HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 19, 2013
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Selectmen Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice
Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen John Arena and
James Bonazoli, student representative Eric Johnson, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Library
Director Ruth Urell, DPW Director Jeff Zager, members from Patch, the Advocate and
the Daily Times Chronicle, and residents Angela Binda and Bill Brown.
Reports and Comments
Town Mana erg 's Report - The Town Manager reviewed his report. He asked if the Board
wished to appoint three residents as members to the Library Building Committee from
the applications received, or to wait until after the results of the April 2, 2013 election.
After a brief discussion the Board agreed to not presume the outcome of the election and
to wait until April to begin to appoint those members.
Personnel and Appointments
Town Accountant Appointment — A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the
Board of Selectmen reappoint Sharon Angstrom as Town Accountant effective April
1, 2013 with a term expiring March 31, 2014, or until a successor is named, was
approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Presentation — Retiring Members of the Board of Selectmen - Mr. Goldy and Mr.
Schubert both received street signs to commemorate their years of service to the
community. They both gave short remarks thanking their fellow Board members, Town
staff and especially the voters that gave their trust to each one of them over the years.
Mr. Bonazoli, Mr. Tafoya and Mr. Arena thanked each one of them in turn for their years
of service, their dedication to the community, and their friendship while on the Board.
Approval — Statement of Interest — Killam School - Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed a
revised scope of the Killam project recently approved by the School Committee.
A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert that be it "Resolved: Having convened
in an open meeting on March 19, 2013, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Reading, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to
authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building
Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated April 8, 2013 for the J. Warren
Killam Elementary School located at 333 Charles Street which describes and
explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an
application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the
future:
Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 19, 2013 —page 2
Priority S: Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility
systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to
increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school
facility,
Deficiency: The current classroom windows are original to the school which
was constructed in 1969. These are single pane, non-insulated glass and
transite panels which are in poor condition offering little protection from air
and water infiltration into the space. These conditions are leading to a
substandard learning and teaching environment as classroom temperatures are
difficult to regulate. In addition, the inefficient windows require district funds
that could otherwise be directed to instructional priorities to be used for
increased energy costs.
Priority 6: Short term enrollment growth.
Deficiency: Shifting enrollments in the district, most notably a larger
Proportion of students entering full day kindergarten as opposed to half day
kindergarten and an increase in the number of children requiring special
education services, is impacting space needs in most of our elementary schools,
including I W. Killam Elementary School. In addition, housing trends in
Reading in general and in the Killam district in particular have led to an
increased number of new students enrolling in the Killam School this year. To
accommodate increased enrollments, the school has had to consolidate art and
music into one classroom and consolidate special education program space to
make classrooms available for core academic instruction. At least one grade
level will have sub-optimal class sizes due to the lack of additional space. These
space constraints are also hindering the district from fully implementing its
educational program of full day kindergarten for all students.
The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading hereby further specifically
acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the
Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the
acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any
other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building
Authority, or commits the Town of Reading, Reading Public Schools to filing
an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building
Authority."
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
The Board asked that a review of Performance Contracting be done at a future Town
Meeting in November 2013, and also an update on solar projects.
Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 19, 2013 —page 3
Approval of Notice of Taking— "Old" Pearl Street — A motion by Schubert seconded
by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the notice of taking of Lot A and
Lot B portions of Old Pearl Street,was approved by a 5-0-0 vote.
Town Manager Screening Committee—A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that
the Board of Selectmen accept the final report of the Town Manager Screening
Committee, and the Screening Committee is hereby discharged and disbanded with
the Board's thanks and appreciation,was approved by a 5-0-0 vote.
Close the Warrant - Special Town Meeting - Mr. Hechenbleikner summarized the
situation at the old Eric's Greenhouse property. The applicant wants to build a new
facility for Alzheimer's patients and will apply to ZBA for a variance, and if that fails he
will ask a Special Town Meeting to consider making some changes..
A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen close the
Warrant for the Special Town Meeting consisting of four Articles to take place on
Thursday April 25, 2013 at 8:OOpm in the Performing Arts Center at Reading
Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading MA, was approved by a 5-0-0
vote.
Close Warrant — Special Election - Mr. Hechenbleikner explained that the next motion is
for the Special Primary Election to be held on April 30, 2013.
A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen close the
Warrant for the Special State Primary Election to take place at Reading Memorial
High School Hawkes Field House on April 30,2013,was approved by a 5-0-0 vote.
Hearing=Application by Fit by Catarina, 335 Main Street for Waiver of Hours of Retail
Operation - As no one was present for the Hearing by 8:20pm, the Hearing was continued
to April 9, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova that the Board of Selectmen continue the
Hearing for Fit By Catarina, 335 Main Street, to April 9, 2013 at 8:OOpm, was
approved by a 5-0-0 vote.
Hearing — Change of Manager - Macaroni Grill - Mr. Schubert asked Mr. Tervail, the
applicant, if the staff had undergone TIPS training for the serving of alcohol, and he
replied that they had. Mr. Tervail apologized to the community for past violations of
health codes and stated they had all been corrected under the new management.
A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the
Change of Manager for Mac Acquisition of Delaware LLC d/b/a Macaroni Grill, 48
Walkers Brook Drive, from John O'Brian to Darren Tervail, was approved by a 5-
0-0 vote.
Board of Selectmen Minutes—March 19, 2013 —page 4
Approval of Minutes
A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the
minutes of February 12 2013,was approved by a 5-0-0 vote without any changes.
A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the
minutes of February 13 2013,was approved by a 5-0 vote without any changes.
A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen go into
Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to labor negotiations regarding
health insurance, and for the approval of minutes, not to come back into Open
Session,was approved unanimously by a roll call vote of all members.
Respec lly submitted,
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