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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 27,2011 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: Bill Brown, Mark Cardono, Roberta Sullivan, Will Finch, Brian Sullivan, Matt Casey, David Mancuso, Phil Pacino, Sharon Bay, Paul Boudutie, Joseph Condon, Raymond Rose, Elena Vainer, Richard Krouse, Vincent Pace, David Merrill, Alice Waldron, Brian and Karen Poor, Lisa and Paul Cormier, Linda Tallent, Diane Tritto, Carol Tritto,Dom Pensavalli, Peter Genovese and Arthur Tzianabos. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Stephen Goldy noted he attended the community dialogue on substance abuse and violence and there was good attendance. He noted that the RCASA Annual meeting is on October 6 and the second dialogue on substance abuse and violence is October 18. Ben Tafoya noted that many people came in search of answers and he passed that along to the Town Manager to follow up at the next meeting. Stephen Goldy indicated he met with the Trust Fund Commissioners. He also met with the Town Manager, Town Engineer, staff from MassDOT and Representative James Dwyer regarding a pedestrian cross light on Salem Street, Ben Tafoya thanked everyone for attending the meeting last night on the construction work by MWRA and Pulte. He also noted that there are two openings on the Council on Aging. James Bonazoli noted that he attended the Police Chief mentoring program. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ City of Boston proposed truck hazardous materials routing—letter drafted. o Chamber of Commerce "Buy Local"program—end of September, December. ♦ Community dialogue on Substance Abuse and Violence — 9-21-11 at RMHS Field House — RCASA meeting follow-up at RMHS Performing Arts Center 10-6-11 —7 PM. ♦ Main/South Street community meeting — re: MWRA project and Reading Woods project-9- 26-11 at Coolidge MS—7 to 9 PM. ♦ Reading KS efforts and 10-20-11 fundraising event. Community Services o Community presentations on tri-community Main Street planning—in Reading on October 4. Board of Selectmen Minutes— September 27, 2011 —page 2 Finance/Accounting ♦ FY 2011 closed smoothly and certification of Free Cash and enterprise reserves should be completed within a week. o Boat excise bills are being prepared as directed by the DOR. Correspondence has been sent to all boat owners who live in Reading. Library s The library has a newprinting system for patrons, which is easier to use and less staff intensive to manage. Public Safety o RCA - Reading Community Alerts—Sign up for"opt in" feature. Public Works o MWRA water interconnection with Stoneham. ♦ MWRA water redundancy project—under design. o Wilson Street follow up—Drainage, curb, sidewalk, gas main. ♦ Fall leaf collection- 10/31-11/4, 11/14-11/18, 11/28-12/2. ♦ Sewer I/I smoke testing and dye testing to be conducted starting Monday, 9-26-11. Construction projects e Roadway Reconstruction — Mix design has been approved for binder areas, we are awaiting date when reclamation equipment will arrive. It is possible they may be in next week. First streets to be reclaimed: Causeway & Pearl. ♦ Roadway Overlay: Beaver Road and Dana are in progress, will be completed today. Red Gate and Old Farm tomorrow. Sanborn Street by end of the week if weather cooperates. o Micro-Seal —portions of: Washington Street, Hopkins Street and Charles Street. Superior is in prepping for micro-seal — assuming they complete the prep work this week; we expect them to start applying mix next week. e Memorial Park: Awarded bid to repair\rebuild loose masonry in the stream channel. ♦ Haverhill Street Water Main: under construction. Bob LeLacheur noted that there is a financial forum on October 12 and the reserve picture is slightly better than last year. Discussion/Action Items Mutual Aid — DPW — Public Works Director Jeff Zager noted that the Board of Selectmen approved the public safety portion already. The Public Works section is to share equipment and facilities but our primary responsibility is to the Town of Reading. The Town is under no obligation to respond. He feels it would be an asset for the Town to opt in. James Bonazoli noted that none of our neighbors have signed up yet. The Town Manager indicated the list in the packet is for public safety and the other communities are just coming on board with the public works. Jeff Zager noted that Wakefield and Wilmington just approved it. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 27, 2011 —page 3 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve participating in MGL Chapter 40, Section 4K: Statewide Public Works Municipal Mutual Aid and authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the Board of Selectmen,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Conservation Commission Report on Bylaw and Regulations — Jamie Maughan, Pat Lloyd, Will Finch and Brian Sullivan were present. Jamie Maughan noted that the mission was to simplify the wetland regulations application and process and to look at the Reading versus State process. He noted that Reading.passed its own Bylaws to make it easier to do administration. Since then the State laws have improved. There are three things in the Reading Bylaw that are not in the State Bylaws. First is the minor project —the State does not define, but Reading does. Second is fairness—there is ambiguity in the State Bylaws, but Reading is very specific. The third deals with isolated wetlands — the State eliminates them, but Reading includes them. Jamie Maughan noted that the subcommittee reviewed the regulations, discussed with MACC what other towns were doing and had internal discussions. In addition, they developed a questionnaire and received approximately 200 responses. They also conducted interviews with key stakeholders, but only eight came in for interviews. They learned that the citizens are, concerned; the value of wetland protection; a feeling of unfairness and lack of collaboration; and inconsistency with the State definitions. Recommendations include Bylaw changes; wetland regulations changes and change the Conservation Commission policies to address concerns. Mr. Maughan indicated for Bylaw changes there are definitions in three places that are inconsistent and they recommend removing. Regarding regulations, the submittals are a duplicate of the State so they recommend removing from the Town regulations. The fee structure is very complicated—it needs to be simplified and capped for residential. They also need a way to eliminate small isolated wetlands. He suggests leaving the appeal process as is. James Bonazoli remarked that if the State handles the regulations then we should do away with the Town regulations. Jamie Maughan noted that the Town has to administer the State regulations. James Bonazoli asked why the Town should regulate isolated wetlands when the State doesn't. Jamie Maughan indicated for flood protection. Mr. Maughan noted that he would like to see a size limit to protect the large wetlands but not waste time On small ones. James Bonazoli noted that the state has zero setbacks and asked why the Town has a 25 —35 foot buffer. Jamie Maughan noted that the state doesn't specify distance, but they leave it up to each town. He noted that applicants appreciate knowing ahead of time what the set back is. Stephen Goldy noted that a pre-application meeting should be a Town policy, not a Conservation Commission policy. He noted that streamlining needs to be done for small projects and he would like to make sure that the public is included in the process of streamlining. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 27, 2011 —page 4 Ben Tafoya noted there were a lot of items on the list that changes are not being pursued. Jamie Maughan noted that some of the items were deferred. Ben Tafoya noted he is looking for a change in the working relationship and suggest that the Selectmen and staff be involved. Jamie Maughan noted that we will need increased staff to do what is being recommended. Will Finch, former Conservation Commission member, noted that it is a question of checks and balance. He feels the Commission should take advisement from the town administration but the Commission should make their own decision. Camille Anthony recommended that they send out customer service surveys to people who go through the process. James Bonazoli noted that due to our Bylaws, our fees are 80% more than the State's. He noted that the cost of doing business is higher in Reading. He also noted that all of our neighboring communities have the same geography and don't have isolated wetland regulations. He still, wants to get the wetland regulations eliminated. The Town Manager noted that the fee for the wetlands is small, but the cost of hiring a consultant is very expensive. Stephen Goldy noted that there is still a lot more to do and he expects a report back to the Selectmen. That will be the charge of the Conservation Commission now. Close the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen close the Warrant consisting of 32 Articles for the Subsequent Town Meeting to take place on November 14, 2011 at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road at 7:30 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Option of Selling Various Parcels of Town Owned Land — Lothrop Road and Pearl Street at Audubon Road—The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen is focusing on selling property. Abutters have been notified. There are three pieces of property on Pearl Street at Audubon, but the Selectmen are looking at the property on the southwest corner. We do not know the value — an appraisal will have to be done. This is part of the property that the Town bought in 1863. The owner of 160 Pearl Street indicated that the developer told her that piece of property would always be a park. The Town Manager noted that it is not up to the developer to say what the Town will do with the property. Lisa Cormier, 164 old Pearl Street, noted there is a lot of flooding at the intersection of Audubon and new Pearl Street when it rains. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 27, 2011 —page 5 Peter Genovese, 10 Duck Road, indicated the last proposal was to move a house there and he's glad nothing was done. He noted that the kids call it their park and he feels the town is taking away open space. Bill Brown noted that every place where he used to play in Reading is now a home. A resident inquired as to what factors brought this property up as something to be sold. James Bonazoli noted that the Town owns several pieces of property. Some are very small and some are very big. The Selectmen looked at uses; size and magnitude to be a revenue source. Lisa Cormier asked how this will affect old Pearl Street and the Town Manager indicated it will have no affect—it will continue to be a road. The Town Manager noted that he received a phone call from Susan Ohlson and she is opposed to the sale. Lisa Cormier indicated Susan Ohison thought it was the easement being sold. Evans Waldron, 35 Audubon Road, noted that he was told years ago that the School Department' owned that land and then it was turned over to the Town. He asked if all of the paperwork is in place because he wanted to buy that piece of property years ago. He noted the property is loaded with rock. The Town Manager noted that the title is clear. It is not a park and was never owned by the School Department. There is an Article on the Warrant for Town Meeting, and if it is approved, it will abandon a portion of Pearl Street and authorize the conveyance. The property will then be appraised and sent out for public bids. The proceeds of the sale go into the sale of real estate fund. Lothrop Road — The Town Manager noted that the property on Lothrop Road is 31,000 square feet and is owned by the water department of the Town of Reading. It is zoned 6-20, and is served by all utilities. If Town Meeting approves the transfer from the water department to the Selectmen then it will be appraised and be put out for bid. Bill Brown noted that lot was purchased as a result of a large forest fire — there was no water there at that time. Paul Boudutie, 48 Lothrop Road, asked what the feasibility of getting a variance was. The Town Manager indicated the likelihood is very high. Mr. Boudutie suggested the Town consider caveats, i.e. moratorium of time, and not add to the other property. It should also be residential. He noted there are people who would like to purchase and make a profit. He suggests a minor restriction of a five year moratorium to develop in a manor that is non-conducive to the neighborhood. David Merrill, 35 Lothrop Road, asked if the Town will need this property for water in the future: Camille Anthony noted that the Town wanted to put a water tower there years ago and the neighborhood didn't want it. The Town Manager noted that the MWRA would like it but it is not big enough. Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 27,2011 —page 6 The Town Manager indicated he would talk with Town Counsel regarding restrictions, get the property appraised,draft an RFP and then have another neighborhood meeting. Discussion—Boards, Committees and Commissions Training— The consensus of the Board was to have the training and try to do it in a more interesting manner. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respec ly submitted, Se