Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting November 16, 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 Dan Ensminger and Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Fire Chief Donald Wood, Police Chief Edward Mar- chand, Town Engineer Bill Robertson, Community Development Direc- tor Jonathan Edwards and the following list of interested parties: Tom McManus, CJ Patti, Roberta - and Anthony Guar- ciariello, David DeFelice, Scott Domaratius, Ruth Cogan, Jim Keigley, Wendy J. Small, Edward F. Burke, Jr. , Margaret N. Locke, Jean E. Humphrey, Theresa and George Walk, Richard Smith, Richard and Elizabeth c:arceo, Carlene M. Neumann, Gail F. Wood, John D. Wood, Robert McNeil, Particia and Ken MacKinnon, Charles J. War- ren, Patricia McGrath, Geraldine Pothier, Particia Hogan, Jennie Cintron, Linda Krechko, Robert Lydon, Vera Csikos, Cornelia Durham, James C. Wood, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Lucille Beeth, Arthur P. Skilley, Bruce Berger, Square Liquors. Approval of Minutes On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of October 28, 1993, were approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of November 2 , 1993 were approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the minutes of November 9, 1993 were approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Gene Nigro indicated that he's been involved in the planning of the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the new Reading Public Library. The celebration will take place in March of 1994. Dan Ensminger has attended CPDC meetings on the Sign Bylaw, is going to be attending a Budget Committee meeting tomorrow, has spoken with Tony Guarciariello regarding the Mineral Street Bridge; and has had conversations with John Wood regarding a pedestrian bridge at Mineral Street. Sally Hoyt reviewed the activities in Recreation, Health, and Elder Services. 75 people (50 elders and 25 non-elders) attended the health clinic; smoking cessation training has taken place. The intergenerational concert at the Senior Center was attended. She attended the EMARC breakfast with Eugene Nigro. She par- ticipated in discussions with regard to Wescroft Road traffic is- land scout project. The benches will be located at the Senior Center. She participated in the November 6 program with other members of the Board to locate the Town boundaries. She reviewed the status of the Public Duty Rule, House 3944 which deals with trash and snow removal in condos. She attended the funeral for Simon D'Antona. Bill Burditt attended the Rules Committee meeting at Town Meeting last night regarding changes in the local election schedule, and Cathy Quimby will get the results. i Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 2 George Hines indicated that a couple of new businesses have lo- cated in Town including Snappy Car Rental. He noted the informa- tion that we've gotten from the Secretary of Transportation Of- fice regarding Chapter 90 funding and Public Works Economic Development Grant funding. He also noted that the Board approved a Certificate of Appreciation for Route 128 SAAB/Volvo and presented that certificate to Tom McManus and CJ Patti. This or- ganization donated $1600 to provide for Thanksgiving Dinners for needy Reading residents. Hines also indicated that he attended a meeting with the Housing Authority regarding their participation in land sale activities and we will have a review session with the Housing Authority at a later date. Further, he noted that the Varsity Soccer team was in the North sectional finals; that Kerrin MacDonald took first place in the Regional Swim Meet; and Courtney Foley, RMHS alumni, attends the University of Mas- sachusetts Lowell and is a field hockey allstar. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported to the Board of Selectmen that bids for Washington and Main Street improvements have been received and are within budget. He indicated that the proposed State Bond issue would have $533 ,000 in Chapter 90 funds coming to the Town, but it is not clear whether the Chapter 90 funds would continue for the full five-year length of the bond. Hearings on Prescott, Summer and Pearl Streets were well attended and will be reported on at later sessions. The hours of the Compost Center have ex- panded in order to reduce traffic tie ups. The Town Manager has been elected to serve as the communities' representative on the Northeast Regional Vocational School District bargaining com- mittees; the Vending Task Force has been working to develop policies on vendors in public parks and public property, and also with regard to parades. The Town Manager presented a request for a change of manager for the Knights of Columbus in Reading. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board approved the change in manager for the Knights of Columbus to David DeFelice, and the forms will be sent into the state. The vote was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel and Appointments There were no personnel appointments. Discussion/Action Items Review of Condominium Rubbish Collection - The Board of Selectmen began discussion on the issue of rubbish collection for con- dominiums. The Town Manager noted that values of condominiums have been decreasing at a greater rate than those of single family homes, and that the tax burden shift to single family homes has been increasing. He noted further that some specific regulations including the Zoning Bylaws require that "all driveway maintenance including snow plowing and all trash removal shall be the duty and responsibility of the owners of the townhouse parcel. " The Board entertained discussion, and noted that there is a local option law pending before the legislature which will allow cities and towns to provide this service. Hoyt Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 3 asked if we could conduct a survey of other communities as to how they handle rubbish collection disposal. Ensminger indicated that as part of the rezoning for Summit Towers it was promised that no extraordinary Town services would be provided. There may be a difference between the Carnation Circle type of development versus the high rise type of development at Summit Towers and Summit Terrace. Nigro asked if the Town had made any special ar- rangements regarding tax assessments for condos when they were developed in exchange for them not having these services provided. The Town Manager indicated that there were no tax as- sessment concessions made. Bill Burditt noted that if we were to change the current structure and provide services, assessments may go up, but we could not recover this as new growth under Proposition 2 1/2. Ken McKinnon spoke. He indicated that when rubbish was done as a fee - in FY92 and FY93 - that the condo owners knew that they would be responsible for their own rubbish collection disposal. When the Town passed the override they felt that they should be included in the rubbish collection disposal program. They use rubbish barrels, not dumpsters. Mr.- McKinnon claimed that the 36 units in Carnation Circle are paying $6480 (36 X $180 per unit) for rubbish collection that they are not getting. When the 58 additional units are built the Town will have $16,800 collected for this service. Carnation Circle residents are currently paying $1.26 per week for rubbish collection disposal services. They feel that their development is more like single family homes. George Hines indicated that to do anything in Carnation Circle would require a change in the Zoning Bylaw. Condominiums do get services - rubbish collection and disposal is not one of them. Bill Burditt noted that lack of certain services in condominium developments is reflected by the market value and therefore the assessed value. The following residents spoke in favor of providing at least rub- bish collection disposal services to condominiums in Town: Vera J. Cikos, 4 Summit Drive; Dick Smith, 2 Summit Drive. Hines noted that the services provided to condominiums are tradi- tional in Reading and throughout the State. Dan Ensminger noted that some of these developments were initially developed as apartments and commitments were made that the Town would not have to provide services. Burditt noted that the more services that are available the greater the market value and therefore, the greater the assessment. Gene Nigro indicated that he has felt that the lack of services in condominiums is inherently unfair and would like to address these. He noted, however, that the service levels are historic, traditional and customary. Gail Wood noted that although there may not have been accommodations made to the assessment of the condominiums, there were accommoda- tions made in that properties were rezoned and these resulted in reduced lot sizes, higher densities, and therefore reduced in- frastructure cost. This resulted in a lower cost of the home. All of the condominium developments in Reading, except for 1 t Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 4 Charles Place, were built after the current trash rules and regulations were put in place, and property owners knew or should have known that rubbish collection disposal was not a service that was provided by the Town. Scott Damancius of 1 Charles Place indicated that the Town was providing less services because the assessed valuation was lower. The Town Manager indicated that the market for condominiums and therefore the assessed valuation was lower in part because there were services that were not provided. The Board asked the Town Manager to develop the following information. (1) What do other communities do about services to condominiums. (2) What do all of the Zoning Bylaws and other records say about provision of services. (3) Monitor the progress of the law that would allow home rule option for services to condominiums. (4) Does the Town have the ability to make a decision with regard to this matter without the change in the law. (5) What would be the cost of changing the rubbish collection rules to include four family units (which would in- clude collection of the Carnation Circle development) as opposed to stopping at three-family units. (6) What would be the cost of picking up rubbish at all of the 416 condominiums in Town. The Board determined that they would have this on a future agenda and if there were to be any change a public hearing would be re- quired at some point. This discussion was concluded at 9: 05 p.m. and the Board adjourned for a brief recess. Decision on the Mineral Street Bridge - The Board reconvened at 9: 15 p.m. The issue of the Mineral Street Bridge was discussed. The Town Manager reviewed the material that the Board had before it. Hines indicated that previously unanswered questions that we hoped to answer tonight are: (1) What is the condition of the bridge? (2) What is the proposed financing structure - state and/or federal? (3) What are the public safety departments feelings about the reconstruction of the bridge? (4) How does the construction of the bridge or leaving it as is fit into the master plan? (5) There will be dialogue this evening from the Board of Selectmen. (6) Although the public hearing is closed, the Board will entertain any new information. Bill Robertson, Town Engineer, spoke. He indicated that a new pedestrian bridge would cost approximately $250,000. Chapter 90 funds cannot be used. ISTEA funds may be available for pedestrian bridge construction for FY95 or FY96. The bridge is not now condemned. It's status is "closed" (no vehicles) and is inspected yearly in January. It is not clear how much longer the bridge would last and we will get a copy of the inspector's report in January. If it is a hazard to pedestrian activity then the State would in fact close it for all purposes and probably move to demolish it. With regard to the design of reconstruc- tion, there are no plans that have been developed. The construc- tion project would probably include the entire area from the in- tersection of Mineral and Hancock to the intersection of Mineral and Vine. The current clearance is 16' 8" and would need to be raised to 20' 611 . The State has very little experience with pedestrian bridge relocation. A recent one was done in Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 5 Gloucester and one was done about 15 years ago in Framingham. George Hines indicated that it seemed to be the consensus that at the very least a pedestrian bridge should be retained. Robertson indicated that for the Town to proceed with a footbridge that counts of foot traffic would need to be made in- cluding the purpose of the trips. The State has indicated that a four to five month delay in making a decision would not be criti- cal. With regard to meeting Americans with Disabilities Act re- quirements, the State has commented that they had just put sidewalks on Beacon Hill and that certainly is much steeper than ADA requirements. Chief Marchand indicated that if the bridge was permanently closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic it would be problematic, but no additional crossing guards would be required. The Police Department would favor the opening of the bridge for vehicular traffic, and feels strongly that it should be kept open at least for pedestrian traffic. On certain occasions, having the bridge available for vehicular traffic would improve response times, although there has not been a problem to date. He feels that there would not be cut through traffic, from other com- munities. Chairman Hines clarified with the Chief that his recommendation in his letter. is that the bridge be open for vehicular traffic. Fire Chief Donald Wood spoke. He reviewed his memo regarding im- proved response time to Tannerville if the bridge was opened to traffic; which would include fire and emergency vehicles. He favors the reopening from a public safety perspective. Nigro asked if Chief Wood's comment about passing the Library was a concern, and the Chief indicated that because they pointed out in the alternative route the need to pass schools, that out of fairness he included the Library. A little more caution would have to be used in this area. Bill Burditt noted that most trips to Frank Tanner Drive are Rescue and that the Rescue is located at the Fire Headquarters. Nigro asked and Wood confirmed that both ambulances are located at the Central Fire Station and that we don't have the staff to operate a second ambulance. The second ambulance is there for backup services. Wood noted that we do have a fire station on the west side of Town, but Rescue is not there. The first responders would respond from the closest station, but they don't have all the apparatus on the fire trucks. Hines asked what the time frames for signalization at Woburn Street and the railroad crossing is. The Town Manager indicated that there is no definite schedule - it was supposed to be done with the modern- ization of the depot, and now has been deferred until a second rail has been put in. Nigro asked what the improved response time for fire services means, and Wood indicated that it could be important. He indicated that the threshold is four minutes, if someone is not breathing the improved response time could be im- portant. f s Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 6 i Jonathan Edwards reviewed his memo. Dan Ensminger asked if cut through traffic is a potential. Edwards noted that we have winter 1991 traffic counts and felt that the reopening of the Mineral Street bridge would not be attractive to a significant number of out of town commuters. Tony Guarciariello from Willow Street indicated that they had collected signatures at the public Library, football games and at the Atlantic, and that most people that they talked to were in favor of reopening the Mineral Street bridge. It will be con- venient for across-Town traffic and will relieve cross-Town traf- fic on Woburn Street and Willow Street that has been added to their burdens since the Mineral Street bridge has been closed. Tom Baille spoke and indicated that at the hearing only two people spoke in favor of the reopening of the Mineral Street bridge. He asked what the cost of a vehicular bridge would be and confirmed that it is not free - that our tax dollars through the Federal government would pay for it.. It was indicated that $250, 000 cost of a pedestrian bridge would include design and construction. The cost of demolition of the bridge for any pur- pose is the same in both cases. He took exception to the Police Chief's comments - he believes it would be •used for cut through traffic. George Hines indicated that the Board was distinguish- ing between intown cross traffic and commuter cut through traf- fic. Baillie noted that if the bridge was there, the neigh- borhood will see a lot of traffic. He sees a vehicular bridge as a greater hazard to pedestrians. He asked how the Fire Chief timed his run to Tannerville if he couldn't drive across the bridge (the Chief indicated that they did one side and then the other side and added the two) . Baillie noted that other areas of Town have longer travel times such as the Sanborn Street area (Ensminger noted that there is a higher concentration of elderly in this neighborhood then in other areas of Town) . Leslie Haley of 88 Mineral Street, indicated that we shouldn't be considering the information on the current traffic study because a lot has happened since 1976. With respect to out of town traf- fic, this area is close to West Street, Summer Street and I93 and people will look for alternatives. This could be a major hazard to pedestrians. Bernice Herrick indicated that there are no problems delivering emergency care. In the past the bridge has had a 6 ton limit and emergency vehicles were never able to go across it. It was indi- cated that a new bridge would be a steel and concrete, although no specific design has been done. Herrick felt that if the bridge is reopened she feels crossing guards would be required at Vine and Mineral and Hancock and Mineral. She noted that the bridge was closed before the Library was moved to its current site. i Ron Grand of 81 Mineral Street felt that improving the bridge would take money out of people's pockets because it would reduce property values. He felt that residents who wanted the bridge rebuilt were being selfish. Patty McGrath indicated that the Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 7 Mineral Street bridge would be a connection between Route 128 and Route 129 to I93. People would go across the Mineral Street bridge to Willow and Summer if the bridge was opened. The In- dustrial Park in Woburn would have access. Tom Stohlman reiterated that the reason the bridge was ever built was not to get across Town - .it was to access the Reading High- land Station._ He asked for copies of materials that the Board of Selectmen had, and those will be provided. He hopes that there will be a chance for public debate. He read a copy of previous Fire Chief's Redfen's letter indicating that the bridge was not needed. Fe feels that it will be used mainly by commuters. Charles Warren of 35 Hancock Street was concerned about the pos- sibility of losing land to the construction (he's an abutter) . He still sees people trying to use the bridge. Pat Hogan of 72 Willow Street spoke and says she heard a lot of comments about Mineral Street, but no discussion on the impact of not having the Mineral Street bridge reopened to other streets like Willow. She feels it would alleviate a lot of traffic on Willow Street for people who are driving their kids to Barrows School. Most of the people who were at the last hearing were from Mineral Street and she understands why they would not want it opened. However, Woburn and Willow Street now take the burden of traffic that used to go on Mineral Street. She feels that this traffic should be divided evenly among the three locations. Jim Wood of 119 Summer Avenue (corner of Mineral Street) indi- cated that when the bridge was open there were a lot of traffic accidents at Mineral and Summer because of poor sight distance. The Chairman ended discussion and the Board of Selectmen dis- cussed how to proceed. They need to know how the demolition would be handled - would it be 100% Federal and State money - and would there be an attempt to link the timing of demolitition to the timing of construction. Sally Hoyt noted that of course people don't want all of the traffic in their neighborhood, but she noted that she lives at West and Woburn and all neighborhoods have to bear some traffic. Situations change over time. Nigro indicated that he was interested in hearing all of the informa- tion. He emphathizes with the residents especially since many have purchased their homes since the bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic. He is coming down heavily in support of the public safety concerns and cutting response time to areas of the community in half. He feels this is a townwide issue, not just a neighborhood issue, it would be interesting to see how Town voters decide. Burditt noted that one of the Police Officers talked to him about the need to reopen it for response time. He asked about having this on a ref errendum on either a binding or nor binding basis, and questioned whether it could be put on the Special Election. Hines expressed concern about putting it on a ballot and pitting one area of the community against the other, Hoyt indicated that it was fair to have the voters make the deci- sion. They will decide on the 30th. f E f Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 16, 1993 - page 8 r Request for Sunday Liquor Sales - Town Manager discussed the issue of Sunday liquor sales, which had been approved by the - Board for the last two years. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to allow the Sunday openings of liquor stores on Sunday November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12 , December 19, and December 26, 1993 from noon to 5: 00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Nigro noted that the Town takes very seriously the concerns about liquor use and liq- uor sales and anticipates continued cooperation from these mer- chants especially as liquor sales effect the youth of the com- munity. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of real estate negotiations, labor negotiations, pending litigation, and ap- proval of minutes not to come back into open session. All five members present voted in the affirmative and the open session was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary