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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-07-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes r- Board of Selectmen Meeting July 9, 1984 Present were Chairman Maureen O'Brien, Paul Dustin,Mary Ziegler, Jolmi Russell,Paul Landers and Executive Secretary John Agnew Appointments: The Selectmen are looking into the possibility of modifying the Parker Trust Fund and see if the funds could be used by local hospitals for the benefit of Reading residents. A subcommittee with one citizen representative has been formed. There are three hospital funds with Parker having the largest balance. Paul Dustin moved that Ann Schofield be appointed to the Ad Hoc Parker Trust Fund for the life of the committee. The motion was seconded and approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with John Russell abstaining. This issue was reviewed by a law finm that said the medical facility had to be in Reading and this material should be reviewed. Board of Assessors - Candidates were William Locke, former member, and Everett Francis LeMaire. Upon advice from Town Counsel Ted Cohen with respect to hiring someone in another retirement system, under the statute can be hired for up to a one year term as an emergency measure. The candidate must then run for election. If William Locke is elected, it cures the issues in the statute. In the interim, he could work no more than 960 hours (20 hours a week) from now to January 1St' or give up the pension, or give up pension accrual rights during the emergency period. The Board of Assessors recommended appointment of Mr. Locke. John Russell moved the names of William Locke and Everett Francis LeMaire in nomination for the Board of Assessors until the next election. The motion was seconded and approved and William Locke was appointed on the Board of Assessors by a unanimous vote. School Committee - Mr. Coco and Mr. Allen appeared and updated the Board on the Pearl Street School. The School Committee voted to close the Pearl Street School that is no longer in use for instruction but the School Committee has not relinquished control of the building in case changes in enrollment require using the site. A decision was made to rent and not mothball the building (about $20,000). Red Sneakers School, LaPierre Dance Studio, a church group and perhaps others are interested in renting. The School Committee wants to publicize the availability of the space to the community. There is approximately 21,300 square feet. To meet expenses ($70,000), rates need to be at least $7 a square foot. Rental of the auditorium would be on a per use basis. One person a day for staffing was envisioned. Maureen O'Brien felt night coverage would be necessary. The other schools work staggered custodial shifts to cover the longer day. The position would need to be filled by a union worker. I Board of Selectmen Meeting=July 9 1984—Page 2 Another option would be to contract the maintenance work and hire a management person or company. Adding an additional custodian would raise expenses to $85,000. Creative Arts is currently using about 1200 square feet and want more. A reasonable but not subsidized rate was discussed. Current tenants are still interested in the $7-10 range. Total square footage interest is about half of the building. Northeast Regional Exchange may be interested in the entire second floor. Costs do not include renovation expenses. John Agnew suggested contacting the State to see if they have rental needs. The Selectmen's office is the rental authority for the Town. The School Department would accept the funds. The School Committee doesn't want to carry the site as an unfunded line item in their budget. In order to receive the rental funds, they would need to maintain some educational use of the site. Insurance coverage was discussed. A separate account would need to be set up to receive rental payments and pay for the maintenance. No neighborhood input has been received. John Russell moved that the Board of Selectmen be the landlord, allow the revenue to go into an escrow, and the building remain open with a school function. The motion was seconded and voted unanimously. Proposition 2 %2 Ballot Question — The School Committee has requested support of the Board of Selectmen to place an override question on the ballot. Town Clerk Larry Drew was requested to be present to certify the vote. One option is exclusion of debt and interest, and the other is over the 2 %i limit. One requires a simple majority, and the other a two-thirds vote. Maureen O'Brien spoke against the debt and interest scenario and asked for additional information on which year's numbers would be used. The issue was raised as an instructional motion from Town Meeting. The Selectmen felt the language was too vague. The School Committee does not have proposed language. Paul Dustin asked that Chapter 59, Section 21C be supplied. The School Committee will work with Town Counsel to generate language based on Town Meeting instruction and return at a subsequent date. Cable TV Committee - Paul Landers moved the reappointment of Richard Trotta and James Guarente each for a three year term on the Cable TV Committee. The motion was approved and seconded by John Russell by a unanimous vote. Boardinu House Licensing - The Board is considering setting conditions due to the numerous complaints that have been received from neighbors of the house at 91 Hamden Street owned by Mr. Bertolini. The Building Inspector and the Chief of Police were asked to present a history. Mr. Stamatis said it was zoned A-40 which allows such use. He said he had no complaints for building issues over the past ten years. Mrs. Gilman lives upstairs at 95 Hamden Street. Mrs. Pearl Gilman lives at 93 Hamden Street. They complained of excessive noise at night especially Wednesday through Sunday, drinking, bottles being thrown into their yard, throwing a firecracker at the dog and using vulgar language. She said she had tried to meet with the Chief and had no success. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 9, 1984—Page 3 Chief Marchand said the Police were called three times in the last month, two for firecrackers. He stated he thought the problem was resolved a year ago when he talked l_. with Mrs. Gilman. There are ten young people living in the building. Since being notified by John Agnew, he has requested the patrol car and the Square Officer to monitor the location. The Gilman's said it has been quiet in the last ten days and a lot of cleanup work has been done. They alleged the caretaker is one of the worst abusers. Mr. Bertolini said he instructed Mrs. Gilman to call if there were any problems but she hasn't. He said he has a night manager who is responsible for noise issues. He said he has heard none of the noise that is complained about. Another tenant stated the noise was from tenants moving out. Mr. Hodge who lives on the other side has resided there since 1976 and moved in the beginning of May. He said they had called the Police on several occasions. He stated some of the occupants were good neighbors and others were a problem. Another neighbor said he had never been verbally harassed but has seen large numbers of tenants on the porch drinking. His brother wrote a letter saying he has been awoken by noise. Mrs. Gilman felt a responsible caretaker should be present. John Russell asked the Chief if a rooming house could be shut down as a public nuisance. Chief Marchand said he could only arrest an offender. He said the department policy is to issue warnings. There is a turnover of tenants so there are always new people to speak to. He said there had been previous arrests. Maureen O'Brien supported the concept of licensing boarding houses. Complaint letters were read into the record from other neighbors. One woman said she has heard the noise over the past four Summers. Mr. Bertolini said he told his tenants not to use the front porch. The Selectmen felt there was not an effective manager. Paul Dustin said he did not see what muscle the Board would have with licensing. John Agnew said fines could be issued and the license does not have to be issued. Maureen O'Brien requested input from Town Counsel, and allow Mr. Bertolini an opportunity to resolve the situation. She encouraged neighbors to call Mr. Bertolini with complaints and the Police if necessary. The subject of licensing will be placed on a future agenda. BuildingI — The Building Inspector noted the building on Sanborn Street takes up the entire lot. The adjacent lot has a small parking area. It is a nonconforming building prior to the code. Under current regulations, the location would need 1%2 parking spots per unit. He objected to the abutter being allowed to use the public parking lot. A house on Criterion Road is being occupied without an Occupancy Certificate. There is a difference of opinion between the Planning Board and Board of Appeals. One building permit was issued for the structure on the left and the applicant needed a Special Permit for the other two. It was a modular house and too close to the front lot line. Mr. Stamatis refused to issue an occupancy permit because the structures were in violation. John Russell inquired if he approved the cellar holes. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 9, 1984—Page 4 Mr. Stamatis said he looks at them but relies on the certified plot plan which he received after the house was built. Building permits were issued for the other two houses but were held up for a while pending fire and police sign-off. Maureen O'Brien said two houses were occupied. Building violations are subject to $1,000 fines. Town Counsel would need to handle the matter in court. John Russell moved that the Building Inspector appropriately pursue the occupancy without benefit of Occupancy Permit. Mr. Stamatis asked how he could do that if the Board of Appeals approves it. There was discussion that the hardship was not with the land but through the builder's own fault. Mr. Stamatis said the Selectmen should wait for the Board of Appeals' decision. John Agnew will obtain a copy of the appeal. Conservation Commission — The Conservation Commission, Building Inspector and Planning Board are likely candidates for a consolidation move with shared secretarial services. The Conservation Secretary is willing to work full time and the Planning Secretary is not. This contract negotiable issue is pending. There was concern about heating downstairs in the former Library (6 Lowell Street) in Winter. Telephone work will be completed soon. The Community Center is available on an interim basis. Reorganization must be approved by Town Meeting. Differences between secretarial and Administrative Assistant positions as well as hours for each group were discussed. The Board encouraged a cooperative effort between those Commissions to work out maximum office coverage. Appointment: The Conservation Commission reported that their choice for appointment was Mrs. Nickerson. Paul Dustin nominated Heather Winslow Hartshorn and Joan Nickerson for a three year term on the Conservation Commission. The motion was seconded. Mrs. Hartshorn received two votes and Mrs. Nickerson received three votes. Mrs. Nickerson was appointed. . Paul Dustin moved that Mrs. Hartshorn be appointed an Associate Member, and the motion was seconded and voted unanimously. John Russell moved to reappoint Maurice Proctor to a three year term on the Conservation Commission. The motion was seconded and voted unanimously. Veteran's Agent - Maureen O'Brien met on the Letter of Intent on the Veterans Agent and the Town can only accept Blue Cross. The Town has not yet been designated a Region. Paul Farrell has overspent his budget on travel which had been transferred to clerical. There is no expense budget. He will be very accountable as this is an experimental process for the next year. John Russell moved to receive a transfer of $181.00 to the Veteran's Department account. The motion was seconded and approved. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 9 1984—Page 5 Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing — Town Counsel Ted Cohen requested the Board be represented on Thursday at 8:00 p.m.,Room 11, on fixed/variable heights hearing. Miscellaneous - Proposed building at landfill would be higher than currently allowed. Discussion of height of ladder truck and Surmnit Towers and compared to Boston where buildings have secure interior stairs. Maureen O'Brien wrote a letter on behalf of the Board. Statement of values for insurance does not include the Mineral Street Bridge. John Agnew said he was talking to every board and department. Maureen O'Brien will sign but John Agnew will check accuracy. Personnel Board document was signed on the salary changes. John Russell said there was a grievance on the Secretary's desk on the nonappointment of the Deputy Fire Chief as Acting Chief. He was not on duty for half of the 72-hour period. Four captains provided the coverage. Paul Dustin talked to Mr. Nick Gavarilos, Assistant District Highway Engineer, who suggested the Board send a letter requesting someone from the district attend our meeting to discuss the proposed lights at Summer Avenue and Main Street. They need at least two weeks notice. Differences in dispatcher hours was discussed and modified. There is a contractor designated for the HVAC at the Police Station and work will be done shortly. Mary Ziegler noted she had received complaints of rough characters at Washington Park and inquired about Police surveillance. Appraisals- Six copies of the report should be submitted. Contracts - The Fire Department has not come in and signed the new contract. John Russell asked for clarification that members of unions that had not signed new agreements were not being paid the new rates. Summary minutes were prepared by Nancy L. Eaton from three 90minute tapes marked Selectmen's Meeting 7/9/84 supplied by the Town of Reading on December 23, 1999.