HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 11,2012
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 7:02 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard
Schubert, Selectman John Arena, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant
Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur and Office Manager Paula Schena.
Discussion/Action Items
Review/Approve Concept Plan for Oakland Road Reconstruction — Town Engineer
George Zambouras was present. The Town Manager noted that he is requesting direction
and approval of a concept plan.
George Zambouras reviewed two concept plans (that are available in the Town
Manager's office) for the intersection of Oakland at Birch Meadow Drive. The first one
is an island for aesthetics, traffic calming and a lighted place for the Police to stand; or a
small round about for traffic calming (this would require the services of a consultant).
The cost of the small island is $17,000 or $22,000 with lighting. The round about is
approximately $52,000.
Ben Tafoya noted that a crosswalk is needed near Waverly Road and asked if one could
be put in near the island.
The proposal for Oakland Road is to put in a center island. It could be raised or stamped
concrete.
John Arena asked how the stamped concrete addresses the drainage issues and the Town
Manager indicated it does not.
George Zambouras noted that the center island with curbing but no landscaping is
approximately $72,000. The stamped concrete is $120,000.
John Arena indicated he would like to see the minimal at the intersection and examine
adding two stop signs for the safety of the children. He does not want to spend $72,000
on the center island on Oakland Road.
Richard Schubert indicated he liked the minimal at the intersection. He likes the raised
island with trees on Oakland Road except maybe just go to the main entrance of the
school instead of the whole road.
Ben Tafoya likes the minimal at the intersection, no medians on Oakland Road and wants
the crosswalks to be painted and obvious and laid down as per the drawing in Option 1.
Board of Selectmen Minutes—December 11 2012—page 2
A motion by Schubert seconded by Arena to approve the conceptual design for
Oakland Road reconstruction as illustrated on Option 1 was approved by.a vote of
3-0-0.
Follow Up on Water Issues
Water Distribution Improvement Plan—The Town Manager noted that the consultant did
a presentation a while back. The estimate is $25 million in 20 years in replacing unlined
pipes. There are two priorities—lining the unlined pipes on Main Street and doing some
water main replacement in downtown. The total will be approximately$3 million. Town
Meeting approval will be needed in the spring. This is related to water quality and the
state wants to repave south Main Street.
John Arena asked if North Reading hooks up to the MWRA if it will increase the water
quality and George Zambouras indicated it will but not with the existing water mains.
The Town Manager indicated he will draft an Article for Town Meeting.
Other Water Issues — Redundant Water Supply — The Town Manager noted that the
MWRA is doing borings. There will be a new main on South Street at Hopkins and a
new vault at Leach Park. The Bear Hill tank is not needed so he will talk with the
MWRA regarding making an offer.
North Reading is starting an environmental statement for both water and sewer and it
doesn't commit us to anything.
Capital Plan — There is little flexibility regarding the water distribution plans. John
Arena asked what condition the pipes are in on north Main Street and George Zambouras
indicated the pipes are good and have a lot of solid metal on them.
Bob LeLacheur reviewed different scenarios for funding the work. The Town Manager
also suggested that there is the option for putting it on the tax rate and that would be a
spring 2014 ballot question.
George Zambouras updated the Board on Poet's Comer. He noted that the contractor
will start working on sewers on Monday doing asbestos removal.
A motion by.Arena seconded by Schubert to adiourn the meeting at 9.00 p.m. was
approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary