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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes s i 3 Board of Selectmen Meeting June 5, 2012 i 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, Finance Committee members David Greenfield, Paula Perry, Jeanne Borawski, Hal Torman and Mark Dockser; Assessors Ralph Colorusso, Fred McGrane, and Robert Quinn; and the following list of interested parties: Bob Nordstrand, Bob Quinn, Pat Sullivan, Michael Cashins and Kevin Douglas. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive Session for the purposes of: ♦ security issues and ♦ sale of real estate of three parcels at Audubon and Pearl Streets, and a parcel on Lothrop Road 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 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:07 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—James Bonazoli noted that 10 applications were received for the Building Fagade program and the Economic Development Committee will make the final decision. The Building Fagade Committee recommends not spending all of the $10,000. He also attended a Sturges Park Committee meeting. Ben Tafoya indicated he has been busy with volunteer appointments, Memorial Day was very nice and the Fall Street Faire Committee is looking for volunteers. Town Manager's Report — The Town Manager congratulated Richard Schubert on graduating and getting his masters. The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ Joint meeting June 11 at 7:30 with the School Committee and Finance Committee to hear the consultant report on enrollment. You will get the report in advance. ♦ I-93/195 funding proposal —see draft letter ♦ Friends and Family Day June 16 — 11 to 3. o Are members of the Board of Selectmen available to cover their booth? i Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 5, 2012 —page 2 o Are there any particular displays that you would like included? ♦ Vacancy on RMLB—process to fill ♦ Transportation Summit—June 11, 2 to 4 PM ♦ Amplified Sound request—RYB ♦ RFSF— September 9 Community Services ♦ Healthy Communities presentation. ♦ FREE Clinic - Tetanus/Whooping Cough vaccine — FOR RESIDENTS 65+ - Senior Center- Great Room - Tuesday June 26, 2012 4:OOpm —6:OOpm ♦ Housing Production Plan Finance ♦ Enclosed in your packet is a summary of Reading's 2012 Equalized Valuation — Total of$3.95 billion. Library ♦ There has been a transition to new Evergreen software. Public Safety ■ RCASA will be sponsoring an event on June 6th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM for 9th, 10th, and 11 th grade students and parents, and the community more broadly. ■ Joint Fire Department training—Reading, Wakefield, Melrose, and Wilmington Public Works • Street Paving •Pearl Street, Belmont Street, Wilson, Track, Norman, and California •William, Kieran, Susan, Sandra. •Upper Lowell Street and Causeway Road • Haverhill Street Water Main Replacement Personnel and Appointments Fall Street Faire Committee— Ben Tafoya noted that he has been interviewing candidates and they have an applicant for the Fall Street Faire Committee and he recommends appointing her now due to quorum problems. A motion by Schubert seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee and confirm the appointment to the Committee with a term beginning June 5,2012 as listed below: ♦ Alison Ullman to one position on the Fall Street Faire Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2015 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — FY2013 Compensation Plan and Classification Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Human Resource Administrator Carol Roberts was present. She noted there are two minor changes to the classification plan. The RCASA positions have a five Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 5, 2012 —page 3 year grant listed and that is ending so it will be removed and the compensation has a 2% increase. Richard Schubert asked if we did receive the grant for the RCASA if the money would be used for compensation and the Town Manager indicated that was correct. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on the FY2013 Compensation and Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the Draft FY 2013 Classification Plan (Schedule A-1) and the Draft FY2013 Compensation Plan (Schedule B-1) as presented and a step increase will not be granted in FY13 except for at the completion of a probationary period, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Joint Meeting with the Finance Committee re: Funding of Assessor's Re-Inspections — Finance Committee members David Greenfield, Paula Perry, Jeanne Borawski, Hal Torman and Mark Dockser were present. Finance Committee Chairman David Greenfield called the Finance Committee to order. Assessors Ralph Colorusso, Fred McGrane and Robert Quinn were present. The Town Manager indicated that he is asking the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to approve a substantial amount of money to make the transition from CAMA. Bob LeLacheur noted that between May 1 and July 15 the Selectmen and Finance Committee can vote to transfer a maximum of 3% from the department's budget that the transfer is coming from. He noted that a full review is $97,200 a field review is $60,000 and $24,000 was funded. The request is for $133,400. The Department of Revenue is now requiring a full field review so the expense went from $72,000 to $157,000. Fred McGrane noted that the Town Manager's three year plan was $24,000 each year for three years. The Board of Assessors solicited bids and two come in at approximately $162,000. In realty, only inspection of 3,600 properties is actually needed. Patriot will amend the dollar amount and be paid for only those houses entered. The DOR requires a full field review to ensure that the data conversion is correct. The Town Manager noted that all inspections need to be done by the end of April. Stephen Goldy asked how long Patriot has been involved and Fred McGrane indicated .the conversion was started about two years ago but we put them off. The Town Manager noted that the $72,000 estimate is now $97,200 and time is another variance so funding cannot be pushed into FY14. He met with the Department of Revenue last week and they informed him that the conversion cannot be done the same i Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 5, 2012 —page 4 year as the revaluation and this is nothing new. The Town Manager noted that assessment is 70% of our revenue and he wants to make sure its done right. Richard Schubert asked what guarantee there was that the work can be done in time and Bob LeLacheur noted that it takes 6— 8 weeks for a full field review. David Greenfield noted that the DOR is requiring a full review by April and he asked if that is subjective. The Town Manager indicated the DOR indicated this is for a smooth process. Mr. Greenfield indicated he wants the Board of Assessors to meet with the Finance Committee at the end of June. Paula Perry asked if staff will be doing the inspections and Bob LeLacheur noted that this amount of money assumes they are not. Paula Perry asked why we are converting from CAMA and Fred McGrane noted that CAMA is not supported and Patriot is much better. He also noted that the Board knew nothing about needing a field review. The Town Manager indicated that was not correct. Jeanne Borawski asked where the money was coming from and Bob LeLacheur indicated 40K from unemployment and 18K from workers comp. Hal Torman asked if we should do a reserve fund transfer and Bob LeLacheur indicated that half of the reserve fund is spoken for and the Finance Committee will hear about that at their next meeting. James Bonazoli noted that the errors and delays are unbelievable and he is offended that the Assessors don't know where the numbers are coming from. He asked if regionalization was possible. The Town Manager noted that he had recommended last year that the Board of Assessors be appointed. Bob Nordstrand was opposed to this at Town Meeting so out of respect to Mr. Nordstrand he didn't push the matter. The fact is the assessment function is not functional. There is staff turnover, poor staff morale, poor relationship with the state, a complete lack of communication, and the Board lacks faith in staffs' capabilities. Bob Nordstrand noted that it is wrong to appoint and not elect. He noted he came to the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen and pleaded to keep the part time person. The problem is with lack of personnel. He noted that the Board of Assessors relies on the senior appraiser. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen vote pursuant to MGL Chapter 44 Section 33B to approve the transfer in FY 2012 of $133,400 from line item B99 Benefits, to Line item I92 Finance Expenses was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Perry seconded by Dockser that the Finance Committee vote pursuant to MGL Chapter 44 Section 33B to approve the transfer in FY 2012 of $133,400 from line item B99 Benefits, to Line item I92 Finance Expenses was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 5, 2012 —page 5 The Town Manager noted he will try to get a contract with Patriot immediately. The Finance Committee adjourned their meeting at 9:40 p.m. Decision on Requested Modifications to "Tennis Court" Baseball Field — The Town Manager noted that the original presentation was in February and Recreation would like a decision. Richard Schubert noted that this is not the first request to make changes and if all the features are granted then the field will be limited to use as a baseball field. He also noted that fences have an impact on the overall area and lessen the flexibility to use for anything else. James Bonazoli agreed with Richard Schubert and noted that this facility is already fenced off and the field is still useable for T ball if the changes are not made. Charlie Ehl reviewed the list of changes that Reading Youth Baseball is willing to make: 1. Grade the outfield to be "level" so that it is functionally level 210' — 225' from home plate. The consensus of the Board agreed to this. 2. Install 4' high black vinyl coated chain link fence from the left field foul line to the outfield fence near the high school cafeteria, 210' — 225' feet from home plate. The Board asked if RYB would consider a walk through or gate and Mr. Ehl they would. The Board had concerns that this is not what was envisioned in the master plan. John Feudo noted that he wouldn't want to see a full fence. The fence could be left open for safety equipment and Town equipment. Mr. Feudo noted that if kids are hitting more runs then it is time to find another location for them. Richard Schubert noted that the usage will change dramatically because all of the travel leagues will want to play there. The consensus of the Board was against this item. 3. Install a 6' - 10' foul pole on the lefty field line. The consensus of the Board agreed to this item. 4. Install yellow safety border barrier on the top of the outfield fence. The consensus of the Board was against this item. 5. Install an 18' high monofilament safety net the length of the playing surface along the 3`d base line to provide protection for tennis players. The consensus of the Board agreed to this as long as no new poles were installed. It was suggested that the tennis court fence be used to hold the safety net. 6. Install a 4' x 8' maximum scoreboard in left field facing towards home plate. The consensus of the Board agreed to this item. i i Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 5, 2012 —page 6 7. Install up to 2 sets of aluminum HC accessible spectator bleachers in the outfield in locations determined by staff. The consensus of the Board agreed to this item as long as they were not located in the outfield and the location was determined by staff. 8. Install a 5' high black vinyl coated chain link fence to protect spectators in the 3rd base bleachers. The consensus of the Board agreed to this item. Charlie Ehl noted that if the fence in item #2 is not allowed then RYB will not extend the field out or do bleachers; so if they don't have permission to do everything then they will do nothing. The Town Manager noted that the All Star Game is on Sunday at Hunt Park and they are requesting to use amplified sound. Ben Tafoya asked if there have been any complaints and John Feudo indicated there have not. The consensus of the Board was to allow this. Variance of Driveway Width — 58 and 66 Edgemont — The Town Manager noted that there are three driveways on Edgemont that exceed 24.' Kevin Douglas, 58 Edgemont Avenue, noted that the residents of Stewart and Edgemont are paying for the curbing. He submitted a petition signed by all of the abutters indicating they have no problem with his driveway width. He noted this is a quality of life issue and he cannot park on the street. He also noted that the Board had previously approved a second driveway for 51 Edgemont Avenue. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve a driveway curb cut width of 27 feet from the left to bring the curb into line with the wall was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Michael Cashins, 66 Edgemont Avenue, noted that he is also requesting a variance to remain at 32.' He noted this gives his guests a place to park. Richard Schubert noted that 32' was excessive. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Arena to approve the driveway curb cut width of 32 feet at 66 Edgemont Avenue was approved by a vote of 4-1-0 with Schubert opposed. Establish Town Manager's Salary FY2013 — Richard Schubert noted that he spoke with Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts and she indicated that Burlington and Winchester pay their Town Manager $160,000. Ben Tafoya noted that when the Board does a search for a new Town Manager they will have to start at a higher salary and suggested setting the salary at $147,000. Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 5 2012—page 7 The consensus of the Board was to wait two weeks before making a decision. Appoint Town Counsel 7-1-2012 through 6-30-2013 — The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel needs to be reappointed. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to reappoint the firm of Brackett and Lucas as Town Counsel with a term expiring June 30, 2013 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to approve the minutes of April 10, 2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonaz6li seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting at 11:16 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, ►W Secretary