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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 9, 1994 The meeting was convened. at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Gladys Cail, Eva Hakenson, Mary Andreola, Lois Bond, Gerard McDonald, Jason Powell, Nancy Eaton, Dorothy Anderson, Donna McQueston Callahan, Susan P. Gas- kell. Approval of Minutes On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the minutes of July 26, 1994, were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments George Hines noted that he had attended the School Committee meeting last evening, and Dr. Munnelly's retirement is still "potential" until the state Early Retirement System,, makes its decisions. Dr. Delaney was appointed as interim Superintendent in the event that Dr. Munnelly does retire. Concern was ;ex- pressed about vandalism at the Joshua Eaton School - all windows in the portable were broken. He noted that a customer issue with Continental Cable is being resolved, and reminded consumers that just as the cable company has an obligation to conduct themselves in a business like manner, so do the consumers. With regard to McDonald's playground, he noted that he had received a number of calls expressing concern about the appearance and location. The CPDC hearing on site plan review is scheduled for August 22 at 9:30 p.m. Bill Burditt attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the RMLD building and expressed congratulations to the Light Department and its staff. He expressed concern about the McDonald's playground and noted that he does not want Main Street to develop a "honky tonk" look. Sally Hoyt attended the RMLD dedication, and noted that a fundraiser for defibrillators for the Fire Department is scheduled. Dan Ensminger attended a technology task force meeting and the RMLD dedication. George Hines noted that he was informed this evening about the municipal pool being out of service. Public Comments There were no public comments. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that the Reading Public Library received a thank you note and a check in the amount of $500 from a Wakefield native who used the library to conduct his job search. The funds will be used to provide public access to Internet. He expressed congratulations to the library staff for their excellent work. The appointment to the Board of Registrars is scheduled for Sep- tember 27, 1994, because the political party of the vacant posi- tion has 45 days to make its recommendation. E f Board of Selectmen Meeting — August 9, 1994 - page 2 The Town Manager noted that the enforcement of the water restric- tions has been ongoing. To date a total of 109 warnings have been given and two tickets have been written. The current levels of demand for water appear to be reduced to acceptable norms. The legislature has approved and the Governor has signed the funding for Chapter 90 roadway funds. Other projects funded as part of that bond issue include bullet proof vests for Police of- ficers! some school technology aid, potential library technology aid, and funding for Police stations. The Town Manager will review the potential needs and keep the Board advised as to what monies may be available. The Town Manager noted that the Grant Memorial Pool was out of service from Saturday afternoon to current. An electrical motor burned out and we are in the process of getting the motor rebuilt. The pool should be back on line on Thursday. The Town Manager gave the Board an update on the McDonald's site plan. They are applying for an exemption, a waiver, and site plan approval in that order. He noted that the playground is not a violation of Town law but that hopefully through the site plan review process some changes can be made which will improve the appearance at the site and still allow McDonald's to operate in an appropriate manner. The Town Manager noted that a letter is being written to all residents who may have the potential for having a second water meter installed. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis based on implementing and interpreting the policy of the Board of Selectmen. The Town of Reading through the Community Development office responded to the North Reading special permit for a truck- ing operation on Concord Street. Reading suggested that if the trucking operation is allowed to move into a location where pre- vious trucking operation was located, that there be significant additional constraints and requirements in order to protect the ground water and the environment. The Town Manager noted that we have gotten a letter from the MBIA indicating that they will fund the engineering for the improve- ment of Ash and Main Streets. The personnel policy review is on- going, and a copy of the policy has been distributed to all employees and will be sent to the Board of Selectmen in draft form. Hopefully this will be scheduled for review and approval on August 30. Work is currently being done on the Selectmen's Policy book and on the Traffic Rules and Regulations. Improvements to the zoning enforcement process are underway with a training program as outlined in the Selectmen's material. The Town Manager also noted that a traffic counter was stolen from Haverhill Street and we will need to buy a new one. Striping of cross walks and center lines will begin within the next couple of days and will be completed by the end of August. A recreation brochure will be sent out in early September announcing a number of new fall programs. The Board of Health is holding a public Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 9, 1994 - page 3 hearing tomorrow night on issues of sale of tobacco products to underage people, and establishing a revolving account for funding professional review where applications are involved. A public - hearing regarding the trash storage at the School House con- dominiums will also be held by the Board of Health on August 10, 1994. The Adopt A Kid program still needs more adopters. There are 60 kids from nursery school to high school who are in need of back-to-school clothing, and approximately 30 parties have come forward to help. Reading and Stoneham are submitting a joint tobacco grant. The Town is providing for engineering services on a short term basis, and we will contract for engineering services for South Street and for the Lowell Street project. Discussion/Action Items Presentation of results of Senior Citizen Survey - Lois Bond, Elder Services Administrator, and Gladys Cail, Eva Hakenson and Mary Andreola from the Council on Aging were present. Lois presented the results of the survey on senior citizen services and on the senior center. There is a very high level of satis- faction with all aspects of the senior center, including the num- ber and location of bathrooms. There are concerns about parking which everyone knew would be a little bit of a problem when the center was built. Sally Hoyt noted that she had understood that the Washington Arms apartment parking would be available during the daytime for use by senior citizen attendees. Bond also noted that there is interest in consumer education, medicare, and nurs- ing home and retirement programs by Reading seniors. Mary Andreola noted that the results of the survey will help the Coun- cil on Aging in developing programs. Bill Burditt noted 'that 90% of those who expressed an opinion about the Senior Center really like the facility.. He noted that based on the Selectmen's promise of re-addressing the bathroom issue, and the survey to 31000 senior citizen residents, with 298 responding, those who expressed an opinion almost 90% are satisfied with the location and number of bathrooms. Therefore, Burditt offered the 'follow- ing motion which was seconded by Hines, "that the Board of Selectmen has considered the issue of bathroom locations on the first floor of the Senior Citizen Center, and at this time feels that the design as constructed is appropriate and no further review is necessary". The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0- 0. Personnel & Appointments Open Space/Recreation Planning Task Force - The Board interviewed candidates for the Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force. Nancy Eaton from the Conservation Commission, Dorothy Anderson, and Gerard M. McDonald were interviewed. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board approved the following for membership in the Ad Hoc Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force: Selectmen representative Camille Anthony, Conservation Commission representative Joanne Nickerson, Conservation Commission repre- sentative Nancy Eaton, CPDC representative Bryan Irwin, Open Land Trust representative Ron Boucher, citizen representative Dorothy M. Anderson, citizen representative Gerard M. McDonald. The mo- tion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Finance Committee and 3 Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 9, 1994 - page 4 Recreation Committee representatives still need to be named. Zonina Board of Appeals - The Board interviewed Susan P. Gaskell for a position as an Associate member on the Zoning Board of Ap- peals. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board ap- pointed Susan P. Gaskell as an Associate member on the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring June 30, 1997, by a vote of 4-0-0. Applicants for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the Substance Abuse Advisory Council, the Hazardous Waste Committee, and the ad hoc 25 Haven Street Task Force were not available for an in- terview. Arts Council - Donna McQueston Callahan was interviewed for a position on the Arts Council. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt, Donna McQueston Callahan was appointed to a term on the Arts Council for a term expiring June 30, 1996, by a vote of 4-0-0. Licenses Peddlers License - JJ's Cafe - The Board considered an applica- tion by Jason H. Powell doing business as JJ's- Cafe for a ped- dlers permit at 126 Main Street in Reading. Mr. Powell noted that he had been an Assistant Manager at Espresso Royale in Bos- ton, and had bakery experience. Board members expressed concerns about the impact that a transient facility at Harrow's Restaurant would have on other similar businesses in Town. Mr. Powell indi- cated that he had tried to get space in other building locations in town including the Bay Bank building on South Main Street but was not able to. Hines noted that he was concerned that this would be very much like a canteen truck, and doesn't feel that it would fit into the concept of a peddler - something like a push- cart that adds ambiance to the site. Anna Carrol from the Hot Spot Restaurant in Reading has concerns about the competitiveness. They will be selling some of the same products that she is selling. The vast majority of her business is in the morning and it is take out business. She is concerned about the fairness - the risk and investment versus possible profit being equal for both. She pays personal property tax and a peddler would not. Hoyt noted that she didn't see that there was any need and didn't want to set a precedent. Hines asked if Powell would pay rent for the space at Harrow's and it was indicated that he would. Hines noted that the normal peddlers license is smaller scale and enhances the environment in which it is located like Quincy Market. He doesn't feel that a mobile truck as proposed would do that. Burditt noted that we already have one license in town, - but this is different. He feels that it would have a negative impact. Hines moved and Burditt seconded the approval of a peddler's license to Jason H. Powell d.b.a. JJ's Cafe at 126 Main Street in Reading for a term expiring December 31, 1994. The mo- tion was not approved by a vote of 0-4-0, and the application for the license was denied. Board of Selectmen Meeting - August 9, 1994 - page 5 Review of proposed legislation on right of first refusal - sale of non-profit lands - The Board reviewed proposed legislation brought to the Board's attention by Representative Brad Jones. This is a bill that would allow a city or town a right of first refusal when a non-profit organization sells its property to a private party. The Board generally felt that it was a good proposal, but expressed some concern about the viability of a 180 day waiting period. We will get a copy of the bill. Request for use of the Town Seal - The Board discussed the request for the use of the Town Seal. They directed the Town Manager to check with local shops such as Eugene's, and some of the gift shops, to see if there is a demand for items of clothing and other items with the Town Seal. It was suggested that we find out whether we could get a fee for the use of the seal and what an appropriate fee would be. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 10:24 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, •Secretary