Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-02-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting February 26, 1991 The meeting convened at 7 : 34 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Stree, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Rus- sell Graham, Secretary George Hines, Selectmen Eugene Nigro and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Lorraine Salter, Wayne S. Davis, Leslie and Irene York, John Fallon, Joe Giordano, Bruce Morang, Sharon Offenstein, Dorothy Anderson. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines the minutes of January 31, 1991 were approved as amended by vote of 3-0-1 with Nigro abstaining. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the minutes of February 5, 1991 were approved as amended by vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended the Berger/Morang birthday party on Monday. George Hines indicated that he had attended the Saturday morning session of the Board of Selectmen. Sally Hoyt gave a report on various activities in the Department of Human Services. Russ Graham indicated that the Board had met Saturday morning to talk about budget and also to approve the recent bond sale. He also attended the birthday celebration and congratulated. Messrs Berger and Morang on their birthdays this month. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt the Board approved a proclamation for Red Cross month by vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt the Board approved a com- munity award certificate for Scott Parisi for his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on March 7. George Hines will represent the Board at that ceremony. Personnel and Appointments The Board interviewed two candidates for a position on the Recreation Committee expiring 6/30/91. On motion by Hines, seconded by Nigro the Board put the names of Lorraine Salter and Joseph Giordano into nomination. John Fallon as Committee Chair- man recommended Joe Giordano. Each member got two votes and Selectmen Hoyt asked Ms. Salter if she would be willing to step aside until potential positions are available in June. Mr. Hines pointed out that Mr. Fallon's recommendation was not a recommen- dation of the full committee. She indicated that she would be happy to and the Board re-voted with Giordano getting 4 votes, and Joseph Giordano was appointed to a term on the Recreation Committee expiring 6/30/91. Public Hearing George Hines read a legal notice regarding the public hearing for Selectmens' Minutes - 2/26/91 - page 2 a policy regarding Changes to the Reading Common. Sharon . Of- fenstein, Chairman of the Historical Commission, was present to lend support to approval of the policy. Ben Nichols also sup- ported the policy but suggested some modifications in the guidelines. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the hearing and approve the policy, with the understand- ing that the guidelines would include Mr. Nichols' concerns. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items The Board discussed the Annual Warrant Articles and the discus- sion and assignment of the Articles will be held until next meet- ing when the full Board can be present. The Board reviewed the status of the FY92 budget. The Town Manager reviewed the probable Article for the Special Town Meeting Warrant which would include funding of the cleanup of the former Public Works site and transfers and approval for the Water Treatment Plant improvements. - The Town Manager indicated that a license had been issued to the Main Street Deli as a Common Victuallers license. George Hines commented that the Judge's order of a moratorium on new sewer hookupuntil the MWRA sewer sludge situation was resolved may have an effect on our tax revenues because it may delay new construction starts. The Town Manager indicated that he would be writing to the County Commissioners indicating that the Town would not pay the pass along costs for the lack of fund- ing by the state of the rental of the Courthouses. He also indi- cated that he would reiterate to the Regional School Committee that the Town would not go along with the proposed assessment. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to support the Brookline actions regarding state funding. The Board also supported the use of Reading's name in those activities by vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted: Secretary POLICY CHANGES TO THE COMMON The Board of Selectmen recognizes that the Town Common in Reading is a focal point for the community, and a symbol of the very es- sence of the Town. It is the Board of Selectmen's intent to preserve and enhance the Common at every opportunity. Recogniz- ing that by Charter the Town Manager has authority over the use, operation and maintenance of the Common, the Board directs the Town Manager to evaluate any changes to the Common in light of the attached "Guidelines for Evaluating Changes to the Common" submitted by the Reading Historical Commission in May, 1990, as these guidelines may be changed from time to time, and that any major changes to the Common should be evaluated in terms of this document. Further, the Board of Selectmen asks that the Town Manager and/or appropriate staff meet periodically with the His- torical Commission with regard to issues related to the Common. Hearing: 2-26-91 Approved: 2-26-91 GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING CHANGES TO COMMON Submitted by the Reading Historical Commission May 1990 Focus Guidelines 1. Maintain the dominance of an effective focal point (Old South) . 2 . Avoid adding additional focal points that would compete with the major focal point. Landscape Guidelines 1. Preserve the existing topography of the Common. 2 . Maintain the historic planting of the space (i . e. , a greensward) ; limit the use of flowers. 3 . Plant trees and shrubs sparingly, for special design pur- poses. 4. Locate trees according to historical, spatial, and environ- mental factors. Footpath Guidelines 1. Retain paths to major points of destination and embellish- ments. 2. Keep paths in a pattern that is simple and functional. 3. Maintain footpaths at present widths. 4. Maintain access for the handicapped to the major path. 5. Choose footpath and paved-area materials that are attrac- tive, compatible, and durable. Furnishings Guidelines 1. Restrict the number of furnishings so that they do not over- whelm the Common. 2. Select new furnishings to coordinate with the existing style, or replace the entire system. 3 . Maintain present level of peripheral lighting. 4. Choose furnishings that are well designed, durable, and in keeping with the character of the Common. (continued) Encroachment Guidelines 1. Defend the Common against state highway encroachment. 2. Defend the Common against permanent expropriation for traf- fic, recreation, publicity, and other purposes. 3. Maintain the boundaries of the Common as recorded in Book 1034, Pages 418 through 421, and that the Common be forever used by the Town as a common. If possible, enlargement of the Common by reducing or eliminating roads and reclaiming adjacent land, would be desirable. . Traffic Guidelines 1. Enforce low speed limits around the Common. 2. Provide adequate crosswalk access to the Common. 3. Minimize curbside parking along the perimeter of the Common. 4. Restrict the number and visual impact of signs and traffic signals around the Common. Townscape Guidelines 1. Encourage the preservation and appropriate rehabilitation of the area surrounding the Common. - ' 2. Preserve attractive views as well as the buildings them- selves. 3. Preserve historic townscape details. 4. Defend solar access to the Common. 5. Guard against the clutter of telephone poles and overhead wires. Use Guidelines 1. Encourage regular, passive use of the Common. 2 . Use the Common for both small- and large-scale community events. 3 . Involve the Common in the observation of holidays, espe- cially Arbor Day. 4 . Prohibit permanent facilities that benefit only special- interest groups. 5. Establish a system of management for special events. (continued) Maintenance Guidelines 1. Continue a system of routine maintenance. 2 . Establish a hierarchy of maintenance priorities. 3 . Encourage the owners of properties adjacent to the Common to adopt similar maintenance programs.