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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting August 27, 1991 ► The meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. , with Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russ Graham and George Hines and Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner present. The fol- lowing list of interested citizens also attended: Bill Brown, Leslie York, Irene York, Gary Demopoulos, Jim Keigley, John P. Sullivan, Jr. , Nathan C. White, Deirdre Hanley, Nancy Docktor, Joseph J. Giordano, R. Wood, R. Howard, Nancy Shipes, Diane J. Young, Mary Shaughnessy, Jonathan Barnes, Bill Burditt, and Robert I. Nordstrand. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines, the minutes of August 6, 1991 were approved by a vote of 3-0-1, with Graham abstaining. On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the minutes of August 20, 1991 were approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Russ Graham had no report. George Hines indicated that the Ice Rink Committee had met and a business plan was presented. In addition, he has been contacted by several members of CPDC regarding concerns about the Town Manager's budget proposals. Sally Hoyt indicated that the Elder Services formula grant for the Town of Reading had been approved. The pool has been reopened after being closed because of Hurricane Bob. She has --- received calls regarding budget cuts. Dan Ensminger had no report. There was no public comment. VOn motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved a Stop Sign at Brook Street and Summer Avenue by a vote of 4-0-0. on motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board approved two livery licenses for Acura Industries, Inc. subject to inspection of the vehicles by the Police Department. The motion was ap- proved by a vote of 4-0-0. At 7:45 p.m. the Board opened a public hearing on a policy estab- lishing a Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee. George Hines asked if the re-institution of this committee would have any appreci- able impact on staff time. The Town Manager indicated that he didn't feel that it would. The committee is more of a resource to staff than a problem. Bill Brown indicated that the original Hazardous Waste Committee was formed in 1932 to deal with the odor in Woburn. John Sullivan indicated that some of the In- - dustriplex remediation is in its formative stages and the Com- mittee is very important because of that. On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectmen's Minutes - 8/27/91 - Page 2 On motion by Graham, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to adopt the policies establishing a Hazardous Waste Committee by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board of Selectmen interviewed candidates for the Hazardous Waste Committee. Philip Doherty was interviewed. He indicated that he might have a conflict of interest, but would know within two weeks. William Murphy is the Health Agent in Bedford, and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1985. Following the interviews, the Board moved as follows: on motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to appoint John P. Sullivan and William C. Murphy to the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee for terms expiring 6-30-92, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to appoint Paul J. Exner and Regina M. Snyder to the Hazardous Waste Com- mittee for terms expiring 6-30-93, by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to appoint Gretchen Latowsky, Stephen Oston, and Philip J. Doherty to the Hazardous Waste Committee for terms expiring 6-30-94, by a vote of 4-0-0. The TouM Manager reported to the Board of Selectmen the status on the possible sale of the Pearl Street School. The Board asked for review of the possibility of an arts center for Pearl Street School - i.e, is there a group who is interested. The Board of Selectmen discussed the outline of a policy developed by George Hines on operating procedures for the Board of Selectmen. There was discussion about adding consideration of holding Executive Session hearings at 7:00 p.m. The Board felt that the policy would give them the flexibility to do that. Fol- lowing discussion, the Board directed the Town Manager to post this as a policy hearing at the next convenient date, and to ask Town Counsel for a review of the policy prior to the hearing. The public hearing on establishment of Park Rules and Regulations was opened at 7:34 p.m. A number of questions were asked about the policies. These included: wording that indicated that this was an ordinance, issues of definition, concerns about Rule 2 which would not allow fireworks (the Town holds a fireworks display) , concern about first amendment issues related to Rule 3 ; a suggestion that the reference to gun carriages in Rule 4b be removed; and other issues. On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to continue the public hearing until September 10, 1991 at 8:30 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board discussed the FY92 Budget and the Town Manager's recom- mendations to modify the budget in order to meet the most recent reductions in State aid. The Board agreed to use money pre- viously allocated for Cedar Street, and also agreed to the 60/40 distribution of the reductions in State aid and sharing of revenues between the School Department and the Town. Calculating the 60/40 split after reduction of the budget by $135, 000 for discontinuing recycling represents the Town being responsible for Selectmen's Minutes - 8/27/91 - Page 3 ± 51% of State aid reduction. The Town's target number is $194 ,267 . 00 . There was discussion about elimination of the Planner's position, sidewalk snow plowing, library funding, the employee recognition program, the election hours, eliminating ad- ditional police specialists positions, eliminating the Employee Assistance Program, the possibility of furloughs and reduction in hours, and a number of other issues. Nils Nordberg, on behalf of the Board of Assessors, spoke against appointing an appraiser from in-house, but the Board of Assessors did agree to delay the hiring by two months. Dick Howard from the Community Planning and Development Commission outlined the importance of continuing the Planner's position. Deirdre Hanley, Library Director, indi- cated that the proposed reductions in the Library would close the Library an additional seven hours per week. Nancy Docktor indi- cated that she favored keeping curbside recycling. Ruth Cogan indicated that her department favored a furlough. Jonathan Barnes indicated the need to keep the Planner. Beth Klepeis indicated that furloughs are not favored in her department. Ruth Cogan felt that it was important to state the need for the Employee Assistance Program. Following discussion, the Board gave the Town Manager direction to use the budget reductions as outlined, except for the elimination of the Planner's position, and the reduction in Library funding. They further directed the elimination of the employee recognition program funding, and the complete elimination of the Employee Assistance Program and the police vehicle replacement program. On motion by Hines, seconded by. Hoyt, the Board voted to accept the cuts as modified and report this recommendation to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee will be informed that the reduction in recycling should be used to calculate the total Town-side reductions. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0- 0. The Board indicated it would support the bylaw to require property owners to remove snow from sidewalks. George Hines sug- gested that school routes be established as a priority for police enforcement of the bylaw if adopted, and that we develop some kind of referral service for elderly property owners to get low or no cost sidewalk clearing. The Board directed the Town Manager to write a letter to the legislators regarding a need for overrides of the Governor's vetoes. On motion by Hines, seconded by Graham, the Board voted to ad- journ at 12 : 03 a.m. Resp ctfully submitted, //J� ecret