Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 1,2011 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 7:01 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, Police Chief James Cormier, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Mark Cardono. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Stephen Goldy noted that he held office hours this 'evening and he met with Weeblos Pack 702. The Weeblos will be attending tonight's meeting for a couple of the hearings and he asked the Weeblos to introduce themselves to the Board. James Bonazoli noted that the Amplified Sound Committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. He also thanked the residents; RMLD and Town staff for the quick clean up after the storm. He noted that the Council on Aging still has two vacancies and they have requested to lower the number of members. The Town Manager indicated that is not within the purview of the Selectmen—that would require a Charter change. Ben Tafoya indicated the Fall Street Faire Committee met and they cleared $21,000 this year. That money goes to downtown improvement trust for flowers and banners. Stephen Goldy noted that the town made a promise to fund the Veterans flowers from that money. Ben Tafoya asked if the work schedule for Oaktree will have any affect on the downtown events that are coming up and the Town Manager indicated there will be no affect on Shop the Block or Buy Local. Camille Anthony noted that the Human Relations Advisory Committee needs members also. She attended the last Economic Development Committee meeting. She noted that the Board received an email from Mary Ellen O'Neil regarding vehicles in the Town Forest, The Town Manager noted that the Town Forest Committee is re-evaluating their policies and they will reach out to the users. Public Comment—Bill Brown had questions regarding the new reverse 911 system. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ Community Dialogue on Substance Abuse and Violence Joint meeting with School. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 2 ♦ Reading KS efforts are complete — "What can I say besides Happy Halloween! What a wonderful TREAT! I am shocked at the level of generosity! I can not wait to share this info with the members of RCD Inc. and all those that have worked so hard'in both towns of Reading. Your town is remarkable, such a blessing to our community. " ♦ Town Accountant Gail LaPointe has announced her retirement at the end of June 2012. I would suggest that 2 members of the Board of Selectmen work with me and the HR Administrator to develop a recruiting plan for Gail's replacement. Steve Goldy is the Board of Selectmen liaison to Accounting. Attached is the memo I submitted to the Board of Selectmen the last time we went through this process. ♦ Due to Election deadlines, the Town Clerk's office only at Town Hall will be open on Friday November 4th and December 23`d from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. ♦ Don't forget Veterans Day: 11-11-11 at 11 am on the common. ♦ The Dedication of the RMHS Library and Media Center in memory of former Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini is scheduled for Thursday, November 17 from 6 pm to 7 pm. ♦ Operation Troop Support Date: November 5 Time: 10 am to 12 noon Place: Senior Center Operation Troop Support will supply gifts and wrapping supplies, all they need is YOU! Contact www.readinglionsclub.org if you have questions or just show up to help. Community Services ♦ Biweekly Updates on Community Development issues. ♦ Final Flu Clinic is scheduled for: Monday, November 7, 2011, Town Hall - First Floor Conference Room, 5:30—7:00 pm. ♦ The Chamber is sponsoring a Holiday Window Display contest from 11/24 - 12/24 - RNRchambercom@aol.com. ♦ Shop the Block - December 1. ♦ Buy L6cal Weekend, December 2—4. Public Safetv ♦ October 29 storm recovery. ♦ The Reading Firefighters Association will again be doing the Toys for Tots program — watch for their collection boxes or drop toys off at the Fire Station on Main Street. Public Works The Town has been informed that our application for a MIIA Loss .Control Grant has been approved for the following items and amounts: Work Zone safety trailer $5000. ♦ MWRA water interconnection with Stoneham. o 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. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 3 Town Construction projects s Milling of Lowell Street, between Bradford Road and Hartshorn Street will occur this Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 2nd 3rd) evening between the hours of 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM. The roadway will be open to traffic and one lane of traffic will be shuffled around the work area. Following milling, the contractor will be replacing approximately 2 dozen castings that are worn and need replacement. Final paving will occur during daylight hours at a date to be determined once casting work is completed. ♦ Roadway Reconstruction- reclaimed: Causeway Road & Hanscom Avenue. Roadway Overlay: done for the year. ♦ Micro-Seal—will not be done this year. ♦ Memorial Park. o Haverhill Street Water Main: The contractor will complete installing new water main up to Rustic Lane by the end of the week. The contractor will then install water services and activate the section of water main from Franklin Street to Rustic Lane. It is anticipated the above work will be completed on or before November 15th. All remainder contractual work will resume next spring. The Town Manager also noted that the Town will not be picking up brush from the storm. In previous years it took six to eight weeks with overtime and a full crew to do a town-wide brush pick up. We do not have the manpower or money to do that now. Bob LeLacheur noted that the Board might not be able to vote on the tax classification next week unless we receive the state's approval by then. James Bonazoli indicated he was concerned because this is the second year in a row this has happened and he requested more information. Discussion/Action Items Hearing —Betterments on Curbing on Stewart Road and Parts of Edgemont Avenue — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the betterments were requested by the neighborhood. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the Town will install granite at 14 properties at a total cost of approximately $56,000. The area includes all of Stewart Road and nine properties on Edgemont Avenue. The betterment is based on frontage. Kevin Douglass of 58 Edgemont Avenue noted that the residents didn't want to pay for curbing that is already there but otherwise everyone is for it. George Zambouras noted that the property owner at 3 Stewart Road does not want to include the frontage on Edgemont Avenue because that would add another $5,000 and he cannot afford it. The Town Manager noted the information reflects 97 feet of curb and there is a gap of 115 feet. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 4 Ben Tafoya noted he would like more feedback from the neighbors. Kevin Douglas indicated he is representing the neighbors and everyone on Stewart Road to. Arcadia Avenue are in favor of this. The owner at 63 Edgemont Avenue is the only one against it. Bob Nelson of 63 Edgemont Avenue noted that people park on the tree lawns. His wife put granite curbing to keep people off. He noted he is still on the fence regarding this issue. A motion by Tafova seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on approving the curbing betterments for the properties listed below on Stewart and Edgemont Roads was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the curbing betterments for the properties listed below on Stewart and Edgemont Roads: Location Length Amount 74 Edgemont Ave. 129 LF $ 5,238.09 66 Edgemont Ave. 99 LF $ 4,019.93 58 Edgemont Ave. 101 LF $ 4,101.14 75 Edgemont Ave. 149 LF $ 6,050.20 69 Edgemont Ave. 85 LF $ 3,451.45 63 Edgemont Ave. 82 LF $ 3,329.64 57 Edgemont Ave. 77 LF $ 3,126.61 51 Edgemont Ave. 92 LF $ 3,735.69 45 Edgemont Ave. 86 LF $ 3,492.06 3 Stewart Road 97 LF $ 3,938.72 11 Stewart Road 104 LF $ 4,222.96 19 Stewart Road 92 LF $ 3,735.69 25 Stewart Road 97 LF $ 3,938.72 35 Stewart Road 91 LF $ 3,695.09 TOTAL 1,381 LF $ 56,075.98 The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Application of Junk Dealer's License (Precious Metal) — Owners of CTC Gold Refinery, Sergey Yugay and Victor Ten were present. The Town Manager noted that the application for purchase and sale of precious metal was received. The state requires them to be licensed. The Police Department has reviewed the application and has made some suggestions. Camille Anthony asked if the junk license is the same as a pawn shop and the Town Manager indicated it is not. Sergey Yugay noted that he has owned the business,in Newton for two years. He also owns businesses in Alton, Wilmington, Maynard, Belmont and Framingham. This will be a Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 5 jewelry store that sells new and used jewelry where people can trade in old stuff or just cash out. Camille Anthony asked if this was a franchise and Mr. Yugay indicated it was not, it is a partnership. Police Chief James Cormier noted that in difficult financial times there is an increase in property crimes and thefts. Part of the way to get rid of stolen articles is in stores like these. Chief Cormier noted that restrictions need to be imposed on the license. This will increase the amount of work for the Police Department but it is necessary. James Bonazoli noted he did not equate this type of shop with Reading. Ben Tafoya asked Mr. Yugay if he is familiar with the Town's sign bylaws and Mr. Yugay indicated he is not but he saw what the neighbors have. The Town Manager went on to explain the sign bylaws to Mr. Yugay. Mr. Tafoya indicated to Mr. Yugay that he needs to become familiar with the sign bylaws before he spends any money on signs. The Town Manager noted that what Mr. Yugay originally represented to him was just precious metal, not a jewelry store. Mr. Yugay indicated there will be no more than $5,000 worth of jewelry which is about 50% of his business, plus they will do jewelry repair also. Stephen Goldy asked if they did a market study for Reading and Mr. Yugay indicated they did not. They were looking for a busy location with minimum overhead. Camille Anthony asked who was the LLC and Mr. Yugay indicated himself and Victor Ten. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the application for a Junk Dealers License for CTC Gold Refinery at 75 Haven Street, Reading with a term expiring December 31,2011 and subject to the following conditions: 1. CTC Gold Refinery shall keep a bound book, or other means acceptable to the Chief of Police, in which shall be recorded at the time of each purchase, a description thereof, the name, age and residence of the person from whom the purchase was made, and the day and hour when such purchase was made. All items of precious metal shall be photographed. 2. CTC Gold Refinery shall take and maintain photocopies of a valid driver's license or passport for any person who sells or barters an item of precious metals. 3. CTC Gold Refinery shall submit to the Reading Police Department within one (1) week of each purchase or acquisition a list of all purchases and acquisitions including a copy of the valid identification and the photographs of the items in a manner promulgated by the police department. 4. The Chief of Police or his designee shall at all times have the authority to inspect or examine all books or other records kept by the CTC Gold Refinery Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 6 for the purchase, sale or barter of funk, and old and precious metals, and shall have the right to inspect and examine all precious metals therein. 5. CTC Gold Refinery shall not directly or indirectly purchase or receive by way of.barter or exchange any old and precious metals from a person under the age of eighteen (18) years. 6. No item purchased or received by a dealer in precious metals licensed under this bylaw shall be removed from the town, sold, or otherwise disposed of by CTC Gold Refinery for at least fourteen (14) days from its date of purchase or acquisition and for at least seven (7) days from the notification made to the Police Department unless permission has been obtained from the Chief of Police or his designee who may request to inspect the item. 7. All weighing or measuring devices used by CTC Gold Refinery in the conduct of the licensed business shall be tested and sealed by the Town of Reading Sealer of Weights and Measures prior to being placed into service. All weighing and measuring devices shall thereafter be inspected and tested on an annual basis. 8. The licensee shall continuously abide by all rules, regulations, policies, bylaws and statutes of the Town of Reading and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during the term of the license. 8. The license issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked, after a notice and hearing,for cause or violation of the conditions of this license. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant Articles. Article 9- The consensus of the Board was to indefinitely postpone Article 9. Article 14 — Ben Tafoya noted that he is not convinced that selling this land is going to achieve the goals especially Pearl Street at Audubon Road and Longwood Road. He feels the properties are only conducive to single family homes and could end up costing the Town money. Stephen Goidy noted this is a house cleaning article just giving authority to sell, but the Town doesn't have to. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to recommend the subject matter of Article 14 of the 2011 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 3-1-0 with Tafoya opposed. Article 15 — The Town Manager recommends doing Article 15 to discontinue the road. He has spoken with two abutters who are interested in purchasing parts of the lot. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to recommend the subject matter of Article 15 of the 2011 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to recommend the subject matter of Article 18 of the 2011 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 3-1-0 with Tafoya opposed. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 7 Article 23 — The Town Manager noted that this is minimal vacant property maintenance. Bill Brown noted that the Town is exempt. Camille Anthony suggested striking that part of the article. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to strike the last sentence in Section 8.10.1.1 and recommend the subiect matter of Article 23 of the 2011 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Article 24 - Stephen Goldy noted he is against Article 24 because he didn't see any significant changes. Ben Tafoya noted he is willing to give the Conservation Commission the benefit of the doubt. James Bonazoli agreed with Stephen Goldy. He noted that there was no public input except for the survey. He feels there is still an issue there that can't be completely changed. Article 25 - Ben Tafoya noted that a special election can be called anytime and the current system is fine. Article 26 — Ben Tafoya indicated he is against changing the scope of the Finance . Committee. Stephen Goldy noted it was written to get around the Charter, he is against it. Bob LeLacheur noted that the reason the Finance Committee voted against Oaktree was because they didn't have enough information. He also noted that they want to change recommendation to report.. Phil Pacino noted that the Bylaw Committee supported this Article because the Bylaw Committee is set up the same way. Article 27 — Provides appeal to the Board of Selectmen, the Bylaw Committee does not recommend by a vote of 0-5-0. Camille Anthony noted this is a way to get around the Historical Commission. Ben Tafoya asked if this was an appeal from inclusion on the list or an appeal from the demolition delay bylaw. James Bonazoli noted that the petition ties us into the State for hardship —he likes it. Mark Cardono noted that the hardship clause is specific to the Historical District Commission and they are separate. Ben Tafoya noted that the wording in the Article is not what they are saying. Article 30 — Bill Brown noted this is a way around the Charter. Ben Tafoya indicated this is an open invitation for lawsuits. Article 31 — Stephen Goldy noted that he is an advocate of the forma Ben Tafoya noted that the wording is too specific i.e. adobe forms. Phil Pacino noted there are much better ways to accomplish these items. A motion by Tafoya seconded by.Goldy that the Board is opposed to Articles 26, 31 and 32 of the 2011 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved with four votes against Articles 26, three votes against Article 31 and four votes against Article 32. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to recommend the subject matter of Articles 3,,4, 5 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 28, and 29 of the 2011 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 1, 2011 —page 8 Allocation of Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Funds — The Town Manager noted that the ToWri is getting $132,000 back from the federal government as part of the Healthcare Reform Act. The Board needs to approve the allocation of those funds. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen agree that the reduced working rates attributable to ERR-P reimbursements for health insurance for Town of Reading employees and retirees will be shared between our government unit and its subscribers in accordance with our usual contribution ratios, was approved by a vote of 4- 0-0. Approval of Minutes, A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen.approve the minutes of September'20,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of September 26,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A,motion by Goldy seconded by'Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of September 27,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of October 11,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of October 17,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of October 22,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoh that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive Session to discuss security issues not to reconvene in Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respecully submitted, retaryy