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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes i 's 1 a 3 h 3 Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24,2012 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 Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, 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: Nadine Wandzilak, Angela Fischer, Lidia Machado, Anthony Capraro, Christine Brungardt, Heidi Bonnabeau, Lori and Jay Doughty, Joan Neary and Stephen Crook. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to health insurance negotiations 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 five members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:30 p.m. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve an agreement between the Town of Reading and the Public Employee Committee governing employee and retiree health insurance for Fiscal Year 2013 was approved by a vote of 5-0- 0. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Ben Tafoya noted that everyone is invited to a program that the Cultural Council is sponsoring. He attended a Board of Health meeting. The Board of Health is looking to regionalize tobacco control measures and they will be talking about prohibiting sale of tobacco in pharmacies. The RCASA encouraged them to take this action. Stephen Goldy indicated the initiative was driven by the youth group. Ben Tafoya noted that the Board of Health is looking at the inspection cycle for food establishments. Ben Tafoya also noted that planning is taking place for the Fall Street Faire and volunteers are needed, especially in the entertainment area. Stephen Goldy indicated we have two new youth liaisons that will join us in September. The Yankee Brigade reception is May 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Wakefield. John Arena noted there was a letter in one of the newspapers regarding water rates and the message is that conservation comes at a cost. There is a general confusion among residents and he will try to put an article together to respond. John Arena noted that as his liaison responsibility he attended a Conservation Commission meeting and there is a sense of tension among the members. They are 14 months into the process and they have not met the charge. He proposes to move to rescind the Reading Wetland Bylaws, start with the State laws and come Board of Selectmen Minutes—April 24, 2012—page 2 back with the vital few things needed. James Bonazoli noted that a lot of effort was applied but all that they did was change the definitions. The Town Manager noted that the initial intent was to bring it to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting. Ben Tafoya noted that they are actually looking at the regulations and not the Bylaws. He also noted that these are volunteers with significant less staff than before. He also noted that the Selectmen raised no objections with what they heard from the Commission the last time they were at a Selectmen's meeting and it's not fair to change the rules in the middle of the game. John Arena noted that for 14 months there should be more product and he would like to know what the vital few items are that they have agreed upon. The Chairman directed the Town Manager to have the Conservation Commission attend the Selectmen's meeting on May 8`h to see where they are in the process. Town Mana erg 's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ Help wanted for volunteer Boards, Committees, and Commissions. ♦ After last night's Precinct Meetings we have 4 Town Meeting openings: Precinct 2 has 3 openings Precinct 3 has 1 opening We had 171 in attendance. ♦ Reading will host 3 local public administrators from Pakistan in early May. The program is a partnership of the US State Department and the Massachusetts Managers Association. Community Services ♦ DHCD is doing a tour tomorrow of our Smart Growth areas. ♦ Affordable housing available—30 Haven Street and Reading Woods. ♦ Reading Elder/Human Services is having their Volunteer Appreciation event on April 19 at Parker Middle School. Library • Volunteer Appreciation reception—May 1. Public Safety ♦ The Police Department has a new twitter account, @readingpolice - we invite the public to follow us on twitter. ■ Just a reminder about RX Round-up. There is prescription drug take-back program located in the Reading Police Department lobby. It is available 24 hours a day and allows residents to get unwanted prescription medication properly disposed of. ■ RCASA will be sponsoring an event on June 6 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM for 9, 10, and 11 grade students and parents—an outline is attached. Public Works ♦ Compost center opened April 2"d. Check website for specific Monday, Friday, & Saturday schedules through June. ♦ Curbside leaf collection week will be held the week of 23`d ♦ An email from Jane Kinsella is attached regarding the sale of wood chips and compost. ♦ Safe Routes to School project is almost complete. _Board of Selectmen Minutes—April 24, 2012—page 3 ♦ Lowell, Washington, Hopkins, and Charles Streets. Micro-Seal mid May—portions of: F ♦ Road Construction Crews will be in to lower structures the end of this week (rain could possibly cause a delay until Monday). They will start on Pearl Street and end on Belmont Street. It should only take 2 to 3 days. We do not have a defined date when the reclamation equipment will be here. Aggregate has not returned to 100% workforce yet and the Foreman doing our work does not want to start the reclamation until he has a confirmed date from the pavement division on when the roadway will be bindered. ♦ Haverhill Street Water Main: The contractor will begin installing the bypass next Monday April 30th. The water division has delivered notices (or should be nearing completion) to all residents regarding the work. ♦ Howard Street water project. Expected bid opening May 31st The active water main installation should start by the second week of May. ♦ Kurchian Woods trail. They got a grant for materials and now need volunteers to actually assist in building Proclamations/Certificate of Appreciation Proclamation — Arbor Day — A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the proclamation declaring Arbor Day as April 27th was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items MAPC Member Update — MAPC member Steven Sadwick noted that Jennifer Erickson is the MAPC representative assigned to Reading and she is working on a priority mapping project. Mr. Sadwick noted that Reading is part of a consortium for regional housing services for tracking 40B. The Reading Police were at a meeting regarding regionalizing 911 services. Reading is also part of a purchasing consortium. Ben Tafoya noted that he is disappointed with the TIPS and noted that he and staff did a major lobbying campaign for West Street to no avail. Ben Tafoya asked about the state zoning laws and Mr. Sadwick noted that the administration's bill doesn't go deep enough and it creates bold incentive programs. The comprehensive land use bill takes incentives and blends them with master plans and the zoning helps to implement the plan. The Board thanked Mr. Sadwick for the update. Approval of License for Camp Curtis Guild to Demolish Buildings on Reading Conservation Land— The Town Manager noted that Camp Curtis built buildings years ago on Town property. The Board needs to concur with the Conservation Commission's recommendation to have the buildings demolished. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen grant a temporary construction license permitting the removal of the Camp Curtis Guild buildings and utility structures from town-owned conservation land, along with associated site work including site remediation as noted in the Conservation Order of Conditions #277-0597: issued for this proiect on March 29,2012,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. i Board of Selectmen Minutes—April 24, 2012 —page 4 i Traffic Issues—Green and Ash Streets—The Town Manager noted that correspondence has been n received from the residents. Pamela Adrian, 187 Ash Street, noted the problems are a result of the major construction that was done. She noted the areas is zoned mixed commercial/residential and there are no businesses on Ash Street except for the American Legion. The new construction has made the neighborhood dangerous. Cars are not staying in their lanes and they are travelling too fast. When trucks are parked there, vehicles cannot make the turn. Traffic coming up Ash and turning onto Green Street are doing property damage at the corner of Ash and Green Streets. Some residents come off their stairs directly onto the street. There is two-way traffic on a road with 21' 6" and some areas are 19 and 20 feet. Two-way traffic on Green Street is impossible with snow on the ground. Ms. Adrian noted that the residents have a wish list that includes having the laws enforced and continue to allow safe parking but improve the traffic flow. They suggest doing a traffic study of Green Street and making Ash/Green a four way stop. They also suggest painting the curb yellow where parking is illegal and would like a convex mirror at the corner of Ash and Gould Streets. The Town Manager indicated he will take these issues to the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force and then bring their recommendations back to the Board. John Arena suggested turning Ash Street back to a one way and Town Manager indicated that will not work because it is a commercially zoned area. The resident at 104 Ash Street noted that the Town took the sidewalk to make the street two- way and she steps directly from her house onto the road. The resident from 114 Ash Street noted that she also steps from her house into the road and she wondered where she would be able to put her baby stroller. Dennis Correane noted that he tried to get up Green Street around 3:00 p.m. and he couldn't because there was an 18 wheeler coming down Green Street. The resident from 77 Ash Street noted that the 18 wheelers try to make the turn and they hit the sign. The Town keeps replacing the signs and the tire marks can be seen on the curb. He also noted that Grumpy Doyle's receives approximately 35 deliveries a week. Stephen Goldy asked if the street could be made into a heavy vehicle exclusion and the Town Manager indicated it could be certain conditions have to be met including allowing trucks to service the businesses. Hearing — Stop Signs at South Street and Jacob Way — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the plan was approved by the Board of Selectmen. The MassDOT will not allow a stop that will back traffic onto Main Street. He went down there with public safety equipment and the ladder truck could not make the curve. The Town Manager noted that the push out is too far and another portion is too narrow. The curb needs to be pulled Board of Selectmen Minutes—April 24, 2012—page 5 i back. He also noted that the purpose of these changes was to reduce and/or slow traffic on South Street. He intends to take this back to Pulte. George Zambouras noted that he told the contractor not to do any more work until there is a meeting. l t Theresa Petrillo, 329 South Street, asked why the sign came down when the Selectmen approved the changes. George Zambouras noted that Jacob Way has the higher volume and MassDOT says you cannot stop the high volume road. Ms. Petrillo noted that there are 18 wheelers coming out of the development and there is always a green light coming onto South Street. Ms. Petrillo also noted that a four-way stop was approved and it came back without a four-way it was a whole new ballgame. Stephen Goldy noted that we are way past going back to the drawing board and we are looking at three stop signs now. t The resident from 21 George Street indicated that a stop sign is needed coming out of Jacob s Way. George Zambouras noted that the decision from CPDC says Pulte is supposed to complete the intersection before the first occupancy. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing for stop signs at South Street and Jacob Way was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995, by adding to Article 6, Section 6.12, the following: Street Location Regulation Jacob Way Intersection with South Temporary Stop sign Street for vehicles traveling Northbound, until substantial construction of Reading Woods is complete South Street Intersection with Jacobs Traffic driving east- Way bound on South Street Arena moved and Tafova seconded to amend the motion by removing the word "temporary" and the wording "until substantial construction of Reading Woods is complete." The main motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 as amended. Handicap Parking Spot—Haven west of Main Street—The Town Manager noted that the PTTTF recommends an installation of a handicap space since there are none in that area. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the designation of a Handicap Parking space as the easterly-most space on the north side of Haven Street west of Main Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. s Board of Selectmen Minutes—April 24, 2012—page 6 Approval of Amended Agreement— Regional Public Health Services — The Town Manager noted that there is a mark up version of the agreement in the packet. The intent is to make it more flexible. One Inspector left and we needed to hire one from Melrose. The agreement also provides for mileage. John Arena asked if there are any sustainable cost savings and the Town Manager indicated there is. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the Inter- Municipal Agreement between the City of Melrose and the Town of Reading for the Director of the Health Department as amended on 4-24-12 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Article 22 — Does the Board of Selectmen want to do two motions under this Article — Steve Crook noted that he will do two motions so that if one doesn't pass the other one could. The consensus of the Board was to split the vote. Approval of Minutes \ A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of March 13, 2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen adiourn the meeting at 10:23 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitte , " "hl, Secretary