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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-04-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting April 13, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7:30 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, Selectman Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Brendan Hoyt, Sally Jean O'Grady, Brendan L. Hoyt, Jr. , Seth A. Hoyt, Johnathan F. Hoyt, Susan M. DiMatteo, Matt Hines, Kevin Hines, Rose Hines, Donna Brehaut, Nancy Eaton, Lance Watson, Richard Smith, Linda Watson, Leon DePalma, Delia Quinlan, Ronald Morse, Jim Guarente, Silva Gerety, G.L. MacDonald, Donald Allen, Lee Selzer, Lynne Cassinari, John and Marge Pacino, Swearing in Ceremony Town Clerk Cathy Quimby administered the oath of office to newly elected Selectmen Sally Hoyt and George Hines. The families of both Selectmen, were present and participated in the swearing in ceremony. Approval of Minutes The minutes of March 30, 1993 were tabled until the three members who were at the meeting could be present. Liaison Reports & Selectmen's Comments Bill Burditt indicated that he and Gene Nigro had attended the RMLD meeting at the Lord Wakefield. He attended the Birch Meadow School reception, and the grand opening of the 350th Anniversary Shop. He also attended the Audit Committee Meeting and Town Meeting. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended the Birch Meadow School Open House, and the 350th Shop dedication. She received a letter from Peg Plansky regarding the Bear Hill Proposal and Linkage. She also noted that she received a notice of State Funding for "Soft Second Loan Program. " George Hines attended the 350th Shop Grand Opening. He noted that Thursday night is a Teen Center Fund Raiser and that he hoped that it would be supported because there is a need for good opportunities for recreation. He noted that Public Works is picking up storm debris, but the residents should note that this is not an opportunity to do all of their tree trimming and put it out curbside. Dan Ensminger attended the 350th Ribbon Cutting. He also provided information from the Bear Hill Evaluation Committee regarding .school projections. Public Comment Lance Watson and Lynne Cassinari spoke about reconsideration of the Article to improve Washington and Main Streets. They indi- cated that if Ash Street was not closed that they would vote in favor and they had filed for reconsideration. __ Board of Selectmen Minutes - 4/13/93 - page 2 Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported that lead and copper testing was ongo- ing in the water system and test results would be known within a couple of weeks. He asked for approval of the Engineers/Water Treatment Plant Contract for FY92 & FY93. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board approved the Engineering/Water Treat- ment Plant Contract and authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign on the Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager reviewed the situation with brush collection and reiterated Selectmen Hines' concerns that residents were taking advantage of the situation. He also noted that residents could report potholes to the Public Works office or to his office. Personnel & Appointments The Town Manager indicated that Nancy Shipes has been designated as the CPDC representative on the Reading Housing Partnership Committee expiring 6/30/94. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, Nancy Shipes was appointed to a position on the Reading Housing Partnership as the CPDC representative for a term expiring June 30, 1994. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board interviewed candidates for two positions on the Cable TV Committee. Mr. Beggan and Mr. Morse were interviewed. On mo- tion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, Mr. Beggan and Mr. Morse were nominated for a position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee ex- pining 6/30/94 . Mr. Beggan received three votes and was ap- pointed to that position. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt, Mr. Morse was appointed to a term on the Cable TV Committee ex- piring 6/30/93. The vote was 4-0-0. The Board of Selectmen interviewed three candidates for the position on the Community Planning and Development Commission ex- piring 6/30/93 . The position was vacant because Mr. Stohlman was elected to the School Committee. Interviewed were Mr. Baillie, Mr. Falcione, and Ms. DeMatteo. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt all three names were placed in nomination. Mr. Baillie received three votes, Ms. DeMatteo received one vote, and Mr. Baillie was appointed to the position. Public Hearings The Secretary read the notice of the hearing for the Pay and Classification Plan. The hearing was opened. The Town Manager reviewed the Pay and Classification proposal which was to clas- sify three positions that are vacant and being filled. These in- clude the Recreation Program Supervisor, the Nurse, and the Su- pervisor of Business Services for the Department of Public Works. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines, the meeting was closed by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, schedule A-2 of the Pay and -Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 4/13/93 - page 3 Discussion/Action Items Bear Hill Report - The Board of Selectmen received the report of the Bear Hill Evaluation Committee. Chairman Dick Howard reviewed the report. The Committee recommended the acceptance of the proposal from Bear Hill Partnership subject to a number of conditions. Brad Latham, speaking for Bear Hill Partnership in- dicated that they have used school enrollment figures from the School Department for their financial analysis. He would like the Board of Selectmen to talk through the issues and negotiate the successful conclusion. Dick Smith who is a member of the Evaluation Committee and a resident of Summit Towers objected to the rotary type of intersection, feeling that it could cause problems. The Town Manager was asked for his recommendation. He recom- mended that 1) the report be accepted, 2) the open issues be discussed with Bear Hill Limited Partnership, 3) the Board of Selectmen then determine if a deal is reasonable and if so that they should award the bid, 4) negotiations should proceed on a Purchase and Sales agreement.- On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Committee's report was accepted as a Report of Progress by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to begin discussions with Bear Hill Limited Partner- ship about their bid. It was agreed that the session would take place in Executive Session and the meeting would be on April 22, 1993 at 8: 30 p.m. for approximately 1 1/2 hours. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Mr. DiMatteo indicated that the SubCommittee requested open ses- sions for all discussions. The Board of Selectmen agreed to ad- mit one designated member of the Evaluation Committee - that being the Chairman of the Committee, who is also a member of the CPDC, or Don Allen as an alternate from the Committee. Review of Warrant - The Board of Selectmen discussed the Warrant for the Town Meeting - specifically Article 13 . There was dis- cussion about Parker Middle School perhaps being a higher priority than either of the elementary schools. Roger Sanstad, Chairman of the School Building Committee, indicated that preliminary numbers would be available in the Fall since the ar- chitect was just selected. There are educational decisions that have to be made before the architect goes into too much detail. The project will be School Building Assistance Bureau reimburse- able if it deals with not just renovation but also enrollment in- creases. It was pointed out that in the project under Article 13, none of the projections include METCO students being included in the school system on a space available basis. It was also in- dicated that school administration would be expanding the teach- ing staff to cover the expanded number of classrooms proposed in this renovation program. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the subject matter of Article 13 by a vote of 4-0-0 . George Hines voted for the motion but indicated that he is still not convinced that we dealt with the total picture and hopes that the operating costs will be addressed in the presentation. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 4/13/93 - page 4 The record reflects Mr. Nigro's support of Article 13 even though he is not able to be present this evening. Licenses On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved three one-day auctioneer's licenses for Bill's Place Baseball Card Shop. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Review cf Warrant - The Board came back to discuss Article 8 which is the improvement of Washington and Main Streets. There was discussion about movi:ig for reconsideration or moving to table to May and to allow public hearings. The Board felt that this delay was not necessary. Following discussion, on motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted 1) to support recon- sideration of Article 8 , 2) that the project seeks to reconstruct the intersection of Main and Washington Streets, and will not include the closing of Ash Street in this project. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Soft Second Loan Program - on motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Town Manager was directed to write a letter to EOCD indicat- ing that the Town was interested in the Soft Second Loan Program and will pursue that interest through the Reading Housing Partnership. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, N, z� SecJet Y