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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 28, 2012 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 Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Police Chief James Cormier, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Library Director Ruth Urell, Community Services Director Jean Delios, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Sally Hoyt, Michelle Benson, Bill Brown, Will Finch, Petra Conboy, Mark Cardono. Presentation—This being Camille Anthony's last meeting, the Board presented her with a street sign and a donation for a tree from the Board of Selectmen and Department Heads. Reports and Comments Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative Matters ♦ Town election with Presidential Primary Election is March 6 ♦ For Reading's Town Meeting there are only 134 people running for 192 seats on Town Meeting. If you plan on running a write-in for any office, sticker campaign or otherwise, it would be advisable to contact the Town Clerk's office prior to doing so. ♦ Absentee ballots for the Town and Presidential Primary Election are now available in the Town Clerk's office, and are available until noontime on Monday, March 5. ♦ Voter registration: 16,991 Total registered voters; 31.1% Democrats, 15.9% Republicans, and 52.5%Un-enrolled. ♦ Every household with a Registered Voter received a letter stating their new precinct and information on the 2 ballot questions. ♦ The census, along with the dog licensing reminder, has gone to all households. You can also license your dog at the election in the field house (Bring proof of Rabies, proof of Spay or Neutered if new dog, $10.00 Cash or Check made out to Town of Reading). ♦ Taste of Metro North — sponsored by Reading Rotary — tomorrow - "Leap Day" February 29. Community Services ♦ The public hearing for the "South Main Street Design Best Practices" is scheduled for March 12, 2012 at 8:15 PM. Finance ♦ Hot off the Press, and now on the web site for your reading pleasure—the latest Town audit: http://www.readinjzma.jzov/Pages/ReadingMA Finance/statements/index and the FY 2013 Board of Selectmen Minutes—February 28, 2012 —page 2 proposed budget: http://www.readingma. og v/Pages/Reading.MA Finance/Budgets/FY13%20Index Library ♦ April 8 is National Library Week. There will be programs about Financial Literacy— called "Money Smart." ♦ There will be a transition to new software in May 2012 — after Memorial Day. The program is called Evergreen. Public Works ♦ We will be draining the ice skating rinks this week due to lack of cold weather. This is about two weeks earlier than we normally drain them. ♦ National Grid Gas Company finished the main/service replacement on Wilson & Ide Streets. Next project is a portion of Pearl Street. ♦ Working on contracts for Howard Street water main replacement and Lewis Street sewer repair, contracts should be advertised end of the month/first of March. ♦ As of 2-11-12 we have spent just short of 50% of the budget. We do have a month of winter left, though. ♦ We have received payment from Pulte Homes for the design of the signalization of the intersection of Hopkins Street and Main Street. We will begin the process of selecting a designer ASAP. Bob LeLacheur announced that the Town received a $5 million check from the MSBA for work done at Coolidge Middle School. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Girl Scouts Silver Award — The Town Manager noted that a request came in for Certificates of Recognition for some Girl Scouts who earned the Silver Award. The Board should also designate a member to present them on March 12`h. Camille Anthony indicated she would present them. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafova the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Certificates of Recognition for the following Girl Scouts for earning the Silver Award: Fallon Tierney, Emma McDonagh, Brianna LeConti, Emily Narahara. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Establish Sturges Park Planning Committee — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted there were no comments from the public. The make up of the committee consists of a member of the Recreation Committee, a representative of a sports organization, three residents at large and one Selectman. Recreation Administrator John Feudo noted that they will evaluate the park and area. Richard Schubert asked if he anticipates refiguring the skating area and John Feudo noted that was possible. Board of Selectmen Minutes—February 28, 2012 —page 3 Richard Schubert requested date regarding field use, how many people use the park and what the demand is. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing establishing the Sturges Park Planning Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the policy establishing the Sturges Park Planning Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Continued Hearing — Policy on Amplified Sound in Public Parks — The Town Manager noted that pages 8, 9 and 10 are an email from Town Counsel with bold and underlined language that Town Counsel suggests adding and cross outs are to be deleted. Richard Schubert noted that the Recreation Committee grants the permit, but if it is for a prolonged use, then it goes to the Board of Selectmen. Petra Conboy who served on the ad hoc Amplified Sound in Public Parks Committee indicated the language looked fine to her. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to close the hearing establishing the Policy on Amplified Sound in Public Parks was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Policy on Amplified Sound in Public Parks as amended by Town Counsel was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Close the Warrant — Presidential Primary — Ben Tafoya noted that the Presidential and Town Election is on Tuesday and residents can vote up to noon on Monday by absentee vote. There are also a lot of vacancies for Town Meeting members. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen close the Warrant for the Presidential Primary Election to take place on March 6, 2012 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Close Annual Town Meeting Warrant —The Town Manager noted that Article 17 is for a utility easement. Ivy Road is a little street off Libby Avenue. The Town needs to loop our water main there. Sewer is already there but there is no easement. Article 20 deals with protection of people's privacy and yet protects the residents. The model bylaw was developed by people from the local and state levels. This will take place during the initial process for everyone who applies for livery, peddlers, etc. For liquor it will just be the licensee. Article 22 Town Counsel indicates we cannot go below 144 members. Ben Tafoya requested a brief memo from Town Counsel regarding what constitutes Town Meeting. Board of Selectmen Minutes—February 28, 2012—page 4 A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen close the Warrant consisting of 23 Articles for the Annual Town Meeting to take place April 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road was approved by a vote of 4- 0-0. Presentation on Conservation Regulations — Conservation Commission members Bill Hecht, Annika Scanlon, Tom Loughlin and former Conservation Commission member Will Finch were present. Bill Hecht noted that the Commission decided to challenge the easy items first including definitions. There are issues with isolated wetlands, fees and waivers. He noted that there is ambiguity and conflict in State regulations so they are searching for an appropriate middle ground. They will create a check list for minor projects and the list will be available online. The definition of vernal pool was reduced to one paragraph from two pages. There has been almost no public opinion. Mr. Hecht noted that the Commission will work through April on the tough issues and hold two public meetings. Their goal is to create a flow chart. Stephen Goldy asked if the process will be easier now than if we had just gone with the State regulations and Bill Hecht noted that residents want to be treated fairly. He suggested that Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone do wetland delineation for a fee smaller than hiring a specialist. Richard Schubert noted that the end goal is to define the process. The Town Manager noted that the majority of complaints were about the attitude of the Conservation Commission. Another complaint was cost of delineation. We could charge a little more for the application fee and do the delineation ourselves. There were also complaints about the set back regulations. Stephen Goldy noted that the call for set back was to go to the state regulations. Stephen Goldy encouraged the community to attend the upcoming public hearings. He feels the flow chart and check list is a great idea. Reory,anization of Board of Selectmen — Tafova moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for a term expiring June 30, 2013: Stephen Goldy. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to close the nominations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and Stephen Goldy was appointed Chairman. Schubert moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for a term expiring June 30, 2013: Ben Tafova. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to close the nominations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and Ben Tafova was appointed Vice Chairman. 1 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes—Februga 28, 2012—page 5 Tafoya moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for Secretary of the Board of Selectmen for a term expiring June 30, 2013: Richard Schubert. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to close.the nominations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and Richard Schubert was appointed Secretary. Approval of Minutes _A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the minutes of January 17, 2012 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafo a to approve the minutes of January 24 2012 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the minutes of February 7, 2012 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, �f J Secretary i t i i