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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting January 9, 1991 _.. The meeting convened in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts, at 7:34 p.m. Present were Chair- man Graham, Vice Chairman Ensminger, Secretary Hines, Selectmen Nigro and Hoyt, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of residents and interested parties: Rod Hawes, Sue Hawes, Lori Leland, Alan Leland, Lori Ann Hahnen, Sara Hawes, Byron Hawes, Barbara Philbrick, Matthew Cummings, Holly Spousta, Pat Cignetti, Pat Black, and Jim Murphy. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the minutes of December 18, 1990 were approved with corrections by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended the School Committee/Fin Com/Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday night. He commended Russ Graham on his comments. George Hines also attended the School Committee/Fin' Com/Board of Selectmen meeting and commended Russ Graham on his comments. Mr. Hines also attended the North Suburban Planning Council- meeting and indicated that the Director of MAPC requested community rep- resentatives to consider increasing the North Suburban Planning Council budget through voluntary contributions of $1, 000. 00 per community. The capital investment priority program and MetroPlan 2000 are still under review. George Hines asked for an update on the property on West Street regarding zoning violations. The Town Manager will give the Board of Selectmen a history and up- date at their next meeting. Russ Graham indicated that the MAPC appointment of George Hines' position is up. Hines indicated that he is looking for a succes- sor, but would serve if there is no other candidate who comes forward. The position is posted for Selectmen's interview in January. Mr. Graham also indicated that there may be a need for an all-boards meeting, and that the Taxpayer's Alliance was in- terested in -meeting to talk about common issues. Dan Ensminger attended the School Committee/Fin Com/Board of Selectmen meeting. , Sally also attended the School Committee/Fin Com/Board of Selectmen meeting. She feels that the issue of a trash fee should be up to the voters of the Town of Reading. Ms. Hoyt also indicated that the Reading Housing Authority had a successful year, having modernized the units on Frank Tanner Drive and ac- quiring four townhouses (four family, low income housing) . Public Comment Eugene Nigro "indicated that he will run for re-election as a Selectman. He felt that continuity on this Board may be of value. to the community. Girl Scouts from Troop 1221 and parent leaders attended and presented (sold) to the Board of Selectmen a box of cookies to kick off the Girl Scout cookie sales which start this Friday. Selectmen's Minutes - 1/9/91 - Page 2 Present were Scouts Lori Ann Hahnen and Sara Hawes, as well as Scout leaders Susan Hawes, Lori Leland, and Carolyn Appleton. Personnel and Appointments Bob Keating, new Cemetery Director, was introduced to the Board of Selectmen. He expressed his appreciation to Henry Vik for a smooth transition, and indicated that he looks forward to working with the Town on Cemetery issues. The Town Manager announced the resignation of Susan Flannery, Library Director. Susan is leaving to go to Cambridge as the As- sociate Director of the Cambridge Public Library. The Board interviewed candidates for a position- on the Conserva- tion Commission expiring 6-30-91. Interviewed were: Edward Bal- boni, James Biller, Jim Keigley, Jamie Maugham, Jennifer Miksen, and Sean O'Brien. Ms. Black, Ms. Miles and Mr. Varney did not show up, and Elizabeth Fuller withdrew her name from considera- tion. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the following names were placed in nomination for a position on the Conserva- tion Commission expiring 6-30-91: Edward Balboni, James Biller, Jim Keigley, Jamie Maugham, Jennifer Miksen;_ and Sean O'Brien. The Conservation Commission recommended the appointment of Mr. Biller to the term. Mr. Biller receiving five votes, and the others receiving no votes, Mr. Biller was appointed to this posi- tion by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager announced the resignation of Tom Harris as a Public Safety Dispatcher. He will be working as a firefighter in the Town of North Reading. He also announced the resignation of Bob Campbell as a Reading firefighter, and the appointment of Bob Beck to fill that position. The Town Manager indicated that al- though many positions are not filled and are left vacant for pur- poses of attrition, both of these were critical positions that needed to be filled. t Senator Richard Tisei and Represantative Rob Krekorian met with the Board of Selectmen. At the outset, Chairman Graham expressed appreciation to Geoff Beckwith, outgoing State Representative, for his years of service to the community. Messrs. Tisei and Krekorian reviewed very briefly their legislative initiatives. Mr. Tisei indicated that School Building Assistance and Special Education were priorities for him. He has a column in the local paper, and will have a monthly cable show. He has a district of- fice at 968 Main Street in Wakefield, phone number 246-3660 . Representative Krekorian indicated that he would have some of the same communication methods that Senator Tisei had, and will also have a local office. The Town Manager indicated that Senator Buell was not able to be here this evening. The Board discussed a number of issues -- most of them financial. Discussion ensued regarding Proposition 2-1/2 changes and Dan Ensminger indicated that perhaps there should be changes in the percentage (i.e. some indicator other than 2-1/2%) and/or the ability to adopt a over- - - ` ride for a specific period of time. The Town Manager will meet with staff with the legislative delegation regarding specific issues in the legislative agenda. Selectmen's Minutes - 1/9/91 - Page 3 The public hearing on the establishment of a Solid Waste Advisory ---- Committee was opened. Secretary George Hines read the notice. The Town Manager explained the purpose of the proposal which is to establish a standing Solid Waste Committee. George Hines in- dicated that he felt that staff members should not serve on the committee, or barring that, at least should not chair the com- mittee. The concern was that the bureaucracy would have too great a voice in establishing policy. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hines, the hearing was closed at 9:53 p.m. on a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to adopt the policy as written with the modification that it be seven members, with a representative from the Department of Public Works and the Health Division or Board of Health to be ap- pointed as advisory members, and to be appointed by the Town Manager. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved a license with New England Telephone subject to the following conditions: 1. New England Telephone screen the cabinet in a method not to prohibit access to the cabinet but in order to provide for some aesthetics, subject to the approval of the Town Manager. 2 . The approval is subject to Conservation approval for the construction on this site. 3. The approval Is subject to approval of a location hearing to be held by the-Department of Public Works. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board discussed the issue of liquor license fees. Sally Hoyt felt that we should not increase Club Licenses because these or- ganizations provide valuable service to the community. She sug- gested instead further , increasing package store licenses. There was discussion ti,T,ith regard to having a different for general clubs versus fraternal clubs. The Board felt that the Town Manager's recommendations as outlined were appropriate, and asked that a public hearing be held in the near future. The Board reviewed two articles proposed by Bill Brown for Town Meeting. Mr. Brown has asked the Board of Selectmen to put these on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting as a courtesy. The Board felt that Mr. Brown should go the petition route on these articles. The Town Manager will request a legal review of the wording of the articles prior to the petition going out. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Nigro, the Board approved taxi operator permits for Robert H. Kelly of 36 Hemlock Road, Reading, and for Robert Bothe of 23 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, for a term expiring April 30, 1991. The licenses were recommended by the Selectmen's Minutes - 1/9/91 - Page 4 Chief of Police, and the Board voted approval by a vote of 5-0-0. Eugene Nigro indicated that he would like to revisit the issue of unlicensed cabs operating in Reading. Russ Graham indicated that the FY92 Budget discussions would begin tomorrow. There would be a focus on revenues, and discus- sion on trash fee. George Hines asked that the discussion on trash fee be deferred to the next meeting so that public notice could be given. The question was raised as to whether or not we have a legal obligation to pay RESCO under their existing con- tract. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board--voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approving-_-minutes, discus- sion of litigation, and discussion of real-- estate negotiations, and not to come out into open session. On a roll call vote, with all members voting in the affirmative, the Board went into Execu- tive Session at 10:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ;�s`"� Secr ary POLICY TO ESTABLISH A SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE There is hereby established pursuant to Section 4-10 of the Read- ing Home Rule Charter, a Solid Waste Advisory Committee which will have the following duties: 1. Act as Advisor to the Board of Selectmen on Solid Waste issues and policy development. 2 . Develop and recommend to the Board of Selectmen for im- plementation a comprehensive public education program on an on-going basis related to recycling and other Solid Waste issues. 3. Continue to work with other towns in exploring and develop- ing potential regional cooperative ventures with regard to Solid Waste. 4. Keep current on the latest technology and current issues with regard to Solid Waste. I 5. Work to modify recycling efforts as appropriate. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee will be made up of seven mem- bers of the public at large who will be appointed by the Board of Selectmen for three-year terms, with the first appointments to be staggered so that .to the extent possible an even number of posi- tions shall expire on June 30 of each year. The Board of Selectmen may appoint associate members to work with the com- mittee but not vote as members of the committee. The Solid Waste -Committee shall be, advisory to the Board of Selectmen and shall report at least annually to the Board of Selectmen on policy issues. This committee shall administra- tively fall within the Department of Public Works. Adopted: January 9, 1991