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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes O� OF R ' Town of Reading .4 Meeting Minutes 0 ,6�'01ttCOR40�� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen Date: 2014-10-28 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, John Halsey, Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Chairman John Arena Others Present: Town Manager Robert LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Elders Services Administrator Jane Burns, Assessor Victor Santaniello, Robert Marshall and Robert Quinn, Pat Sullivan, Office Manager Paula Schena, Cynda Rohmen, Bob Drake, Robert Corwin, Everett and Virginia Blodgett, Jonathan Barnes, Virginia Adams, Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Ronald Weston Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Daniel Ensminger Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Daniel Ensminger noted that he attended the Zoning Advisory Committee Public Forum and that was a clear presentation. He and John Halsey attended the October 22nd meeting of the Early Childhood Space Needs Committee. They are looking at all options and wide open to suggestions and new ideas. He attended. the meeting of the West Street Historic District Committee last night. It was a very well run meeting and the Selectmen need to take a position on Article 9 tonight. Kevin Sexton noted that he, John Arena and the Town Manager attended the RCASA Annual Meeting. There were 70 - 80 people in attendance and many were from other towns. The presentation was eye opening 'and RCASA is doing a great job. Kevin Sexton asked who responds to citizens' emails when they are sent directly to the Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that he usually responds and copies the Chairman. Kevin Sexton asked if the Selectmen can respond and it was noted they could not. Marsie West asked the Town Manager to check with Town Counsel because they would just be responding, there will be no deliberation. Daniel Ensminger noted that serial emails are considered deliberations. Marsie West noted that she gave the presentation at the Zoning Advisory Committee meeting. She also noted that John Arena who is not present tonight indicated that he attended the World Cafe and it was well attended. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted that the Town Meeting Warrants are available at the Police Station and people should pick them up as soon as possible because there is a lot of material to cover. The first night of Town Meeting will cover Article 9 and zoning will begin on November 13th. One thing that came out of the World Cafe was the Page 1 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - October 28, 2014 - page 2 f crying need for social services help. Nobody knows where to go or what to do. The question is what is the role of public government? Do we point people to services or provide the services. General Contractor bids for the Library are due tomorrow. The subcontractor bids were opened and went well. The temp library space build out should be complete in a couple of weeks. Article 9 Discussion - Daniel Ensminger noted that the West Street Historic District Commission meeting went well. There was compelling public interest and an issue of equity f for both sides. His concern is whether everyone has been given a say and all contacted. Everett Blodgett, Chairman of the West Street Historic District Commission, noted that all were notified by email and one paper copy. Two responded with concerns that this will create more work for them., All abutters were notified of the public hearing and they t received extremely positive comments. The rules have been tested on West Street for nine years so this should work. t f Marsie West asked about bumps in the road and Everett Blodgett noted that types of roofs, z change of windows, etc. He noted the real bump in the road is what they don't want to do which includes applying and going through the process. John Halsey noted that a thorough presentation was made last night and he commended them. He noted that a homeowner in the proposed district asked the other owners to stand up and there were about 19 - 20 of 25 property owners. He noted that not all spoke in R favor, but there was no opposition. He noted that the people who are most affected are the ones who live there. is Daniel Ensminger noted that this is almost like a home rule petition from the neighborhood and he feels it should be approved. The Town Manager noted that the Bylaw Committee grilled them for about one hour and they were extremely complimentary of the process. 5 E Kevin Sexton noted that Virginia Adams indicated she had never seen so many people in one room. i A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton that the Board of Selectmen support the subject matter of Article 9 of the 2014 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was aooroved by a vote 4-0-0. Hearing - Tax Classification FY15 - The secretary read the hearing notice. Assessor Victor Santaniello, Robert Marshall, Robert Quinn and Assistant Assessor Pat Sullivan were present. p Victor Santaniello noted that with a residential factor of 1 the anticipated tax rate will be $14.71/$1000. The average home value is $464,200 and the average tax bill is $6828. In F 2012 the average sale price of a home in Reading was $440,000 and in 2013 it was $492,000. The result is a 3.8% increase in this year's residential tax rate and about .50% for the commercial tax bills. i The open space exemption of 25% could be adopted but never has by Reading. The residential exemption for owner occupied would raise the tax rate to $17.82. The higher value homes pay for lower value homes. The small commercial exemption would benefit only a handful of businesses. f f Page 2 I' Board of Selectmen Minutes - October 28, 2014 - page 3 Marsie West noted that Winchester has a split tax rate but the commercial is lower. Pat Sullivan noted that she spoke with Winchester about that and their commercial is lower because they are trying to attract businesses. The Town Manager noted that the Library project is not in the tax rate yet. Daniel Ensminger asked if we collect more taxes if the tax factor is above 1 and Victor Santaniello noted that we do not collect more, if the tax factor is above 1 it makes the residential tax higher and lowers the commercial tax. Daniel Ensminger noted that $1 in tax relief to residents'would require $10 tax increase in commercial. John Halsey noted that is a small amount of relief for the residential that would deter commercial. Marsie West noted that businesses are still going to other towns and this is not the time to change that. Kevin Sexton agreed with Marsie West. Daniel Ensminger asked about the open space exemption and Victor Santaniello noted there are no properties in Reading that would qualify. Daniel Ensminger asked about the residential exemption and Mr. Santaniello noted that is more appropriate for a Town where a lot of the residential is not owner occupied. Marsie West noted that John Arena had asked her to pass along that he is not in favor of a split rate because it puts residential and businesses against each other. A resident noted that the Chronicle says the taxes are going up 3.7% and he asked if that was true. Victor Santaniello noted that the assessment value is increasing 3.7% - 3.8%. The resident noted that he works 60 70 hours per week to support his family and his electric bill alone is over $300 per month. The Selectmen noted that $300 per month for electricity is out of the norm and urged him to contact RMLD. Marsie West noted that she is the liaison to RMLD and she would like to know the results of his contacting the RMLD. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing establishing the FY15 tax rate was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminaer seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminaer seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminaer seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen adopt a residential factor of 1 for Fiscal Year 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey that the Board of Selectmen not grant a commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Mystic Valley Elder Services - Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Elder Services Administrator Jane Burns and Mystic Valley Elder Services Executive Director Dan O'Leary were present. Mr. O'Leary noted that the Town of Reading contributes to Mystic Valley Elder Services and he handed out a packet with the breakdown of services. He noted that in FY14 they served 508 residents at a value of$2.6 million. They help people understand their options and offer Meals Page 13 s r: Board of Selectmen Minutes - October 28, 2014 - page 4 on Wheels, SHINE Health Benefits counseling, etc. The Board of Selectmen appoints a member to the Board of Directors who was Rheta McKinley and that seat is now vacant. Jane Burns is appointed by the Council on Aging. John Halsey asked what is involved on serving on the Board of Directors and he noted that the Board meets 10 times a year on the last Tuesday of the month from 10:00 — 11:30 a.m. They also hope that Board members will join one committee which meets monthly or less. They have an interest in helping people stay at home. Daniel Ensminger asked if they offer legal assistance and Mr. O'Leary indicated they help with tenant landlord disputes and public benefits. John Halsey asked how people qualify for these benefits and Mr. O'Leary noted that there is no cost to have someone come out and sit and talk. They don't ask people about their income unless they are asking for help to qualify for fuel assistance. Daniel Ensminger noted that he belongs to Saint Vincent DePaul and he asked what else they needed. Mr. O'Leary noted that transportation is always an issue. They are trying out a new model which is a scholarship and allows the patron to get wherever they want to go. They are also creating mini food pantries at Senior Housing complexes. Daniel Ensminger asked if there is an age limit and Mr. O'Leary noted primarily 60 years but not F exclusively. If a person is disabled then they qualify. Financial Forum III Preview — The Town Manager noted that revenues last year were approximately $2 million above estimates. The excise taxes were artificially low so it looks { artificially high. About one half of that amount is sustainable. He will use $3.15 million for FY15. New growth is $343,905 and Pulte is a big part of that. The FY14 budget came in $1.8 million under budget. Reserves in October 2014 are $9.95 million. New growth in FY16 and FY17 is predicted at $500k. The Finance Committee will guarantee 2.50% in state aid so if we don't get that,then it will come out of free cash. i The Town Manager noted that the RMLD wishes to reduce or eliminate the $2.3 million payment to the Town. They have made threats of litigation in public and votes have been taken to reduce the amount but Town Counsel says they can't do that. Marsie West noted that Board is f elected but is not representing us. John Halsey noted that the Town owns the RMLD and we accept their liabilities. He feels the public needs to be aware of what is going on. The Town Manager noted that the Charter Committee is passing the RMLD into the future. One would 4 suggest a Board to study this issue and avoid litigation. This is an emotional issue and there has been talk about recalling the whole Reading Municipal Light Board. John Halsey noted that the 4 thought of the Town and an asset battling in court is unthinkable and the public should be aware. x The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee guarantees no higher than 8%for health insurance increase. Energy costs are okay for FY16 but not in FY17. The Finance Committee agreed to reduce capital approximately$200,000/year in FY16 and FY17. s Page 4 Board of Selectmen Minutes - October 28, 2014 - page 5 Preview January 15 Special Town Meeting Warrant - The Town Manager noted there are 12 Articles. If Town Meeting approves the Charter changes then it will go to the legislator as a special act. Red shows changes that the Charter Committee made; blue indicates what will be deleted and green has not been voted yet. The changes are a lot of word smoothing. Section 2.2 and 2.3 special acts-there is no intent or meaning change. Section 2.3 redistricting-it suggests that all ties go to the precinct meeting to be decided. Section 2.6 vacancies - residency is essential for Town Meeting members but residency for Board, Committee and Commission members has not been decided. Town Counsel added a precinct meeting section. The Town Manager noted there was discussion about majority votes and whether a majority is of those present or of the total number of members. The Charter Committee discussed a Board of Selectmen majority quorum so there could be 2- 1 votes. In addition, under types of groups,the Charter Review Committee recommends no ad hoc committees, subcommittees, etc. When a Board is created a sunset clause should be defined. Town Counsel recommends sunset clauses for all Boards. The Finance Committee has a nine year term limit which is three full terms after a partial. Marsie West noted that direction needs to be provided to the Bylaw Committee. The Town Manager noted that they should state if they are speaking as a Bylaw Committee member or a Town Meeting member. Daniel Ensminger noted that Section 2.13 paragraph a) should be a majority instead of two members. Marsie West indicated it should be kept at two members. Daniel Ensminger disagreed because a petitioned can be used to put an article on the Warrant. He feels that if the Board of Selectmen sponsor an Article it is presumed that the Board of Selectmen support it. Marsie West suggested discussing this when they have a full board. The Town Manager noted that Section 2.13 says the Board of Selectmen shall place on the Warrant. John Halsey noted that the point is not being able to close the Warrant if the vote fails. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel has some changes under referendum procedures. Under Committees the Charter Committee is recommending the Board of Assessors be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Section 3.2 the Executive Powers of the Town shall be vested in the Board of Selectmen is being deleted because some towns are moving away from that. They also added delegating licensing. Kevin Sexton asked if there was any discussion about the School Committee being an odd number and the Town Manager noted that they were asked and they preferred to leave it as is. Daniel Ensminger asked if making the Library Board appointed was discussed and the Town Manager noted that they did discuss it but didn't revisit it because it would be a big battle. The language has been cleaned up in Article 4. They have added the Board of Assessors, Town Forest Committee, Historical Commission, and Charter Review Committee. They feel all essential Boards should be listed. They also added that any elected Board, Committee or Commission can establish, appoint or dissolve committees. Section 4.14 regarding Associate members indicates which Boards have associates and the appointing authority appoints the Associates. Page 15 Board of Selectmen Minutes - October 28, 2014 - page 6 Article 5 the Town Manager section has been rearranged. Under appointment we could all Library Director confirmed by the Library Trustees. At this time the Library Trustees hire all Library employees. The Town Manager is being added as the Chief Procurement Officer and the Charter Committee recommends that the Town Manager appoint the Ombudsman. When the Town Manager position is vacant they recommend changing 120 days to 180 days and he is not sure why they recommend appointing the Acting Town Manager within 30 days. Daniel Ensminger suggested adding not to exceed 90 days for the Acting Town Manager. The Town Manager noted that everything in Article 6 that couldn't be understood will be deleted. We will keep the organizational chart including the Schools and RMLD but it will just be published in the budget and the Board of Selectmen can approve the changes. We have added a vacancy clause for Town Counsel and changed the terms for the Town Accountant and Treasurer/Collector to July from April. They are also separating the Treasurer and Collector positions and added the Town Clerk. b In the Finance and Fiscal Procedures section they added a deadline of February 1 for the budget to be submitted to the Town Manager. The Town Manager noted that Article 8 has not been voted on yet by the Charter Review Committee but it clarifies the computation of time has been clarified/ The section on elections will be a special act on recalls. There is also a section on removal of appointees which would allow for removal by the appointing authority by majority vote; a Board can request removal or 100 voters can request removal. f The Town Manager noted that there will be an update at Town Meeting on the Permanent Building Committee. They are at odds over the schools. They agreed to a $2 million threshold and there are concerns that this will cut into the Finance Committee's recommendations to Town Meeting. f John Halsey asked if the Permanent Building Committee will cut in on the working group that the schools established. The Town Manager indicated it will and the suggested bylaw will be brought to that group once Town Counsel approves it. i Request Authorization for Internal Borrowing for the Public Library Project - The Town Manager noted that the Library bids will be opened tomorrow. We will borrow on February 1 for some amount. We may run short on state funding before then so we are asking for authorization to borrow$2 million internally. A motion by Ensminaer seconded by Sexton that the Board of Selectmen authorize the Treasurer to borrow internal funds for the Library Building project un to a maximum of $2 million, in order to temporarily bridge any funding gaps between permanent borrowing for the proiect and project costs incurred was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 Approval of Minutes A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey to approve the minutes of October 14, 2014 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to approve the minutes of October.20, 2014 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. } Page 1 6 Board of Selectmen Minutes - October 28 2014 -page 7 A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to approve the Executive Session minutes of October 14, 2014 as written were approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Sexton seconded by Ensminger to adiourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. R pectfully submitted, Secretary Page 1 7