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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 8, 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 Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Pakistani guests Altof Gohar and Shehryar Sikander, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Nadine Wandzalak, Bill Brown, Gina Snyder, Will Finch, and Thomas Loughlin. _Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — The Town Manager noted that he is participating in an exchange program and introduced the Pakistani guests Altof Gohar and Shehryar Sikander and he noted that they are both in law enforcement. John Arena noted that Dennis Luciniak passed away and that is was terrible loss. James Bonazoli noted that the Sturgis Park Planning Committee kicked off. People have thoughts and the committee will meet monthly. He was unable to attend the Burbank YMCA Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. He thanked staff for a successful Town Meeting. Richard Schubert asked if neighbors were being invited to the Sturgis Park site visit and Mr. Bonazoli indicated they are. Ben Tafoya noted that the Reading Educational Foundation had a successful event. He had office hour this evening. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Oaktree is anticipating being done by the end of July. They have modified the interior of the commercial space. Police Chief James Cormier was present and reviewed the Police new hire process now that we are not hiring from Civil Service. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation May as Bike Month—Ginny Blodgett was present to receive the proclamation. Amotion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the proclamation declaring May as National Bike Month was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. National Public Works Week — Public Works Director Jeff Zager was present to receive the proclamation. Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 8, 2012—page 2 A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the proclamation declaring May 20 —26, 2012 as National Public Works Week was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Sturges Park Planning Committee—James Bonazoli noted that George Katsoufis is a very active resident in the community. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to appoint George Katsoufis as the "Sports Organization" representative on the ad hoc Sturges Park Planning Committee with a term expiring December 31, 2012 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Discussion—Wellfield Abandonment—Eric Warrell from the DEP was present. The Town Manager noted that in 2006 we were required to keep our wellfield in case of an emergency. The Ipswich River is doing great since we turned the well system off and recommends eliminating the requirement to keep the wells. The DEP is requesting that the Town not pump water from the Ipswich River again and he doesn't see that ever happening. DEP would draft the agreement. Abandoning the wells would require filling the wells with sand, capping them below ground level and removing the electricity and buildings. He indicated we could abandon six wells immediately and we could keep the last three viable until the MWRA water line redundancy is complete in 2014 — 2015. The Town Manager also noted that over the life of the capital improvement plan it costs approximately $75,000 to maintain each building and we are never going to use them. Ben Tafoya asked if we could get rid of the wells and keep the registration. Eric Warrall indicated we could not because they go hand in hand. Ben Tafoya asked what we would do if we need water in the future and Mr. Warrell indicated we would have to build a water treatment plant and then go through the consent process. Ben Tafoya asked what we have to gain by abandoning the wells and Mr. Warrell noted we gain nothing. John Arena noted it costs approximately $50,000/year to preserve the right and it is worth keeping that right. He asked how many gallons we were drawing and the Town Manager noted we were drawing 2.1 mgpd and we are now drawing 1.7 mgpd. John Arena asked if we would be given the right to abandon the aquifer protection district and Eric Warrell indicated he would have to check on the interbasin transfer agreement. James Bonazoli noted that we have specific language in the MWRA agreement that we have to have the wells. The Town Manager noted that was only for redundancy. Richard Schubert noted that moving to the MWRA was a significant discussion and his concern is the Town's ability to draw water 50 - 100 years from now. Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 8, 2012—page 3 Ben Tafoya asked if there was any value to the state and a representative from the state indicated that it establishes safe fields and increases streamflows. When they issue permits everything is evaluated as a whole and it would make the process more streamlined. Gina Snyder, 11 Jadem Terrace, noted that the registration is different from permitting. The Watershed Association is concerned if Reading gives up the wells then the water will go to another community. She recommends keeping the wells and registration. Richard Schubert noted that the Town of Reading paid $10 million to join the MWRA and we paid for other communities downstream to have more healthy water. He asked if the downstream communities are being restricted and Mr. Warrell indicated that the Ipswich River is still one of the most endangered rivers in the country. The Town Manager noted that going to the MWRA was less expensive than building a water treatment plant and the quality of the water is better. The Town is putting money into something that won't yield anything. James Bonazoli asked if the Town needs DEP approval to abandon the wells and the Town Manager indicated we do. The consensus of the Board was not to abandon the wells and that the $50,000 per year is an insurance policy worth paying should there be an unforeseen drought or other catastrophe in the future. Hearing — Transfer of License, Change of Manager, Pledge of License, Amendments to Plan — Wine Bunker— The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the application has been reviewed by Community Services, Health, and Police. The only issue is with layout. The minutes for 2010 are in the packet and Mr. Donovan has provided proof of service. Peter Donovan noted that he is going from sole proprietor to a corporation. Brett Barclift will be the full time manager. He is seeking a broker to divide lease space and sublease it. He noted he is requesting to increase retail space 600 feet and will knock down a wall to put the cooler in. The Town Manager asked how much the percentage increase is and Mr. Donovan indicated it will be 80/20. Mr. Donovan also noted there is a market for craft beer. John Arena noted that the original application said there was no market for beer and he didn't want the lottery. The Town Manager noted that the lottery is not the Board of Selectmen's purview. Mr. Donovan noted that he couldn't care less about the lottery; it's his customers who are requesting it. Richard Schubert noted that Mr. Donovan's desire to accommodate the demands brings him further away from the original license. This liquor store is the biggest one in Reading and there is a potential for this to become a whole different scenario. Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 8, 2012—page 4 Ben Tafoya noted that these issues were thoroughly discussed at the original hearing. This was the last available package store license, but we have since acquired one more. Bill Childress, 105 Green Street, noted that he is opposed to the lottery but is okay with the beer cave. Peter Donovan noted that the square footage on his license is incorrect. A motion by Bonazoli seconded b Schubert that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on the transfer of license, change of manager, pledge of license and amendments to the plan for The Wine Bunker was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve: ♦ The transfer of the all alcohol package store license from Peter Donovan d/b/a The Wine Bunker to CW I, LTD d/b/a The Wine Bunker; ♦ The change of Manager from Peter Donovan to Brett Barclift; ♦ The pledge of license to Leader Bank, Arlington, MA; ♦ Alteration of premises as presented including a beer cave as noted on the plan entitled "Proposed Store Layout" The Wine Bunker, One General Way, Reading, MA Subiect to the following conditions: ♦ Retail space will be limited to a total of 5,600 square feet as designated on the approved plan entitled "Proposed Store Layout" The Wine Bunker, One General Way, Reading, MA; ♦ A maximum of 10 linear feet for wine refrigerator units is permitted; ♦ No wine coolers, nips, V2 pints, tobacco or lottery will be sold; ♦ Deliveries from Route 128 will be via Walkers Brook Drive to General Way and deliveries from Route 28 will be via Goodall Sanford Road; ♦ No walk in cooler other than the "beer cave" as designated on the approved plan entitled "Proposed Store Layout" The Wine Bunker, One General Way, Reading, MA,will be installed; ♦ All Bylaws, Rules, and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and also subiect to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion with Conservation Commission — Conservation Commission member Bill Hecht indicated that the workload has gone up since the reduction in the Conservation Administrator hours. Jamie Maughn reviewed what the Selectmen requested including: ♦ Simplify the application ♦ Set up an ad hoc committee ♦ Conducted interviews and did a questionnaire ♦ Report suggested Bylaw changes and it was approved at Town Meeting Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 8, 2012—page 5 ♦ They considered a second ad hoc committee but instead the full Commission worked on this at public meetings ♦ They are almost ready to present to the Board of Selectmen James Bonazoli noted that the changes to cut staff was for budget reasons so there was a need to look at the regulations. The Town Meeting in 2011 recommended removing the conservation regulations because the state is up to speed. The Town Bylaw duplicates the state. He suggests using the state regulations and add to them. Jamie Maughn noted that they looked at the fees and now provide a single fee for residential. They left the more complex fee structure for commercial. The wetland delineation methods are more consistent with the state and Army Corp of Engineers. If there is no standing water and no vegetation, then it is not a wetland. They also revised the definition of a vernal pool. They revised wildlife habitat definition and changed the riprap requirements. If isolated wetlands are less than 500 square feet then they are not covered under the regulations. The Commission obtained services from three consultants for free. They minimized regulations to the least level necessary to ensure protection of the community's health, safety and welfare. John Arena noted that the regulations have confusing elements but if the Town regulations are layered onto the state regulations then redundancy is eliminated. James Bonazoli noted that people find it confusing to work with Conservation. The Commission should have started with eliminating the Bylaws and using the state as a basis and put things into it. The Town Manager noted that the building setbacks are an important issue. The state has 0 set back and the Town uses 25 feet. Bill Hecht noted if it is an owner occupied older home who wants to expand, mitigation will be considered. The Town Manager recommended that the Conservation Administrator do delineation for a small fee because the cost for a professional delineation is $5,000. Bill Hecht noted that the only problem with that is when people pay the Town to do something, they expect it to be granted and where would that put the Town in the appeals process. Jamie Maughn noted that if the construction is 40 — 50 feet from the line then they don't have to flag it, but if it's 25 —30 feet they do. The Town Manager noted that the biggest complaint is that people pay $5,000 for a professional delineation and then the Conservation Commission goes out and moves the flags. The Conservation Commission indicated they will return in a few months with a final product. Approval of Minutes A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of March 27, 2012 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes—MM 8, 2012—page 6 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of April 21, 2012 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the Executive Session minutes of March 27, 2012 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submi ed, Pd; ' Secretary