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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-11-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting November 21, 1989 The meeting convened at 7 : 30 p.m. in the Selectmens' Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Russell Graham, vice Chairman Mollie Ziegler, Secretary Daniel Ensminger, Selectman Eugene Nigro, Selectman John Russell, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following residents: William R. Burns, Barbara Anne Burns, Anna Steed, Harold Steed, Frank McCarthy, Louis J. Roff, David J. Roffi, David J. Roffi, Ruth E. Carr, Elizabeth McCarthy, Arthur F. Schuh, Gordon Sar- gent, Paul A. Bordieri, Edmond I. Kennedy, Harriet M. Kennedy, Tony Garratt-Reed, Ed D'Entremont, William J. Brogan, Brenda ' Big- wood, Harold S. Bigwood, W. J. Banforth, Debbie H. McCulley, Mary Montana, Ruth A. Camerlin, Scott Z . Cushing, Gerry MacDonald, Jonathan Edwards, Edmond J. Ryan, Audrey Macauda, Guy Macauda, Carol DuLong, William Coveney, Curt Nitzsche, Sally Nitzsche, Barbara A. Folger, Myrna Livingstone, Earle Livingstone. Liaison Report Dan Ensminger indicated that he had attended meetings of the School Building Committee, and also the Thanksgiving Dinner for Senior Citizens. Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended and helped serve food at the Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner as did John Russell. Mollie Ziegler indicated that the Board of Selectmen had attended the laying of the cornerstone for the Town Hall Connector during the past week. Russ Graham indicated that he had attended a Budget Committee meeting, Town Meeting, and noted that this was the first night in the Board of Selectmen's new meeting room. He asked that gratitude be expressed to Tony Fletcher and to the entire Depart- ment of Public Works. Public Comment Dr. Munnelly, Superintendent of Schools, attended as a special guest. Dr. Munnelly distributed Class of 1989 mugs to the mem- bers of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager congratulat- ing the Board of Selectmen on their "graduation" from Reading Memorial High School where the Board of Selectmen has been meet- ing for the past six months. Dr. Munnelly named the Selectmen and Town Manager as "Honorary Members of the Class of 189 . " Captain Gordon Sargent and Lieutenant Greg Burns were introduced as the two newest superior officers in the Fire Department. They were introduced by Chief Leonard Redfern. Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Russell Graham indicated that Christmas on the Common would take place on December 17, 1989. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Russell, the application for a - ' Parade permit for the Reading Clergy Association for Twelfth Night was approved for 7 : 00 p.m. to 10: 00 p.m. on January 5, 1990 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Russell, seconded by Nigro, the Board approved a permit for the American Legion Parade by a vote of 5-0-0. The Chamber of Commerce use of the Town Seal was discussed. The Board noted that the Seal should be the official seal of the Town, omitting the words "Chamber of Commerce" surrounding the seal. They are also concerned about the design of the letterhead and asked the Town Manager to discuss this with the Chamber of Commerce. Traffic issues on Bainbridge Road and Wakefield Street were dis- cussed. The resident at the northwest corner, Mr. Banfield, in- dicated that he would be willing to move the fence. It was requested that the tree at this intersection be removed, and ex- ploration of other issues including the creation of Wakefield Street and Timberneck Road as a one-way pair of streets. The Police Chief, Public Works Department and Planning Division will review the situation and make some recommendations. The follow- ing are the steps that will be taken: 1. The Town Manager will petition for a tree hearing. 2. Mr. Banfield will move or remove the portion of the fence that obstructs vision. 3 . The Planning Division, Police Department, Department of _ Public Works will form a task group to evaluate the situa- tion. Speed enforcement will be stepped up to the extent possible. Curt Nitzsche came to discuss with the Board of Selectmen the issues of traffic on Haverhill Street. He suggested narrowing the road with side striping, which would provide for a bike lane, reviewing speed limits on the street, and repairing sewer trenches both north and southbound. Barbara Folger of 443 Haver- hill Street indicated that there had been 14 accidents since the road was widened. The Board of Selectmen requested printouts from the Chief of Police of accidents at locations involved for future reports. They also suggested that the Police Department could be more pro-active in determining where there were traffic and safety problems. With regard to Oak Street and Summer Avenue, the Board suggested that is is probably not a high priority, but we could do some sketch designs to determine what the appropriate design of this intersection should be. Selectman Graham asked if some of the School Zone lights could be moved slightly--he cited one on West Street and one on Charles Street. The Board also questioned whether we could include Coolidge Middle School in the School Zone on Birch Meadow Drive. Mr. Bordieri appeared before the Board of Selectmen regarding his water bill . Following a great deal of discussion, the Board voted to use the four most recent bills to establish the rate of usage, and to ,abate any difference between those bills and the bill in question, including interest and discount. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Russell, the Board approved this motion by a vote of 5-0-0. Licenses The Board noted the one-day liquor license issued by the Town Manager for the Masonic Building Association for 11-25-89. Celeste Fitzpatrick appeared before the Board of Selectmen to request a vendor's license for the sidewalk area in front of the Registry of Motor Vehicles site on Salem on Street. The Town Manager indicated that she would have to meet the requirements of the policy adopted by the Board of Selectmen. The Board sug- gested that she go back and try to work out details with the owner of the property. Mr. Cushing attended and indicated that he wanted to sell used cars at 89 Woburn Street, which is a residential zone. This is near the intersection of Woburn and Chute Street. The Board of Selectmen indicated that, as the Town Manager previously had, a variance would be required. Mr. Cushing is to contact the Direc- tor of Community Development or the Building Inspector for details as to how to file for a variance. If a variance is granted, then the Board of Selectmen could consider a license for that site. The Board decided to meet every other Tuesday, so that in Decem- ber, they will be meeting on the 5th and the 19th, and in January - they will be meeting on the 2nd, 16th and 30th. The Board discussed the Inwood Park situation, and Chairman -% Graham will be going to a meeting in Wilmington, the week of the 11th. Correspondence The Board directed the Town Manager to write a letter to their representatives and senators regarding the MIFA proposal. On motion by Russell, seconded by Ziegler, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation and not to come into open session. On a roll call vote, all mem- bers voted in favor, except Dan Ensminger who abstained and ab- sented himself from the Executive Session. Following Executive Session, the Board came into open session to adjourn. On motion by Russell, seconded by Ziegler, the Board voted to adjourn at 10: 35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ga�a 6? Secretary