Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting November 17, 1992 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Bill Burditt and Gene Nigro,, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Tim McIntire, Mary McIntire, Ted McIntire, Ed. McIntire, Florence McIntire, Nancy E. Zemlin, Hedwig McIntire, Norman McIn- tire, Frances Colford, Gerald Colford, Christopher Conway, Sal Mele, Mary J. Andreola. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Nigro the minutes of October 20, 1992 were approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of October 27, 1992 were approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the minutes of November 4, 1992 were approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the minutes of November 9, 1992 were approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Under Personal Privilege, George Hines and Sally Hoyt each indi- cated that they would be running for reelection to the Board. of Selectmen in the spring of 1993 . Hines indicated that he feels incumbents should announce by December 1 to allow others to make plans. He finds the Board of Selectmen to be very worth while . and feels he has contributed to a number of issues. There is still a great deal of work to do, including maintaining the balance between local government services and preserving strong schools, and focusing on economic development. Sally Hoyt indi- cated that she has enjoyed her tenure as Selectman and feels that she has contributed a great deal. She feels that continuity is important and is looking forward to celebrating the Town's 350th Anniversary as a member of the Board of Selectmen. Liaison Reports Bill Burditt feels that the title of this item should be changed to Liaison Reports and Selectmen's Comments. The Board agreed. Sally Hoyt reviewed activities of the Division of Elder Services, the Recreation Division and the Human Services Department. She indicated that she had met with Rena Mirkin, Principal at the Reading Memorial High School, attended the Teen Center Committee Meeting, and attended the Clean-up Demonstration at the In- dustriplex site. Gene Nigro indicated that neighbors had approached him about reducing cut-through traffic on County Road by motorists trying to avoid West Street. He has asked the neighbors to put together a letter outlining what actions they would like to see taken to resolve this problem. The Friends of the Library will be hosting Dr. Kenneth Galbraith at the High School on December 13 . The Library parking lot light has been installed and the lot does Selectmen's Minutes - 11/17/92 - page 2 need resurfacing. He commended the Public Works Department on t the good job that they are doing on maintaining the building. The Library's Capital Improvement Requests are being processed. Nigro further commented that he has little patience with van- dalism, and extended his thanks and appreciation to Lt. Patterson and Detective Picunas for apprehending the juveniles who were responsible for the fire at the High School. George Hines indicated that he had talked with the new District Engineer in the new District 5 at Mass Highway. They talked about regulations on stop signs and he indicated a willingness to discuss Reading's specific concerns. Hines also extended con- gratulations to the RMHS field hockey team and football team for championship seasons. Dan Ensminger indicated that the school projections are being completed and numbers should be available next week. He also met with the Budget Committee on FY94 and FY95 budget projections. There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager indicated that the Town may be able to restore its own water supply as early as this week depending on water testing. He reviewed the Budget Committee meeting and budget projections. The Capital Improvements Advisory Committee is . meeting next week. The PWED Grant Application for the ice rink access roadway is in the process of being approved. He noted that a letter was received from Prescott Street residents ex- pressing concern about a tree, but the location where they had issued the complaint does not exist. He asked the residents if they have a problem or concern with Town services to contact the Town directly and leave a name, phone number and address where they can be reached. The letter that was sent was anonymous. Additionally, the Town Manager informed the Board of Selectmen that the DPW site cleanup cost may not be bondable and we are trying to work this out. The Senior Center project construction is going well with the roadway and most of the sidewalk work com- pleted. He noted that the Board has a copy of the audits and that the Management Letter will be out within a couple of weeks. He indicated that he and Sally Hoyt had attended a meeting with Recreation Committee and School Department officials regarding merging the Recreation Supervisor's position and the Summer School Director's position. Finally he attended a meeting to discuss the expansion of the NOBLE system into the schools. The meeting was hosted by Deirdre Hanley. Personnel Appointments" s The Town Manager announced the appointment of Edward D. McIntire, Jr. as Director of Public Works effective November 18. Mr. McIn- tire has been acting . Director since September 1. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve a salary of $57, 692 per annum for McIntire as Director of Public Works. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board of Selectmen congratulated Mr. McIntire and his guests on his appointment.- Selectmen's Minutes - 11/17/92 - page 3 The Town Manager noted that Mr. McIntire was well qualified for the position and would provide leadership for the Department into the next century. The Town Manager noted the appointment of Firefighter John O'Blenis from the rehire list. He will be starting work next week. Public Hearing(s) The Secretary read the notice on the Public Hearing on the Walnut Street/Hopkins Street intersections. The Town Manager explained the proposal which includes a stop intersection at Hopkins and Summer, a right turn only intersection at Hopkins and Main, post- ing speed limit signs at both ends of Hopkins between Summer and Main, realining the intersections of Walnut and Hopkins, and con- structing sidewalks on the south side of Hopkins. George Hines asked if this was the final layout and expressed concern about the easterly intersection of Walnut and Hopkins. The Town Manager indicated that this was schematic at this point. Hines was also concerned about the vertical geometry of the intersec- tion so we do not have a recurrance of the Oak/Summer Avenue in- tersection. John Perkins of 66 Hopkins Street indicated that he would like to see walks on both sides and would like to see a prohibition on left turns from Main Street northbound to Hopkins Street. Mark Favaloro asked if there was property takings involved (the Town Manager said "no") . The resident of 33 Walnut Street asked a number of questions since he is at the intersection of Walnut and Hopkins. Carole Atkinson indicated that she likes the idea of the walk. She'd like the corner at Hopkins and Summer squared off more and asked what we could do at the intersection with the Shell Station at Hopkins and Main. Dan Ensminger asked who determines how access is handled and suggested that we work with the station owner there. Jim Dagostino of 21 Hopkins, Mr. Conway of 35 Walnut and Alice Grau of 12 Walnut spoke. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board closed the hearing by a vote of 5-0-0. The consensus of all present was that the package of improvements was good. The question was raised as to whether or not there would be further Public Hearing. The Town Manager indicated that he would propose to go ahead and proceed to construction unless there was any major variance from what is being proposed. We will talk with each of the property owners directly effected once final plans have been drawn. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the Board approved in accor- dance with the provisions of Chapter 85 Section 2 of the Mas- sachusetts General Laws restrictions for the following streets by the following regulation. The Traffic Rules and Orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948 for the Town of Read- ing are hereby amended as follows: adding to the appropriate sec- tion the following stop regulations: Hopkins Street northbound at Summer Avenue. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Selectmen's Minutes - 11/17/92 - page 4 r On motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the Board voted that in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 85 Section 2 of the Mas- sachusetts General Laws the Board of Selectmen, approves restric- tions for the following streets by the following regulation. The Traffic Rules and Orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948 for the Town of Reading are hereby amended as fol- lows: by adding the following turn restriction: Hopkins Street southbound at Main Street - right turn only. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to support the roadway improvements at Walnut and Hopkins Streets as out- lined in the Town Manager's memo of September 17, 1992 and accom- panying maps; the Town Manager is directed to pursue these im- provements using Town workforces and/or private constractors as appropriate. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager indicated that when we had the project costed out he would be back to the Board of Selectmen to let them know how much money from Chapter 90 we would use. We will also separately cost the sidewalk on the northerly side of Hopkins Street, and modification of the intersection at Hopkins and Summer. The Board opened the Public Hearing on Parking Regulations in the Hunt Park area. The Secretary read the notice. The Town Manager explained that following a public meeting of the neighborhood and solicitation by the Traffic Safety Officer, the Town was recom- mending no parking on the east side of Eaton Street between Smith Avenue and Pleasant Street, and no parking on the north side of Pleasant Street between Eaton Street and Wilson. George Foley of 4 Smith Avenue spoke and indicated that the neighborhood was in support of year-round restrictions . On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to close the Public Hearing at 9:07 p.m. by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 16, 1948 by adding to Article V Section 2 "stopping stand- ing parking prohibited on certain streets" the following loca- tions: the east side of Eaton Street between Smith Avenue and Pleasant Street; the north side of Pleasant Street between Eaton Street and Wilson Street. Discussion/Action Items The Board discussed the issue of the number of Constables. Sally Hoyt excused herself from the quorum and sat in the audience during the discussion. George Hines. indicated that when the Charter was developed the number of Constables permitted was based on the number permitted by state law. The maximum number permitted is five. George Hines felt that perhaps we were ar- tificially lowering the number of Constables for some reason. Dan Ensminger read a letter from John P. Collins Esquire and Bill Wagner from Latham and Latham indicating that the number of Con- stables currently appointed (three) is sufficient. Bill Burditt indicated that his major concern regarding five Constables is that Police Officers may be replaced at the polls and he is against that change. He doesn't understand why we need more than Selectmen's Minutes - 11/17/92 - page 5 two except perhaps for the purpose of training and he had sup- ported adding one additional person at that time. The Town Manager indicated that the Town has never had any problem getting Constable service for posting notices and serving papers on various parties. From an election standpoint, even if we con- solidate to a single election place he would not propose to re- place Police officers at the polls with Constables. Mr. Mele in- dicated that his personal feeling was that as a Reading resident he had tried more than once to be a Constable and he should be appointed. He noted that a number of other communities have more than two Constables. George Hines indicated that he felt that it was unusual that two law firms felt the need to comment on this item. He indicated that we encourage volunteers for other Boards, Committees and Commissions but when we have more ap- plicants for Constable's positions we don't appoint them. Gene Nigro felt that he does not want to restrain trade by limiting the number of Constables and would be inclined to go to the maxi- mum. Hines moved and Nigro seconded a motion that the Board of Selectmen allow the appointment of the maximum number of Con- stables permitted by state law (and the Charter) and that we con- duct appointment hearings up to the maximum number permitted. The vote was two in favor and two against and the motion failed. The Board discussed signs in the Birch Meadow area. The Town Manager had previously had a discussion about speed limit signs in several locations. The Board of Selectmen wants to revisit the first set of recommendations made by the Task Force regarding stop signs and speed limits. George Hines indicated that he has been invited to meet with the neighborhood association. Ensminger suggested that the Town draft other criteria for loca- tion of stop signs and ask the Massachusetts Highway Department for approval to implement such criteria. Hines also indicated that we should look at some design improvements in the Birch Meadow area such as narrowing down the roadway at the entrance to Birch Meadow, putting distinctive signing and direction signs etc to indicate that Birch Meadow is an educational and recreational complex. The Board also talked about tying Birch Meadow Drive across to Grove, Lowell, Willow Street intersection, and thereby making it a through street without residences along it. Hines noted the need to complete the Town-wide traffic study. The Board asked about updating the 1948 rules and regulations and the Town Manager indicated that this is in the works. Hines sug- gested postponing further action until we see if we can get other approvals. The Town Manager was directed to develop draft criteria that would be useful everywhere in Town for locating stop signs and restricting speed limits. The Board talked about the request of the Church of the Good Shepherd to install signs in four locations in Town. The Board was concerned that there could be a tremendous expansion of the need for such signs, and suggested looking at some kind of a gateway system in Reading. The Board also expressed concern about the condition of the Lacey Packer sign. Selectmen's Minutes - 11/17/92 - page 6 Several items of correspondence were noted. Specifically the hayride and other events related to the tree lighting ceremony, the commendation from Secretary of State Connelly regarding the elections; and the refund of over $6,000 from a previous Town in- surance package policy. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of the approval of minutes, and discussion of negotiation and sale of real estate, and labor ne- gotiations, not to come back into Open Session. All five members present voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. Respectfully submitted, Secre ry