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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-08-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting August 4, 1992 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Present were Chair- man Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Eugene Nigro and Bill Burditt. Selectmen George- -Hines arrived at 7 : 35 p.m. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the fol- lowing list of interested parties: Salvatore L. Mele, Lois K. Bond, Philip LeBlanc, George R. Foley, Darlene L. Foley, Arthur W. Kramer, Katherine Kramer, Nancy L. Eaton, Fred Conover, Mary J. Andreola, Loretta Spaulding, Virginia Bizzaro, Mildred DeLong, Walter Spaulding, David Hatherley, Leonard Redfern, Jim Keigley, Patricia York,, Pat Murphy, Ponny Wood, William Demmons, Sue White, Joyce Manne, James Leahy, Teresa Moran, Kevin Moran, Lynne Cassinan. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Minutes of July 14, 1992 were approved as amended by vote of 3-0-1 with Hoyt abstain- ing. On motion by Nigro seconded by Burditt the Minutes of July 21, 1992 were approved as submitted by vote of 3-0-1 with Hoyt abstaining. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro had no report. Bill Burditt reported that he had met with Accounting and Finance personnel yesterday, and the books are not quite closed on FY92 . The Cherry Sheet should be in within a couple of weeks. It is not yet certain how additional funding for the schools will be available for expenditure. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended the wake for Trudy Paradis. She congratulated Cathy Quimby for receiving a scholar- ship for Municipal Clerk's school. She indicated that the school is badly in need of monies for repairs. She checked to see if Chapter 80 funds were available for reimbursement. Bank of Bos- ton has taken over the Schoolhouse Development from Fafard. The Food Vending Task Force has met. The Teen Center Subcommittee of the Recreation Committee has met and would like to offer a center with supervised activities for 11- to 15-year olds providing for a positive social experience. A Musicfest will be held on 8/26/92 from 6: 30 to 10: 30 p.m. as a fund raiser. She was sorry to hear of the resignation of Lesley Wexler as Recreation Super- visor. She received a letter from Fred Conover regarding the electronic scoreboard at Little League Park. She received calls regarding the Senior Center bathroom facilities on the first floor. She has received calls regarding the Birch Meadow light- ing and a concern about opening the area to other activities and traffic. She received calls Saturday about the portable toilet at Hunt Park and visited the site to see where the unit was placed. She indicated that neighbors appreciate the improvements that Reading Youth Baseball has made to Hunt Park. Dan Ensminger - indicated that he participated in the Fire Chief selection process, had calls regarding Hopkins Street traffic Selectmens Minutes - 8/4/92 - page 2 issues, and had a call from Fred Conover regarding Hunt Park. Public Comment Dan Ensminger opened the Public Comment section of the agenda with a comment that the purpose of this section of the agenda is to surface new issues. Issues are not meant to be debated and action taken by the Board of Selectmen. Open issues would be referred to a future Board of Selectmen agenda. The following people spoke: Loretta Spaulding feels that the Board didn't follow the procedure that Chairman Ensminger out- lined. The Board didn't give notice that someone else would speak, and the Board voted on the issue of the bathroom facility at the Senior Center. She was shocked at that vote. Dan Ensminger and Bill Burditt spoke and indicated that there was ample opportunity for both sides of the issue to be aired. The Board has already decided the issue. Virginia Bizzaro spoke and was told that nothing could be done. She felt the situation was disgraceful. She watched the last Selectmens Meeting on TV and noticed that there were young people only speaking and there were no representatives from the senior citizens. She felt that the Board had to do something in order to get money for the bathroom. Lois Bond indicated that the Advisory Committee's concerns were the program, growth in the program, finances, and space con- straints. Gene Nigro indicated that this was not on the agenda -- at the last meeting; that the Town Manager presented this under Public Comment. Dan Ensminger indicated that the Board's vote at the last meeting indicated that the issues had been dealt with in the proper forum - that of the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger to move to reconsider the Board's previous vote with regard to the bathroom facility on the first floor of the Senior Center was defeated by a 2 to 3 vote with Hoyt and Nigro voting in favor. Virginia Bizzaro offered her resignation from the Council on Aging. Sal Mele spoke before the Board of Selectmen and indicated that he was disappointed in not being appointed as Constable. This was the second time he was up for appointment. He felt that the Board picked an inexperienced person rather than someone with his experience. He felt that he had been treated unfairly and dis- criminated against. He felt that this was not a fair vote. Dan Ensminger indicated that the Board had voted to increase the num- ber of Constables by one and in a completely open and public process voted to appoint Michael Belmonte. Mele felt that the Board just picked the first person on the list, and that he had more experience. Sally Hoyt indicated that he could petition the Court for special status. Bill Burditt indicated that he had voted based on somebody who would be a new Constable who could be trained. Greg Burns presented Firefighters Curtis and Bishop to receive Community Service awards for exemplary service in saving a youngster who was choking. Firefighters Curtis and Bishop received the awards to a round of applause from all present, and the thanks from the Board of Selectmen. Selectmens Minutes - 8/4/92 - page 3 With regard to Hunt Park, George Foley, Mrs. Foley, Mr. & Mrs. Kramer, and Peter Kramer spoke with regard to neighbors concerns about the scoreboard, fencing, sewage to the Shack, the installa- tion of a portable toilet, starting games before noon on Sunday, enforcement of regulations at Hunt Park etc. The Town Manager was asked to prepare a summary of events related to improvements at the Park. The Town Manager indicated that he had already had discussion with a neighborhood resident to have a meeting early this fall to discuss and try to come to an agreement on all issues related to the use of Hunt Park. The meeting will include Police, Recreation, Parks, Reading Youth Baseball, the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, and neighbors. on motion by Sally Hoyt seconded by George Hines the Board voted to award a Certificate of Appreciation to Peter Sanborn Place for the use of their facility to prepare Meals on Wheels. Bill Denhard was present to accept the award from the Board of Selectmen. Fred Conover spoke regarding the scoreboard installation at Hunt Park. He was concerned that the Recreation Committee was unaware of its installation; and that at the last meeting the Recreation Committee requested the project be halted and the Board decided not to do so. He emphasized that the Recreation Committee was not necessarily opposed to the scoreboard but felt that community concerns should be aired. Mr. and Mrs. Samalis appeared before the Board to request the removal or modification of the easement adjacent to their property at the end of Benton Circle. Photos were shown of other easements and right of ways that have been obscured. They were concerned about safety and liability. Eighty to 900 of the path- way is on the Samalis" property. They are. concerned about misuses of the easement and the fact that the problem has esca- lated in the past two or three years although it has historically been a problem. Sally Hoyt indicated that she went to the Registry to research it and the easement is in the deed. She spoke to several youngsters and felt that the easement is beauti- fully constructed and provides a shortcut to schools. She also emphasized that youngsters should not loiter and disturb their neighbors. Dan Ensminger asked about liability and the Town Manager indicated that all parties to the easement would probably share the liability. Virginia Samalis indicated that few kids use the easement for access to school - most are driven. She in- dicated that one youngster hit her child with a hockey stick and felt that he lost his privilege to use the easement because of that. Mr. Aquino who lives on the other side of the easement noted that the hot top has been dug up and he hits it with his lawn mower. He goes along with the Samalis' . He sees only one youngster in the a.m. waiting for the bus. He feels there is less activity now going through the easement. The walk is a mess, and an emergency vehicle would not be able to use the ease- ment. Pat York, Carl Manne, Frank Loschi, Jackie Mandell, Wil- liam Demmons, Mr. Chandler, and Mr. Belmonte spoke. They all Selectmens Minutes - 8/4/92 - page 4 want the easement restored and returned to the way it was 10 feet wide and proper pavement. Stories were related about block- ing the easement with a vehicle. George Hines indicated that it was sad to witness this disruption of a neighborhood. All abut- ters have a responsibility to see that property rights are respected. He indicated that the Town would restore the easement to its proper quality and restore it to 10 feet in width. Cathy Quimby appeared to discuss the precinct modification and the primary election ballot. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the Town Clerk's establishment of Precincts 8A and 8B and 2 and 2A with a 1992 State Primary Election to be held September 15, 1992 by. a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the Town Clerk's establishments of Precincts 8A and 8B and 2 and 2A for the 1992 State and Federal Elections to be held November 3, 1992. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the September 15 Primary Election Warrant by vote of 5-0-0.. The Town Manager introduced Captain Donald Wood from the Reading Fire Department who has been appointed by the Town Manager as Chief of the Department effective September 1, 1992 subject to the Selectmen's endorsement. The Town Manager also indicated that this would require a starting salary of $57, 692 which is above the quarter point. The Town Manager reviewed the hiring process and indicated that Captain Wood was the very best qualified individual for the position of Fire Chief in the Town of Reading. Sally Hoyt indicated her support for the appoint- ment. Bill Burditt indicated that the appointment had his sup- port and the strong support from within the Department. Gene Nigro indicated that he had first met Captain Wood about six years ago, and the Board of Selectmen was very impressed with his leadership qualities . Dan Ensminger reiterated the Town Manager's comments that Wood was the most qualified person without question. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to confirm the Town Manager's appointment of Donald L. Wood as Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director of the Town of Reading at a starting salary of $57,692 per year to begin Sep- tember 1, 1992 . The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 and was followed by a standing ovation by the Board of Selectmen and those in attendance. The Town Manager introduced the issue of Pop Warner football field lighting. Present were a number of members of the Board of Pop Warner Football and Sharon Drillio spoke for that Board. The Town Manager outlined the proposal to light the practice football field for Pop Warner night practices due to concerns about the use of Castine Field because of its muddy condition and mosquito infestation. This would be given as a gift to the Town of Read- ing. Dan Ross from Tennyson Circle felt that the installation of lighting would expand the use of this facility. Mrs. Denault of Tennyson Circle expressed concerns and felt there was no need. She is concerned about the baseball field being lighted until all Selectmens Minutes - 8/4/92 - page 5 hours. She asked where the control would be. Ms. Moran asked about the hours of use and it was explained that it would be primarily six to eight p.m. , allowing some additional time beyond that to clear the field at the end of practice. Steve Smith asked if it was possible to put the lights on a timer so that they couldn't go on past a certain hour. It was indicated that this would be investigated. Mr. Dumas was concerned about the "open door policy" and suggested that the Selectmen restrict it to Pop Warner only. Mr. Denault and Mr. Wallace also spoke. George Hines asked if it had been reviewed by the School Com- mittee. Bill Burditt felt that it would not add to the traffic. It was suggested that attendees should use the parking lot rather than the streets. Dan Ensminger asked if the investment was made here whether that would preclude other sites like the Nike Base. On motion by George Hines seconded by Sally Hoyt the Board voted to accept the gift of the lighting of the practice football field and to approve the lighting of the practice field by Pop Warner Inc. pursuant to their proposal submitted August 4, 1992 and sub- ject to proof to the Town Manager that all necessary funds are in place to install, maintain and operate this lighting prior to the beginning of any construction; furthermore that the Recreation Committee be directed to work with all appropriate parties to develop regulations related to the use of the field; and further provided that the Board of Selectmen receive notice that the School Committee has reviewed this project. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Burditt an additional phrase was added to the motion that the lights be used only for Pop Warner use. On the vote on the amendment four were in favor and one against, and the amendment passed (Hines voting against) . On the main motion the vote was 5-0-0 to approve this use. George Hines indicated that he was troubled by the restriction of Pop Warner and that this was not consistent with past practice. Sally Hoyt felt that the authority to restrict the use should be left to the Recrea- tion Committee. Maria Silvaggi firmly supported the restriction. Eugene Nigro felt that there will be pressure to expand the use. Steven Smith, Kevin Moran and others were present to discuss the Birch Meadow Task Force Report. The Town Manager reviewed the recommendations from the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force. Additional suggestions from the audience were to keep the last parking space on Bancroft Avenue accessible for the property owner, to consider a stop sign on north bound Bancroft at Hartshorn, consider stop signs at Winthrop and Hartshorn, and to change the stop sign at Hartshorn and John Carver Road to the other way around. It was also noted that there were traffic en- forcement monies available. The consensus was to let the yellow lines wear out on John Carver Road and Forest Street. After considerable discussion the consensus of the Board was to go ahead with the Phase 2 improvements and some of the Phase 1 _ improvements. The Board scheduled a public hearing for September 15 on these changes. That will give us the ability to get after- school current traffic counts both before and after the changes, and to publicize the changes through the school children. Selectmens Minutes - 8/4/92 - page 6 i Selectmens Minutes - 8/4/92 - page 6 On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to issue a taxi license to Town Taxi of Reading. This is for the replace- ment for a previous vehicle. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session_ for purpose of discussing Labor negotiations, not to come back into Open Session. All five members voted in the affirmative and the Board adjourned the Open Session at 11:55 p.m. :ecret esp ctfully submitted, y