HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-06-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Meeting Notes
June 6,1983
Members Present: J. Russell, P. Dustin, M. O'Brien, M. Rosenthal & P. Landers.
The Board opened the meeting with hearing a complaint about the conditions of the
property at 33 Howard St. owned by William Jackson. Also present was Chief
Marchand, Building Inspector, Charles Stamatis, Paul Nicholas, Marjorie Nicholas
and George Dinan. Mr. Nicholas an abutting neighbor spoke first stating that Mr.
Jackson's property was a blight in the neighborhood and went on to comment on
junk, etc. strewed on the Jackson property including junk cars. Mr. Jackson
then spoke and stated the "junk" was material being used to renovate his house, '
that the cars were registered and belonged to friends visiting him and that
most of his other neighbors did not object to his property. He explained that
he was renovating the house himself and that it took time. He also stated he
had thus far spent about $60,000 on renovations. He stated he could only do
work as time and money permitted. He stated other instances of property in
Reading where things were stored and stated his attorney had requested a copy
of tonight's meeting. George Dinan spoke against the property and stated that
although some of the objections had been taken care of the property was still
a mess. Mr. Stamatis then spoke and gave a brief history of his actions regarding
the property. He also stated that currently he felt Mr. Jackson was not in
violation of the Town By-Laws. Chief Marchand then spoke and stated he did not
feel Mr. Jackson was in violation of the By-Laws. The Selectmen then went on to
question Mr. Jackson as to what his business was and if it was operated from his
house. Mr. Jackson stated he was a general contractor (mostly carpentry) and that
the majority of his work was at Logan Airport. He stated the name of his business
as Jackson Enterprises, P.O. Box 107, Wakefield and that his home and business
telephone were the same. He also stated he did not own any large or heavy
equipment but rented it as needed and that all building supplies were delivered to
the construction site he was working on. Mr. Manning of 32 Howard St. then spoke
in praise of Mr. Jackson's efforts to improve his property. Mr. Rosenthal then
moved that the hearing be closed and it was so voted. Mr. Dustin then moved that
the Selectmen accept Mr. Jackson's offer to pay for half the cost of fencing
between his land and Mr. Dinans and Nicholas's and that Mr. Jackson improve his
property as well as he could. It was so voted.
The Selectmen then took up the matter of the annual appointments. The first
Committee was the Council on Aging. Mr. Dustin started by moving that the matter
of the appointment of Lester Ralph be taken off the table and it was so voted. He
then moved that Lester Ralph be appointed to fill the remaining term of Lee
Winslow due to expire June 30, 1983 and it was so voted. The Board then interviewed
Marcia McFarland, John MacDonnell and Corinne Pecoraro, all candidates for the
Council on Aging. After the interviews the Board nominated Elizabeth Knox, Lester
Ralph, Marcia McFarland, John MacDonnell and Corinne Pecoraro to terms of 3 years
starting July 1, 1983 and ending June 30, 1986. The Board then approved the
appointment of Elizabeth Knox, Marcia McFarland, Lester Ralph and Corinne Pecoraro
for the 3 year terms, the vote being 5 - 0 in all cases. The Board then nominated
John MacDonnell for a one year term. The vote for approval was 2 - 2 - 1. After a
brief conversation the Board voted 4 - 1 to reconsider, with Mrs. O'Brien abstaining.
The vote was then taken on the appointment and Mr. MacDonnell was approved 3 0 - 2,
with Mrs. O'Brien and Mr. Rosenthal abstaining.
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The Board then took up the Board of Appeals appointment. John Anderson was the only
candidate and was up for re-appointment for a three year term. A lengthy discussion
then evolved. Each member of the Board expressed their concern for the "appearance"
of a conflict of interest with Mr. Anderson s'erving on the Board of Appeals and Mrs.
Anderson on the Conservation Commission. Other concerns were expressed at the fact
that one minority member of the Board of Appeals could vote the majority vote. It
was suggested the By-Laws should be changed to install a five man Board to prevent
this. Mr. Anderson stated he could not actively support this. ' Citizens present
speaking in favor of Mr. Anderson's appointment were Isabelle and John Harker of
103 Prescott St. , Ben Nichols, Theo Johnson and Mr. Hulse. William Locke, an
Assessor, expressed his concerns of conflict if Mr. Anderson were appointed.
Finally, Mr. Dustin moved that Mr. Anderson be appointed, seconded by Mr. Landers.
The vote was 3 - 2 against with Mr. Landers, Mrs. O'Brien and Mr. Rosenthal against.
The Board then moved and voted to re-appoint Stephen Tucker as an Associate Member
of the Board of Appeals.
The Board then moved and voted to re-appoint Sally Hoyt and Francis Robie to three
year terms on the Conservation Commission.
The Board moved and voted to re-appoint John Brown, Paul Exner and Joan Nickerson to
the Hazardous Waste Committee for 3 year terms.
The Board moved and voted to re-appoint Elia Dangelmaier, Carol Beckwith, Cheryl Dubois,
Wayne Lewis, Sharon Ofenstein, Beverly Seavey, John Zorabedian and William Fowler to
the Highland School Building Committee for one year terms.
The Board moved and voted to re-appoint Virginia Adams, Barbara Nelson and Paul Fermano
to be Associate Members of the Highland School Building Committee for one year term.
The Board moved and voted to appoint Benjamin E. Nichols as a member to the Town Forest
Committee for a three year term.
The Board acknowledged a letter from Gail Matthews concerning loose dogs and instructed
the Executive Secretary to respond and point out her case was a civil matter.
The Board read a letter from Alan Drachman con erning the efforts of his office to
represent several municipalities in trying to reduce Blue Cross/Blue Sheild rates.
The Board referred the matter to their Wednesday meeting. . ,
The Board read a letter by Tams and tabled it for review.
The Board authorized Mr. Russell to sign a contract with Elevators Inspections, Inc. to
handle elevator inspections in the Town.
6/10/83