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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting February 2, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7: 17 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Gary Demopoulos, Rick Nazzaro, Anne Mark, Tim Twomey, Wayne S. Davis, Nancy Eaton, Jim Nugent, Cathy Baranofsky, Richard Radville, Ruth Cogan, Bill Murphy, Lois Bond, Stephen Quigley. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of January 12, 1993 by a vote of 3-0-0. on motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of January 19 , 1993 as amended by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of January 26, 1993 as amended by a vote of 3-0-0. Liason Reports Sally Hoyt indicated she supports funding of education. She received several calls from parents. She indicated that the Business and Professional Women's Association joined in an amicus brief regarding equitable education. She indicated that the Senior Center would be opening. this week. She indicated that the hearing at the Plumbing Board was scheduled for later this week. George Hines indicated that he had received calls regarding fund- ing of schools. His position on that issue will be dependent on reviewing the Municipal Budget. The Board of Selectmen is com- mitted. to Education and Public Safety as a priority, but this does not mean to the exclusion of all other services. He hopes the State will come through with appropriate revenue sharing. Mr. Hines indicated that the Eagle Scout presentation to Thomas Lautzenheiser had been a special event. He is the second brother to achieve this award. His project had to do with work on con- servation lands. He attends Tufts University. Dan Ensminger indicated that the Board of Selectmen will meet nest Monday and Tuesday - Tuesday will be the All Boards Meeting. The Board will also meet on the 16th. He attended a Budget Com- mittee meeting with the Chairman of the FinCom and School Com- mittee. He has been talking with Representative Krekorian regarding Education Reform. He received phone calls regarding the School Budget and agrees with George Hines' statement that education needs have to be reviewed in the context of the entire budget. He will be attending a North Shore Chamber of Commerce meeting tomorrow to hear the State of the Region Address. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 2/2/93 - page 2 Public Comment Bill Brown indicated that Sally Hoyt had spoken of the toilet in the Senior Center, and hopes that the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting would be taken to the Plumbing Board. He felt that the vote of the Board of Selectmen was not heeded. Dan Ensminger responded that the literal vote was to request a waiver from two toilets. The Town Manager reported on the status of the Senior Center; that the Town has received the grant for the access road at the Ice Rink; that the phone number on the Excise Bills was wrong and has been corrected; and that the Scouts are considering helping with a fund drive to raise money for the Korean War Memorial in Boston. The Reading Rifle and Revolver Club's request to be allowed to start shooting early - 7:30 a.m. - for Saturdays during the year was discussed. Sally Hoyt asked if the abutters had been notified and Nancy Eaton, President of the Reading Rifle and Re- volver Club, indicated that they had not been; that this was not required. George Hines asked why the half hour was so critical, and Nancy Eaton indicated that it has to do with the course of fire. They have to stop shooting at dusk and the extra half hour would be a help. There is a problem if they have a rain delay and they need as much daylight as possible. She indicated that she had heard other requests regarding liquor stores, ice rinks, etc. and that she had followed the requirement to be on the Board of Selectmen's Agenda. She has been in contact with several abutters and most abutters don't even notice the noise. George Hines asked how many participants there are in these events, Nancy Eaton responded that there are 75 competitors - 15 teams of five people. George Hines felt that there should be opportunity for input from residents. Wayne Davis of Tamarack Road is a neighbor of the Club and doesn't feel that the early shooting on those four days would impose any hardship. Chief Marchand indi- cated that Camp Curtis Guild, adjacent to this property, does start shooting earlier - 7:00 - 7: 30 a.m. He doesn't feel that it will provide a problem. The Board agreed to schedule a hear- ing for 7:00 p.m. on the 9th. The Board discussed the Request for Proposals for the Bear- Hill Nike Site. The words "inpact of the proposed development on financing of local government services" was added to the selec- tion criteria. George Hines asked about the public process. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the - issuance of Requests for Proposals for the Bear Hill Nike Site for uses for which the property is zoned, in accordance with the draft Requests for Proposals submitted to the Board of Selectmen as amended, with Proposals due back to the Town at 5: 00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 1993 . Motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. The Board interviewed- Robert Hoffman for consideration as a mem- ber of the Audit Committee. Mr. Hoffman indicated that he is not a member of an audit firm that would be considered for the work. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 2/2/93 - page 3 The Town Moderator was present for the interview, and appointed Mr. Hoffman to a term expiring June 30, 1993. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, Bill Burditt was appointed to the Audit Com- mittee for a term expiring June 30, 1994 by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board appointed Joseph J. Taratino to the position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1995. The vote was 3-0-0. Anne Mark and Sally Sabo appeared before the Board representing the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. They indicated that they were working on curbside recycling issues including trying to get plastics, magazines and corrugated cardboard included in the con- tract which will be effective July 1, 1993. They are 1 ooking at a menu approach for this bidding. The Solid Waste Committee is also involved in a North Shore Recycling Committee; is updating a list of white goods and appliance haulers; has applied for a DEP grant for public information. They gave thanks to Don Anglehard and Carol Edwards who have recently left the Committee. The Com- mittee is looking to set up a process whereby resolutions to the whole solid waste picture including disposal is addressed. They are working towards a per bag approach for the rubbish fee. They are looking for more community information on conservation, and a developed and integrated program for solid waste. There was a discussion about whether the tax levy should continue to support recycling. Sally Hoyt indicated that she would like to see us revisit to the per bag fee. She was concerned that if the entire solid waste collection disposal program was privatized, the Town would lose control. The Board discussed an exclusive franchise system in going to a per bag fee. The Board asked if there was adequate recycling data available, and Ms. Mark indicated that the last survey was done over a year ago and 75% of the households were recycling. The recycling tonage is currently 13.4% plus yard waste. We have been as high as 16% - 17%. The sense is that the tonage that the Town disposes of has gone up somewhat and that's the reason for reduced percentage. The amount of tons recycled is even. The Committee will get feed- back from other communities with regard to the recycling programs. Some of the state organizations have information. The Board began a review of the Budget. In Human Services the major issue was the need for a Public Health Nurse. Members of the Board of Health were present. Sally Hoyt and George Hines commented that they wanted to state their support for the Public Health Nurse. George Hines noted that in the area of Human Serv- ices, there was a significant effort made to consolidate services with the Recreation Program Supervisor and the Summer School Coordinator and that was turned down by the School Committee. The Board discussed Public Safety. Chief Wood talked about the --- need for EMT training and the effect of not conducting a training would be the elimination of the EMT program. He also outlined the need for refurbishment of Engine 1 as a backup engine. He talked about the f ire- alarm bucket truck and it was suggested that we explore regional sharing, rehabilitation, or use of the DPW or RMLD bucket trucks. In response to the question about the Board of Selectmen Meeting - 2/2/93 - page 4 possible closing of the West Side Fire Station, Chief Wood indi- cated that he felt we needed two stations. There was discus- sion about a Call Fire Department and the possibility of revert- ing to such a program. Examples of Lynnfield's program were dis- cussed. One concern expressed was that we would not have enough volunteers in Town to provide the service needed. The Police Department spoke about their needs. Additional gasoline for vehicles, and the DARE Program were discussed. With regard to Animal Control, the fine structure was reviewed. The Town Manager indicated that he would recommend as a priority in Public Safety the addition of two additional Dispatchers, with one acting as the Head Dispatcher. The Police Chief indicated he felt we were low on Superior Officers and that we should have a minimum of 42 Police Officers in Town. This would allow coverage in the Square. The Board discussed having an All Boards Meeting next week and felt that time is short. The Board will discuss the issue of an override. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted: Secrets y '<V