HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-02-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 6 1990 ,r
The meeting convened at 7 : 35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting
Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were:
Chairman Russell Graham, Vice Chairman Mollie Ziegler, Secretary
Dan Ensminger, Selectman Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner and the following list of residents: William M.
Robertson, John Zeytoonian, Jack Rivers, Nils Nordberg, David
Nugent, Robert Nordstrand, Catherine Quimby.
Paul Dustin, Town Moderator was present and swore in the new Town
Clerk Catherine Quimby. The Board expressed their pleasure at
having Mrs. Quimby on board as the new Town Clerk.
The Town Manager introduced Bill Robertson, the new Assistant
Director of Public Works - Engineering. The Board welcomed Mr.
Robertson and indicated the they have expectations of this posi-
tion as we go through a transition of the Department of Public
Works taking on some of the Community Development functions.
The Board reviewed liaison reports. Ensminger and Nigro had
nothing to report. Zielger indicated that she had attended an
RMLD meeting with the local legislators regarding a Home Rule
Petition. She also attended a Housing Partnership meeting, and
the Audit Committee had recommended the hiring of Peat Marwick
Main for an additional three-year period to do the Town audit.
Chairman Graham indicated that he had attended Ron Winslow's
retirement party, and also Jane Ahearn's retirement party. He
spoke at the Rotary regarding public finance and the need for a
Prop 2 1/2 override. He also attended the Finance Committee
meeting on Monday, and will be attending the Rules Committee
meeting this Thursday. The Solid Waste Committee is meeting this
Wednesday and the Depot Task Force is meeting on Thursday.
The Town Manager reported on the Bear Hill Realty Trust Develop-
ment. The Town Manager is meeting with Bear Hill Realty Trust on
Monday to deal with a few last issues and the Purchase and Sale
should be ready to be signed by the end of the month.
The Town Manager reviewed some of the trash disposal issues and
reiterated his authorization to the Director of Public Works to
expend up to $5 , 000 with the other communities to hire ap-
propriate legal counsel to review the changes in RESCO, the issue
of state mandate, and other financial and engineering issues.
The Board applauded the direction of the Town and its neighbors
on this matter and Dan Ensminger asked that we evaluate among
other things what the amortization period is proposed to be. On
the issue of approval of directional signs for New England
Memorial Hospital, the Board asked for some more information on _
whether New England Memorial is the closest hospital, and whether
that is the place that we will transport people to with the Town
Ambulance if no other preference is expressed. They also asked
what the sign indication would be at Haverill and Charles.
On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Nigro the Board approved a
citation for Eagle Scout Matthew A. Prudente by vote of 4-0-0.
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes - 2-6-90 - page 2
The Board reviewed the Police Mutual Aid agreement, and asked
that the Chief be present at the next meeting so that they can
finalize action on this.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler the Board approved
the proclamation on Vocational Education Week by vote of 4-0-0.
The Board asked that they have a review of the proposed plans of
Winchester Hospital at the Biggio property. This will be brought
back to another Board of Selectmen meeting. The Board also asked
for a review of snowplowing routes. Chairman Russell read a let-
ter from Pat Driscoll applauding the staff and volunteer efforts
in putting together a very difficult budget this year.
The Board set its meeting dates for February 13 and February 27,
March 13 and March 27, and on an every two-week schedule past
that. They indicated that they would close the Warrant for the
Special Town Meeting within the Annual Town Meeting on March 27.
The Classification Hearing for Tax Assessment was held at the
beginning of the meeting. Present on this matter were Bob
Nordstrand, Chairman of the Board of Assessors; Assessors David
Nugent and Nils Nordberg; and Appraisor Yano Tine. Mr. Tine went
through the seven page packet of material showing the effect of
classification and several other issues. Bob Nordstrand reported
that the Board of Selectmen does not recommend classification -
the Board should use a factor of one. They also recommended
against the residential exemption and the open space exemption.
On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Nigro the Board voted to use a
residential factor of one (not classify industrial and commercial
property differently than residential property) by vote of 3-0-1
with Ensminger abstaining because he is an employee of TASC, a
major commercial property in town.
On motion .by Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler the Board voted to
close the Public Hearing by vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Ensminger the Board voted not
to approve the open space exemption by vote of 0-4-0.
On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Ensminger the Board voted not
to adopt the residential exemption by vote of 0-4-0.
A letter from Mr. Tarmey of the Chamber of Commerce recommending
against the classification was noted.
On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to ad-
journ the meeting at 9: 15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Secretary