HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-02-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Meeting Notes
February 10 , 1983
Members present: M. Rosenthal, J. Russell, M. O'Brien, and P. Dustin.
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. Chairman Rosenthal
opened the meeting with a brief discussion of the C.E.T.A. program.
Although the name will be changed, it looks as though the federal
program will be sending funds to the state, and our area, by late
spring. Currently, behind-the-scenes maneuvers are leading to the
re-drafting of consortium boundaries . Reading is participating in
these discussions, and it is hoped that the Town will end up in a
positive position.
Discussion then moved to a memo submitted by Superintendent of
Buildings Charlie Darby. The Board decided to go ahead with the
drafting of an Article for the Town Meeting Warrant to paint the
trim on the Town Hall-, the Police Station and the Main Fire Station.
This has not been done for at least 8 years, and possibly longer.
The Board requested more information on the proposal.
The Board then met with the Planning Board in order to discuss
the proposed By-Law change suggested by the Planning Board. The
proposal concerns accessory apartments in Reading. The purpose
of the change is to provide affordable housing for elderly residents,
young people who wish to remain in Town, for "empty nest" parents,
and many others. After lengthy discussion, the Selectmen voted to
approve the intent and concept of the proposal, but stipulated that
they need to see the final draft before approving the warrant article
itself.
The Board opened the only hid received on the 1960 Seagrave Model
550B 1000GPM Fire Pumping Engine. The bid was from Daniel J. Buckley,
and was for $1,200. Chief Redfern said that he thought it was a
fair price, there being no interest from serious collectors . It was
moved and voted unamimously by the Board to accept the $1, 200. bid
from Daniel J. Buckley of Lowell Street, Reading, for the 1960 Seagrave
Model 550B 1000 GPM Fire Pumping Engine as is.
The Board met with the Insurance Committee, and after discussion
of the proposed FY 1984 budget, and the possibility of self-insurance,
it was unamimously voted to accept the Insurance Committee' s recom-
mended budget of $431,059. for the 1984 Fiscal Year. This is $15, 000.
less than the current year' s budget.
Mr. Russell brought up a proposed article to set a standard procedure
for reconsideration at Town Meeting.
The Board then discussed the depot area, and requested a survey
of all the people who have expressed interest in the land. The
Board also wanted a schedule of steps to be taken in order to sell,
lease, or otherwise dispose of the depot.
The Board then unanimously approved to accept a bill for $1,300. to
Holland, Crowe and Drachman for legal serves for the period between
January 1, 1983 and January 31, 1983.
The Board then voted unanimously to send a letter to Governor Michael
Dukakis in opposition to reinstituting binding arbitration. The
Board also directed the Executive .Secretary to contact surrounding
towns and urge them to do the same.