HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-02-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 5, 1991
The meeting was convened at 7:34 p.m. in the Selectmens' Meeting
Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Rus-
sell Graham, Secretary George Hines, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and
Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following
list of interested parties: Paul Woodberry, Trish Brigham, Mary
Rees, Bill Brown, Valerie Martins, Carol Edwards, Mark Favaloro.
Linda King, Anne Mark, Debbie McCulley, Steve Thomases, Don
Anglehart, Paul Woodbury.
Liaison Reports
Under Liaison Reports, Eugene Nigro had none. George Hines indi-
cated that the Legal Services Selection Committee has been meet-
ing and is developing an RFP for Town Counsel position. Russ
Graham indicated that he, the Town Manager, Sally Hoyt, Chief
Marchand, and Veterans' Agent Paul Farrell attended the send-off
at Camp Curtis Guild of the 213th Medical Brigade. It was a very
emotional experience.
Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended the 213th Medical
Brigade ceremony. She also reviewed events in the Human Services
Department.
On motion by Hoyt__,-&econded by Hines, the Board voted to approve
the minutes of January 22, 1991 by vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro, the proclamation regarding
vocational education was approved.
Personnel and Appointments
The Board interviewed Patricia Brigham and Mark Favaloro for a
position as Town representative on the Metropolitan Area Planning
Council (MAPC) . On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the names
of Patricia Brigham, Sally Sabo (previously interviewed) and Mark
Favaloro were placed in nomination. George Hines indicated that
he felt Mark Favaloro presented an excellent tie-in of MAPC to
the Town's planning process through the Master Plan Advisory Com-
mittee. Patricia Brigham received 0 votes, Sally Sabo received 0
votes and Mark Favaloro received 4 votes. Mark Favaloro was ap-
pointed to a term on MAPC expiring 12/31/93 . on motion by Hines
seconded by Hoyt, Jonathan Edwards was nominated as the alternate
to MAPC. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and Mr. Ed-
wards was appointed for a term expiring 12/31/93 .
The Board interviewed a number of candidates for the Solid Waste
Policy Committee. Interviewed were Connie Phillips, Pat Brigham,
Carol Edwards, Linda King, Anne Mark, Debbie McCulley, Sally
Sabo, Steve Thomases, Don Anglehart, and Paul Woodbury. George
Hines indicated that Connie Phillips is a relative. He has
checked with the Ethics Committee and his voting would not be a
conflict. The following people were not present for interviews -
Valerie Martins , Judy Mitchell , Stanley Wirsig, Wayne Meuse. '-- i
Susan Cohen withdrew her name from nomination. On motion by Hoyt
seconded by Hines, the following names were placed in nomination,
with the top three vote getters to receive a term expiring
Selectmen Minutes - 2/5/91 - page 2
6/30/93, the next two vote getters to receive a term expiring
r. 6/30/92, and the next two vote getters expiring 6/30/91: Brigham,
Edwards, Mark, Sabo, King, Phillips, McCulley, Thomases,
Anglehart, Woodbury. McCulley withdrew indicating that she felt
that there were more qualified people and she would volunteer to
help the committee.
Based on the votes, Steve Thomases and Linda King were appointed
to terms expiring 6/30/91, Pat Brigham and Carol Edwards were ap-
pointed to terms expiring 6/30/92, Anne Marks, Sally Sabo, and
Don Anglehart were appointed to terms expiring 6/30/93 . Those
assembled thanked Russ Graham for his leadership on the ad hoc
committee.
At 9:25 p.m. George Hines read the public hearing notice regard-
ing changes to the liquor license fees. Arthur Bent from Uptown
Liquors was present. He indicated that they appreciated being
able to aspen the Sundays before the Christmas and New Years
holidays. i He felt that if the increase for package stores was
only $100 that they would not be terribly concerned. The Town
Manager reviewed a telephone call from Bruce Berger objecting to
any increase in the liquor license fees. Mr. Bent asked if the
Board would consider Sunday openings in the future if the state
law changes. Sally Hoyt indicated that she has talked with one
of the club licensees and they do not object to the $100 in-
crease. George Hines suggested that the hearing should be con-
tinued until we get information from Town Counsel on the question
of creating a differential between non-profit club licenses and
for-profit club licenses, and until we can hear from the Common
Victuallers. He suggested that it be continues to 2%26/91.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the
public hearing by vote of 3-1-0 with Hines against.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve
the policy change in liquor licenses by vote of 3-0-1 with George
Hines abstaining. He is abstaining because he wanted more infor-
mation on the club licenses and more input from the Common Vict-
uallers.
The Town Manager reviewed the draft warrant. There is concern
about whether E911 would ensure privacy for people who did not
want phone numbers listed.
The Board discussed the question of requiring property owners to
clear sidewalks and/or charging for situations where the Town
clears sidewalks . This will be discussed during the coming
months and brought back for consideration at the Fall Town Meet-
ing.
The Board discussed the current status of state aid. George
Hines indicated that we should look for other possible reductions
in the FY92 budget but also that the Board should consider an
override on this budget if state aid is reduced as has been indi-
cated. George Hines also indicated that he would like to see a
Tetter of. agreement between the Board of Selectmen and the School
Selectmen Minutes - 2/5/91 - page 3
Committee on the various issues of working together. He would
want to see that before a trash fee was instituted. A motion was
made by Hines seconded by Hoyt, to reduce the overtime in the
Highway, Building Maintenance, Parks and Forestry, and Cemetery
budgets by 15% which would equal approximately $5,300, and place
that money into the Community Development clerical account and
DPW shade trees. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines, it was
voted to table this discussion to 2/12/91 by vote of 4-0-0, be-
cause Mr. Nigro indicated he had not had time to review the tapes
of this budget discussion.
The Town Manager was reminded that the hearings on betterments
needed to take place before the evening before Town Meeting.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro, the Board authorized the
placement of a sign by the YMCA for the period of February 15 to
March 31 of a size not to exceed 3 feet by 6 feet. The vote was .
3-0-1 with Graham abstaining.
On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn at
11:27 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully/submitted,
Ga' f
Secretary
r
i
NEW LIQUOR LICENSE FEES
Approved. by the Board of Selectmen on 2/5/91
Type of License Current Fee Fee as of 1/1/92
Club $ 400 $ 500
Common Victuallers 2,000 2,500
Package Store 1,500 1,600
One-Day 25 50*
. *Effective February 5, 1991