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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 17, 1999 The meeting convened at 7:07 p m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor, Selectman Camille Anthony, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner (arrived late), Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Gerald MacDonald, Nancy Eaton, Everett Blodgett, Alan Ulrich, James Blomley, Donna Morin, Cynthia Offenhauer, Ted McIntire, Robert Brown, Neil Kwontra, Mary Ellen Hatfield, David Proch Wilson, Dana Hennigar, Brian Lawler, Margaret Slack, Barbara Dunn, Peter Franchi, Steve Blewitt. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litigation and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, all three members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:32 p.m. Dismissal of Suits — Kenwood — Camille Anthony read a memo from the Conservation - Administrator Karen DeFrancesco regarding dismissing claims against the Kenwood Development Corporation. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor,the Board of Selectmen authorized Town Counsel to dismiss all pending claims between the Town of Reading and its Conservation Commission and its Community Planning and Development Commission with Kenwood Development Corporation. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Camille Anthony noted that she had received a call regarding the Reading Police. She noted that the Board of Selectmen encourages community training on safe travel. Matthew Nestor noted that he had received a phone call from a citizen whose family member had a problem with the Reading Police. He is inviting Police Chief Marchand to the Selectmen's next meeting. He also received phone calls regarding the second water meter bills, and was pleased to see the speed billboard that was posted on Route 28. Sally Hoyt noted that the Board of Selectmen encourages the Police Department to be aware of speeding vehicles. She noted that she had received a phone call from a citizen who has a complaint about the Reading Police Department. She attended the CPDC meeting last week, and saw the preliminary plan for the Danvers Savings Bank. Chairman Hoyt attended the MBTA Project Clean celebration at the Depot last week, and also suggested that the Town consider having a two story parking lot constructed at the"old"Police Station site. Board of Selectmen Meeting;—August 17, 1999—Page 2 Public Comment — Neil Kwontra, Representative of Local 217 Hotel and Restaurant Union in Rhode Island,was present. He submitted a report on the Corporex Development Services, Inc. Town Manager's Report—There was no report. Personnel and Appointments Millennium Committee—Mary Ellen Hatfield was interviewed for a position on the Millennium Committee. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for a position on the Millennium Committee with a term expiring March 31, 2000: Mary Ellen Hatfield. Ms. Hatfield received three votes and was appointed. Water and Sewer Advisory Committee—Gerald MacDonald was interviewed for one position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for a position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2001: Gerald MacDonald. Mr. MacDonald received three votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Acceptance of Second Payment from Reading Ice Arena Authority to YMCA for Pool — Dana Hennigar, President of the Reading Ice Arena Authority, was present. He noted that the Ice Arena is doing very well. Revenues this year were the same as last year. Mr. Hennigar presented the Board of Selectmen with a check for $100,000 which is the second payment for the YMCA relative to the new swimming pool that is being constructed at that site. The first payment was $250,000 for a total of$350,000 paid to date. Approve Concept Plan — Corporex — David Proch Wilson, Corporex Representative, presented the concept plan. He noted that the hotel will be Embassy Suites. The plan conforms to the RFP, and it will enhance the value of the site and benefit the community. Brian Lawler, Civil Engineer with SMMA, noted that the focus has been on the technical points to make sure that everything is doable. Mr. Lawler reviewed the plan. He noted that the office building has changed from five stories built in two phases to six stories built in one phase. The hotel has changed from eight stories to six stories. The Country Club remains unchanged. Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean reviewed the numbers for the revised plan. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the concept plan for the development of the Reading Business Park as presented by Corporex on August 17, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting=August 17, 1999—Page 3 Hearing - Parking Reaulations - Gould Street — Camille Anthony read the legal notice to open the hearing. The Town Manager indicated that there has been a request from a resident to have - resident parking in the front of 8, 10 and 16 Gould Street. Margaret Slack of 8 Gould Street was present. She noted that commuters park in front of her house all day. She noted that Chief Marchand suggested either two hour parking or resident parking. The Town Manager noted that resident parking is for anyone who lives in Reading, not just for the people who live in the house. Barbara Dunn of 16 Gould Street noted that her husband runs the bike shop. People block the driveway, obstruct their business and are very rude. Peter Franchi of 7 Gould Street noted that there are no sidewalks, and that people park on the lawns and are rude. Donna Morin of 10 Gould Street requested resident parking from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Cindy Offenhauer of 9 Gould Street noted that there is a problem with people who park there all day. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the hearing on the parking regulations on Gould Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the resident parking only in front of numbers 8, 10 and 16 on the south side of Gould Street. Approval of RMLD Land Swap — The Town Manager noted that the RMLD land swap was approved by Town Meeting under Article 20 of the November 12, 1998 Town Meeting. Jim Blomley from the RMLD reviewed the land swap for the new station. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve and sign all documents to effectuate the transfer and swap of lands between the Town of Reading by and through its Reading Municipal Light Department and the Town of North Reading, as authorized by the approval of Reading's Town Meeting under Article 20 of the November 12, 1998 Town Meeting. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Approval of Sale of Sweetser Avenue PropgM — Alan Ulrich, President of the Reading Antiquarian Society, reviewed the background information. He noted that the Antiquarian Society wants to acquire the property to maintain the integrity of the Parker Tavern. On November 16, 1998, Town Meeting voted to transfer the care. The Antiquarian Society submitted a bid to the Town in the amount of$1694 — this amount represents the date of the building. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 17, 1999—Page 4 On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the bid for the sale of Plat 52, Lot 22A on Sweester Avenue to the Reading Antiquarian Society subject to the proposal dated July 28, 1999. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. --- Update — Water Supply Advisory Committee --Steve Blewitt, Chairman of the Water Supply Advisory Committee, was present to update the Board. Camp Dresser & McKee has been chosen as the consultant. CDM has been working for one month and a public hearing was held last Thursday. Steve Blewitt reviewed the criteria to be used in the study. He asked the Board to rank the criteria. Steve Blewitt noted that a survey is being mailed out to Town Meeting Members, and the survey will go out to the general population through the Reading Notes. The Town Manager noted that this is a permanent decision that affects the entire community, and it needs to be a community decision. Review SWAC and Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee—Bob Brown, Chairman of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, noted that their July and August meetings were cancelled due to a lack of quorum. He suggested renaming the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee the "Environmental Advisory Committee." He spoke about either reducing the number of members on the Committee, or changing the requirements of a quorum. He also suggested combining the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The Town Manager noted that the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee was used as a consultant team. Most hazardous waste is dealt with in other ways. Sally Hoyt noted that fluorescent lighting disposal is a hazardous waste issue and needs to be dealt with. Bob Brown noted that there was little difference between solid waste and hazardous waste. Once hazardous waste is disposed of improperly, it becomes solid waste. Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean asked if the Board ever considered the Board of Health's role in hazardous waste. The Town Manager arranged for the new applicant to come in to be interviewed for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and he will speak to the two Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee Members to see if they are interested in joining the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Review Board of Selectmen Policies — Public Works Director Ted McIntire was present to review the Policies. He made the following recommendations: Sections 5.1 and 5.2. -No changes recommended. Section 5.3 - The application needs to be revised and a permit form is needed. Section 5.4 - Language should be added regarding when a developer is required to install the street lights. Board of Selectmen Meeting=August 17, 1999—Page 5 Section 5.5 - There is a question as to who enforces this. Section 5.6 - In the process of being updated. Section 5.7 - There is a need to add State regulations. Section 5.7.4- Should indicate that there is a$25.00 inspection fee. Section 5.7.5 -Is not legal and should be removed. Section 5.8 - No changes recommended Section 5.9 - The hours and days need to be changed to reflect the present hours and days. Section 5.10 - The language needs to be finalized. Section 5.11 - Need to remove references to reviewing the moratorium. Section 5.12 - No changes recommended. Camille Anthony asked why there is opposition to circular driveways. The Town Manager noted that the more curb cuts can cause more accidents, especially in a commercial zone. Ted McIntire noted that this was brought up at the South Main Street discussion about traffic coming from all directions. The Town Manager suggested having different guidelines for residential areas. Special Employee Exemptions—The Town Manager noted that there are two requests for special employee status: Fire Fighter Michael Belmonte and Recreation Administrator Joseph Connelly. Camille Anthony noted that the School Committee was designated special employee status because of Tom Stohlman. She asked if that should be rescinded since Tom Stohlman is no longer on the School Committee. The Town Manager noted that the Board will review this at a future meeting. On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a special employee exemption for Fire Fighter Michael Blemonte allowing him to work for the Reading Police Department as a Dispatcher. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a special employee exemption for Recreation Administrator Joseph Connelly allowing him to work for the School Department as Coach of cross-country track. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Review Sewer Bills re: Second Water Meters—The Town Manager reviewed the process that the Board use in eliminating second water meters. The letter that was sent to the residents was unclear as to when the billing went into affect and he recommends abating for this time. Matthew Nestor noted that he received numerous calls on this. There was enough confusion as to when the new billing started to justify abating the bills. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to concur in the recommendation of the Town Manager to abate the sewer portion of the August 1, 1999 bills for the second water meters for those residents who have a second water meter. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meetings Aw4ust 17, 1999—Page 6 Hearing Amending the Policy re: Size of CATV Advisory Committee — Camille Anthony read the notice to open the hearing. The Town Manager indicated that he had polled the existing members regarding changing from seven to five members and they have no problem with that. He also suggests changing the number of School Representatives from two to one. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an amendment to the Board's policies to change the membership on the Cable TV Advisory Committee from seven to five members, and to change the School Department representation from two to one member. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by Nestor, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of July 27, 1999 as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Nestor seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen, voted to adjourn their meeting of August 17, 1999 at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 9 Secretly