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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-05-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen May 25, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Eugene Nigro and Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter Hechenblekner and the following list of interested parties: Richard Nelson, Peter Reinhart, Robert Mohla, Bill Winkler, Mike DeBrigard, Stuart S. LeClaire, Irene Palaima, Helen Joyce, Faye A. Meehl, Connie M. Leoncello, Gail Desmond, Cynthia Keenan, Ellie Kashian, Joan Kuhne, Bud Dickey, Bruce Fenton,_ Edward Haradon, James Flanagan, Joseph Panevino, Paul LaFave, Tom Ward, Mark Spataro, John Whalen, Jack Talbet, Tom Doyle, Paul Wheaton, Bob Dauphine, Bob Ripley, Gary Boutin, R.M. Dalton, Carl E. Fennelly, J. P. Cormier, Joe Gugzzaloca, Walter Spalding, Robert Beck, Kenneth Campbell, Richard Munroe, John Holland, Bobby Kurchian, John Strazere, John Cullen, Paul Mackinnon, Phil Boisvert, Kevin Moran, Jay Dumas. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved the minutes of May 11, 1993 as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bill Burditt indicated that he had attended the COA appreciation night on Wednesday; attended the Friday opening game of the Chal- lenger baseball league at Parker Middle School; and Saturday at- tended the Schoolhouse Condominium Development dedication for four Housing Authority units. - - Sally Hoyt reported on various issues on Recreation and Health. She indicated that she has been participating in the recycling survey. She has still received calls from Johanna Drive regard- ing Registry and drivers education vehicles continuing to use the area. With regard to the Letter to the Editor on Police con- cerns, she feels that the problem is that the Police Department is understaffed. The pedestrian light at Lowell and Grove Street appears to be broken. With regard to the MWRA sewer issue, Con- gressional and Legislative leaders are working to get additional aid. A number of communities would like to build their own facilities and she would like us to explore that. Gene Nigro indicated that he was attentive to Sally Hoyt's con- cerns regarding MWRA rates. He would like some additional infor- mation on Police Department statistics. He and George Hines at- tended a North Suburban Planning Council Meeting. The major sub- ject discussed was to ease the access to Inwood Park. He also attended the Senior Citizen recognition night. George Hines attended the North Suburban Planning Council Meeting and the Town of Reading is getting excellent support for the eas- terly break in access to the Industriplex project. He thanked Donna D'Agustino, from Winchester, for assisting with the Mass Highway Department on these issues. Hines also attended a Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 25, 1993 - page 2 program on Native American Culture which was well attended and well received. He attended the Challenger division baseball game, and the Senior Citizen appreciation night. He commented on the appreciation of the Town for the clock donated by Barrows students. He attended the Housing Authority event at the Schoolhouse Condominiums, and congratulated the Housing Authority and the Bank of Boston. He further commented on the letter regarding crime statistics and noted that the Board will be deal- ing with this further in the future. Dan Ensminger noted that the Board of Selectmen have been in the forefront of supporting additional fuel for Police vehicles. He felt that the statistics on the crime rate are probably skewed by the bank robberies. Ensminger attended the Senior volunteer event, the clean-up Springfest at Reading Memorial High School, the Trust Fund Committee, the Reading Housing Authority event, and viewed the construction on Walnut and Hopkins Street. He asked for the sense of the Board of Selectmen regarding the funding for the challenge to the MWRA rates. Ensminger further noted that the Town had received a note from Geoff Beckwith of the MMA indicating that George Hines is on the MMA Committee on Public Works and Transportation. - Public Comment Kevin Moran noted the tragedy on John Carver Road over the weekend. He felt that that drives.home the concern about traffic and safety issues, especially with regard to the S curve and speeding. He knows that the recommendations from the task force did not go far, and appreciates the signs on John Carver Road in- dicating a 20 mph speed limit. His observation is that residents don't do 20 mph and that they also don't observe the stop sign at Intervale Terrace and John Carver Road; enforcement is needed. He asked that the Board of Selectmen keep their concerns in mind, especially with the summer months coming and a lot of pedestrian activity in this area. Sally Hoyt noted that the Board of Selectmen *has shown its concerns and that we need to re-review these issues with the traffic safety officer. There is selective enforcement in this area. Rick Nelson spoke for a number of Town employees who attended the meeting. He knows that the Board of Selectmen understands that the Town employees have gone without raises for two years because they understand the Town's financial problems. Because employees have suffered equally during the financially difficult times, the employees feel that they should be treated equally when things are improving. The employees are very happy for the teachers, and hope that the Board of Selectmen will not let some employees be treated more equally than others. Dan Ensminger responded that the Board of Selectmen and School Committee don't go into negotiations as one group - there are different negotiations. t The Board of Selectmen has stated its goal as 2 1/2% and that's been stated clearly. Because negotiations were already ongoing with the teachers they could not conclude with equal settlements. The Town Manager noted that those represented at the meeting are Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 25, 1993 - page 3 not just Town unions. Gene Nigro indicated that we need to recognize that there are inequities and develop a program to try to fix it. George Hines indicated that the Board of Selectmen recognizes that the teachers settlement creates inequities, and we will work towards trying to achieve equity. He noted that the Town Manager has been very concerned about equity and fairness. The Board of Selectmen during a process of putting a Prop 2 1/2 Override on the ballot went on record as advocating certain limits across the Town, including the school teachers. Sally Hoyt indicated that the Board recognizes employee value and will try to make these changes equitable. Matt Cummings, Chairman of the School Committee, noted that the Town Manager and the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen were aware of their contract negotiations. Paul McKinnon, employee and resident, feels that residents got taken in that they thought that they were voting for 2 1/2% equitable raise across the board. He thinks people were mislead by the School Department. The Town Manager indicated that while he had been generally aware of what the School Department was negotiating with the teachers, the knowledge did not imply that he agreed with or con- sented to that level. Town Manager Report The Town Manager reported on MWRA sewer and water rate payers concerns, and expressed the feeling that he hoped the Town would not take the action of some of the communities, including Woburn, and try to withhold payments. This is a gimmick and the MWRA still ends up getting its funding. He felt that if the Town feels that the MWRA is properly conducting itself with regard to these projects, that its efforts should be placed in getting ad- ditional State and Federal funding. He reported on the MWRA Waste Oil Recycling Facility, the household hazardous waste collection program which may wind up being a regional program; updated the Board on State Aid informa- tion; indicated that he had testified on Senate Bill 1625, Read- ing homerule petition regarding Prop 2 1/2 impact on tax billing; updated the Board on the Tennessee Gas project; indicated that there was a water/sewer rate hearing tomorrow night; indicated that the Bulk Waste Collection Program and the Brush Collection Program are completed; updated the Board of Selectmen on the Pearl Street School sale; reminded residents of the water restrictions; indicated that the Water Supply Task Force meeting is Thursday night; informed the Board that the Police Department is making application for a computer grant; and outlined the proposed scheduled repairs for Washington Street in Woburn. Gene Nigro asked if the Board of Selectmen could attend the meet- --> ing regarding the Pearl Street School set up by the arts groups, and the Town Manager will get back to them. The Board discussed the possibilty of monthly billing for water and sewer, and George Hines was concerned that we don't have a report yet on being able to lift the water restrictions. Gail D'Angelo had asked about 4 3 Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 25, 1993 - page 4 sidewalks on the other side of Hopkins Street, and the Town Manager indicated that this had been previously costed and found to be prohibitive in costs. Hines asked about the timing for the off street parking improvements at Little League Park, and the;: Town Manager indicated that this would be scheduled during the , next couple of weeks. Hines reminded us that when we do projects we need to do the complete project - we shouldn't have done the parking restrictions until we had the off street parking in place. Bill Burditt noted that the sign at Hopkins Street and Main has been changed. The Town Manager will look into it. The Town Manager Evaluation Committee will consist of George Hines and Eugene Nigro. Forms were distributed and the Board members will fill out the forms by next week. Public Hearings Modification to the Policy Establishing a Reading Housing Partnership Committee - Sally Hoyt read the notice of the hearing on Modification to the Policy Establishing a Reading Housing Partnership Committee. There being no comments, on motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the hearing was closed. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the , Modification to the Policy Establishing a Local Housing - Partnership Committee as presented. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel & Appointments Pearl Street School Advisory Committee - On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to appoint the following in- dividuals to the Ad Hoc Pearl Street School Evaluation Committee: CPDC representative - Bill Goodrich; Recreation Committee repre- sentative - John Pacino; School Committee representative - Matt Cummings; Board of Assessors representative - David Nugent; Board of Selectmen representative - Eugene Nigro; the motion was ap- proved by a vote of 5-0-0. We are still waiting for the Housing Authority representative, the Housing Partnership representative, and two residents. Appointment Process - The Board of Selectmen discussed the ap- pointment process. The Board has noted that incumbents should be present to be interviewed if there are contested appointments. If the incumbent position is not contested, then the Board, Com- mittee, or Commission member should be informed that they are in- vited to attend, but are not required to. The Board asked for information on the number of years served and whether there have been attendance issues. With regard to reappointments, the Chairman should let the member know if there are issues and that should be brought to the attention of the Liaison. It was also suggested that the various Boards, Committees, and Commissions should know that the Board of Selectmen policy is to rotate the __ chairmanship periodically. Board of Selectmen Meeting - May 25, 1993 - page 5 The Town Manager will let applicants know if there are particular questions that might be asked. The Board agreed to meet for ap- pointments on the 8th, 22nd and 29th if needed. We will schedule five to six minutes per applicant. Discussion/Action Items Upcoming Hearings - The Town Manager brought the Board up-to-date on upcoming issues - the Washington and Main Street hearing will be held on the 8th by the Board of Selectmen. The Board asked that the abuters be notified as well as the newspaper, cable tv, and the two Town Meeting members who were instrumental in recon- sideration. Also on June 8 there will be a hearing on Water and Sewer rates. The Rubbish Collection Rules and Regulations hear- ing will be held at a later date. Selectmen's Retreat - The Board discussed the possibility of a retreat. The Board was enthusiastic and agreed to a day and one half - Friday afternoon and Saturday. They suggested having a meal, perhaps jointly prepared. They suggested an orientation manual be developed for Board, Committee and Commission members. There will be a Board training session held on the 23rd, so we will try to do the retreat a weekend or two weekends before that date. The Board commented briefly on the Town Manager's goals. Com- ments were that they were ambitious and need to be prioritized. The Board of Selectmen will help with the prioritization. Moratorium on Issuing of Common Victualler's Licenses - The Board discussed the Common Victualler's licenses and suggested that CPDC should give the Board input on this issue. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board approved by a vote of 5-0-0 the use of the Town seal for the 350th Committee's Commemorative Book entitled, "At Woods End, " as presented. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approval of minutes, sale of real estate, and labor negotiations not to come into open ses- sion. The motion was approved by all present who voted in- dividually in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, i /ecre ry