HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-05-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
May 8, 1990
- The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Members present
were Acting Chairman Dan Ensminger, Eugene Nigro, Sally Hoyt.
George Hines came at 7: 50 p.m. Also attending were Susan Stranc,
Jan MacKay, Edward R. Mackay, Sarah MacKay, Ken Stranc, Stephanie
DeHart, Gail Brissenden, Laura Thornton, Karen Gaudiso, Jane
Brissendin, Lynne Thornton, Dan DiHart, Jane Fiore, James Biller,
Shirley Palmerino, Julie Palmerino, Heidi Goodwin, Cindy Goodwin,
Keith Goodwin, Jonathan Barnes, Mollie Ziegler, Marjorie Merrill,
Bruce MacDonald, Ron Wood, Fred VanMagness, Pat Driscoll, Beth
Stakem, Mary Gillis, and Donald A. Gale.
Sue Stranc presented a quilt made by friends of Lacey Packer to
the Board of Selectmen for display in the Town Hall for the month
of May and half the month of June. Acting Chairman Ensminger
expressed the Board's appreciation for the beautiful quilt and
the thoughts behind it.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Nigro the Minutes of April 17,
1990 were approved as presented by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Nigro the Minutes of April 24,
1990 were approved as presented by a vote of 3-0-0.
Liaison Reports
Eugene Nigro indicated that he and the Town Manager had attended
May Bacigalupo's funeral.
Sally Hoyt indicated that the rabies clinic had 111 dogs and 32
cats. Wednesday and Thursday the Lions Club is conducting a J
health clinic at the Pearl Street School for diabetes, glaucoma
and vision testing. Recreation Supervisor Joe Giordano has
resigned and Leslie Wexler will be the Acting Supervisor. The
Recreation catalog has gone out and registration will be May 14
at Coolidge Middle School from 9 a.m. to noon. The Elder Serv-
ices Outreach Worker has announced her retirement. Sally Hoyt
attended the Volunteer Recognition Dinner Wednesday night.
There was no public comment.
Personnel and Appointments
Molly Ziegler was interviewed for the Housing Partnership Com-
mittee, and on motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt was appointed to
that Committee for a term expiring 6/30/93 by a vote of 4-0-0.
The applicants for the Custodian of Soldiers and Sailors Graves
were not present.
The Board interviewed Mr. Biller and Mr. Machnik for the Conser-
vation Commission. Bruce MacDonald indicated that he would like
to be an Associate. The Board reserved decision until they could
see if the other candidates could be scheduled for interview.
Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting - 5/8/90 - page 2
Messrs Barnes and Grisset were interviewed for the CPDC vacancy.
Messrs Dunster and Dowd were not present to be interviewed, and
Mr. Griffin withdrew. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the
names of both candidates were placed in nomination. Each can-
didate receiving two votes, no appointment was made and this will
be rescheduled for the Selectmen's meeting on 5/22/90.
Discussion/Action Items
Debbie McCulley appeared to give a status report on Imagination
Station - the adventure playground to be constructed in the Birch
Meadow complex across from Coolidge Middle School. The total
cost of the project will be $60,000 plus a $5, 000 maintenance
fund. They have raised $26, 000 to date. They have $17,000 in
cash and goods and $3,000 of various souvenirs which will be sold
for approximately $15,000. They received $8,000 at the recent
auction. The playground has been designed and Ms. McCulley
showed the design to the Board. There is a large area for hand-
icapped accessibility, including semi-ambulatory, wheelchair
bound, and and sensory deprived youngsters. They will need 3000
volunteers age 16 to 96, and people should call to sign up. They
will report again in mid September on the status.
The Town Manager introduced Norman Tyler who is visiting from
England and writing an article on local American government for a
British publication.
On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to accept a
gift of land of plat 226, lot 94 on C Street under authority of
chapter 40-8C. The Board voted to approve the motion by vote of
3-0-1 with Hines abstaining. The Town Manager will let the
neighbors know of the acceptance of this land and Town Counsel
will be directed to effectuate it.
Ted McIntire, Assistant Director of Public Works - Operations,
explained the status of the Water Treatment Plant construction
and contamination issues. On 4/2/90 DEP approved the treatment
plant design. Weston and Sampson has prepared plans and on May
21 sub bids will be received with general bids being received on
6-4-90. The major components are new aerators, a media scouring
system, a hydrated lime system, and ventilation for elimination
of radon. Construction should begin in early July with the first
aerator on board January 191 and the second one on board in May
of 1991. The total project should be complete in July or August
1991. There has been a great deal of interest in the project
with 27 bidders and sub bidders having taken out specifications.
Mr. McIntire indicated on January 1, 1988 the Town was required
to test the wells for volatile organic chemicals based on a new
federal law. We are obligated to test quarterly in both the
plant and nine wells. A problem was discovered in Well 82-20,
Well 82-20 was closed on December 20, 1988 with conditions. Well
82-20 has exhibited 120 parts per billion of tetrachlorathylene.
Minutes - Board of Selectmen Meeting - 5/8/90 - page 3
The Town Forest well is now experiencing seven parts per billion
compared to the five parts per billion permitted by EPA
guidelines. Testing of the output at the Water Treatment Plant
indicates that the potable water supply of Reading has no con-
taminants other than slightly elevated level of sodium. The Town
has requested an emergency discharge permit to pump Well 82-20 to
waste and try to draw the contaminants away from the Town Forest
well. This permit has been granted from the EPA and the Town is
working as quickly as possible to get the Water Treatment Plant
work completed so that the Treatment Plant can handle the con-
taminants indicated. Mr. McIntire showed the plan of the loca-
tion of the different wells including the monitoring wells and
what the Town is doing about exploring for new water supply. The
Town Manager explained that the Town has been having discussions
with a "potentially responsible party. " The issues that are
being discussed are:
1. Financial restitution to the Town of Reading for expenses
related to contamination cleanup.
2 . Prevention of future contamination through the installation
of sanitary sewers in the industrial areas in North Reading
and Wilmington.
3 . Working cooperatively with the "potentially responsible
party" in North Reading regarding future water supply.
The Town Manager indicated that the water testing program is very
expensive, and additional funds may be required next year beyond
what is in the budget. The Board of Selectmen asked about water
conservation needs for this summer, and whether or not we have a
documented plans for spills on Route 93. Fred VanMagness asked
about recovery of the Revay wellfield that has been closed be-
cause of contamination from the State Department of Public Works
facilities.
The Board asked that the Hazardous Waste Committee be invited to
attend a future Board of Selectmen meeting.
Licenses
On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the Ped-
dlers license expiring 12/31/90 for Mr. Scully under the same
terms and conditions as previously granted by vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the Taxi
licenses for Town Taxi effective 5/1/90 through 4-30-91 by vote
of 4-0-0.
The Board denied Courtesy Cab's request for waiver of the
$100K/$300K liability insurance requirement by a vote of 0-4-0.
On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hines the Board approved the
licenses for Courtesy Cab provided that all requirements of the
Taxi Policy are in effect by 12 :01 a.m. on 5/10/90. Mr. Gale in-
dicated that both vehicles had been inspected by the Police
Minutes - Board of Selectmen Meeting - 5-8-90 - page 4
Department, and the Board asked that such a report be included in
the Chief's report on future license renewals.
The sense of the Board was to go ahead with discussions on lease
of offices at the West Side Fire Station, making sure that we're
setting the leases on a proper basis.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines the Board authorized the
Town Manager to sign leases at the Pearl Street School by vote of
4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines the Board approved the use
of the Town seal by the Reading Community Carnival by vote of 4-
0-0. They suggested that the Community Carnival be clear that it
is a non-profit non-town affiliated facility.
The Town Manager was directed to send a letter to the MBTA with
regard to train noise. Mr. Ensminger asked for an update on
Homart. The Board discussed wording of motions for the Public
Works budget.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn
at 12:05 a.m.
Respectfully s bmitted:
Secretary