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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting November 5, 1991 The meeting was convened at 7:33 p.m. in the Selectmens Meeting, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Russ Graham and' George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following interested parties : Jane Allen , Penny Richards , William Robertson, Anthony Fletcher, Jim Keigley, Camille Anthony, Jen- nifer Lachmayr. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Graham the Minutes of October 22, 1991 were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports George Hines indicated that the Ice Rink Siting Advisory Com- mittee has met and will be meeting at least every other Wednes- day. George Hines was selected Chairman and Nelson Burbank was elected Vice Chairman. Sally Hoyt gave her report on Recreation registrations,, flu and blood pressure clinics, surplus food distribution, and the Thanksgiving Dinner. She also reported on a three-part series on small claims on Channel 7. She attended a VNA Awards Night. She received a complaint that a meter reader was out on Saturday presumably on an overtime basis. She had been contacted by a resident who sells timers for street lights. That information :. has been passed along to the RMLD. Eugene Nigro expressed concern about the pumpkin drop and hoped that that program would cease next year. He has also received calls about the water and sewer bills, and has asked Gail Wood to review where we are going with water and sewer. He attended a reception for Lt. Governor Cellucci and Representative Krekorian. The FinCom Appointment Committee will be meeting on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. Russ Graham had no report. Public Comment Ruth Cogan introduced Jane Allen, VNA Middlesex East; Dawn Strong, Healthstop; and Mary Nobrega, Visiting Nurse and Health Care. The Board of Selectmen gave community service awards to these three businesses who are providing blood pressure clinics in the Town of Reading after that program had to be dropped by the Town. Chairman Nigro indicated that Dickie Doucette was home from the hospital and is seriously ill and would appreciate cards, letters or other expressions of good health from residents who know him. The Town Manager indicated that the tax rate has been set at $14. 13 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. He reviewed the budget guidelines to Department Heads, indicating that total revenues available to the Town would be over $1, 000, 000 less for FY93 than for FY92. He indicated that license renewals have gone Selectmens Minutes - 11/5/91 - page 2 out. He reviewed the issue of the liquor license. for Square Liq- uors. This facility has again sold to an under-age minor, and criminal proceedings are taking place. There will need to be action with regard to the license. Russ Graham indicated that he is concerned about the lack of quorums at FinCom meetings, and suggested that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen review attendance issues with the Chairman of the Finance Committee at the FinCom Appointment Committee meeting, and consider removing. members of the FinCom who do not attend. The full Board expressed support for such action. Eugene Nigro reviewed Bill 6133 , the recycling bill, and expressed concern about the mandatory nature of the proposal and the fact that it is unfunded. George Hines indicated that there is a citizen's forum on commut- ing. It will be held at Malden City Hall on November 7 at 7:30 p.m. He also expressed concern about vandalism in the parks and specifically at Hunt Field. He suggested that neighbors be vigilant with regard to such actions. The Board interviewed Lois Bond for a position on the Mystic Val- ley Elder Services Board. Rheta McKinley was not present to be interviewed. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines Lois Bond and Rheta McKinley were both nominated for a position on the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board for a term expiring 9/30/94. Bond received one vote, McKinley received three, and McKinley was reappointed. The Selectmen indicated their support for incum- bents if they are doing the job appropriately. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board voted to approve the DPW Contract expiring 6/30/92 by vote of 4-0-0. The Board congratulated the Town Manager on achieving a settlement in this contract and expressed appreciation to the DPW employees for set- tling on a 0% increase contract considering the difficult finan- cial times. Discussion/Action Items Tony Fletcher and Bill Robertson appeared before the Board of Selectmen to review a number of Public Works issues. They reviewed a list of street improvement projects and priorities, and suggested that the Board review these and make any comments. Once this process is completed we should publicize this list so that the public is aware of the direction its Town is proceeding. The status of the improvements to the Water Treatment Plant were reviewed. The Phase 1 improvements are completed and are operat- ing very successfully. The Phase 2 improvements - the removal of the lagoons - is on hold pending outcome of an MWRA review. p The Public Works Director reviewed the completion of the soil remediation on the former landfill site. The project is com- pleted and under budget. Camille Anthony appeared before the Board of Selectmen to talk b Selectmens Minutes - 11/5/91 - page 3 about Article 9 on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. They felt that this property should be taken in the name of conserva- tion rather than for general municipal purposes. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board of Selectmen voted to support acceptance of the gift of land for Plat 47 Lot 4 by vote of 4-0- 0. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Graham the Board voted to support the acceptance of the gift of land for Plat 47 Lot 4, and that it be accepted for conservation purposes. The motion was approved by a vote 3-1-0 with Hines opposed. Hines felt that we should use some time to evaluate whether this should be conservation land and it could be turned over to Conservation at a later date. Nancy Shipes appeared before the Board of Selectmen with the Com- munity Planning and Development Commission members, Mark Favaloro who is Chairman of the Master Plan Advisory Committee, and Town Planner Jonathan Edwards. Mark Favaloro presented the general outline of the Master Plan. Jonathan Barnes reviewed the priority areas for action. The Main Street program to enhance commercial environment in Town was considered a high priority. The Board of Selectmen along with CPDC members discussed the need for the Plan to be a dynamic document. The Board of Selectmen requested a copy of the Master Plan and loose leaf format so that it could be amended easily. They also suggested that this be a ............. periodic agenda item on the Board of Selectmen' s agendas - quarterly. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to table items 8a, b, and i until after 11:00. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board reviewed the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. Graham will give the Sale of Real Estate Report, Ensminger will give the status of the Water Treatment Plant and Wellfield Cleanup Report, Graham will give the report on the status of the DPW Cleanup, Hines will give a report on the Ice Rink status. Nigro will move to table Article 3 on Capital Improvements. Hines will move Ar- ticles 4, 5 and 6. On motion by Hines seconded by Graham the Board voted 4-0-0 to support Article 7 but to not do the work now. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to recommend Article 8 by vote of 4-0-0. Hoyt will give the presentation. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board voted to recom- mend Article 10 by vote of 4-0-0. Beth Klepeis will give the mo- tion on the Pension Reform Law - Article 10. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board voted to recom- mend the subject matter of Article 11 - Bond Recisions - by vote of 4-0-0. Graham will give the motion. The Board decided to take no position on Article 12 . On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 13 by a vote of 4-0-0. Ensminger will give the motion. Selectmens Minutes - 11/5/91 - page 4 Hines will give the report on Article 14. On motion by Hines seconded by Graham the Board voted to indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 16 - amending the Scenic Road Bylaw - by vote of 4-0-0. Ensminger will make the motion. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 17 by vote of 4-0-0. Hines will give the report. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Articles 18 and 19 by vote of 4-0-0. Hines will give the motion on Article 19. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend Article 20 - Distribution of FinCom Reports - by vote of 3-1-0 with Graham opposed. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to recommend Article 21 be indefinitely postponed. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and Ensminger will give the report. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to accept donation of land for conservation purposes Plat 99 Lot 23 on Bond Street by vote of 4-0-0 . This will be added to the adjacent Maillett conservation lands. Graham and Hoyt volunteered to form a separate committee to review the logo for the Newsletter. They suggested that input -; from staff would be appropriate. The Selectmen will make a deci- sion on November 19 so that it can be used in the Newsletter of December 1. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board voted to adjourn at 11:35 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted: >StYl7 Secret y