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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 3, 1993 The meeting was convened at. 7:34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Gary Demopoulos, Ron Wood, Nancy Eaton, Nick DeMatteo, Michael Longo. Approval of Minutes On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board approved the minutes of June 22, 1993 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the minutes of July 13, 1993 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved the minutes of July 22, 1993 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Bill Burditt indicated that he has met with the Police and Fire Chiefs, and Phil Pacino, Chairman of the Municipal Light Board, and RMLD General Manager Len Rucker. He attended the Middlesex County Advisory Board meeting which was scheduled to vote on two Sheriff's Department contracts for FY93 . The vote was 51.7% in favor and 4. 3% against. Four towns voted no including Reading, Pepperell, Townsend and Watertown. The Sheriff's Department has gone two years with 0% increases. The impact on Reading is zero, since the jails are funded by the State. Burditt suggested scheduling discussion at the next meeting or the following one regarding changing of election dates. The Town Clerk has done a survey. Burditt also had comments regarding the island at Main and Hopkins Street and hopefully this will be at least in part corrected by painting center lines. Sally Hoyt expressed concern about cars exiting the parking lot onto Haven Street. She feels a stop sign and perhaps a stop line are needed. The possibility of a barrel with a sign on it was suggested and Hoyt indicated she hoped we could do something else. Nigro had no report. Hines expressed thanks to the Pearl Street Evaluation Committee. He has been meeting with the Task Force to deal with property on Walker's Brook Drive. He has had a meeting and phone conversa- tion with South Street residents, but was disappointed by the recent correspondence. With regard to water usage, the Chronicle has been a big help in publicizing the water watch, and he ex- pressed thanks to residents. He had a weekly meeting with the Town Manager. Public Comment There were no public comments. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 8/3/93 - page 2 Town Manager's Report Acceptance of donation of play equipment at Glen Meadow Park - Marilyn Martyniak was present to review the proposed playground at Barrows School. $16, 000 has been raised and devoted for this project. In response to the question of whether the School Com- mittee had reviewed this project, the Town Manager indicated that the Superintendent had no problem with it; the Principal of Bar- rows School has been involved in the process from the beginning; and Sue Cavicchi from the School Committee is on the Recreation Committee. The School Committee itself has not reviewed the project and the project is not on school grounds. Bill Burditt asked about maintenance. Ms. Martyniak indicated that the group has talked with Ted McIntire about where they would need assis- tance in the construction and how the property would be main- tained. According to the manufacturer, it will not need main- tenance for twelve years. The Safety Committee may be able to set up a small budget for maintenance. The Town Manager indi- cated that the PTO's have been very cooperative in providing monies for maintenance on an annual basis. Ms. Martyniak indi- cated that the first phase is handicap accessible and Public Works will have to construct a pathway to the site. The Board of Selectmen expressed their thanks to Ms. Martyniak and to the Safety Committee. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to accept the gift of play equipment from the Barrows School PTO Safety Committee and approve its installation at the Glen Meadow Park. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0.-0. Discussion/Action Items Police Presentation on Crime Statistics and Community oriented Policing - Chief Marchand, Lt. Silva, Lt. Patterson and Lt. Cloonan were present at the meeting. The Chief introduced the three lieutenants and gave some of their background. The issue of crime statistics was reviewed. There were some mistakes in the original statistics and though Reading's crime rate is in- creased somewhat from previous levels, it is still among the lowest in these surrounding areas. Lt. Silva reviewed the needs of the Department and some of the things that are currently being done including programs like the bicycle helmet program. Lt. Cloonan reviewed Community Oriented Policing and what it might mean to Reading. The Police Department will meet with the Town Manager and review what the next steps will be with regard to these issues. The Board expressed its appreciation for the Police Department, and for their making this presentation. The Chief suggested that we should establish what the Department's strength should be - for example, Wakefield's Department strength is 50. George Hines noted that there is a great deal of effort in Mas- sachusetts to help residents in the Midwest, but residents of Reading should be careful that there are some scam situations ac- cording to the Attorney General. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 8/3/93 - page 3 Personnel and Appointments Water and Sewer Advisory - Committee - The Board interviewed Stewart Chipman for a position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. On motion by Burditt seconded Hoyt the Board ap- pointed Stewart Chipman to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee for a position with a term expiring 6/30/95 by a. vote of 4-0-0. Cable TV Advisory Committee - The Board discussed the Cable TV Committee. Michael Longo who had been appointed as an Associate Member of the Committee was present requesting appointment to the full committee. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board appointed Michael M. Longo to a position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 1995 by a vote of 4-0-0. Mr. Longo thereby gives up the Associate Membership seat. Ms. Buonarosa was not present. We will get one additional member representing the Schools and one of the members of the committep will serve as liaison to the schools. Approval to Start DPW Supervisor of Business Services at Grade 11, Step 5 - On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board ap- proved the hiring of David Lee as DPW Business Supervisor at a starting salary of Grade 11 Step 5 in accordance with the recom- mendation of the Town Manager and pursuant to the Personnel Policies of the Town of Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hines noted that this was not approval for hiring of the individual, but merely starting that position at a higher step than step 2. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported on the following: Two Conservation Home Rule Petitions to swap land have been passed and the Conser- vation Commission will now proceed with appraisals in order to effectuate the swaps. The water situation has been updated, and it is unlikely that we will be able to eliminate our water use restrictioris for the remainder of this season. The Conservation hearing on the Ice Rink -road is complete and a decision will be made next week. The US Army Corp of Engineers is doing tank removal now, and is doing the necessary plans, studies, and specifications to bid the remainder through remedia- tion work this Fall for completion this Winter or Spring. The Town is receiving an insurance settlement from our Excess Workers' Comp carrier for two previous years. Washington Street in Woburn is in the process of being repaved by the State, saving the water rate payers of the Town several thousand dollars. t Board of Selectmen Meeting - 8/3/93 - page 4 Sewer rates will be declining later this year. We will also be evaluating the possibility of placing a portion of the MWRA cost on the tax rate; providing for senior citizen discount if the MWRA debt service is placed on the tax rate; and will continue to be involved in discussion with other over assessed communities. There will be a $.01 per 1000 gallon surcharge to support State enforcement of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The dead animal program has been modified because the State closed down the previous program. The cost will be approximately $3,000 more per year. The Town has had to foreclose on several properties including two occupied homes. The Town will have these properties covered on our Property and Casualty insurance; establish a fair market rent and give notice to the occupants that 'we will charge rent effec- tive the dates of the filing of the foreclosure order unless they pay all monies owed at that time; the Town will evaluate all of these properties for possible future use in the event that the owners do not redeem them; and the Town will stay in touch with the owners to see if we can get them to redeem the properties. This process will be well documented. Sally Hoyt expressed con- cern as to who serves process on these issues. She feels that this should be done by the Constables since we have five very qualified Constables. Hines expressed concern that Ms. Hoyt should not be raising these issues since she is one of the Con- stables. The Town Manager reported on the sale of the Bear Hill property, and indicated that a purchase and sale agreement is very close to being signed. Gene Nigro commended the Town Manager on his work in this regard. The Board reviewed the Town Manager's goals and objectives. The Board agreed to meet on the 17th at 7 : 30 p.m. solely for this purpose. The Chairman indicated that we should use the Town Manager's list and put our own priorities from 1 to 3 . The Selectmen might want to get input from their liaison Boards, Com- mittees or Commissions. A schedule should be set to review these goals. Gene Nigro indicated that he feels we should keep the number of priorities low for the first year. George Hines felt that we should have the Board of Assessors in to a meeting in September to discuss classification prior to its being fully reviewed. This is a follow up on the discussion from last Spring. The Board discussed the fact that the Town Manager is negotiating with Longwood Management for the sale of the Pearl Street School, and the two comparable parcels in their packet of material. The Chairman noted that there was information on the use of the Senior Center that was included in the packet. Board of Selectmen Meeting - 8/3/93 - page 5 The question was raised as to how the Civil Service .Commission is appointed. The Town Manager will have the Chief of Police respond to the abutters' concerns with regard to Cerretani's. The Town Manager indicated that the issue of the bleachers at the High School is not a problem. Several specific locations have been identified where repairs are needed and those can be accomplished fairly quickly. Next year the entire set of "sleepers" beneath the bleachers will need to be replaced. The Town Manager did indi- cate that the Superintendent felt that the Press Box will not be able to be used this year without major repairs. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to adjourn at 11:07 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secre ry