HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 15, 1992
The meeting convened 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 Eugene Nigro, Town Manager
Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested
parties: Mark A. Gallant, William F. Mason, Jr. , Edward G. Duff,
Joseph P. McCallion, Deirdre Hanley, Gary Demopoulos, N. T.
Brown,_ Frank DiLorenzo, Annette Flanagan, Nancy Eaton, Elia Mar-
nik, Jim Keigly, Margaret McCarthy, David G. McCarthy.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of December 1,
1992 were approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0.
Liaison Reports
Bill Burditt indicated that the Audit Committee would be meeting
in January. He attended the Super Bowl game in Methuen and was
very proud of Reading's team and fans. He was disappointed that
the Board was not informed that the pot luck supper scheduled for
after the Super Bowl game was in fact held even though they were
previously told that it would be held only in the event that the
team won.
Sally Hoyt extended congratulations to the football team, the
band, and the cheerleaders. She attended the School Committee
meeting. The Senior Center project is going well. One hundred
and eight families will receive gift baskets through the Adopt a
Family program. Recreation programs were reviewed. She served
Christmas luncheon to senior citizens at the VFW and attended a
meeting on the proposed D.A.R.E. program. She attended the Cham-
ber of Commerce Christmas get together. She indicated that the
merger of the Recreation and Summer School Supervisor's positions
is being reviewed with Town Counsel.
Gene Nigro indicated that he has attended a meeting regarding
Police Reserves and that will be on a future agenda. He received
a letter from a resident regarding the lack of police presence in
the Square and concern about bank robberies. On Friday, 12/18/92
the Friends of the Library event for Library, staff will be held.
The Galbraith presentation scheduled for Sunday was postponed be-
cause of weather. He thanked the School Committee for reopening
the Assistant Superintendent search. He extended congratulations
to the Department of Public Works for the fine job they did in
snow plowing for the Blizzard of 192.
George Hines attended the Middlesex County Selectmen's Associa-
tion meeting Wednesday and heard a presentation on town-based
registry of motor vehicles. He attended the Solid Waste Advisory
Committee and they would like to appear before the Board of
Selectmen for an update. He noted the efforts of the football
team, and the fact that Bill Tucker and Jim Murphy received All-
League scholastic honors.
Dan Ensminger congratulated the _ football team on the excellent
sportsmanship at the Super Bowl game. He attended a Budget Com-
mittee meeting, and the Budget Committee has established a
Selectmen's Minutes - ,12/15/92 - page 2
schedule for budget review. He attended the D.A.R.E. meeting and
a major issue would be funding. He discussed with the School
Committee population projections. He noted that the School Com-
mittee, the School Building Committee, and the Capital Improve- -
ments Subcommittee seems to be working together and this is a
good effort. He will be interviewed on Channel 3 in Lawrence
Thursday evening regarding a sales tax exemption for the border-
ing NH communities. He expressed concern about leafleting of
cars in the High School parking lot and in downtown Reading.
There were no Public Comments.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager reviewed the Scenic Roads application on South
Street. The hearing was held on December 14 and CPDC will render
a decision on January 4. The Town Manager reviewed the sale of
2 .61 million dollars worth of municipal bonds at a 4.9187 percent
interest rate. He indicated that he participated in the
Claprood/Whitley show and it was a very unfortunate experience.
He reviewed the cost of snow removal connected with the Blizzard
of 192 at approximately $80, 000, $60, 000 of it from the $110, 000
snow and ice account. He commended the Town crews who worked 29
straight hours. They were hampered by old and failing equipment
including two 24-year-old sidewalk plows, both of which were out
of commission for parts of the storm. He noted that we are con-
tinuing to work on the interconnection with the MWRA water system
through Woburn.
There was no action taken under Personnel & Appointments.
Public Hearings
Mark Gallant, Tom Brown and Frank DiLorenzo from Texaco were
present. The Secretary read the notice on the hearing for 24-
hour operation at the station at 87 Walkers Brook Drive.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the hearing was closed.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted in accordance
with Article 5. 10 of Bylaws of the Town of Reading, with a find-
ing that it is in the interest of the public health, safety and
welfare of the residents of the Town of Reading to grant Star En-
terprises doing business as Reading Texaco at 87 Walkers Brook
Drive, a license to operate between the hours of midnight and
6: 00 a.m. Monday through Sunday for a term expiring December 31,
1993; and that the grant of this license is subject to the fol-
lowing conditions:
- that all Zoning and other Bylaws and Rules and Regulations
of the Town of Reading are adhered to;
- that the station will in fact be open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week; '
- that the applicant will assure that . there is a supply of
gasoline available at the station during all hours that the
station is open;
- that the station will supply gas cans for motorists who
run out of gasoline on the road;
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Selectmen's Minutes - 12/15/92 - page 4
pointed out that if there were extraordinary costs such as hiring
a traffic consultant by the Town, these would be borne by the ap-
plicant.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro the Board moved to approve
the bid of Shawmut Bank, N.A. and Associates to purchase the
Bonds at a price of 100. 03819 and interest accrued to date of
delivery, resulting in a true interest cost of $727, 003 . 67 and a
true interest rate of 4 . 9187%, being the best bid received for
the Bonds, bearing interest at the lowest true interest cost, be
and they hereby are accepted, and the Town Treasurer be and
hereby is authorized to deliver the Bonds to the aforesaid pur-
chasers or order against payment therefore. The motion was ap-
proved by a vote of 5-0-0 with the congratulations of the Board
on this successful sale.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve
the renewal of a license for Class I Motor Vehicles for a term
expiring 12/31/93 as follows: Reading Cycles subject to the con-
dition that all Zoning and other Bylaws and Rules and Regulations
of the Town of Reading are adhered to, and subject to all previ-
ous conditions of approval. In addition, the approval was sub-
ject to the condition that payment of back taxes as scheduled no
less than $1000.00 per month beginning February 1, 1993 would be
accomplished and that all current taxes would continue to be
paid.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board voted to approve
the issuance and renewal of licenses for Class II Motor Vehicles
for terms expiring 12/31/93 as follows: Baystate Motor Cars Com-
pany subject to the condition that all Zoning and other Bylaws
and Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading are adhered to
and subject to the condition that each motor vehicle for sale
have posted on it only one sign in letters no larger than two
inches in height the price of the vehicle; and subject to all
previous conditions of approval. The Board specifically directed
the Town Manager not to reissue the license for Foreign Cars of
Reading or Salem Street Garage and to invite them to the
Selectmens Meeting on January 5, along with their landlord. The
motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to approve
the renewal of liquor - restaurant license for terms expiring
12 / 31/93 as follows : Harrow' s Poultry Products , Ida ' s
Stationhouse Restaurant, and Wes Parker's subject to the condi-
tion that all Zoning and other Bylaws and Rules and Regulations
of the Town of Reading are adhered to and subject to all previous
conditions of approval. The Town Manager noted that Ida's
Stationhouse Restaurant owed considerable back taxes. A copy of
a letter from Counsel for Ida's Stationhouse Restaurant indicated
that the Board should go ahead and issue that license since it
was necessary for the pending sale of the business. The Board
agreed noting that they still would not be able to do business
after December 31, 1992 unless they are issued other licenses in-
cluding a Common Victuallers license. The Board will leave it up
Selectmen's Minutes - 12/15/92 - page 3
- that the applicant will prepare and have posted a list of
repair shops and towing operators that are open 24 hours a
day for those who need it; and
that bathroom facilities will be open 24 hours a day.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
William F. Mason, Edward G. Duff, and Joseph P. McCallion were
present to explain the proposed Korean War Veterans Memorial to
be located at the Navy Yard in Charlestown. The total cost will
be $350, 000, $175, 000 will be paid by the state. They are asking
for support from every community in the state by the purchase of
a $250 brick that will be inscribed with the name of the town.
This is a major fund raiser. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had
talked with the VFW and the American Legion and they are inter-
ested in participating with the Town in purchasing a brick. On
motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board moved to support work-
ing with the veteran's organizations or alone by purchasing a
brick in the Memorial walkway for the Korean War Veterans
Memorial. The motion was approved by a motion of 5-0-0.
Elia Marnik and Deirdre Hanley presented the long-range Library
plan. It is subject to the review and approval by the Board of
Library Trustees at their next meeting. Needs in the Library are
for additional hours, additional book buying budgets, and review
of salaries for staff. The members of the Board of Selectmen
congratulated Ms. Marnik and Ms. Hanley on the presentation. Mr.
Hines asked if a self checkout system is possible and thereby
reducing staff demands. This is a capital project proposed
during the coming Capital Improvements Program. All members of
the Board felt that the Library and its staff are doing an excel-
. lent job, and hope that they would be able to improve funding for
the Library in the near future.
The Secretary read the hearing notice on establishing ambulance
fees. Chief Wood was present for discussion with the Board of
Selectmen. There was no public comment, and on motion by Nigro
seconded by Burditt the Board voted to close the hearing by a
vote of 5-0-0. Hines moved and Hoyt seconded to establish the
following ambulance fees effective .immediately: base rate
$145.00; mileage - $8: 00 per mile; oxygen - $30. 00; defibrilla-
tion 0 $50. 00. On motion by Burditt seconded by Nigro an amount
was offered to increase the base rate to $190 . 00, the mileage
rate to $8. 50 per mile, the oxygen to $35. 00 and defibriallation
to $75. 00. These are the maximum fees permitted by Medicare.
The vote on the amendment was 5-0-0 and the vote on the amended
main motion was 5-0-0.
The Board discussed the waiving of YMCA permit fees for the
facility to be built on Arthur B. Lord Drive in Reading. On mo-,
tion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to waive all ordi-
nary Town fees related to the expansion of the Eastern Middlesex
Family YMCA on Arthur B. Lord Drive in Reading. The motion was
approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Burditt abstaining. The Board
Selectmen's Minutes - 12/15/92 - page 5
` to the Town Manager to decide whether or not those licenses
should be issued pending review by Town Counsel. The motion was
approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Town Manager indicated that he was issuing Common Victuallers
licenses expiring 12/31/93 as follows: Cerretani's Supermarkets
Inc. , Harrows Restaurant, Joann's Variety, Wes Parker's Inc. ,
Capri Pizza of Reading, Carvel Ice Cream Store, , and Star En-
terprises DBA Reading Texaco Station subject to the condition
that all Zoning and other Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the
Town of Reading are adhered to and subject to previous conditions
of approval. Specifically the licenses for Dandi-Lyon and Ida's
Stationhouse Restaurant will not issued at this time.
The Town Manager further indicated that he approved the renewal
of an Entertainment license for a term expiring 12/31/93 for Wes
Parker's (two licenses) subject to the condition that all Zoning
and other Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading
are adhered to and subject to previous conditions of approval.
He will not be issuing the license to Ida's Stationhouse Res-
taurant pending review with Town Counsel.
Further the Town Manager indicated that he would not be renewing
the Peddlar's license for Ida's Stationhouse Restaurant again
pending review by Town Counsel.
on motion by Nigro seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn
-- its last meeting of 1992 at 11: 03 p.m. by vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted:
Secreta
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