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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes ROUGH DRAFT I MEETING NOTES 1 10/3/83 At 7:30 P.M. the Board of Selectmen met in joint session with the School Committee and interviewed the one remaining candidate, Mr'. Bruce MacDonald, a former School Committee member. A poll vote was then called by Mr. Russell of both Boards, with all five names in nomination, and Mr. MacDonald was appointed by a 8 to 1 vote. The joint meeting was then ajourned. Mr. Landers gave a report to the Board regarding a recent request from Mr. Winam, Veterans' agent, that because of his ill health his clerk's hours be increased to 35 hours per week immediately. Mr. Landers indicated that he had scheduled a meeting with Mr. Winam for Thursday, 10/6, to review the matter comprehensively, and that at that time there might be more information available about his need for hospitilization. . Mr. Dustin gave a report on his. meeting with the Fire Dept. Dispatchers, and indicated that there concern over diesel fumes and crowded watch room seemed valid, and has been referred to the Supt. of Buildings; the Personal Day matter was under consideration by the Personnel Board; and the research they had done on salaries could be presented to the Board at a regular meeting within 3 weeks. The Board approved the request from Troop 702 to use the parking lot for a paper drive on October 29, 1983. They also approved the payment of the August Unemployment Invoice in the amount of $2,332. The Board acknowledged receipt of an announcement from the Special Commission on the Performing and Visual Arts of the award of $3,891 or .13% of the total funds available to the Reading Arts Council. At 8:00 P.M. the Board opened the meeting with two of the five individuals that were expected to attend representing the MBTA and B$M to discuss the Woburn/ High Street Crossing and the Depot Lease issues. Mr. Rosenthal, and then again Mr. Russell expressed their disappointment and frustration to Pat Jordan (MBIA) and Jim Stoetzel (B&M) that once again the people with authority to make decisions regarding the Town's concerns were not present. The MBTA's concern over the crossing approval already being known, Mr. Russell reiterated the Board's posi- tion that certain conditions and restrictions in the Depot deed be reviewed and revised. He specifically mentioned provision for snow removal, maintaining a heated waiting room, and a facility for a ticket agent; and also a current use by the trainmen of the facility that is not provided for in the deed which the Town is prepared to charge a monthly rental fee for. After some discussion it was decided that an on-site meeting would be arranged soon with Mr. Sullivan, Director of Railroad Operations, and the Board, and that hopefully they would proceed from there with some difinitive action on these issues. In discussing the Depot Lease Proposal, the Board decided to change the specifications to include Sale, and to indicate that utilities would not be in- cluded. Also in a discussion with Ted Cohen it was determined that if a building permit .were necessary, it would have to obtained from the Executive Office of Transportation as required under Mass. General Law Chap. 40, Sec. 54A. The Board then voted 4 - 0 to release the specs as amended, with a return deadline of October 24, 1983. -2- The Board then began a discussion with Chief Marchand on the Depot Parking Ticket Program, and the Chief reported that additional funds would be necessary to start the program. An amount of $9,165, most of that needed for new signs for the area and also. the new tags. There was some discussion over different rates for residents and non-residents, and a lengthy discussion over the pro- blems created for the residents of the newly posted streets. Adelle Blunt from Linden Street addressed this and asked if the several cars in her family and their guests could expect tickets, or even if they would find parking as people moved up into these surrounding areas to avoid the new restrictions. After some dis- cussion Mr. Dustin moved that consideration be given to the residents of the posted streets, and with proper identification they be allowed to park without payment of fee or fine. Mr. Landers seconded the motion. Chief Marchand and the Board then discussed the possibility of changing some of the two hour areas to four hours. Mr. Dustin then withdrew his motion in favor of a second motion by him that all streets marked in purple on the map under discussion be changed from two to four hour parking. This motion passed 4 - 0. The Board passed the fee proposal of $20 per month and $1.00 per day for residents and merchants, and $30 per month and $1.50 per day for non-residents on a 4 - 0 -vote. They also voted .to request the $9,165 on a transfer from the FinCom by a 4 - 0 vote. Mr. Russell accepted a copy of letter from the Board of Health on the John Street Landfill Report, a letter from Latham & Latham on the proposed Nursing Home, and a copy of letter from the Dept. of Public Works to the Planning Board on the Rt. 28/South Street Improvement Project, and copy of a notice to B.P.W. of the receipt of $61,459 in Chapter 90 Funds as items of information for the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Russell requested that a letter from Finbury & Sullivan, P.C. regarding a suit against the Town be referred to the Law Committee. He also acknowledged a notice from the Dept. of Revenue indicating their approval of our revaluation program up to this point of the project. Regarding the notice from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission on the suspension of the license of Reading Liquors, Inc. , 345 Main Street, from October 24, 1983 thru October 29, 1983, Mr. Russell asked .that Mr. Agnew checked to see if any further action was required by the Board of Selectmen. The meeting was adjourned. at 11:00 P.M. Mrs. O'Brien was absent.