HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 11, 1994
The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room„ 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Dan Ensminger, Vice Chairman Bill Burditt,
Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
Selectman George Hines joined the quorum at 8:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved the minutes of September 27, 1994,
as amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the minutes of October 6, 1994, as
amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments
Camille Anthony noted that she has been attending the Open Space Task Force meetings, and that
a questionnaire will be sent out in the next issue of Reading Notes. She attended the Attorney
General's Conference on Municipal Issues and it was very good.
Sally Hoyt extended congratulations to the Reading Police Association for serving a Ham and
Bean Supper to 85 seniors. She also thanked Lois Bond for her part in this event. She attended
the RMLD meeting and a Haven Street Task Force meeting and all issues with regard to the sale
of the Haven Street site have been resolved. She also attended the Attorney General's Municipal
Forum. She extended congratulations to Paul Guarette for receiving a national award, and
congratulations to Beth Klepeis for her work regarding the Parker Middle School Project.
Bill Burditt had no report.
Dan Ensminger noted that all of the members of the Board attended the "all Boards meeting" and
it was very productive if long. Issues included funding for the Parker Middle School. He noted
that the Town will be receiving over $300,000 from the State for the RESCO project. He also
noted that he has been appointed to the High School Capital Needs Committee.
George Hines reported that he had also attended the meeting reported by the other members of
the Board, and also had met with an elderly citizen regarding town shade tree issues.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Town Manager's Report
Introduction of New Employees - The Town Manager introduced a number of new employees to
the Town. The Board of Selectmen had a coffee from 7:00 - 7:30 to meet some of the employees
who have joined the Town's work force during the last six months. Chief Wood pinned the badge
Board of Selectmen Meeting-October 11, 1994 - page 2
on Fire Fighters David Gentile and Michael Belmonte, and Fire Fighter Anthony Delsignore's wife
pinned his badge on as a new member of the Fire Department.
Proclamation for "Day of Caring" - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved
a proclamation for a Day of Caring for the week of October 23, 1994, by a vote of 5-0-0, and
presented the proclamation to Lee Roberts from the Division of Elder Services.
Appreciation - 2 DPW Employees - Public Works employees Joe Panevino and Michael
Nickerson were honored by the Board for the work they did in saving the life of a co-employee
through their administration of CPR and first aid.
The Town Manager reported that the last day to register to vote in the November election is this
evening at the Town Clerk's office until 10:00. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Program on October 8, 1994, was a success and the Board received a full report. The Library is
now open on Sunday afternoons through May. Bidding for the remediation of wetland damage at
the Water Treatment Plant received no bidders, and we are currently soliciting bids and hope to
have a contract within two weeks. The Reading Police Supplemental Hiring Grant application has
received support from members of our Congressional Delegation. The Town has received a grant
from the Commonwealth for $100,000 for a salt storage shed, and although we already have a
shed we are evaluating whether the monies can be used to enhance the existing facility including
the use for storage of calcium chloride for use in our well field areas. A hearing of the Legislative
Special Commission on Ethics is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 1994. Senator Tisei is a
member of the Commission, and Reading issues to be raised include School employees serving as
Library Board of Trustee members, hiring School Department employees for town summer
programs, and election workers who are also members of Boards, Committees or Commissions.
At the next Selectmen's Meeting we will have an update of the rubbish disposal situation including
our intent to bid jointly with other communities for short-or long-term rubbish disposal options.
A joint meeting of the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen and School Committee is
scheduled for October 26, 1994, for an Executive Session. The new Welcome to Reading sign on
West Street will be installed on Tuesday, October 18, 1994, at 10:00 a.m.
Personnel and Appointments
Conservation Commission - The Board of Selectmen interviewed Joshua Drexler for a position on
the Conservation Commission. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines the Board appointed
Joshua Drexler to a position on the Conservation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1995.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee - The Board interviewed Martha Moore for a position on the
Solid Waste Advisory Committee. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the Board
appointed Martha Moore to a position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a term
expiring June 30, 1997, by a vote of 5-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 11, 1994 - page 3
Candidates for the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council and the Arts Council were not
available to be interviewed.
Discussion/Action Items
Close the Warrants for Subsequent and Special Town Meetings - The Town Manager reviewed
the Warrants for the Subsequent and Special Town Meetings. Town Counsel was present for this
review. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to close the Warrant for the
1994 Subsequent Town Meeting of November 14, 1994 at 7:30 p.m., consisting of 28 Articles as
submitted, by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the Warrant for the 1994
Special Town Meeting of November 14, 1994, at 8:00 p.m., consisting of six Articles as
submitted by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review of the issue of Residential Exemption - Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Town Appraiser
David Billard, and member of the Board of Assessors Molly Ziegler reviewed the issue of
Residential Exemption. The Board appreciated the excellent work that was done, and this will
serve as input to the Classification Hearing on the 25th.
Review of the Board of Selectmen's Policy Book - The Board briefly reviewed the Policy Book.
The Board will get any comments back to the Town Manager within the next couple of weeks,
and this will then be scheduled for a hearing.
Review of the Town Manager's Goals for FYI 995 - The Town Manager reviewed his draft goals
for FY95. The Board suggested that when we establish task forces that we reinforce the fact that
they are advisory in nature. The Board also suggested the maintenance of the wells as a priority;
that we ought to evaluate regulations including commercial property maintenance; and that the
Board of Selectmen should have a Chamber of Commerce liaison. Camille Anthony asked for a
timeline of the goals and progress towards meeting them.
Naming of Street off of Haverill Street- The Board reviewed the naming of the so called Ice Rink
road off of Haverhill Street. The Town Manager provided a list of possible names that were
secured from staff, Land Bank Committee, and the Historical Commission. On motion by Burditt
seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the following name for the new street off of
Haverhill Street that serves as access to the new Burbank Ice Arena, the Reading Rifle and
Revolver Club, Conservation lands of the town, and future recreational lands of the Town of
Reading as "Symonds Way." Nancy Eaton from the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club spoke. She
was upset that no input had been solicited from the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club, and
indicated that this road was known as "Range Road", and this was insulting to the club not to
name it such. The Board voted to approve the motion by a vote of 5-0-0, and suggested that a
sign indicating Range Road at the intersection of Symonds Way and the access road to the rifle
range could be placed.
Board of Selectmen's Meeting - October 11, 1994 - page 4
On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the
purpose of discussion of labor negotiations and approval of minutes not to come back into open r
session. On a role call vote, all five members voted in the affirmative and the open session was
adjourned at 10:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/Secret