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Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 28, 1993
The meeting was convened at 7:00 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
Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties:
Laurence Lapham, Ann Bowman, Joseph V. Pfeifer, Jim Freda,
Catherine Quimby, H Theodore Cohen, Paul Dustin.
Public Hearing
Betterment Hearing, Larch Lane - The Secretary read the notice on
the hearing for the Larch Lane sewer. Mr. Freda of 12 Larch Lane
indicates he supports the project but does not want the road con-
nected through. Mr. Laurence Lapham of Franklin Street and Ms.
Ann Bowman of 15 Larch Lane agreed. Mr. Joseph Pfeifer of 11
Larch Lane would like the sewer constructed but also does not
want the road connected through.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to
close the public hearing by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board voted to
recommend the subject matter of Article 6, the Betterment for
Larch Lane sewers, by a vote of 5-0-0. Chairman George Hines
suggested that the Board might want to develop a policy that the
current practice of a 30% betterment will be in place until a
_t date certain, at which time the policy would change to 100% bet-
terment. This might encourage more people to protect the ac-
quifer protection area and get sewers installed.
DiscussionlAction Items
The Board of Selectmen discussed the issue that was raised be-
cause the Chronicle failed to publish the Subsequent Town Meeting
Warrant in a timely manner. The Board has two choices: one to
seek special legislation to resolve the issue, and a second to
have a Special Town Meeting with the same Articles as the Subse-
quent Town Meeting, but for a week later.
Burditt moved and Nigro seconded that the Board of Selectmen
petition the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
to approve a Special Act validating the proceedings of the Spe-
cial Town Meeting, (also known as the 1993 Subsequent Town Meet-
ing) held on November 8, 1993 . After discussion of the merits of
this remedy versus Special Town Meeting, the motion was not ap-
proved by a vote 0-5-0.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to
open a Warrant for a Special Town Meeting to be held on November
15, 1993 . The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review of Town Meeting Warrant - On motion by Burditt seconded by
Nigro the Board voted to close the Warrant for a Special Town
Meeting to take place on Monday, November 15, 1993 at 7: 30 p.m.
in the auditorium at the Reading Memorial High School, consisting
Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 28, 1993 - page 2
of 16 Articles that are exactly the same as the Articles in the
Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was approved by a
vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the subject matter of
Article 4 was recommended by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro the subject matter of
Article 6 was recommended by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board discussed Article 7, the Quinn Bill. Burditt expressed
support for the Quinn Bill, noting that collective bargaining
issues were somewhat separate from this. Nigro indicated that he
would like to support the Quinn Bill but needs to see net effect
on police and negotiations in other unions. Hines indicated that
he agreed with Nigro but felt the other issues should be dealt
with through negotiations. Burditt indicated that the Town al-
ready agrees with the subject of educational incentive, and this
will allow us to divide this expense with the State. He felt it
was good for the Police Department. Nigro said he will support
it if we can deal with salary negotiations within guidelines. He
was concerned about equity. On motion by Burditt seconded by
Hoyt the Board of Selectmen voted to support Article 7, the Quinn
Bill, by a vote of 5-0-0.
on motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support
Article 10 by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support
Article 11 by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to sup-
port Article 12 by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board discussed whether
a response to Bill Brown's letter should be prepared for publica-
tion in-,the paper. The Board decided against it and indicated
that they would make their presentation at Town Meeting.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support
Article 13 by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board discussed the Sign Bylaw and noted that CPDC would be
having a hearing on the 1st.
On by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to adjourn at
9: 05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
vh
Secretary