Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 12, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7: 30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Richard J. Moore, James E. Biller, Nancy Eaton, Richard Monroe, Larry Perletz, Ken Tierney, Gerald Solimini, Joe Lyons, William Ricker, William LeBlanc, Edith Kramer, Robert Hart, Paul Teague, Kenneth A. Aquino Sr. , Louis Scortino, Joe Iacoviello, Chuck Colvin, John Savo, Thomas J. Carli, Richard Mastronardi, Dorothy and Joseph Perine, Nicholas Catino, Andrew Kavjian, Joe Watson, Wendy Liston, Lianne Sullivan, Susan Gaskell, John Tierney, . Ann Tierney, J. Drexler, Louis Shelzi. Approval of Minutes On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the minutes of May 25, 1994, were approved as amended by a vote of 3-0-1 with Anthony abstaining. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the minutes of June 21, 1994, were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. The minutes of June 27 , 1994, will be voted on at next meeting. Reorganization of the Board The Board went immediately to the topic of reorganization. George Hines reiterated his thanks to the Board of Selectmen for allowing him to be Chairman during the past year, and* compli- mented the Board of Selectmen on their ability to work together for the good of the community. The Chair was turned over to Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner to conduct elections for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines, Dan Ensminger was nominated for the position of Chairman of the Board of Selectmen expiring June 30, 1995 , or until a successor is appointed. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the nominations were closed by a vote of 4-0-0. The main motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and Ensminger was appointed Chairman. Dan Ensminger, Bill Burditt and Camille Anthony all thanked George Hines for his year of service as Chairman. Anthony indicated that during her tran- sition to the Board, Chairman Hines was very helpful. Dan Ensminger took over the Chairmanship of the meeting. On mo- tion by Hines seconded by Anthony, Bill Burditt was nominated for the position of Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for a term expiring June 30, 1995, or until a successor is appointed. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the Board closed nomina- tions by a vote of 4-0-0 . Burditt was appointed by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, Sally Hoyt was nominated for the position of Secretary of the Board of Selectmen for a term expiring June 30, 1995, or until a successor is appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12, 1994 - page 2 On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the nominations were closed by a vote of 4-0-0. Hoyt was appointed Secretary of the Board by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Assignments On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the following liaison assignments for a term expiring June 30, 1995 by a vote of 4-0-0. Daniel Ensminger - General Services, Public Works and Trust Fund Commissioners. Bill Burditt - Public Safety, Reading Municipal Light Department, and Middlesex County Advisory Board. Camille Anthony - Community Development, Finance and Accounting. Sally Hoyt - Housing Authority, Human Services and Legislative Liaison. George Hines - Library and Schools. Liaison Reports Hines noted that he attended the FinCom Appointment Committee meeting and Gerard Vitale was appointed to the Finance Committee, as well as two incumbents - Carol Grimm and Steve Blewitt being reappointed. He also noted in the Legislative Bulletin that there is some good news and bad news - the Legislature has agreed to end the diversion of lottery funds over the next five years, but the Quinn Bill was not fully funded. The Town Manager noted that the Town is not eligible for Quinn Bill reimbursement in FY95 but it is a trend that is of concern. Burditt attended the Regional MWRA Sewer Rate Methodology hearing in Woburn, and had expressed his concerns. He noted that the MWRA Advisory Board amended the rate methodology so that 670 of the rate is based on flow. This will be phased in over the next three years starting in FY96. Burditt also noted that we need a policy on house alarms which may be an annoyance to the neighbors if they are not reset. He also attended one of the Bear Hill hearings. Anthony attended two Bear Hill hearings and found them very educational. She also received a call about a Parker Middle School window being open. Dan Ensminger attended one of the Bear Hill hearings, and noted that CPDC voted unanimously to approve 160 units at the site sub- ject to conditions. He expressed disappointment that the newspaper coverage of these hearings was very poor. Public Comment Ron Wood spoke. He was concerned about Police Officers in the Square standing around "doing nothing. " He indicated that "we want them to write tickets. " He noted that there was a vehicle illegally parked. Wood also noted that people who live in town Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12, 1994. - page 3 should know how to drive around the beacon at the intersection of Pleasant and Main Street, and should know what the lights mean. Wood also noted that the Police Department formerly had an annex at the Nike Base, but the Town Manager refused to repair the building and the building has since been demolished. He also noted that Reading is a nice town but expensive. He feels that the Building Inspector and the Health Inspector should have to inspect housing units no more than three times before getting compliance. He also noted that the Reading Housing Authority does a lax job in inspecting properties that are used for Section 8 Certificates. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager indicated that the bond anticipation notes (BANS) in the amount of $4, 365, 000 were sold. Bay Bank was the successful bidder at a percentage rate of 3 . 146% The bond an- ticipation note proceeds will go to fund school building projects, and expire in December 15, 1994 . We will have to amend the FY95 budget to provide the interest payment at that time, and this will give us the flexibility of selling the permanent financing at the end of 1994 . The Town Manager reported that interviews for the Town Engineer position are scheduled for this week. The MBTA has agreed to schedule the construction of the Woburn Street grade protection. Hines noted that the rubberized crossing needs repairs. The MBIA has also been approached about funding the engineering for the Ash and Main Street improvements and they will get back to us on that shortly. The Town Manager is currently doing a revision of the personnel policies. The state budget has been adopted and more information will be available as we know the details. State funding of capital projects including Motor Voter computer and Chapter 90 funding is pending. Motor Voter is in effect, and the Town Manager distributed copies of the registration form to the Board of Selectmen. Residents can register by mail and at various locations in the community including the registry, the senior center, and other locations. The Mineral Street Bridge Task Force will make their final report on July 26, 1994 . The Town Manager was directed to try to get information from Mass Highway as to the funding and timing for a pedestrian bridge. The Town Manager noted that there is interest in leasing space on the Auburn Street water tower for a com- munication system. It was noted that there has been some public concern previously when we talked about putting a dish for Con- tinental Cable at this location. Summerfest starts tomorrow and goes through Saturday - this is sponsored by a private non-profit group with the proceeds to go to the continuation of Summerfest and then for other community projects. The Town Manager noted that the Newbury Bakery sign is legal, and there are no additional legal signs that can be placed for direc- tions to Reading Medical Center unless a variance is granted. ` The Town Manager noted that we are proceeding to an aggressive Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12, 1994 - page 4 enforcement program for water conservation, and the Board dis- cussed the need to specify warnings to people prior to fining them. The Town Manager noted that letters are going out to owners of 250 unlicensed dogs and there are significant fines. He also noted that the Adopt-A-Kid program for back to school clothes for Reading kids will be continuing this year, that Reading Elder Services is offering their annual strawberry shortcake at Summer- fest on Thursday evening, and that the pool is open 2 : 00 - 8: 00 p.m. weekdays and 1: 00 - 5: 00 p.m. on weekends. Licenses Peddlers License for Ann Marie DeStephano - Ann Marie DeStephano appeared before the Board requesting a peddlers license for a pushcart at 275 Salem Street. The Town Manager reviewed the status of the. application, and that it had only recently been made complete by the applicant. There are no objections from staff, and on motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board ap- proved the peddlers license for Ann Marie DeStephano of 62 Franklin Street, Reading, MA d.b. a. His/Hers Pushcart at 275 Salem Street for a term expiring December 31, 1994 , subject to the following conditions: approval is to sell ,food items only in accordance with the menu approved by the Reading Health Division; all of the licenses will be secured prior to commencement of operations at the site; the licensee will keep the premises clean of all liter rubbish and debris; approval of the landlord and the tenants is not withdrawn during the term of the license; location of the pushcart is subject to the approval of the Town *Manager. The Board approved the motion by a vote of 4-0-0. Anthony asked if they can separate returnable cans and bottles from the regular trash. Ms. DeStephano indicated that they would do so, that the cart would be removed daily and cleaned at an approved location in Somerville, and the trash will be hauled off-site. Approval of FY95 Agreement - Public Safety/Dispatchers - The Board discussed the proposed contract between the Town and the Dispatchers for FY95. Richard Monroe was introduced to the Board by the Town Manager. He is the Head Public Safety Dispatcher and also President of the Union. Bill .Burditt raised questions about how holidays are paid, and it was noted that this is not new in this contract and that it is common practice.. It may be explored in a future year. There was a calculation on page 16 , and the weekly rates were struck out in the appendix so that the hourly rate is what applies. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board approved the contract and the side letter between the Town of Reading and the Public Safety Dispatchers for a term from July 2, 1994, through June 30, 1995, and the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen was authorized to sign the contract on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0, and Mr. Monroe was congratulated on behalf of the Board for his work in this regard. Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12 , 1994 - page 5 Personnel and Appointments Ad Hoc 25 Haven Street Re-Use Task Force - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the positions available, and interviewed William Brown as a potential citizen member, and.. William Kennedy as ,a proposed business representative. Phil Pacino from the RMLD was present and noted that the RMLD Board would like this committee appointed as soon as possible so that it can start meeting. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines the '.Board appointed the following people for positions on the Ad Hoc 25 Haven Street Re-Use Task Force: Board of Selectmen representative - Bili Burditt; RMLD Board representative - Phil Pacino; Finance Committee representa- tive - Fred VanMagness; CPDC representative - Richard Howard; As- sessors representative - Mollie Ziegler; RMLD Citizen Advisory Board representative - Hartnell Bartlett; Citizen member - Wil- liam C. Brown; Business representative - William Kennedy. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board noted that there is still one citizen vacancy available. Discussion/Action Items Public Hearing on the creation of an Open Space Task Force - The Board reviewed the proposed policy. Jim Biller and Nancy Eaton were present from the Conservation Commission. The purpose of establishing the Open Space and Recreation Plan is to be able to avail ourselves of state and/or federal funds. Concern was ex- pressed that the Open Space Plan not be limited to being consis- tent with the Master Plan, and the words "the goals of" were in- serted before the word Master Plan. Other changes made were to provide for a Selectmen member or designee to require a draft of the plan prior to the final plan on March 1, 1995, and• to note that the Board of Selectmen will be copied on all minutes. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board approved the policy creating an Ad Hoc Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of the issue regarding Second Water Meters - Gail Wood, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee; Richard Moore, member of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee; and Ted McIntire, Public Works Director; appeared before the Board. They reviewed the issue regarding second water meters. Ms. Wood indi- cated that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommends that second water meters not be allowed. If the Board decides to al- low second meters, the Water. -and Sewer Advisory Committee recom- mends that the second be required to be in a separate meter pit outside the dwelling. Further, the Water and Sewer Advisory Com- mittee recommends that if the second water meters .are to be per- mitted, that their use not be restricted to sprinkler systems, but that other outdoor water uses be permitted. Finally, the Water and. Sewer Advisory Committee indicated that they would be evaluating a tiered water billing structure, and would consider a higher rate for those with a water meter only, or for summer rates, or a combination of the above. It was noted that there are approximately 87 water meters that have been installed, and 95% of those are internal to the property. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen's policy was to allow second water meters to be installed outside the home in a separate meter Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12, 1994 - page 6 pit, and that indoor meters be installed only if there is a physical hardship in installing a water meter pit. The reason that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommended no second water meter is that it does not encourage conservation, that it is not fair with the present restriction of sprinkler systems only, that the second meter is used only to avoid. sewer costs, that it shifts the Town's sewer cost to those who do not have second meters and over 80% of the costs are fixed based on population generated by MWRA assessments, and the second meters particularly in the home provide an opportunity for abuse. Camille Anthony asked if there were problems with the meters in- side and Ted McIntire indicated that there were for the following reasons: a) there is no direct access to be able to inspect .and determine that the backflow preventer is working properly; b) if there is a malfunction the Town cannot turn the water off; c) if there is non-payment we can't shut the meter off; d) it allows the property owner to escape the sewer use charge for the water going through the second meter. There was discussion about what the impact on the demand would be when we allow the second meter and McIntire indicated that there is no definite correlation. Bill Burditt asked if we could charge a different rate for a second meter and it was indicated that would be considered by the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. George Hines indicated that he felt that part of the situation would be to weigh the issue of the state of our water supply. The following residents spoke: John Gotward of Autumn Lane, Steve Mirabelle of Howard Street, Andy Kavjian of Roma Lane, Bill Leblanc of Fairchild Drive, Wendy Liston of Jessica Circle, Eric Kramer of Lindsay Lane, Joshua Drexler of Van Norden Road, Louis Scotino of Benton Circle, Liane Sullivan of Davis Lane, Ed Mac- Donald of Louanis Drive, Nick Catino of Chequesett Road, Paul Tigue of Autumn Lane, Susan Gaskell of Davis Lane, Joseph Yakavello of Lilah Lane, John Silva of Fairchild Drive, John Zanno of Louanis Drive. The consensus of the residents present was that they wanted to have the ability to install second meters indoors. The stated purpose was to avoid sewer charges since they weren't putting any of that water in the sewer. A claim was made that water sprinkler systems conserve water rather than waste water. Requests were made to the Board to allow the second meter instal- lation now while the Board was further reviewing the issue. It was suggested that property owners could sign something requiring them to allow Town employees into the house to inspect. McIntire noted that in one of the existing cases the property owner did not let the Town in and the Town was not paid for water. It was noted that the cost of the second meter in a meter pit is about $750 compared to $150 for an inside meter. Residents noted that there should be other methods to enforce conservation. It was noted that anyone can bypass a meter even now so there should be no concern about having the meter indoors. One resident noted that because the sewer cost is fixed, if second meters are al- lowed then large families with small lawns and no pools will pay Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12, 1994 - page 7 more while families with large lots and a second meter will pay less for sewer. It was noted that if residents are concerned about freeze up, the Town will for a $10 charge take the meter out in the fall, charge $15 for storage during the winter, and charge $10 to reconnect in the spring. Residents noted that other towns like Stoneham and Melrose allow second meters in the home. Residents expressed concern that there was no analysis done prior to coming to this conclusion. The Board of Selectmen asked for the following information to be prepared for their next meeting. 1. What is the use experience of those with second meters. 2 . What is the history of installations over the last 24 months. 3 . What can be expected in terms of conservation. On motion by Anthony seconded by Burditt the Board voted to keep the hearing open and continue it for two weeks until July 26 , 1994, at 8:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review of Water Restrictions - The Board discussed the existing water restrictions. There was considerable discussion on en- forcement, and the Board suggested that when warnings are given, that the document that is handed to the property owner have the term warning stated on it. The Board also suggested that if we need to continue water restrictions after this year we should evaluate the restrictions in terms of timing. Presentation by the Reading Boosters on the Press Box Proposal - Chuck Schena, President of the Reading Boosters Club, made a presentation on the reconstruction of the Press Box at the foot- ball field. George Hines advised the Board of Selectmen that he is a member of the Boosters, but is not an officer and has no fiduciary or financial interest in the Boosters and therefore would participate and vote on this issue. Schena noted that al- though they would like to get the project done this fall, it ap- pears that they will not go into construction until next spring. This will allow them some additional time to try to secure addi- tional funding and make the bottom part of the press box out of brick matching the fieldhouse. Currently $23 , 149 is in the ac- count for this project. The Boosters have an additional $10, 074 available. The total cost is estimated to be $25, 000. The ex- isting Press Box is 20 feet wide and the new one will be 36 feet wide. The height of the Press Box will be one story higher than the existing Press Box, but it will be the height of the existing fieldhouse and should blend in very well with the use of materials. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to ap- prove the plans and accept the gift of the reconstruction of the Press Box at the Reading Memorial High School football field as presented by the Reading Boosters Association provided that: a) the School Department concurs in the approval of this project in - writing prior to construction; b) a building permit will be secured for the project prior to construction and all fees will Board of Selectmen Meeting - July 12 , 1994 - page 8 be waived; c) the Reading Boosters Association will present to the Town Manager prior to the application for a building permit copies of contracts for construction along with proof that the financial resources are in place to complete the construction; d) the Press Box upon completion will become the property of the Town of Reading and its care, custody and control will be under the Town of Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Town Manager Evaluation - Dan Ensminger noted that the Board mem- bers have the evaluation forms and that he would like them back by Friday so that he and Sally Hoyt can prepare for the evalua- tion on the 26th. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board voted to adjourn at 11:31 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Resp ctfully submitted, ecre y