HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-08-17 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of August 17, 1983.
Chairman Messina called the meeting to order in Room 19,
52 Sanborn Street with Board members B. Mitchel, C. Arthur
and M. Rich present. Also present at this meeting were BPW
Chairman Gail„Wood, Asst. Superintendent-BPW, Ted McIntyre
and a reporter from the Reading Chronicle.
Personnel
The Chairman received a call from Union President stating that
the hourly rate must be increased to $7.90 as a minimum due to
the reclassification change of the Board's staff position to
Administrative Assistant. Action deferred until the Board is
in receipt of verification in writing of this rate. There has
been no change to the salary budget to date. This may require
a trip to the Finance Committee to increase the Board's appropri-
ation.
Political Signs
Board reviewed motion and
to the scheduled meeting
Theophanis. Questions of
were discussed as well as
Scenic Roads
Town Meeting tabling of article prior
with By-law Committee member, George
-constitutionality (1st Amendment rights)
other towns' by-laws.
Mr. Arthur distributed copies of a draft rules and regulations
for Scenic Roads. There being no objection from the Board members;
a "draft" copy was given to BPW Chairman. The Board reviewed
the lnaguage contained therein.- Discussion included:
- meaning of "natural resources"
requirement under Section 5.5 and whether government
agencies would be exempt
the insertion of the words "as.a minimum". after the
word requirement
- Concern by BPW Chairman that the language was "too broad"
and that there was no clear definition that any roadway
must meet definite requirements before being designated
a "Scenic Road"; also will governmental agencies be
exempted from having to havei.their sub-contractors post
an additional bond with the Planning Board; what fee for
Town-agencies; who would provide "reasonable alternatives";
The Board noted-all these concerns and Mr. Arthur will try to
address relative issues with the next draft.
Population Report
Mr. Mitchel presented his findings.on the updating-of the last
Population Report issued by this Board in 1978. At that time
the Town Planner produced a report with statistics, graphs and
trends. The addendum to that report will only highlight signi-
ficant trends. Among those noted were:
average family size has decreased; should have gained
700+ according 'to published stats, only gained 139;
Minutes
8/17/83
Page 2
- age grouping shows that we are losing our population
between the ages of 15-25;
- age grouping also shows that we have lost some of
our older population and have increased in the number
of school age children.
Board discussed the updating.and decided that the Fall.Town
meeting schedule will be very heavy for this Board and this
report will be given only as a report of progress to the Board.
Zoning.Issues
Discussion on trasitional zoning,was deferred.
Board is in receipt oaf a letter from O. Bradley Latham, attorney
for. Continental Wingate, stating that the present proposal will
be to reduce the number of floors from `4 stories to 3 stories.
Another letter from Attorney Latham requested that the Board
forward----a letter-to--t-he -State -stating the current zoning of
this.parcel of land and what approvals would be necessary for
allowing a nursing home-to be built on this property. Mr. Arthur
will review the letter and will draft a letter to be submitted
to the State, after final approval from all.Board members.
Open Space Plan Update
Board received copy of the updated "Open Space Plan" from the
Conservation Commission and requested that the Secretary draft
a letter with final approval from the Chairman endorsing the
proposal. This letter: will be submitted to the Conservation
Commission for attachment to the application at the State level.
There being no further business before the Board, it was unani-
mously voted to adjourn at 10 P.M. The next meeting of the
Board is scheduled for Wednesday, September.l4th at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk