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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 25, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7:00 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, Selectmen Camille Anthony and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Leslie Chaloux, Gary Ferguson, Doug Barbo, Paul Feely, Linda Jodice, Wendy Small, Diane Portman, Stanley Portman, Bob McNeil, Mary Jean DeAngelis, Particia MacKinnon, Judi Perry, Barbara Reiter, Bob Nadeau, Ellie Nadeau, Carol Ciampa, Dan Mantini, Brian King, Diane King, C. Neumann, Lynn Barry, Elaine Cesario, Ray Cesario, Carol Fuoco, Jennie Mustone, David Billard, Mollie Ziegler, David Nugent, Beth Klepeis, Frank Reen, Tom Baillie, Jonathan Barnes, Jonathan Edwards, Steve Crook. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the minutes of October 11, 1994, as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments George Hines attended the testimonial for Ms. Cripps; attended the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting at which a DEP representative spoke; attended the RMI-IS College Fair which was an excellent event with a lot of schools and kids with their parents attending; he attended the RMHS Reading Safe Homes Program to provide safe havens and information regarding under age drinking, etc. He also attended the Library Board of Trustees meeting at which there was budget `- discussion and discussion on the issue of censorship. On October 18, 1994, he attended the Athletes for Healthy Lifestyle Program which was very well attended and the message of which was substance abuse. On October 19, 1994, he attended the review of the Mineral Street Bridge with Town staff and state staff- there will be a scoping session on issues with regard to sidewalks and pavement width within the next month or so. He attended the Ice Arena Authority meeting, and there is great progress on the building. Public skating hours will be 1:15-- 2:35 on Wednesday (for early release days), Sundays 6:00 - 7:30, and one hour each on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The open skating time will be optimum times for our residents. A rink manager has been hired. Hines displayed the bumper stickers saying "Home Ice is Nice - Support Reading's Arena." Financially, $1.325 million in donations has been received including Mr. Burbank's $1.3 million donation, and $1.7 million has been spent to date with a total projection to be $2.4 million. They will have ice within two weeks, and the opening ceremonies will be the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Bill Burditt also attended Ms. Cripps' testimonial, and noted that we should take a look at the Sign Bylaw- we seem to be having more neon signs then we have in the past. Camille Anthony attended the MMA Selectmen's Training Session and felt it was very well done. She has met with the Open Space Committee, and attended the CPDC hearing on McDonalds and -� on zoning amendments. C Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 25, 1994 - page 2 Sally Hoyt noted that October 24 - October 30 is National Unfunded Mandates week. She attended the MMA fall workshop. She attended the unveiling of the new "Welcome to Reading" sign onWestStreet. She expressed concern about the Boston Globe story and noted that we need to do something to change our image. She thanked the Selectmen and the community for coming out to the Norma Cripps testimonial dinner. Dan Ensminger attended the Business and Professional Women's meeting honoring Norma Cripps; attended the Athletes for Healthy Lifestyle meeting; attended the sign unveiling; noted that we received correspondence from the Reading Chamber of Commerce regarding the lighting ceremony; will attend the Warrant meeting on November 2, 1994; and noted that the Board of Selectmen, FinCom and School Committee have a joint meeting tomorrow evening. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that Election Day is November 8, 1994, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawkes Field House and that there is plenty of parking. He noted that the Library is now open on Sunday afternoons through May. He noted that we are trying to negotiate a contract for remediation of wetlands at the Water Treatment Plant. He and Deirdre Hanley attended a hearing of the Special Commission on Ethics and presented several Reading issues. The joint meeting of the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen and School Committee in Executive Session is scheduled for October 26, 1994. The new "Welcome to Reading" sign is installed. Veterans Day will be celebrated on Friday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. on the Common, and town, state, clergy and Reading veteran groups will be present. The Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee will be requesting approval for a town-wide promotional event. Bids for crack sealing have been taken, and bids for microchip. seal of Franklin and Grove Streets is scheduled for Thursday. The compost center new hours starting November 4 will be Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Curbside collection is scheduled for the weeks of October 28, November 14 and November 28. "At Wood's End" and the 350th posters are available for sale at the Town Clerk's office. Flu, pneumonia and tetanus clinics are November 9 and November 17. Water main flushing is ongoing. Duck Road residents have indicated that six of the nine property owners want to change the name, but three feel very strongly about not changing it and therefore the Town Manager would not recommend going forward with a change at this time. Personnel and Appointments Fire Fighter Association Memorandum of Agreement - The Town Manager presented the Reading Fire Fighter Association Memorandum of Agreement to the Board of Selectmen. Phil Boisvert, Chairman of the bargaining committee, was present as was Chief Wood. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Reading and the Reading Fire Fighters Association Local 1640 IAFF for the term of July 1, 1993, through June 30, 1995, subject to funding by Town Meeting. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0, and Mr. Boisvert and Mr. Ensminger signed the Memorandum. Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 25, 1994 - page 3 Ensminger indicated that the Board of Selectmen was happy that this issue was finally resolved and congratulated all parties involved. Cemetery Board of Trustees - The Board interviewed Edward Fuller for a vacancy on the Cemetery Board of Trustees. The Board noted that this vacancy was created by the death of Carl Amon. It was noted that Mr. Fuller is a former Trustee who agreed to serve the remainder of Mr. Amon's term. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board appointed Edward Fuller to a term on the Cemetery Board of Trustees for a term expiring June 3.0, 1995. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Closing of the Warrant for the 1994 State Election - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to close the Warrant for the 1994 State Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 1994, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, Massachusetts, consisting of the contest for the positions listed and questions 1 - 9 as listed. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that residents should bring information on the questions to the polling place since the ballot only lists the question and no details of the question. _ Rubbish Collection at the Condominiums - The Board reviewed the issue of rubbish collection at E the condominiums. Ken McKinnon who lives in the Greenhouse Acres condos noted that each of the units is taxed individually and they have a common tax bill for the common open space. Prior to the Prop 2 1/2 Override they did not get rubbish service but did not pay a separate fee for it. When the rubbish fee was put in the tax rate after the Override, they felt that they should get that service. They feel they would like to get the service that they pay for - there were 36 families living here when the Override passed, and they have their trash picked up for $65.72 per year. The medium value of the condominiums in this area is $190,000. There are now 54 units occupied and within a year all 90 units will be occupied. They do their own snow plowing - the Town would not accept the road. They would like to recycle. The Town Manager noted that material received from the Public Works Department showed that the cost of rubbish collection for the 1,115 apartment units and condominiums in Reading would be $86,000 or approximately $77 per unit. Recycling would cost an additional $20 per unit. There was discussion about the zoning in effect when the development was created, and Hines noted that the zoning created an additional density and one of the trade offs was that no municipal services would be provided. The Town Manager noted that that zoning has been rescinded and the property is in zoning limbo. Elaine Cesario, Ray Cesario, and Flora Micciche spoke. George Hines noted that he was willing to listen but there would have to be major information before he would be willing to change the Town's position on rubbish collection. Hoyt noted that this should be passed by Counsel, particularly the status of zoning. Burditt noted that he didn't feel anything had changed since the last discussion. Anthony noted that the Board of Selectmen has a policy and she would like to see it reviewed especially with respect to new zoning in town in planned residential developments. The Board of Selectmen asked the Town Manager to review the issues with Town Counsel, Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 25, 1994 - page 4 CPDC, and the Community Development Director. They'd also like information for condos on - the cost of collection, the average assessed evaluation, and how many of them have dumpsters. This will be scheduled for discussion on November 15, 1994. Tax Classification Hearing Board of Assessors members Bob Nordstrand, Dave Nugent and Mollie Ziegler, Appraiser David Billard, Assistant Appraiser Frank Reen, and Finance Director Beth Klepeis appeared. Mollie Ziegler presented information on the various issues to be discussed. She noted that values have been certified and that the Board of Assessors has voted to stay with the status quo - ie. not to assess differently for different classes of land. The Board noted that the medium value of commercial and industrial property is $283,000, and the medium value of residential property is $170,000. Camille Anthony expressed concern about having a single tax rate for the large businesses as well as for residences, and it was noted that business size could not be a factor in determining a classification rate. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board of Selectmen approved a residential factor of one for the fiscal year 1995 tax year for the Town of Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining. Burd.itt moved and Anthony seconded a motion that the Board adopt the residential exemption for the FY95 tax year for the Town of Reading. The vote was 0-5-0 and the motion failed. The residential exemption was not adopted. Anthony moved and Burditt seconded a motion to adopt a commercial exemption for FY95 for the Town of Reading. The vote was 0-4-1 with Ensminger abstaining, and the Board voted not to accept the commercial exemption. Meeting with CPDC - Tom Baillie, Chairman of CPDC; Jonathan Barnes, member of CPDC; and Jonathan Edwards, Town Planner were present. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant with the Planning Commission. Baillie noted that the majority of the Articles are related to the issue of developers trying to squeeze too many lots into the SIO zone, and deal with issues of lot shape and water supply protection. Dan Ensminger expressed concern about the lack of public process on all of the Zoning Articles. He noted that these Articles were not formulated in August, and suddenly appeared on the Warrant in October when the Warrant closed. Tom Baillie noted that CPDC had this item on the agenda for two or three meetings and had interaction along the way with the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Housing Authority, and the Housing Partnership. The discussion focused on Article 18 changing the S 10 lots to S 15 lots. Jonathan Edwards noted that approximately 1/3 of the lots in the S10 zone are already non-conforming. The Town Manager reviewed a memo from Town Counsel indicating the difficulties in making lots non-conforming. Edwards indicated that he disagreed with Town Counsel's interpretation. The Board of Selectmen discussed Article 25, and the Board expressed a great deal of concern that this Article could have an effect on the two active real estate sales that are currently being Board of Selectmen Meeting - October 25, 1994 - page 5 considered. Tom Baillie indicated that that was not the Commission's intent, and they would have to take into account those concerns of the Board of Selectmen. With regard to economic development activities, the Reading Business Park Task Force will be meeting after Town Meeting and one thing that has become clear is the need to cap the landfill. George Hines advised that the time for developing the Reading Business Park may be improving and cited recent articles about the improving commercial real estate market. Resco Update with Solid Waste Advisory Committee - Present were Bob Brown of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, along with Ann Mark and Joseph Tarantino as well as Public Works Director Ted McIntire. The Committee brought the Board of Selectmen up to date on what they have done and are doing. This included a demonstration of the backyard composting bins that are made from 100% recycled plastics. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee is keeping abreast of issues in incineration, held a successful linen collection, does the button battery collection, had recycling barrels at the 350th Celebration, and are proposing that the Department of Public Works apply for state grants for compost bins and public education materials. Camille Anthony suggested that they do an article for the Reading Notes on composting. Ted McIntire brought the Board up-to-date on our solid waste disposal program. The current contract with Resco expires June 30, 1995. Reading is developing a bid specification with other communities for both short and long term options. To be considered will be 5 year, 10 year, 20 year and 10 year with a 10 year option to renew contracts. The state advises that the longer term contract is better because landfills will be closing within five years and there will be fewer places to take rubbish. The question was raised as to possibility of recycling other plastics, including #5 and-#6 plastics. It was indicated that these plastics are not bad in the waste stream because they do help the incineration process. Missions for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee into the future include expanding and enhancing the recycling program, developing further information and encouraging people to compost materials, encouraging white paper recycling, and serving as a technical resource as the Town considers solid waste. disposal alternatives after June 30, 1995. SWAC member Ann Mark gave a demonstration of the composting bins available for sale at Town Hall. Review of Status of Water Quality and Clean Ute- Ted McIntire reviewed the current status, and noted that the DEP is working with the Town to try and get our wells reactivated by May of 1995. They are putting additional pressure on Cumberland Gulf to increase the pumpage and therefore avoid migration between the site of contamination and the well fields. The Town Manager advised the Board of Selectmen that Town Counsel is developing the necessary notice - x under the 21E program, and that should be filed within two weeks. That will go to Cumberland Gulf, and if they do not reimburse the Town of Reading for its expenses related to use of Woburn water as a result, we will then file the necessary lawsuit. Board of Selectmen Meeting- October 25, 1994 - page 6 On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to adjourn the meeting of October 25, 1994, at 11:15 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary i