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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 7, 2011 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda,for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:07 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Ben Tafoya, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Mac Cesullo, Frard( Driscoll, Mary 1 llen,Stoleeki, Mary Ellen Downy and Vicky Schubert. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Stephen Goldy noted that the Fall Street Faire Committee has been meeting and is still looking for volunteers. The registration for vendors is now online. Camille Anthony noted that she covered for Stephen Goldy at the Senior Center. She also noted that Jimmy Houston will not be there this evening. Ben Tafoya.noted that sponsors are needed for the Fall Street Faire. He also noted that he has been visiting communities with the Town Manager and Town Engineer lobbying for the West Street project which is not on the current list. .lames Bonazoli thanked staff for the Memorial Day event. He noted that the Economic Development Summit is next week and the Fall Street Faire that will be held on September 1 It" will start at noon and the 9 -11 Memorial Service will be from 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. Public Comment—Bill Brown gave the Town Manager a list of town owned land. He noted that the flowers in the cemeteries will be picked up on Monday. He also asked where the money came Isom to water the flower baskets in the downtown. James Bonazoli indicated that the Board had already had that discussion and it is time to move forward. He indicated that it costs approximately $9,000 to water the plants and it probably won't be done next year. Vicky Schubert turned in a petition that was signed by residents who are opposed to amplified sound. Jaqui Carson from Peter Sanborn Place indicated that she is applying for 30 units of affordable housing. She got the Reading Housing Authority to write a letter of support and is requesting that the Selectmen do the same. Ben Tafoya noted that he will support a letter without a number attached to it. Board of Selectmen Meeting-June 7, 2011 —page 2 A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen authorize James Bonazoli or the Town Manager to draft a letter in support of the Peter Sanborn Place United Homes of Reading protect was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters o It is time For the aiulual Board/Committee/Commission appointment process ® The Board needs to sign the paper work for the new precincts that the Board approved at their last meeting Communis Development ® Jacqui Carson from Peter Sanborn Place will be in under public comment to request Board of Selectmen support for some level of funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the PSP expansion project. ® Camille Anthony has asked for an update for the Board of Selectmen on the 3 South Main Street redevelopment sites. ® Please sec the letter from Jean Delios to Jim Mawn regarding the M.F. Charles Building. Public Safety ® The RCASA Youth Crew is looking for additional 14 year old to 18 year old members. Contact Erica McNamara at the RCASA office if interested. Public Works 0 MWRA water interconnection with Stoneham - work this fall — completed summer 2012 — a copy of the notice of advertisement is in your packet. ♦ The first phase of the Fast 14 bridge work went well last weekend, except that some of the information apparently had the dates of lane closure incorrect. Watch 93fastl4.info2dot.state.ma.us for further information ® We have been made aware of National Grid gas line work on four streets — notices have gone to abutters ® The MPO is holding workshops and information sessions on proposed changes to the MOU. The major change would be to significantly increase the municipal representation on the MPO. Construction projects ® Causeway Road - Trees have been removed; RMLD will be starting pole relocation this week, DPW to start drain installation next week (weather permitting). Dates and Events: ♦ Friends and Family Day-June 18, 2011 ® Reading Fail Street Faire—September 11, 2011 The Town Manager noted that he has been in contact with Reading, Kansas which is a city of 250 people and they lost 1/3 of their housing and they have damage to their parks, schools and Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7, 2011 —page 3 churches from the tornadoes. He has talked with our Clergy Association and Recreation to see if there is any interest in helping. Discussion/Action Items Highlights—T echnology Plan— Bob LeLacheur noted that the Technology Division has four full time staff. We share document storage hardware with the Light Department and we work with the schools also. We are ready to go public with document storage. There is a need for new policies also. Financially, technology is under budget on almost every item — there is $250,000 available. Plans for $150,000 include accounting software, public safety software and improve the website. We are exploring PC virtualization and have reduced PC replacement cost from $1000 to $300/year. The Assessors selected new CAMA system; we have a new mass communications system that will be used to notify staff, boards, committees and commissions along with residents. Preview New Reading Community Alerts - Police Business Administrator Andrew Scribner noted that the water ban last year exposed a weakness in our alert system — it couldn't call everyone quickly enough. The Town investigated systems and purchased Everbridge. New user sign up is going on. Richard Schubert asked about the elderly who do not have computers and Andrew Scribner indicated there are public computers at the Library, Senior Center and there will be a kiosk at the Police Station. I-fearing Amending Section 1.5.2 of the Selectmen's Policies Re: Use of Public Funds for Gifts — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the policy is on how public funds can be used for bereavement—the previous policy did not allow it. Town Accountant Gail LaPointe noted that changing the wording to say that donations can be collected so the wording will be changed to "accept and use funds" instead of"use public funds." A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on amending Section 1.5.2 of the Selectmen's Policies was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the amendments to Section 1.5.2 of the Selectmen's Policies as presented was approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Anthony abstaining. Review Amplified Sound Use at Morton Field — Reading Bulldogs— James Bonazoli noted that the Recreation Committee.has a policy to allow amplified sound. A petition was received tonight regarding use of amplified sound at Morton Field on Sundays from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Bonazoli also noted that the Selectmen are not the issuers of the pen-nit. Selectmen Richard Schubert indicated he will step down as a Selectman because he is a property owner at 1 19 Winthrop Avenue and although he is not a direct abutter to Morton Field, he lives Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7, 2011 —page 4 within close proximity. He was speaking as a private citizen and acting on his own behalf and not as a member of the Board of Selectmen. Vicky Schubert noted that she is representing the neighborhood and 32 residents signed the petition asking the Board to overturn the permit allowing use of amplified sound this summer because their input was not solicited previously. She noted that she does not object to baseball, just specifically amplified sounds. She noted that she respects the work of the Recreation Department and feels the Recreation Committee under estimated the impact on the neighbors. She noted that the petition asks the Board to rescind the permit to.use amplified sound because it is intrusive and impacts their right to peace. She feels the duration of eight Sundays from 1:00 to dusk with stop and go music is not necessary. Terry Ware, a resident on Winthrop Avenue for 20 years, indicated that she is surprised that Morton I,ield is being used for this and feels it will be an intrusion every Sunday. She feels that baseball can stand alone. Mary Ellen Stowlecki, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, noted that the Selectmen asked the Recreation Committee to look at the section on amplified sound back in 2009. The Recreation Committee had difficulty quantifying sound and determining who would police it so they didn't amend the policy. She noted that Mr. Hallisey wanted to make this an event for Reading, not impose on the neighborhood. Last July he was told by the Town to shut off the sound. A subcommittee was set up and no resolution came of it. Ms. Stowlecki noted that this is a great opportunity for Reading youth to have this in Reading—it's a festive atmosphere. The Town Manager noted that when the initial application was made there was no mention of amplified sound. I-le noted that the Bull Dogs are not your typical team, their season is set and they have a valid permit. Vicky Schubert asked why the permit was issued again when they were told to shut off the sound last year. She noted that the committee should have invited public input. Mrs. Schubert indicated that every Sunday is not an exception and suggested that Symonds Way would be a more appropriate location for them. Bernie Winne, Associate member of the Recreation Committee, indicated that the Committee consulted with the Town Manager and Police Department and the Police indicated they received no complaints. Mary l;llen Downey noted that when they got shut down last year the abutters thought that was the end of it. She has never made a complaint in 32 years but every Sunday is too much. James Bonazoli asked if the music part or just the announcements were the problem and Vicky Schubert indicated all of it. Rick Schubert, 1 19 Winthrop Avenue, indicated that his comments are as a private citizen. He feels there is a vagueness of policy and this is a significant change in protocol in the past 20 years. It is a significant negative impact on abutters. He noted that Babe Ruth started at 9:00 Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7, 2011 —page 5 a.in, and went all day. He had no refuge even inside his house and his neighbors had the same complaint. The noise was overwhelming and unacceptable. Recreation Committee member Frank Driscoll noted that there were no complaints originally — there was no opportunity to discuss. They were told to shut it off by the Town Manager and one Selectman. He feels the Recreation Committee didn't have any reason not to issue the permit because one complaint isn't enough to shut it down. James Bonazoli indicated if a public hearing was held then the Recreation Committee would have heard comments. The Town Manager noted that the reason he stopped them was because this was something different. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to direct the Recreation Committee to rescind the Permit for the Reading Bull Dogs team to use amplified sound at Morton Field was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. .lames Bonazoli noted that the Selectmen need to look at the policy for amplified sound including types and duration. Approval of Plans — Busa Liquors — Architect Domenic Sacari noted that he prepared the plans. They are rearranging their retail space. The Town Manager noted that all of the permits are in place and they just need the Selectmen to approve it. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Proposed revised floor Plan for Busa Liquors dated 27 September 10, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review/Approve Aquifer Protection District Amendments — The Town Manager noted that he needs direction from the Board and he hopes to have this.ready for the fall Town Meeting, Richard Schubert indicated it would be helpful to see comparisons. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen direct the Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager- to work with Town Counsel and Staff to prepare amendments to the Zoning Bylaw section 4.5 - the Aquifer Protection District Bylaw — to have the bylaw mirror the state DEP regulations as to maximum coverage, and incorporate specific design standards into the bylaw, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Proposal to Transfer a Portion of 40R Smartgrowth Incentive Payments to the Affordable Housing Trust Funds — The Town Manager noted that once the building permits are issued we can spend the money. Pulte is doing demo now and the permit will be issued on September 9, 2011 for the first part of the project. The amount of $350,000 will become available and then $3000 for each unit will be paid to the Town. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7, 2011 —page 6 James Bonazoli and Stephen Goldy suggested a nominal figure of$150,000. Ben Tafoya indicated he didn't feel comfortable just picking a number tonight. He would rather wait for the building permit to be issued, The Town Manager indicated that the Warrant will not have a dollar amount in it. A motion by Anthony seconded. by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen direct the Town Manager to place the appropriate article on the Subsequent Town Meeting warrant to transfer funds from the Smart Growth stabilization fund into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review/Direction on Instructional Motions—Ben Tafoya is holding a workshop on Town owned property. The Town Manager indicated he will schedule this for August 2. Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the minutes of May 10, 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to labor negotiations — Dispatchers union, and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and not.. to reconvene in Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully Submitted, S le tary