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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 22,2012 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, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena and Fire Chief Greg Burns. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Reports and Comments — Ben Tafoya indicated that the Fall Street Faire Committee needs volunteers and he and James Bonazoli have been busy interviewing candidates for Boards, Committees and Commissions. James Bonazoli noted that the Economic Development Committee has 10 applicants for the charette for facades. The Sturges Park Planning Committee met and they need to talk to Conservation — one rink is very deep and has an odor. The Town Manager noted this might have to do with flood control. The Committee should look at this to make it friendlier year round. John Arena noted he wants to see the outcome of the conservation rewrite of regulations before the next Town Meeting. He requested they come back with language that distinguishes from the State Regulations. Ben Tafoya noted that the Conservation Commission adopts the regulations, not Town Meeting. James Bonazoli noted that they kept the language and took out what they wanted. He thought they would start with the State Regulations and add what was necessary. Town Manager/Assistant Town Manager Report — The Assistant Town Manager noted that State aid is approximately $700,000 higher and the circuit breaker is $105,000. Free cash will be adjusted at Town Meeting. The Town Manager read his letter of notice of retirement on June 1, 2013 after 25 plus years working for the Town. He suggests written documentation for his exit and recommends a subcommittee to develop a strategy for filling the position. Stephen Goldy appointed Ben Tafoya and John Arena as coordinators of the exit plan facts and figures. The Town Manager gave the following report: Board of Selectmen Meetings—May 22, 2012—pa-ge 2 Administrative matters ♦ Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee (VASC) process for volunteer Boards, Committees, and Commissions. ♦ New Police Officer hiring process is in motion. ♦ Water use report. ♦ Memorial Day commemoration—Monday May 28 —parade at 9 am—map and program will be available on the Town web site on Thursday. ♦ Flower baskets are being installed this week. ♦ Congressman Tierney will be visiting several businesses on Wednesday. ♦ Joint meeting June 11 at 7:30 pm with the School Committee and Finance Committee to hear the report on enrollment. Community Services ♦ Affordable housing available—30 Haven Street, and Reading Woods. Finance ♦ State Aid update. ♦ Board of Assessors is meeting with the Wakefield Board of Assessors this evening to discuss the issue of regional cooperative efforts. Public Safety ■ RCASA will be sponsoring an event on June 6 from 7 to 9 PM for 9, 10, and 11 grade students and parents—an outline is attached. Public Works ♦ Compost center- Monday, Friday, & Saturday schedules through June. ♦ Micro-Seal—portions of. Lowell, Washington, Hopkins, and Charles Streets. ♦ Solid Waste collection May 12 — 401 cars; Rigid Plastics - 2.47 tons; Shredded Paper - 2.46 tons; Goodwill/Textiles - 1.40 tons; Styrofoam - filled '/4 of large storage container. • Street Paving •Pearl Street and Belmont Street (Salem to Chequessett)—base course. •Wilson, Track,Norman, and California Streets reclaim. •Remainder of Belmont Street milled (Chequessett to Pearl). •Upper Lowell Street and Causeway Road milled (by the state) and will be overlaid. • Haverhill Street Water Main Replacement update: • Installed Temporary Bypass between Rustic Lane and Charles Street including Charles Street up to Dana Road. • Temporary water main was flushed and sampled for bacteria. Samples passed on 5/7/2012. • Began hooking up residents to the temporary water main on 5/8/2012, all houses have been hooked up to bypass. • Continued saw-cutting of the road. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 22, 2012 —page 3 • Prepared 4 holes on Haverhill Street for installation of gate valves. Shut down and installation scheduled for 5/16/2012. • All Residents and businesses affected by the 5/16/12 shut down were notified by hand delivered notification. All Businesses were also called and spoken to directly. • Pipe was delivered and strung along the road for preparations for the upcoming week. Upcoming work (5/16-5/24) • Install gate valves on Haverhill Street. • Begin installing water main starting at Rustic Lane, working south on Haverhill Street. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — EMS Week — Fire Chief Greg Burns was present to receive the proclamation. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to approve the proclamation declaring May 20 to May 26, 2012 as Emergency Medical Services Week in the Town of Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Selectmen's Vision/Objective — Stephen Goldy noted that the Mission Statement strives for excellence in all its services. He feels the Town has made significant strides but need to continue and pass the message along to Boards, Committees and Commissions in person. He also noted that old timers need to embrace change. John Arena noted that mission and values are long lasting. Goals are tangible and measurable. We should identify the current goals and add objectives, milestones and identify a way to measure the success. Ben Tafoya noted that we didn't have Walkers Brook Drive 10 years ago. Residential values are increasing faster than commercial. There needs to be an increase in the diversity of choices. The Town Manager noted the Selectmen need to determine the end goal i.e. financial, vibrancy, etc. If the intent is to build more, then you should ask why. Stephen Goldy noted if there is a good commercial base it gives residents some relief. Vibrancy makes a better place to live. John Arena noted the question is how to reach out to folks with $5m - $10m to invest. Bob LeLacheur noted real estate takes 5 — 10 years to develop. If it happens in two years it's a fad and the market is still slow. The Town Manager noted that development in Reading often means redevelopment. Board of Selectmen Meeting_May 22, 2012 —page 4 Ben Tafoya noted we should concentrate on one or two things at a time. Perhaps put commercial vacancies on our website, but unfortunately we don't get to pick who buys the land. James Bonazoli noted that the zoning has been changed twice to get a mix in density and we created the Economic Development Committee to promote that. Staff and EDC have done their job. Maybe we should give the Economic Development Committee more leverage. Stephen Goldy recommended pushing customer service to make it easier for residents to do business with the Town. He also noted that the Board needs to decide if they want to reach 10% of affordable housing. He indicated he does not want to reach 10%. He wants to keep control of density and keep a small New England town feel. The Town Manager noted we could either take the big projects i.e. Pulte or end up with 10 small projects of knockdown and build. Ben Tafoya indicated we need an updated Housing Plan. The Town Manager indicated the plan has expired. We have hired a consultant to update it. He also noted that Reading is the only community in Massachusetts where Mass Housing turned down a development because we had a Housing Plan that it didn't fit into. Stephen Goldy summarized that the goals are: 1. Vibrancy of the business district. 2. Customer Service—bring simplicity to residents and business owners. 3. Small town feel. Boards, Committees, Commission Messaging/Training — Stephen Goldy noted that liaisons should visit their committees and be put on the agenda to let them know what the Board of Selectmen want. He also noted that each Selectman should be giving the same message. The Town Manager noted that the value statement is the best guideline. Bob LeLacheur noted that the Town Clerk is in charge of the Open Meeting Law and will hold two sessions this summer. Economic Development Committee Policy Revision — Stephen Goldy noted that the Economic Development Committee presented to the Board that their mission has evolved and the Board needs to give them clear direction as to what we want. James Bonazoli noted that they want to be an advocate to businesses to help guide them through the process but the question is where to draw the line. It has its pros and cons. Ben Tafoya noted the policy is fine. The issue is what projects the Board wants to talk to them about. If there is a problem with staff then that is a Board of Selectmen issue. A lot of the problems have gone away through staff changes. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 22, 2012—page 5 The Town Manager noted that Boards, Committees and Commissions need to meet jointly. James Bonazoli asked if there are legal issues with committees meeting together and the Town Manager indicated there is not, in fact the state encourages it. Stephen Goldy directed the Town Manager to invite the Economic Development Committee in to talk about the advocate issue and to give them direction. A motion by Bonazoli, seconded by Tafoya, to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respect lly submitte , 'KJ Secretary