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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 23,2011 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy, Secretary Ben Tafoya, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLaeheur, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Steven Ryan, DJ Napolitano, John Halsey, Matt Casey, Peter Donovan, Donna Dudley, Dermot Bolger, and Sheila Clarke. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— Camille Anthony commented on the recent deaths of two Reading youths and offered her condolences to the families and friends. Ben Tafoya noted that the Selectmen took steps years ago to combat drugs in the community. He also reminded the community of the Fall Street Faire on September 11 and indicated that volunteers are still needed. Public Comment — D.J. Napolitano, District Outreach for Congressman Tierney, was present to introduce himself and handed out brochures on grants that are available. Resident Donna Dudley read a letter to the Board of Selectmen about the drug problem in Reading. She is most distraught over the shooting death of Joe Ronan. She is asking for the community to help with the Board of Selectmen, Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse, School Principals and Police Department in taking the lead. Richard Schubert noted that the genesis of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse was the tragedies of suicide by youth in Reading. The Town Manager indicated that the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse annual meeting is September 29, 2011 and the recent events will definitely be the topic of discussion. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ MPO Election 0 Proposed legislation regarding utility rate restrictions 0 CPDC hearing on regulations regarding minor site plan review ♦ City of Boston proposed truck hazardous materials routing ♦ Assistance to Reading, Kansas o I have received the qualifications for five managers for Oye's Restaurant pursuant to the Board of Selectmen's direction and find all of them qualified to meet the requirements of the liquor policy. 0 A former candidate for attorney general has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice accusing local officials of failing to count write-in votes in last September's GOP primary.for state attorney general. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 2011 —page 2 ♦ Chamber of Commerce "Buy Local" program. Community Services ♦ Conservation Commission review of bylaw and regulations. 153 surveys completed to date. The Board of Selectmen has received a copy of the results. ♦ As of last month we have received $4,384.50 in additional donations for the Veterans Flowers trust fund. ♦ E-Cars on the former Artist Shoppe site—Under Construction. ♦ Oaktree—under construction. ♦ Reading Woods (aka AWP or Pulte Homes)—under construction. ♦ Calareso's - under construction. ♦ Pierce Organ factory Town approvals. ♦ Office re-use — MassBank' building next to the Olde Reading Butcher Shoppe - under construction. Finance ♦ Three months of meals tax equaling $74,680.92 has been received — this is well above our FY12 budget of$150,000 for the whole year. Library ♦ Future of building project. ♦ E-books and downloadable materials are available at the RPL—circulation has increased over 80%. Public Safety ♦ RCA- Reading Community Alerts— Sign up for"opt in" feature. Public Works ♦ MWRA water interconnection with Stoneham—see attached email. ♦ MWRA water redundancy project—under design. ♦ MASSDOT is beginning the design process for resurfacing Main Street. It was last done in 1986. 1 do not expect work to be done for at least a year. ♦ Installation of sample tree well material in downtown—2 trees. ♦ Rubbish and recycling — what to do if you have an event that will create more rubbish than the limit—contact JRM for a special pick up—up to 5 bags for$10. ♦ Paper Shredding, Rigid Plastics recycling—by popular.demand 9/24/11. ♦ From FY10 to FYI l trash tonnage is down 15%, equaling an approximate $80,000 savings. ♦ Recycling is up 18% and is approaching 30% from approximate 20% in FY10. ♦ We now have 2 "Big Belly" solar trash compactors/recycling units in downtown. ♦ Household Hazardous Waste Collection 9/24/11 in Wakefield. ♦ Fall leaf collection - 10/31-11/4, 11/14-11/18, 11/28-12/2. Construction projects ♦ Causeway Road-Preparatory work is done—pending roadway paving schedule. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 2011 —page3 ♦ Roadway Paving: Micro-Seal the contractor has reviewed the roadways and work should begin in the first half of September. Aggregate is still preparing the mix designs. When we spoke to them last they still had over half the mix designs to complete. ® Memorial Park: DPW has cleaned the drainage channel. We are getting prices from contractors to repair/rebuild loose masonry. ♦ Haverhill Street Water Main: Contract awarded. MWRA zero interest loan. ♦ River Study Contract under negotiation. ♦ Storm Water Mapping. Vendor selected—negotiating price. Personnel and Appointments Ad Committee on Amplified Sound in Parks — Ben Tafoya noted that the Committee met last night and interviewed a candidate for the Ad Hoc Amplified Sound in the Parks Committee. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen accept the report of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee and confirm the following appointments to the following Boards, Committees and Commissions: ♦ Petra Conboy to a position on the ad hoc Committee on Amplified Sound in the Parks for a term expiring December 31,2011; was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Historical Commission - Ben Tafoya noted that the Committee met last night and interviewed candidates for the Historical Commission. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen accept the report of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee and confirm the following appointments to the following Boards, Committees and Commissions: ♦ Robyn Parker to a position on the Historical Commission for a term expiring June 30,2013; o Judith Smith and Nancy Kohl to Associate positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30,2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Wine Bunker Liquor License Pledge of License — Peter Donovan, owner of the Wine Bunker was present. He noted that he pledged his license to North Bank when he first applied for it, now he is changing to Leader Bank. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on the Wine Bunker Liquor License pledge of license was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the pledge of license by Peter J. Donovan d/b/a The Wine Bunker to Leader Bank. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 2011 —page 4 Hearing - Policy Establishing an Ad Hoc Committee on Amplified Sound in Parks — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the School Committee wants to participate so he replaced one Selectman with one School Committee representative. Richard Schubert noted that the Selectmen's policy regarding fields is for fields under our regulation and will the School Committee adopt their own policy? The Town Manager indicated they probably will. Camille Anthony suggested that amplified sound have its own section in the policy. She also requested that when the Committee reaches a milestone that they report back to both the Selectmen and School Committee. John Halsey asked if there will public hearings. The Town Manager indicated he did not know if there will be public hearings, but all meetings are open to the public. John Halsey asked how people will be notified of meetings and Bob LeLacheur indicated they will be on the network calendar. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to close the hearing establishing the ad hoc Committee on Amplified Sound in the Parks was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the policy establishing the ad hoc Committee on Amplified Sound in the Parks as amended was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Interlocal Services Agreement— Public Health— The Town Manager noted that the updated agreement is in the packet. It includes the financial breakdown and a letter from the Mayor of Melrose. The agreement provides for'regional public health for Reading / Melrose / Wakefield. Reading's share will be 35% and the Health Director will begin the week of October l otn Richard Schubert asked about the reporting structure and staff support. The Town Manager noted the Health Director will report to the head of Community Services and staff support will be by telephone, emails and office hours. Richard Schubert noted the agreement doesn't mention Wakefield and the Town Manager noted that Wakefield has an agreement with Melrose and Reading has an agreement with Melrose. Steve Goldy noted that the compensation is a variable sum and the Town Manager noted that we know what the variable is for FY12 but not FY13. The only variable is the cost of the Health Director. Camille Anthony noted that the task list attached to the agreement says "Employee Task List" when it should say "Health Division Task List," because it is a list for the Department. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen approve the interlocal services agreement between the Town of Reading and City of Melrose for public health services was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 2011—page 5 Approval of Special Liquor License — Reading Fall Street Faire — Sheila Clarke and Dermot Bolger were present. Dermot Bolger indicated this will be similar to last year but they will not be being using wristbands. The beer and wine will be fully contained. Tents are for shading and they will use the patio furniture from Grumpy Doyle's. They will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage. The Town Manager noted that the location is the small municipal lot in front of Christopher's Restaurant on the piece nearest the street. Ben Tafoya noted that in the past there was limitation on amount served, but there is no limitation this year because the license is in the name of a private party. Richard Schubert asked how drinks will be monitored for not being passed over the fence. Mr. Bolger indicated there will be seven plus police details monitoring. A.motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen approve the special liquor license for Dermot Bober for the Fall Street Faire on 9-11-11, subject to the following conditions: o Only beer and wine will be served 0 All beer and wine will be stored in the event area only ♦ No beverages will be removed from the event area 0 Barriers,surrounding the entire perimeter of the event space are subiect to approval by the Chief of Police o There will be only one exit/entrance to the event area for patrons. This entrance/exit point will be staffed by a host/manager at all times. ♦ A police detail will be required starting '/2 hour prior to the opening and remaining at least 1/Z hour after closing or until area is safely closed. ♦ Every person serving alcohol will be Tips, Barcode or SafeServe certified. 0 There shall be no self service of any alcohol beverage. 0 Service will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion of Town Owned Property—Re: Instructional Motions —The Town Manager gave the following review of the properties in question: Parcel 23-70 Bay State Road — The Town Manager noted this parcel is likely a remnant of a State taking for the freeway interchange which was later returned to the Town. The property is relatively flat and backs up to the interchange of Routes 95 and 129. The recommendation is to confirm that it is Town owned and then approach the abutter to purchase the property. Camille Anthony suggested selling it to the abutter if they are interested. James Bonazoli suggested selling it to the abutter for $1 if they are interested. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 2011 —page 6 Ben Tafoya recommended having the Assessor assign a value to it and add the cost of Town Counsel. Parcel 38-54 Birch Road — The Town Manager noted that the parcel has 65 feet of frontage on the un-built portion of Birch Road and has the potential for significant value. The Board's recommendation was to have an appraisal done and then approach the three abutters. Parcel 8-11 Fairmont—The Town Manager noted that the parcel is landlocked and the value is to the abutter. The recommendation of the Board was to confirm the tax title status, appraise the property, and offer the land for sale to the abutters. Parcel 17-215 Green Street—This parcel is identified on deeds to abutting land as being reserved for a drain, but that would have to be confirmed. The consensus of the Board was to do nothing. Parcel 21-147 Kingston Street—This lot has only 24 square feet in area and it is unknown if the Town owns this property. The consensus of the Board was to do nothing. Parcel 27-210 Locust Street — This parcel is described as a right of way in deeds to abutting properties, but town ownership would have to be confirmed. The Board had concerns over expense to the Town and also to the buyer and decided to do nothing. Parcel 9-3 Lothrop Road—This property is owned by the Water Department and has an assessed value of $160,000. This would require Town Meeting action to transfer from the Water Department to the Board of Selectmen. The consensus of the Board was to put this on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. Ben Tafoya suggested having a discussion with the neighbors also. Parcel 33-37 Main Street at Birch Meadow Drive —This property is on the corner of Main Street and Birch Meadow and is currently the site of an Adopt an Island garden. There are questions about right of ways and surrounding lot boundaries. The consensus of the Board was to do nothing. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 2011 —page 7 Parcels 27-405 33-19 and 33-21 Oakland Road — The Town Manager noted that the School Committee needs to vote to transfer care and custody of a small portion to the Town. Then there is a need to eliminate the paper streets and then authorize the property for sale. Discontinuing the streets, once approved by Town Meeting, will require a process through land court. That process will take a couple of years. The consensus of the Board of Selectmen was to put this on the warrant for Town Meeting to: ♦ transfer the portion from the School Committee to the Board of Selectmen, o discontinue the streets, and o authorize the sale of the property The Town Manager noted that the first two steps are needed to do anything with the land, even by the Town. He also noted that the land was tax title land and therefore the Board of Selectmen has the ability to sell it. Ben Tafoya suggested having a discussion with the neighbors also Parcel 32-13 Parlunan Road— The Town holds an easement for sewer and drain. This property is also a walking area for children. The consensus of the Board was to do nothing. Parcel 28-202 Pearl Street—This property is made up of three separate parcels but one buildable lot could be carved out if the old right of way was abandoned and combined with the adjacent portion of the property on the south west corner of Pearl Street and Audubon Road adjacent portion of the lot. The consensus of the Board of Selectmen was to put this on the warrant for Town Meeting to: o discontinue the street, and authorize the sale of the property Ben Tafoya suggested having a discussion with the neighbors also. Parcel 23-62 Torre Street—The Town Manager noted this could give REI the potential to expand their parking lot. Town ownership needs to be confirmed. Camille Anthony suggested offering the parcel to the residential abutter instead of REI. Ben Tafoya recommended having the Appraiser tell us what the estimated value of the property is and then the Board of Selectmen could determine whether it is worth moving forward. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the minutes of June 14, 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 23, 20 1.1 —page 8 A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the minutes of August 2, 2011 .was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Executive Session minutes of August 2,2011 as written was approved with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Tafoya seconded by.Goldy to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, etary