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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-11-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen's Meeting November 29, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7:31 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Robert Beck, Jane Fiore, Nazli Green, Lauren Erelli, Jen DiReeno, Jessica Rush, Bruce MacDonald, Wendy Scott, Lauren Perella, Erica Newell, Jessica Day, Allison Peabody, Elizabeth Van Euw, Ken Maguire, Lucille Beeth, Gilbert Radlo, Bernice Herrick, Gretchen Latowsky, Stephen Collins, Tom Stohlman, Michael Slezak, Scott McGrorry, Nancy Eaton, Deirdre Hanley, Diane Young. Chairman Dan Ensminger arrived at 7:35 p.m. Approval of Minutes There were no minutes to approve. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Camille Anthony was at the Atlantic on Saturday issuing copies of the Open Space Questionnaire. The Open Space Committee is meeting Wednesday. She attended the Ice Rink dedication, and the Christmas Lighting Ceremonies. Sally Hoyt noted that Thanksgiving baskets and dinners were distributed to a number of elderly families. There is a need for people to help with donations and/or adopt families or elders for the Christmas season. She attended the dedication of the Burbank Arena and expressed her thanks to Nelson Burbank for this wonderful gift. She attended the Sunday Christmas Lighting on the Common and thanked the Reading Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this event. George Hines attended the Burbank Arena dedication, and felt that everything went very well and the community was very pleased with this new recreational asset. He attended the pancake breakfast and Thanksgiving Day game. He expressed concern about vandalism that took place at RMHS following the Thanksgiving Day football game, and other acts of vandalism in the community. He encouraged parents to keep track of where their children are. Bill Burditt attended the Middlesex County Advisory Board meeting with Sally Hoyt. There were issues with regard to the County Hospital, and he found later that the county employees struck the next day because the County Advisory Board didn't ratify their contract. He feels that the communities need to evaluate what they get from the county and whether the county form of government should continue. He attended the Ice Rink dedication and the tree lighting on the Common. He attended the CPDC meeting on Bear Hill at which 132 units were approved. He felt that CPDC's action created some confusion in that they had previously approved 160 units. He has a major concern that this will delay the sale of real estate and may have a major long term effect on the community including the Parker Middle School project. Dan Ensminger noted that on the 19th he attended the Reading Memorial High School 2000 meeting, and toured the High School. They will be touring the Wayland High School on Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 29, 1994 page 2 December 7, 1994. Town Meeting completed its work expeditiously. The Technology Task Force met on the 22nd. He attended the Burbank Arena dedication on Friday. George Hines noted the passing of Steven Thomases, a community activist and former Town Meeting member. Public Comment There were no public comments. Town Manazer's Report The Board recognized Jane Fiore and members of the Peer Leaders who made a presentation on the International Aids Awareness Day. On motion by.Hoyt seconded by Burditt the Board approved a proclamation honoring International Aids Awareness Day on December 1, 1994. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board approved the Arbor Day Proclamation for 1994 by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that the Compost Center is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and closes this Sunday for the season. Curbside collection will be completed by the end of this week. Christmas trees will be collected by regular trash pick up this year and residents who want to recycle their trees will be able to take them to the compost center on Saturday, January 7, 1995. The make up Flu Clinic is scheduled for December 6, next Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Coolidge Middle School. The Reading Housing Authority is having an open house on December 3, 1994, from 10:00 - 11:30 at 503/507 Summer Avenue. This is part of the linkage for the Greenhouse Acres Development. Wakefield and Woburn have been paid their water bill by Cumberland Gulf. There was a small water main break at Woburn and Linden that will be taken care of tomorrow. Overnight parking bans started on Monday, November 28. Discussion/Action Items Signing of Contract - Reading Fire Fighters Association - The Town Manager introduced Bob Beck who is president of the Fire Fighter's Association. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board approved the contract between the Town of-Reading and the Reading Fire Fighters Association Local 1640 IAFF for the period July 1, 1993 through June 30, 1995, and the Board authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the contract on the Board's behalf. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 and Messrs.. Beck and Ensminger signed the contract. Ensminger congratulated negotiating teams for management. and the union on this contract. Traffic Regulations - Symonds Way- On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines the Board approved an amendment to Article V, Section H of the Traffic Rules and.Orders dated April 16, 1948, by adding the following to the no parking regulations: Street- Symonds Way, Location Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 29, 1994-page 3 North and South side. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hines noted that the traffic flow seemed to go very well on Friday and Saturday nights, and any feedback to the Town on the traffic pattern would be appreciated. He noted that this process, and the Bear Hill process should . show people that things in Reading happen the right way and should relieve skepticism. There was some discussion as to whether or not Range Road should have no parking signs. It was requested that Reading Rifle and Revolver be asked if they want it posted. Traffic Regulations - Oak Street and Summer Avenue - On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board approved an amendment to Article V, Section III of the Traffic Rules and Orders dated April 16, 1948, by adding the following to the no parking regulations: Street - Oak Street, Regulation - no parking 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, location - South side from Summer Avenue to the driveway.of the Joshua Eaton School. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Gill Rodriguez, Chairman of the Joshua Eaton Safety Committee was present and thanked the Board for their cooperation on this matter. The Town Manager reviewed other measures that will be taken this winter while the Joshua Eaton School is under construction, to alleviate traffic problems. Rodriquez thanked Ted McIntire, Mike DeBrigard and Peter Hechenbleikner for their cooperation in expeditiously getting these issues resolved. Public Hearing - Amendment to Personnel Policies Conservation Administrator - The Secretary read the notice of a public hearing on amendments to the Personnel Policies. The Town Manager reviewed the change of the Conservation Administrator's position from a Grade 11 to a Grade 13. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board closed the hearing on the amendment to schedule Al of the Personnel Policies by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the amendment to Schedule Al of the Personnel Policies as presented, effective January 1, 1995, by a vote of 5-0-0. Scoping meeting - Mineral Street Bridge - The Secretary read the notice of the scoping meeting. The Town Manager reviewed the two issues that were to be discussed and decided: on which side of the bridge to have a sidewalk and whether the roadway and sidewalk widths should be 29 feet or 28 feet. Several residents of the neighborhood including Michael Slezak, Bruce MacDonald, Thomas Stohlman, Jackie Chipman, Steve Collins and Bernice Herrick spoke. They expressed a sense that the sidewalks should go on the southerly side of the bridge and that the pedestrian aspects of the bridge should be maximized. It was requested that the Town push the State to fund a one way bridge possibly for emergency equipment only. Slezak made a slide presentation showing other bridges in other locations including two in Wilmington and one in Salem, Massachusetts. He also showed the "missile barrier" on the bicycleibridge across Route 128 in the Lexington/Bedford area. There was discussion about the need for a traffic study dealing with a number of issues including mitigation measures, site lines, etc. Tom Stohlman noted that the proposed bridge would not even meet Town subdivision standards. Joe Delaney, Town Engineer, commented that it was a different regulation, a different situation, and the Town's Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 29, 1994 -page 4 subdivision rules and regulations were not relevant to this issue. He compared the situation to requiring a house to be reconstructed every time the building code changes. There was discussion about the possibility of a one-way bridge. Several members of the Board of Selectmen noted if the bridge is built as two lanes, it can be made one way at a later date if the Board at that time should find it necessary. Camille Anthony noted that a lot of people in the community believe that the bridge should be open to full two-way traffic, although the Board certainly found that emergency vehicle access was a major concern. Request for better traffic enforcement was made, especially in the Vine Street area. It was suggested that abutters to the bridge be notified of future meetings. Hines moved and Hoyt seconded a motion to direct the Massachusetts Highway Department to design the replacement of the Mineral Street Bridge at a width of 29 feet consisting of a 5 foot sidewalk and two twelve foot lanes, with a missile barrier to be built similar to the one in Lexington/Bedford on the bikepath across Route 128, and with a traffic study to be completed by the 25% design phase. On motion by Anthony seconded by Burditt the motion was amended to provide for a 28 foot width consisting of a 6 foot sidewalk and two .11 foot lanes. The amendment was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, and the amended motion was then approved by the Board of Selectmen by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board moved to direct the Massachusetts Highway Department to design the replacement of the Mineral Street Bridge with the sidewalk on the southerly side of the bridge. An amendment moved by Burditt seconded by Hoyt to build the sidewalk on the northerly side was defeated by a 1-4-0 vote, and the main motion was approved by a vote 5-0-0. Eugene Nigro Award for Volunteerism - The Board reviewed the scope of this proposal, and suggested a nominating committee made up of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen or designees, the Chairman of the School Committee or his/her designee, the Moderator or his/her designee, and the Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees or his/her designee. The nominating or screening committee would then pick the volunteer. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to establish the Eugene Nigro Volunteer Recognition Award as proposed by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board will confirm this at a later date. Sale of Green Street Lot - The Town Manager reviewed the request to purchase a portion of property on Green Street. On motion by Hines seconded by Burditt the Board authorized the Town Manager to proceed with the sale of the property known as plat 66 lot 23 in a minimum amount of not less than $2,600 under the following conditions: 1) the only eligible bidders will be those who own adjacent properties; 2)the property will be attached to and become part of the adjacent property of the successful bidder not to be resubdivided at a later date; 3) the property is offered in an "as is" condition; 4) -the purchaser will prepare all deeds,-surveys and other material required to effectuate the transfer; 5) the Town will not include.in the transfer of conveyance the area noted in a plan dated October 30, 1908, by James A. Bancroft as "reserved Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 29, 1994 -page 5 for use of drain." The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review FY96 Budget New Program Requests - The Board established as the highest priority projects the revaluation, the Children's Division hours increase, an additional Police Officer, additional clerical assistance in the Community Development Department, Reference Division staffing, additional assistance in the Fire Department, Parks turf treatment, and Engineering computer software. The total amount of these priority projects is approximately $168,000. Further information will be needed on the cost of the revaluation work, and other options for the additional fire staff will be needed. Hines suggested that we should consider as part of the capital program redoing of all of the older street lights in the community in order to save operating costs. The Town Manager presented a proposed settlement in the case of Dorothy M. Jones et al versus Ardith Wieworka et al. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board approved the settlement in the case of Dorothy M. Jones et al versus Ardith Wieworka et al as outlined in the letter from H Theodore Cohen, Town Counsel, dated November 29, 1994, and as recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Licenses The Town Manager reviewed the licenses that he has issued. Additionally the Board took the - following action on licenses: On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board approved the following restaurant liquor licenses for a term from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1995: Reading Diner, Rugdale Corporation dba Main Sail, Harrows Poultry Products Inc. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony the Board approved the following Package Store Liquor Licenses for a term from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1995, as follows: Athens Liquor dba Square Liquors, Reading Liquors, Uptown Liquors. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the following Club Liquor Licenses for a term from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1995: Home Building Corporation of Reading Council K of C Inc., Reading Overseas Veterans Inc., Reading Veterans Association Inc. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hines noted that the "Safe Homes Program" has noted that there still is an availability of liquor for underage residents and that perhaps the police should consider doing another sting type of operation. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations and approval of minutes not to come back into open session. On a role call vote all five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. Resctfizll submitt d, ecret