2001-02-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Selectmen's Meeting Minutes February 12, 2001 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 12, 2001 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Krieger, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel, and Ms. Pease, Assistant to the Executive Clerk were present. Public Comment Stephen Tripi asked for an explanation of Article 15 regarding additional money needed for library construction. He also wanted to know why Pay -as- you -Throw was bundled with Article 4 rather than a separate item for Town Meeting to vote on. Mrs. Krieger explained that the Library would be giving an update on the library project later in the agenda. Regarding Pay -as- you -Throw being bundled, it is a substitution for taking a portion of the fixed fees for trash and therefore is covered under Article 4. Mr. Parker, Depot Square Representative of the Meriam Hill Association, requested that the Selectmen schedule a hearing as soon as possible on the traffic issues connected with the project. The Association is concerned about the safety of pedestrians, drivers, bikeway patrons, and neighborhood residents during the execution of the project, and in particular, the dramatic increase in traffic on Meriam Street. It is important to get all the constituencies together to discuss concerns. Mr. Parker was assured that the Meriam Hill Association would be able to have a meeting with staff to express concerns. Perry Pollins spoke about street conditions, particularly Massachusetts Avenue and maintenance of them. He is particularly concerned about back road potholes. He feels we should not just repair but need to resurface many roads and then maintain them. Mr. White stated that the reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue is part of a one million dollar appropriation that has already been made. Mr. Hadley said that the DPW has procured a hot top machine for $1,000 a month that will allow DPW to apply hot top rather than cold patch. DPW is trying to take action quickly on repairing the roads as needed. Mr. Enrich stated that he understands Mr. Pollins concerns about the conditions of the roads. The reality is that for a number of years the town under invested seriously in its infrastructure, not just in the roads, but buildings, schools, as a way of skating past the financial challenges that the town was facing during those years. One of the things that this Board has done is to come up with a plan that addresses the Town's capital needs in a comprehensive responsible way. The