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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-12-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING December 5, 1989 Meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Russell Graham, Secretary Dan Ensminger, Selectman Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Gerry MacDonald from the Finance Committee, Peter Reinhart from the Engineering Division, Doug Wade from Doug's Exxon, Ed Murphy from the Bylaw Committee, Victor Carlson, Town Meeting Member, and Doris Fantasia, Town Clerk. Liaison Reports Dan Ensminger indicated that he attended the School Committee meeting regarding school space. A number of options were dis- cussed. A report will be made in January. Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended another Senior Citizen luncheon at the Pearl Street School. There was good dis- cussion. Saturday, Gene Nigro, Jack Russell, Mollie Ziegler, and Russ Graham attended the VFW Christmas Party. Chairman Graham complimented Russell and Nigro on their duet as the "Singing Selectmen" at the VFW event. Mr. Graham indicated that Christmas on the Common would be held on December 17, 1989 with the help of Doug Wade and other volunteers. Wednesday eve- ning, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee will meet and discuss problems with the paper drive. This newspaper drive loses money because of the price of papers. They will also be discussing the issue of plastic bags or biodegradable bags for future leaf recy cling. Public Comment The Town Manager introduced Doug Wade from Doug's Exxon and out- lined the program to which Mr. Wade and Mr. Larry Cresta from Crestview Exxon had contributed to help fund Human Services . Both businesses during the month of October dedicated a penny per gallon of gasoline sold and made donations totaling over $3, 000.00 to two of the Human Services Revolving Funds. Mr. Wade indicated that he hoped this program would extend beyond these two businesses and that other businesses in Reading would become involved in such a program. With proper advertising, he felt that this could generate considerable money for Human Services and other needs within the community. The Board of Selectmen decided to postpone the capital program consensus program until January, when full attendance would be possible. They also outlined the need for ongoing public educa- tion with regard to the budget, and a possible Proposition 2-1/2 override. The Board of Selectmen held an exit interview with Doris Fan- tasia. She will be leaving her position as Town Clerk on December 15th. Ms. Fantasia expressed concern about having the resources necessary to do the work of the Town Clerk. She specifically noted heavy work load in December for completing certification of referendum signatures, completing Town Meeting minutes, and get- ting the 1990 Census ready to mail. She indicated that two MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING December 5, 1989 Meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Russell Graham, Secretary Dan Ensminger, Selectman Eugene Nigro, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner, Gerry MacDonald from the Finance Committee, Peter Reinhart from the Engineering Division, Doug Wade from Doug's Exxon, Ed Murphy from the Bylaw Committee, Victor Carlson, Town Meeting Member, and Doris Fantasia, Town Clerk. Liaison Reports Dan Ensminger indicated that he attended the School Committee meeting regarding school space. A number of options were dis- cussed. A report will be made in January. Eugene Nigro indicated that he had attended another Senior Citizen luncheon at the Pearl Street School. There was good dis- cussion. Saturday, Gene Nigro, Jack Russell, Mollie Ziegler, and Russ Graham attended the VFW Christmas Party. Chairman Graham complimented Russell and Nigro on their duet as the "Singing Selectmen" at the VFW event. Mr. Graham indicated that Christmas on the Common would be held on December 17, 1989 with the help of Doug Wade and other volunteers. Wednesday eve- ning, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee will meet and discuss problems with the paper drive. This newspaper drive loses money because of the price of papers. They will also be discussing the issue of plastic bags or biodegradable bags for future leaf recy- cling. Public Comment The Town Manager introduced Doug Wade from Doug's Exxon and out- lined the program to which Mr. Wade and Mr. Larry Cresta from Crestview Exxon had contributed to help fund Human Services. Both businesses during the month of October dedicated a penny per gallon of gasoline sold and made donations totaling over $3 , 000.00 to two of the Human Services Revolving Funds. Mr. Wade indicated that he hoped this program would extend beyond these two businesses and that other businesses in Reading would become involved in such a program. With proper advertising, he felt that this could generate considerable money for Human Services and other needs within the community. The Board of Selectmen decided to postpone the capital program consensus program until January, when full attendance would be possible. They also outlined the need for ongoing public educa- tion with regard to the budget, and a possible Proposition 2-1/2 override. The Board of Selectmen held an exit interview with Doris Fan- tasia. She will be leaving her position as Town Clerk on December 15th. Ms. Fantasia expressed concern about having the resources necessary to do the work of the Town Clerk. She specifically noted heavy work load in December for completing certification of referendum signatures, completing Town Meeting minutes, and get- ting the 1990 Census ready to mail. She indicated that two Selectmen's Minutes - 12/5/89 - Page 2 people within the Clerk's Division had been told that they had to take vacation during the remainder of this year. She felt that now would be the best time to make a decision to leave so that a new Clerk could take the necessary election training courses in January. Chairman Graham indicated that he felt since his days with the Finance Committee that adequate staffing in the Clerk's Office had been an ongoing concern, and that it is part of the fiscal problems of the Town. He confirmed that, in fact, the two employees had not had to take all of the vacation that had been indicated. Ms. Fantasia indicated that Department and Division Heads needed to have greater input in making decisions regarding resource allocation. Ms. Fantasia indicated that she had enjoyed her role as Town Clerk, and wished to express her appreciation to Town Meeting Members and Election Workers. Public Hearing Mr. McCloskey and Mr. Jenks from Domino' s Pizza appeared to request special approval to be open until 1: 00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. A letter from a resident was read indicating that they did not recommend this action. Doug Wade and Francis Robie spoke against opening until 1 : 00 a.m. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the hearing was closed by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, it was moved to grant permission to open from 12 : 00 midnight to 1: 00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. This motion was defeated by a vote of 0-3-0. Members of the Board indicated that there was not a public safety or other emergency, and that the bylaws specifi- cally permitted a waiver of the hours of operation only in the interest of public health, safety and welfare. The Board also reminded Domino's that the Town Bylaws expressly prohibit the in- sertion of commercial handbills in doors. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the Board approved the retirement election per the letter of 11/17/89 by a vote of 3-0- 0. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the liquor license for Reading Veterans Association, Inc. on Ash Street, was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the liquor license for Meadowbrook Golf Club was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the liquor license for Uptown Liquors, Inc. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the liquor license for Reading Overseas Veterans, Inc. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger, the following Common Victualler's licenses were approved for renewal: American Legion, Capri Pizza, Cerretani's Supermarkets, Cum- berland Farms, Donut Maker, Dragon Corner, Friendly Res- taurant, Fulchino' s Mobil of Reading, Golden Dragon, Selectmen's Minutes - 12/5/89 - Page 3 Gregory's Ice Cream, Gregory's Deli & Sub, Ida's Station- house Restaurant, Jo-Ann's Variety, P & S Convenient, Pewter Pot, Putnam Pantry, TV Tony's, VFW, Wes Parkers' Inc. , and White Hen Pantry. The Board agreed to hold action on all Class II Motor Vehicle License renewals until 12-19-89. Town Counsel will be requested to be present to discuss that issue. In addition, the owners of Main Street Cafe will be requested to be present for the discus- sion on the liquor license renewal. Victor Carlson indicated that he hoped the South Main Street area could be upgraded and had concern about selling cycles, boats, and cars on the same property. He is also concerned about parking on the sidewalk and the fact that auto sales take up parking spaces that are needed for other businesses on the property. Selectmen Nigro suggested that a copy of Chapter 523 of the Laws of the Commonwealth be sent to Town Meeting perhaps in their next packet. This deal with the revisions to the Sale of Real Estate Fund. Chairman Graham indicated that he and many of the Selectmen will be attending a meeting in Wilmington on December 11th with the Board of Selectmen there to discuss the Industriplex Connector. Mr. Nigro wondered, under item 11 c. of the correspondence-- related to a tree hearing on Franklin Street--if some other ac- commodation could be made with the property owner. The Town Manager indicated that this would probably come to the Board of Selectmen as an appeal at a later date. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the Board voted to ad- journ at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ga, 1a Secretary