HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-07-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting of my 288 986 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of .Selectmen convened in the Executive
Offices of Reading Town Pull at 7;35 P.M. Present were Chairman Landers,
Vice-Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Nigro, Board Member Graham and Acting
Executive Secretary A.V. Fletcher, P.E.
Chairman Landers announced that the Town Manager Search
discussion would commence at 9: 00 P.M.
By a chow of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted :0 to
approve the minute= of the July 7y 1986 meeting as amended„
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted :0 to
approve the minutes of the July 14y 1986 meeting s amended.
By a show of hand., it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to
approve the minutes of the July 18, 1986 meeting as written.
Mr. Fletcher presented the Board with two Personnel Action forms,
one for Rosemary Cross and one for Cynthia i7#.B, Keenan.
The i"o rdked for further clarification on Mrs. Cross from the
Personnel Director.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that a
payment of $80.00 per week for c:leri.cal services rendered to the Community
Planning and Development Commission be paid to Cynthia M.B. Keenan.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4: 0 that the
Town enter into a lease agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Division of Capital. Planning and Operations, on behalf of the Community
College Councils Office for the allocation of space of the lease of Rooms
20 and 206 at the Pearl. Street School., effective the date of occupancy
and continuing unt:i.l. June 30, 1987 at a rate of $4.28 per square foot for
a total of $6,25&00.
At 705 P.M. the Board met with firm Tames W. Oien, Area Director
of the Department of Mental Health. Also present were Mr. Joseph Cotton
and Mr. John Ferger,
~ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 28' 1986 Page 2
Chairman Landers welcomed them to the meeting and introduced the
} / members of the Board.
Mr. Oien stated we are here tonight to talk about the Community
Orientation Program, The program has been in Reading for the last five
years at 190 Main Street' we now need a larger space since the program is
being increased from six to eight clients. We have found a spot at 55
Woburn Street (at the corner of Linden Street).
Mrs. Ziegler asked what are you going to do with the house on
Main Street?
Mr. Cotton replied this will probably go up for sale. Mr. John
Heenan will be purchasing the house on Woburn Street to be leased by the
Psychological Center.
- Mrs. Ziegler asked where do the clients come from?
| | Mr. Oien replied 38% of them are from Reading and from the five
cities and towns in Eastern Middlesex. The additional two slots will mean
they may come from other areas within. the District.
Mr. Nigro stated the Summer Avenue address worked well and I see
no reason why you should not continue this good relationship.
Mr. Cotton stated we are developing a Citizens' Advisory Board
for the program. We would like to have input from the Office for Children
Subcommittee and the Childrens Advisory Board. We thought we could have a
meeting every two or three months with area citizens to get input. We are
thinking about hawing some of the graduates of the program on the Board.
If you would like to designate a personv we would have continuity within
the Community.
Mr. Nigro suggested they contact M. Jane Callahue, Health
` Director, her budget funds the Eastern Middlesex Board of Health programs
for mental health.
Board of Selectmen Meeting of July y 28 A 1986 Page 3
Mr. Oen stated we are developing a housing agenda and are trying
to plan for the next two years. We will then come back to the different
town.s to identify project: that we have and where we would like to locate
them,
Chairman Landers thanked them all for coming.
The Board next met with Daniel F. Leone, President, and Kathleen
An Dardeno; Treasurer, of Liquid Assets, Inc. at : 10 t.M. to discuss the
procurement of at liquor license from the Town of heading.
Chairman Landers welcomed them both to the meeting.
Ms. Dardeno and Mr. Leone each explained their backgrounds and
presented their concept to the Board:
Mr. Leone Mated our concept its to acquire a liquor license. Two
months ago 1 met with John Agnew who told me about: the three existing
licenses and the possibility of acquiring another license from the Town.
The Amt.C. in Boston stated that the exi.sitng policy is one license for,
every 6,000 people.
We want to be a service-oriented com anyi The main clients ars*
corporations and businesses. Traditionally, these corporations hire people
from within their organization to buy their merchandise for fucntions, we
would provide this service for them.
In conclusion, we are looking to obtain a license, we have had a
lot of positive feedback from merchants about operating within their
retail space.
Mr. graham Mated regarding the number of licenses that can be
issued, :his is solely at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen.
Mrs. Ziegler stated I dont feel we need another retail liquor
store.
Mr. Fletcher stated technically this would be a retail operation
unless you became caterers.
, Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 287 1986 Page 4
Chairman Landers stated as one member of this Board, I think you
| / have picked a community that is very careful in their licensing of retail
_
establishments. At this point, you would have to convince me that Reading
is in a position to absorb another liquor establishment. I see the
industry generally getting away from functions which would bring on
liability; such as Christmas parties' etc.
Ms. Dardeno replied that they did some market research and came
up with 40 client names. Industries have budgets strictly for
entertainment. We would be trying to use the expertise we have to save
them money and also set up exiVing things they are not presently doing.
Mr. Leone stated in our situation a license would save us a lot
of money. We could do this by purchasing our merchandise from exisitng
stores. It would be such more economical for us to get a license. We need
| | to know if the option of getting a license is closed to us.
Mr. Graham stated if you are looking for a feeling from the
Board' I see no need for another liquor license in the Town of Reading.
Mr. Leone thanked the Board for their time.
Chairman Landers thanked them both for coming.
The Board next reviewed and discussed the memo from acting
Executive Secretary Fletcher regarding a Central Purchasing process.
Chairman Landers stated he felt the process should be instituted
by the new Town Manager.
Mr. Graham stated I think it would be a mistake to start up the
concept. I think a memo to each Department outlining these concepts would
be in order.
Mr. Nigro stated there is nothing wrong in trying to get an
` inventory of what each department needs. If there are some large purchases
they would better be handled by central purchasing.
^ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 28, 1986 Page 5
Mr. Fletcher stated I think it would be advisable to tell
| / Department Heads now that all large purchases should be held 'until a Town
Manager comes in.
It was the concensus of the Board that Mr. Fletcher alert
Department Heads to possible changes in purchasing policy, and that he ask
for an inventory from each of the Departments.
By a show of hands, it was moved' seconded and voted 4:0 to start
the appointment process for a Water and Sewer Commission consisting of
three members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Fletcher stated he would write up a policy for the Boards
approval as to what the duties will consist of.
The Selectmen instructed that Mrs. Edna Kudaroski be designated
as the "key person' for the United Way Campaign"
Chairman Landers asked that some type of control be provided for
a "key system' for the new Toshiba copy machine.
The Board met with John Milano and Ben Nichols at 8:50 P.M. to
discuss suggestions on negotiations for the purchase or sale of town land
on Ash Street and John Street.
Mr. Milano passed out a list of his concerns on the matter to the
Board for their review and suggested that these mattters be discussed in a
closed session.
Chairman Landers stated we have not entered into negotiations for
the land. I see nothing in here, stretching any interpretation of the
"Open Meeting Law" where we could go into Executive Session. I strongly
recommend this be discussed in open session.
Mr. Milano stated in attending various subcommittee meetings and
the presentation made by the developers, I don't see any particular
pre-arranged agreement in reference to payment at given times. I think
, ^ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 28, 1986 Page 6
negotiations. For that particular right there should be some inducement in
| |
| / the form of "up front" money to perform their part of the agreement' or
provide some delinquency clause. They should be held responsible for
meeting the date.
Mr. Fletcher stated Homart is proceeding with the 21E
investigation right nowy if it fails, no one is going to boy it. They are
presently on schedule.
Mr. Milano stated because of the value of the land; I think we
should get involved with a real estate appraisal, we should get an
independent appraiser. Also; in the negotiations of the P&S Agreement» I
think we need a professional independent negotiator because of the monies
involved.
Mr. Fletcher stated the Board has made provision that Mr.
| / Nordstrand be in on all negotiations.
Mr. Graham stated I think you are talking about a two-way street.
An elected Assessor from the Town would not be construed as independent
from the other side of the table.
Mr. Milano stated my perception is that perhaps the solicitation
of bids on that landfill was hastened because of the desire to determine a
location for Public Works.
Mr. Milano also stated there is no doubt the value of the Davis
Property has been immensely increased by the proposed ,town way" through
John Street.
Mr. Nichols stated we should also have some professional
negotiators on this discussion.
i Mr. Fletcher stated if the crossing takes place, part of your
|-^
agreement with Davis would be that he abandons the access from Ash Street.
\
, ^ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 28y 1986 Page 7
�
- \
� Mr. Graham stated the Task Force made it very clear that Ash
/ 1 Street would be clsoed off and this would be part of the agreement.
Chairman Landers thanked them for coming and for their input. He
stated we will certainly take this under advisement.
Mr. Nigro stated we will seriously consider these issues. If you
are talking about a professional negotiator, you are talking about
$400,000. This would have to be a judgement call.
The Board next discussed the Town Manager selection process.
Chairman Landers stated on July 17 we made an offer to Mr. Peter
I. Hechenbleikner. At 11:00 last night I spoke to him again. All aspects
of the job offer are more than acceptable to him. Howeverr, there is one
problem with the moving expenses. We have established a ceiling of
$5,000.00 In order to be responsive to our needs: it is his expectation
| /
| / he would have to shotgun the sale of his home in New Jersey' with an
estimated retail market value of $325yOOO.00. He has estimated a minimum
of $19rSOO"00 would be the required commission for the sale of that home,
added to that would be $S7000 - $67000 for the movement of physical goods.
He has estimated a minimum of $2S,000 - $307000 in the time frame we have
designated as acceptable. His wife is a professional in the insurance
industry and she has requested a transfer to the Boston area. They are
trying to accomodate that requirement. There is the ability to get
relocation assistance through her firm, Prudential.
He is asking the Town of Reading to bear 50% of the relocation
costs whatever they may be. All other conditions are more than acceptable
- ` to him. He will not be living in Reading. '
\ \ Mr. Graham stated I think we have a peal problem with the
\ .)
Charter. Anything we pay could very easily be a very short term
investment. I find it extremely difficult to give this kind of money.
'` .
. Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 28, 1986 Page 8
George Hines of the Search Committee stated we could tie the
extra money into a requirement for the amount of time served.
Mr. Ben Nichols stated it seems to me he knew what the salary and
'
benefits were when he was interviewed.
Virginia Adams stated I received a call tonight from one of my
constituents and he was not pleased with the idea of an extra $26,000.
Messrs. Graham and Nigro agreed that September 1st does not have
to be a firm starting date. We would be open to negotiations on the
timetable.
Chairman Landers stated we will give him the same offer, but will
not stay with the September 1st deadline. We will go with no later than
October 1st, and we will expect a commitment from him within 48 hours.
The Board next discussed the letter from Mr. Carl H. Amon, Jr.
\ | asking to be a special representative for his client, Harrows Restaurant.
Mr. Fletcher stated the law states you can not do this for an
individual, you can do this for a "class". You will be setting a precedent
if you allow this.
The Board laid the issue on the table pending a determination
from Town Counsel.
The Board decided on the following summer schedule for meetings,
August 11, August 25 and September S.
The Board next discussed Mr. Fletchers' final Space Needs Report.
Mr. Fletcher added that the State needs an answer as to making
the Town Hall and ballot areas handicapped accessible. I think we are
going to have a difficult time getting past the Architectural Barriers
Board as it is. We need to respond to the State fairly soon.
Mr. Drew has prepared a list for me of the buildings that are not
accessible. I suggest you make a statement by a Warrant Article for
November Town Meeting. '
'
" Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 287 1986 Page 9
Mr. Graham suggested Mr. Fletcher meet with Nils Nordberg of the
) /
Space Needs Committee to discuss this final report.
Mrs. Ziegler reported that Mr. Nordberg has scheduled a meeting
for the third week in August.
Mr. Nigro stated this plan will have the support of the Selectmen
for both Phase I and Phase II.
Mr. Landers stated I feel we should go to the meeting in support
of the p0n.
Chairman Landers stated this Sunday we have approved the "Reading
People for Peace Day". He asked if any other member of the Board would
like to formally participate in this, that they let him know.
Mr. Nigro reported that Mr. Dexter Palucca of the American Red
Cross asked if Reading could assist him in the storage of their vehicle
| / through Labor Day.
Mr. Fletcher stated I think we can accomodate him.
Mr. Graham reported that the Town Accountant is having a problem
with a lack of policy as to gifts, etc. for employees leaving. He has
asked for a formal policy on this.
Mr. Nigro stated we need to get some legal advice on the
expenditure of funds. He added that at the State level you can not use
State money for parties or gifts.
Mr. Fletcher stated there should be a firm and consistent policy
as to how to treat employees leaving.
Chairman Landers stated on August 11 we should discuss a policy
Subcommittee. We should also get an MMA policy on these gifts, etc.
By a show of hands, it was moved; seconded and voted 4|0 to
accept the donation of $3,500.00 received July 26th for the Patrons of
Older Adults to be used for a shopping program under the Council on Aging.,
` Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 28, 1986 Page 10
Mr. Nigro stated I have noticed the increased vandalism at the
| / schools from the Police Log. I would strongly recommend we notify the
Police Chief' we would expect more frequent on-site surveillance and more
frequent patrols of the various schools in town. We should let the word
get out we are keeping a close watch on this.
Mr. Fletcher will send a letter to the ChUf advising him of
this.
By a show of handsy it was movedv seconded and voted 4|0 to
adjourn at 10|30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
) \ `
' L-�