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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes i i i Board of Selectmen Meeting October 19, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7 :37 p.m. at the Lecture Hall at Reading Memorial High School. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Dan Ensminger, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Counsel Theodore Cohen and the following list of interested parties: Deirdre Hanley, Elia Marnik, Thomas Stohlman, M. Clifton Proctor, James Alexander, Charles Herrick, Ken Maguire, Mike DeBrigard, Annette Flanagan, Denise Commito, Patricia McGrath, Steve Smith, Tom Boshar, Charlie Smith, Tom Boshar, Mark Sawyer, John Sawyer, Peter Letourneau, Ann Domigan, Thomas Baillie, Susan Williams, Elizabeth M. Holland, Jason Brown, Allen Brown, Barbara Bradlee, Jane Fiore, Gail Donovan, Chistine Monagle, Margaret Carlman, Edith Sias, Ed DiPillo, Vic- tor Petri, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Paula Curren, Rachel Edlund, John Wood, Gail Wood, Bill Robertson, Ruth Goldberg, Joan Stearns, Ricky Stearns, Michael Palazzo, Judith Boudreau, Kimberly Dick- son, Mary Williams, Glenn Drene, Stephen Collins, Michael Slezak, Charles Latowsky, Gretchen Latowsky, Mary Mehringer, Ron Grand, Barry Greenwood, Dawn Greenwood, Anne Marie Letourneau, Catherine Durkin, Ruth Cogan, Nancy Shipes. Approval of Minutes On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the minutes of October 5, 1993 were approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. - Personnel and Appointments Library Board of Trustees - George Hines indicated that a problem has arisen with regard to two of the members of the Library Board of Trustees. They have a technical conflict of interest with the state ethics law because they are full-time teachers with the Town of Reading as well as being members of the Library Board of Trustees. Town Counsel reviewed the specifics of the conflict. George Hines indicated that because this involves two respected long-term members he would be willing to extend special employee status to Elia Marnik and Christine Redford. He noted that pre- vious Boards of Selectmen had declined to use special employee status, and it would be his intent to recommend it, the status to be limited. Gene Nigro noted that the State Library Commissioners are looking to amend the law to eliminate this kind of conflict. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to grant special municipal employee status to the Reading Board of Library Trustees, said grant of status to expire at the earlier of: ef- fective date of the state law which would eliminate the conflict of interest of the Library Board of Trustees member who is also a school teacher in the community; or December 31, 1994. The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve a specific exemption for Christine Redford and Elia Marnik sub- ject to their filing a disclosure statement with the Town Clerk i i Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 19, 1993 - page 2 I indicating a potential violation of the conflict of interest law because of their having a .contract with the school department. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen Comments Gene Nigro indicated that he had attended a quarterly meeting of the Community Development Department Chairman that was very worthwhile. Dan Ensminger indicated that he had attended the MWRA Overas- sessed Communities meeting. They voted to go ahead with 10-12 towns that are currently involved, and try to secure participa- tion by the other 20. He felt that it was best to start this process now and to send a message to the MWRA and Legislature. There are two phases to this program, the first of which is in- formation gathering and which will cost $50, 000 — $100, 000. The 10 communities to date have committed $55,000. During the infor- mation gathering they will review legal theories, data acquisi- tion of the freedom of information act, etc. The group is also hopeful that Senator Kennedy may be helpful in clarifying federal regulations. The group of communities representing 12 of the 31 affected communities voted to proceed on this basis. Ensminger further commented on the Household Hazardous Waste Col- lection Program. He felt that it was successful but unfortunate that residents had to be turned away because of lack of funds. He also commented on pumpkining and indicated that he supports the Police on their cracking down on the thefts of pumpkins. He would hope that this tradition could continue but without the theft aspect to it. George Hines indicated that the Board of Selectmen went on record two years ago with regard to pumpkining, and the police are fol- lowing through. He encouraged local media to report the inci- dents including specific addresses. Sally Hoyt reported on Recreation, a meeting regarding the Day Camp program, Flu Clinics, and the Teen Center Committee. Senator Tisei attended the meeting of the Teen Center Committee and promised to help. She noted the sex education program broad- cast on Boston TV regarding RMHS and felt the students conducted themselves well. She walked four miles for Pride Stride. She had the pleasure of watching the Band Competition and offered congratulations to the students, parents and teachers. She has contacted our legislators about Senate 1706 - Public Duty Rules, .the mandate for providing municipal services to condos which she expressed opposition to, House 1632 which she did not comment on because it affects only cities and Senate 1762 affecting Con- stable serving of civil process. Bill Burditt indicated that he had attended the FinCom meeting with regard to the Quinn Bill and supported it. FinCom recom- mended the Quinn Bill by a vote 6-0-0. He also met with the Town Manager, the Chief and two Lieutenants regarding police staffing issues. These will be handled through the normal budget process. Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 19, 1993 - page 3 George Hines indicated that the Ice Arena Authority plans are ad- vancing. The internal design is complete and the exterior design is well advanced. They are within the range, of cost previously projected. They plan on filing with CPDC and Conservation next month. He also indicated that he had attended the Library Trustees meeting, and had discussed concerns about scheduling of activities at Birch Meadow. Public Hearing Proposal to Reconstruct the Mineral Street Bridge - At 8: 05 p.m. the Board of Selectmen opened the public hearing on the Mineral Street Bridge. Sally Hoyt read the notice. George Hines gave the background as to the purpose of the public hearing which is only to solicit public input. The Town Manager outlined the recent history and the fact that the State solicited the Town for possibility of reconstructing this bridge. The following people spoke and expressed interest in having the pedistrian bridge rebuilt but not rebuilding a vehicular bridge: Bernice Herrick, 85 Vine Street; Tom Stohlman, 14 Mineral Street; Tom Baille, 89 Vine Street; John Wood, 213 Pleasant Street; Mary Ellen O'Neil, 125 Summer Avenue; Peter Letourneau, 93 Vine Street; Richard Stearns, 10 Mineral Street; Steven Collins, 23 Mineral Street; Catherine Durkin, 17 Bond Street; Ron Grand, 81 Mineral Street; Paula Curren, 66 Mineral Street; Mike Slezak, 32 Mineral Street; Gail Boudreau, 15 Mineral Street; Gretchen Latowski, 93 King Street; Glen Drene, 17 Mineral Street; Ann Marie Letourneau, 93 Vine Street; Victor Petri, Mineral Street. - The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen asked for those who might be in favor of the reconstruction of the Mineral Street Bridge for traffic and pedestrian activity. Rachel Edlund of 20 Mineral Street and Ed DiPillo of 155 Prospect Street spoke in favor. Jim Alexander from Mass Highway was present. He was asked why the State proposed reconstructing the bridge. He indicated that the bridge is dangerous and federal funds are available. Federal funds are available for a roadway bridge only, not for a pedestrian bridge. A pedestrian bridge would need to be state funded and there are no funds immediately available. They review the list of substandard bridges on a periodic basis. Gene Nigro raised questions about possible land takings, if the bridge was raised would it meet ADA standards. Alexander responded that the detailed design would look at property lines and that the bridge would be approximately six feet wider than what is currently in place - probably taking three feet on each side of the current bridge which is still within the public right of way. Alexander indicated that there would be no cost for removal of the existing bridge if Federal funds can be utilized. Nigro asked if there would be funds available for sidewalk construction on Mineral Street and any funds available to mitigate the impact of the project. Alexander indicated that all safety traffic walks and other things related to the bridge would be provided, but he was h i E i Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 19, 1993 - page 4 not sure that this would include sidewalks "off-site. " Burditt asked if federal funds would be available at a later date and whether or not the bridge would last for another several years while we got on the list for replacement of the bridge as a pedestrian bridge. Sally Hoyt asked if there was a deadline date to request the federal funds, and Jim Alexander indicated that he doesn't know of any specific date. Dan Ensminger asked how many years are left in the existing bridge and Bill Robertson responded that it should come down fairly quickly. Gail Wood reminded the Board of Selectmen that the bridge is owned by the state and that the Town had turned it over to the state. The Board indicated that they would rake a decision on November 16. They requested the Town Manager to get a report from the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, and the Safety officer regarding location of crossing guards, cut through traffic if the bridge is replaced, and the effect on West and Woburn Street. The staff was also asked to review ADA requirements vis-a-vis the need to design a walkway and to review the master plan with regard to criteria needed to make a decision on this project. On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to close the hearing on the state's proposal to reconstruct the Mineral Street Bridge. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Meeting with CPDC - CPDC members Jonathan Barnes, Bill Goodrich, Nancy Shipes, Tom Bailey and Planner Jonathan Edwards met to talk with the Board. Drew Dolben, purchaser of the Bear Hill site, was also present. The Board and CPDC reviewed the PRD-M Bylaws. CPDC will hold a hearing on November 1. Drew Dolben indicated that he wanted to get on with the process as soon as possible. Lance Watson asked for a copy of Dolben's letter to Bill Brown. The Board discussed the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant Articles. PRD-G articles (14 & 15) have been recommended by CPDC to Town Meeting. The Bay State Road site would contain four dwellings, and the Forest Street site will contain one additional dwelling. Sign Bylaw - The group reviewed. the sign bylaw, and it was sug- gested that a copy of the motions be sent to Town Meeting members ahead of time. Nancy Shipes indicated that CPDC believes they have the support of the business community and that the new Bylaw is better than the old one and it is not a financial burden. Bill Goodrich indicated that he feels strongly that this is a technical Bylaw and it should not be amended by Town Meeting. They have tried to solicit support from the business community including the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce feels that some aspects should be looser than they are. Jonathan Ed- wards referenced the "street graphics" book which the Library was able to secure for us. Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 19, 1993 - page 5 Reading Business Park - The group reviewed the progress on the Reading Business Park site. They have a large task force which is developing pre-permitting and marketing work including a master plan in traffic study. Dan Ensminger suggested that the PUD may need to be reworked in order to make it more flexible. Presentation of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council - Jane Fiore and Pat Donnelly brought the Board of Selectmen up to date on the activities of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council. This is a combination of health, school, and law enforcement effort. The focus of the Task Force is expanding to deal with issues of date rape, AIDS, suicide prevention, etc. in addition to substance abuse. The drug free school money will continue through year nine - we are currently in year seven. Business support con- tinues to be strong. The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Fiore and Ms. Donnelly for their work and for the update. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt item 8c was tabled un- til after 11:00 by a vote of 5-0-0. Stop Intersections - Spruce RoadjCovey Hill Road - The Board dis- cussed the proposal to provide a stop intersection at Spruce Road and Covey Hill Road. The Board tabled action, wanting more in- formation on what the criteria for establishing a stop .intersec- tion is. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the meeting was ad- journed by a vote of 5-0-0 at 11: 13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secret ry