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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-11-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING n , November 7, 1989 The meeting was convened at 7 : 32 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Reading Memorial High School , 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Graham, Vice Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Ensminger, Selectman Nigro, Town Manager Hechenbleikner and the following list of Reading residents: Bernice Herrick, Pat Dris- coll, Bill Brown, and Steve and Karen Sanborn. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ziegler seconded by Nigro, the minutes of 10-24-89 were approved as corrected by vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Gene Nigro indicated that he had attended the meeting with the Arts Group regarding Pearl Street School. Molly Ziegler indicated that Robert Jenkins had attended the Housing Partnership meeting. Mr. Jenkins is the field repre- sentative, and in order to be a recognized Housing Partnership, Mr. Jenkins has to meet with the group three times. They will be meeting again on 12-5-89. The Partnership needs four more mem- bers. Dan Ensminger indicated that he and the rest of the Selectmen had { attended the MMA meeting. He found the meetings on Solid Waste and Contractural Services especially helpful . He has also reviewed several issues regarding Inwood Park with the Community - ' Development staff. He has also reviewed North Reading g pollution issues and the school building plans. Chairman Graham indicated that he had also attended the MMA meet- ing and attended the session on the Prop 2 1/2 overrides. Last Saturday he and Molly Ziegler attended the dedication of the four units of low income housing on Pleasant Street. These were done by the Housing Authority with Fafard Company. Sunday morning, Mr. Graham was on the Community Exchange program on Channel 3 . Early this evening Mr. Graham attended a meeting with the Town Moderator, Superintendent of Schools, Chairman of the Bylaw Com- mittee, Town Manager, Town Clerk, and Town Counsel regarding Town Meeting procedures. Saturday morning the Town Hall Connector cornerstone laying will be held. Mr. Graham also attended the dedication of the computer room at the Coolidge Middle School which was furnished largely through the efforts of Arnold Berger. He reminded everyone that Town Meeting meets Monday, November 13 in its first session of the Subsequent Town Meeting. Instead of meeting on November 14, the Board of Selectmen agreed to meet on November 21, 1989 at 7: 30 p.m. in their new meeting room in the Town Hall. Public Comment Bernice Herrick asked how we could lay off an individual - the Parking Enforcement Officer - who has generated a significant amount of income in terms of sale of tickets and parking tickets generated. She understands that she can request an instructional Selectmen's Minutes - 11/7/89 - Page 2 motion at Town Meeting to require the rehiring of the individual . Janice Jones asked when the decision was made to lay the in- dividual off. Personnel and Appointments Bob Nordstrand, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, and Nils Nordberg, Assessor, entered the meeting for the purpose of inter- viewing for the vacancy on the Board of Assessors and making an appointment. A letter from Mr. Watt withdrawing from considera- tion was read into the record. David Nugent was interviewed by the four members of the Board of Selectmen and the two members of the Board of Assessors. David Nugent introduced himself as a life-long resident of Reading, a professional real estate ap- praisor who works throughout New England, and a Town Meeting mem- ber. In response to questions, he indicated that he works for Landmark Properties which has done only one appraisal in town in the past. He felt there would be no conflict of interest because he would not do any work in Reading. He would not accept any work that would be a conflict, and felt that it would be no problem. Mr. Nugent indicated that he would be available for oc- casional day meetings as well the normal evening meetings and has discussed this with the president of his company. Mr. Nugent in- dicated that he has been working towards an MAI degree which requires five years work experience and 360 hours of classwork. Mr. Nugent has sat in on several meetings of the Board of Asses- sors and feels he understands the basic role of the Board. He feels that the Assessing Office should work as a whole team, with everyone "on the same page. " On motion by Nordstrand, seconded by Nigro, the motion was made to appoint David Nugent to the unexpired term on the Board of Assessors until the next election, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of William Locke. The vote was unanimous, 6-0-0. Discussion/Action Items The Board discussed the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. Article 36 is sponsored by the Board of Assessors, and Nils Nordberg gave the history of the article. In discussion with the Bylaw Com- mittee and the former vice Chairman of the Charter Commission, the wording on the motion was changed so that the Board of Asses- sors would appoint the Appraisor and Assistant Appraisors. Mr. Nordstrand indicated that the Board of Assessors agrees with the Bylaw Committee's recommendations. Chairman Graham indicated some concern that neither the Town Manager nor the Board of Selectmen nor the Chairman of the Department of Finance was in- vited to make any comments to the Bylaw Committee. Mr. Nordberg indicated that the Town Manager was at the Bylaw Committee meet- ing when this matter was discussed. The Town Manager disagreed. Mr. Nordberg reminded the Board of Selectmen that the compensa- tion for the Appraiser still needs to be reviewed. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Nigro, the Board of Selectmen voted to sup- port the recommendation of the Bylaw Committee on Article 36 by vote of 3-0-1. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 15 by vote of 4-0-0. Selectmen's Minutes - 11/7/89 - Page 3 On motion by Nigro, seconded by Zieger, the Board voted not to support the Home Rule petition for Herb Perry by vote of 0-4-0. They indicated that this action was taken regretfully and based on the recommendation of the Town Manager and the Chief of Police and on the Town's financial condition. On motion of Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support Article 29 in the amount of ten thousand ($10, 000) dol- lars by vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to sup- port the subject matter of Article 32 by vote of 4-0-0 following a presentation by the Town Manager on the actuarial study. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to support Article 33 as drafted by vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Ziegler, the Board voted to support an instructional motion in the amount of thirty-eight thousand ($38, 000) dollars under Article 2 for monitoring wells related to the contamination from North Reading by vote of 4-0-0 . Public Hearing At 9 : 10 p.m. , the Board opened the hearing on Fire Department fees. The Secretary read the notice of the Public Hearing. On motion by Zieger, seconded by Nigro, the Board closed the hearing I by vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to ac- cept the schedule of fees recommended by the Fire Chief by vote of 4-0-0. The Historical Commission Concerns The Historical Commission met with the Board of Selectmen regard- ing concerns about the Common. The Selectmen's concern grew out of the issue of creating more bureaucracy to deal with concerns on the Common. The Historical Commission felt that there was not a problem to date, but they wanted to be proactive rather than reactive. The Historical Commission agreed to work at developing criteria by which proposals regarding the Common would be measured. Judy O'Hare spoke with regard to Article 27 - the sale of the Pearl Street School. The Arts Group presented a letter and at- tached position to the Board of Selectmen. They are requesting a delay of 12 months in the authorization to sell the Pearl Street School. The Arts Groups expressed a concern that once this asset is lost, it will not be able to be recovered. The arts are im- portant in Reading and make it a unique community. The Board of Selectmen appreciated the role of the arts groups within the com- munity, but have a greater concern about the financial well being of the community, including the need to sell the Pearl Street School building to fund improvements in the remainder of the school system. On motion by Ziegler, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to support Article 27 by vote of 4-0-0. Selectmen's Minutes - 11/7/89 -Page 4 The Town Manager reviewed a draft Smoking cessation policy . Board members will give the Town Manager any additional comments that they have, prior to this going through a policy adoption process. The Board was generally supportive of the concept. The Town Manager updated the Board of Selectmen with regard to the need for monitoring wells in the Town Forest. The Board expressed concern that the DEP was tying water pollution concerns to the improvements of the Water Treatment Plant, and directed the Town Manager to take whatever efforts were needed to ensure that Water Treatment Plant improvements went ahead as scheduled. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to ad- journ at 10:47 p.m. by vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, A.Ja , �r Secretary z �.