HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Minutes
September 11, 1989
Meeting convened at 7:42 p.m. in the Senior Center, Pearl Street
School, 75 Pearl Street. Present were: Chairman Graham, Vice
Chairman Ziegler, Selectmen Nigro and Russell and Town Manager -
Peter I. Hechenbleikner. Members of the public present: Bill
Brown, Deborah Berendtsen, Susan Hennessey, Richard Dempster,
Leonard Rucker, Phil Pacino. Secretary Ensminger came at 8:40
p.m.
Minutes
The minutes of 7-18-89 were approved with corrections on motion
by Nigro seconded by Ziegler by vote of 4-0-0. The minutes of 8-
21-89 will be revised by the Town Manager and resubmitted.
Liaison Reports
Russell introduced Light Board Chairman Phil Pacino and General
Manager Len Rucker who reviewed the proposed RMLD settlement with
Wilmington. Home rule legislation will be needed, and local sup-
port from the four communities will be needed for this. On mo-
tion by Russell seconded by Ziegler the Board of Selectmen voted
to support the agreement and endorse its implementation by vote
of 4-0-0.
Nigro indicated that he would be meeting with elders at the Meal
Site next Thursday for dessert to discuss with any interested
citizens the changes in the budget and fees for services.
Ziegler attended the REAP open house; the Senior Citizen Reloca-
tion Committee met last week with regard to Bill Brown's question
on renting space. Ziegler also attended the Zoning Board of Ap-
peals Hearing on Rogan and indicated the ZBA didn't act because
it was not a timely appeal and the matter was in court.
Graham indicated that the Solid Waste Committee had met and dis-
cussed charging for trash. They felt that the time to do that
would be FY91 as we go to full-scale recycling. Chairman Graham
is on the program for the League of Women Voter's meeting on
Tuesday night to talk about issues within the Town; the Depot
Task Force is on later this evening for discussion; composting
will be discussed later this evening. Chairman Graham also dis-
tributed A Parent's Guide to Substance Abuse Prevention which
was prepared by the Town Health Division.
Nigro also indicated that a copy of the composite evaluation of
the Town Manager was submitted in the packet, and the Board needs
to review this document along with adding the goals and objec-
tives and get this material back to Dan Ensminger or Gene Nigro.
Nigro also reminded the Board that the training session for Board
volunteers will be on Thursday, September 28 . Nigro also at-
tended the New England Memorial Hospital's 90th birthday celebra-
tion.
Appointments
The Board interviewed Deborah L. Berndtson and Susan C. Hennessey
for the Ad Hoc Pearl Street School Planning Committee. On motion
,1
i
9-11-89 Minutes - Page 2
by Nigro seconded by Ziegler both names were put into nomination,
and Ms Berndtson and Ms Hennessey were appointed to terms on this
i .
Ad Hoc Committee by vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Russell the Board appointed John
M. Pirone to a term on the Reading Housing Authority to a term
expiring 6/30/91, by a vote of 4-0-0.
On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board appointed
Richard Dempster, in his position as a local banker, to a posi-
tion on the Reading Housing Partnership Committee for a term ex-
piring 6/30/92, by vote of 5-0-0.
Public Hearing
The public hearing on the policy on Ambulance Billing was opened.
The Town Manager explained the proposed policy. On motion by
Ziegler seconded by Russell the hearing was closed by vote of 5-
0-0.
On motion by Russell seconded by Nigro the policy on Ambulance
Billing was approved by vote of 5-0-0.
Discussion and Action Items
The Board discussed the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting and
assigned members of the Board to make motions and give background
on the various articles . The Board decided to move to in-
definitely postpone articles 10 and 11 regarding a trash user's
f� fee.
The Board reviewed the possible Warrant for the Subsequent Town
Meeting, and any comments will be made directly to the Town
Manager.
On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board approved the
sale of candy for the Youth Baton Squad as requested by vote of
5-0-0.
The appellant on the water bill did not show for the meeting and
this will be rescheduled.
The Town Manager updated the Board of Selectmen on the compost
site issues. A proposed policy providing for mandatory compost-
ing during the months of October and November was reviewed by the
Board and will be the subject of a hearing on September 26. The
Board gave the go ahead to establish a new compost facility on
the northerly side of Strout Avenue since the State, in spite of
their previous approval, has rescinded approval of last year's
site.
Arnold Berger was present to confirm the donation of 200 shares
of stock to be sold for the purchase of a defibrillator for the
Fire Department. On motion by Russell seconded by Nigro the
Board gratefully accepted the gift of 200 shares of General
Cinema stock, and authorized its sale; the proceeds to be used
- ' for the purchase of a defibrillator for the Fire Department, by
vote of 4-0-0.
9-11-89 Minutes Page 3
The Board reviewed the Superior Police officer's agreement, and
on motion by Russell seconded by Ziegler the Board approved the
signing of the agreement by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Town Manager reviewed the Hoyt retirement. The Town Manager
indicated that the Retirement Board had approved the retirement
and the Town owes eight thousand two hundred eighty-eight
($8,288) dollars in sick leave buyback and vacation. The Town
Manager will make a Reserve Fund transfer request for this pur-
pose.
Bernice Herrick and Pat Driscoll from the Depot Task Force at-
tended the meeting. Following discussion, on motion by Russell
seconded by Ziegler the Board voted to approve a two-hour parking
limit in front of 62-64 Woburn Street and 79-85 Woburn Street for
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. , on vote of 4-
1-0 with Nigro opposed. No other changes in the parking on
Woburn Street were approved. The Board discussed with the repre-
sentatives of the Depot Task Force the MBTA agreement. Bernice
Herrick reported on the August 24 meeting of the Depot Task
Force, and recommended that the contract with the MBIA be for a
period of five years only, and that revenues be split evenly with
the T after Reading's expenses. The Town Manager indicated that
this has been discussed with the T and the T would not approve an
agreement with such changes. The Task Force representatives also
asked why the sidewalk was eight feet wide along High Street, and
they were concerned there was no room for expansion of Reading
spaces based on projected new development in the community. They
were also concerned that with the modifications along High Street
between Washington and Woburn, that there was not adequate space
for cars to double park behind the cars that are parked. Chair-
man Graham indicated that he had grave concern about redoing the
plan. The T had .met the requirements of the Town of Reading in
getting approval of the plan through a public hearing process
with CPDC. The Board of Selectmen agreed that the real issue,
based on imput from the Town Manager and Chairman Graham, is
whether or not we want to sign the agreement with the T as it is.
The Board asked the Task Force to go back and .take a vote on
whether or not they would recommend to the Board of Selectmen ac-
cepting the agreement in the form as written.
On motion by Nigro seconded by Ziegler the Board approved the
lease by REAP of a portion of the High School. This was recom-
mended by the Superintendent of Schools and approved by a vote of
5-0-0.
On motion of Russell seconded by Nigro the Board authorized Town
Counsel to settle the case of Salvatore Santorelli, trustee of
Santor Realty Trust, vs the Town of Reading and the Community
Planning and Development Commission. The vote was 5-0-0, and is
in conformance with the recommendation of the Community Planning
and Development Commission.
On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro the Board approved a Com-
mon Victualer's license for the change in ownership of the Donut
9-11-89 Minutes Page 4
Maker expiring 12/31/89, by vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ziegler seconded by Ensminger the Board voted by
roll call vote to go into Executive Session to approve minutes of
previous Executive Sessions and not to return to Open Session.
All members voted in favor.
After Executive Session, the Board voted on motion of Ensminger
seconded by Nigro to adjourn at 11:55 p.m. , by vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted:
Secretary