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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-04-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes i Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting April 9, 1991 The meeting convened at 7 : 30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, and Selectmen Russ Graham and George Hines, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, and the following list of inter- ested parties: Rev. James Cann, J.R. Wood-Boyle, Gordon Roger- son, Stephen Garneau, Robert Nordstrand, Bob W. Preskett, Nels H. Nelson, Robert A. Fishman, and Edward Cirone. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, the minutes of March 26, 1991 were approved by a vote of 4-0-0 (Hines arrived late) . Liaison Reports Selectmen Graham indicated that he had attended the MBIA meeting and was very appreciative of the way that it was conducted. Dan Ensminger indicated that he had attended the MBIA meeting, the Street Light Hearing, the Solid Waste Committee meeting, the introduction for Town Meeting members held by the Finance Com- mittee last Saturday, and Philip Dolan's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Nigro indicated that he had attended the MBIA hearing, and was especially impressed with the way that Mr. McKay handled himself. He suggested that some sort of acknowledgment to volunteers and others who provide outstanding service to the community should be considered. He also indicated that Dick Dempster's farewell din- ner will be 4/22/91 with a social hour from 6: 00 to 7 : 00 p.m. There will also be a reception at Frank Tanner Drive for Mr. Dempster on 4/28/91 from 2 :00 to 4:00 p.m. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended the RMLD Hearing. She also reminded the Board of Selectmen of the Rabies Clinic to be held on 4/27/91. Hoyt also indicated that the volunteer dinner will be held by the Elder Services Division in May, and a proclamation for that event would be in order. Hines indicated that he had talked with CPDC about. the EXXON project. He has also had a lot of discussion with South Street residents concerned about the possible improvements to South Street. He reiterated the need to site a new cemetery and make a decision on future park development. Approval of Old South Church Signs Reverend James Cann and Steve Garneau, representing Old South United Methodist Church, appeared before the Board of Selectmen. They have purchased four signs to be installed at the entry points to Reading, in order to direct people from out of town to the many functions that are held in their facility. The church will provide the sign posts and will maintain the signs. If a situation develops where too many churches and other institutions want signs at the entry to Reading, then Old South Church would agree to put their signs on a common sign board, along with signs such as Rotary and the Lions Club. Selectmen's Minutes - 4/9/91 - Page 2 On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, the Board approved the in- stallation of signs as outlined above, and subject to the condi- tion that upon the Town's request, Old South, Methodist Church would agree to place their signs on a common sign board at the entrances to Town. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board asked that a policy. be developed on location of signs. Russ Graham also expressed the thanks of the Town for the help given by the Church when the Town Hall was under renovation. RMLD Hearing The Board discussed the results of the RMLD Hearing on turning off street lights. The Board urges the RMLD to accelerate the replacement of old lights with more energy-efficient lights to the extent possible. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved the turning out of the list of street lights per the memo of February 22, 1991, as amended by the memo of April 8, 1991, and specifi- cally the following lights would not be turned off -- 28 Wilson Street, 400 South Street, Woburn Street at St. Agnes, 62 Hartshorn, 68 Sanborn Lane, 64 Spruce Road, and the light at Wescroft Road and Coolidge Road. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. EXXON Hearing Continuance The Board continued the public hearing on the application of Crestview EXXON for a tank installation license. Mr. Fishman, Mr. Preskett, and Mr. Cirone were present for the applicant. George Hines indicated that he had contacted Jonathan Edwards and Bill Goodrich from CPDC and resolved questions relating to the number of fill hoses and the tank locations. CPDC reviewed the plan and viewed it as acceptable as approved, but indicated that ' if the Board of Selectmen, in considering the license felt that they needed to make modifications, that they could deal with it. If it is not within the Board of Selectmen's scope, then CPDC viewed the approval as made as satisfactory. It was the under- standing of the CPDC Chairman that there would be ongoing discus- sion with regard to the fence along the Drinkwater property. Mr. Drinkwater indicated that he has met with EXXON, and they have reached agreement on a fence, although he did not get all that he wanted to. George Hines indicated that the Town has an obligation to mitigate impacts on neighboring properties when you have commercial properties adjacent to residential properties. He is especially concerned that the developers work with residen- tial neighbors on an ongoing basis, especially with respect to blasting. Sally Hoyt expressed concerns about the hours of operation, and Mr. Fishman indicated that they would be limited to the hours of 6:00 AM to Midnight in accordance with the Town Bylaw. They presently operate until 11: 00 p.m. Mrs. Bellantone expressed concerns about blasting. Once, pre- viously when blasting was done in the general area, a gas line was broken and she had problems in her house. Mr. Cirone, who is the blasting contractor for the project, indicated that they will i Selectmen's Minutes - 4/9/91 - Page 3 alert the gas company prior to blasting, but he feels very confi- dent that there will be no impact on gas lines in the area. Mr. Hines asked who they notified with regard to blasting, and it was noted that they will notify all abutters within 200 feet, but they usually go beyond that to all abutters who are within visual contact with the property. They will sound horns prior to and following blasting. Mr. Drinkwater was concerned about the ef- fect of blasting on his sewer line, which is thirty feet away from the blast site. It was felt that he has nothing to be con- cerned about. George Hines will convey to the CPDC that their written decisions should be complete and not leave things up to interpretation or future action. Mr. Drinkwater indicated that EXXON has created a hardship for him and the neighbors and that . they should consider making a contribution to the Town through Arnold Berger or directly to the Town. Mrs. Bellantone agreed. Mr. Rasetta asked who is responsible if someone is hurt on the job. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the hearing was closed at 9:05 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Graham, the Board voted to . approve the license to install tanks at 85 Main Street in accord- ance with the plan dated 1/24/91 by a vote of 5-0-0. Town Meeting Discussion The Board discussed the Warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting. It was decided that Article 15 would be modified to Just appropriate the funds for Haverhill Street at this time. A letter will be sent to the residents of the South Street neigh- borhood indicating that funding of South Street improvements will be considered at a Fall Town Meeting, and this would follow public hearings on the nature of improvements on South Street and a decision on those improvements by the Board of Selectmen. The Board discussed the 1992 Budget. The Town Manager indicated a concern about the proposed street lighting budget. The Board suggested that a FinCom Minority Report should be given, and that the RMLD may want to speak on the issue. The Board of Selectmen will let Town Meeting know that they support the higher ap- propriation as recommended by the Town Manager. The Board discussed the Special Town Meeting articles. Graham will do Article 3 , Ensminger Article 5, and Graham Article 6. The Board will give an update on the instructional motion with regard to noise from the Revolver and Gun Club. Final reports should be given next Fall. TASC Proclamation The Town Manager will draft a proclamation commending TASC on their 25th Anniversary in business. Selectmen's Minutes - 4/9/91 - Page 4 Cable Television The Board asked for some review of cable television rates, and indicated that they are getting a number of complaints about the cost of cable television. This information will be passed along to the Cable TV .Committee and to Continental Cablevision. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the lease, side letter, and disclosure statement for the lease to .Continental Cable, by a vote of 5-0-0. Taxi Licenses On motion by Graham, seconded by Hines, the Board approved taxi licenses for Town Taxi of Reading to operate two cabs -- a 1985 Buick LeSabre, and a 1985 Plymouth Caravelle -- and to license four taxi operators: Gary C. Gillis of 11 Lothrop Road, Mary L. Gillis of 11 Lothrop Road, Elizabeth H. Stakem of 20 Hunt Street, and Albert E. Bothe of 23 Middlesex Avenue, Reading. The Board approved these licenses expiring 3-31-91 by a vote of 5-0-0. Other Discussion/Action Topics With regard to the Hingorani hearing, Sally Hoyt will talk with the Conservation Commission to see if they will attend. It is the same night as the Town Meeting. Russ Graham indicated that Senator Tisei is having a reception for local elected officials on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. All Selectmen are invited. The Town should be prepared to discuss the costs and options for a drop-off recycling facility. George Hines indicated that the Community Development fees ' through March, 1991 were $171,000, compared to FY90 figures of $96,000 and FY89 figures of $158,000. On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:29 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, r f s r J{ ,Secreta.ry: