HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes MEETING NOTES
March 7, 1983
Members Present: M. Rosenthal, J. Russell, M.0'Brien, J. Price, P. Dustin
The Board met with members of the Reading Camp Fire Girls and signed a
Proclamation designating March 13 to March 19, 1983 Camp Fire Birthday Week.
The Selectmen met with Penn Michelini and presented him with a letter of
commendation, and a Citzenship Award for his outstanding work over the years
with Reading's youth in athletic programs.
The Board met with Pat Jordan, MBTA Chief of Railroad Services, and
James Stencil of the Commuter Rail operation to discuss the lifting of
restrictions in the Depot Deed. During the discussion the fact was brought
out that the portion of the restriction that mandated an area for a railway
agent was now obsolete, as the position no longer existed. Finally it be-
came apparent that neither Mr. Jordan nor Mr. Stencil had the authority to
formulate any changes, and the Board instructed the Executive Secretary to
send a letter to the MBTA Board of Directors to request a hearing on the
matter, with copies of the letter to be sent to the MBTA General Manager
and Mr. Fotta; Vice President and General Manager of Commuter Rail Service
with the B&M. Mrs. O'Brien also asked about anticipated work concerning the
Willow Street crossing, and the gates at the Woburn Street crossing.
Mr. Jordan stated he would get that information. Mr. Russell asked the
Executive Secretary for a floor plan of the Depot.
The Board then met with the Town Treasurer, Beth Klepeis, to discuss
the need for a Special Town Meeting. As one of the items under consideration
for the Special Town Meeting was the additional increase in the Blue Cross/
Blue Shield rates, the Board asked if a new contract could be written starting
July 1 so that future increases would correspond to the fiscal year. Mrs.
Klepeis stated she would talk to Blue Cross about this and report back.
After further discussion, the Board voted to open a warrant for a Special
Town Meeting which is to be held on April 14, 1983 at 8:00 P.M. The warrant
will cost on March 22 at 8:00 P.M.
The Board requested that the Town Accountant go back over three years
bills received by the Town for medical expenses incurred by Town employees in
order to have these cheked to see if they are in line with the Rate Setting
Commission's figures. The Executive Secretary stated that the Town Accountant
was currently short handed because of illness, and that it would be difficult
to do at this time. The Board stated that they would wait, but would like
this done as soon as possible. Mrs. O'Brien stated she would check with our
Workman's Comp carrier to find our if they were checking their bills against
the rates of the Rate Setting Commission.
The Board approved the request from the Reading Masonic Building Associa-
tion for a one day all alcoholic beverage license for March 11, 20, and 26th.
Mr. Price abstained from the discussion or vote as he is a Mason.
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The Board approved a request from the American Field Service to conduct
a door-to-door fund drive on April 30, 1983 for its Foreign Exchange Student
Program and requested the Police Department be notified.
The Board acknowledged a letter from the Hazardous Waste Committee up-
dating their activities.
The Board approved signing a resolution from the Mass. Special Commission
on the Concerns of Vietnam Veterans to support the Commissions Awareness Program
on behalf of the P.O.W./M.I.A. 's.
The Board accepted, on behalf of the C.O.A. , a $300 check presented as a
gift by the Reading Jaycees. The Board asked that a letter be sent to the
C.O.A. requesting that this be used to partly cover the $596 deficit regarding
Mystic Vally's bill for the year. They also requested the Executive Secreta.ry
to send letters to the various service clubs to ask for donations to make up
the difference. The Board then set March 28, 1983 as the date for interviewing
and appointing persons to fill the three vacancies on the C.O.A.
The Board acknowledged a letter from Paul Kelly regarding Championship eighth
grade basketball team, and deferred the matter to April when they would discuss
all team awards.
The Board set as a date to auction Town Owned Land as April 2, 1983, and
requested Mr. Perry be contacted to act as auctioneer.
The Board then discussed the recent tragedy of the accidental deaths of
three of Reading's teenagers. It was decided Mrs. O'Brien would write a letter
to the Chronicle expressing the need for safety precautions, and to set up a
meeting on March 24th with the Board of Health, Police, Dept. , and Fire Dept. ,
and School Committee to launch a safety program. It was also suggested the
Press and Cable TV people be invited. The Selectmen then voted that all flags
be flown at half mast until Thursday morning.