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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes c �OFR V. c., Town of Reading ~' Meeting Minutes o� � -W N CLERK „�a,63g.1NCORQ��r f it I N G, S. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen MAR 18 A IIS 30 Date: 2014-02-11 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman John Arena, Selectmen Daniel Ensminger and Marsie West Members - Not Present: Secretary Ben Tafoya Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Police Chief James Cormier, Office Manager Paula Schena, Fred Van Magness Sr., Kevin Sexton, Nancy Docksor, Rachel Baumgartner, John Halsey, Safety Officer Christine Amendola Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Ben Tafoya Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Daniel Ensminger noted that he attended the MMA Annual Trade Show on January 24th and 25th. Speaker Deleo indicated at the Mass Selectmen's Meeting that the State will do better with State aid. In addition he attended the MIIA meeting and luncheon, the January 29th Financial Forum and last night's meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. John Arena noted that he attended the January 29th Financial Forum. James Bonazoli thanked RCASA for the presentation of "Who Cares about Kelsey" at the IMAX Theater. Marsie West noted she attended the MMA Annual Trade Show. She also participated in the Finance Committee Appointment Committee interviewing applicants for the Finance Committee. She noted there were many good qualified candidates and that was a result of creative advertising. She suggested that money be put in the budget to advertise vacancies on Boards, Committees and Commissions. Ms. West also noted that the Zoning Bylaw Committee will be holding a stakeholder meeting the first week of March. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted Friends and Family Day is scheduled for June 14, 2014. There is a Special Town Meeting this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. regardless of weather. This is the only date to make the April 1 deadline. If that doesn't happen then it can be discussed at the Annual Town Meeting and the Town could hold a Special Election or the Selectmen could put a question on the ballot and get Town Meeting approval afterwards. He also noted there was an email from the Natick DPW about an employee who was killed while on duty. They are trying to raise awareness of the hazards of the job. Page 1 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 11 2014 - page 2 Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation USATF Jr Olympic National Champion Bantam Boys - James Donahue was present to receive his certificate. A motion by West seconded by Ensminger to approve the Certificate of Recognition for James Donahue was approved by a motion of 4-0-0. Eagle Scouts - Eagle Scouts Nathan Terry, Daniel Staffier and Nathan Strack's parents were present. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West that the Board of Selectmen approve the Certificates of Appreciation for Eagle Scouts Daniel Staffier, Nathan Strack, James Houston Jon Asgeirsson Nathan Terry and Robert Ciaccioi was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Badge Pinning - Officer Scouten - Police Chief James Cormier introduced Officer Michael Scouten. He noted he was a RMHS graduate and a former employee of the DPW Forestry Division. His wife Stacy and daughter Julia were present and Julia pinned his badge. Discussion/Action Items Adopt Parking Traffic and Transportation Task Force Recommendations - Hearing - No right on red/CVS on Main Street and 30 Minute Parking on lower Haven Street - The Secretary read the hearing notice. Safety Officer Christine Amendola noted this is to enhance pedestrian safety. She also noted that the proposal to make two 30 minute parking spaces is to benefit businesses in the area. The Town Manager noted that the issue of parking in downtown will have to be revisited this spring due to the build out of the M.F. Charles building. Chief Cormier noted the Board will need to speak with the businesses as a group. James Bonazoli suggested doing a percentage of long-term and short-term spaces. Daniel Ensminger suggested surveying the customers for what they need. Chief Cormier noted that the future Board of Selectmen might want to go to a pay system. The Town Manager noted that he will attend an Economic Development Committee meeting to get some ideas. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to close the hearings on the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force recommendations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to prohibit a right turn on red at the traffic lights in front of CVS at the intersection of Lowell and Main Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to designate the two most westerly parking spaces on the north side of lower Haven Street as "30 Minutes Parking" was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. ~� Safety Officer Amendola noted that future PTTTF recommendations will be for Washington Street emergency vehicle access due to parking. Chief Cormier noted this is a good time to do it because there is alternate parking for the MBTA at Vine Street. Page 1 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 11 2014 - page 3 Daniel Ensminger asked the status of the pedestrian signal at Dunkin Donuts on Salem Street and the Town Manager noted that the Town will be installing but we will have to put up a warning signal for approaching vehicles. James Bonazoli asked about the Hopkins Street intersection and the Town Manager noted that the State is looking at two full lanes and a center lane for turns with bike paths on the side. The Board of Selectmen will have to approve that before the intersection is done. Safety Officer Christine Amendola noted that National Grid and the MWRA will be starting work on West Street. There will be detours and there might have to be restrictive parking on the detour roads due to heavy traffic. Fred Van Magness asked if there will be any reimbursement for the heavy vehicle use on the detour roads. Safety Officer Amendola noted that the gas company might be able to leave a lane open, but the MWRA will not. Chief Cormier noted that when the High School project was ongoing the Selectmen designated traffic regulations to the Town Manager. Marsie West indicated that the West Street warning signs will have to be placed far enough so people can get on I-93 ahead of time. The Town Manager noted that he asked the State to put signs on I-93 way before route 129 exit. James Bonazoli also noted that a parking study needs to be done on Arthur B. Lord Drive and he feels that Imagination Station should remain a parking lot. Close the State Primary Warrant - A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to close the Warrant for the State Primary to take place on March 4 2014 at the Reading Memorial High School Hawkes Field House on Oakland Road from 7.00 a m to 8.00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and to reconvene in Open Session at approximately 9.00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting on the affirmative The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:50 p.m. Update on Franklin/Main Street Intersection - The Town Manager noted that the DOT will go out in the Spring and do the left turn lanes. They will paint the road and change the signals but if there are too many emergencies that take place between now and the time the Senate approves the money then it might be delayed. In the long-term, Representative Brad Jones put the $1.5 million in the bond bill but that doesn't guarantee funding for land takings and diggings. They will attempt to take care of handicap accessibility and the crosswalk there. Fred Van Magness thanked the Town Manager and Town Engineer for their efforts and noted this is phenomenal news. Ambulance Fees - Changes Effective 3/1/14 - The Town Manager noted the priorities for unfunded requests are to replace technology equipment, add social worker hours, fund $15,000 in Police overtime and to fund zero percent of the Fire overtime. Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 11 2014 - page 4 The Town Manager noted that the increase in ambulance fees will be effective March 1, 2014. The fire fees will still be below the average except for mileage which should be more. The Town Manager noted that the increase in fees equals $100,000 and the new Fire position is $85,000. Daniel Ensminger asked how the Town Manager arrived at these figures and the Town Manager indicated he tired to stay at 10% - 15%. A motion by Ensmin2er seconded by West that the Board of Selectmen approve the following ambulance billfinjZ rates to become effective on March 1 2014 and that these rates change annually on a schedule to be determined by the Reading Fire Chief based upon future general levels of area CPI was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Code Decsription New Fee A0429 BLS Transport $ 850.00 A0427 ALS 1 $ 1,100.00 A0433 ALS 2 $ 1,500.00 A0425 mileage $ 35.00 A0422 Oxygen $ 125.00 A0392 Defibrillator $ 275.00 A0382 c-Spine/Supplies BLS $ 250.00 A0398 c-Spine/Supplies-ALS $ 250.00 A0394 IV Administration $ 200.00 A0396 Airway/Intubation $ 250.00 A0424 Extra Attendant $ 325.00 J0170 Epinephrine $ 225.00 93000 Cardiac Monitor $ 275.00 Preview Special Town Meeting Warrant and Annual Town Meeting Warrant - Fred Van Magness asked if anyone has gone to the State to waive the mandatory funding requirement. The Town Manager noted that the requirement is to budget a 2.500/0 increase and 15% on materials. The past years we didn't meet both requirements and we got waivers. The Friends of the Library made up the difference a couple of years. The condition on the grant is we can't apply for waivers from the requirements. The Town Manager reviewed the Annual Town Meeting Articles and noted they are mostly financial. Special Town Meeting Warrant - The Town Manager noted that for Article 6 different motions have been crafted including sending it to the voters to ask for an additional $3 million for the project. It's a Board of Library Trustees Article. The Finance Committee is the recommending body to Town Meeting. It is inappropriate for the Library Board of Trustees to offer a motion other than to support Article 6. The Finance Committee will make a recommendation to Town Meeting. Daniel Ensminger asked who from the Library Board will present to Town Meeting and Andrew Grimes indicated he will. The Town Manager noted that the Library Board should not present a funding mechanism in their motion. Page 1 4 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 11 2014 - page 5 The Town Manager reviewed the process for presenting Article 6 to Town Meeting. He noted that if $3 million is used from free cash then the operating budget will be cut. Both the Y schools and town budget will be cut which is why Article 6 should be a debt exclusion. James Bonazoli asked the Library Board what their plan is if this doesn't pass and Vicki Yablonski noted they can't reduce the project more than 5% or they jeopardize the grant. John Arena noted that the question is what can be done with what they have right now. Librarian Rachel Baumgartner noted that the State does not have any more grants available in the future. The Town Manager recommended asking for a debt exclusion and if not then do it inside the levy. The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee Chairman Barry Berman will make an instructional.motion to create a permanent Building Committee to avoid this in the future. Town Meeting Member Paul Sylvester from Precinct 3 noted that he's scared abut Thursday night and the perception for him is that we're rushing around. The citizens have to pay this for the above and beyond. He would rather come back in three weeks and pay extra money for a special election. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to support Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to support Article 4 of the SDecial Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to support Article 5 of the SDecial Town Meeting Warrant was a roved by a vote of 4-0-0. The consensus of the Board was not to take a position on Article 6. Approval of Minutes A motion by Ensminger seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of October 22, 2013 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Arena abstaining A motion by Ensminger seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of December 17, 2013 as amended was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 A motion by Ensminger seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of January 14, 2014 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of January 21, 2014 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by West to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and not to reconvene in Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Res tfully bmitted etary Page 1 5