Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 7, 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. 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, Mary Kate Kelly, Eric Johnson, Bill Brown, Thomas J. Ryan, Erin Calvo-Bacci, Barbara Stewart, Jamie Maughan, William Hecht, Robert Nordstrand, Bo Garrison, Robert Connor, Gina Snyder, Richard Svirsky, Mark Cardono, Everett and Ginny Blodgett, Ralph And Adele Blunt, Karen German, Manuel German. A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property on Causeway Road; Pearl and Audubon; and the MBTA Vine Street parking lot, and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating 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 7:46 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Stephen Goldy introduced Mary Kate Kelly and Eric Johnson who will be the Youth Liaisons to the Board. They are both Juniors and Co-Presidents of the Interact Club. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to appoint Mary Kate Kelly and Eric Johnson as the Youth Liaisons to the Board of Selectmen with a term expiring June 30, 2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Richard Schubert noted he had office hour this evening and devoted it to speaking with the Youth Liaisons. Ben Tafoya noted that the Town is at the top of the waiting list for Library funding and we need to determine if we will come up with a match. This should be discussed with the Library Board. Stephen Goldy requested that the Town Manager search process be put on the September 11 agenda. Public Comment - Residents Bill Brown and Thomas Ryan both noted that nobody has the authority to lower the flag except for the President and Governor. Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 7 2012 —page 2 Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ In accordance with President Barack Obama's proclamation, Governor Deval L. Patrick has ordered that the United States flag and the Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Friday, August 10, 2012 in honor of the victims of the violence perpetrated on August 5, 2012 in Oak Creek, WI. ♦ Volunteers still needed — one member each for the Bylaw Committee, Conservation Commission, Cultural Council, Finance Committee, Trails Committee, West Street Historic District Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. ♦ The Town's home rule petition regarding the water and sewer easements between Belmont Street and Ivy Lane has been signed by the Governor. It does require the Town to come up with about one half acre of land to transfer to the Conservation Commission to compensate to the impact of the utility easements. ♦ We have had a number of community surveys on the web site, and most will be closed to further participation the end of this week (the Sturges Park survey will be open until August 14). ♦ Old South Church is conducting a community wide fundraising campaign to repair and restore the steeple and bell tower. While this is on church property, it is really a community asset, and the Town would be worse off if the steeple and bell were no there. For more information and to make a donation, go to www.readingsteeple.or . ♦ Legislator's support of the Town's position on the Route 128/1-93 interchange improvements. ♦ Suit filed against ZBA for their decision on the Home Depot case. ♦ Board, Committee, Commission training: Thursday - August 16th 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Police Community Room Saturday - August 25th 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Police Community Room Wednesday - August 29th 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Police Community Room Monday - September 10th 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Police Community Room Tuesday - September 18th 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Board of Selectmen's Room Monday - September 24th 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Board of Selectmen's Room Community Services ♦ Farmers Market - now open at the depot on Tuesday afternoon/evening. ♦ Retail Visioning Workshop - scheduled for September 12, from 8:00 to 10:30 AM to offer assistance to existing businesses. o Retail Consultant Christine Moynihan has been hired to provide the service for free through a State grant awarded from the Mass. Downtown Initiative (MDI)program. o The workshop is open to all Reading businesses and will focus on how to apply "Best Practices" in the areas of marketing (including using on-line tools), storefront/signage/window design, store layout and others. o Applications for Downtown Businesses to participate in one-on-one free consultations will be distributed at this meeting and will be due shortly thereafter. Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 7 2012—page 3 ♦ Vacant Properties — Working with a list of about a dozen properties to upgrade and conform to recently adopted general by-law establishing minimum maintenance standards. ♦ South Main Street Signalized Pedestrian Crossing — CPDC is working to identify a location in collaboration with Engineering and Public Safety. ♦ MBTA Vine Street Parking Lot—Great news! We have received a license agreement from Transit Realty Associates for Reading to use the MBTA Vine Street Parking Lot (currently underutilized) and to also permit the Town to undertake needed maintenance of trees on MBTA property. Terms will need further negotiations, so a start date is unknown. Finance ♦ Library funding — draft letter for Board of Selectmen to consider regarding increasing $ to be released under the bond cap. Public Safety ♦ Licensing of Parking Garages— Summit Terrace—August 21. Public Works ♦ Water leak detection program complete— saving almost 11 million gallons of water a year. Street Paving—next projects: • Main Street (Washington Street to the Railroad Tracks) • Garrett Road • Boswell Road • Irving Street • West Street (thin overlay over water trench; Arcadia to Woburn Street). Curbing/Sidewalk ♦ Haven Street—starts in 2 weeks (Contractor experiencing materials delay). ♦ 8 additional tree wells in downtown will be treated with the poured in place rubberized matting, similar to what was done as samples on the 2 tree wells at Woburn and Lowell Streets. The work will be done tomorrow. This product keeps weeds in control, and is completely porous and lets unlimited amounts of water into the root systems. Eventually (funding permitting) we would like to do this for all of the downtown trees. ♦ Mineral Street—RMLD getting access rights addressed Utilities ♦ Haverhill Street water main replacement completed; water services being completed between Wakefield & Charles Streets. ♦ Howard Street water main— Summer Street to West Street. Dates September 6, 2012— State Primary Election September 9th—Reading Fall Street Faire Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 7 2012—page 4 Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that Town Hall will be open on Friday, August 17th for election registration. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificates of Recognition — Eagle Scouts — A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the Certificate of Recognition for Eagle Scout Thomas Andrew Bishop was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the Certificate of Recognition for Eagle Scout Kyle James Krupa was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the Certificate of Recognition for Eagle Scout Zachary Robert Whelan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant for State Primary on 9-6 — A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to close the Warrant for the State Primary on September 6, 2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Follow Up on Green and Ash Streets Requests from Residents — The Town Manager noted that neighbors made requests at a previous meeting. The PTTTF recommends keeping all parking regulations the same and they do not recommend snow removal because it is too costly. The PTTTF does recommend making Green Street one way towards the Depot; improve signage and continue enforcements. They also recommend an all way stop at the intersection of Ash and Green Streets and continue parking enforcement. They recommend not painting the curbing but will install additional signage. There is no location for a convex mirror so we are asking the State for full heavy vehicle exclusion on Gould Street. This will be advertised for a hearing on August 21, 2012. John Arena asked if the Town uses painting on roads and the Town Manager indicated we do in some areas, but there has to be a sign to enforce it. Review Conservation Regulations — Conservation Commission members Jamie Maughan, Bill Hecht, Barbara Stewart, Pat Boyd, and Will Finch were present. Jamie Maughan noted that their mission was to simplify the regulations and there have been four additional changes since May. The definitions refer to the state for common definitions. There is limited jurisdiction outside the buffer zone; exemption from filing; and they revised the requirement for soil preparation. The filing fees have been modified and made flat fees for homeowners with the developers paying more. Jamie Maughan noted that Section 3 was reduced 50%; Section 4 was reduced 13%; Section 5 had a 40% reduction and Section 6 was reduced 93%. He noted that they will Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 7 2012—page 5 clean it up and send it to Town Counsel for review. Then they will do some outreach and hold a hearing to adopt the changes. John Arena noted this has been a 17 — 18 month effort which he has been following for some time. There have been some vital changes, but he still can't tell what is necessary. He noted there were some additions regarding maintenance and Jamie Maughan noted that if a homeowner is just doing landscaping then they don't have to do anything. John Arena asked about the fee increases and Jamie Maughan noted that the previous version had a flat fee plus additional fees. Ben Tafoya noted that the issue in the past was how the regulations were implemented. He indicated he would like to hear if this simplifies staff enforcement and if it is easier for the Commission's staff and proponents. Bill Hecht indicated that the applicants feel more supportive with the new regulations. Stephen Goldy asked if we are adding 40 pages to the 200 state regulations and Jamie Maughan indicated that our 40 pages simplify the process. John Arena indicated he would like to see where our regulations reach more than the state regulations. Proposed Amendments to Demolition DelayBylaw— The Town Manager introduced the working group consisting of John Arena, Richard Schubert, Phil Pacino, Elaine Webb, Erin Calvo-Bacci, Virginia Adams, and Sharlene Reynolds Santo. The Town Manager noted that they mapped the current process; reviewed an alternate process; developed a process for property owner to appeal being on the list; and created a process for appeal from demolition delay. Ben Tafoya asked at what point does a person apply for a demolition permit and the Town Manager indicated when the building is being torn down or if a deck is being torn down to build a new one. The Town Manager reviewed the process for expanding the list which includes notifying the owner of each structure by certified mail at least 30 days before the hearing. Section 7.2.3.2 develops a process for an owner to appeal the addition of a structure to the list of historic structures. The Town Manager noted that Virginia Adams sent comments to him this afternoon, but he hasn't had time to review them yet. Richard Schubert handed out his recommended edits to the draft Bylaw. He noted the purpose is not to permanently prevent demolition and it would be good to save some pieces of the building when possible. Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 7 2012—page 6 Ben Tafoya asked why the appeal is to the Board of Selectmen instead of the Zoning Board of Appeals in Section 7.2.6.4. James Bonazoli asked if the ZBA handles matters of hardship and the Town Manager indicated they do, so James Bonazoli suggested changing the appeal from the Board of Selectmen to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Stephen Goldy asked what the reason is behind the first appeal. Richard Schubert indicated it gives the property owner notice and gives them a chance not to have their structure on the list. The Town Manager noted the Historical Commission will be meeting and he asked them to get their comments to him as soon as possible. Virginia Adams noted that the Historical Commission will be opposed to the appeal. She noted that the delay period expires after six months and they cannot support an appeal situation. Approve Brande Court Parking Lot and Haven Street Frontage — Oak Tree — The Town Manager noted that the major change in plan is in the back lot. There are mature trees along the northerly property line so the layout has been reconfigured. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the plans as presented was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Karen German of 12— 14 Linden Street noted that in the corner of the lot there is a drain to protect flooding from 10 Linden Street and it hasn't been cleaned out in years. The snow plow went through the berm and it is piled up on the drain. Her property fills up with water. Ms. German also noted that the owner of 10 Linden Street has a problem with the Town fence not being maintained. He would like a new chain link fence. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of July 10, 2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary