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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting January 7, 1992 The meeting convened in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:04 p.m. Present were Chair- man Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russell Graham and George Hines,and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Graham the Board voted to go into Executive Session at approximately 7:05 p.m. The meeting re-convened in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:40 p.m. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russell Graham and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of residents: Steve Garey, Steve Smith, Bill Murphy, Bill Brown, Nate White, Jim Hall, Jim Keigley, Harold Hulse, Gloria Hulse, Penny Richards, Bill Burditt, Gorden Rogerson, Cathy Quimby, Dewey Smith, Margaret M. Veronelli, Michael Rusinak, Kevin Moran, Dan Ross, William Warren, Patrick Sudbay, Molly Ziegler, Ruth Warren, William J. Hughes Jr. , Don Anglehart, Anne Mark, Timothy Twomey, Carroll E McMillan. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Minutes of December 10, 1991 were approved as submitted by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Minutes of December 17, 1991 were approved as amended by vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports George Hines indicated that the Ice Rink Siting Advisory Com- mittee had met once since the Selectmen's last meeting. They are looking at the possibility of private land donations, and at the legal status of the access to the Nike Base. With regard to Com- munity Development liaison, on the 28th CPDC will be in to dis- cuss economic development issues. He also indicated that the Town is making headway on the West Street boarding house. Sally Hoyt indicated that the process is underway for the renova- tion of the fire station to a new senior center; the Health Director is working on testimony concerning state regulations on tanning facilities; the Middle Schools Key program began today and additional monitors are needed; lights for ice skating have been turned on at Memorial Park and Sturges Park but funds are not available for turning the lights on at Castine Field. The Town Manager indicated that the Town would be happy to accept contributions to light the rink at Castine Field. Russ Graham indicated that on December 19, the Audit Committee had met to review the audit. The Auditors were very complimen- tary of our Finance and Accounting staff. We will be proposing a Bylaw to establish a formal Audit Committee. Two separate areas of deficiency were cited in the Building Department - un- controlled cash and uncontrolled building permits. The Town Selectmen's Minutes - 1/7/92 - page 2 Manager indicated that corrective measures are now being deter- mined. Dan Ensminger indicated that he had met with folks regarding the senior center. Staff had attended a meeting in Boston regarding this project. He also attended the School Committee budget meet- ing. Chairman Nigro indicated that architect Rich Radville has volun- teered his services to help with the fire station project. Public Comment Russ Graham announced that he will not be seeking re-election to the Board of Selectmen. He has spent over a decade in service to the Town, and felt that it was time to turn the reins over to somebody new. He indicated that people are well served by their government, both volunteers and the excellent staff. Eugene Nigro thanked Russ for his excellent service. Dan Ensminger indicated that he will seek re-election to the Board of Selectmen. He wants to continue to serve and help solve some of the problems that the Town is currently facing. Bill Brown suggested that the Board of Selectmen should look at improved enforcement of the red/yellow crossing signals in the Square, and the timing of lights. The Town Manager indicated that the Town had sold $397, 000 worth of bond anticipation notes to BayBank for 3 .700. The ambulance has been delivered and will be on the road following state in- spection on Friday. Meetings on the Washington and Main Street intersection and on South Street are scheduled for this month. A hearing on a Senior Center Committee is scheduled for next Tues- day. Chairman Nigro indicated that he has signed a Community Service Award for Mike Shannon, Eagle Scout. The Court of Honor will be on January 19 . Personnel and Appointments The Board received a recommendation from Geoff Beckwith, Chairman of the Democratic Committee recommending Gloria Hulse for the position of Registrar. Ms. Hulse was interviewed by the Board. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board appointed Gloria Hulse to a term on the Board of Registrars expiring 6/30/94 . The Board interviewed candidates for a term on the Board of Health expiring 6/30/93 . Marie Cullen and W Gordon Rogerson withdrew their names. The Board interviewed William C. Murphy and Margaret M. Veronelli. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt both names were placed in nomination. Murphy received five votes and was appointed to ;a term on the Board of Health expiring 6/30/93 . Selectmens Minutes - 1/7/92 - page 3 The Board interviewed applicants for the Capital Improvements Ad- visory Committee. There are five positions on this Ad Hoc com- mittee. Interviewed were William Brown and Molly Ziegler. Two candidates were not available - Donald Allen and Charles Hewitt. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the names of William C. Brown and Mary S. Ziegler were placed in nomination. Each received five votes and were appointed to the Ad Hoc committee. Russ Graham who is the Selectmen representative to that com- mittee, asked that meetings be posted for next Monday and Thursday, that the two members who have been appointed attend that meeting, and that the two other candidates plus any other candidates also attend that meeting. The Board will try to in- terview other candidates at their meeting on the 14th. The Board of Selectmen interviewed the following candidates for the Birch Meadow Area Traffic Task Force, and on motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines all names were placed in nomination: James L. Hall, William J. Hughes Jr. , . Kevin P. Moran, Daniel Ross, Michael Rusinak, Steven R. Smith, and William Warren. Messrs. Moran, Smith and Warren received four votes each and were appointed to that Ad Hoc Task Force. Dan Ensminger who is the Selectmen mem- ber of that committee asked that a meeting be set up as soon as possible. Discussion/Action Items The Board discussed solid waste options. The Town Manager an- nounced at the beginning that Hiltz, the Town's trash hauler, has been bought out by Waste Systems, Inc. , subject to the Town ap- proving the signing of the agreement. The Town Manager is cur- rently reviewing that issue with Town Counsel and will make a decision very quickly. He also announced that the RESCO litiga- tion is not yet settled but negotiations are taking place. He also indicated that we have not yet received a bill from RESCO for the pass through costs. Anne Mark, Carol Edwards, and. Don Anglehart reviewed materials submitted to the Board of Health on different options which in- clude a drop off recycling and/or trash program; an exclusive franchise option; and a pay for pick up system for collecting trash fees. The Town Manager indicated that he felt we had several broad options with regard to solid waste. 1) Get out of the solid waste business and award an exclusive franchise for a hauler to bill residents directly. 2) Get out of the business and not exercise any franchise control. 3) Offer residents an option of getting out of the trash business pursuant to numbers 1 or 2 above or approve an override to keep the trash collection within the municipal budget. 4) Keep the trash system as it cur- rently is and modify the fee structure in some manner. The Board asked that we have in Executive Session at the Selectmen's next meeting, a briefing by Counsel on the status of the RESCO litigation/negotiations. They also asked for informa- tion on what the $486, 000 pass through cost for FY92 is based on, and asked for a copy of the motion from Town Meeting last spring Selectmen's Minutes - 1/7/92 - page 4 where Town Meeting supported the trash fee on an Instructional Motion. The remainder of the budget items were put off for future con- sideration. On motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to go back into Executive Session to discuss an item of labor nego- tiations. All five members voted in* the affirmative and the Board adjourned at 11:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Off. Secretar