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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-07-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Minutes July 18, 1989 The meeting convened at 7:50 p.m. in the Lecture Hall, Reading Memorial High School, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Graham, Vice Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Ensminger, Selectmen Russell, Selectmen Nigro, and Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner. Resi- dents present were: Bill Benhard, Les York, Irene York, Arnold Berger, Alice Collins, Rollie Beane, Aaron D'Antona, Greg Pothier, Bob Beane, Mary J. Andreola, Jerry Pothhe, Bille Brown, Pam Philbrick, Holly Spousta, Lawrence A. Cresta, Dorothyn Drinkwater, Alan Foulds' Ann Micallizzi, Adrienne McMahon, John Drinkwater, John Puzine, Jane Puzine, Irene Bellantone, Nat Bel- lantone, Doug Strong, Jim Chupra, Lance Watson, Nels Nelson, John P. Sullivan, Jr. , Jay Dumas, Kathy Dumas, Kevin Moran, Teresa Moran, John Fallon Jr. , Jim Nugent Jr. , Adele Blunt, Dennis Cronin, Peggy Cronin, Marilyn Corteau, Thomas J. McGrath, Mary Gillis, Pat Driscoll, Tony Torra, Mary Torra, N. Anthony Coles, Chris Copeland, Janice Landry, Betty Cordery, William Cordery, Debby McCulley, M. Curry. Minutes On motion by Nigro seconded by Russell the Board approved the June 30, 1989 minutes by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board approved the June 27, 1989 minutes by vote of 4-0-1, with Ensminger abstain- ing. Liaison Reports Eugene Nigro attended a meeting of the Employee Awards Committee. Dan Ensminger and Eugene Zigro have met to go over the final evaluation of the Town Manager. Russell Graham attended a meeting of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Mr. Graham informed the Board that Reading disposes of 1400 tons of trash. The Board of Selectmen and other Town officials individually donated $35 to Reading's 350th Anniversay celebration. The con- tribution totaled $350. Present to accept these donations was Committeeman Alan "Foulds. Arnold Berger was also present and will match these donations, dollar for dollar. Appointments Board of Health On motion by Ziegler seconded by Ensminger the Board put into nomination the names of James J. Nugent, Mary J. Andreola, Regina M. Snyder, Susan Willson-Goucher. The Board unanimously reap- pointed James J. Nugent by vote of 3-2-0 for a term expiring 6- 30-92. Insurance Committee On motion by Russell seconded by Nigro the Board appointed Pamela Philbrick to the Insurance Committee by vote of 5-0-0 for a term expiring 6-30-92. Minutes 7/18/89 - Page 2 Reading Housing Partnership On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board appointed Wil- liam Denhard to the Reading Housing Partnership by a vote of 5-0- 0 for a term expiring on June 30, 1992. on motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board appointed John Jarema and William Goodrich to the Reading Housing Partnership by a vote of 5-0-0 with terms expiring June 30, 1991. Council on Aging on motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board appointed Mary J. Andreola to the Council on Aging with a term expiring on June 30, 1992 by a vote of 5-0-0. Hazardous Waste On motion by Ensminger seconded by Ziegler the Board appointed John P. Sullivan to the Hazardous Waste Committee by vote of 5-0-0 with a term expiring on June 30 , 1992 . On motion by Ensminger seconded by Ziegler the Board put into nomination for associate membership the following names: James Beggan, Thomas R. Dowd, Richard A. Dunster, Frederick S. Shaffer, Regina M. Snyder, Susan Willson-Goucher. Frederick S. Shaffer and Regina M. Snyder were appointed as associate members with terms expiring on June 30, 1990. Arts Council on motion by Russell seconded by Ensminger the Board appointed -- Alice Collins to the Arts Council for a term expiring on June 30, 1991 by vote of 5-0-0. Public Hearings The Board opened the public hearing regarding the 24 hour opera- tion of the Crestview Exxon Service station on south Main Street. Larry Cresta proprietor was present with his input. Mr. Cresta stated that sales have been off 15% to 18% by his inability to operate 24 hours. Mr. Drinkwater, an abutter to the station, gave a presentation on the reasons why he opposes the 24-hour operation. He is disturbed at night by horns, slamming of hoods, motorcycles etc. Mr. Bellantone, also an abutter, gave a-brief presentation agreeing with Mr. Drinkwater. Mr. John Puzine, another abutter, told the Board that he moved here from Boston because Reading is a "bedroom community" and would like it to stay that way. Mollie Ziegler read a letter that she received from another abutter on South Street opposing the 24-hour opera- tion. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Russell the Board closed the hearing by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Ziegler the Board moved to approve the 24-hour operation of the Crestview Exxon Service Station. The motion was defeated by vote of 0-5-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board approved a vendors license for R.A.G. Ltd. , to sell t-shirts at Birch Meadow Park, Sturgis Park, Memorial Park, and Washington Park, but not in the Field House or pool area, from the hours of 9:00 a.m. to -1-0. dusk, expiring on Labor Day 1989 by vote of 4 Minutes 7/18/89 - Page 3 Taxi Procedures The Board of Selectmen opened the Public Hearing on Taxi Proce- dures. The Secretary read the notice. The Town Manager reviewed the Procedures, and on motion by Nigro seconded by Ziegler the Public Hearing was closed by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ziegler the Procedures were approved by a vote of 5- 0-0. Mr. and Mrs. Gillis and Mr. Hunnefeld appeared before the Board requesting two taxi licenses for a new taxi business in Reading. They indicated that they would have two vehicles, which would be 1985 or 1986 low-mileage vehicles in good running condition. One vehicle would be garaged at 19 Warren Street, Stoneham and the other at 11 Lothrop Road in Reading. They will do trips to Logan Airport, but will not get a Massport license. They feel that there is adequate business in the Town for the existing business as well as a new business. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ziegler two taxi licenses were approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Ms Debbie McCulley appeared before the Board regarding Kidsplace. She made a presentation indicating that although much of the group still prefers Memorial Park site, they found the site across the street from the Coolidge School to be acceptable. The advantages are that they have the 12,000 square feet needed for the Kidsplace Playground, that they have the 40-foot set back from the road, that there is off-street parking for approximately 60 cars, that it is central to the Town, that it is in the Birch Meadow recreation area, that there are no utilities underground affecting the site, that it is highly visible and lit at night, and there are no immediate residential abutters. The Town is being asked to fence the ditch which is estimated to be a $1,200 to $1,400 expense, and remove part of the pavement of the parking lot where the play area needs to be located. Some disadvantages to the site are heavy traffic on Birch Meadow Drive, little shade at the site, easily accessible to two major day care facilities which may innundate the facility. The committee is suggesting that perhaps some of the Higgins property can be used for addi- tional parking in the Birch Meadow area. The committee plains to raise $50,000 which will take approximately one year. The design will take place in the Spring of 1990, with construction in the Fall of 1990. John Fallon indicated that the Recreation Com- mittee voted unanimously to support Kidsplace at the location across from the Coolidge School and the Friends of Kidsplace have also unanimously approved the site. It was also indicated that a maintenance fund will be established which will guarantee main- tenance of the site. Mr. Jay Dumas spoke and indicated concerns about traffic generally. He supports Kidsplace but wants a traffic master plan and traffic plan in place for the whole Birch Meadow area. Three families on John Carver Road expressed the same concerns. The Board indicated that it felt that if these were problems generally then we should look at them, but not blame those problems on Kidsplace which will add minimally to the traffic. On motion by Russell seconded by Ensminger the Board voted 4-1-0 to approve and authorize Kidsplace to be constructed on the park- _ -- --- _ . Minutes 7/18/89 Page 4 ing lot on the south side of Birch Meadow Drive across from the Coolidge School, as recommended by the Recreation Committee. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ziegler the Board approved the ex- ecution of a license agreement with Cronin regarding a septic system by vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board voted to approve the change of manager at Wes Parkers by a vote of 5/0/0. On motion of Nigro seconded by Ziegler the Board voted 5-0-0 to authorize the Town Manager to sign an agreement with the MBTA substantially in the form submitted. Some concerns were addressed by Pat Driscoll from the Depot Area Parking Task Force regarding removal of trees and other issues. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ziegler the Board approved an agreement with the North Suburban Planning Council and approved the bylaws by a vote 5-0-0. On motion by Russell seconded by Nigro the Board authorized the Town Manager to sign an agreement with the Congregational Church regarding parking by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Nigro seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to ad- journ the meeting at 12:05 A.M. Respecfully submitted, Secretary 3;