Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes (all Town of Reading Meeting Minutes _ Board - committee - commission - Council: Board of Selectmen Date: 2013-09-24 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Chairman lames Bonazoli, Vice Chairman John Arena, Secretary Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Daniel Ensminger and Marsie West Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob Lelacheur, Police Chief James Cormier, Veteran's Agent Frank Driscoll, Library Director Ruth Urell, Office Manager Paula Schena, Michelle Fllleul, Rachel Baumgartner, Chris Rutiglian, Carol Macomber, Susan Haggerty, K. Melesciuk, Jamie Penney, Eileen Barrett, Corrine Fisher, Patty ' O'Donnell, Amy Lannon, Lorraine Barry, Brenda Wettergreen Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Ben Tafoya Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Daniel Ensminger noted he attended the change of command at Camp Curtis Guild. The Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee met on September 17 and the results of that meeting are in the packet. James Bonazoli noted he also attended the changing of the guard ceremony at Camp Curtis Guild. John Arena noted he attended the hazardous waste recycling event for the fust time and was very impressed. Ben Tafoya noted that the Town lost two longtime volunteers—Dick Curtis and Harold Hulse, and his condolences went out to the families. He also noted that he met with James Bonazoli,the Town Manager, Jean Delios, Chief Cornier, and Max Gabriello from Perfecto's regarding the fines for non-compliance of the vacant building bylaw. Mr. Gabriello has appealed $1,200 in Fines to court and the Town has another $2000 in fines that have not been given to him yet. He did not have to pay the fines before issuing the permit and the building is down. James Bonazoli ' noted that Town Counsel advises to release the $2000 in fines so it is not perceived that we are holding back. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel suggested they be issued quickly so they can be dealt with the other$1200 at the same time. John Arena noted that the Town has bent over backwards and directed the Town Manager to combine the fines and send them off to Mr. Gabriello. Page I 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 24,2013—nage 2 Marsie West attended the RMLD Audit Committee meeting, the Commissioners of Trust Funds meeting and the FinCom meeting. At the Commissioner of Trust Funds, we discussed an ' arrangement we have with Hallmark Health for senior services that needs to be revisited since we are paying the same fees but getting few services and supporting fewer people. FinCom expressed a concern with earmarking revenue for specific expenses since they felt this could cause issues. They believe that all expenses should be funded based on the overall community priorities. They also discussed using the same group of peer communities for comparison purposes across all areas in the future. Town Manager's Report—The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative matters (*imlicates additional material in tonight's packet) ♦ Thank you for your attendance at the Camp Curtis Guild Change of Command ceremony! Community Services ♦ Comprehensive Update of the Zoning By-Law o We have selected a consultant for the project,and the contract is nearly finalized. o Tonight the Board will interview one applicant from the public for the 7-member ZAC (four members are already in place). The ZAC will hold their kickoff meeting on September 30'". ♦ Development—the unveiling of the M.F. Charles Building is scheduled for the first week of October. If the attention to detail on the brickwork is an indication, the building will be a perfect cornerstone joining our two major downtown streets. ♦ Post Office—we are in the process of setting up a meeting with the real estate firm handling ' the Post Office Sale. Library ♦ Library Building Committee — We willbegin to meet later this week with proposers of temporary space.As yet the Selection Committee has not opened actual bids received. Public Safety ♦ Congratulations to the entire Police department for recently receiving Accreditation at a very inspiring ceremony held in Andover. To receive this award, a department must open all of their policies and procedures to outsider reviewers, and be subject to several weeks of testing. Accreditation is the highest award possible from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. ♦ *Main/Franklin intersection - The Road Safety Audit (RSA) for Main Street (Route 28) at Franklin Street in Reading is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2013 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM in the Reading Police Department. There will be a site visit during this meeting. Rep. Brad Jones plans to attend if he is not in session. Public Works-Road Improvements ♦ West Street — MADOT will advertise construction bid document on 12/7/13. Construction estimated to begin spring of 2014. ♦ We are meeting with the North Reading DPW on 9/26 to discuss impacts on Reading of extending MWRA water service to our northern neighbors. ' ♦ Last night crews began installing pavement markings. They completed the crosswalks and bike lane on Haverhill Street, and next will do the parking lots and RR crossings. We do not yet have a date when the contractor will install the bike lane signage. ♦ On November 5 the Board is going to review the Enterprise Funds. The Conservation Committee will join you for a discussion on the River projects currently in the long-terra rage 1 2 ♦ Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 24, 2013 —page 3 capital plan of the Storm Water fund. I would like you to consider changing the date we ' institute the annual water/sewer rate changes. We have always done that with the September billing, which is the heaviest water usage period. I would like to move that one quarter (in either direction). Personnel and Appointments Ad Hoc Zoning Advisory Committee—Ben Tafoya noted that George Katsoufis has applied and this would fill one of the resident positions on the committee. Arena moved and Ensminger seconded to place the following name into nomination for a position on the ad hoc Zonine Advisory Committee with a term expiring July 15, 2014: Georee Katsoufis Mr.Katsoufis received five votes and was appointed. Board of Appeals Climate Advisory Committee Constable. Cultural Council, Bconomic Development Committee and Historical Commission — John Arena noted that years ago the Board decided to reduce the number of Constables to three through attrition. By Charter we can appoint up to five Constables. He recommends four Constables and the Board had no problem with that. A motion by Arena seconded by Ensmineer that the Board of Selectmen confirm the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee's recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for the appointment and/or reappointment of the -following members to various Boards, ' Committees and Commissions for terms beelnning September 25,2013 as follows: • Erik Hagstrom to a position as an Associate member on the Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30,2016; • Donna Schenkel to a position as an Associate member on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30,2014; • Tanya Amico to a term as Constable with a term expirine June 30, Zak • John Segalla to a term as Constable with a term expiring June 30, zuk • Maria Hieeins to a position on the Economic Development Committee with a term expiring June 30,2014; • Elizabeth Krugman to an Associate position on the Economic Development Committee with a term expirine June 30,2014; • Sally Hilgendorf to a position on the Historical Commission with a term expirine June 30,2016. • Laurie Ann Sylvia to a position on the Climate Advisory Committee with a term expirine June 30,2016 The motion was approved by a vote of 540-0. Discussion/Action Items Veteran's Chair — Veteran's Agent Frank Driscoll and Joe D'Entremont from Rolling Thunder ' Massachusetts were present. The Town Manager noted that the chair is in honor and memory of POW's and MIA's. The chair will rotate to all buildings including the schools. Joe D'Entremont thanked Brenda Stewart who started this with the Lowell Spinners and now Gillette, TD Garden and Fenway all have a chair. There are 91,000 POW's and MIA's since World War I who have not returned home and their goal is to raise awareness. They hope other Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 24. 2013 —page 4 towns will do the same. Mr. D'Entremont presented the Town Manager will a new MIA and POW flag to fly on the flagpole. ' John Arena asked if there will be any formal ceremony explaining the chair and Mr. Driscoll indicated it will be done at the monthly assembly at the schools. Public Safety Badge Pinning—Chief Cormier noted this is the first group of officers not in Civil Service. He noted they received 375 applications and interviewed 30. The three new officers have finished the academy and will hit the road on their own in October. Officers Pat Dawley, Laum Bullis, and Michael Muolo all introduced their family and were pinned by a family member. The Board congratulated the new Officers on a job well done. Town Accountant Report—Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom noted that she closed the FY13 budget on September 4. She is working on certifying free cash; working on the tax recap; waiting for OPEB report from Segal; Schedule A will be done by October 15. The auditors started this week. She has been in touch with former Town Accountant Gall LaPointe and she will cover while Sharon is out on maternity leave. The Town Manager noted that the Auditor came by today and everything is on the straight and narrow. They are able to work fast because reports are generated so quickly. Close Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Articles for the ' Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. A motion by Tafova seconded by West that the Board of Selectmen close the Warrant consisting of 15 Articles for the 2013 Subsequent Town Meeting to he held on November 12, 2013 at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 62 Oakland Road at 7:30 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Amend Table of Organization — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Town Charter requires Town Meeting to approve the organizational chart. The last time was 2011. The Town Accountant and Treasurer/Collector are defined in the Charter. The Town Manager noted that this will be a three step process. The first step is to reorganize Town Hall. The second step will be to look at compensation formally across the Board and look at that every five years. The intent will be to insist every union use the same 23 peer communities. The third step is to look at privatizing certain things i.e. the Economic Development Committee. The Town Manager noted that the IMCA are all nonprofit identities. This will be a multi-year exercise. The Town Manager noted that Community Services and Finance are quite large departments,but the Town Manager and Accounting departments are very small. He proposes to add Accounting ' to the Finance department and make the Town Accountant department head. He then proposes to take Human Resources, Technology and Town Clerk and move them in with the Town Manager and call that Administration. The two Business Managers don't have to be restricted to their departments so he proposes to move them to Administration with a broader responsibility. Page 14 Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 24,2013—nage 5 Procurement is a complex issue and these two people-are experts. He also plans on moving the Recreation Division back into Community Services. The Town Manager noted that he proposes to look at the pay and class at the next meeting. The funding is approximately $150,000. He has spoken with John Doherty and he supports this. The Town Manager noted that several new hires in the past few years had to do significant pay increases to hire them. Ben Tafoya asked if this plan eliminates the Finance Director. The Town Manager noted that new Town Managers are more involved in finance because there is a strong financial presence. The Town Manager and Finance Director are interchangeable. He also noted that there are state laws about what Accountants and Treasurer/Collectors can do. Ben Tafoya noted that the current system serves the Town very well. It will take a while for him to wrap his alms around it. The Town Manager noted that a lot of technology has been brought on board and shared among all of us but Administrative Services with the exception of Human Resources will use a lot of technology. Library Director Ruth Urell noted there is a classification plan that goes along with this and that is an issue. There are many changes and basically leaves the Library unchanged. The Library ' employees feel the changes downplay them. She proposes two steps: create a personnel committee and then authorize a pay and class study. Lorraine Barry, Information Services, feels the Library bas been left out of the process. She feels demoted. Rachel Baumgartner handed out a letter to the Selectmen. She noted that she served on the personnel committee previously and the peer communities were not comparative with how busy our library is. Ensmineer moved and Arenasecondedto approve the amendments to the proposed November 2013 Table of Organization as reflected in the September 24 Board of Selectmen packet Tafoya moved and West seconded to table this item to October 8 . The motion to table was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Paint and Sip Discussion—The Town Manager noted that Paint and Sip wants to serve alcohol. He searched the state and the answers are all over the map including seasonal licenses; some are at a location that already is licensed; some allow bring your own booze; one has bring your own food. The current liquor policy is designed for restaurants. Town Counsel has indicated that if the Selectmen want to allow this then they have to draft a new policy. John Arena noted that this is cropping up around the state and we could tailor a policy. ' Ben Tafoya noted that we could make them provide food. Marsie West asked if we did require does it have to be hot food and Ben Tafoya noted they have to serve a full menu. John Arena suggested tailoring a policy for paint and sip with a two drink maximum and revisit the issue in one year. Page 15 Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 24, 2013 —vase 6 James Bonazoli noted that he visited the one in Portsmouth and the one in Newton. Both offer food — packaged snacks, platters and wrapped snacks. He asked if painting is the main focus ' then why do they need wine. He's the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse rep and drinking is an addictive behavior. Mr. Bonazoli noted that when a community embraces concepts it sets bad precedent. Daniel Ensminger asked if RCASA has hard studies on this. Mr. Bonazoli indicated he will get a report from RCASA. James Bonazoli noted we don't make policy for one business. John Arena agreed, but indicated this is an up and coming type of event/business. Ben Tafoya noted that Town meeting gave the Selectmen the authority to authorize liquor licenses for restaurants. This person is saying the only way the business is viable is to sell alcohol. He thinks no is a reasonable answer. Marsie West indicated we could write a policy with a two drink maximum. July Barolak indicated she is asking the Board to amend a license with time limits, a two drink maximum and require snacks. She is considering food. It would be a general on-premise license. She wants a street level shop in a vibrant downtown. It would be a compliment to the smart growth area Marsie West noted that the Boston paint and sip business" recommends local businesses where people can get food and she likes the idea of supporting local restaurants." The Town Manager noted that the Board can create an exception but they will be setting a , precedent. He also recommended that whatever the Board decide on that it be permanent otherwise it would not be fair to the applicant. The Board directed the Town Manager to conduct a hearing at the next meeting on a new policy or an exception using Newton as the basis. KENO to Go —Ricky's Liquors — The Town Manager noted we received notice from the State Lottery Commission that Ricky's Liquors has requested an application for KENO to Go and the Board needs to notify them if they have any objections. The prior Board of Selectmen approved KENO to Go but wants to discourage seating for on premise gambling. JK's Market already has KENO to Go. James Bonazoli asked Mr. Patel why he wanted this at both locations and Mr. Patel noted it was a matter of convenience for the customer. The consensus of the Board was they had no objection to Ricky's Liquor having KENO to Go. Review Proposed Town Department Re-Organization — The Town Manager noted that the changes include moving the Assistant Town Manager from Grade Lto Grade M. The Library Director is moving up one grade. He feels all departments should have Assistant Department Heads because there is nobody to step in if the Department Head is out. The Library already has , an Assistant Department Head. The position needs to be non-union. There would be a Deputy Police Chief and Deputy Fire Chief and an Assistant DPW Director. The DPW has a handful of retirements coming up and they are working on very large projects. The Community Development Administrator is the current staff planner. He is requesting an Assistant Town Manager in Community Services and an Assistant Town Manager in Human Services. Page 16 Board of Selectmen Minutes—September 24, 2013—page 7 Currently the clerks have no room for promotion. He is creating two sets of clerks — a basic ' clerk and a higher level clerk who supervises. The Town Manager noted that all departments were invited to participate in this process but not all chose to participate. He is anticipating changes in the Library after they move back into their new building. Alice Collins, member of the Library Board of Trustees noted that another classification study is being done in FYI and asked why the changes could not be made then. James Bonazoli noted that the Board instructed the Town Manager to design an optimal Town department/division structure including the Assistant Town Manager position. The organizational structure and [he pay and classification are two different things. Daniel Ensminger noted he is very pleased to see succession planning. Marsie West asked where the Library fits into this. The Town Manager noted that the Librarians have always felt their profession is undervalued. The previous pay and classification study showed they were paid fairly according to their peers. Marsie West suggested maybe we could look at other communities for the Library. The Town Manager noted that this plan focuses on reorganization of Town Hall. A motion by Tafova seconded by Ensmineer to close the hearing on amendine the Table of Organization was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. ' Ensmineer moved and Arena seconded that the Board approve the amendments to the proposed November 2013 Table of Organization as reflected in the September 24 packet. A motion by Tafova seconded by West to table this topic until October 8. 2013 was approved by a vote of 4-1-0 with Ensminger opposed. Review Board of Selectmen/Town Manager Goals — The Town Manager indicated if there are no concerns then this can wait until December. We are making good progress on these. Marsie West requested that the outline of the Town Meeting Warrant be a handout at Town Meeting. She also requested that the Health Director give a report on ticks and Lyme disease. Daniel Ensminger noted that there is a new breed of cats and he would like to know if there are any state bans on them and if there has been any research done. Approval of Minutes A motion by Ensmineer seconded by Tafova to approve the minutes of September 10. 2013 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Arena abstaining. A motion by West seconded by Tafova to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respe lly sub, Sdcretary Page 1 7