HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-10-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 22, 1991
The meeting was convened at 7 : 30 p.m. Present were Chairman
Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt,
Selectmen George Hines and Russ Graham, and the following list of
interested parties: Leslie H. York, Irene M. York, Gary
Demopoulos, David R. Nugent, Howard J. MacKilligan, Sean Murphy,
Greg Smith, Amy Nelson, Bob Bennett, Lisa Pustorino, Jonathan
Kevin Cignetti, Carolyn Bennett, Susan Pustorino, Julie Cosen-
tino, Robert Nordstrand, Leslie McGonagle, Ed Marchand, Jim
Keigley, Steve Thomases, John D. Wood, Tom Stohlman, Steven R.
Sullivan, Kevin Fulgoni, Tom Natale, and Paul Gange.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Hines, the minutes of October 8,
1991 were approved as amended by a vote of 5-0-0.
Liaison Reports
George Hines indicated that the Ice Rink Feasibility Task Force
had met and made minor changes to the report. He also indicated
that there was a meeting with interested parties regarding the
Inwood Office Park and eastbound access, making "Inwood Drive" a
through street. The direction was that we should pursue with
Wilmington permission to allow this a through street connector if
need be.
Sally Hoyt indicated that 350 people had attended the Flu and
Pneumonia Clinic. The Menopause Seminar is scheduled for next
week. Recreation programs are ongoing, and she received a call
opposed to having the liquor stores open the Sunday before
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Christmas and the Sunday before New Year's.
Dan Ensminger indicated that he has been keeping involved with
School Committee issues, and has received calls regarding the Ice
Skating Rink.
Russ Graham had no report.
Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended, the meeting regarding
Inwood Office Park, and had attended John Agnew's wake.
Public Comment
Gene Nigro introduced Les and Irene York who introduced members
of the S.A.D. D. executive committee, and Principal Rena Mirkin
from the Reading Memorial High School. Sponsors for the S.A.D.D.
program were thanked, including Rotary and the Atlantic Super-
markets. The S.A.D.D. could use publicity such as meetings like
this, and they will need the parents ' support. The Board of
Selectmen thanked the S.A.D.D. students for their attendance and
for their continued efforts on behalf of the community.
The secretary read the notice of the hearing on tax classifica-
tion. Bob Nordstrand spoke for the Board of Assessors. He
-4 thanked the entire staff of the Finance Department for their help
in getting this project prepared. Specifically cited were Town
Accountant Richard Foley, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Assis-
tant Treasurer/Collector - Data Processing Coordinator Bill
Selectmen's Minutes - 10/22/91 - Page 2
Connors, Assistant Appraiser Julie Cosentino, and Administrative
Assistant Faye Meehl. The Board ran through documentation from
the Board of Assessors regarding the tax classification. The
average residential property was indicated as being $178,000, and
the average commercial property at $350,000. The .Board of Asses-
sors recommended against classification of a different
commercial/industrial personal property rate. They also recom-
mended against the residential exemption. Leslie McGonagle from
the Chamber of Commerce read a letter to the Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Hines, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to close
the hearing at 8:34 p.m. On motion by Graham, seconded by Hines,
the Board voted to adopt a residential factor of one (1) for pur-
poses of tax classification for Fiscal Year 1992. The vote was
4-0-1, with Ensminger abstaining. On motion by Graham, seconded
by Ensminger, the Board voted not to grant a residential exemp-
tion for Fiscal Year 1992 . The vote was 4-1-0, with_ Hoyt op-
posed.
Mr. Nickerson from Elliot Street appeared before the Board to ap-
peal his rubbish fee. The house is a two-family house, but has
not been used as a two-family house for the past eight years. He
does not intend to rent the second unit out during the next year.
There are two electric meters, but only one water meter for the
whole unit. He uses all two units himself. He would agree to
sign a statement that the property is intentionally not used as a
two-family house, and has not been for the past year and will not
be used in that manner for the next year. On motion by Hines,
seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to waive, for FY92, the rubbish
fee for the second unit, provided that we receive a signed state-
ment that the unit will be kept unoccupied. The motion was ap-
proved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Chief Marchand reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the ac-
creditation process. He indicated that funds for a job task
analysis are needed. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger,
the Board voted to support the transfer of funds in the amount of
$1500. 00 to conduct this last phase of the police accreditation
program by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Chief reviewed the status of the police reserves. The
reserves are acceptable from an insurance and accreditation view-
point if they have the proper training, which our reserves do.
The cost of reserves is approximately $2800. 00 per year in extra
insurance. There is also the cost of training and uniforms. The
Chief suggested that in addition to other activities, the
reserves can be used in the dispatch area to be trained and to be
able to fill in on dispatch periodically. Chairman Nigro felt
that the reserves feel that they need acceptance by other Police
Officers, and this is improving. The Board reiterated its intent
to maintain the reserves as an assistance to the Police Depart-
ment.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to amend
the Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading by
Selectmen' s Minutes - 10/22/91 - Page 3
adding to Article V "Stopping, Standing, Parking, " Section 2 .
- "Prohibited on Certain Streets, " the following location: Summer
Avenue - east side between Buckingham and Melbourne, and to amend
the Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading by ad-
ding to Article V "Stopping, Standing, Parking, " Section 3 .
"Prohibited During Certain Hours on Certain Streets" the follow-
ing section: (c) No person shall park a vehicle between the F
hours of 4: 00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday on any of
the following streets or parts of streets: Salem Street - south
side between Lowell Street and Main Street. The motion was ap-
proved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board reviewed the need for skateboard rules and regulations,
and directed the Town Manager to develop a policy for their con-
sideration and at the same time to expedite the Recreation Com-
mittee review of where skateboarding could properly take place.
The Chief took the opportunity to warn the public at the
Selectmen' s Meeting of a scam that was currently being per-
petrated against elderly people. If there are any concerns about
such a scam, the Police Department should be contacted directly.
Paul Gange of Grey Coach Lane spoke with regard to the turning
out of street lights. He felt that the properties in this area
are being taxed highly and should receive the services, and that
too many street lights are being turned out. He was concerned
--- that it would create a unsafe situation.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hines, items 6c, 7b, and 8h
were placed on the table in the event that these items would not
be reached on the agenda before 11 p.m. The motion was approved
by a vote of 5-0-0.
The following persons were interviewed for positions on the Ice
Rink Siting Advisory Committee: Bobbie Botticelli, Martin Cur-
ley, Kevin Downey, Kevin Fulgoni, Harold Hulse, William Jennings,
Mike McCaffrey, Barbara Scott, Tom Stohlman, Peter Tedesco,
Steven Thomases, and John Wood. On motion by Ensminger, seconded
by Hoyt, the following names were placed in nomination for the
"Engineering Expertise" seat on this committee: Downey, Jen-
nings, McCaffrey, Thomases, Wood, Stohlman. On the first vote,
Jennings received two votes, McCaffrey received two votes,
Thomases received one vote, and the others received none. On a
re-vote of the three who received votes in the first vote, McCaf-
frey received four votes and was appointed to the Committee.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the following names
were placed in nomination. representing the "Real Estate and Land
Development" seat on the committee: Botticelli, Curley, Fulgoni,
Scott, and Tedesco. IBotticelli received two votes, Curley
received three votes and Curley was appointed to the Committee.
Selectmen's Minutes - 10/22/91 - Page 4
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, Harold Hulse was
nominated to serve on the Ice Rink Siting Advisory Committee,
representing "Conservation Interests. " The motion was approved
by a vote of 5-0-0. -
On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, Nelson Burbank was
nominated to a position of the donor on the Ice Rink Siting Ad-
visory Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, George Hines was
nominated to fill the Selectmen's position on the Ice Rink Siting
Advisory Committee. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-1,
with Hines abstaining.
The Board interviewed Edward Hanley, Steven Sullivan, and Thomas
Zaya for positions on the Recreation Committee.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, the three names were
placed in nomination for a term expiring 6-30-93 . Sullivan
received five votes and was appointed by the Board of Selectmen
to a position as a regular member on the Recreation Committee for
a term expiring 6-30-93.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, Edward Hanley and
Thomas Zaya were nominated to serve in the position of Associates
on the Recreation Committee. Each member received five votes and
were appointed to serve as Associate Members on the Recreation
Committee for a terms expiring 6-30-92.
On motion by Hines, seconded by Ensminger, agenda item 7a was
taken off the table. The secretary read the notice of the public
hearing. Bruce Berger and Arthur Bent both spoke in favor of
being able to be open on the two Sundays in question until 11:00
p.m. On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted
to close the public hearing at 11: 13 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines, the Board approved the
opening of Uptown Liquors, Square Liquors, and Reading Liquors on
Sunday, December 22 , 1991 and Sunday, December 29, 1991 from
12 : 00 noon until 8:00 p.m. pursuant to Section 316 of Chapter 150
of the Acts of 1990, and Section 181 of Chapter 653 of the Acts
of 1989 . The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Both
Selectmen Ensminger and Hines indicated that they would listen
for any concerns about under-age drinking and this might color
their view of any future approval of being open these days.
The Board took Item 8h off the table again. This is the issue of
street lights, and Mr. Gange and Mr. Natale from Grey Coach Lane
both spoke. The Board determined to go ahead with the turnoff of
all street lights that were on the list previously approved, in-
cluding two on Grey Coach, one on Carriage, and one on Salem. On - .
motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines, the Board voted that the
street light at 251-256 West Street be re-illuminated. The mo-
tion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Hines and Graham
voting against.
ROUT RSFX POLE PSFX LOCATION WATT TYP
89 1 10 THORNDIKE STREET 100 MV
68 68 46 JOHANNA DRIVE 100 MV
79 31 186 SALEM STREET . 100 HPS
79 28 170 SALEM STREET 100 HPS
86 1 OPPOSITE 10 SPRING STREET 100 MV
13 57 OPP. KILLAM "DO NOT ENTER" DRIVEW 100 MV
13 47 288 CHARLES STREET 100 MV
13 45 270 CHARLES STREET 100 MV
94 13 128 WAKEFIELD STREET 50 HPS
321 5 36 COLONIAL DRIVE 100 MV
303 19 118 BEAVER ROAD 50 HPS
811 1 3 CARRIAGE LN (UG) 50 HPS } ��
810 5 56 GREY COACH ROAD (UG) 50 HPS AP'Lil
810 3 33 GREY COACH ROAD (UG) 50 HPS ��
-8-96 E)PPE)S-I nom -6914TH STRERT 60--HP-6
91 16 VILLAGE ST INDUSTRIAL PARK ENT. 100 HPS
61 2 12 MIDDLE ST 100 HPS
825 3 52-54 PLEASANT STREET 400 MV
90 2 18 UNION STREET 100 MV
61 1 FLOODLIGHT: CORNER UNION & MIDDLE 400 HPS
90 4 28 UNION STREET 100 MV
102 4 26 WILSON STREET 100 MV
79 8 OPPOSITE 48 SALEM STREET 100 HPSt�i
38 1 ON HARRISON @ SALEM STREET 100 MV
346 3 25 LANDERJSLd�ROAD 06 2I�1 ST. 100 MV
ffps
259 1 NORTHEAST CORNER SANDRA & WILLIAM 100 MV
27 36 520 FRANKLIN ST 100 HPS
232 1 MEADOW BROOK LANE AT FRANKLIN 100 MV
204 1 4 TWIN OAKS RD 100 MV
335 3 15 APPLEGATE LANE 100 HPS
255 2 7 MARK AVENUE 100 MV
84 3 AT STATE DPW CAUSEWAY RD 100 HPS
42 8 42 HIGHLAND ST 100 HPS
92 23 VINE ST, 1001 SOUTH OF ARBOR WAY 100 MV
24 2 89 GRAND ST 100 MV
76 14 60 PROSPECT ST 100 MV
76 10 94 PROSPECT ST 100 MV
114 4 26 GLEN RD 100 MV
316 9 378 SUMMER AVE ON BUCKINGHAM DR 50 HPS
225 4 14 OVERLOOK RD 100 MV
98 29 OPPOSITE #157 WEST ST 100 HPS
98 36 196 WEST ST 100 HPS
287 5 34 ASH HILL RD 50 HPS •
193 7 OPPOSITE 35 PINE RIDGE RD 100 MV
295 6 51 AVALON RD L 100 MV
taw
IrAL y7
ibs Yj 80 z 8 138
Selectmen's Minutes - 10/22/91 - Page 5
On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, Item 6c was taken off
-; the table. The Town Manager indicated the need to hire an ap-
praiser at Grade 14, Step 4 . After a six-month probationary
period, the candidate would be at the same pay grade as the ap-
praiser who had previously left. Hines expressed concern about
not hiring in-house or hiring at the starting step for the grade,
and therefore saving money. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by
Hoyt, the Board voted to authorize the Board of Assessors to hire
Ellen Sullivan as an Appraiser at a salary of $39,332.00, which
is Grade 14, Step 4 of the compensation plan of the Town of Read-
ing, in accordance with Section 6b (2c) of the Personnel
Policies. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hines
opposed.
Hines suggested that we schedule a meeting next Tuesday to deal
with the issues on the agenda that had not been concluded this
evening--specifically the review of the Subsequent Town Meeting
Warrant, position on Senate Bill 1647, and the Capital Planning
Process. The majority of the Board felt that such a meeting was
not necessary, and that these items could be handled at the meet-
ing on November 5, 1991.
On motion by Graham, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to go
into Executive Session for the purpose of Labor Negotiations and
approval of minutes, and not to come out into open session. All
five member present voted in the affirmative and the Board ad-
journed to Executive Session at 11:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary /�