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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 24, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7:32 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, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Rosemary Dennehy, Robert Ferrari, Joanne Corbett, Ron Wood, Chief Marchand, Joseph Veno, Jonathan Edwards, Bill Robertson, Bill Scully, Ross McGurn. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of negotiation of sale of- real estate, to come back into open session at approximately 8:00 p.m. All five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:18 p.m. The regular order of the agenda followed. Sandy Trainor appeared and made a presentation on a Walk-A-Thon to be used as a fund raising event for the 350th Anniversary Celebration. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board of Selectmen voted to support the 350th Walk-A-Thon on October 2 and 3rd by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Joint discussion with CPDC of thewTown-wide Transportation Study - The Board moved on to a discussion on the Town=wide traffic study. Present were Bill Scully, Traffic Consultant; Bill Robertson, Town Engineer; Edward Marchand, Police Chief; Joseph Veno, Traffic Safety Officer; and Planning Director Jonathan Ed- wards. Scully reviewed the basic concepts of the report. George Hines asked Scully and Robertson to comment on A) what we were trying to accomplish at the intersections of Hopkins and Main Street; and High, Bond and Lowell Streets; B) whether we suc- cessfully accomplished it. Scully went through the goals of each study, which was to reduce traffic accidents, improve safety, and reduce confusion. Robertson indicated that he felt we had ac- complished the results. He agreed that we need to improve our scheduling so that projects are completely finished with signs and striping as soon after the physical construction is completed as possible. The 40 locations identified in the study were reviewed. The Town Manager outlined those which were construction projects, those which are minor projects, those where policy decisions need to be made by the Board of Selectmen, and those projects which had al- ready been completed. The Board asked the staff to come back at a later date to review the next steps in each of these areas. The Board would also like a specific process established for road -- design work, and a policy established for identifying traffic problems on an ongoing basis and seeing that they get corrected. The Board of Selectmen talked about a couple of policy issues in- cluding the Birch Meadow/Intervale Terrace issues. It was sug- gested that the Board should urge the School Department to recon Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 17, 1993 - page 3 2. Complete the inventory of Town owned land and evaluate all properties for current. and future public use. 3 . Continue to take a lead in regional issues important to Reading. 4. Evaluate the incorporation of various Town activities into the electronic highways and use other technological advances that can further improve productivity and enhance our goal to serve our customers. 5. Develop a program of funding the acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of recreation, cemetery and open spaces within Reading. 6. Update the Board. of Selectmen Policy Book. 7. Update and revise Traffic Rules and Regulations. 8. Complete the evaluation of the Town's conformance with the ADA regulations and develop a strategy of compliance. The Board noted that some of these goals are really part of an ongoing process of government and should be included in the or- ganizational culture. Ben Nichols indicated that the Town Clerk keeps a record of in- structional motions. We should also keep a record of Zoning Board of Appeals decisions and whether they are carried out. Ad- ditionally, we should keep a list of accessory apartments that . have been approved and make sure that the approvals have been re- corded in the Registry of Deeds. The Town Manager indicated that one other goal for FY94 is to have a terrific 350th Birthday Party. Ben Nichols reminded the Board that they will be perambulating the boundaries of the Town this Fall. The Town Manager will organize the goals and suggest milestones for review. These goals will then be circulated for final review by the Board prior to circulation among all Departments, Boards, Committees and Commissions. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to adjourn at 9:38 p.m. All four members voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, J/7 Secreta y i Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 24, 1993 - page 2 sider reinstatement of busing. They also talked about street sign visibility and the need for tree trimming. Jonathan Edwards indicated that the CPDC is. reviewing the subdivision standards based in large parts on the results of this study. Petition requesting removal of no parking signs from Crosby Road - The Board discussed the petition requesting removal of no park- ing signs on Crosby Road. Speaking were Joanne Corbett, Bob Fer- rari and Rosemary Dennehy. There was some confusion as to whether or not the restrictions were the resident only restric- tions or others. It was determined that the current restrictions are general restrictions not related to residency. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board approved the amendment to the parking regulations by applying the Reading Resident Parking Permit Program to the entirety of Crosby Road. This motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. If it needs to be evaluated at a later date it can be. Approval of amendment to the Traffic Rules and Orders - no park- ing Charles Street between Dana Road and Boswell Road - The Board discussed the proposed amendment to the Traffic Rules and Orders providing for no parking on parts of Charles Street opposite the Killam School. This request was initiated by the School Depart- ment and has been reviewed with the immediately abutting property owners. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board voted --; to approve the amendments of Traffic Rules and Orders adopted on April 16, 1948 by adding to Article V Section III the following: Charles Street, no parking, stopping, standing, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. , 2 :30 p.m. to 3 : 30 p.m. , Monday through Friday, northwest side between Daniel Road and Boswell Road. The motion was ap- proved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board asked that we use smaller signs and fewer of them when we post regulations. Replacement of the Mineral Street Bridge - The Board discussed the possible replacement of the Mineral Street Bridge. This is on the agenda in response to a letter received from the Mass Highway Department. The Chairman indicated that this was an un- solicited letter and Mass Highway indicated that they may be in a position to replace this bridge with a standard roadway design. The Town Manager indicated that there appeared to be three or perhaps four options including: 1) Remove the existing bridge and not replace it. 2) Replace the existing bridge with a pedestrian bridge only. 3) Replace the existing bridge with a 26 foot wide roadway structure plus six foot sidewalk. 4) Reconstruct the bridge as some other design. The question was raised as to whether additional right of way would be needed. The Board of Selectmen will schedule a public hearing in Septem- ber or October with regard to this issue. Town will communicate to the Mass Highway Department to let them know the decision making process we will undertake. Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 24, 1993 - page 3 Establishment of the Tax Classification Task Force The Town Manager indicated that if the Board had no problems with it he would establish a task force to review the tax classification program. This was in response to discussion surrounding the Prop 2 1/2 Override debate last Spring. Approval of sale of Bear Hill - The Board indicated that there were still a few small issues to worked out with Bear Hill pur- chase and sales agreement and therefore it will not be signed this evening. The Board deferred approval of minutes and Selectmen's Reports, and heard the Town Manager report briefly on the status of the Nike Base clean up; the kick off event for the Association for Fine and Performing Arts in Reading; the settlement of Workers Comp Excess Coverage in the amount of $175, 000; the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program; the Town Auction; the issue of rubbish collection at condominium developments; the status of road constuction projects; improvements to Sanborn Vil- lage; and a Pop Warner field lighting. Public Comment Ron Wood spoke under public comments and indicated that the Police Department has requested that the Pleasant Street Con- venience Market have its license rescinded because they are sell- ing explosive products. He indicated that the Police Department had asked him to come and speak to the Board. The Town Manager will get a written report on this subject. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board- adjourned at 11: 07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secret y