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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes E BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING OCTOBER 41 1988 Meeting convened at 7:30 P.M. in the Reading Memorial Lecture Hall, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA. Chairman Nigro called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Nigro, Vice Chairman Graham, Secretary Ziegler, Selectmen Russell and Landers, and Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner. This meeting is a joint meeting of the Finance Committee, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Municipal Space Building Committee. No mem- bers from the School Committee were present. The following resi- dents were present: Bill Brown, Dolly Carroll, Larry Drew, Ginny Adams, Jack Rivers, Bill Locke, Yano Tine, Bill Redford, Ruth Cogan, Nils Nordberg, Gerry Fiore, Henry Higgot, Dan Ensminger, Don Allen, Liz Greene, Charles C. Catalfamo, Robert P. Mucci, Randolph R. Harrison and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Natale. On motion by Russell seconded by Graham the Board approved the September 26, 1988 minutes by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports Russell Graham attended a luncheon for the Mystic Valley Elder Services. Eugene Nigro and Mollie Ziegler attended a meeting of the Municipal Space Committee. Jack Russell attended a meeting of Massachusetts Department of Public Works, Central Artery North (CANA) project. On motion by Ziegler seconded by Russell the Board of Selectmen put into nomination the names of Erline M. Robinson and Sally McDonald for appointment to the Arts Council. The Board ap- pointed Sally McDonald to the Arts Council by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Russell seconded by Graham the board proclaimed the week of October 16th through October 22, 1988 National Business Womens Week by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Russell seconded by Ziegler the board approved the first vote on a policy on the issuance of peddlers licenses as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Russell seconded by Ziegler the board approved on a first reading vote a policy on non discrimination of a handicap by a vote of 5-0-0. Municipal Space Issues The Board of Selectmen hosted the Municipal Space Building Com- mittee, Finance Committee, the Board of Assessors, the Community Planning & Development Commission, the Reading Municipal Light Board. No members of the School Committee were present. Selectmen Graham asked what point are they (the School Committee) going to participate. The key to cash and space issue is the fate of the Pearl Street School. Town officers have acknowledged the former elementary school is about i Page 2 - Board of Selectmen Meeting 10/4/88 two years away from the necessity of more than $500,000 in capi- tal improvements, including a new roof and new windows. If the building became a town office building, it would have had those necessities as part of the renovation; but if it is not to become a town office building then it should be transferred from the School Committee to the Board of Selectmen and sold to the highest bidder. The bottom line during this two hours discussion on the space dilemma, and the reality is that our first priority is a new fire station, second is a new municipal water storage and water treat- ment capacity. Finance Committee Chairman Don Allen also advised the group that Reading "has a $1.5 million budget deficit: forecast for the next fiscal year with no building projects included. Municipal Space Committee Chairman Nils Nordberg raised the spec- ter of a Prop. 2 1/2 override to cure the space money dilemma. Selectmen said they would wait for the School Committee vote on the Pearl Street issue and the Municipal Space Committee's vote on their preference, the Hill or the Pearl Street School. Mr. William Redford gave a short presentation of the upcoming im- provements on Franklin Street. There will be a sidewalk con- structed on the Northerly side of the street. Mr. Russell asked if hearings have taken place for this project? Mr. Redford in- formed the board that hearings on this improvement have already taken place and all the abutters have been notified. Construc- tion should begin in the Fall. On motion by Russell seconded by Landers the board approved the recommendations of Public Works to begin construction on Franklin Street by a vote of 5-0-0. Mr. Jack Rivers of Rivers Development development was present with his Attorney Mr. James Senior Esquire with his strong op- position to W.A. Redford who has been representing himself as a professional engineer. Mr. Redford is the senior, Town Engineer and represents Mr. Fletcher at public hearings, of the Conserva- tion Commission and C.P.D.C. All decisions, letters, opinions and calculations are reviewed and approved by Mr. Fletcher before anything is released. Pursuant to Ted Cohen's memo regarding the use of the title "Town Engineer, " Mr. Redford will no longer be using the term "Town Engineer" . The letterhead from the Depart- went of Public Works will have the term "Town Engineer" crossed off. Mr. Redford will be taking his exam in the Spring of 1989. The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on the proposed classification plan for the Town of Reading at their next meet- . r ing. The Board went into Executive Session not to come into open ses- sion for litigation and labor relations. On motion by Graham seconded by Ziegler all voted in favor. Respectfully submitted: Secretary