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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting March 2, 1993 The meeting was convened in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA at 7:36 p.m. Present were Vice Chair- man George Hines presiding, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Ken Wiswall, Lance Watson, Nick DeMatteo. The minutes of 2/2/93 were held because there were not three mem- bers present who attended that meeting. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the minutes of 2/8/93 were approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Nigro abstaining. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the minutes of 2/9/93 were approved as amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with Nigro abstaining. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the minutes of 2/16/93 were approved by. a vote of 3-0-1 with Hines abstaining. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the minutes of 2/23/93 were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Bill Burditt noted the positioning of microphones at the Selectmen's meeting was a concern because of poor audio transmis- sion. Burditt attended the formal Audit Committee meeting and they agreed to go out for bid with the six larger firms for auditing services. He attended the FinCom meeting at which the Accounting and Finance budgets were discussed. He attended the auction of the Schoolhouse Condominiums. All 28 units sold quickly - within one hour and all much higher than the minimum price. He indicated the need for affordable housing, and he feels more positive about selling the Bear Hill property for housing. There is a market for affordable condos in Reading and there are a lot of young people who are interested. Sally Hoyt acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Kendra Cooper regarding the bathroom on the first floor at the Senior Center. She has received calls from school parents regarding support for the schools. She, Gene Nigro and George Hines par- ticipated in a Creative Arts Telethon for fund raising. She at- tended a School Committee meeting and indicated that Juniors and Seniors are doing extremely well with math and science competi- tions. Her grandson, Seth Hoyt, is one of the top 75 physics students in the United States. This is a tribute to the students and to the teachers, and she specifically mentioned Mr. Blum. The School Committee talked about school space needs and the com- mittee voted to purchase a portable classroom at this time for the Birch Meadow School. The renovation of Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow Schools are proposed to be timed one year apart and reimbursement is potentially available. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 3/2/93 - page 2 Gene Nigro reiterated his participation in the Creative Arts Telethon. He has also received calls taking issue with the cal- culations regarding a tax savings for the override. Some who take a standard deduction won't save money. George Hines also attended the Creative Arts Telethon. He has had some feedback with regard to the override and standard deduc- tions. He participated in the Plastics Recycling Program and noted that the volunteers worked very hard sorting and collecting the materials. He gave some tips for proper plastic recycling. Licenses Ken Wiswall, owner of Acura Industries, was present to talk about the operation of his taxi business on Dana Road. He works out of his home because of family concerns. Four of the five vehicles are placed with the drivers and are taken home. Drivers report to the house every other day and most of the communication is handled by a two-way radio. He has talked with the neighbors, and they have expressed no concerns. This is a start up business and it is growing. He will keep the Town apprised of changes in personnel and at Gene Nigro's suggestion the taxi licenses for drivers will have the driver's home address rather than 93 Dana Road on them. George Hines suggested using the mail for paper work. Ken Wiswall agreed to look into it. George Hines con- gratulated Ken Wiswall on the success of his business. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to issue a Taxi Operators License to James Dwyer driving a vehicle for Acura Industries. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel & Appointments The Board interviewed Ralph Colorusso for a position on the Read- ing Housing Partnership Committee. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the Board appointed Ralph A. Colorusso the Reading Housing Partnership Committee for a term expiring 6/30/95. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Town Managers Report The Town Manager reported on a variety of issues including the next Selectmen's Meeting which will be held at the Senior Center; four officers of the Police Department with regard to an incident that took place on Scotland Road; the Annual Report; the Town "telephone system; the Conservation Award given to Jim Biller, Donald Nadeau, Ted McIntire, and Chief Don Wood; the local elec- tions scheduled for March 23, 1993 at the Field House; planning grant received by the Housing Authority; the flag being flown at half staff on Monday at the request of Superintendent of Schools in honor of former Birch Meadow school principal Dennis Murphy and former Highland School teacher Daisy Castine and Sunday will start Girl Scout Week. The Board of Selectmen reminded the Town Manager to conduct a scoping meeting next week with regard to the election at the High School. The Board also indicated that there are vacancies on the Board of Selectmen Meeting - 3/2/93 - page 3 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee and other Committees and that should appear on the agenda. Gene Nigro praised the staff on the Annual Report in the Reading Notes. Discussion/Action Items The Board discussed the Bear Hill Evaluation Committee. On mo- tion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board moved to establish a committee. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to add a member of the School Committee to be appointed by the School Committee, and to increase the "citizen members" to three. The amendments were approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The main motion was approved as follows: the Board approved the es- tablishment of an Ad Hoc Bear Hill Evaluation Committee consist- ing of ten members as follows: a member of the Board of Selectmen appointed by the Board of Selectmen; a member of CPDC recommended by the Chairman of CPDC and appointed by the Board of Selectmen; a member of the Recreation Committee recommended by the Chairman of the Recreation Committee and appointed by the Board of Selectmen; a member of the Housing Authority recommended by the Chairman of the Housing Authority and appointed by the Board of Selectmen; a member of the Housing Partnership Committee recommended by the Chairman of the Committee and appointed by .the Board of Selectmen; a member of the School Committee appointed by the School Committee; a member of the Board of Assessors recom- mended by the Chairman of the Board of Assessors and appointed by the Board of Selectmen; and three residents of the surrounding area living in Precinct 3 and representing the varying housing types near the Bear Hill Site, appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The charge to the Ad Hoc Committee will be to evaluate and rank the proposals made for the purchase of the Bear Hill property and to make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. This evaluation will be based on the Request for Proposals and on input received at Public Meetings held by the Ad Hoc Committee. The main motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board asked that on the 16th a presentation be made on the RFP and the overview process. Lance Watson was present and will be back on the 16th to be considered for appointment. Curbs and Sidewalks - The Board discussed the Policy on Installa- tion, Construction, and Reconstruction of Curbs and Sidewalks. The Town Manager reviewed Department of Public Works concerns about the policy as drafted. The Department of Public Works notes that we need to address the issue of scenic roads, vis-a- vis the curbs and sidewalks, we need to determine whether or not we use sloped granite curbing, we need to determine how new developments in rural areas are handled vis-a-vis the rural road, bituminus sidewalks are half the price of concrete sidewalks and can be maintained by Town staff, the area of inclusion of con- crete sidewalks may be too extensive. The Board of Selectmen - also talked about the longevity of concrete walks versus bituminus, and the fact that the S-10 zoning district is somewhat coterminous with the boundaries outlined in the Town Manager's initial memo. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 3/2/93 - page 4 Gail Wood gave the Board some history on the sidewalk issue from a perspective of being a former member of the Board of Public Works. The downtown was converted from bituminus sidewalks to concrete walks several years ago with a half million dollar federal grant. In the old days homeowners could apply to have sidewalks and curbs constructed in front of their property and a choice was given as to what type of construction they would want. The reason that the Town went from concrete to bituminus sidewalks was purely cost. George Hines indicated that he would like to see the following changes, and that we should come up with an amended draft: sloped granite could be permitted as an alternative; concrete should be used where it'G an infill project and concrete had historically been used in the area; we should require infill development to install curbing and sidewalks when a new home is built in an area that has curbs and sidewalks. The concensus of the Board was to agree to the basic document with Community Development and DPW input, and the Town Manager will come back with a revised draft. Warrant - The Warrant was reviewed. There is generally a posi- tive response in the acceptance of streets. Further review of the Warrant will take place at the meeting on the 16th. It was suggested that we have a specific session dealing with Article 8 - the Washington and Main Street intersection improvements. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn the meeting at 10: 10 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, le4t_'� Secre