to the Peter Savia fund. He noted that Mr. Savia is out of the hospi- tal, is healing well, and will soon be able to return to full- time work with hopefully little long term physical effects of this ordeal. The TownManager also noted that the entire community joins with the McNeil family in sorrow over Andrea McNeil's death in a tragic bicycle accident. The Governor has signed the appropriation for Snow and Ice_ Aid to the cities and towns because of the severe winter of 1993/1994; the payment of $50, 000 is expected by the end of June. There is a vacancy on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Bill Goodrich has announced intention not to seek reappointment to the CPDC. The Recreation Administrator position has been filled by Reading -_` resident Joseph Connelly who will begin work on May 23 , 1994. A draft of the Elder Services questionaire to the Board of Selectmen should be reviewed and comments made by next Monday. The Washington/Main Street construction continues on schedule. Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 10, 1994 - page 3 The Town Manager commended Chief Marchand, the Department of Public Works, and particularly Peter Reinhart and Bill High for their work on this project. George Hines asked about the remain- ing size of the park and whether there is a better way to trans- late written plans to actual construction. The Ice Rink road is under construction with completion scheduled for the fall. It was noted that the entire Ice Rink should be available for use this fall. The Board of Selectmen approved a change of Reading's election equipment from punch card to optical scanner equipment to be implemented with the primary election. It was noted that perhaps a demonstration at a Selectmen's meeting would help to inform the public. The Board of Selectmen and the Cable TV Advisory Com- mittee are holding a joint hearing on Thursday, May 12 , 1994, to hear public input on the performance of the Cable TV franchise holder and to seek public input on requested service when the franchise renewal is considered. Amendments to Traffic Rules and Regulations - The Town Manager asked the Board to vote to amend the traffic rules and orders to provide for two hour parking on the north side of Pleasant Street from Middle to Parker. This is because this area which is in- tended for transient parking for the Senior Center has become all day parking. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to amend the traffic rules and orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948, for the Town of Reading as fol- lows: by adding to Article V Section III the following: Street Regulation Location Pleasant Street 2 hour parking North side Monday - Friday between Middle St. 8: 00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Parker St. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager asked the Board to approve Ash Street being a stop street at Main Street on the southeasterly bound location, and that right turn only be permitted at this location. This was consistent with the plans as approved by Town Meeting.. on motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted in accordance with Chapter 89 Section 9 of the Massachusetts General Laws that the following streets are designated as stop streets at the intersec- tion and in the direction indicated, and that the traffic rules and orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948, for the _Town of Reading are hereby amended as follows: by adding to Article VI Section II the following: Street Location Regulation Ash Street Southeasterly Stop bound at Main St. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. I Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 10, 1994 - -page 4 On motion by Burditt seconded Anthony the Board voted in accor- dance with Chapter 89 Section 2 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the following streets are restricted and the traffic and orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948, for the Town of Reading are hereby amended as follows: by adding to Article VI Section 23 the following: Street Location Regulation Ash Street Southeasterly Right Turn Only bound at Main St. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Water & Sewer Advisory Committee - The Board reviewed personnel and appointments, there is a vacant position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee but neither of the applicants were present to be interviewed. This will be held for future action. Solid Waste Advisory Committee - There are no applicants for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Reading Housing Partnership Committee - There are two positions on the Housing Partnership Committee that are vacant, and two ap- plicants. Craig M. Tateronis had been previously interviewed, and Mary T. Anastos was present to be interviewed. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board placed into nomination for a position on the Housing Partnership Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1995, the name Mary T. Anastos. Ms. Anastos received four votes and was appointed to this term. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board placed into nomination for a position on the Housing Partnership Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1994, the name of Craig M. Tateronis. Mr. Tateronis received four votes and was appointed to this position. Discussion/Action Items Settlement of Litigation - Conservation Commission and Harwill Realty Trust The Board reviewed a proposed settlement of litigation between the Conservation Commission and Harwill Realty Trust. The Conservation Commission has recommended approval of this settlement. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the settlement of litigation between the Town through its Conservation Commission and Harwill Realty Trust concerning property at the end of Pasture Road, as outlined in H Theodore Cohen's letter of April 29, 1994, and its attached understanding. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Dedication of Traffic Island - The Joshua Eaton School has requested approval to dedicate the island at the cor- ner of Oak Street and Summer Avenue in the memory of Sergeant Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 10, 1994 - page 5 Joshua Eaton, and to name the island after the Sergeant. Burditt expressed minor concern that we already had something named after Sergeant Eaton - that being the Joshua Eaton School. It was noted that this island had not previously been named and there- fore we were not changing names. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the dedication of the traffic island at the intersection of Oak Street and Summer Avenue to the memory of Sergeant Joshua Eaton, and that the Board of Selectmen hereby names this island Sergeant Joshua Eaton. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Lease - REAP - The Board reviewed the lease between the Town of Reading and REAP. It was asked why this lease is before the Board of Selectmen since it was school. property, and it was noted that all leases for the Town need to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that he was not involved in the negotiation of this lease and this was an exten- sion of a previous lease. The Board directed that for the future lease renewal, that the Town Manager be involved, and that we not have tenants in properties without an appropriately signed lease. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony the Board authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the lease between the Town of Reading and REAP for a term of August 31, 1993, through August 31, 1994, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of FY94 Goals and Town Manager Evaluation - The. Board reviewed the Town Manager's goals and the process of doing the Town Manager's evaluation. The Town Manager will do an updated review of progress on goals The Board has suggested Dan Ensminger and Sally Hoyt work together to develop the Town Manager evaluation process. Review of the Appointment Process - The Board reviewed the ap- pointment process. The Board would like incumbents to attend to be interviewed, but if they are not available they may send a letter of interest, outlining their experience and why they are interested in being reappointed. The Town Manager reviewed the 350th events. The Town Manager will try to get a vehicle available for the Selectmen to ride in the parade. Camille Anthony wondered if we could do some better publicity reminding people to vote, especially in the Town elections. George Hines asked the Town Manager to review the ability to create a stop intersection at Hartshorn and Bancroft, and asked whether we can determine if this was previously approved. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully s bmitted, Secretary y j �