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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-05-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting May 7, 1991 The meeting convened at 7 : 40 p.m. in the Selectmen' s Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman . Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russ Graham (Selectman George Hines arrived at ap- proximately 8:00 p.m. ) , Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Robert Connor, Mike Foodman, Mike Connor, Ruth Cogan, Robert Beck, Judy Kentenjian, Deirdre Hanley, Holly Spousta, Bob Munnelly, Peter Greene, Ron Wood, Leonard Rucker, Dave Swyter, Allan Ames, H Theodore Cohen, Jim O'Leary, Ken Barna, Cathy Quimby. Before the meeting convened, Don Young from the Chronicle took pictures of a presentation of a proclamation for National Teachers Day, and took photographs of a presentation of a cer- tificate of appreciation to Addison Wesley. On motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger the minutes of April 23, 1991 were approved as submitted by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports " Sally Hoyt indicated that she had attended Dick Dempster's retirement function, and had attended the performance of "Eddie" last Friday. Surplus food distribution has taken place. Dan Ensminger had no report. Russ Graham also attended Dick Dempster' s reception and the presentation of "Eddie. " He has also talked with Senator Tisei about the Senator's involvement in a commission to review local government financing. Eugene Nigro attended Dick Dempster's reception; went to the High School and presented the S.A.D.D. proclamation; went to the Elks Award honoring five students from Reading; and attended the Legal Services Selection Committee Meeting. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger a proclamation designat- ing May 7 as National Teachers Day was approved by a vote of 4-0- 0. Peter Greene, President of the Reading Teachers Union, was present to accept and to express thanks on behalf of the teachers for the honor. On motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger a certificate of ap- preciation was presented to Judy Kentejian of Addison Wesley in thanks for providing the recycling baskets for the Town Hall com- plex to enable the Town to recycle office paper. On motion by Hoyt seconded- by Graham the National History Day proclamation was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Dan Ensminger will present the proclamation at a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on May 21. Personnel and Appointments The Town Manager introduced the new Police Officer Frank Duclose; Library Director Deirdre Hanley; and new Firefighter Robert Beck Selectmen minutes - 5/7/91 - page 2 to the Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that there is a vacancy on the 350th Anniversary Committee left by the resignation of Susan Flannery. Ron Wood was present for consideration for the Reading Housing Partnership vacancy, and withdrew his name. Discussion/Action Items Messrs O'Leary, Swytzer and Ames, members of the Light Board; Len Rucker, General Manager of the Light Department and Ken Barna, Counsel to the Light Department appeared before the Selectmen. The Town Manager reviewed the status of the process of trying to turn off street lights to save money. The Light Board reiterated the five points in their letter of April 25 expressing concern. about liability. Ted Cohen reviewed his memo to the Board of Selectmen regarding liability. Dan Ensminger asked whether there were standards that were available. Len Rucker indicated that there are standards but they are evolving. Russ Graham expressed concern about the process and why the concerns expressed by the Light Board at this time were not addressed when the initial decision was made to turn off the street lights over a year ago. George Hines indicated that we should consider changing stand- ards, and hoped that the Light Board would spend as much time trying to help solve the problem as they seem to be expending' on determining why they couldn't turn street lights off. Jim O'Leary reviewed concerns about fatalities related to street lights in Woburn, Quincy and the Alewife Station. Mr. Barna felt that the Town and the Light Department could come to some kind of an agreement as to liability and Mr. O'Leary indicated that the Light Board would take under advisement the issue of whether or not the Town would pay the cost of turning off the street lights. The RMLD will appear before the FinCom on Monday, May 13. The other issues seem to be resolved or in the process of being resolved. The Town Manager reviewed the need for a Special Election because of a petition seeking to overturn the Town Meeting's vote on the FY92 budget. The proposed Election Day is June 3 and the Town Clerk's suggestion is that the election hours be held from noon to 8:00 p.m. This would save approximately $1,400 for the elec- tion. George Hines expressed concern that this would be a variance from our normal election process. Ted Cohen reviewed the manner in which the Board of Selectmen can be involved in and spend money on public information with regard to this matter. He will review any material produced by the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to call a Spe- cial Election for June 3, 1991 from 12 noon to 8: 00 p.m. in ac- cordance with requirements of the Reading Home Rule Charter regarding referendums. The motion was approved by vote of 5-0-0. The Board asked the Town Manager to put together the following materials: 1. Copies of a summary of the votes of Town Meeting on the budget with a reasonable number being made available in the Town Hall and the Library. Backup material and graphics as presented to Town Meeting would be included. 2. Ask Channel 3 if they would rerun Town Meeting sessions regarding the budget debate. The Board further directed the f Selectmen's Minutes - 5/7/91 - page 3 Town Manager to respond to letters that appear in the paper where there is misinformation going out. The Board also talked about an informational meeting. Public Hearings On motion by Ensminger seconded by Graham the Public Hearing on the Sewer Connection Program was re-opened. Curt Nitzsche from the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee appeared and the Sewer and Water Advisory Committee unanimously endorsed the proposed regulations. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the public hearing at 9:59 p.m. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adopt the policy as revised, and set the fee at $4.00 per gallon pursuant to Section 1.05 of the policy, the policy to become effective upon publication. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A public hearing on change in Personnel Polices to incorporate the Assistant Data Processing Coordinator/Assistant Town Account- ant into the Personnel Polices was opened. Sally Hoyt read the public notice. There being two residents present and no ques- tions asked, the Board voted to close the hearing on motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger and voted 5-0-0. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the amendment to the Personnel Polices which would incorporate the Assistant Data Processing Coordinator/Assistant Town Account- ant in Schedule A-2 at Grade 11, and incorporate the position into the pertinent portions of the Sick Leave Bank Program. The Board approved the motion by vote of 5-0-0. The Board discussed the traffic count at Washington Street and directed the Town Manager to go ahead and seek a heavy vehicle exclusion for night time hours on this street. With regard to the Softball Field building, the Board asked to have Steve Sullivan there at their meeting on 5/21/91. Russ Graham indicated his intent that if the building is not complete he would move to reconsider the motion and have the building removed. It was asked that Bill Carroll from the Reading Softball Association be present. The Board asked for a copy of whatever agreement had been drafted. The Board set up a committee to do the Town Manager's evaluation. Dan Ensminger will chair it and Russ Graham will be on the com- mittee. The Selectmen will meet on 6/18/91 to conduct the review unless the Town Meeting's session is scheduled for that evening. The Board also decided to meet at its regular meeting on May 21, a special meeting on May 28 to review the proposals for Legal Services, and to meet June 11 and June 25. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the signing of the School/Municipal Agreement by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve a taxi driver license for William Moynihan for Acura. - Industries Inc. by vote of 5-0-0. Mr. Nigro suggested that all taxi drivers Selectmen's Minutes - 5/7/91 - page 4 should be conversant with CPR. on motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to sup- port and approve the use of the Common on June 22, 1991 between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for the purpose of a rally supporting the Desert Storm troops. The rain date will be Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0- 0. The Board directed the Town Manager to send congratulations to the Director of the Reading High School Band regarding the recent competition. George Hines expressed concern about the Main and Charles Street intersection. What additional cost is added to the project be- cause of the removal of the wall, and do we have in writing that the state will not allow us to use barrels on a temporary basis for traffic control purposes. The Town Manager discussed the Pearl Street School sale. There were no bidders, and the Town Manager will develop an RFP to look for a long-term (five year) lease at a minimal amount with the party leasing the building taking responsibility for all opera- tion and maintenance. The Board requested that an evaluation of a draft RFP be returned on May 21. Eugene Nigro asked us to check and see if the Arts Councils have interest in this building on that basis. There being no further business, on motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. by vote of 5- 0-0. Resp ctfully submitted: Secret