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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-06-04 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of June 4, 1984. Chairman Rich called the meeting to order in Room 19, 52 Sanborn Street (the Community Center) with Board members J. Shaw, B. Mitchel and J. Wood present at 7:30 P.M. Ms. Virginia. Adams, Reading Historical Commission, was present for the latter part of the meeting. Correspondence Mail was reviewed. Board noted the meeting of the Board of Appeals for June 7, 1984 regarding Criterion Road variances for set-back requirements. Mr. Shaw and Chairman Rich will attend this hearing. Chairman Rich questioned the status of the lawsuits against the Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission from Stoneham - Savings Bank. This office had been requested to send out infor- mation, and information was sent to Town Counsel, regarding the public hearing and the Board's minutes in this regard. Ms. Plansky will contact Town Counsel to inquire as to current status. Letters to State Senators Buell and Brennan and Representative Barrett regarding Family Day Care Centers has received no reply. Ms. Plansky will check on this matter. Bills Payable Bills Payable in the amount of $35.00 was unanimously approved for payment by the Board. Minutes Action on approval of minutes, as listed on the agenda,was deferred to a later meeting date. Zoning Matters Board reviewed old Zoning By-law legislAtion.under which the Building Inspector granted a permit to erect 2 radio towers on Osborne Street (off Pleasant Street). Selectmen have asked the Planning Board to review the current zoning and perhaps make it more stringent in regard to the review and safety process involved. Mr. Mitchel will be investigating this matter. Ms. Plansky has tried on many occasions to check this out with Attorney Joel Bard of MAPC. Ms. Rich will contact MAPC and try to obtain more information in this matter. Board Membership Board of Selectmen have 30 days in which to act after notification of withdrawal by any board member. Letter from Planning Board to Larry Drew, Town Clerk, is dated April 14th. Selectmen are anxious to interview and appoint so as not to be in violation of the law. Board has tentatively arranged to meet with Selectmen on Monday next, June 11th, if convenient,.for interviews and appointment to Board vacancy. There are 2 interested citizens who have applied for the position and their applications have been forwarded to this office by Town Clerk. Ms. Plansky will send a letter to Selectmen asking for an appointment for next Monday. 6/4/84 Page 2 Office Consolidation Chairman Rich spoke with Chairman O'Brien regarding office consoli- dation. It is Ms. Rich's understanding from this conversation that there will be 2 full-time positions (1 for Building Inspector; 1 for Conservation Commission) and 1 part-time position (Planning Board Assistant) to be moved to children's room in old library building. Board can review and inspect the layout and select the interior layout in cooperation with the Building Inspector and Conservation Commission(1 Administrator; l Clerk). Board discussed the merits of such a move especially as in regards to having to move back out when the renovations would be made. Previous suggestion.to move this office to the vacated Conservation Commission office after they move to the library was discussed. After further discussion and upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to arrange a schedule of time to inspect and tour the proposed new office space in the library building for next Monday before the meeting withthe Selectmen, perhaps at 7 PM. Further discussion onithis matter ensued after other listed agenda items. The motion was made and seconded to: "Have the Planning Board go along with the Selectmen on their suggestion to combine offices:of--:the Building Inspector, Conser- vation Commission and the Planning Board at the old Library building." Ms. Rich asked that an amendment be added that supports only the office consolidation. This was not seconded. Mr. Mitchel moved to change the words "go along with" to "cooperate with". This was seconded by Mr. Shaw. Mr. Wood then moved to change his original motion to "support" rather than "cooperate" or "go along with". This was not seconded. Mr. Wood then entertained the motion that would read "The. Planning Board will entertain suggestions of the Board of Selectmen regarding consolidation of offices as regards space, time and personnel." Action on the motions were: Mr. Wood withdrew his motion to insert "support" into the main motion. Upon a vote, it was voted 3-1-0 to insert "cooperate" in place of "go along with" in the main motion. Upon a vote of 3-1-0, the main motion passed and the.Board has registered its support as follows: "The Planning Board will support the Selectmen in their suggestion to combine offices of the Building Inspector, Conservation Commission and Planning Board". Mr. Wood withdrew his second motion and no action was taken. 6/4/84 Page 3 Law Committee Chairman Rich has received a letter from John H. Russell, Law Committee member and Board of Selectmen member, regarding the appointment of Town Counsel for FY '85. Response to this must be made by Tuesday, June 5th. After much discussion, the Board felt that the current counsel, H. Theodore Cohen, should be reappointed for the upcoming year. It has been this board's _experience to always obtain thorough research and investigation on any matter presented to counsel for his review and opinion. Discussion included appointment of a town resident as Town Counsel but the Board felt that the question of conflict in this regard would be too great. A letter will be sent to. Mr. Russell before tomorrow's 7:30 P.M. meeting. Zoning Maps Some of the maps had to be redone because of the faded vellums. One of the maps that had to be reworked was the front page sheet with Board signatures. The Board then signed the new sheet. Mr. Arthur and Mr. Messina will be contacted to sign this sheet. After completion, they will be sent out for reduction and reproduction. Zoning By-law Handbooks Final corrections to the ZBL's have been made by Mr. Mitchel. Ms. Plansky will be going to the High School to make the final correc- tions on the discs and have them ready to go to the printers by the end of FY 184. Liaison Reports BPW - Mr. Mitchel reported that he has attended a meeting of the BPW and was impressed by Mr. Fletcher, the new BPW Superintendent. The negotiations for trash pick-up continues with BFI and RESCO. Mr. Fletcher recommends an 11 year contract with RESCO. Final action on this matter has not been taken. ZBA - Mr. Shaw and Ms. Rich will attend the hearing on Thursday, June 7 in regards to Criterion Road and application for an accessory apartment. CC - Ms. Rich reported that the Conservation commission will be reviewing the application and plans of Somerset Nursing Home on North Main Street tonight. Mr. Mitchel reported Anderson regarding the plans are to obtain an pending lawsuits. Ms. Counsel. on a conversation that law suits of Stoneham access off Rustic Lane Plansky will check on he had with Mr. Savings Bank. Current and to withdraw the this matter with Town 6/4/84 Page 4 Meeting Schedule Board discussed convenient meeting date and time for the Planning Board to meet. After several proposals, the final decision is to meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 P.M. The next meeting will be on-next--Monday, June 11, 1984 at 7:00 P.M. to review the office space in the old _library _buiding. After the tour arrangements will be made to meet with theSelectmen tointerview and appoint a.new member to the Planning Board. There being no further business before the Board, it was unani- mously voted to adjourn at 9:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, John D. Wood, Clerk