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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting November 19, 1991 The meeting was convened at 7:41 p.m. in- the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Eugene Nigro, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectman Russell Graham. Selectman George Hines ar- rived. late. Also present were the following interested citizens: Irving L. Stackpole, Judith Hunt Gabriel, Gary Demopoulos, Paul Dustin, Leslie York, Irene York, William Horan, Chief Marchand, Detective Flynn, Lt. Patterson, Janet Bither, Ms. McCarthy, Don Young, Donald Lloyd, Deirdre Hanley. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Graham the minutes of November 5,. 1991 were approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Sally Hoyt indicated that Thanksgiving baskets are being put together by the Department of Human Services, and that Thanksgiv- ing dinners for seniors would be provided by Harrows and others. Saturday there will be a Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors at the RMHS cafeteria. She indicated that the West Street street light has not been turned back on. Selectmen Graham indicated that he had attended a reception spon- sored by Representative Krekorian for Governor Weld. Friday he is meeting with the Town Manager, the Director of Public Works, and Senators Tisei and Buell regarding MWRA issues related to Phase II of the Water Treatment Plan. Dan Ensminger indicated that he has talked with School Committee members about the budget, and hopes we will have a strategic planning process across School/Town lines. He also indicated that the-e were two situations brought to his attention about no garbage pickup on Saturday. Eugene Nigro introduced Town Moderator Paul Dustin. Mr. Dustin reported that the Finance Committee Appointment Committee has ap- pointed Carroll McMillan to fill an unexpired term through 6/30/94 . He also passed out invitations to Parker Tavern' s holiday festivities. Eugene Nigro-indicated that he had also at- tended the reception for Governor Weld. The 350th Committee is having a Mug and Muffin event on Saturday from 9 : OO a.m. to 12 : 00. He has attended a meeting of the Library Planning Com- mittee. George Hines indicated the Ice Rink Siting Advisory Committee has met three times and will have the work done by February. Public Comments Gene Nigro indicated that he had received a telephone call from Ed Canney from North Reading expressing concerns about quotes in the Chronicle related to regional building inspection. He also --has received calls about why we have to have paper bags for leaf collection and whether or not there are some alternatives. The Town Manager is looking into it and for the next leaf season we may have some alternate collection methods. i Selectmens Minutes - 11/5/91 - page 2 Personnel and Appointments Irving Stackpole was interviewed for the position on the Council on Aging expiring 6/30/92 . On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger he was appointed to a term on the Council on Aging ex- piring 6/30/92 by vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager introduced Judith Hunt Gabriel, the winner of the newsletter logo contest. The Board congratulated her on win- ning this award, and a gift certificate for dinner at Ida's was presented by Ms McCarthy from Ida's. Arnold Berger presented to the Board of Selectmen an enlarged copy of the 1991 Reading Common postcard. Members of the Board and the Town Manager made contributions to the Common Lighting Fund. Public Hearing The Secretary read the notice on the liquor license suspension for P & S Liquors d/b/a Square Liquors. Chief Marchand indicated that on October 18 the Police Department had arrested an 18-year- old youth who pled guilty to buying alcholic beverages underage, and who indicated that he had purchased the liquor at Square Liq- uors. On November 1 in the presence of police officers a 19 year old purchased alcholic beverages at the same establishment. Mr. William Horan, owner of the establishment, has talked to the clerk and the clerk does not remember the incident. He indicated that Square Liquors has assisted the Police Department in trying to enforce laws against underage people buying liquor. They have turned in at least one individual for fraudulent use of a Mas- sachusetts drivers license. Selling to minors is not a common practice. Mr. Horan indicated that he is trying to sell the store. Lt. Patterson reiterated the history that led up to the November 1 .incident. He indicated that the Police Department has given warnings in the past for selling to underage individuals. The question was raised as to whether or not a clerk has to be 21 years old to sell liquor and the Chief indicated that the clerk can be as young as 18 years old. Donald Lloyd spoke on behalf of the owner of Square Liquors. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board voted to close the hearing at 8 : 30 p.m. by vote of 5-0-0. The Board asked for the Chief's recommendation, and he recommended a six-day suspension. He indicated that the ABCC has as guidelines two- to seven-days suspension for the first offense, seven- to 14-days for the second offense and 30 days for the third offense. George Hines asked if there was a relationship between the time between in- stances and the level of penalty. The Chief indicated that he was not sure. The Board all expressed a great deal of concern that this incident happened within five months of a previous similar incident. Dan Ensminger indicated that he would inclined to suspend the Sunday openings scheduled for the 22nd and 29th of December. Russ Graham--indicated that he would move for a 14-day -- suspension. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board of Selectmen voted as licensing authority to suspend the license of i Selectmens Minutes - 11/19/91 - page 3 I P & B Liquors d/b/a Square Liquors for 14 days between December f 18 and December 31, 1991. The motion was passed by a vote of 3- 2-0. The Town Manager pointed out that the time period was not actually 14 days suspension because liquor could not be sold on December 25 . On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board moved for reconsideration by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Graham seconded by Hines the Board voted as licens- ing authority to suspend the license of P & B Liquors d/b/a Square Liquors for 14 days between December 17 and December 31, 1991, for selling liquor to a minor in violation of Chapter 138 Section 34. The motion was approved by a. vote of 3-2-0 with Hoyt and Ensminger voting against. Deirdre Hanley presented the Library Planning Study ' to the Board of Selectmen. There is an involved process that has to be com- pleted by October 1, 1994 . However if it is completed by 'the end of FY92, then the Town becomes eligible for a $5,000 grant. She characterized the plan as a business plan for the Library. The presentation discussed all the details of the program and the Board asked a number of questions specifically about continued accreditation of the Library because of current budget cuts. The Board discussed the capital planning process. Issues that need to be dealt with are: who should establish and appoint a Capital Planning Committee; how the Town should establish levels of capital spending and debt levels ; what the general policy should be in determining what a capital improvement is; and es- tablishing a system of prioritizing and evaluating capital project requests. The consensus was that it should be an inde- pendent group not representing members of various boards/committees/commissions. The Town Manager suggested that we need to be sure that such a process conforms to the Charter in terms of the Town Manager developing the Capital Improvement Program. It was suggested that a Capital Improvement Committee could work with the Capital Improvement Programs the same way as the Finance Committee works with the budget. The Board agreed to set up an ad-hoc committee or task force to prepare a warrant ar- ticle for the Spring Town Meeting which would establish a stand- ing Capital Improvement Committee. Dan Ensminger indicated that he would work with the Town Manager on this matter and that it would be scheduled for the next meeting. The Board discussed its meeting schedule for the remainder of this year and early next year. A revised Management Calendar will include changes in the schedule. The Board talked about the financial reports that were presented. They will review them and make a decision on what kind of finan- cial report they are looking for at their next meeting. The --- Board asked that at the meeting on December 10 the Town Manager present and defend the revenue projections, and. that there also be information developed on a furlough plan so that reductions can be made as equitably as possible. The Town Manager indicated his very strong belief that the necessary reductions in the municipal budget could not be made without significant reductions Selectmens Minutes - 11/19/91 - page 4 in services, and elimination of positions. He outlined the Town's history of being able to make those reductions with as few layoffs as possible. The Town Manager indicated that the letter to the editor regard- ing Pearl Street School was inaccurate. The Town has not forced any tenants out, and the Town is looking for a long-term tenant. The Town Manager also indicated that he has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Board of .Selectmen in North Reading regarding the regional inspection program and that would be copied to the Read- ing Board of Selectmen. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hines the Board voted to restrict traffic on Haven Street from Main to High Street on Sunday December 1 from 12 :30 p.m. to 4:OO. p.m. at the request of the Chamber of Commerce, with the provision that one lane be left open to traffic in a manner suitable to the Chief of Police. Additionally the street will need to be returned by the Chamber of Commerce to its usual pristine condi- tion. The purpose of the closing is for a hayride sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce relative to the celebration of the tree lighting on the Common. The motion was approved by a vote of 4- 1-0 with Graham voting against. He felt that he did not have enough information to make this decision. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to permit the RMHS Bandparents to sell poinsettias on a portion of the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street between Woburn Street and the grassed alleyway that goes to the parking lot in the rear of the stores. The date will be 11/23/91 and the hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 1: 00 p.m. The Town Manager will have ultimate approval following a review of merchants' concerns if any. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager recruited each of the members of the Board of Selectmen and Mrs. Nigro to assist with the Thanksgiving celebra- tion on Saturday. This is a dinner that will be provided to senior citizens at the RHMS cafeteria. On motion by Graham seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to adjourn at 10: 55 p.m. by vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted: Uu''1 Secre ry