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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 6, 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 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy, Secretary Ben Tafoya, Selectman James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena, and the following list of interested parties: Thomas Ryan, Ellen Hill, John Halsey, Lynda Zarrow, Paula Recci and William Hecht. Executive Session A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation—45 Beacon Street - and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the body, and to reconvene in Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m.,was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:30 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments -James Bonazoli noted he had office hour tonight and a resident who had concerns regarding eliminating the school flashing light on West Street suggested painting "school" in the road. Mr. Goldy noted that he received an email from the Council on Aging regarding the two vacancies and asked the Selectmen to reduce the number of members if the vacancies cannot be filled. James Bonazoli reminded residents of the 9-11 events to take place on Sunday. Ben Tafoya reminded residents of the upcoming Fail Street Faire. Stephen Goldy noted he will be at the Senior Center this week for his luncheon visit. Camille Anthony noted that she-attended the hazardous waste transportation meeting. Many cities and towns are opposed to the proposal. She noted that the issue is that the City of Boston does not want hazardous material on their roads for density reasons. Chairman Anthony also noted that she met with Steve Oston regarding the Council on Aging. She also met with Gina Snyder, Michele Benson and Joan Boegel regarding maintenance of shade trees. They have money to finish the Mattera Cabin. Public Comment - Resident Tom Ryan expressed his dismay with misspellings on signs in Town Hall. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 6, 2011 —page 2 Resident Frank Gentile, 36 Wilson Street, submitted a petition to the Board in an effort to get the gas company to fix the gas leaks on their street. He noted that the residents are against the Town paving the street until the gas company fixes the leaks. He also noted that there is a major water drainage problem on the street. Bob McHugh, 29 Wilson Street noted that a neighbor smelled gas and reported it. The gas company came out and addressed it. The neighbors have concerns since the Pleasant Street house explosion., Chairman Camille Anthony directed Stephen Goldy and the Town Manager to meet with neighbors and DPW regarding the drainage problem. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ MPO Election ♦ City of Boston proposed truck hazardous materials routing ♦ Chamber of Commerce"Buy Local"program Community Services ♦ Conservation Commission review of bylaw and regulations. Library ♦ Future of building project Public Safety ♦ RCA - Reading Community Alerts—Sign up for"opt in" feature Public Works ♦ MWRA water interconnection with Stoneham ♦ MWRA water redundancy project—under design ♦ MASSDOT is beginning the design process for resurfacing Main Street. It was last done in 1986. I 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 1 trash tonnage is down 15%, equaling an approx. $80,000 savings, ♦ Recycling is up 18%, and is approaching 30% from approx. 20%in FYI 0, ♦ We now have two "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, 11/14-1.1/18, 11/28-12/2 Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 6, 2011 —page 3 Construction projects s Causeway Road—Preparatory work is done-pending roadway paving schedule ♦ 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 Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that another Police Officer was shot in Woburn. Discussion/Action Items Approval of Permit to Serve Wine—Reading Library Foundation—Library Trustee member Bill Hecht was present. He noted the event is to honor the supporters of the Library and he is requesting permission to serve wine at the event at the Library. He noted that this is an adult event. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the one day special alcohol beverage license, and approves such event in a public buildintt pursuant to 5.5.4.1 of the General Bylaw, for the Donor Recognition Event at the Reading Public Library at 64 Middlesex Avenue on October 14, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing—Application for Waiver of Retail Sales Before 6:00 a.m. —JK Market, 211 Main Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the request is for a waiver for 212 Main Street, JK's Market to open before 6:00 a.m. Kalpesh Patel, owner of JK's Market, noted that he only wants to open 15 minutes earlier so customers can get their morning coffee and newspaper. Stephen Goldy noted that there was a note from Health Administrator Greg Erickson regarding rubbish collection. The Town Manager noted that rubbish collection is prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Richard Carol, 12 Knollwood Road, indicated he has no objections to the early opening but asked that the Board require a hearing for JK's Market at renewal time. He noted that some nights the dumpsters are left open and the seagulls rip open the rubbish. He noted that the dumpster was emptied last Friday at 6:08 a.m. and two bags were left behind. June Davie, 18 Knollwood Road, noted that bags of trash have been left out several times and there is a problem with mice. She also noted that Mr. Patel agreed to put up a fence to block the headlights and he never did it until recently when he put up three portions of fence and the plow knocked it over. There is also an issue of noise from the air conditioner and he was supposed to replace a tree he took down. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 6, 2011 —page 4 Mr. Patel noted that the air conditioner is a big expense - $15,000. He tried to fix it a couple of different ways, but he needs a new air conditioner. James Bonazoli noted that the waiver will expire on December 31 and he recommends mandating that he come before the Board of Selectmen for review. He requested that Health Inspectors do a review of the facility immediately and ongoing. Camille Anthony noted that there are lottery tickets on the ground around the front of the store. Mr. Carol noted that the Conservation Commission had directed Mr. Patel to plant a blue spruce and it was never planted. Mr. Patel indicated that the Conservation Commission came out and checked everything and gave him his money back. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on the application for a waiver of retail sales before 6:00 a.m. for JK Market, 211 Main Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve an application by JK Market at 211 Main Street to open at 5:45 a.m., Monday through Friday, effective September 7, 2011, and excluding State designated holidays. This approval will expire December 31, 2011. The Board of Selectmen finds that in accordance with Section 5.10.4 of the General Bylaws: • It is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare or-that public necessity or convenience will be served by permitting such operation; and ® All conditions of Site Plan approval, all other bylaws, licenses and requirements of Town agencies and the requirements of Section 3.9 of the Board of Selectmen Policies shall be met. ' Where there is a conflict among these bylaws, permits, approvals and licenses, the most restrictive shall be met; and • There is no detrimental effect of such operation on the Town or the immediately abutting neighbors. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Change in Plan—Caf6 Capri—Michael Enos, owner of Caf6 Capri was present. He noted that he is seeking approval to move the bar to the front of the store. The total number of seats does not change. The Town Manager noted that Mr.. Enos has fully complied with all training. A motion by Tafova seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to Section 3.2.1.1 of the Board of Selectmen policies, approves the change in plan for Cafe Capri as shown on the plan entitled "Final Restaurant Plan 09/01/201111, and "Bar Area Plan Cafe Capri, dated Sept. 1,2011"was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 6, 2011 —page 5 Review of General Bylaw Recodification - Phil Pacino, Chairman of the Bylaw Committee was present. He noted that the Bylaw Committee has been re-codifying the Bylaws since last fall to make it easier to read and understand.. A public hearing was held and there were no attendees from the public. The Town Manager noted that this was last done in 1988. The changes create consistency throughout. Some of the changes include, but not limited to: renumbering; eliminating licensing a Laundromat; eliminating the underground storage licensing article; eliminating the section on conflict of interest because we follow the state law; and rewriting the anti-litter section to simplify it. James Bonazoli asked if we could give Town Meeting the opportunity to opt out of printed copies of the warrant. The Board thanked Phil Pacino for the work that the Bylaw Committee did on the re- codification. Traffic - Haven/High Street Improvements - Consultant Randy Collins was present. He presented a plan for the Haven/High Street area of downtown. He noted the plan incorporates the streetscape character of pedestrian safety, off street parking, street trees and ornamental lights. He rioted that we lose 13 parking spaces in front of the Atlantic. He suggests widening Sanborn and Linden Streets to get parking on both sides. He also suggests a flush and just slightly raised mini roundabout at High and Haven Streets, Ben Tafoya indicated that people would go crazy with a turn about i.e. the traffic dummy. He feels it will slow people down and also take away good space. He doesn't think people will use the crosswalk from the Depot to Haven Street as indicated in the plan. Ben Tafoya indicated he would like to see a canopy of mature trees from Haven Street to the Town depot. Randy Collins indicated we are actually increasing public space. He noted that the crosswalk and raised islands at High and Washington Streets will help with the train whistle ban. They would also redo the signal at High and Woburn. The total cost of the project is $4.3 million and they are looking at Mass Works for funding. He noted that the grant money can be used towards design also. James Bonazoli noted that if we can expand the streetscape we should, and he would like to have a workshop on it, including having Oaktree in to do an overlay. The Board requested the plans electronically and the Town Manager will schedule a workshop. Harrison Street Follow Up - Public Works Director Jeff Zager, Town Engineer George Zambouras and Police Chief James Cormier were present. The Town Manager noted this is a follow-up traffic study that shows no changes. Stephen Goldy noted that the amount of vehicles have doubled in the follow-up study. George Zambouras noted this street is a cut-through street during the morning rush hour and the original' Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 6, 2011 —page 6 survey was done during the week of Christmas while people were on vacation. The Town Manager noted that 32 mph is in the 85th percentile. Camille Anthony indicated she feels this road should be 25 mph, especially with the park and children in the area. Availability of Additional Employee/Merchant Parking Spaces on High Street - Chief Cormier noted that Oaktree is requesting to lease parking spaces in the High Street area for construction purposes. All spaces are currently leased. They want 9 spots and they have 10 already. If there are no spaces on High Street then they could lease spaces at Brande Court. James Bonazoli indicated he would like to look at a two sticker system - one for compost and one for parking. The consensus of the Board was to offer 10 short term spaces on Brande Court and review the situation on January 10, 2012. Wayfinding Signs -No action. Downtown Follow Up and Status - This was discussed earlier during the Haven/High Street discussion. Bus Shelter-No action. Sidewalks - Repair, Replacement and New Construction-No action. Hopkins and Main Signal - The Town Manager indicated the estimated cost of design is $50,000 and Pulte will pay. He asked if we should ask Pulte to pay now and do the design, hold the hearings, and then turn it over to the state. The Selectmen indicated that would be the route to take. Washington Street.Night Time HVE -No action. Permit Parking - Status of Rental of Permit Spaces-No action. Handicap Space Downtown- Haven at Main-No action. West Street - Go to 100% Design - George Zambouras noted that this project won't get funded before 2014 unless the Town does 100% design. It will cost $54,240 to get plans to 100%. The consensus of the Board was to move forward to the 100% design. Grant Street - The Town Manager noted that the abutter wants the Town to abandon a piece of roadway to use as parking. The consensus of the Board was to abandon the property. Preview Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant - The Town Manager gave a brief review of the draft Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 6, 2011 —page 7 Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of August 23, 2011 as amended was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meeting at 10:50 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. RespegIfidly submitted, Secretary