HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-08-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting of August 11, 1986 Page I
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened in the Executive
Offices, 6 Lowell Street, Reading, Ma. at 7: 30 P.M. Present were Chairman
Landers, Vice-Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Nigro and �:BoardMemberMemberRussell.Russell.s Russell.
rel=oxo present was Acting Executive Secretary Anthony V. Fletcher, P.E.
The first order of business was the presentation by Ch=airman
Landers of proclaimations mailing two French foreign exchange students,
honorary citizens of the Town of Reading.
The Board next discussed the Excess General. Liability Quotation
from Fred S. James & Cera
By a show of hands, it: was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to
advise Fred S. James & Co. to solidify the Excess general. Liability Policy
with St. Paul. Insurance Go. under the term= outlined in their letter of
At.tgust Ist.
The Board reviewed the proposal from the BSC Gran;p regarding
Traffic Engineering Services related to safety improvements for the
intersection of youth Main Street (Rt. 28) and Summer Avenue.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4: 0 to
approve the contract dated July 31 with the scope of work delineated in
Paragraphs 1. 1. through 1. 7 in the amount of $1.6,5001 0
ra Russell amended the motion that the $16,500.00 is to be
billed on an hourly basis as described in Subparagraph 4. 1 of said
document. The amendment was seconded and voted 4:0.
By a show of hands, it was mooted, seconded and voted 4:0 that: in
preparation for the i=all. Town Meeting, that the Acting Executive
Secretary, in Vis role as Director of Public Works, evaluate the
add:i.tional services from the [SSC Group that may be required in the Stammer
Avenue/Main Street: project that may be required.
The Bo-€d next reviewed the specifications for a new ambulance
submitted by the Fire Thief,
. Board of Selectmen Meeting of August 11, 1986 Page 2
' .
Mr. Nigro stated Town Meeting approved the purchase of the new
ambulance. Chief Redfern has developed these specifications to take care
of all the possible issues that would need to be addressed in acquiring a
top quality ambulance that will sustain the test of time. There is a
durability problem with the old one.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 3:04 (Mr.
Russell abstaining) to approve the specifications for the new ambulance
and enter into the procedures for advertisement and bidding.
Mr. Russell abstained from voting on this issue because he is
employed by General Electric.
The Board next reviewed the letter from the Reading Housing
Authority regarding the moving of the Cemetery House at 270 Pearl Street.
Mr. Nigro stated I think the Town needs to be informed of the
various procedures.
[ [ By a show of hands, it was moved' seconded and voted 4:0 that the
Acting Executive Secretary advertise for bids for demolition and he
approach the Cemetery Trustees relative to the possibility of removing the
trees to allow for possible sale of the house, including relocation. If
agreeable to the Cemetery Trustees' we should start the wheels in motion
prior to the next meeting.
By a show of handsx it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen be designated as the FY87
Representative to the Middlesex County Advisory Board.
The Board next reviewed the request from the Police Department to
designate Bancroft Avenue from Lowell Street to Middlesex Avenue a one-way
street southbound.
� ( Mr. Nigro stated that intersection does cause considerable
difficulty. I think this presents a problem for some of the neighbors, but
with the recent accidents up there, this is something we should seriously
consider.
Board of Selectmen Meeting of August 1, 1986 Page 3
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to
approve the request to make Bancroft Avenue from Lowell. Street to
Middlesex avenue a one--way street, southbound.
The Board neat reviewed the request from the Chief of Police for
the establishment of a store sign at Fremont Street at the intersection of
Berkeley Street, eastbound and westbound.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and volved 4:0 to amend
our Traffic Rules and Orders adopted on September 22, 1947 by adding to
Article 6, Section 2, the following;
Fremont Street -- at Berkeley Street Eastbound and Westbound
Stop Signs.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to
authorize Chairman Landers to sign letters to the members of the Town
Manager Search Committee.
Mr. Nigro suggested that the either two candidates who were
interviewed be advised that we have reached a tentative agreement with the
prospective Town Manager and we will keep their resumes on file.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and {noted Q0 to
appoint Rheta McKinley to e two year term on the Board of Mystic Valley
Elder Services, Inc. through September 30, 1988.
The board neat interviewed Mr. Frank Orlando, potential candidate
for an associate membership to the Historical Commission#
After the interview, by a show of hands,, it was moved, seconded
and voted 4:0 to appoint the following three associate members to one ;year
terms on the Historical. Commission:
Mr. Frank Orlando
Mrs. Nancy Smethurst
Mrs. Erl.ine Triter
�
Board of Selectmen Meeting of August 11, 1986 Page 4
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to send
� ! in a request for a Civil Service List for four (4) Police Patrolmen.
The Board next discussed the function of the Personnel
Administrator and the Selectmens function as the "Personnel Board".
Chairman Landers stated all personnel action forms beyond the
normal customary increases should be seen by this Board.
The Board reviewed a request from the Chairman of the Finance
Committee to increase the salary of their clerk, Ann Haler to $8.00 per
hour.
Mrs. Ziegler asked for justification on the increase from a
salary amount to an hourly rate.
Chairman Landers stated I am concerned from a policy role
standpoint that we could be establishing a precedent that may transcend
those powers and duties we will be giving to the Town Manager.
Mrs. Ziegler stated something should be given to the Personnel
Adminstnator stating that she has the right to approve all normal
practices. This Board needs to define the role of the Personnel
Administrator to the Town.
Mr. Russell stated the Personnel Administrator reports directly
to the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Nigro stated we need to clarify our interim relationship with
the Personnel Administrator.
By a show of hands, it was moved' seconded and voted 4|0 to
direct the Acting Executive Secretary to be responsible for the routine
day to day operations related to the personnel administrator function and
to get from this Board approvals where required for out of the ordinary
circumstances.
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4: 0 to
accept the minutes of the July 17, 1986 meeting as amended.
Board of Selectmen Meeting of August 11, 1966 Page S
By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 2: 01 (Mrs.
Ziegler opposed, and Mr„ Russell abstaining) to accept the minutes of the
July 28y 1966 meeting as amended.
The Board next discussed the change of title of the Assistant
Superintendent of Engineering to "TownEngineer".
Mr. Fleischer stated the Personnel By-Laws have not been updated
since 1982, they do not address the issue.
Mr. Russell instructed that the change in title not take :{lace
€intil. the Asst. Supt. for Engineering becomes a Registered Professional
Engineer,
The Board next discussed the request of Mr. earl Avon, Chairman
of the Board of Cemetery Trustees, to be granted "special status" in
representing a client in Town on a Site Flan Review issue.
Mr. Russell stated .l feel there is no need for "special municipal
employee" =:tat€?yin I am very much opposed
,.. _. to giving anyone special status.
By a dhow of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to den;
the request for Special Municipal. Employee Straus for the Chairman of the
Board of Cemetery Trustees.
The Board reviewed the request from the "Donut Mater Inc. " of 444
Main Street to operate 24 -ours.
Mrs. Ziegler stated this should he advertised for a Public
Tearing in September and the abettors notified.
By a =how of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to
adjourn at 10:46 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
r
E
Secretary