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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 21, 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: Angela Sciandra, Dennis Dorandi, Christina Moore, Pamela Arian, Lenka Nichols, Lou Zampitella, Carolyn McGirn, Donna Broderick, Kyle Skirger, Angela Fischer. Reports and Comments Liaison Reports and Comments — John Arena noted that he received a call from Mr. Kramer of 186 Pleasant Street who has an issue with drainage. Richard Schubert noted that the issue of new Selectmen not knowing incumbents is going to need to be addressed at some point regarding the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee. James Bonazoli noted that the Sturgis Park Committee is meeting on Thursday to go over the survey results. Ben Tafoya noted that there is an issue with the Sign Bylaw and the close gap between the primary and general elections. Town Manager's Report —The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ Volunteers still needed — for the Bylaw Committee; Conservation Commission, Cultural Council, Finance Committee; Trails Committee; West Street Historic District Commission; and Zoning Board of Appeals. ♦ Board, Committee, and Commission training is being offered by the Town Clerk on the following dates/times: August 25th 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Police Community Room August 29th 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Police Community Room September 10th 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Police Community Room September 18th 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Board of Selectmen's Room September 24th 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Board of Selectmen's Room ♦ Old South 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.orQ Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 21, 2012—page 2 Community Services ♦ Mosquito spraying—in response to a positive test of a mosquito in a Reading trap. ♦ Retail Visioning Workshop - scheduled for September 12, from 8 to 10:30 AM to offer assistance to existing businesses. ♦ 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 has identified a potential location — we will be reviewing it with the Board of Selectmen at a meeting in September. ♦ MBTA Vine Street Parking Lot — We are working on 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. Finance ♦ Library funding Library ♦ The Library had their always popular Vehicle Day today with a large number of interesting vehicles and a good crowd of youngsters. Public Safety ♦ Hiring process for police patrol Officers. Public Works 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 Avenue to Woburn Street). Curbing/Sidewalk: Haven Street— (Contractor experiencing materials delay), 8 additional tree wells in downtown have been treated with the poured in place rubberized matting, Mineral Street—RMLD getting access rights addressed. Utilities: Haverhill Street water main replacement completed; water services completed. Contractor is cleaning up staging site at Charles and Haverhill Streets, Howard Street water main— Summer to West Streets. Dates September 6, 2012 —State Primary Election September 9th—Reading Fall Street Faire Board of Selectmen Minutes —August 21, 2012—page 3 Personnel and Appointments Badge Pinning — Firefighter Keough — The Shriner Bagpipers gave a performance for Firefighter Keough's badge pinning. Chief Burns noted that Firefighter Keough worked for Westford as the EMS Director, has 10 years of EMS experience, works part time at Lawrence General Hospital, and also does dive rescues. The Board congratulated Firefighter Keough and his wife pinned the badge. Appointment — Mystic Valley Elder Services — A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to place Rheta McKinley into nomination for one position on the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board with a term expirinV September 30, 2015 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Historical Commission and/or West Street Historic Commission — No appointment was made because the applicant withdrew her application. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Underground Garage Licensing — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Fire Chief Greg Burns noted this is for 4 Summit Drive. The law requires that underground parking with a total amount of gasoline above 790 gallons (15 gallons per car) needs to be licensed. The building is fully sprinkled and is open to the atmosphere. On the other hand, permits will be issued to Pulte because their underground parking is less than 790 gallons. Richard Schubert asked the difference between a license and a permit. Chief Burns noted that a license is permanent and goes with the land and can only be revoked by the Fire Marshall or the Board of Selectmen for just cause. A permit is not permanent and is issued by the Fire Department. A resident from 4 Summit Drive asked if this law was in effect 30 years ago when the building was built and Chief Burns indicated he believes it was it and was just overlooked. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing for licensinIZ of 11asoline storage in the underground parking garage at 4 Summit Drive was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the License for storage of 1,005 gallons of gasoline in the underground parking garage containing 67 spaces at 4 Summit Drive in accordance with Chapter 148 of the Massachusetts General Laws was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Green Street One Way from Ash Street to High Street; "All Way" Stop at Green and Ash Streets— The secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Board had a presentation from residents and he reviewed it with staff and the recommendation is to make Green Street from Main to High Streets one way and add stop signs at Ash and Green Streets. The Town Manager noted he received an email Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 21, 2012—page 4 from the resident at 28 Green Street who indicates that the street is narrow and the commuters are parking there. She has a problem backing out of her driveway and the sidewalk is buckled. One way signs are also needed at the end of Green Street near Main Street. Ben Tafoya asked that at least one side of Green Street be put on the plow list. John Arena asked if the Town can stripe the ground noting the no parking area. The Town Manager indicated there would have to be signage too. The resident from 34 Green Street noted that the Auto Body Shop fronts on High Street but uses Green Street all of the time. She noted that now the trucks will have to drive around the block including tow trucks and customers. Paul Adrian noted there was an accident on Friday where two vehicles hit each other driving down the street because there is not enough space for two lanes and parking. The resident from 104 Ash Street noted that she spoke with the owner of Weaver and he has no problem with the proposed regulations. The resident from 32 Green Street indicated he was in favor of one way. He also noted that there is no room to put snow and public safety vehicles have issues on Green Street. Lenka Nichols, 104 Ash Street noted that the street is not wide enough for two lane traffic and she lost her sidewalk in order for the Town to fit two lanes. Angela Fisher, 45 Ash Street, noted that she drives the van for EMARC and a big mirror is needed at the intersection of Ash and Green Streets. The Town Manager noted it is becoming a stop at all corners so a mirror will not be needed. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to the close the hearing on making Green Street one way from Ash Street to Hij4h Street and the "all way" stop at Green and Ash Streets was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya the Town of ReadinIZ Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995, Appendix A16 "One Way Streets", be amended by adding the followinjZ: STREET DIRECTION Green Street From Ash Street to High Street proceeding in a westerly direction and Move that the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995, Appendix Al2 ""Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs", be amended by adding the following: STREET Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 21, 2012 —page 5 Ash Street at Green Street—northbound and southbound drivers Green Street at Ash Street—westbound drivers The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Changes to the Economic Development Committee Policy — Stephen Goldy noted that some EDC members felt it was not clear as to the direction of the Board. John Arena noted that the group feels they met their stride and are looking for a new genesis. He feels they could take on a different mission including: 1. Work with current business community to do a survey and get feedback and suggest actions. EDC would be the agent. 2. Provide support and mentorship to new businesses coming into town. 3. Outbound messaging to potential businesses and do outreach for new businesses. Richard Schubert indicated he thinks the Committee is doing that now and it seems to be working fine. He doesn't want to fix something that is not broken. James Bonazoli suggested increasing the Board to seven members because there is a lot of interest. Stephen Goldy noted that decisions cannot be made without the EDC so he recommends addressing this in a workshop in October and invite CPDC also. Preview Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant—The Town Manager noted that Articles 1 — 4 are standard. Article 6 is for the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund; Article 7 additional funding for sick/vacation leave stabilization fund; Article 8 for sewer work on Lewis and Howard Streets; Article 9 for debt for sewer I/1; Article 10 is debt for the Library; Article 11 is street acceptance and discontinuance; Article 12 authorizes sale of Town owned land on Causeway Road; Article 13 is a resolution re: transportation funding. Article 14 addresses the hour of rubbish collection in the commercial zone. This has been an ongoing issue with the Board of Health and Wakefield has a Bylaw. Ruth Clay noted that Wakefield says that within 100 feet of a residential area works well. Richard Schubert noted that the restaurants can still put the trash out, this just keeps trucks out. Article 15 is for non-criminal disposition for enforcement of rules and regulations. A phrase was omitted during re-codification. Article 17 is a noise bylaw and Article 18 prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries. Ruth Clay noted that both Wakefield and Melrose are doing Article 18. Article 16 is the draft demolition delay bylaw with Town Counsel's comments. Article 19 is a zoning bylaw regarding parking, and Article 20 is the revised zoning map. Board of Selectmen Minutes—August 21 2012—page 6 Naming of Roadway to Brande Court Parking Lot — The Town Manager noted that we need a name for the alleyway going back from Haven Street to the parking lot. The Historical Commission suggests Atlantic Court since Atlantic was there since the 1920's. There was also an email suggesting Hechenbleikner Way. Both Stephen Goldy and John Arena like Atlantic Way. Richard Schubert suggested Atlantic Aisle or Express Lane. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the naming of the alleyway from Haven Street to the parking lot as Atlantic Way was approved by a vote of 5-0- 0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of July 24, 2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Executive Session minutes of July 10 2012 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to adjourn the meeting at 10:04 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, rW Secretary