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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-12-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Board of Selectmen Meeting December 14, 1993 The meeting was convened at 7: 03 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, Selectman Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate, ne- gotiations and approval of minutes, to come back into open ses- sion between 7:30 and 8: 00 p.m. All four members present voted in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned at 7: 05 p.m. The Selectmen reconvened in open session at 8 : 11 p.m. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Mark A. Gallant, Linda Hickory, R.R. Hemp, Jr. , Nancy Eaton, Jim Keigley, Jane Fiore. Approval of Minutes On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of November 30, 1993 were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of the meeting of December 7, 1993 were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison ReportsJSelectmen's Comments Gene Nigro indicated that he had attended the Reading Business Park Task Force Meeting, the Donations Policy Committee meeting, and the school play "Arsenic and Old Lace. " He commended the An- tiquarian Society on their celebration at Parker Tavern. He noted that the Library Staff Appreciation event was scheduled for December 17 at 4 : 00 p.m. Circulation at the Library has in- creased as a result of Sunday hours. The Library has a new alarm system. He also noted that a donation of $5, 000 has resulted in the addition of a significant number of books in the Children's Room. Sally Hoyt noted that both the Board of 'Health and the Board of Selectmen have called Senator Tisei regarding the Travellini amendment to Senate Bill 458 . On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board directed the Town Manager to send a letter from the Board of Selectmen in opposition to the Travellini amendment and support of Senate Bill 458 . The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 . Hoyt further reported on the Adopt a Family Program; she attended the Recreation Committee Food Vending Task Force meeting; the December 4th Band Concert on the Common; she represented the Board of Selectmen in greeting the Melrose Cham- ber of Commerce contingents who arrived by train; she had a breakfast meeting with Senator Tisei; she attended the Globe New England summit on healthcare; and represented the Board of Selectmen at the Chamber of Commerce Christmas celebration. Bill Burditt indicated that he had attended the RMLD Board meet- ing, the CPDC hearing on the Ice Rink, and the High School Band concert on the Town Hall lawn. Board of Selectmen Meeting - December 14, 1993 - page 2 George Hines indicated that he had attended many of the meetings that the other Selectmen had commented on, and also collected for the Reading Santa Fund last weekend. Public Comment Nancy Eaton, President of the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club, wanted to know the status of the land swap. The Town Manager will find out the time table from the Conservation Commission and let Ms. Eaton and the Board of Selectmen know. Bob Childs from the Main Sail Restaurant on Main Street reviewed his letter requesting a Liquor License refund for 1992 since he was open only for 10 days. The Town Manager indicated that he had discussed the matter with Town Counsel and the Board does not have the discretion to either pro-rate the license or to refund it. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager reported that the Ice Rink site plan was ap- proved by CPDC last evening. CPDC also granted a site plan waiver for the YMCA. The Town will be picking up Christmas trees curbside the week of January 3 , 1994 and the compost center will be open the following weekend. Photos for the Reading Business Park Task Force were taken by Police Officer Frank Duclose with the cooperation of the State Police helicopter. The Town Manager noted that the Reading Memorial High School Marching Band par- ticipated in the Jingle Bell Parade, which was televised on Chan- nel 5. Many nice comments about the band and the Town of Reading were made. Tax bills are going out December 17, with a last date for abatement applications being January 18 , 1994 and the last day for exemption applications being March 17, 1994 . He wished residents and the Board a very Happy Holiday and Happy New Year. Public Hearings 24 Hour Operation of the Texaco Gasoline Station on Walkers Brook Drive - The Board opened the hearing on the request for 24 hour operation at the Texaco Gasoline Service Station on Walker's Brook Drive. The notice of the hearing was read by the Secretary. Mark Gallant represented Star Enterprises, and other representatives of the service station were present. Gallant in- dicated that all requirements of the permit to operate 24 hours have been met during the last year. In addition, this service station has become a participant in many community events, col- lecting Toys for Tots, providing a location for the Salvation Army collection, contributing to Reading Elder Services, Reading Human Services and the Police Department. There have been no reported problems with the operation and there have been no problems with attempted robberies. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the public hearing by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board noted that the operation of this service sta- tion on a 24 hour basis is for public safety purposes in order to provide gasoline to Town residents and motorists on the adjacent Interstate 95 on a 24 hour basis. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to grant approval pursuant to Section 5. 10. 1 of the General Bylaws to Star Enterprises d.b.a. Reading Board of Selectmen Meeting - December 14 , 1993 - page 3 Texaco to operate the existing gasoline service station and food business on the premises on a 24 hour a day basis, subject to the following conditions: a) The station will, in fact, be open 24 hours a day seven days a week; b) a supply of gasoline will be available at the station during all hours that it is open; c) gas cans will be provided for people who run out of gas on the road; d) a list of repair shops that are open 24 hours a day will be posted for those in need of such service; e) bathroom facilities will be open and accessible 24 hours a day. The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 . On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to grant a Common Victuallers License on a 24 hour basis to Star Enterprises on Walkers Brook Drive for calendar year 1994 by a vote of 4-0-0. Policy Establishing the Substance Abuse Task Force - The Board of Selectmen opened a public hearing on a policy establishing a Sub- stance Abuse Task Force. Jane Fiore from the Reading Health Division spoke. The Town Manager indicated that this task force has been in existence for some time, but that it needed to be formalized. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the policy establishing the Reading Substance Abuse Advisory Council by a vote of 4-0-0. They commended Ms. Fiore for the excellent work that is being done and noted that ongoing efforts in this area are needed. No Parking Regulation, Salem Street - The Town Manager presented a proposal to eliminate parking on the north side of Salem Street from 34 Salem Street westerly to Main Street. He noted that the funeral home at the corner of Main and Salem is in agreement with the proposal. There appears to be one vehicle that parks there sometimes, but is off the street at other times. The Board felt that this would help the traffic flow and noted that the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force supports it. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted in accordance with the provisions of 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 adopted on April 16, 1948 by adding the following to the "No Parking" regulations: Street Location Salem Street North side approximately 170 ft. from 34 Salem Street westerly to Main Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of Progress Toward Meeting FY94 Goals - The Town Manager reviewed progress on ongoing business practices, priority 1 and 2 goals, and ongoing goals. He expressed appreciation for a process which allows ongoing evaluation of those goals. He noted that one of the goals, development of a five year budget, is a - little bit behind schedule. Selectmen Hines requested that we try to push very hard for the April Town Meeting date for that project, but if we can't do it by then that we make sure that it Board of Selectmen Meeting - December 14, 1993 - page 4 is completed by June. He also suggested that the Town Manager revise the chart to show initial expectations for the goals and show the current schedule. Selectmen Nigro asked about the TQM process. The Town Manager indicated that we had done an evaluation and that staff has a concern about "buying into" a package program, but likes many of the concepts of TQM. The Town will be developing its own "Reading Quality Management. " License Renewals - The Board discussed renewal of licenses. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Res- taurant All Alcoholic Liquor License for Gauntlet Corporation d.b.a. Le Metro Cafe at Lincoln Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Restaurant All Alcoholic Liquor License for Harrows Poultry Products, Inc. , 126 Main Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Restaurant All Alcoholic Liquor License for Stavros Natsis, d.b.a. SenCorp Reading Diner, 530 Main Street, Reading, MA, sub- ject to payment of all past and pending taxes, by a vote of 4-0- 0. . On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Restaurant All Alcoholic Liquor License for Rugdale Corporation d.b.a. Main Sail, 323 Main Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Restaurant All Alcoholic Liquor License for Wes Parkers, 296 Salem Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved a 1994 Package Store All Alcoholic Liquor License for Athens Liquor, Inc. d.b.a. Square Liquors, 607 Main Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Package Store All Alcoholic Liquor License for Reading Liquors, Inc. d.b.a. Reading Liquors, Inc. , 345 Main Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the 1994 Package Store All Alcoholic Liquor License for Uptown Liquors, Inc. , 1349 Main Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved the 1994 Club All Alcoholic Liquor License for Home Building Corporation of Reading Council of K of C Inc. , 11 Sanborn Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting - December 14, 1993 - page 5 On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the Board approved the 1994 Club All Alcoholic Liquor License for Meadowbrook Golf Corpora- tion of Reading, Massachusetts, 292 Grove Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved the 1994 Club All Alcoholic Liquor License for Reading Overseas Veterans, Inc. , 575 Main Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved the 1994 Club All Alcoholic Liquor License for Reading Veteran's Associa- tion, Inc. , 37 Ash Street, Reading, MA, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved a Common Victuallers License for Meadowbrook Golf Club by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board moved to approve the Common Victuallers Licenses, Amusement Licenses, Entertainment Licenses, Laundry License, Ped- dlers License, Class I Auto Licenses, Class II Auto Licenses and Class III Auto License in accordance with the Town Manager's recommendation. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro a motion to remove the Peddlers License from this list was defeated by a vote of 2-2-0, with Hoyt and Nigro voting in favor of the amendment. On the main motion, the Board approved the motion by a vote of 3-1-0 with Hoyt voting in opposition. -- George Hines noted that the Board of Selectmen will be meeting tomorrow evening with the FinCom and the School Committee. There ` had been some concern expressed by FinCom members about the Budget Committee process. Chairman Hines expressed best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season to all residents and employees of the Town on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Board voted to adjourn at 10: 25 p.m. by a vote of' 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, lf Yl_ Secret