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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 27,2012 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. j The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy,Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Everett and Virginia Blodgett, Raymond Porter, Michele Benson, Laurie Ann Sylvia, Joan Boegel, and Gina Snyder. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining — Police Superior Officers I.B.P.O, and Health Insurance - and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining 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 7:34 p.m. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Police Superior Officer's Association I.B.P.O. for a term expiring 6-30-14 in substantially the form submitted, and authorize the Town Manager to sign the contract on the Town's behalf was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Ben Tafoya noted that the Town Accountant Screening Committee has been interviewing for the Town Accountant position. He attended the CPDC meeting last night and asked about the parking requirement for the M.F. Charles building. The Town Manager indicated it is located within 300 feet of a municipal parking lot so for the commercial portion they are okay. For the residential they will need 12 spaces. John Arena indicated he attended the March 14 Conservation Commission meeting and Perfectos was approved. He also attended the March 15 ZBA meeting regarding the Northeast Ballet. James Bonazoli noted that the fagade improvements program was very well attended and they have received four applications to date. There is a student architect who is willing to come in and do a charette. Stephen Goldy noted that the youth liaisons resigned today. He attended the Reading/North Reading Outstanding Citizen reception. The girls' basketball team won the state championship. Tony Lalacata passed away. The Fall Street Faire Committee is in need of volunteers. Steve Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 27, 2012 —page 2 E i 's Goldy announced that now that he is Chairman, anyone wanting an item put on the agenda should email him. Regarding Board, Committee and Commission training, he wants a subcommittee of the Board of Selectmen set up to attend meetings and get the message across to the committees. Ben Tafoya will do his April Office Hour and he would like to recognize E Camille Anthony and Bob Nordstrand as top volunteers at Town Meeting. IPublic Comment — Mr. Ralph Cecere and his wife Denise were present asking the Board for assistance with their ballet studio. They indicated that the ZBA decision was to require them to put in four parking spaces and this is a financial hardship for them. The parking would be for the employees because 90% of their business is drop off and pick up. Their business will bring 150 families from out of town to our downtown area. He noted that his parking consultant indicated there is enough parking on Sanborn Street to accommodate their needs. They are asking to be allowed to run their business for 12 months and then revisit whether the parking spaces are necessary. Stephen Goldy noted that the Board of Selectmen do not have jurisdiction over the ZBA. The Town Manager noted that the parking issue was raised in September when the Cecere's first came in. They are non-profit so they don't have to do any offsite improvements but they do have to comply with parking. They appealed to the ZBA and the ZBA granted the variance of four parking spaces. He suggests that they file a plan with four spaces in the portico area and if the Town Planner approves then they would be all set. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the driveways don't have to be paved, they can be crushed stone and Mr. Cecere noted that the Building Inspector indicated they have to be paved. The Board directed the Town Manager to work with the applicants and staff to come up with a solution. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ Recreation Program Coordinator Jim Sullivan is leaving to head up the Recreation program in Marblehead. ♦ Appraiser Bill Boatwright is leaving to join a private sector firm in New Hampshire. ♦ The deadline for licensing dogs without penalty is March 31. The rabies clinic is 3-31 at the DPW garage from 2 PM to 4 PM—see the web site for more details. ♦ RCTV Studios invited the Board to their Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 3:00 PM. Community Services ♦ The Reading Economic Development Committee (EDC) has established the Building Facade and Signage Improvement Program (BFSI) which will offer technical and financial assistance for property owners and tenants seeking to improve their building fagade, signage and exterior lighting. To be eligible for the program, commercial buildings must be located within the downtown area or surrounding target location. The open application process will begin that evening and continue to April 30, 2012. The program will be presented to the i j Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 27, 2012—page 3 s public on March 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Community Room located at the Reading Police Station. ♦ Affordable housing available — 30 Haven Street. Attached is a clarification on the parking for affordable units. ♦ Keurig. ♦ CTG Wellness Grant. f ♦ The Board of Selectmen has received a letter from the Northeast Dance Studio, and a detailed report from the Community Services Director, Jean Delios, with attachments, is included in your packet. ♦ Reading Elder/Human Services is having their Volunteer Appreciation event on April 19 at Parker Middle School. Finance ♦ Final FY 2013 budget hearing with the Finance Committee will be on March 28. ♦ Meals Tax—December 2011 to February 2012 - $80,014.30 to be received on 03/30/12. Library ♦ April 8 is National Library Week. There will be programs about Financial Literacy— called "Money Smart." ♦ You have received tonight a summary annual report for the Library. The more detailed Town-wide report is being compiled and will be available by the end of April. Public Works ♦ Safe Routes to School project. Excavation for the sidewalk areas was completed last week along with the installation of a manhole and catch basin on Sunnyside Avenue. Curb installation began yesterday. By the end of yesterday, most of the curb along Sunnyside Avenue was installed. At the pace they are going, all the curbing is expected to be installed by the end of this week. Also by the end of the week, all the sidewalks/driveways are expected to be ready for concrete/asphalt. ♦ Micro-Seal in the spring — portions of. Washington Street, Hopkins Street, Charles Street. Need constant temperatures mid 50's and up. Most likely will be installing in mid May. We informed them that we wanted all prep work remaining completed be end of April. ♦ Haverhill Street Water Main: completing in the spring, road overlay summer of 2013. ♦ The Trails Committee is looking for adult and teen volunteers to assist in building the Kurchian Woods trail. They got a grant for materials and now need volunteers to actually assist in building. ♦ Contractor is planning to start in April (exact date not known as of today), first roadways to be done are the reclamation roadways Pearl Street and Belmont Street. Once those are bindered they will move on to Wilson Street, Track Road and California Road. ♦ Reading is completely up to date on expenditure of available sewer grant/loan opportunities for inflow/infiltration. Bob LeLacheur noted that the Town will be receiving $80,000 in meals tax shortly; and the Finance Committee will be voting on the FY13 budget tomorrow. Ben Tafoya indicated this is a good time to pursue regionalization for Assessors and the Town Manager indicated he would draft a letter to the Board of Assessors. I I Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 27, 2012—page 4 Personnel and Appointments Community Planning and Development Commission, the Climate Advisory Committee, Sturges Park Planning Committee, Town Forest Committee and Trails Committee - James Bonazoli noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee (VASC) interviewed applicants for two evenings. They did not interview Jacalyn Wallace. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli the Board of Selectmen accepted the report of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee and confirm the following appointments to the following Boards, Committees and Commissions: • Donna Dudley for one position on the Community Planning and Development Commission with a term expiring June 30,2012; • Tony Capobianco for one Associate position on the Advisory Committee for the Cities for Climate Protection Program with a term expiring June 30, 2012; • Ron Tauvier for one position on the Advisory Committee for the Cities for Climate Protection Program with a term expiring June 30, 2013; • James Bonazoli, Lisa Egan, Leslie McGonagle, Valerie Sachetta and Jeff Jadul (FoRR representative) for positions on the ad hoc Sturges Park Planning Committee with terms expiring December 31,2012; • Terence Selle for one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30,2014; • Kendal Stackhouse to one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30,2012; • Terence Selle for one position on the Trails Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2013; • Will Finch for one position on the Trails Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2014; Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Amend Section 5.1 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies — Community Service Revolving Fund = the Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted there are additions and deletions to the donation fund policy and two positions are being eliminated. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing to amend Section 5.1 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafova to approve the amendments to Section 5.1 of the Board of Selectmen's Policies — Community Service Revolving Fund as presented was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Sidewalk Improvement Program — Town Engineer George Zambouras reviewed the ratings for schools, downtown and commuter rail and the projects scheduled for FY12, FY13 and FY14. Prescott Street will be done in FY12 and he will try to get one decorative light downtown easterly of Haven Street. i Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 27, 2012—page 5 The Mineral Street Bridge will be done in FYI 3, but the poles need to be removed first so the sidewalk can be installed and then plowed in the winter time. Stephen Goldy noted that there is a high level of seniors crossing at Baystate Road and the state suggests yellow flashers to warn the vehicles. George Zambouras noted that the flashers should have a mast-arm and that would cost approximately $100,000. Without the mast-arm it would be approximately $70,000. The Town Manager noted the soonest we can do this project is FY14. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan — The Town Manager noted that we are in the process of hiring a consultant to update the Housing Plan and he is asking the consultant to look at the housing trust fund. He suggests allowing up to 2% for administration. The Executive Director of the Housing Authority indicated it looks like a reasonable plan. John Arena asked if it was 2% of a fixed amount and the Town Manager indicated it could be 2% or a maximum of$5000 for the administration of the affordable housing. A motion by Bonazoli a seconded by Tafoya to approve the proposed Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan as presented in the Town Manager's memo dated March 22, 2012 (as amended)was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Board, Committee and Commission and Sunset Clauses—The Town Manager noted that the Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection and the Economic Development Committee have sunset clauses and he recommends considering institution of a five year sunset clause expiring June 30, 2017 for the Human Relations Advisory Committee, the Trails Committee and the Fall Street Faire Committee. He also suggests changing the name of the Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection to Reading Climate Advisory Committee. The consensus of the Board was to schedule a public hearing and to shorten the sunset term to three years. Review Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Mission and Work Plan — Committee members Ron Daddario, Michele Benson, Gina Snyder, Joan Boegel and Ray Porter were present. Ron Daddario noted they are asking for a name change. They changed the mission statement slightly because they are no longer in ICLEA. Ray Porter indicated he would like to continue working with the business community. He noted that Reading Coop held a roundtable with the Chamber of Commerce on certified green business. The Committee also supports Shop Reading First and the first business to get the Reading Green Business Award was Swiss Bakers. Joan Boegel noted they were awarded a $1,500 grant from New England Grass Roots to do weatherization of the EMARC Home on Haven Street. They worked with HEET to reduce leaking by 20% and they partnered with Joe Green to do a blower door test in three private homes and the Mattera Cabin. Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 27, 2012—page 6 Gina Snyder informed the Board about the new tree donation program that will be acknowledged with a plaque, certificate and acknowledgement on the website for a $300 donation. The price includes the plaque and gator bags. John Arena noted that New York State supplies seedlings every year. Gina Snyder indicated that Reading Rotary gives seedlings to school kids on Arbor Day. Michele Benson noted that JRM Hauling has offered three dumpsters for recycling paper and cardboard in the community. They will be 8 yard containers with a slot for paper and cardboard. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of February 28, 2012 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Arena abstaining. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meting at 10:32 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submi ed, 'W Secretary