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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-04-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24, 1990 The meeting convened at 7 : 44 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Russell Graham, Secretary Hines, Selectmen Hoyt and Nigro and the following list of citizens : Nathan C. White, Charles Catalfamo, Thomas J. Mullen, Gerald MacDonald, M. Clifton Proctor, Don Allen, Len Redfern, William J. Hughes, Jr. , Chief Marchand, Bill Burditt, Liz Greene, Jim Blomley, Barry Hampson, Jim O'Leary, and Allan Ames. Selectman Ensminger arrived at approximately 7:50 p.m. , and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner arrived at 8:00 p.m. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt, the minutes of April 10, 1990 were ap- proved as submitted. The following Liaison Reports were given: Nigro--none Hines--none; Graham--none; Hoyt indicated that she had met with the Director of Human Serv- ices on various areas, including the Lions Club Diabetes Screen- ing on May 9 and 10 ; the status of the Town's Human Services Revolving Fund with only $900 remaining, and a goal to raise an additional $2,500 by September; the Department of Human Services received more than the usual number of complaints regarding trash and housing. Chief Leonard Redfern introduced newly-appointed Lieutenant Paul -- Jackson, and newly-appointed Captain Steve Ballou to the Board of Selectmen. The Arbor Day Presentation was made by Ernest DeRosa from the Department of Environmental Management to Bud Dickey and the Board of Selectmen. A plaque and Tree City, U.S.A. Flag were given to the Town. This is Reading's 5th year as a Tree City, U.S.A. On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved the Arbor Day Proclamation by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board interviewed applicants for the Custodian of Soldiers and Sailors Graves. Interviewed were Bill Hughes and Tom Mullen. Two other applicants are to be interviewed and a decision made at the Board of Selectmen's next meeting. The interview process for the members of the Conservation Commis- sion and Community Planning and Development Commission will be held on May 8, 1990. The Reading Municipal Light Department made a presentation on the - purchase of property at Ash Street, and on street lights. On mo- tion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support Article 8 before the Special Town Meeting by a vote of 4-1-01 with Hines in opposition. Hines expressed concern that the RMLD can't guarantee an increase in the earnings distribution as a Selectmen's Minutes - 4/24/90 - Page 2 result of this transaction. He would feel more comfortable if we could get some kind of indication of the increase in earnings ' ! distribution in writing. The RMLD General Manager reviewed the options for street light- ing, and felt that there was no feasible way to reduce the street lighting expenses. The Board indicated that it may need to sug- gest raising the budget back to the original request because of this. The Reading Community Action 80-10-10 Committee made a presenta- tion. Ron D'Addario, Richard Radville, and Tim Twomey were present. They are having an informational meeting on May 1st, and request the Board of Selectmen endorsement. On motion by Hines, seconded by Nigro, the Board expressed wholehearted en- dorsement of the efforts of the 80-10-10 Committee to raise funds to be donated to the School Department, Library Department, and Division of Elder Services, by a vote of 3-0-2, with Graham and Ensminger abstaining because their wives work for the School Department. The Board expressed its appreciation to the 80-10-10 group, and all agreed that this was a temporary assistance, but not a permanent solution to long-term funding needs of the Town. Chief Marchand was present and discussed with the Board the Depot parking enforcement issues. He indicated that the Article on the Special Town Meeting Warrant regarding re-hiring of the Depot Parking Enforcement Officer would be difficult because the Town will be laying off four additional police officers this year. The Police Department will do the best it can with the staff pos- sible. Chairman Graham asked if the walking beat could be ex- tended or modified to do parking enforcement, and the Chief indi- cated that the walking beat would be in most part, eliminated after July 1. In answer to a question on the use of police reserves, the Chief indicated that police reserves have gone back into use following the re-hiring of one of the previously laid off police officers by another community. He would suggest that they not be used after July 1 until all of the laid off police . officers are again gainfully employed. The Chief indicated that if the layoffs take place, some of the things that will have to be evaluated are the level of staffing in the detective bureau, the future of accreditation, the elimination of walking beats, and other savings possible. The Board of Selectmen stressed the community priority of doing whatever is possible in terms of en- forcement in the Depot area. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted not to recommend Article 6 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant, and Eugene Nigro, as liaison to Public Safety, will convey the sense of the Board's discussion to the Town Meeting. This was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to con- tinue all taxi licenses in full effect through May 9, 1990, pend- ing action by the Board of Selectmen at the May 8, 1990 meeting, by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board established a special Selectmen's Meeting from 7 : 00 to 8: 00 p.m. next Tuesday, May 1, 1990, to make a decision on Solid Selectmen's Minutes - 4/24/90 - Page 3 Waste. The Town Manager was directed to request an extension from the apparent low bidder for one week. The Memorial Day Speakers will be Sally Hoyt - Laurel Hill ; George Hines - Forest Glen; and Eugene Nigro - Charles Lawn. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to award a Good Citizenship Award to Scott Davis, an Eagle Scout Candidate, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to issue a Proclamation to the Reading Business and Professional Women's Club on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary, by a vote of 5-0-0: The Board agreed to sign the letter inviting officials of Read- ing, England to the Town's 350th Anniversary Celebration. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to ad- journ at 11:40 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Re ectfu�llly submitted Secrd ary