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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-10-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting October 8, 1991 The Meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Russ Graham, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of in- terested parties: Ruth Warren, Gary Demopoulas, Lynne Cassinari, Catherine Powell, Philip LeBlanc, Leslie York, Irene York, Judith Mieczkowski, Anthony Mieczkowski Jr. , John Hamer, Mildred Hal- lond, Lawrence L. Potter, Rosalie S. Dyer-Potter, Ted McIntire, Bob Brown, Joyce Thomson, Raye Ann Sylvester, Ray Sylvester, Jim Keigley. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the minutes of September 24, 1991 were approved with amendments by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports George Hines reported that he had met with the Town Manager and Town Accountant regarding a stronger liaison role with the Town Accountant. The Board of Selectmen need to determine what type of financial information they are interested in, and Richard Foley will draft a format for that information. He will also draft a performance appraisal form. There was also discussion about revitalizing the Audit Committee. In addition, Hines indi- cated that the Ice Rink Feasibility Task Force hearing was held last week and the Task Force will be meeting next Wednesday to review comments from the hearing and possibly to modify their report. CPDC had held a meeting on the Master Plan and adopted the Master Plan. There had been a discussion on whether or not to seek broader input before adopting a Master Plan. It was sug- gested that CPDC should appear before the Board of Selectmen to discuss that issue and to make a brief presentation of the Master Plan. Sally Hoyt reviewed the Flu Clinic, the Hazardous Waste Collec- tion Program, Recreation update, and Elder Services activities. She met with Secretary of EOCD Mary Pedula and put in a good word for our Senior Center grant application. She also indicated that a letter will be written to the Kramers regarding concerns about Hunt Park. She has received comments from Washington Park resi- dents that the stone wall should be left in place. She also at- tended the Ice Rink hearing and felt that George Hines chaired the meeting very well . She hopes the community will come together on this issue. Dan Ensminger had no report. Russ Graham had no report. Eugene Nigro reiterated the meeting.. between George Hines, Town Manager, Town Accountant and himself. He also thanked the Firefighters for the open house last Saturday. He thanked staff for the fine job with the Newsletter. He has had discussion with the Police Chief about Washington Park - the Police Chief doesn't support removal of the wall. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 10/8/91 - page 2 Public Comment On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger a proclamation honoring Local Cable , Programming Week was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. John Upton from Continental Cable was present to receive the proclamation. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines a proclamation honoring Busi- ness and Professional Womens Week was approved by a vote of 5-0- 0. Sally Hoyt will take the proclamation to a meeting tomorrow evening. The Town Manager indicated that this is Fire Prevention Week and the community should express its appreciation to its Firefighters and EMTs for the fine work they do. This is also Public Power Week. The Town Manager reviewed receipts for the trash fee. The Town has received $106,000 of the $121,000 it had expected to receive and receipts are still coming in. He reviewed the status of the every other week recycling, and indicated that the Hazard- ous Waste Program would be conducted this Friday and Saturday, and next Friday and Saturday. He outlined the discovery of the Highland J virus in mosquito traps in Reading in the Camp Curtis Guild location. The Health Department through the Mosquito Con- trol Commission will be doing spraying in the play field areas on Wednesday but there is no major cause for concern because of the lateness of the season. Personnel and Appointments The Board discussed appointment to the Mystic Valley Elder Serv- ices Board of Directors. There are two applicants and they asked both applicants to be present at the next meeting. The Board reviewed the resignation of Joseph Connelly from the Recreation Committee, and George Hines asked if the Board would ask Joe Connelly to come in and be recognized for his fine ef- forts. The appointments to the Ice Rink Siting Advisory Committee will be done on October 22. Public Hearings The Secretary read the notice of the Tree Hearing for 20 Gardner Road. The Town Manager gave background. Mr. Sylvester who wants to remove the tree and indicated that there are drainage and boundary constraints, and with restrictions on parking on the street and sidewalks they have practical difficulty with the num- ber of vehicles they have. The neighbor won't sell a piece of property. The current parking area is 48 feet long which is long enough for three cars. Phil LeBlanc spoke opposed to removal of the tree. He cited the costs to the Town of its removal and other impacts on the neighborhood. George Hines asked if he knew of spaces that could be rented to park the car in the neighbor- hood and the response was no. Mrs. Sylvester stated that the process had begun last spring with a request to the Police Chief EE that they legally be allowed to park on the sidewalk. This was denied. They then met with Bud Dickey about removal of the tree. There is a radio tower in the way of extending the current Board of Selectmen Minutes - 10/8/91 - page 3 driveway. This would also cause a drainage problem between two retaining walls. The applicant will- repair the walk where the tree has lifted the walk and would pay for the stump removal. She indicated that Mr. Foulds, the neighbor, is using his full driveway and has no space to give up. George Hines felt that the curb cut as proposed would be too wide and he does not like park- ing allowed in the front yard. He also felt that the trees helped screen the towers . Dan Ensminger was concerned about precedent. Sally Hoyt indicated that she was sympathetic to the problem but wouldn't support the removal of a healthy tree. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to close the Public Hearing by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board moved to ap- prove the removal of a tree at 20 'Gardner Road in accordance with the Tree Hearing held on September 18, 1991 on duly posted notice by the Tree Warden. The vote on the motion was 0-5-0 and the mo- tion failed. -The Secretary read the notice of the Hearing on Turning off Street Lights. The Town Manager explained that this is required for budgetary reasons. Elton Merritt asked about the location on Mark Avenue. He also suggested that the photo cells be checked so that the lights aren't turned on too early or turned off too lute. Joyce Thompson presented a petition of residents on Car- riage Lane and Grey Coach Lane. They were concerned about the elimination of three lights in that location because of safety. It was mentioned that the Adopt-a-Light program is an option. Marlene Cohen asked about the general concept of turning off lights and she was opposed to turning off any additional lights. John Hamer of 257 West Street expressed concern about the lights at 257-251 West Street that had previously been turned off. He suggested that no more lights be turned off on West Street. Laurence Potter and Judy Mieczkowski also asked for consideration to turn the light at 252 West Street back. on. Mr. Scott expressed concerned about turning off the light at 48 Salem Street because it is near the fire station access. drive and a bus stop. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines 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 approve the turning off of 44 street lights in locations as outlined on the attached list referenced as the October 1991 list of street lights, and as detailed in the legal notice of the hearing, with the exception of three locations which the Board of Selectmen determined should not be turned off in the interest of public safety; and that the Reading Municipal Light Department is directed to turn these lights off at the earliest possible date and also to turn off the additional public light at the Imagination Station playground. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to relight the fixture at 257-251 West Street subject to review and approval by staff and to evaluate the lights on Carriage and Grey Coach Lane and at. 48 Salem Street prior to their being turned off, with a report to the Board of Selectmen at their next meet- ing. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes - 10/8/91 - page 4 The Park Rules and Regulations were considered for final adop- tion. The hearing had previously been closed. There is a proposed change dealing with lighted facilities, and George Hines indicated that he felt the recommendations from the Recreation Committee and a review by the Men's Softball Association ex- hibited an excellent spirit of cooperation. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board adopted the policy adopting Rules and Regulations Relating to Parks, Playgrounds and Recrea- tion Areas, Town of Reading as amended by vote of 5-0-0. The Board opened the hearing on the establishment of an Ice Rink Siting Task Force. George Hines reviewed a proposed policy drafted by the Town Manager regarding establishment of that com- mittee. Dan Ensminger reviewed additional comments and concerns. Ensminger presented a six-point document that he felt should be incorporated into the policy, and after a discussion dropped items four and six on that document. Ensminger felt that the ap- plicant should be treated the same as any other applicant before the CPDC for site plan approval. Lynne Cassinari asked about the timing of the report. She was concerned that water table tests could not be done by February 1. George Hines indicated that we would use existing data or there is the option of extending the time period if needed. Ms . Cassinari cited a rink and planetarium built in Fitchburg in 1971 with a second rink built on the same site in the late 1980s. Both rinks are now closed. She felt that the Board should include in the charge to the Siting Advisory Committee that only sites that are in commercial or industrial areas should be considered. Barbara Scott asked if most of the issues raised weren't already addressed in the Feasibility Study. She pointed out that Fitchburg is a depressed area and Reading is not. She felt that this is a recreational facility. Paul Casell was concerned about the total risk to the Town of accepting this gift. He is concerned about the total liability, the value of the land, and how much public skating will be available. Jay Dumas indicated that he agreed with Dan Ensminger that we should get specific on specific issues . Regarding the policy, he would recommend a member of CPDC on the committee and suggested a CPDC member be substituted for a member of the Board of Selectmen. The Board expressed concerns about a - potential conflict since CPDC will have to review the plans. Jim Hall indicated that the Board of Selectmen will also have a con- flict because they will be approving the lease, but it was indi- cated that the lease was not site specific. Marlene Cohen sug- gested that the committee should look into what impact rinks in surrounding communities have had on the surrounding neighbor- hoods. She also questioned whether the donor should be a member of the task force. The Board agreed to add to the charge to the committee the question of what the costs would be to mitigate im- pacts. Dan Ensminger felt that the committee should not be bound to stick to only commercial/industrial zones, since there may be situations where setting a rink in a commercial zone would have more of an impact on a residential. area than siting it in other residential areas. Cathy Powell indicated that this is a gift to a non-profit corporation not to the Town. The Town Manager ex- plained why the gift was to a non-profit and that the purpose of the gift as a recreational facility to the Town. On motion by Board of Selectmen Minutes - 10/8/91 - page 5 Graham seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to close the hear- ing. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adopt the policy as presented with items 1, 2, 3 and 5 in the Ensminger memo included. The motion was approved by a vote of 5- 0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Graham the Board voted to table items 8b and d until later in the evening possibly after the hour of 11:00 p.m. The motion was approved by vote of 5-0-0. Kevin Moran indicated that the Department of Public Works had done traffic counts on John Carver Road in 1990 and again in 1991 and it showed a 35% increase in traffic. There was discus- sion on a proposal that Jay Dumas had made to the Recreation Com- mittee when Imagination Station was being sited, and this will be the topic of later discussion by the Board of Selectmen. Dan Ensminger wanted to know why the Town Manager had proposed indefinitely postponing the snow removal Bylaw on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. The Town Manager indicated that since Town Meeting had already defeated the Bylaw, that it was his under- standing that it would be indefinitely postponed but the Board should give him other direction if that was not the case. :On motion by Hines seconded by Graham the Board voted to amend the Traffic Regulations of the Town of Reading by adding to Ar- ticle V "Stopping, Standing, Parking" Section 2 "prohibited on certain streets" the following location: Village Street on the easterly side between Haven and Green Streets. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Graham seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to reject the deferral of teachers compensation in fiscal year 1992 for the Northeast Regional Vocational School in accordance with Chapter 223 of the Acts of 1991, and the applicable Department of Revenue guidelines. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Dan Ensminger suggested that the Town should talk with the donor of the ice rink and indicate that water and sewer cost may have to be part of the proj ect costs and not borne separately by the Town. The Town Manager suggested that another option might be to install the water and sewer on a betterment basis to be paid by the facility over a period of time. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 11: 09 p.m. by vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted: i Secretary