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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 4,2013 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 7:03 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Secretary Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Daniel Ensminger and Marsie West, Youth Liaisons Mary Kate Kelley and Eric Johnson, Town Manager Robert LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena, Town Engineer George Zambouras, and the following list of interested parties: Fred Van Magness, Ken Tucei, Mary Beth McDonald, Janet Ehl, Jonathan Fandel, CG Sullivan, Kellie Micale, Michelle Dellanno, Patti Cameron, Bobbie Botticello, June Ewinj, Theresa Wiggins, Karen Gately Herrick, Stephen Herrick, Michelle Mim, Kristen Kinsella, Richard Osterlind, Mary Kastrinos, Christopher Pappey, Lisa Pappey, Monette Verrien, Fred Van Magness Jr., Jeanne Sullivan, Bill Sullivan, Carl Swanson, Michele Lantosca, Kendra Cooper, Beth Burke, Dora Kenyon, Christine Amendola. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Marsie West noted that the Reading Municipal Light Board chose a new General Manager. She also noted the Globe is doing an article regarding ticks. Ben Tafoya welcomed Bob LeLacheur to his first official meeting as Town Manager. He noted that the Zoning Board of Appeals is holding a meeting on Thursday night to hear a request for a variance for a senior facility on Main Street. Daniel Ensminger noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee will be doing interviews on June 10, 2013. James Bonazoli thanked everyone for Memorial Day. He attended the RCASA meeting, and the video "Who Cares About Kelsey" is showing tonight for parents, seniors and juniors. Mary Kate Kelley noted that the Seniors graduated on Sunday. There have been a lot of events and the seniors were very well behaved. Eric Johnson noted that the Reading Lacrosse team played Wellesley and won 9-5, and the baseball team is playing tonight in Danvers. Public Comment—Robin Decker, 18 Winter Street, and many of her neighbors were present to complain about the cars cutting through their neighborhood in the morning. They are requesting that Manning, Wilson, and Eaton Streets have their "do not enter" signs removed so they can share the burden. She also requested that the speed limit be lowered to 20 mph. Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 4, 2013 image 2 James Bonazoli noted that the Board cannot lower the speed limit because the state requirement is 30 mph. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that in order to get the speed limit lower than 30 mph, the road has to have curves. James Bonazoli noted that the Town Engineer will work with the Safety Officer towards a solution. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters ♦ The Town is still taking applications for appointments to the Town's Boards, Committees, and Commissions. The web site has all of the information on opportunities — see the lower right hand of the front page. The BOS VASC will meet June 10th and 11 cn to consider applications. ♦ We are releasing four sets of Executive Session minutes tonight. ♦ The last day to register to vote for the June 25 election is June 5 at Town Hall — the Clerk's office with be open until 8:00 PM on June 5. ♦ Sale of Real Estate - proceeds go into Sale of Real Estate fund for use for debt service, capital improvements, or funding unfunded pension liability. o The Town has closed on the sales of land at 50 Lothrop ($305,000) and two small parcels at Pearl & Audubon ($14,800 total). Proceeds have been added to the Sale of Real Estate Fund. o House lot on Pearl/Audubon is out for bid — minimum bid price is $200,000. For details and bid packet contact the Town Manager's office. ♦ The zoning amendments approved at the Special Town Meeting in April have been approved by the Attorney General. Community Services ♦ Reading Housing Production Plan - approved by DHCD (in tonight's packet). ♦ Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers — draft zoning language for a Moratorium presented to CPDC. ♦ Comprehensive Update of the Zoning By-Law — draft RFP, project outline being developed by staff, including a memo to the Board of Selectmen. ♦ Artis Senior Living — Applicant has filed for Site Plan Review, and then will be before the CPDC. Permitting has been expedited, including coordination with ZBA and the Conservation Commission. ♦ Perfecto's- Pre-Construction Meeting on 5/30/13 (demolition), applicant submittals are pending. ♦ South Main Street Roadway DIET—Grant funds awarded, CTPS site visit last week. ♦ Retail Visioning and Fagade Improvement Program — next phase by BFSI Committee and EDC. ♦ M.F. Charles building is progressing with construction (Building Permit issued last week). Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 4 2013 —page 3 ♦ Portland Pie nearing completion of construction — coordinating final walk-through related to permitting sign off in the next few weeks. ♦ See enclosed for next steps on the 30 Haven Street smoking issue raised by Patricia Hansen. Library • Library Building Committee update — Owner's Project Manager contract negotiations nearing completion, I hope to be able to sign off within a week; next up the search for an Architect and Temporary Library Space. Public Safety ♦ Franklin & Main Sreets discussion tonight. ♦ Ipswich River Rte. 28 bridge repairs — utility conduits discovered in 1904 construction section. ♦ Our consultant has completed counts on Main and Salem, Woburn, Pleasant, and Haven. Report due this month to see if we can adjust signal timing to move traffic through better. ♦ Ambulance billing—rate setting by State effort (email from Chief Burns in packet). ♦ Tonight from 7:00 — 9:00 pm RCASA and the RPS Behavioral Health Task Force are sponsoring "Who Cares About Kelsey" followed by a discussion at the Endslow Performing Arts Center. Public Works • Pearl Street taking has been confirmed and recorded at the Registry of Deeds. • Church snow plowing—letters sent(example in packet). • West Street—draft TIP is in 30 day comment period, MPO committee to take final vote at their June 27 meeting (Town Engineer will be in attendance). Affirmative vote funds the project in FFY 2014 — October 1, 2013. In preparation, FINCOM Reserve Fund transfer request on June 26 to begin some paper work on land-takings. This should allow construction to begin in the Spring 2014. • Drainage/sidewalk construction at Town Hall is complete—landscaping is next. • The Bancroft Avenue tennis court monitoring program is now in effect M-F, 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Road Improvements - Completed • Haverhill Street (Wakefield Street to North Reading Town Line). Roads - In Progress anticipated to be completed first week of June • Batchelder Road — Roadway reclaimed and binder installed, castings raised, top course not scheduled yet by Contractor. • Boswell Road—Roadway reclaimed and binder installed, castings raised May 30. • Irving Street—Roadway reclaimed and binder installed, castings raised May 30. • Tennyson Circle — Roadway reclaimed, binder installed May 23, castings raised early June. Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 4, 2013 —page 4 Roads- In Progress • Wadsworth Road, Whittier Road, Tennyson Road, Browning Terrace—Reclaimed, binder down last Friday, castings set to be raised this week, final surface then put down. HOWEVER: Late resident interest in some curbing—five residents would pay for installation; many more residents might be interested through a betterment process. Status to be resolved this week- and better planned in the future. Roads - To be started first week of June • Howard Street(Summer Avenue to Sigsbee Avenue)—Reclaim. • Springvale Road (Overlook Road to 300' on Springvale Road)—Reclaim. • Overlook Road—Reclaim. Roads - To be scheduled • Hanscom Avenue (Weston to Hartshorn), Hartshorn Street, Longfellow Road, Oakland Road(after school closes), Tower Road (Winthrop to Bancroft), Weston Road (Parkview to Bancroft), Winthrop Avenue. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — FY2014 Compensation and Classification Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Human Resource Administrator Carol Roberts was present. Carol Roberts noted that four positions are being removed from the Classification Plan—the Permits and Licensing Coordinator, Coordinator of Volunteers, Retirement Board Administrative Assistant, and Data Base Administrator. The Case Worker is being added because the person who was hired is not a licensed social worker. The Compensation Plan has a 1% increase. Ben Tafoya asked if the Retirement Board Administrator is still here and Carol Roberts indicated she is but she is now 100% Retirement. Ben Tafoya noted it would be helpful to know the Housing Authority Director and Retirement Board Administrator salaries for comparison reasons. It would also be helpful to see their pay increases. A motion by Tafoya seconded by West 'to close the hearing on the FY2014 Compensation and Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by West to approve the FY2014 Compensation and Classification Plan as presented was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Change of Officers/Stockholders for Macaroni Grill — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The General Manager of the Macaroni Grill was present. The Town Manager noted that both the Police and Health Departments give a clean bill of health. Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 4 2013 —page 5 A motion by Tafova seconded by West that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on the Change of Officers/Stockholders for Mac Acquisition of Delaware d/b/a Romano's Macaroni Grill,48 Walkers Brook Drive was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by West that the Board of Selectmen approve the Change of Officers/Stockholders for Mac Acquisition of Delaware d/b/a Romano's Macaroni Grill, 48 Walkers Brook Drive was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion—Main and Franklin Streets—Fred Van Magness, 243 Franklin Street, noted that residents are frustrated over the inability to correct the many accidents at Main and Franklin Streets. He noted that he has seen cars roll over and cause personal injuries. The Police and Fire respond to the accidents. The Crossing Guard is petrified to be at that intersection. Mr. Van Magness noted that the problem is the site line and he is asking for the help of the Selectmen to correct the problem. Chief Cormier and Safety Office Christine Amendola were present. Officer Amendola reviewed five years of data for that location. She noted that over the past five years there have been 59 accidents total for an average of 10 per year and 81% were left hand turn accidents. Southbound there have been 32 crashes and northbound there have been 16 crashes. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that in 2008 the State found Franklin Street as the problem. The Town requested dedicated turn lanes but that would have involved land takings so some timing changes were made. He also noted that Jeffrey Holmes from the State is present tonight to listen to the comments. Bobbie Botticelli, 127 Franklin Street, noted there is not a day when she doesn't hear screeching tires. She noted that a lot of times the vehicles end up in the gas station or on the curb at Home Goods. She tells the kids not to go that way because it's so dangerous. Janet Ehl noted she hasn't used that intersection in a long time because there is no safe time to take that turn. Jeannie Sullivan noted that she has seen several near misses and her 20 year old avoids that intersection. Theresa Wiggin noted she has three young children and she won't allow them to walk to Dandi-Lyons anymore because that intersection is so dangerous. Steve Herrick noted he read the report from the State and they completely missed the point. Northbound and southbound is the problem. All we need to do is add arrows. A resident noted she was in an accident at that intersection and she noted it is not even safe to walk in that area. Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 4 2013 —page 6 A resident noted that one of the criteria's for a stop sign is if you cannot see the conflicting traffic that a stop sign is warranted so why not a stop light. A resident noted that her husband is afraid of that intersection and she won't let her kids walk to Dandi-Lyons either. George Zambouras noted that the next step would be to formalize in writing to the State. He noted that the District Engineer has been very responsive so far. Marsie West asked how long it will take and Mr. Zambouras noted that he wasn't sure. He noted that the previous study was not done by Mass Highway, it was done by MAPC and the data came from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Daniel Ensminger suggested they add a split phase arrow. Jeffrey Holmes noted that the timing depends on whether parts need to be ordered and time to gather information could take one to two weeks to determine the problem. He noted that the safety component was missing from the study that was done by MAPC. Kendra Cooper requested that the traffic count be done before the kids were out of school for the summer. Karen Herrick noted that the other intersections in either direction have left hand turn lanes. Fred Van Magness noted the solution is simple, just stop the southbound and let the northbound lane have free access. Mr. Van Magness requested an update every 30 days and asked who would be the focal point. James Bonazoli noted that Town Engineer George Zambouras would be the focal point and the Selectmen will send a letter and copy it to Representatives Brad Jones, James Dwyer, and Katherine Clark. Consideration of All Way Stop at Birch Meadow and Oakland Road - George Zambouras noted that they will need more time for the traffic study because there was a problem with the traffic counter. He noted that there are specific warrants to be met to install stop signs. Placing a sign in the wrong location could make the Town liable. The count on Oakland Road is a little under 3,000 and on Birch Meadow it is a little over 5,000. It would appear that the stop sign would go on Oakland Road—the lesser road. Consideration of All Way Stop at Fairview and Sunnyside — Daniel Ensminger noted that the root of this problem is speed. The Traffic counts were 725 on Sunnyside and 313 on Fairview. James Bonazoli noted there was a letter in the handout about Poet's Corner and curbing. George Zambouras noted that it is a little bit late in the game but a lot of the people decided they want a betterment. The binder will not be a problem. He noted that the blue properties Board of Selectmen Minutes—June 4, 2013 —page 7 on the chart say yes and the others say no. George Zambouras noted if the Board wanted to move forward with this they would have to hold a hearing and then take it to Town Meeting. Acceptance of Easements — Curtis and Walnut — The Town Manager noted that this concludes Town Meeting action. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to accept the drainage easements at 152 and 156 Walnut Street as authorized by Article 8 of the 2012 Subsequent Town Meeting was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion — Street Numbering — Bob LeLacheur noted the goal is to bring our addressing standard up to date. George Zambouras noted that the addressing is needed for emergency response and GIS reporting. The Engineering Department has been issuing addresses since the 1930's. We do not have addresses for vacant lots. Johnson Woods is an all private road and no names. Pulte wanted apartment numbers in the 100's but Engineering went to the 1000's to get us into the future. The appendix said rear but it should say road. Bob LeLacheur noted that we will also add visible addresses from the road. Presentation on Concept for On-Premises Beer and Wine License—"Paint and Sip" —Judy Barolak noted that she wants to establish paint and sip at a studio offering painting with background music and be able to sip beer and wine. Food service would be a hindrance. There is one in Newton and they have an amended beer and wine license without food. She noted that downtown Reading is the perfect location but this would require an amended beer and wine license. Bob LeLacheur noted that RCASA Director Erica McNamara cautions what other doors this may open but would suggest allowing one until the end of the year. Ben Tafoya requested this be reviewed by Town Counsel to determine if this can be done without changing the policy. Review Goals — Bob.LeLacheur noted that the Board needs to meet to set goals. He noted that goals are new or important things, but not the only thing that employees do. The Board determined they would discuss goals at their June 18''meeting and also June 19th if needed. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to adiourn the meeting at 9:52 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Xcretary lly submitted, -