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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING September 26, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m. at the Lecture Hall, Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, Mas- sachusetts. Present were Chairman Graham, Vice Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Ensminger, Selectmen Russell and Nigro, Town Manager Hechenbleikner and the following list of residents: Brad Latham, Joseph & Loretta Cloonan, Starr Cloonan, Bill Cotreau, William E. Locke, David Reid, Charles N. Gilligan, Ed Marchand, Thomas C. Troy, Bob Silva, Kevin O'Donnell, Bill Carroll, Steven R. Sul- livan, Paul and LuAnn MacKinnon, Len Redfern, Bill Hughes, Ed Ciampa, and Arnold Berger. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler, the Board approved a proclamation for the Knights of Columbus by a vote of 5-0-0. Reverend Reid and Deacon Locke from the First Baptist Church of Reading were present, and presented a check for the Human Serv- ices Revolving Fund to Ruth Cogan, Director of Human Services. The Board expressed their appreciation on behalf of the Town, and the needy residents of the Town for whom these funds will be spent. Chief Redfern introduced Paul MacKinnon, Reading's newest firefighter. Mr. MacKinnon is in the Fire Academy and will be graduated within the next two or three weeks. Chief Edward Marchand introduced the newest Lieutenant in the Police Department -- Lieutenant Michael Cloonan. Mr. Cloonan's appointment became effective Sunday, September 24, 1989. On motion by Russell, seconded by Nigro, the Board closed the Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board held a public hearing on the Leaf Composting Policy. Mr. Frank Burke, a resident, expressed interest and support for the program. Resident Kevin O'Connell asked why the compost facility was not open all year. The Town Manager responded that the composting is still in a trial situation, and that it is con- ceivable that if successful this fall, the facility may be open longer hours. There are also budget constraints. Chairman Graham indicated that the Solid Waste Policy Committee was work- ing towards recycling of all materials in Reading. Ben Nichols from the Town Forest Committee and Land Bank Committee objected to the work that has been done to establish the composting facility on the right side of Strout Avenue. The objection was to the clearing of trees. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to close the public hearing by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Russell, the Board voted to adopt the policy as presented by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board opened the hearing on the Mobil Station gasoline per- mit. This permit will replace 24, 000 gallons of underground tank Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/26/89 - Page 2 capacity with 32, 000 gallons of underground tank capacity in ac- cordance with the application. The new tanks will be double- walled fiberglass with sophisticated alarm systems, in accordance with Mobil Oil's agreement with the State D.E.P. to replace all underground tanks in the Commonwealth by mid-1990. Mr. Burt Syn - nott, a nearby resident on Summer Avenue, expressed concern about vapors, but admitted that the vapors have not been a problem for the last three years since Mobil has been running the station. There was much discussion on the vapor recovery system. Resident John Drinkwater was concerned about the overflow spill collec- tors, and the effect that they may have on nearby residents in creating noise. He cited his problems with the Exxon Station on South Main Street. On motion by Russell, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to close the public hearing by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Russell, seconded by Ziegler, the Board voted to ap- prove the application for gasoline storage license for the Mobil Oil Station at 178 Main Street, by a vote of 5-0-0. Steven Sullivan and Bill Carroll were present to request Selectmen's approval to build a press box and restroom facility in the area of the softball field on Birch Meadow Drive. A let- ter of support from the Recreation Committee was read into the record. The Board expressed some concern about how this two- story building would look in the Birch Meadow complex, and the Board members will meet informally, on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with the proponents of the building to view the site. The building is proposed to be 36 feet long by 14 feet wide by 18 feet high, and will be built and maintained at no cost to the Town. The Town Manager noted that the appeal of the water bill by Ryan was withdrawn. The Board deferred discussion on the release of Executive Session Minutes to a future meeting. Finance Director Beth Klepeis and Town Accountant Richard Foley reviewed the Pension Reform Bill with the Board of Selectmen. Chief Edward Marchand and Lieutenant Robert Silva reviewed the Tactical Police Force and Special Operations Unit with the Board of Selectmen. The TPF consists of 80 people, 5 from Reading. They train approximately 8 hours per month and the Special opera- tions Unit has been used four times in Reading since 1986. The training is excellent, and the total cost to the Town of Reading is approximately $10,000 in overtime paid. Chief Redfern reviewed a proposed schedule of fire permits and fees with the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Russell, seconded by Ensminger, the Town Manager was directed to come back to the Board with a policy to establish the revised fees. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Liaison Reports Molly Ziegler indicated that the Housing Partnership Committee was going to meet Wednesday night; John Russell indicated that he Board of Selectmen Minutes - 9/26/89 - Page 3 had attended a Reading Municipal Light Department meeting earlier this evening; Dan Ensminger indicated that he had attended two CPDC meetings regarding Pearl Street School, and had attended the North Suburban Planning Council Meeting. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to ad- journ the meeting at 11:25 p.m. =espectfullydsscc submitted, Secretary I 7, t