HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes i
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 20, 1994
The meeting convened at 7:33 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: Nancy Eaton, Brad Latham, Carole Atkinson, John Perkins. Dan
Ensminger joined the quorum at 9:04 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
There were no minutes to approve.
Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments
Camille Anthony noted that she had attended an Open Space and Recreation Task Force meeting
last week. They have some concerns that the Longwood Poultry Farm on West Street is for sale
and members of the Open Space Task Force will discuss this with the Board under public
comment this evening.
Sally Hoyt attended the Senior Luncheon at the VFW on the 17th, attended the wake for Chief
Wood's father on the 18th, and attended the Town Hall Holiday Luncheon today. She sends
holiday greetings to all Town employees, residents and volunteers.
George Hines attended the Reading Ice Arena Authority meeting. The punch list for the building
and site is being done including posting parking regulations on site. He relayed the schedule for
public skating during the holidays. He noted that an independent audit of finances has been
completed and found no problems. Their fund raising for the entire remaining debt is ahead of
schedule, following a significant bequest from a local resident. The target is $100,000 per year
for four years, and they have already taken in $75,000 this year. The ice time is well filled up
except for day time hours and late hours.
Bill Burditt noted that he has attended no functions during the last week, but will be attending the
Library appreciation program tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
Camille Anthony noted that the Holiday Concert is Thursday night at 7:30 at the High School
given by the Reading High Chorus.
Dan Ensminger gave a liaison report when he got to the meeting. He noted that he attended the
NOBLE Open House, and the Reading 2000 Committee has met regarding capital needs at the
High School. They have determined that SBA reimbursement would be available for items
including windows, HVAC, etc. He met with the purchaser of the Bear Hill property along with
the Town Manager and Town Counsel to follow up on Bear Hill issues. He also attended the
Town Hall Christmas party.
Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 20, 1994-page 2
Public Comment
Nancy Eaton and John McGrath reviewed the status of the Longwood Poultry Farm which is
under Chapter 61A. They handed out a brochure which included discussion of Chapter 61 lands.
The property in question is 53.43 acres in Reading and 57 acres total. The evaluation of potential
purchase of this property is not within the privy of the Task Force. The Board directed this issue
to be on the agenda for a future meeting, and asked the Town Manager to develop some kind of a
program to deal with potential Town acquisition of this property. George Hines noted that there
is a great deal of interest in open space based on the questionnaire, and McGrath noted that 55%
of the respondents were in favor of acquisition of new space for recreation and conservation uses.
If you exclude those who expressed no opinion, 77% of the people responding were in favor.
Hines noted that one option may be a Prop 2 1/2 Override to absorb the local cost of such an
acquisition.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager asked the Board to approve an extension of the special employee status for
the Board of Library Trustees because Reading's Home Rule Petition was filed for the 1995
Legislative Session since there wasn't adequate time to deal with it at the end of the 1994 session.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the extension of special
employee status for the Board of Library Trustees through June 30, 1995, such status to expire at
-- an earlier date upon approval by the Legislature of Reading's Home Rule Petition. The motion
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
The Town Manager noted that the Compost Center is now closed for the winter, but that
Christmas trees will be able to be collected by regular trash disposal this year or residents may
take them to the Compost Center on Saturday, January 7, 1995, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The
Holiday Reception by the Friends of the Library has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
The RMLD will not be maintaining the parking lot on Haven Street, and Town Counsel is still
trying to resolve this issue. The Reading Police Department's Citizens Police Academy is
scheduled to begin on January 4, 1995, and reservations may be made through the Police
Department. Tax bills were mailed on Friday. The Town census is being mailed at the end of this
year. "At Wood End" is on sale at the Town Hall in the Clerk's office from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Joanne Nickerson has announced her resignation from the Conservation Commission, and Ginny
Lane has also resigned from the Council on Aging. These vacancies as well as a vacancy on the
Open Space Task Force are now posted.
Discussion/Action Items
Review of Request for use of Public R.O.W - Calareso's - Joseph Calareso Jr. and Senior met
with the Board with their counsel - Brad Latham. They've used the site at the corner of Hopkins
and Main Street for a fiuit and vegetable stand for 100 years. The Town Manager noted that they
are requesting Selectmen's support for the curb cut permits from Mass Highway, and also are
looking for a license from the Town for use of Hopkins Street for access to off street parking.
The proposed reconstruction on this site will improve the site, traffic and esthetic considerations.
There will be an improved appearance, adequate on site parking, extensive landscaping, and
Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 20, 1994-page 3
reduced curb cuts thereby improving traffic safety. Hines asked what would happen if the Board
didn't approve the license, and it was noted that this would kill the plan to make the
improvements. It was asked whether a sidewalk along Hopkins Street as well as parking could be
accommodated, and it was noted that this would require the reduction of two parking spaces but
that it could be accommodated at a later date if the Board decided it wanted to build a sidewalk in
this location. Camille Anthony expressed concern that the Town often gets in situations that will
create future nonconformities, but it was noted that this wouldn't be the case because the parking
would conform with zoning requirements even with the loss of two spaces. Latham noted that if
the Town wanted to build a sidewalk at a later date, that Calareso would redesign the parking and
revise the parking at their own expense. It would result in a loss of the.proposed landscaping
strip between the parking and the roadway. However, the landscaping strip is a condition of site
plan review.
Hines noted that the store is attached to a residential building and Latham noted that this was
reviewed and approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. George Hines asked about the level of
participation in community activities and Calareso noted that they have been an active member of
the Chamber of Commerce and are active in donating products and funding to local school,
church, and musical organizations. Gail D'Angelo of Hopkins Street was concerned that the
additional parking on Hopkins would create more traffic on Hopkins Street, something that the
neighbors didn't want. She noted that she supported the reconstruction. Latham noted that
parking takes place along Hopkins Street now and that this would not result in an increase.
Burditt noted that.there are more spaces on Main Street as part of the reconstruction, and he
didn't feel that there would be more traffic on Hopkins Street as a result of the plan. John Perkins
of 66 Hopkins Street spoke about the same concerns as Ms. D'Angelo and wanted a no left turn
sign on northbound Main. Street at Hopkins. Carol Atkinson of Hopkins Street noted that
employee parking only should be permitted on Hopkins. Camille Anthony noted that she uses the
intersection, and that the left turn from northbound Main Street to Hopkins Street is a problem
and would be a problem if cars were backing up to get into the parking area, although she didn't
feel that this was likely. George Hines noted that if we approve a license we should perhaps
incorporate a sidewalk into this location at this time. Latham was concerned that the site plan
approval previously granted would be void and they might have to start the site plan approval
process all over again.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to support the petition to the Mass
Highway Department by Calareso to use a portion of the right of way of State Route 28 (Main
Street) for access to their off street parking as outlined in their site plan approved by the CPDC,
and that the Board direct the Town Manager to write a letter to MHD outlining their support for
this improvement. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to direct the Town Manager to
proceed to develop a license agreement with Calareso to use a portion of the public right of way
of Hopkins Street for access to off street parking in accordance with the site plan approved by
Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 20, 1994-page 4
CPDC. The vote was approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining. The license
agreement will be require approval by the Board of Selectmen.
Review of Draft Traffic Rules and Regulations - The Town Manager reviewed the draft rules and
regulations. He pointed out some issues yet to be resolved including streets where heavy vehicles
are excluded. There was a question as to whether or not the various state laws should be included
in the regulations or whether they should just be included by reference. There was discussion
about Symonds Way and the placement of the no turn on red sign. There was a suggestion that
state regulations on Main Street should be included such as no parking along Main Street.
Further staff work needs to be done before this comes back to the Board.
Review of Audit Report and Management Letter- The Town Manager reviewed the audit report,
as well as the management letter. He will have a response to the management letter early in the
new year. It was suggested by Anthony that perhaps the Town needs to do better training on
grants administration, including training with the School Department.
Bear Hill -Extension to Purchase and Sa'.es Agreement- The Board reviewed the extension of the
Bear Hill Purchase and Sales agreement. On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board
voted to approve the extension of the Purchase and Sales agreement between the Town of
Reading and Bear Hill Limited Partnership until noon on March 31, 1995, in order for the
applicant to comply with the PRD requirements included in the CPDC approval of the project.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Pearl Street School - Extension to Purchase and Sale Agreement - On motion-by Hoyt seconded
by Burditt the Board voted to approve the extension of the date to obtain a firm loan commitment
from the MHFA(such date as outlined in the Purchase and Sales agreement between the Town of
Reading and Reading Senior Living Incorporated, a joined venture between Longwood Senior
Living Inc. and Wolf Construction Corporation) from December 31, 1994, until January 31, 1995.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Cable TV License Review- The Board talked about the Cable TV licensing review, and indicated
general agreement that the negotiating committee will be made up of the Town Manager, Town
Counsel, and two members of the Cable TV Committee who would have expertise in the technical
aspects of cable television.
Budget Review- The Town Manager reviewed the current budget status. He noted that there are
several major issues outstanding for FY96, including the health insurance costs, cost of rubbish
collection disposal, and final pension cost. He expressed concern that the proposed school
budgets reflects an increase of$1.5 million, where as the total revenues available to increase the
budget for all departments is approximately$920,000. Questions were raised as to what the need
Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 20, 1994- page 5
for a financial analyst in the School Department is, since the Town is currently providing business
services for the School Department.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to sign a disclosure agreement for
Karen Samatis who is a member of the Arts Council. The motion was approved by a vote of
5-0-0.
On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board voted to adjourn at 10:24 p.m. by a vote of
5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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