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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-04-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes . .Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting April 23, 1991 Present were Eugene Nigro, Chairman, Sally Hoyt, Secretary, Russ Graham and George Hines, Selectmen, and Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager (Dan Ensminger arrived late) ; and the following list of interested parties: Lee Roberts, Ginny Lane, Ken Wiswall, Stephen Ippolito, Lois Bond, Ben Nichols, Richard Dempster, Karen Burke, Leslie McGonagle, Sal Mele, Bill McIsaac, Barbara Philbrick, Ken Latham, Nelson Burbank, John Downing, Bill Robertson, and Bob Munnelly. on motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, the minutes of April 9, 1991 were approved as submitted by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the minutes of April 10, 1991 were approved as submitted by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports George Hines indicated that he had attended a meeting with South Street residents a week ago. There were thirty plus or minus people present, and their major concerns were the pavement width, takings of property, and traffic volumes. We will have a meeting with the residents after survey work is done, but before any design work is done, to solicit their input. Hines also attended the Town Meeting sessions, and a retirement - event for Dick Dempster. Sally Hoyt attended a reception for Senator Tisei, the School Committee/Board of Selectmen joint meeting to appoint the new member to the School Committee; announced the Rabies Clinic would be this Saturday, from 2: 00 to 4:30 p.m. and announced that the Reading Business and Professional Women's Club has selected Meg, Bond as the Young Career Businesswoman for this year. Dan Ensminger .indicated that he had attended the School/Board of Selectmen meeting regarding the appointment of the School Com- mittee member, and had attended most of the Town Meeting ses- 'sions. Selectmen Graham and Nigro indicated that they had also attended all those meetings and had no other report. Public Comment Karen Burke from Chequesette Road requested that the Board recon- sider their actions prohibiting a left turn onto Main Street from Charles Street. She felt that it would cause undue problems on Pearl Street, Harrison Street, Wilson, Eaton and John Streets, Washington and Main Street, and Federal and Locust Streets . There was a motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, to reconsider the design of the Charles and Main Street intersection. Two voting in favor, and three voting against, the intersection design was not reconsidered. Leslie McGonagle from the Chamber of Commerce announced that there would be a moonlight boat cruise in May as a social event to get business and government leaders i Selectmen's Minutes - 4/23/91 - Page 2 in Reading together to get to know one another better. She ex- tended an invitation to the members of the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, a Proclamation designating May 3 - May 10, 1991 as S.A.D.D. Week was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, a Proclamation to designate May 15, 1991 as. Senior Citizen Volunteer Recognition Day was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 (Hines was absent) . The Proclamation was presented to Ginny Lane, Chairman of the Council on Aging. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines, the Board approved a Proclamation designating May 15, 1991 as Senior Van Donors Day by a vote of 5-0-0. This Proclamation was also given to Ginny Lane, representing the Council on Aging. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Graham, May 1, 1991- was designated Substance Abuse Awareness Day by a vote of 5-0-0. Jane Fiore and a number of supporters of this program were present. Appointments Bill McIsaac and Sal Mele were interviewed for the position on the Reading Housing Authority beginning 5-1-91 and expiring 6-30- 94 . This vacancy was created by the resignation of Richard Dempster. Both candidates were interviewed and the Housing Authority recommended Mr. Mcisaac because he has been on the Authority as a Governor's appointee, and would provide some much- needed stability on the Board. On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, the names of Mr.McIsaac and Mr. Mele were put into nomination. Mr. Mcisaac received three votes and Mr. Mele received two votes and Mr. McIsaac was elected to the position. . The Board expressed its thanks to Dick Dempster for his years of service, and the Board also asked the Town Manager to notify the Governor of the need to have an appointment made to this position as soon as possible. On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to appoint Richard Foley to the position of Town Accountant for a term ex- piring 3-31-92, by a vote of 5-0-0. George Hines indicated that he would work to build a stronger liaison with the Town Account- ant than he had been able to in the past, and suggested that we do a performance appraisal program for the Town Accountant. The Board and the Town Manager expressed their deep appreciation for the excellent work that Mr. Foley does for the Town of Reading. The Town Manager asked for approval of the Board of Selectmen to advertise for the position of Assistant Data Processing Coordinator/Assistant Town Accountant in accordance with the recently approved FY92 Budget. The paperwork on the policy E. amendment will be presented to the Board at their next meeting. The Board gave the go ahead for this action. Selectmen's Minutes - 4/23/91 - Page 3 Discussion/Action Items Mr. Donohue was present to discuss the issue of requiring separate water service in order to run an underground sprinkler system, as opposed to separately-metering inside the house. Mr. Donohue has a practical problem with installing a second water line, but also a general concern about the Town's requirement. Following discussion, the Board of Selectmen decided to refer this matter to the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee for their in- put, prior to the Board of Selectmen taking any final action on the issue. Ken Latham and Nelson Burbank were present to make a proposal for the establishment of an ice skating arena in the Town of Reading. Mr. Burbank is able to provide a donation of One Million Dollars, and a collateralized loan for any amount greater than One Million Dollars that this project might cost. The Town would be required to put up the land and water and sewer connections. The project would be owned by the Town, but privately-operated, and they feel that it would ultimately generate a profit. The Town Manager's memo of 4-2-91 to the Board of Selectmen was reviewed, and on mo- tion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to establish an Ad Hoc Ice Rink Task Force to conduct a feasibility study of Mr. Burbank's proposal and to make recommendation back to the Board of Selectmen by the end of the Fall Town Meeting, 1991. The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0, and George Hines was ap- pointed as the Selectmen's liaison. The Task Force will be posted in accordance with the Charter, and members will be ap- pointed as soon as possible. All present thanked Mr. Burbank for his generosity, and expressed optimism that we would be able to put together a program to make this facility a reality. Licenses Ken Wiswall of Dana Road has applied for a private livery. license and a taxi license, and for a taxi driver's license for himself. A taxi license -is primarily for State work, which is subsidized by the State for ambulatory individuals . It is generally Medicaid subsidized. The private livery is for airport runs. He will not do any advertising, and he will run the business from his home. He has checked with the Zoning Officer and there is no problem. Both vehicles will be kept in the garage and they are both Mr. Wiswall's private vehicles. He will be the only operator at this time, but would license additional drivers as that busi- ness becomes more viable. The Board suggested that he may want to contact the Finance Director about doing taxi service for the Hospital Trust Fund program. On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the two vehicle licenses and one taxi driver's license as listed in the application for Acura Industries. Mr. Wiswall in- dicated n dicated that he was aware of the rates and rules and regulations. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Mr. York expressed his appreciation for the Proclamation on S.A.D.D. Week. Selectmen's Minutes - 4/23/91 - Page 4 Public Hearings The Selectmen opened the hearing on the Sewer Connection Permit Program and Fee. John Downing of Whittier Road expressed concern that in the future, constructing storm sewer lines for sump pump discharge may create a NPDES problem at a later date. Bill Robertson, Assistant Public Works Director for Engineering, indi- Gated that they were aware of the proposed NPDES regulations and following that issue carefully. The Board asked if there were f could of some .waiver procedure for affordable housing and public projects. They also asked if there was a recommendation from the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. Gail Wood, a member of that Committee was present, and indicated that they would be meeting on May 6, 1991, and had not formally recommended the policy. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the hearing was continued to MAy 7, 1991, in order to establish a waiver procedure and also have the input of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board asked that we put a reminder in water and sewer bills that sump pump connection into the sanitary sewer system was il- legal. Mr. Nigro asked if we should try to get the MWRA regula- tions changed in terms of the manner of distribution of the MWRA le of years, ,.expenses. It was be meteaed and that would propethat within the next rly sewer allocate the system would sewer flows to each of the member communities. Other Discussion Mr. Graham asked if the sign at Chartbusters is in conformance i with the zoning bylaw. Mr. Nigro indicated that the concern of Mrs. Barrett at Howard and Summer Street seemed to be valid -- there is a lot of boxes Con- and other appliances on poles. He suggested that we have Con- tinental Cable come to a Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss the issue. Mr. Nigro also asked that we get the planting done around the ground-mounted transformer boxes on Woburn Street at the Town Hall. The Board considered whether there should be some kind of a response to the MAPC information on the percentage of State aid cuts that are being borne by the MAPC member communities. Mr. Graham expressed concern as to what the Town's position would be if the FY91 State aid payment was late or not forthcoming. The Town Manager was directed to review the Taxpayer's Associa- tion letter and develop a response to it. The Board designated who will attend the various Memorial Day events and make speeches. Sally Hoyt indicated that there is a For Sale sign at 399 Summer Avenue that is on the sidewalk and appears to be illegal. Selectmen's Minutes - 4/23/91 - Page 5 On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approval of minutes, litigation, labor negotiations, and sale of real estate, and not to come into open session. All five members voted in the affirm- ative, and the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secreta y