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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes k Town of Reading e Meeting Minutes ,639P 1lK0R*O� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen. Date: 2015-02-24 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 and Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Chairman John Arena Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Police Chief James Cormier, Deputy Chief Mark Segalla, Police Officer Matt Vatcher, Executive Assistant Paula Schena, D. Beaulieu, Jonathan Barnes, Bryn and Eric Burkhart, Robert and Maureen Halliard, Walter and Dorothy Marshall, Marlen Cohen, Nancy Docktor, Angela Binda, Alan Beaulieu, Barry Berman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments .- John Halsey noted that he attended the Board of Health meeting this evening. The Town has hired Greg Erickson as temp Health Administrator and the Board of Health made that official tonight. We are no longer sharing the public health nurse with Melrose. We need to start the search for the Health Administrator. The Board of Health is planning on giving a brief presentation on the Strategic Plan to stakeholders sometime in May. They will invite the Board of Selectmen to that. Daniel Ensminger noted that the first round of ratings for the Administrative Services Director is done. We have eight candidates to interview and eight on hold. He noted that the Attorney General's office has approved the Charter changes except for Section 8.1 that authorizes the Town Clerk to make changes. He will be attending the Legislative Breakfast on March 13 at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital if anyone wants to join him. Kevin Sexton noted that he has not heard too many complaints about the snow plowing. He thanked the residents for being so patient and the DPW for doing a good job. He also noted that the local businesses are hurting due to all of the snow. Public Comment - Barry Berman, 54 Longview Road and candidate for Selectman, suggested that the Town make a plea on the Town alert system for residents to shovel out hydrants. He also noted that when the snow starts to melt the potholes will grow. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted that the hydrants are clear and if a resident finds one that is not then they should contact the police. The snow and ice budget is in the deficit. He will be asking Annual Town Meeting for additional money for potholes. Page I 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 24, 2015 - page 2 He encouraged residents to report potholes by using "See, Click, Fix" on the Town's website. He also noted that last night's Special Town Meeting went well. s: Personnel and Appointments Police Badge Pinning - Matt Vatcher - Police Chief James Cormier noted that Officer Matt Vatcher worked as a Dispatcher for the Town for 10 1/2 years. He attended the Lowell Police ' Academy and was the recipient of the combat physical course award. Matt's wife Nicole pinned his badge. Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant for April 27, 2015 Annual Town Meeting - The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant. He noted that Article 4 is amending the Capital Improvement Plan to fund the sewer stations and the school retaining wall. F Article 5 is to amend the FY15 budget - we are $550,000 over budget for snow and ice and we need $100,000 - $150,000 for sick leave buyback. Article 6 is the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund. Article 7 is the OPEB contribution which will be level funded. Article 8 is to accept the Complete Streets Program which is a program that was created by the State with no funding and no rules. Article 9 is to accept public ways. Article 10 is to extend the rubbish contract and we are asking for 10 years with a 10 year extension. We need to decide if this can just be extended or if it has to go through a formal bid process. i Article 11 is to amend the Animal Control Bylaw. The Attorney General disapproved a part I' regarding the appeals process. The Bylaw is illogical to follow and State law has changed. The intent is to at least change the section that the Attorney General disapproved and then i come back in November with more changes. ' Article 12 is a General Bylaw change regarding Associate members. If this is approved the Board of Selectmen will need a policy. Article 13 is a petition article regarding the posting of the warrant. Article 14 is to approve cell tower wireless leases/licenses. This could also include a second location. Article 15 is to dispose of surplus property. Articles 16 and 17 are debt authorization. Article 18 is the housing trust fund. Article 19 is approving revolving funds. Article 20 is approving the FY16 budget. Article 21 is approving Chapter 90 funds and Article 22 is removal of Town Meeting Members. ' Marsie West asked what free cash is being used for and the Town Manager noted $1.7 million to balance the budget; $500,000 for the school retaining wall and at least $550,000 } for snow and ice. z � John Halsey noted that he and Dan Ensminger sit on the School Space Committee but it I should be a strategic committee. The Town Manager noted we need an updated Master € Plan. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Halsey to close the Warrant consisting of 22 Articles for the 2015 Annual Town Meeting to take place on April 27, 2015 in the Performing Arts Center, 62 Oakland Road at 7:30 R.M. was approved by a vote of s 4-0-0. Page 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 24 2015 - page 3 Hearing - Amendment to the FY15 Classification Plan - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager reviewed the changes to the Classification Pian. He noted that the Library is changing the name of the Library Technician to Library Associate. The Veteran's Service Officer is being upgraded; The Computer Technician is being downgraded and the Senior Computer Technician is being upgraded. The Recreation Director is changing to Community Services Director. A motion by Ensmincier seconded by Sexton to close the hearin-g on amendments to the Non-Union FY15 Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to approve the amendments to the Non-Union FY15 Classification Plan as presented was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 Town Meeting Instructional Motion Discussion - Firearms - Daniel Ensminger read the instructional motion asking the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen to do the following: • Look into how and why General Bylaw 8.9.1 was amended in 2011 and report back to Annual Town Meeting; • Investigate the history of the Timberneck Swamp and how it was designated conservation land with an island of private land in the middle of it and report back to Town Meeting at Annual Town Meeting; • Determine and implement strategies that will, in the immediate future, improve the. safety of nearby residents and travelers through the neighborhood of the Timberneck Swamp by, for example, clearly and visibly delineating the boundaries of this conservation land, posting "no hunting"signs on all parcels of town land, etc.; • Investigate the legality of transporting any type of firearm or explosives across town land for the purposes of hunting, sporting, etc., and report back to Annual Town Meeting; and • Appoint a working group to draft a revision to General Bylaw 8.9.1 that protects the rights and interests of all town citizens. Marsie West indicated that the Board's focus tonight will be limited to discussing the creation of an ad hoc committee. John Halsey suggested including two Selectmen and the Police Chief or designee. He also noted that the Conservation Commission posted "no hunting" so that being posted addresses the transport of firearms across town land. Marsie West recommended asking the Conservation Commission Chairman to appoint someone to be on the ad hoc committee. She suggests two Selectmen, Police designee and four citizens appointed by the Board of Selectmen with certain criteria. The Town Manager noted that the first two bullets can be done by staff. He doesn't want staff on the committee but they can be available as liaisons. He also suggested that if two Selectmen are involved then the committee should follow the Open Meeting Law. The Town Manager noted that he will draft a policy for the next Selectmen's meeting. He asked about criteria for the resident positions and Kevin Sexton indicated personal interest or background. Kevin Sexton noted that there will be times that they will have legal questions and suggested that Town Counsel assign someone to attend a meeting. Daniel Ensminger suggested that there be a designate Chairman. John Halsey recommended that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee sort out the members if we get a big response. Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes - February 24, 2015 - page 4 Maureen Hilliard from Timberneck Drive asked if a report is needed for the Annual Town <. Meeting because there is not a lot of time. She also noted that she is delighted that this is being treated as a public safety issue. 4` r Alan Beaulieu, 153 Belmont Street, noted that he spoke with the trustee of the trust and he was not aware of a hunting issue on the property. He has not given anyone permission x over the last 10 years. His father was the prior owner so maybe he gave someone permission. Marsie West noted that the issues are not related to hunting. Dorothy Marshall, 88 Timberneck Drive, asked if there was any way to speed up the process so there will be closure by November. John Halsey responded that surrounding Timberneck Swamp with "No Hunting" signs is a big step. Ms. Marshall noted that she reported to the police two or three times and they did nothing. The Town Manager noted that the non- Town Meeting way is faster. John Halsey noted that we can't stop a person who is going to break the law. Daniel Ensminger noted that someone at a previous meeting indicated they knew who was doing it but didn't want to report. If it doesn't get reported then we can't solve the problem. Eric Burkhart, 161 Belmont Street, noted that forming a committee seems like the way to go. He would accept to be on the committee if the Selectmen want him to. He feels the public safety issue needs to be solved as soon as possible. He has spoken to other residents who oppose this but they are constructive. E I i Angela Binda, Precinct 5, asked for the definition of sporting and Marsie West noted that this discussion is focused on the creation of the working group. Bryn Burkhart asked if anything has been done on the first bullet and the Town Manager i noted that he has and can't find any record and neither the former Town Manager or former Town .Counsel are available. He will have a response for the first two bullets at the Annual } Town Meeting. Mr. Burkhart noted that no other neighboring communities have a firearm bylaw. s Approval of Minutes € A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to approve the minutes of January 20. 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. t A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to approve the Executive Session minutes of December 9. 2014 was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to adilourn the meeting at 9:00 mm. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary € 3 t Page 4 r