Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting September 24, 1991 The meeting was convened at 7:31 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting - Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman. Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russ Graham and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Tom Wallace, Arthur Kramer, Katherine E. Kramer, Lynne Cassinari, Mary Ellen Downey, James Hall, Patrick Sudbay, Marie McCarthy, Charles McCarthy, Elsie E. Lewis, James J. Lewis, Frank S. Smith, William J. McGee, Jr. , Harriett Spencer, Patricia F. Quilty, Joan Kuhne, Faye A. Meehl, Daniel Ross, Steve Thomases, Anne Mark, Kevin Moran, Jeanette F. Rivers, Dorothy E. Decelle, Ruth Warren, William Warren, Dolores Sudbay, Penny Richards, Peter M. Kramer, George R. Foley, Jim Keigley, Joan Y. Nickerson, Camille Anthony, Ken Latham, Arnold Berger, John B. Tewksbury, ' Barbara B. Tewksbury, Catherine M. Powell, Fran Walsh, Debbie H. McCulley, Steven C. Corlis, and Sandra Corliss. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Graham the Minutes of September 10, 1991 were approved as submitted by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Minutes of September 16, 1991 were approved as submitted by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports George Hines indicated that the Ice Rink Task Force has met and their .-report will be the subject of discussion later this eve- -ning. He also noted that the Master Plan hearing is upcoming in October. He has met with CPDC, MPAC, and staff regarding economic development and opportunities for pursuing economic development. He also indicated that he will be meeting with the Town Manager and the Town Accountant next week regarding reports. Sally Hoyt indicated that she had received calls from citizens regarding recycling and also regarding siting of the Ice Skating Rink. She received a copy of a letter from the Chamber of Com- merce regarding the building inspection services. Dan Ensminger indicated that he had received calls regarding recycling and the rink. Russ Graham indicated that he had met with the Deputy Secretary of Communities and Development, and had put in a good word for the Senior Center conversion of the former Central Fire Station. Eugene Nigro had no report. Public Comment Arthur Kramer of 184 Pleasant Street complained about activities at Hunt Park. He was concerned that the field was being used not just for Reading kids, but also for league activity not including Reading children. He also complained that there had been ac- tivity before noon on Sunday, that the park is not being kept clean, and that these problems had been there for two years. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/24/91 - page 2 There also have been parking problems. Katherine Kramer com- plained about coaches batting balls at the kids and the balls going into the play equipment so that neighborhood kids could not use the play equipment in this location. Sally Hoyt will review these problems with staff. The Town Manager introduced Faye Meehl, Harriet Spencer, Pat Quilty, and Joan Kuhne from AFSCME Clerical Union. He indicated that thanks to the hard work and dedication of these people, an agreement had been reached between the Town and the AFSCME Cleri- cal Union which would provide for 0% pay increases for fiscal year 1992 and 1993 and a reopener for salaries in FY94. On mo- tion by Graham seconded by Ensminger the Board authorized the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the agreement by vote of 5-0-0. The agreement was signed by the Chairman and by AFSCME at that time. The Board complimented and thanked the Clerical Bargaining Unit for their efforts in bringing this contract to completion. Park Rules and Regulations Sally Hoyt read the notice of the hearing. Pat Sudbay of John Carver Road spoke and asked that the lighted facilities be turned off at 10:00 p.m. Tom Wallace asked when facilities are open it is indicated that it would be 8:00 a.m. Lynn Kessler was con- cerned about drinking and she was told that when there were inci- dents that police should be notified and the Recreation Committee should also be notified if it was an organized activity. The Board discussed amending Regulation 5 regarding turning lights off at 10:00 p.m. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to close the hearing at 5-0-0. The Board decided to defer action pending a response from the Recreation Committee regarding the possibility of turning lights off at 10:00 p.m. Selectmens Operating Procedures Sally Hoyt read the notice. George Hines gave a background on the proposed rules and regulations. There was no public comment. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the hearing by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adopt the procedures by vote of 5-0-0. Stop Signs The Board discussed the proposed stop signs at Sunnyside Avenue and Melbourne Avenue and Riverside Drive, at Buckingham Drive and Cumberland Road at Melbourne Avenue. Questions were asked about the amount of traffic, whether there were complaints, and the criteria for placement of signs. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted that the traffic rules and orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on September 22 , 1947 for the Town of Reading are hereby amended as follows: , by adding to Article VI, Section II the following: streets Sunnyside Avenue; location northbound and southbound of Melbourne Avenue and Riverside Drive; regulations stop. The motion was approved by a vote of 5- 0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/24/91 - page 3 On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to amend the traffic rules and orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen on September 22, 1947 for the Town of Reading as follows: by adding to Article VI, Section II the following: street Buckingham Drive and Cumberland Road; location at Melbourne Avenue; regulation stop. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Ice Rink Feasibility The discussion of the Ice Rink Feasibility was started at 8:30 p.m. George Hines presented the report and indicated that the committee would not recommend going to the fall Town Meeting since a complete package of information will not be available at that time, especially regarding the site. He will recommend bringing the issue to the spring Town Meeting for decision. Nel- son Burbank, donor and proponent of the project, agreed that site selection is a problem and suggested setting up a committee or task force to deal with the site issues. George Hines indicated that a hearing will be held October 2, 1991 at which time input will be solicited from residents. Dan Ensminger asked if Conser- vation Commission input was sought. It was indicated that it was sought only in a cursory way at this point. A site selection committee was suggested that would provide a technical staff review of the sites, provide for public input process, and would provide for a CPDC review prior to any con- struction. Ken Latham indicated that the committee should boil it down to one or two sites. He indicated that Camp Curtis Guild is one potential site. George Hines indicated that he has talked with Representative Krekorian about the potential for aquiring Camp Curtis Guild land. He has talked with Congressman Markey's office about restoration of the Nike Base land. Bill Burditt in- dicated that Krekorian told him that Camp Curtis Guild would not be available for the forseeable future. George Hines indicated that he confirmed with Mr. Burbank that Mr. Burbank does not con- sider Birch Meadow to be the only potential site for this project and would not withdraw his support if it was not located in the Birch Meadow area. Sally Hoyt indicated that she supports the project, and would strongly suggest a member of the Conservation Commission be on a site selection committee. Dan Ensminger wondered about tying an ice rink in with other economic development activities. Eugene Nigro asked about the clarity of the title for the Nike base (Ted Cohen, Town Counsel, indicated that the title for the Nike base is very complex. ) . Nelson Burbank indicated that the site selection committee would need some engineering services from the Town. He doesn't know the costs, but after the site possibilities are narrowed that he would be willing to consider funding for necessary tests. Arnold Berger indicated that he is not interested in where it is going he is concerned about whether it is needed. George Hines indi- cated that community expertise may be available to offset some of the staff impact in the site selection work. Mr. Burbank indicated that profits from the rink when it would Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/24/91 - page 4 generate profit, would go to the Town. Arnold Berger asked if the Town is going to spend any money and indicated that it shouldn't. Lynne Cassinari indicated that she loves to skate, and if the sites could be reduced to two or three by eliminating sites in residential areas and conservation areas, then a site selection committee wouldn't be needed. Steve Thomases gave a copy of questions that he has to the Board of Selectmen and* to the proponent. He would like those questions addressed at the hearing on October 2 . Jim Keigley asked if the facility is financially feasible. He cited the fact that there are several rinks around. There is a high liability insurance cost. Rink time costs $200 per hour. Arnold Berger asked if the donation was $1. 6 million, or $1 mil- lion. It was explained that there would be an outright gift of $1, 000,000, and that Mr. Burbank would be willing to collateral- ize a loan for an additional amount up to $1. 6 million to build the facility. Pat Sudbay asked why the Board of Selectmen was not holding the public hearings instead of the Ice Rink Feasibility Task Force. Russ Graham suggested that the request tonight is to create a site selection committee. Dan Ensminger suggested that we wait until after the public hearing. Mrs. Powell indicated that the -- primary concern is the site selection. She felt that what is needed is a statement of how the project is to be funded; clarification on what the gift is; clarification on what fund raising is required; and a question as to how long the debt would be for the project. Eugene Nigro asked Ted Cohen to evaluate the risk to the Town of the proposed gift. He indicated that there really was no risk. The Town would get the land back with the building if the facility ran into financial problems. Ken Latham indicated that there would be no lien and no debt on the project. Elsie Lewis asked about the non-profit agency. Ken Latham indi- cated that the facility would generate a profit at some time and the "profits" would go back to the Town. Jim Lewis from Woodland Street questioned what percentage of the use would be for local people - it was responded it would be 30 to 35%. Jim Hall felt that the $1.6 million estimated price tag seems low. The Restucia Rink cost considerably more. It was commented that this rink would be a smaller one than in Wil- mington. The question of whether or not a commercial building could be put in residential property was answered that the Town is not bound by local zoning. Charles McCarthy felt that it should be kept out of the playground area. Another resident wanted to know who would own the building - the Town would. He asked when the title would pass to the Town, and it was commented that this would be subject to lease negotiation. He was concerned about insurance, and it Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/24/91 - page 5 was responded that the user usually carries insurance but the Town would also have to carry insurance and this was figured in as part- of the budget. The study committee also felt that they had learned something about rink design for safety. Debbie McCulley asked whether there was a financial advantage to the Town? It was indicated that there would be. She asked if there was a financial advantage to Mr. Burbank and it was indi- cated that although he would be on the Board of Directors of the non-profit corporation this would be an unpaid position and there is no financial advantage to Mr. Burbank. Marie McCarthy was concerned that if the facility was built adjacent to residential areas that residences could lose values. The Board agreed to establish a Site Selection Committee that would be a smaller committee with skills in the areas of en- gineering, architecture, real estate development, conservation, and that the proponent would be a member of that committee. George Hines also indicated that in order to dispel the percep- tion that hockey interests have been a dominant force on the com- mittee, he would suggest not having any hockey representation on the Site Selection Committee. He also suggests that the com- mittee should have as part of its charge the evaluation of pos- sible land acquisition. The Board directed the Town Manager to go ahead and advertise openings on the committee to secure ap- plicants, and to have a hearing scheduled on establishing an Ice Rink Siting Task Force. Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant The Board of Selectmen reviewed the draft Warrant for the Sub- sequent Town Meeting. The Town Manager reviewed the various ar- ticles. The Board of Selectmen would like to meet with CPDC regarding the South Street scenic road provisions, and indicated that proposed Article 16 would not nullify any of the procedure regarding South Street. Article 19 is proposed to be sponsored by the Board of Selectmen since the Bylaw Committee does not initiate Zoning Bylaw changes. Russ Graham took exception to the two petition Articles 21 and 22 since they are dealing with issues that are not now in the pur- view of the Town Meeting, but are within the purview of the Board of Selectmen. The Board voted to include Article 6 from the Special Town Meet- ing on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant in the event that it gets tabled or postponed at the Special Town Meeting. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close a 24 Article Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting to begin on November 12, 1991, by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger the Board approved the following resolution by vote of 5-0-0: Be it resolved by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading that Leonard J. Red- fern, Emergency Management Director, is hereby authorized to ex Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/24/91 - page 6 ecute for and in behalf of the Town of Reading a public entity established under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, this application and to file it in the appropriate state office for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance under the -- Disaster Relief Act (Public Law 288, 93rd Congress) or otherwise available from the President's Disaster Relief Fund. This Town of Reading a public entity established under the laws of the State of Massachusetts hereby authorizes its agent to provide to the State and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for all matters pertaining to such Federal disaster assistance assurances and agreements printed on the reverse side hereof. Passed and approved this 24th day of September 1991. Eugene R. Nigro, Chairman; Daniel A. Ensminger, Vice Chairman; Sally M. Hoyt, Secretary; Russell T. Graham, George T. Hines, Selectmen. Special Town Meeting The Board discussed the Special Town Meeting. The Town Manager presented an option which would be able to resolve some of the issues regarding the elimination of recycling although the Town would still be $35, 000 short. The Board voted not to change their original vote. Chairman Eugene Nigro disagreed. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger the Board voted pursuant to Section 4 of Chapter 223 of the Acts of 1991 that the Town rejects the provisions of Section 231 of Chapter 138 of the Acts of 1991 as amended. This is a Teachers Payroll Deferral '�issue. The Board voted the motion by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager brought the Board of Selectmen up to date on the Spinning Wheels program. There is not a guarantee that there will be adequate funds in the revolving fund to continue the Spinning Wheels program, but based on past history of the enroll- ment in the fall and winter programs it appears that it is likely that there will be adequate funding. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Graham the Board voted to go into Executive Session at 11:40 p.m. to discuss sale of real es- tate, and to come into Open Session in five to 10 minutes time. All five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. At 11:53 p.m. the Board came in from Executive Session. On mo- tion by Ensminger seconded by Graham the Board voted to approve an extension of the agreement with Homart with several conditions until 9/30/92 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Graham the Board voted to ad- journ at 11:55 p.m. by vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted: y�I ecre t6ly POLICY ON BOARD OF SELECTMEN OPERATING PROCEDURES REORGANIZATION The Board of Selectmen will reorganize (elect officer) in the month of June. The purpose of this policy is to have continuity of Board leadership through Annual Town Meeting. CHAIRMANSHIP Although the Board of Selectmen retains the right to reorganize at their discretion, this policy establishes the guidelines of: a. Annual rotation of the chairmanship b. Not having a selectman serve as chair in the final year of a term. LIMIT OF HOURS FOR REGULAR MEETINGS The regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Selectmen shall be limited by having discussion limited to agenda items taken up or tabled prior to 11: 00 p.m. All remaining items will be deferred to a subsequent meeting. In order to facilitate the above policy efficiently the Chairman --- will: a. Limit the time of speakers from the floor, especially during public hearings b. Call for votes on major issues or policy changes prior to 11:00 p.m. or defer final votes to subsequent meetings C. Request staff to prepare motions for Board action in ad- vance. Notice: September 16, 1991 Hearing: September 24, 1991 Adopted: September 24, 1991