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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes - Board of Selectmen Meeting January 22, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chair- man Russ Graham, Secretary George Hines, Selectmen Gene Nigro and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Hechenbleikner, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Troops 704 and 705 and the following list of inter- ested parties : Mr. and Mrs. Leslie H. York, N. C. White, Tom Stohlman, L. Troy, Sally Sabo, Ken Ivester. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Nigro, the minutes of January 9, 1991 were approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro had no liaison report other than that he had at- tended the Board of Selectmen meeting at which the School Com- mittee and FinCom were present to review budget and trash fees. George Hines indicated that the Legal Services Committee had met and would be meeting again next Tuesday. He also indicated that the Town had won a significant court case upholding the Town's zoning for home occupations, and that much good work had been done by Town Counsel and Community Development staff. Russ Graham reviewed the Board of Selectmen's meeting which the School Committee and FinCom attended. He also reminded the Board that the Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting was taking place this Friday and Saturday in Boston. E--- Sally Hoyt also attended the Board of Selectmen meeting. She also reviewed various issues of the Department of Human Services, and indicated further that the Administration is cutting $575,000,000 from the FY91 budget, and that state aid may be af- fected. Ken Ivester appeared be: Ifore the Board requesting approval for the pledge of a liquor license to the Bank of New England. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the pledge of a liquor license to the Bank of New England for Wes Parker's Res- taurant by vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager reviewed the issuance of one-day liquor licenses for the Reading Masonic Building Association and Austin Prep. George Hines raised the question of whether or not FinCom members could become associate members of Boards, Committees or Commis- sions like Recreation. The Board reviewed its meeting schedule. It will have another budget session on January 31 at 7: 00 p.m. The Town Manager also asked and the Board agreed to set the following meeting dates for the next several months : January 31 - Budget, February 5 - regular meeting, February 12 - regular meeting and close of the warrant, February 26 - regular meeting, March 12 - regular meet- ing, March 26 - regular meeting, April 9 - regular meeting, April 23 - regular meeting. Selectmen's Minutes - 1/22/91 - page 2 Sally Hoyt suggested that the Board reconsider its previous vote establishing a Solid Waste Policy Committee. She felt that the excellent work by the Human Services Director and the Assistant Director of Public Works should be rewarded by voting membership on this committee. Russ Graham felt that the Board should decide on its policy without dealing with individuals. If the policy is that staff members should not be on Boards, Committees, or Com- missions, then that should be held to. If not, then that policy should be changed. Gene Nigro and George Hines agreed, and it was suggested that Sally Hoyt bring this up at a future meeting when all five members of the Board will be present. Les York, Coordinator of Troops 704 and 705 for the Reading Con- gregational Church, of the Minute Man Council of the Powderhorn District of the Boy Scouts of America presented information to the Board of Selectmen relative to the celebration of the Boy scouts of America Eightieth Anniversary Week. On motion by Hines, seconded by Nigro the Board voted to approve a proclama- tion for February 4 through 10, 1991 as Boy Scouts of America Eightieth Anniversary Week. The Board reviewed the MAPC vacancy. Sally Sabo was present and was interviewed by the Board. She has been a Gubernatorial ap- pointment for two terms, and won't know for three months whether she will be reappointed by the Governor. Pat Brigham also has an application in, and the Board agreed to defer action until February 5 pending a review and recommendation by CPDC. The Town Manager reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the resig- nation of Richard Fotino from the Recreation Committee. This position has been .posted. The Town Manager reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the status of zoning enforcement on the rooming house at Oak and West Streets. The Board directed the Town Manager to take whatever action needs to be taken to get this case back before the courts. The Board reviewed the question of signs for Old South Methodist Church. The Board asked what the need was and whether it is pressing. The concern was for further proliferation of signs in Reading. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt a resolution of appreciation for Susan M. Flannery, outgoing Library Director, was approved by a vote of;'4-0-0. Under FY92 budget, George Hines corrected a misimpression that a trash fee has been adopted. He indicated that there is support for the Ensminger proposal which would establish a trash fee. He reiterated that a key element of the proposal would be joint ac- tion on a number of issues between the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. He indicated that the Board of Selectmen decides whether or not to implement the fee,. but that it has to —j be tied to the service provided and therefore it should not be viewed that this money goes directly to the School Department. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 1/22/91 - page 3 Susan Flannery, Library Director, and Chris Redford, Chairman of the Library Board attended the meeting to review the Library budget. The Town Manager went through the General Services budget with the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn . at 10:55 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, j 1Z�2 ' Secrety