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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 14, 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, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Public Works Director Jeff Zager, Town Engineer George Zambouras, DPW Business Administrator Jane Kinsella, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Carl Anderson, Rob Palermo, Ricky Palermo, Pat Iapicca, Connie DeBenedetto, Greg McHale, Jonathan Wilson, Bernie Baker, Lisa Baker, Joanne McHale, Rich Bradley, John R. Halsey, Petra Conboy, Kate Kaminer, Eric Hughes, Michael DiPietro, Richard Hand, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Frank Driscoll, Ed McConan, Kevin Mulvey, Dennis DeBenedetto, Jack Downing and Tim Johnson. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Richard Schubert noted he attended the site walk on Strout Avenue on Saturday. James Bonazoli noted there is an Economic Development Committee meeting tomorrow night. Town Manager's Report — The Town Manager noted that the Town had applied for the Longhorn Trails Grant but did not get it. He is undergoing negotiations with the Public Employee Committee for health insurance. He and Camille Anthony met with Verizon reps regarding double poles. He attended a LAGC meeting today and the topic was double pole legislation. The current legislation gives a deadline of 90 days but Verizon doesn't have enough employees to meet that deadline. Camille Anthony noted that Verizon wants the Town to pay $5,000 per RMLD community to purchase their tracking system and that equals $20,000. National Grid and Verizon have no process for removing poles. The Town Manager noted that there is a letter in the handout that the Chairman needs to sign regarding the sale of a unit at Maplewood. Richard Schubert asked how affordable units are tracked and the Town Manager noted it is included in the deed. The Department of Housing and Community Development is suggesting a way to regionalize the process. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Policy on Amplified Sound in Parks — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Recreation Committee members Frank Driscoll, Kate Kaminer, Mary Ellen Stolecki and Eric Hughes were present. James Bonazoli noted that he, Kate Kaminer, Petra Conboy, John Halsey and John Feudo were on the subcommittee. 3 i Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 14, 2012—page 2 The Town Manager noted that the Committee met frequently and put together the new policy on pages 3 and 4 in tonight's handout. The definition of amplified sound is included, Rule 4 has been added and "etc." has been removed. The policy was sent to Town Counsel regarding first amendment issues and Town Counsel suggests continuing the hearing to give him time to propose additional language. The Town Manager also noted that other communities put their regulations under"noise." Camille Anthony asked if routine or recurring events happen without a permit and James Bonazoli noted that any amplified sound needs a permit. Richard Schubert noted that this policy will be useful to the community and thanked everyone for.their hard work. James Bonazoli noted that we had a three word policy before. One day events are still under the guise of the Recreation Committee but anything more than that has to come before the Board of Selectmen. Camille Anthony noted this policy does not cover the schools, football stadium or Morton Field. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to continue the hearing on the Policy on Amplified Sound in Parks to 7:45 p.m. on February 28, 2012 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Update on Poet's Corner Road Project—The Town Manager noted that Poet's Corner consists of Tennyson, Whittier and Browning. These roads are in bad condition and have drainage and surcharging issues. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that high flow causes surcharging so they are looking at corrective measures. They are repairing water services and TV'd the interceptor down stream and there was a lot of grease so they cleaned the line. Smoke tests were performed and a cross connection was found. There is significant grease in Tennyson Circle and there are sump pumps tied into the system. Engineering is sending out letters to homeowners indicating if they are not sure if their sump pumps are tied into the sewer line to ask for help determining that. The additional rain water in the sewer line can cause surcharging. Every manhole needs to be replaced and there is a large sag in the pipeline on Tennyson. George Zambouras noted that Browning Terrace is the worst — it all needs to be replaced. Approximately 600' of sewer main need to be replaced as well an additional 300' of easement. The sewer replacement cost is approximately $235,000 and it is unknown what the cost will be to install drainage. The repairs will be done in the summer and fall of 2012 and then paving will be done in 2013. Richard Schubert noted that drainage from Oakland Road crosses over. George Zambouras noted that a consultant working on the river project is looking at a hydraulic model up to Birch Meadow Drive. Richard Schubert asked if the gas company has been notified of the work that ,3 will be done and Mr. Zambouras indicated they have. i Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 14, 2012 —page 3 Resident Jack Downing, 91 Whittier Road, thanked everyone for their work and indicated that he met with neighbors and they prefer to have the surcharge issue taken care of before paving is done. He also noted there are persistent surcharges at the school site and he thinks that sediment is going into the Aberjona. He noted that anything the Town could do will be appreciated. Resident Pat Iapicca asked how the residents can get gas service on their streets and the Town Manager indicated the residents would have to petition the gas company and pay for it themselves. Pat Iapicca expressed his concerns about surcharging and the Town Engineer noted that if they seal the holes then drainage needs to be installed for the sump pumps. George Zambouras reiterated if a resident needs help with their sump pump, don't be afraid to ask the Town for help. Presentation on Reading Youth Baseball Proposal re: "Tennis Court" Field — Charlie Ehl, Commissioner of Reading Youth Baseball gave the history of Reading Youth Baseball (RYB). He noted that RYB has two big events per year—Opening Night and All Star Day. He noted that Hunt Field is too small. James Bonazoli noted that he attended Opening Night and three home runs went over the fence in two innings. It is evident that Hunt Field is not big enough. Charlie Ehl noted that their request includes grading the outfield so that it is 210 — 225 feet from home plate; installing fencing; installing a foul field and an 18' safety net along with a 4' X 8' scoreboard, spectator bleachers and a flagpole. These will all be donations to the benefit of the Town. The Town Manager noted there is a master plan for Birch Meadow and he will schedule a site visit and then a public hearing. i Recreation Administrator John Feudo indicated he will send the Selectmen the Recreation Committee's comments on the plan. Review Compost Center Operations and Needs — Cemetery and Parks Director Bob Keating noted that approximately 45,000 cars visit the Compost Center annually. The leaves are windrowed and turned during the winter. It is a tight site with an increase in volume. He recommends additional equipment to manage the Compost Center as a separate division with dedicated staff to keep up with the volume. Another alternative is to contract out by closing the operation and adding yard waste to the trash contract. Public Works Director Jeff Zager reviewed a chart of expenses and noted that it costs $100,000 per year to keep the Compost Center running. The Town Manager indicated we can look at creating more space and get a cost for better equipment. James Bonazoli noted that the compost stickers are undervalued and he would like to look at that. He also noted that if the problem is that we're too full then get rid of it by charging $5 per yard or give it away for free. i Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 14, 2012 —page 4 Camille Anthony suggested making a list of what can be done at the site and that it doesn't make r sense to keep a pile of compost that is not being used. Discussion of Further Limits on Household Rubbish — The Town Manager noted the suggestion is to reduce to a three barrel or bag limit. The Town saved over $100,000 in tipping fees last year. 3 t Stephen Goldy noted that Medford does single stream recycling and the Town Manager noted 5 that single stream recycling has less of an end product than recycling that is sorted. Jane Kinsella noted that only 3% of the households are at the trash limit. The rest are below so she suggests reducing the barrel limit. The Town Manager asked what the benefit would be and Jane Kinsella said it would have very little impact because most people are at two barrels, but she feels the Board should lower the limit. The sense of the Board was to keep the three barrel limit and continue education on recycling. Ben Tafoya suggested that Public Works pitch to the youth team to pick up sneakers for recycling. s 1 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to adiourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitt d, t ,I4I}1I Secretary i i F P 4 4