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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 30, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. Present were Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Bill Burditt, Chairman George Hines joined the meeting at ap- proximately 7:45 p.m. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Ron Wood, Nancy Eaton, Jim Guarente, Ross McGurn from the Chronicle. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt the Board approved the minutes of the meeting of November 16, 1993 as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Sally Hoyt reviewed the status of Elder Services, Recreation and Human Services. She indicated that Senate Bill 1706 dealing with public duty is in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. She also indicated that the RMLD has provided the Selectmen with a set of the title research on the RMLD property on Haven Street. Bill Burditt noted that at the end of the scholastic Fall season he wanted to commend the scholar athletes, bands and supporters of the various school activities. He is proud of their ac- complishment. He noted that in the Saturday Boston Globe, Read- ing was featured in the real estate section with a very positive article. Dan Ensminger attended a breakfast meeting with Senator Tisei. He talked about the public duty law and about Chapter 90 funding. He attended the Audit Committee meeting and the FY93 audit was submitted and approved by the Audit Committee. Last years com- ments have been completely cleared; property tax receivables are good; the auditors expressed concern about low reserve levels but indicated that this is improving; they were very pleased with the $1.4 million from the RMLD since this is higher than most light departments provide to their Towns; and the only comments were minor. The report was very positive. Ensminger also read a let- ter from Jim Keigley regarding the lighting ceremony and the Town wide promotional event. Gene Nigro attended Thanksgiving breakfast and noted that Sean Daley will have a lead part in "Arsenic and Old Lace" and recom- mended this play to the Board. Public Comments There were no public comments. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager indicated that the Town has received a check from Cumberland Gulf in the amount of $259, 348.94 for all costs incurred and billed to date by the Town of Reading regarding the gasoline spill. He noted that Town Counsel did an outstanding job in securing the payment. The Town Manager reviewed the ques- tion of a referendum and Town Counsel's response. A non-binding referendum may by included on the Town Election, but not in the State elections. Board of Selectmen Meeting - November 30, 1993 - page 2 The Manager noted that the sign bylaw is now in effect. Town Counsel advises that we should go ahead and proceed with estab- lishment of a Sign Review Committee. The Manager noted that information requested by Gene Nigro on the residential exemption has been distributed to the Board for their information. The Public Works Department did an outstanding job of installing the tree lights on the Common. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. The Chamber of Commerce has cancelled their program, but they will be putting significant effort including financial contribution into the 350th Celebration. The Board of Selectmen received this evening the Annual Audit Report and Management letter, the Selectmen's schedule for the next couple of months, and the election schedule for two special elections. CPDC has received the application for site plan approval for the Ice Rink. The second "Ask the Town Manager" program aired last evening and was successful. Tomorrow is AIDS Awareness Day and pins representing the new postage stamp were distributed to the Board of Selectmen, cour- tesy of the Health Division. Discussion/Action Items Review of Public Hearing on Upper Pearl Street Improvements - The Board reviewed the upper Pearl Street process to date. Con- gratulations were offered to staff on establishing and holding the hearing process. The Board agreed with the Town Manager's recommendations as to procedure, and suggested in addition that a specific schedule with time dates be established; that we should correspond with residents about that schedule; we should schedule another general input meeting prior to the formal hearing so that residents can see how their concerns have been addressed. Final Discussion on Phase 2 Traffic Recommendations - The Board discussed the final phase 2 traffic recommendations. Gene Nigro felt that we have a pretty good plan and agrees with all of the comments with a couple of exceptions. He commended staff on their sensitivity to Town issues and feels that in many cases there recommendations were better than the consultants. The fol- lowing areas were suggested. 4) Consider leaving the island at Forest Glen and Pearl Street. It has scenic value. 19) The Lowell/High/Harvard/Bond Street intersection has been controversial. We will review next Spring the accident history and current experience, the goals that we are trying to ac- complish, and whether or not those goals have been accomplished. Board of Selectmen Meeting — November 30, 1993 - page 3 Additionally, we will look at the possibility of installing some kind of landscaping on the point of the curbing at Bond Street to provide some visual identification. 20) Franklin and Haverhill Street's No Trucking Signs need to be moved out. 8) We need to evaluate the Washington at Minot Street location more heavily than the High and Washington Street location. We will look at the possibility of moving the stop sign out and/or the geometry of the curb. It was agreed that prior to any con- struction taking place, we would come back to the Board of Selectmen for review. The next steps will be to prioritize the projects. Review of Cable TV Issues - Jim Guarante from the Cable TV Ad- visory Committee discussed Cable TV issues with the Board. They've been spending most of their time reviewing the new law. The franchise renewal is in the negotiations process. Some issues on franchise renewal will be the quality of the equipment at the studio. There is a liaison from the committee to the schools, and Joe Cain has offered to provide input. The time table for the negotiation for franchise renewal began in January of 1993 and the time table is three years. The first six months the cable companies decide if they want to renew and the Town was notified in June 1993 that they would like to renew. This gives us two and one half years to renew. The Town could under very extraordinary circumstances decide not to renew and to go out for other proposals. Once the renewal process takes place, the Town can entertain additional cable tv companies coming into the com- munity. There is no longer an exclusive franchise. The Board and Mr. Guarante talked about the fiber optic potential within the community. Gene Nigro indicated that he feels we should have upgraded equipment for Selectmen's meetings, including lapel microphones which would resolve a lot of the concerns raised by residents about background noise and inability to hear. The Board talked about the issue of state regulation. Mr. Guarante indicated that he feels that the State regulation of the fees and basic services is appropriate because they have a better information base to work from. He indicated that they now have seven active members and that this is a good number - it was dis- cussed as to whether or not we should modify the policy that es- tablishes the committee to have seven rather than nine members. Review of Police Issues - The Town Manager reviewed a packet of material from the Police Department about what their optimal staffing would be and what they would get for the staffing. The Board wants to see further emphasis on community oriented polic- ing - where are we in the process, where are we going with the process, and regular feedback. The Board indicated that they were happy about the support for the Quinn Bill which they feel indicates community support for the Police Department. There was I Board of Selectmen Meeting — November 30, 1993 - page 4 discussion about possible Federal funds available for increasing the size of the Police force. The Town Manager will write to Representative Markey and ask for the status of this bill. Parking Regulation, Lowell Street (Town Hall) - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the request for parking regulations on Lowell Street. The Board would like two onsite visitor parking spaces designated in exchange for removal of parking spaces on Lowell Street. The Board also asked about the enforceability of the no passing on the right sign that has been installed. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted in accordance with the provisions for Chapter 89 Section 9 of the Massachusetts General Laws to amend Article V Section II of the Traffic Rules and Or- ders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948, by ad- ding the following to the no parking regulations: Lowell Street, southside approximately 87 feet between the entrance and exit driveways to the Town Hall. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Stop Intersection, Spruce and Covey Hill Road - The Board reviewed the stop intersection at Spruce and Covey Hill Road. Gene Nigro indicated that he had talked with some residents in the area and felt that there was no objection. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 89 Section 9 of the Massachusetts General Laws to amend Article VI Section II of the traffic rules and or- ders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948 by ad- ding the following stop streets: Spruce Road westbound at Covey Hill and eastbound at Marla Lane. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. FY95 Budget Discussion - The Board discussed FY95 budget. The Town Manager reviewed potential new programs, and the Board generally indicated that they felt that the items outlined were priorities. We will have to see as part of the budget process what priorities we can afford. It was suggested that the goals adopted by the Board of Selectmen should be part of the process for determining priorities. The Town Manager will, as part of the budget process , review the request in light of the priorities. George Hines indicated that the Finance Committee Appointment Committee meets Wednesday evening and he would welcome any input that any of the Board members had. The Reading Business Park Task Force also meets that evening. Copies of the RMLD Deeds and Certificate of Titles will be made for members of the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to adjourn at 10:55 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, v Secretary