HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-02-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 13, 1990
The meeting convened at 7:37 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting Room,
16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman
Russell Graham, Vice Chairman Mollie Ziegler, Secretary Dan
Ensminger, Selectmen Eugene Nigro and John Russell. Also present
were Bill Brown, Ruth Cogan, Barbara McAllister, John Fallon,
Regina Snyder, Bo Garrison, Bernice Herrick, Eleanor Bosworth and
Sally Sabo
On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Nigro the minutes of February
6, 1990 were approved as corrected by vote of 4-0-1 with Russell
abstaining.
The Town Manager introduced Barbara McAllister who is working as
an intern one day a week through June. She is employed full time
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and is doing this
work on a loaned basis with the EPA. She is working on the Earth
Day programs and with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee on
issues related to recycling. The Board welcomed her.
On motion by Russell, seconded by Nigro by vote of 5-0-0, the
Board voted to expand the Solid Waste Policy Committee to 11 mem-
bers.
On motion by Russell, seconded by Ziegler the Board voted to ap-
point Sally Sabo to an indefinite term as a member of the Ad Hoc-
Solid Waste Policy Advisory Committee by vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Russell, seconded by Nigro the Board voted to close
the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting by vote of 5-0-0.
The Town Manager reviewed the Articles on the Warrant and the
general order of them. He also reviewed probable order of Ar-
ticles for a Special Town Meeting within the Annual Town Meeting.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler the Board voted to
close the public hearing on Recreation Rules and Regulations and
adopt those Rules and Regulations by vote of 5-0-0.
Bernice Herrick and Eleanor Bosworth were present to review the
MBTA improvements. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger the
Board voted to support Motion number 1 of the Depot Task Force
which provides that the MBTA will do the maintenance on their own
parking lots and be responsible for their operation; that subject
to review by Town Counsel the MBIA be required to post a bond to
cover any damages to Town land to guarantee completion; that sub-
ject to Town Counsel and Town Moderator review and approval that t
an Article be placed on the Special Town Meeting Warrant in the
spring of 1990 to reinstate the enforcement officer, at the Read-
ing Depot, this article to be placed as a courtesy to the Task
Force; that Motion 3 of the Depot Task Force is not required be-
cause the State DEP order will take effect over any action by the
Board of Selectmen; and that Motion 4 of the Depot Task Force
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes - 2-13-90 - page 2
dealing with CPDC is up to the CPDC. The motion was approved by
a vote of 5-0-0. The Board also indicated that: 1) The Reading
Police will respond to and follow up on vandalism on MBTA owned
land.
2) The second track is probably a passing track and within the
rights of the MBTA to construct. 3 ) The Task Force, Police
Department, Town Manager, and MBIA will have to work out a con-
struction schedule and where people will park during construc-
tion.
Liaison Reports
Ensminger indicated that CPDC has recommended that the regional
water supply program endorsed by the Board of Selectmen. It will
require four to eight hours per month of staff time. On motion
by Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler the Board voted to send a let-
ter of intent to the MAPC by vote of 5-0-0.
Nigro had no liaison report.
Ziegler indicated that the Housing Partnership had met and is in
the process of developing policy statements consistent with the
Mass Housing Finance Agency for affordable and very affordable
housing. Next quarter the membership as a Housing Partnership
Community should become official.
Russell had no liaison report.
Graham indicated that he had attended the Solid Waste Policy Com-
mittee which is working with the Department of Public Works
regarding recycling as an option in trash collection. They are
also reviewing the RESCO regulations. He attended the Rules
Committee on Thursday night to review with them attempts to
streamline Town Meeting. He was not able to attend the Depot
Task Force meeting.
Public Comment
Regina Snyder who lives on Jadem Terrace thanked the Board of
Selectmen for joining in the MAPC study.
Tony Fletcher reviewed his memo regarding the RESCO trash dis-
posal situation. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Russell the
Town Manager was authorized to sign a letter substantially in
similar form as a letter dated 2-14-90 to RESCO from the 19 com-
munities. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board reviewed the Before Tax Health Care Premium Payment
Plan, and will have a public hearing on this plan at its meeting
on 2-27-90.
The Selectmen reviewed the police compact agreement with Chief
Marchand. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger the Board
voted to authorize the Town Manager to sign the compact by vote
`- of 5-0-0.
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes - 2-13-90 - page 3
The Town Manager reported that the staff did not recommend ap-
proval of hospital signs because there might be a demand for a
large number of additional signs for the different hospitals.
On motion by ,Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler the Board approved
the waiver of` voter registration in each precinct by vote of 5-0-
0.
The Town Manager reviewed the status of the budget process. The
Board indicated that we should advertise for proposals for Town
Counsel, and talk with the School Committee about doing the same
for Labor Counsel. They expressed strongly that there was no
dissatisfaction with existing counsel, but this is something that
should be done periodically.
The Town Manager advised that a site plan review for Reading
Diner is before the Community Planning and Development Commis-
sion, and the liquor license issue may be back before the Board
of Selectmen for reapproval once the site plan is approved.
On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Russell the Board voted to go
into Executive Session for discussion of Sale of Real Estate not
to come into Open Session. The vote by roll call being all five
members in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. to go
into Executive Session.
Respectfully submitted:
904,wja h
Secretary