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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting October 6, 1992 The meeting was convened at 7: 02 p.m. in the Selectmens' Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt and Town .Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner. Selectmen Eugene Nigro and Bill Burditt arrived at 7: 07 p.m. Also present were the following interested citizens: Mary T. Andreola, Annette Flanagan, NancyL. Eaton, Virginia Samalis, Robert E. Powell, Jim Keigley, Teresa Morabito Moran, Jay Dumas, Bill Weimar, Scott R. Freeman; Lynne R. Freeman, Kevin Moran, Jack Fagan, Walter Begonis, Diane Avery Weggel, Bob Weggel, Paul Johnson, Willard J. Johnson, Joan Neary, Diane Beane, Ray Erbetta, Mary Avery, Mary Snow, John Snow, Rod Hawes, Barbara Fagan, and William Warren. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Minutes of September 22 , 1992 were approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Nigro abstaining. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Minutes of September 29, 1992 were approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager and the Public Works Director gave a report on the status of the water emergency. The Board expressed its ap- preciation to all staff and neighboring communities who have been involved in this situation. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board approved a proclamation for Knights of Columbus day by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board approved a proclamation honoring local Cable Programming Week by vote of 5-0-0. John Upton was present to receive the proclamation. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the Board approved a proclamation for Business and Professional Womens' Week by vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports Bill Burditt had attended the Fire Station Open House on Satur- day. He also attended the Selectmens' field trip relative to the gasoline spill on I93 . He reviewed the tax assessment process. Gene Nigro indicated that in addition to the Selectmens' field trip on Saturday, he attended the installation of Doris Fantasia as president of Mystic Valley Elder Services. George Hines indicated that the Board of Selectmen had met in Ex- ecutive Session regarding Homart. He has met with TASC and the Chamber of Commerce. He attended the Friday night bonfire pep rally and extended congratulations to the football team for their win over Winchester. Dan Ensminger indicated he had attended Chief Redfern's retire- ment dinner. He attended the regionalization meeting and noted that Reading continues to take a lead in teaching seminars of Selectmen Minutes - 10/6/92 - page 2 this sort. He attended the Mystic Valley Elder Services meeting and swore in the new members of the Board. He attended the Selectmens' Field Trip and the Fire Station Open House. Sally Hoyt gave a report on health and recreation activities. She announced a meeting of the Drug and Alcohol Task Force. She attended the Redfern retirement dinner, and also the Mystic Val- ley Elder Services luncheon. She attended the meeting on West Street traffic improvements. She also attended the Selectmens' Emergency Meeting on Friday and the field trip on Saturday. She attended the Fire Department Open House, and the School Committee meeting on Monday. She indicated that the Senior Center project is proceeding well and they are currently drilling for the elevator piston. The Town Manager announced that Peter Marchetti has been ap- pointed as Fire Lieutenant and John Mooney has been appointed Captain. The Town Manager indicated the construction progress on the Senior Center was going well. The Board commented that contribu- tions to the Senior Center continue to be welcomed. On motion by Burditt seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to close the Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting to begin on November 9, 1992 by vote of 5-0-0. The Board reviewed the War- rant Articles. They asked Town Counsel to attend these in the future. They suggested a separate meeting next Tuesday to meet with CPDC and others with regard to Articles. It was noted that FinCom had voted to support the Article on the Audit Committee. There was discussion about a snow removal Bylaw, and George Hines indicated that he would support an Article. Based on discussion it was decided to hold this item until spring. The Town Manager reviewed the status of the Birch Meadow proposed improvements. The Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force does not recommend the "do not enters. " Many of the stop signs do not.meet the required warrants. The Board of Selectmen asked what could be done to develop better local control over the in- stallation of stop signs and it was suggested that this could be placed on an MMA annual meeting warrant and we should also in- clude this with the information given to Senator Tisei about our legislative agenda. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve a regulation in signage providing for "no busses beyond this point" .at Bancroft northbound at Hartshorn. The motion was ap- proved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to provide for no parking at the northerly end of Bancroft Avenue adjacent to the Birch Meadow complex. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Selectmen Minutes - 10/6/92 - page 3 on motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board voted to approve a stop sign at Arthur B. Lord southbound at Birch Meadow Drive by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board also agreed that a speed study should be done at Birch Meadow Drive and John Carver Road, and the Board agreed to maintain the center lines on Forest Street. With regard to the no entry signs in the Birch Meadow area, Bill Bur- ditt indicated that it would have no impact. Kevin Moran ques- tioned the findings of the Police Chief's memo of September 29. He asked that the Board look at the data generated by the Task Force in its draft report. George Hines felt that anything that we did needs to be integrated totally into a traffic program for the entire community. With regard to truck studies, the Police Department will work with the Task Force on developing necessary data for the truck studies. The Board asked that we work to develop the local capability to - implement many of the Phase 1 proposals. The Town Manager and Bill Robertson, Town Engineer, reviewed the proposed improvements to South Street. The Town Manager noted that although this matter has been discussed intensively by the Board of Selectmen, the Board needs to give specific direction as to what form of application should be made to CPDC under the Scenic Roads Act. The proposal submitted by the Town Manager and Engineer provides for a uniform 20-foot wide roadway, removing only one tree on South Street in front of 286 South Street. Modifications would be done at all intersections which would nar- row the throats of the intersections, and there would be areas where the pavement width would be reduced. No stone walls will be removed or moved. Two options with regard to protecting the roadway edge without providing curbing were discussed. Bill Weimar from 286 South Street read a statement. He pointed out that the tree slows down people and therefore the tree should be kept. There have been no accidents on this stretch of South Street. He outlined the procedures that have been gone through to get the state to allow something of less width than the 20- foot wide roadway. He indicated that Arlington, Framingham and Topsfield have built roadways of less than 20 feet in width. He asked the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen to show leader- ship on this issue. The Town Manager outlined the process for securing scenic roads approval. Bill Robertson indicated that the design guidelines are 20 feet. The initial plan had 24-foot width plus sidewalks . Extensive re-design has been done throughout, the distance between the two trees on South Street is 16 feet six inches. As a professional he could not design to a standard less than the guidelines. He noted that Wayland has constructed several 16-foot roadways that were funded by local funds, and the streets are now falling apart. People tend to drift off the pavement because the road is so narrow and it j breaks up the edge of the pavement. Sally Hoyt indicated that she would hate to lose even one tree. If other Towns have road- ways of less than 20 feet why not Reading. Walter Begonis reviewed the process of Town Meeting approval and objects to a "cookie cutter" approach to building roads. Paul Johnson indi- cated that the tree is necessary because it helps protect his Selectmen Minutes - 10/6/92 - page 4 property. Bill Robertson indicated that if the state signed off on a roadway less than standard and they would sign a plan as en- gineer then that would be fine with him. He felt that he could not in all good conscience design such a roadway. The members of the Board of Selectmen -in discussion agreed that the road should be improved, and that it should be of uniform width. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the voted to approve the filing with the CPDC of an application and plans for the reconstruction of South Street from Main Street to Walnut Street in accordance with the scenic roads designation of that street; said plan to be the plans as presented to the Board of Selectmen by the Engineer- ing Division on October 6, 1992, and representing a uniform 20 foot wide roadway. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0 with Hoyt and Nigro voting in the negative. The Town Manager reviewed Brande Court concerns. The Board felt that we should go ahead and try to meet with the businesses on this issue. The Town Manager and Bill Robertson reviewed proposed modifica- tions to Hopkins Street, Summer Avenue and Walnut Street. These include changing the intersections of Walnut with Hopkins, making a stop on Hopkins northbound at Summer, signing at both ends, prioritizing sidewalk construction, and permitting right turns only on Hopkins eastbound at Main Street. The Board felt that the proposals were excellent and will schedule it for a public hearing. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the Board accepted as conser- vation land a parcel of property shown on the ANR "Plan of Land Owned by Michael T. Morris, Reading, Massachusetts, by Robert W. Smith and dated August 20, 1992" ; said land representing ap- proximately 7 . 66 acres of land formerly part of Lot 18 and lo- cated at the intersection of Lowell Street and the MBIA right of way; said approval being consistent with the motion of the Con- servation Commission at its meeting on September 23 , 1992 ; and subject to the condition that the deed for the land include a reference that the Conservation Commission recognizes the pos- sible need for the Town of Reading to develop water resources for public water supply in this area and that any such work will be done with the prior approval of the Conservation commission in a manner that will minimize any negative effects resulting from such work. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to request the MWRA through its Board of Directors to permit the connection of the Town of Reading's water supply system into the MWRA's 36- _;`'` inch high pressure water line on Washington Street in Woburn for emergency water use. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board also asked that we work to make the stretch of 93 in the area of our wells more safe. It was noted that the In- dustriplex intersection might have that effect. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board voted in accor- dance with the provisions of Chapter 85 Section 2 of the Mas- sachusetts General Laws to approve restrictions for the following Selectmen Minutes - 10/6/92 - page 5 streets by the following regulations: the traffic rules and or ders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948 are hereby amended as follows: By adding to Article VI, Section 23 the following street - Oak Street westbound at Summer Avenue and Edgemont Avenue westbound at West Street regulation do not enter 7 : 30 a.m. to 8 : 30 a.m. , 2 : 30 p.m. to. 3 : 30 p.m. Monday through Friday, September 1 through June 30, _ emergency vehicles exempt. Gene Nigro reminded the Town Manager about his concern about the size of the signs and George Hines was concerned about the geometry of the intersection at Oak and Summer. Morton Owen appeared before the Board of Selectmen requesting a Peddlers and Solicitors license at 373 Salem Street for a push- cart. Mr. Owen and his son James Owen were represented by James Senior. They currently have licenses in Weymouth, Newburyport, Chelsea, and Peabody. Sally Hoyt indicated that there are three other businesses in the area, Joann's Variety, Wes Parkers, and Cumberland Farms. Gene Nigro asked about other licenses and how the food would be prepared. Mr. Senior noted that if this was approved there would in effect be a three-month trial period be- cause the license expires December 31, 1992 . Jim McTaggart, owner of Joann's Variety objected. He indicated that the other businesses pay taxes and other expenses including rent to be in a fixed location. The location of this cart would cut into his business as well as that of Cumberland Farms and Wes Parkers. Joann's Variety is open from 6: 00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their busiest time of day is 6: 00 to 8: 30 a.m. , lunchtime, and the evening rush hour. He does sell hot dogs, drinks etc. He has already noted that his 6: 00 to 8 : 00 a.m. business is off 50%. Mr. Senior asked if the issue was competi- tion. He felt it is not appropriate for the licensing authority to be discussing the issue of competition. There responsibility is to protect the public by dealing with public concerns not to interfere with the free market economy. Sally Hoyt indicated that she felt the license could be based on need. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the applica- tion for a Peddlers license for the sale of hot dogs, keilbasa, drinks and snacks to Morton I. Owen at 273 Salem Street during the hours of 10: 00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 7: 00 p.m. on Thursday, in a location on the property as ap- proved by the Town Manager and subject to the following condi- tions: All required licenses and permits will be secured prior to the commencement of sales; the licensee will keep the premises free of rubbish and debris; approval of the landlord and the tenants at the site is not withdrawn; the license expires on December 31, 1992 . Dan Ensminger felt that this would be a three-month trial and we should see what happens. He doesn't feel that the Board should be regulating competition. Gene Nigro felt that the push cart vendor would have an unfair advantage. Bill Burditt noted that we don't restrict competition in other instances. The vote on the motion was 3-2-0 with Nigro and Hoyt voting in the negative. 5electmens Minutes - 10/6/92 - page 6 On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt a taxi license for Acura Taxi for John Neergaard to operate a vehicle was approved for a term to expire 4/30/93 . The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board agreed to meet next Tuesday at 7 :30 to review the war- rant and any other business to come before the Board that was not able to be completed this evening. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the meeting was adjourned at 11:24 p.m. The vote was 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted: Secret y