HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 9, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's
Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chair-
man Graham, Vice Chairman Ensminger, Secretary Hines, Selectmen
Hoyt and Nigro, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the
following: Mary Ellen Schloss, Steven Landau, Holly Spousta,
Bill Brown, Fred Van Magness, Debbie McCulley, Jonathan Barnes,
Jonathan Edwards, William E.Goodrich, Richard Howard, Joe Veno,
Nate White, Henry Lurzdorf, Barbara Carolan, Ron Kaczynski. On
motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Ex-
ecutive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate nego-
tiations, to be back in open session at approximately 8: 00 p.m.
All five members voting in the affirmative, the motion was
carried.
At 8: 15 p.m. the Board came back into public session. On motion
by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the minutes of September 25, 1990 were
approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Ensminger abstaining.
Liaison Reports
Under Liaison Reports, Russ Graham asked the Board for a moment
of silence in memory of Miriam Barclay, Town Historian.
Gene Nigro indicated that he had attended the hearing on train
noise and heard a lot of complaints. He felt that the Board of
Selectmen should take more of a leadership position in this
issue.
Goerge Hines indicated that he had attended the Master Plan Ad-
visory Committee meeting at which there was a summary of statis-
tics. At that meeting they also discussed mass transit issues.
They have scheduled another meeting in two weeks, and the momen-
tum is gaining on getting the master plan process completed.
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Russ Graham indicated that he had attended the League of Women
Voters recycling program. Plastics recycling on a voluntary
basis will begin this month.
Dan Ensminger indicated that he has had talks with residents
regarding MBIA noise. In addition, he has attended School
Department meetings regarding the survey of community informa-
tion, and also the school census update.
Sally Hoyt attended the MBTA meetings and has had calls. The
noise continues as before with only one "peaceful" day. The
Board---of Selectmen needs to be involved in this. She attended
the memorial service for Miriam Barclay. She also attended call-
ing hours for Mrs. Castine, mother of Detective David Saunders.
The Recreation Division is offering two afternoon programs. The
Meals on Wheels delivered one extra meal for the holiday, and
Elder Services distributed MBIA passes. -
Debby McCulley from Friends of the Playground was present to give
a report to the Board of Selectmen and to ask for the Board of
Board of Selectmen Minutes - 10/9/90 -. page 2
Selectmen's support. The Board members individually made dona-
tions to the Imagination Station program.
Public Comment
Under Public Comment, Bill Brown reminded the Board that the
Reading Diner and Winslow's both had juke boxes in the-past- with
no apparent problems. He also indicated that the possibility of
a parking ban on southbound Main Street from 6: 30 to 9: 00 a.m.
from Haven Street to the Railroad would work since a similar ban
is in effect in Stoneham. He also expressed concern that the
Board would consider putting in four-way stop signs if , they are
not legal. We should try to get the law changed. In addition
Mr. Brown reminded the Board that a traffic and transit study was
done within the last 10 years and that he would be glad to share
his copy of it. George Hines indicated that his understanding is
that four-way stop signs do not violate the law, and Joe Veno,
Traffic Safety Officer, indicated that four-way stop signs have
been done in other communities, but it has been done by slipping
several permits through the Mass DPW.
Steven Landau and Mary Ellen Schloss were present to make a
presentation on MetroPlan 2000. Bill Brown, Jonathan Edwards,
George Hines, Gene Nigro, and Russ Graham spoke regarding the
process and concerns about the cost of implementation.
Henry Lursdorf appeared regarding the request for an entertain-
ment license for a juke box at the Pizza Hop, 1349 Main Street,
Reading. On motion by Nigro seconded by Hoyt the Board approved
an entertainment license for a juke box at 1349 Main Street to
expire 12-30-90. Sally Hoyt, Gene Nigro, Russ Graham and George
Hines indicated that they had visited the site. The motion was
approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Mr. Lursdorf withdrew the license
application for an amusement device for a pinball machine.
The Board discussed the proposed traffic modifications to Charles
and Main Street. Suggestions were made that Option 1 which would
allow northbound traffic to enter Charles and westbound traffic
to exit Charles onto northbound Main Street only could be
modified to allow a left turn onto Main Street from Charles. In-
formation from effected parties was made available to the Board
in terms of letters to the Board. Joe Veno, Traffic Safety Of-
ficer, ' strongly recommended against allowing a left turn onto
Main Street. He felt that sight distance would be further l/
restricted under the design of Option 1. Jonathan Edwards sug-
gested an option of restricting the left turn during the a.m.
peak. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Nigro the Board voted
4-1-0 to approve Option 1 with traffic movements permitted as
follows - northbound Main Street to be able to turn right onto
Charles Street; and westbound Charles Street traffic to be able
to turn onto northbound Main Street. Sally Hoyt was the vote
against, feeling that traffic safety was the major concern. The
Board directed that the modifications at the southwest corner be
designed so that either Option 1 or Option 2 could be put into
effect at a later date if needed.
Board of Selectmen Minutes - 10/9/90 - page 3
Joe Veno indicated to the Board of Selectmen that the redesign
and construction at Oak and Summer Streets was excellent - one of
the best improvements made for traffic flow in this Town.
On motion by Hines seconded by Nigro the Board approved a
proclamation for National Business Womens' Week by vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board approved a
proclamation for Henry Vik by a vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to go
into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate
negotiations, litigation, and labor negotiations. All five mem-
bers voted in the affirmative and the open session was closed at
10:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Secretary