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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting June 7, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7: 09 p.m. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: George M. Richards, Bryan Hodgkins, Dorothy Foxon, Mark Foxon, Nancy Eaton, Bernice Herrick, Charles Herrick, Frank Driscoll, George Perry, Vincent J. Imperial, Lisa Letourneau, Suzanne Letourneau, Charlie Smith, Gail Boudreau, Paula Curren, Mark Be- hringer, James Horigan, Clarisse Horigan, Emery Boudreau, Wilbar M. Hoxie, Mary L. Behringer, Christopher Vaccaro, Stephen Col- lins, J. Drexler, N. Durham, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Michael F. Slezak, Ron Grand, Paul A. Kelley, Leslie McGonagle. Introduction of Representative Pual C. Casey - Paul Casey, Repre- sentative from the 34th Middlesex District was present. He rep- resents the areas that as of January 1, 1995 will be Precincts 3 and 5 in Reading. Casey apologized for not having come before the Board earlier, but the. redistricting was being challenged, and was just recently resolved. The Selectmen laid out several areas of legislative concern as follows: George Hines is con- cerned that the Lottery cap be lifted as soon as possible. Bill Burditt is concerned about the MWRA Sewer Assessment and its fairness; Dan Ensminger indicated that the Town will need some -- help in economic development issues including potentially a PWED Grant for the landfill, and assistance with the Central Artery/ Tunnel clay distribution. He also noted that the Industriplex interchange easterly break issue is still of concern, and Casey noted that he is ranking member of the Transportation Committee. Hines indicated that the Route 128/Route 93 interchange needs to be significantly upgraded in order to reduce neighborhood cut through traffic. Casey noted that the $4.6 billion transporta- tion bond issue which will cover expenses for a two year period is currently before the legislature. Anthony noted that she was concerned about the Riverway bill, and that the Senate had passed it but the House of Representatives did not pass it last year. She noted that Reading's water supply is fragile. She also noted that the Town would be requesting road salting restrictions on I-93 in the area of our wellfields, and expressed concern about the lack of coordination between Mass Highway and Massachusetts D.E.P. on such issues. She noted that the Lottery Cap should be lifted, and the gas tax monies that are being diverted to the state should be released to the Town. She asked about any news regarding open space funding. Hoyt noted that she is the Board's legislative liaison and would be meeting with Casey on a number of issues. Casey indicated that he was happy to hear these comments from the Town and will be working with Senators Tisei and Representative Jones on these issues on behalf of the Town. g p .... Commendation - Fire Fighter Philip Dole - Fire Fighter Philip Dole and his wife, and Fire Chief Donald Wood were present. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board approved a Cer- tificate of Appreciation for Philip G. Dole for his invaluable Board of Selectmen Meeting - June 7, 1994 - page 2 service to his community as well as to the neighboring community of Stoneham. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board congratulated Fire Fighter Dole on his outstanding efforts in helping to stabilize an accident victim in Stoneham. Chairman Hines noted that the Board was pleased to be able to recognize the outstanding work of employees in situations such as this. Approval of Minutes On motion by Burditt seconded by, Hoyt the Board approved the minutes of May 24, 1994 , as amended by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining. The Town Manager noted that the Town had received a Massachusetts Historical Commission Award for the outstanding work done on the Senior Center. Lois Bond introduced the "cast of characters" who were present and participated in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of that project. The Board congratulated all of the volunteers and staff who were involved in that project and received recognition. Liaison Reports Sally Hoyt noted that she had attended the Volunteer Recognition Reception at the Senior Center; the joint Cable TV Hearing; the Mass Historical Commission Awards Program; the Selectmen, Fincom, School Building Committee, School Committee, and Capital Improve- ment Advisory Committee meeting on Parker Middle School; Irene Palaima's retirement party; and the Middlesex County Advisory Board meeting. She congratulated the 350th Committee, volunteers and staff on the magnificent parade and Jubileve program. She attended the Joshua Eaton 350th program. She noted that there is a hearing clinic scheduled for Thursday from 10: 00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. She noted the daytime lectures sponsored by Elder Services celebrating Reading's 350th Anniversary. She noted that two pool parties had been planned for 5th and 6th graders on June 17 and 18, and that there are still openings for regular and junior camp in all sessions except session 3 . Camille Anthony indicated that she attended the Library Board of Trustees meeting, that the Town needs to work on an open space plan in order to be eligible for funds. . Dan Ensminger noted that the majority of his time over the last couple of weeks has been taken up with work, the graduation of his son Steven from Reading Memorial High School, and the 350th events. Bill Burditt noted that the Pool Task Force has been meeting and working on getting information on the cost of operation of a pool. He had attended many of the 350th events, and noted that the County Selectmen Association Annual Meeting is scheduled for June. George Hines reported as one of the members of the Board of Directors of the Ice Arena Authority that construction is going well and that the Selectmen are invited to aground breaking i Board of Selectmen Meeting - June 7, 1994 - page 3 ceremony on June 17, 1994, at 8: 30 a.m. He attended the joint session regarding Parker Middle School, and noted that the Selectmen recognized the need for the project and that funding is a thorny issue with regard to this project. He attended the 350th Celebration events. He noted that at the 350th Ball that beer and wine were served but there were no problems and that the adults of the community acted in a positive and responsible man- ner. He noted that he had attended the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force meeting, and the TaskForce will report later this evening. He also gave the Selectmen's congratulations to the RMH5 baseball team, soft ball team, and boys track team for their successes. Sally Hoyt thanked the Board and citizens for the bouquet that was presented at the 350th Ball in honor of her 50th wedding an- niversary. Public Comment There were no public comments. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted the success of the 350th celebration ac- tivities to date and specifically the outstanding work on the part of the Department of Public Works in helping to set up and clean up for these events. He noted that Reading Day is scheduled for June 10 in the Birch Meadow area where there will be a community picnic, band concert, and fireworks. Residents are asked not to cook at the picnic. Residents are also asked to be respectful of the neighbors of the Birch Meadow area by using care in driving and parking in the area. The Town Manager noted that the Town was a recipient of an award from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for outstanding work done on the renovation of the formal Central Fire Station into the Senior Center. He noted that the Town's pension investments have improved markedly over the past year and Reading's pension investment program was ranked seventh in the state for 1993 earning 15.96%. He pointed out the large quilt displayed in the Selectmen's Meet- ing Room which was created by the Killam School's second grade classes. He reviewed the 350th Birthday presents from other Reading com- munities in the nation, and noted that they would be displayed here in Town Hall. The Reading Booster Club is preparing plans for a new press box - - in the Birch Meadow area and plans will be presented to the Board and to the School Committee in the near future. Summerfest is scheduled to kick off on July 13 and continue until July 16. Board of Selectmen. Meeting - June 7, 1994 - page 4 The Police Superior Officers Association is doing a telephone fundraising program, and a member of the association will be present when the fundraisers call in order to monitor the solicitation. The MBTA is doing track reconstruction in the area of the depot. This is a replacement of track, it is not related to a second rail project that has been proposed but is now on hold. Discussion/Action Items Public Hearing on the Policy Establishing the 25 Haven Street Re-Use Task Force - The Board of Selectmen opened the public hearing on a policy establishing the Ad Hoc 25 Haven Street Task Force. The Town Manager reviewed the provisions of the Task Force, and there were no questions from the Board or from the public. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board closed the public hearing by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board approved the policy establishing the Ad Hoc 25 Haven Street Sale Task Force as proposed by a vote of 5-0-0. Mineral Street Bridge Task Force - Bill Goodrich, Chairman of the Mineral Street Bridge Task Force made a presentation. Present from the Task Force were Mike Slezak, Bernice Herrick and George Hines. The Task Force held nine meetings, and conducted two site visits - one to the Lake Street Bridge in Wilmington which was built in 1986, and one to the pedestrian bridge over Route 125 in North Andover which was built in 1975. He noted that the Task Force had requested Massachusetts Highway Department officials to come to meetings, but because this was impossible a meeting was set up at Mass Highway on May 26 and several members of the Task Force plus the Town Manager attended. It was a good meeting. The Task Force had difficulty in reviewing a specific proposal for the bridge because there is no specific proposal - there is nothing formal in writing and there are no conceptual plans. The Task Force tried to gather as much information as possible. The Task Force reviewed the public safety issues as presented by the Police and Fire Chiefs, surveyed the current use of the bridge for pedestrian purposes, and received a lot of neigh- borhood input. The Fire Department noted that over the ten months of 1993, there were 40 calls to the neighborhood bounded by the railroad tracks, Summer Avenue, Woodbine Street, and Woburn Street. Thirty of these calls were to Tannerville and the response time to Tannerville was 3 minutes and 50 seconds. The Police Chief noted that they would prefer that the bridge be reinstalled and open to traffic. The majority of the Task Force was not convinced that there was an overriding public safety con- - cern with regard to building the bridge. Hines noted that both Chiefs felt that the bridge would enhance public safety. h, Board of Selectmen Meeting - June 7, 1994 - page 7 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee - Gail Wood was present as an incumbent for an interview. Also interviewed were Vincent J. Im- perial, Richard J. Moore and Christopher R. Vaccaro. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the following names were placed into nomination for a position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1997: Gail F. Wood, Vin- cent J. Imperial, Richard J. Moore, Christopher R. Vaccaro. Wood received five votes and was appointed. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the following names were placed into nomination for a position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1996: Vincent J. Imperial, Richard J. Moore, Christopher R. Vaccaro. Richard J. Moore received three, votes, Christopher R. Vaccaro received two votes and Moore was appointed to the position. Board of Appeals - John Jarema appeared as a candidate for reap- pointment to the Board of Appeals. He indicated that he would be interested in stepping down to a Associates position, and John A. Coote could move up to the regular term. Coote was not available for an interview and the Board held off on the action on the Board of Appeals. Community Planning and Development Commission - Bryan J. Irwin and Christopher R. Vaccaro were interviewed for a position on the Community Planning and Development Commission. On motion by An- thony seconded by Burditt the Board placed into nomination for a position on the Community Planning and Development Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1997, the following names: Bryan J. Ir- win, and Christopher R. Vaccaro. Irwin received three votes and Vaccaro received two and Irwin was appointed to the position. Conservation Commission - There are three terms available on the Conservation Commission and all three incumbents are interested in being reappointed. James Biller was not present but is inter- ested in being reappointed. Nancy Eaton and Harold Hulse are in- cumbents who were present and interviewed. Additional candidates are Mark R. Behringer, Joshua D. Drexler, and Christopher R. Vac- caro. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the following names were placed into nomination for three positions on the Conserva- tion Commission for terms expiring June 30, 1997 : James E. Biller, Nancy Eaton, Harold Hulse, Mark R. Behringer, Joshua D. Drexler, Christopher R. Vaccaro. Mr. Biller received five votes, Ms. Eaton received four votes, Mr. Hulse received five votes and were appointed. It was noted that the remaining interested can- didates could apply to the Conservation Commission directly for positions as Associates. Historical Commission - There is one vacancy on the Historical Commission and one candidate, the incumbent. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to appoint Edward W. Palmer to the Historical Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1997. Board of Selectmen Meeting - June 7, 1994 - page 8 There are four vacancies as Associate members on the Historical Commission and the four incumbents are interested in being reap- pointed. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, William M. Fowler, Wilbar M. Hoxie, Frank P. Orlando, and Nancy L. Smethurst were appointed as Associate members of the Historical Commission for terms expiring June 30, 1995. Land Bank Committee - There is one vacancy on the Land Bank Com- mittee and the incumbent is interested in being reappointed. There were no other applicants. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board appointed Edward G. Smethurst to a position on the Land Bank Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1997 . Reading Housing Partnership Committee- There are three positions on the Reading Housing Partnership Committee and the three incum- bents are interested in being reappointed. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the following were appointed to the Reading Housing Partnership Committee for terms expiring June 30, 1997: Paul A. Kelley, Jonathan Barnes, Craig M. Tateronis. Sign Review Board - There is one incumbent who is interested in being reappointed to the Sign Review Board, and there were no other applicants. On motion by Anthony seconded by Ensminger, Leslie McGonagle was appointed to a position on the Sign Review Board for a term expiring June 30, 1997 . The Town will evaluate the possibility of combining the Fair Housing Committee and the Housing Partnership - legal counsel will be consulted. Sally Hoyt has expressed interest in becoming a member of the Historical Commission. A response from Ted Cohen to Mark Favalaro regarding Fourth Street will be drafted. The Board noted with concern that the Early Retirement Incentive Program is not going to be the money saver that it was an- ticipated. The Board discussed the revenues and is concerned that the revenue to date numbers do not have any "target" . The Board noted the letter from TASC thanking the Police Depart- ment for its anticrime program. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to ad- journ at 11: 10 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary