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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 18, 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, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Charlie Adams. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — John Arena noted that a resident near Memorial Park wants to know when the lights will be on. The Town Manager indicated that the lights were eliminated due to the cost when we did the project, but we do have a plan for lights there. The cost is approximately $25,000. John Arena noted that the drainage on Orange Street from Harrison Street was not sufficient during the latest heavy storm. Also, the motion last week on Birch Meadow Drive and Oakland Road did not include a stop sign and he feels it should be a three way stop due to poor sightlines. The Town Manager indicated he will have Engineering look at it this winter for action in the future. James Bonazoli noted that he missed last week's Selectmen's meeting because he attended the Sturgis Park meeting. The biggest issue is to bring up the land for the hockey rink. The Town Manager Screening Committee met for the first time last week. He also offered prayers to those in Sandy Hook and noted that we here in Reading will continue to work hard with Police so our kids won't be fearful. Ben Tafoya indicated that he spoke with our Police Chief in reference to the Sandy Hook shooting and expressed thanks for all that the Town employees do. Richard Schubert noted that it has been an honor to serve as a Selectmen but he will not be running for re-election. Stephen Goldy noted that he received a call from Peter Kramer at Wilson and Pleasant Streets and he is concerned that the Town is not doing enough regarding drainage. Chairman Goldy noted that he spoke with the Town Manager and Public Works and he is assured that enough is being done and the drainage issue will be resolved in the spring. Stephen Goldy also noted that with his new job he cannot give 100% to the residents and his family so he will not be running for re-election. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ Volunteers are needed for the Bylaw Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Board of Selectmen Minutes—December 18, 2012—page 2 ♦ Holiday hours at Town Hall Community Services ♦ Future of the Post Office. ♦ Preliminary application for 40 b or LIP program on north Main Street has been received and is being reviewed by staff with an intention to get a report to the Board of Selectmen after the first of the year. ♦ Mawn (M.F. Charles) interior demolition permit has been issued. Known tenants are Orange Leaf frozen yoghurt, and Bunratty's Tavern. ♦ Planet Fitness approved for former Registry location. ♦ Perfecto's is revising their plan and applying to the Conservation Commission for the amended plan. Finance ♦ FY 2014 budget process has started. ♦ Governor's 9c reductions in FY 2013 budget. Public Safety ♦ Remedial work at the main Fire HQ building has been done to reinforce the floor. Public Works • Mineral Street Bridge—moving utility poles out of sidewalk. • East Haven Street - lighting remains to be completed. • Crosswalk repair. • Poet's Corner - 65% of the sub-drain has been installed. Sewer replacement has begun. Paving in the spring. • Compost Center will be open January 19 for Christmas trees and left over leaves etc. Upcomingevents: vents: ♦ Martin Luther King Celebration—January 21, 2013. ♦ Special Town Meeting—January 28, 2013. Discussion/Action Items Review Sign Enforcement — The Town Manager noted that in the early 90's the Town approved sign bylaws to amortize changes. There was push back from some property owners who had signs constructed prior to 1992 and there are other signs installed in the last six years that are also not in conformance. Town Counsel Gary Brackett noted the Bylaw was adopted in 1993 and that there has been court cases in other towns. He reviewed the Town's inventory of sign violations and indicated that none of the property owners have appealed to the ZBA within three days so they are no longer protected. The Bylaw was approved by the Attorney General but it can be challenged in court. The property owner must prove nonconformance use and that the property has not been abandoned. The statute of limitations with a building Board of Selectmen Minutes— December 18, 2012 —page 3 permit is 6 years and 10 years without a building permit. Jean Delios has done further outreach. If new orders are issued then the Town can seek an injunction or issue a ticket. The Town Manager noted that the Town will stay on top of sign enforcement and we have had two successes in getting old poles taken down. Approve Housing Plan — Town Planner Jean Delios, Staff Planner Jessie Wilson, and consultant Bob Mitchell were present. Bob Mitchell noted that a community survey was done. The last plan was adopted in 2006 and expired in 2011. The new plan meets new requirements. Reading has active adapting districts. Once the Town reaches the 10% goal then we will be exempt from unfriendly 40B proposals. The Selectmen need to approve the plan before it is sent to the state. Mr. Mitchell noted that the plan must include the requirements of a needs assessment, affordable housing goals, and numerical goals. The implementation strategies include looking at zoning and analyzing municipal properties that may be characteristic of housing and regional collaborations. A matrix is also included listing the strategy, who's responsible, and the timeline. Ben Tafoya noted that the plan doesn't seem to mention what we have done. He noted that the items that we have done should at least be bulleted. He feels there should be a category of what this Town has done. Town Planner Jean Delios noted that all of that information is in there and you just have to dig for it because they had to use the template that the State requires. The Town Manager suggested adding what we have accomplished as part of the transmittal letter. Bob Mitchell noted that the State wants the plan to be forward looking. John Arena suggested doing a historical format that Ben Tafoya talked about because you need the history in order to move forward. Ben Tafoya noted that the Town took money from the Affordable Housing Trust fund and there was an increase in rental percentage. Selectman Tafoya noted that he is proud of what the Town has done and doesn't want it in 8 point type on pages 56 and 57 of the plan. CPDC member Charlie Adams noted that CPDC has recommended the plan and it does not need to come back to them. Mr. Adams did note that housing units are being lost and those property owners should be identified. That would be a job for the regional person to help facilitate. Richard Schubert noted that the page 43 pipeline is misspelled. The Town Manager noted that changes will be made and brought back to the Board in January. Board of Selectmen Minutes—December 18, 2012—page 4 Ben Tafoya requested that a Selectmen's Policy be developed on the issue and to tie the Affordable Housing Trust Fund yearly review to it. Approve Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan — GIS Coordinator Kim Honetschlager and Recreation Administrator John Feudo were present. The Town Manager noted that the Open Space plan is required if we want state funds. It should be updated every five years. Kim Honetschlager noted that a survey was done asking what was most needed and the results included bike trails and lanes; hiking; pools; playgrounds; picnic areas, and athletic fields. Conservation land needs to be managed and a dog management policy is needed. The Town does not have a mechanism to respond quickly when funds are needed. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides a mechanism. Ms. Honetschlager noted that the southern part of town is underserved. The Town Manager noted that the Town is stretched in maintaining what we already have and couldn't support pocket parks. The Town had two community gardens but there was no interest. Johnson Woods and Pulte are in the southern part of Town and offer open space. Sturgis Park upgrades are in the works also. Ben Tafoya suggested taking some of the 40R money to jump start Sturgis Park. The Town Manager noted that CPA funds can be dedicated to recreation projects now but couldn't be in the past. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Annual Report — Reading Fall Street Faire Committee - Ben Tafoya noted that the Faire cleared $13,000 and that will go to the DIET. The DIET folks will get together with the Town Accountant to find out how much they have for planning. Stephen Goldy noted that all revenues go through the Town and the Faire is self sustaining. Approve Inter-Municipal Agreement Re: Veterans Services — The Town Manager noted that this has been reviewed by Town Counsel and Melrose is still reviewing it. The effective date will hopefully be April 1. Everyone is excited about Reading joining and this allows us to keep our current Veteran's Agent. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the Inter-Municipal Agreement among the City of Melrose, the Town of Wakefield, the Town of Saugus and the Town of Reading for the Director of the Veteran's Services Department in substantially the form submitted, and authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement on the Town's behalf was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Consider Licenses — Common Victualler Entertainment, Automatic Amusement, Livery/Limo, Lodging House, Class 1, 2 and 3 —The Town Manager noted that the Board Board of Selectmen Minutes—December 18, 2012—page 5 already delegated to him and if the Board has any issues they can pull out one and deal with it individually. John Arena indicated he wants the Town to create a suitable form for petitions with the required language. The Town Manager noted that would be a Charter Amendment and it would be done at the fall Town Meeting and go to the voters in the spring. John Arena also noted that the Bylaw Committee did a presentation at the last Town Meeting that did not support the proposed language. He didn't realize the Bylaw Committee had an opinion. He thought they were more legislative instead of procedure. He would like that to be clarified with the Bylaw Committee. The Town Manager noted that he will have the Bylaw Committee and the Town Moderator in at a meeting in February. Approval of Minutes A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of November 14,2012 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, N/ Secretary r