HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Off~OFR
V. Town of Reading
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_ Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Selectmen I I A I l: 11
Date: 2014-05-13 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Vice Chairman Marsie West, Secretary Daniel Ensminger, Selectmen John
Halsey and Kevin Sexton
Members - Not Present:
Chairman John Arena
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Town
Planner Jessie Wilson, Police Chief James Cormier, Public Works Director Jeff
Zager, Office Manager Paula Schena, Christine Hansen, Rick Camuso, Angela
Binda, Barbara Meade, Andrew Friedmann, Health Director Ruth Clay, David
Singer, Zahra Maloo, Everett and Virginia Blodgett, Cindy Bates, Ace Foulds,
Virginia Adams, Gina Snyder, Tom Gardiner, Housing Authority Executive
r Director Lyn Whyte
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Daniel Ensminger
Topics of Discussion:
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - John Halsey noted that he attended the Board
of Health meeting tonight; the Library public info session; the workshop on bike and
pedestrian plan and the Zoning forum last evening.
Daniel Ensminger noted that he attended the EDSAT at Peter Sanborn Place and the Board
of Selectmen Retreat on Saturday.
Marsie West noted that she attended the previous Board of Health meeting and the Reading
Education Spring Gala. The Commissioner of Trust Funds met last week and there will be
newer services offered along with a pilot program to fund DEP shots. The RMLD met last
Wednesday to review the cost of service study results and there will be a restructuring of
rates. She attended the Zoning Advisory Committee public forum yesterday and there was
good discussion on signs, accessory apartments and parking. She also attended the EDSAT
event. She noted that the State is holding a public forum on West Street on May 15th and
she asked if staff was going to be there. Jeff Zager indicated that Town Engineer George
Zambouras will be attending.
Public Comment - Christine Hansen, 30 Haven Street, indicated there is an issue with the
para-transit. There is only one handicap space in front of 30 Haven Street. There are four
in the rear but delivery trucks tend to use those spaces. The Ride, Mass Van, and Senior
Van have to stop in the middle of Haven Street to load and unload passengers. She is
requesting the Board of Selectmen to consider a handicap spot at the service entrance in
the rear.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13, 2014 - page 2
Barbara Meade, Chairman of the Board of Health, Board of Health members Andy
Friedmann and David Singer and Health Director Ruth Clay were present. Barbara Meade
read the following statement on behalf of the Board of Health:
"We are here because we wanted to respond to comments made at the April 19th
Board of Selectmen's meeting regarding the regulation recently passed by the Board
of Health. The regulation raised the minimum age to buy tobacco and nicotine
delivery devices to 21. We felt that it was important to come tonight to ensure that
you, and the public, have accurate information.
First of all, it was mentioned at that meeting that the regulation in question was a
policy issue and was outside the realm of the Board of Health. Massachusetts'
General Law chapter 11 section 31 gives Boards of Health general regulatory power
to adopt regulations related to public health and the Supreme Judicial Court has
repeatedly upheld that broad regulatory authority. Some issues may have
implications to the community in addition to public health such as economic
implications. We discuss these at length and with them carefully but ultimately base
our decisions on the public health of the community.
Secondly, it was also mentioned that this regulation was rushed through and without
notice. In fact, the Board discussed this issue at two separate meetings a month
apart. It was posted on both of the agendas. In addition, this was communicated to
the Board of Selectmen in the February monthly report by the Health Director, in a
legal notice in the local paper a week before the meeting and by letters sent directly
to every local business which sells tobacco and/or nicotine delivery devices. A Board
of Selectman was in attendance at the public hearing and spoke of supporting the
passage of this regulation. We pride ourselves in being fully transparent in our
business and is course our aim to involve the community as much as possible.
Third, it was suggested that the regulation was a result of regionalization. We
remind the Board that we are not part of a formal Board of Health district. Reading
contracts with Melrose for a part time health director who is also shared with
Wakefield. The decision to change from employing a full-time health director to a
third of one was not made by the Board of Health, nor were we in favor of this
structure. While we sometimes meet with the Wakefield and Melrose Boards of
Health to exchange health information, the three of us are all Reading residents who
care deeply about the Town of Reading (emphasis) and want to see it thrive, both in
the area of business and public health. We make our decisions based on what is
best for Reading, and Reading only.
The regulation you were discussing was voted on and passed by the three of us. The
health director does not have a vote at our Board meetings. Her role as staff is to
provide us with information and new developments in the field of public health. She
is a Reading resident. Her qualifications include a master's degree in public health
from Harvard and almost 30 years of public health experience including ten years as
Reading's health director from 1986 - 1996.
Finally we would like to add that we were pleased to see Marsie West at our last
Board meeting. She explained her concerns about the new regulation and we
discussed the process by which the regulation was created. We were also able to
share current literature on the impact of raising the minimum age. We now look
forward to working with our new Selectmen liaison, John Halsey, as he learns about
the role of the Board of Health and public health issues in public health. Thank you
for your time.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13 2014 - page 3
Angela Binda, Town Meeting member in Precinct 5, noted she wanted to speak regarding
the Board of Health decision to raise the age. She noted that the Town supports the role of
w..,. RCASA and she would think that RCASA addresses nicotine issues. She indicated that a lot
of towns are moving towards this. She noted that at the April 15th Board of Selectmen
meeting the Selectmen indicated this is a policy issue and that policy issues are best left for
the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Health can create regulations and they have the right
to do this. This fits in with the goals that have already been issued. She fully supports the
Board of Health decision. She also noted that the Board of Selectmen appoints the best
people to the committees and they need to trust the people they are appointing.
Virginia Blodgett invited the Board of Selectmen to attend the Saturday walk in the
cemetery to learn about veterans of the Civil War. She noted they will tours at 10:00 a.m.
and 2:00 p.m. at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager gave the following report:
➢ A reminder that tonight's discussion about Downtown Parking is meant to be the very
beginning of a long process that will involve significant community participation. I
suggest we hold at least two public meetings during daytime hours at Town Hall - one in
the summer (July) and one in early fall (September). We will formally notify all business
and residential addresses near the Downtown Main Street & Haven neighborhoods of
these meetings. Next October/November we can bring to the Board whatever conclusions
the community has reached through these meetings. I would invite the Board to
designate one or two members to join in these community meetings. This method
worked well ten years ago.
➢ Last Saturday the Selectmen and Department Heads met to discuss strategic planning for
the Town of Reading. A brief summary cannot do justice to the five hours of discussion,
but these four working groups were formed: Community Partners (Kevin Sexton, Dan
Ensminger and Bob LeLacheur); Services and Performance Measurement (Marsie West
and Jean Delios); Communication (Sharon Angstrom and Jeff Zager); and Strategic
Planning (John Arena, John Halsey, Jim Cormier, Greg Burns and Ruth Urell).
➢ A draft schedule for FY15 Selectmen and Finance Committee meetings are being
discussed. Of note is the tentative schedule for Financial Forums as a follow up to the
spring '14 budget discussions and capital planning discussions: July 30; September 10;
October 29; next January 28, 2015. FINCOM meets in late May to finalize.
➢ The new Selectmen liaison assignments were finalized last week. Note that the Volunteer
Appointment Subcommittee members are Dan Ensminger and Kevin Sexton. Does the
VASC wish to interview every applicant for BCC's, or only `new' applicants? We will need
to set up VASC meetings in late May/Early June.
➢ A reminder, volunteers are a key ingredient for both the School department and Town
government. We have recently sent out inquiries to all Town volunteers who have a term
ending on June 30th to see if they are interested in continuing to serve. For newcomers,
please check out the Town's website for some volunteer opportunities and background
information at http://www.readingma.gov/town-manager/pages/volunteer-opportunities
and if you see something that interests you then please download an application form at
http://www.readingma.gov/sites/readingma/files/file/file/volunteer application pdf. Note
that in addition, there will be two openings as of July 1st on the Finance Committee
because of term limits.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13, 2014 - page 4
➢ Work on West Street continues, as well as on several other paving and water/sewer
projects across town. The best single resource to check for project updates is on the
Town's website at http•//www readingma gov/engineering-division/pages/construction-
rp ojects.
The Town Manager noted that the Board needed to approve the MWRA sewer bonds.
Move that the sale of the $ 192,500 Sewer Bond of the Town dated May 19,20 14,
to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (the "Authority") is hereby
approved and that the Town Manager is authorized to execute on behalf of the
Town a Loan Agreement and a Financial Assistance Agreement with the Authority
with respect to the bond. The bond shall be payable without interest on May 15 of
the years and in the principal amounts as follows:
Year Installment
! 2015 $38,500
2016 38,500
2017 38,500
2018 38,500
2019 38,500
and that each member of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, the Town
Clerk and the Town Treasurer be and hereby are, authorized to take any and all
such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other
documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or
convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing vote.
I further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no
vote was taken by secret ballot, that a notice stating the place, date, time and
agenda for the meeting (which agenda included the adoption of the above votes)
was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in a manner
conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or on the municipal building that
the office of the Town Clerk is located or, if applicable, in accordance with an
alternative method of notice prescribed or approved by the Attorney General as
set forth in 940 CMR 29.03(2)(b), at least 48 hours, not including Saturdays,
Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so
posted at the time of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection
with the sale of the bond were taken in executive session, all in accordance with
G.L. c.30A, 15ft 18-25 as amended.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Certificate of Recognition - Roland Vazquez - A motion by Ensminger seconded by
Sexton to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Roland Vazquez who served as
the Music Director of the Reading Symphony Orchestra for seventeen years was
approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Proclamation - Walk Reading Weekend - Virginia Blodgett was present to receive the
proclamation.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to proclaim May 31 through June 1,
2014 as Walk Reading Weekend was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Proclamation - National Public Works Week - Public Works Director Jeff Zager was present
to receive the proclamation.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to proclaim May 18 - 24, 2014 as
Public Works Week in the Town of Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13 2014 - page 5
Discussion/Action Items
Hearing Liquor License Transfer - Reading Fine Wines 676 Main Street to Brooks Brew and
Fine Wines; Change of Manager to Todd Brooks and Pledge of License - The Secretary read
the hearing notice. Current owner Robert Carp and new owner Todd Brooks were present.
John Halsey asked Mr. Brooks if he has ever been in this business before and Mr. Brooks
indicated that this is a new business venture for him. Mr. Halsey indicated that he will need
TIPS training. Mr. Carp indicated that anyone that comes in will be certified by him
personally. He will work with him to succeed.
The Town Manager noted that the renewal for this license is in November. The Reading
Coalition Against Substance Abuse will be in touch with Mr. Brooks. He also noted that the
Police conduct undercover operations for serving to minors so it's really important to be
vigilant.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen close the
hearing on the transfer of the Reading Fine Wines LLC liquor license the Change
of Manager and pledge of license was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton that the Board of Selectmen approve
the transfer of the Retail Package Goods Store License to Expose Keep for Sale
and to Sell All Kinds of Alcoholic Beverages Not to be Drunk on the Premises from
Reading Fine Wines, LLC to Brooks Brew and Fine Wines, LLC at 676 Main Street;
the change of Manager to Todd Brooks and the pledge of the license to Robert
Carp subject to the following conditions:
• All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed and also subiect
to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town
Manager.
The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Reading Housing Authority - AHTF - Housing Authority .Executive Director Lyn Whyte was
present. She noted that an affordable unit at Gazebo Circle came up for sale and the
Housing Authority purchased it because there was no qualified buyer. They are working
with Attorney Brad Latham to find out how to add this unit to the Town's inventory. They
could sell the unit as an affordable one; they could sell at market price or they could make it
qualify as a LIP. They purchased the unit for $177,000 but $156,000 is more the market
price. The Housing Authority is asking if the Town will subsidize the $20,000 difference
from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and they will sell the unit with a deed rider to count
as an affordable unit.
The Town Manager noted that there is $260,000 in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with
the promise of $175,000 being added to that from the Artis Senior Living project. He also
noted that this will require a joint meeting and vote of the Board of Selectmen and Reading
Housing Authority.
Lyn Whyte asked the Town Manager to get legal opinion of Town Counsel on whether the
Reading Housing Authority can vote on the funds when they are also the developer. Daniel
Ensminger indicated he thinks this is an exception. The Town Manager noted that he will
work to see how we can do this.
Approval of LIP Refinance - 261 Salem Street, Unit 6 - The Town Manager noted that the
Board needs to approve the refinance of an affordable unit.
Jean Delios indicated the unit is at Maplewood Village. It was a cash transaction and the
owner is seeking to pull cash out of it.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13, 2014 - page 6
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen approve
the request from Dorothy A. DeBlasi to refinance the home at 261 Salem Street,
Unit 6 in Reading subiect to the condition that the loan be at a fixed rate and the .
principal loan amount shall not exceed $30,000 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Development and Traffic/Safety Workshop - Approval of Easement for Bus Shelter at 25
Walkers Brook Drive - Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios noted that the agreement is in
the packet. The plan is to relocate the shelter 245 feet from Bertucci's to Stop and Shop. It
will be installed by DPW and plantings are included in the agreement.
The Town Manager noted that it has taken two years to get to this point and thanked Jean
Delios for bringing this to fruition.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen approve
the easement agreement between the Town of Reading and 25 WBD LLC for
approximately 108.3 square feet of land for construction and maintenance of a bus
shelter located at 25 Walkers Brook Drive was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Development Update - Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios noted that Reading Garden Club
made improvements at Town Hall. Reading Woods is half built out. Pizza World is moving
to 306 Main Street. The Perfectos building is down but there is still a question on whether
they need to means of egress. D'Amici's bakery at the MF Charles building opened today.
The Artis Senior Living at the former Eric's site is moving along.
John Halsey asked if there has been any talk about the use of the top part of the MF Charles
building and Jean Delios noted that she heard mention of some office but not sure -
residential requires parking.
Daniel Ensminger asked if there was anything the Town could do to help a particular
business move back in and Jean Delios indicated she was not sure but knew of a place on
Walkers Brook Drive.
Jean Delios noted that the Zoning Bylaws and priority development plan are being worked
on. One General Way is under construction and will be creating smaller spaces.
The Library will be before CPDC on Monday night. The access is changing and the concern
is that they have plans for meeting rooms that hold 150 and 48 people but only have 40
parking spaces. John Halsey noted that the architect said to keep the current plan will cost
more money. Library Trustee Vicky Yablonsky noted that they had a public meeting and
they are coming up with a new plan. Retaining walls are the issue.
Jean Delios noted that priority development areas include behind the Reading Municipal
Light Department and Walkers Brook Drive. The RMLD is hiring a consultant to look at
space and roadway configuration.
Jean Delios indicated that she is waiting for the EDSAT results. John Halsey asked if the
Economic Development Action Plan has been quantified to to-date because an action plan
will require a budget. Marsie West asked if that belongs with the Board of Selectmen or the
Economic Development Committee and it was noted that the EDSAT will determine that.
The Town Manager noted that he met with the Economic Development Committee and he
told them to think bigger than $5,000 - $10,000.
Jean Delios noted that nearly all of the commercial property in Reading abuts residential
property. John Halsey noted that strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are
important.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13 2014 - page 7
Kevin Sexton asked if the traffic flow at One General Way was looked at. Jean Delios
indicated it was and CPDC asked for a speed table to slow people down. She noted that the
building is the same square footage. The strategy is to make better use of it.
Bike and Pedestrian Plan/Complete Street - Town Planner Jessie Wilson and Chris Kuschel
from MAPC were present.
Mr. Kuschel reviewed the draft plan. He noted the "Complete Street" is safe, accessible and
comfortable for people of all ages and multiple forms of travel. Reading is already
implementing this with crosswalks, sidewalks, shade, seating, bike lanes, bike racks and
traffic loop detectors. The policy also allows for exceptions. The Transportation Bond Bill
has $50 million in funding and certified communities will be eligible for funds.
John Halsey asked if matching funds are required and Mr. Kuschel indicated they are not.
John Halsey asked who mandates this and it was noted MASSDOT. John Halsey noted we
have not had much luck with this type of funding.
Marsie West asked how many communities are certified and Mr. Kuschel indicated none yet.
He is working with half a dozen communities.
Daniel Ensminger asked how does this address biking for recreation? He doesn't see
anyone biking to work. Mr. Kuschel noted this addresses the person who wants to go
downtown to the store or a restaurant.
Bike and Pedestrian Plan - Mr. Kuschel noted the plan is to create a network and to focus on
short term/low cost solutions. Bicycle lanes can be a minimum of four feet wide and the
only cost is to change the paint. One way to connect the town with bicycle lanes is to put
"share the road" signs. He noted they have looked at the Ipswich River Greenway;
i determined sidewalk gaps; examined the schools. They also looked at the commuter rail
line but it is not a viable option.
John Halsey asked if the Town approved the plan if we have to embrace everything in it
because some things are onerous and some are expensive. Mr. Kuschel noted the Town is
not committed to do everything.
Marsie West noted that people in Reading like to walk in the streets when there are
perfectly good sidewalks.
John Halsey asked if bike lanes were going on Pearl Street and Mr. Kuschel. noted no, just
"share the road" signs. He noted that they are looking at making Main Street two lanes
with bike lanes.
Jessie Wilson noted that having a plan helps to get funding. The plan is written so there is
not a lot of red tape. If the Town Engineer doesn't think it will work then it won't be done.
Kevin Sexton noted that he has clients who are looking for these types of options when
looking at towns to buy in.
Jessie Wilson noted that they will bring back the plan in July for approval. The CPDC has
made recommendations on the Complete Street Plan and will be seeing the Bike Plan soon.
South Main Street Roadway Diet - Jessie Wilson noted that they looked at a cross section to
modify and make it more user friendly. The former Town Manager directed staff to look at a
diet. A preliminary evaluation has been done and the MPO recommends reducing one lane
in each direction and create a center turn lane. All of this will be done within the curb and
we will also get six foot bike lanes from Hopkins to the railroad tracks. Mass Data is
gathering more information on driveways.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes - May 13, 2014 - page 8
John Halsey asked how will people get there safely when they are going from four lanes to
three and then back to four. Jean Delios noted that people are walking and biking on south .,�.
Main Street already.
Marsie West noted this seems like a lot of change for cars to benefit a small percentage of
pedestrians and bikers.
Ginny Blodgett from Walkable Reading noted that turning lanes helps with traffic flow.
Everett Blodgett noted that it's important to deal with the big picture and get people out of
the cars.
Kevin Sexton asked if they will look at people who will now go into the neighborhoods and
Jessie Wilson indicated she is not sure if they will have that data.
Kevin Sexton indicated he would like to see some examples that work.
Downtown Parking Rules and Regulations - Police Chief James Cormier was present. The
Town Manager noted that nobody has seen the impact of the MF Charles development yet
but parking cannot be customized for businesses.
Police Chief James Cormier noted that parking is constantly evolving. Businesses need
spots to turn over and their employees are the biggest problem. Several years ago the
Town met with the downtown businesses and the parking in the business was limited to two
hours. The dry cleaner wants 15 minute parking but that's not enforceable. There is a lot
of public/private parking downtown, we just need to share. Jean Delios noted that CPDC
allows shared parking but liability has been an issue.
Approval of Minutes
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey to approve the minutes of April 22,
2014 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey to approve the Executive Session
minutes of April 9, 2014 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all four
members voting in the affirmative.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to approve the Executive Session
minutes of April 15, 2014 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all four
members voting in the affirmative.
A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
was approved by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
r t
Secreta y
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