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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes F i x Town of Reading s Meeting Minutes F �iECE l'vI+J TOWN CLERK .Bo��. READING. MASS. ard - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen 'J� 12 A 36 Date: 2015-06-23 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Chairman Daniel Ensminger, Vice Chairman John Halsey, Secretary Kevin Sexton, John Arena and Barry Berman Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Robert LeLacheur, Kathi and Stephen Crook, Catie Robertson, Philip Rushworth, Marcel Dubois, Ruth Urell, John Carpenter, Paula Schena Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Kevin Sexton Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Kevin Sexton noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee (him and John Halsey) met and interviewed quite a few applicants. Three were not present so they will be deferred until July. There are still some unfilled vacancies. The Chairman of the Conservation Commission has asked that the new member's term begin June 23 so he can participate in their meeting tomorrow night. The Firearm Safety Committee met for third time last night. Town Counsel did not like the way the bylaw is set up - he feels it was poorly written. The committee decided to go with one option that Town Counsel recommended with a few revisions. They have set two more meetings. Barry Berman asked about the Permanent Building Committee and the Town Manager noted we only have four applicants and that is not enough. Barry Berman noted he attended the Economic Development Committee meeting and they were choosing applicants who applied for signage funding. He also attended the Fall Street Faire Committee meeting and they are working full force. Barry Berman noted he attended the MAPC workshop on Economic Development and he was intrigued with the proposal for behind the RMLD. Kevin Sexton asked if they showed more commercial space and Barry Berman indicated they did kind of a mixed use. John Halsey suggested using a different facility/venue next time. The Town Manager noted that most of the people who attended were not the traditional group. John Arena asked why we drew a different crowd and John Halsey noted it was advertised on social media. John Halsey also noted that Jessie Wilson did a presentation at the senior lunch and they were very interested. It was a good discussion regarding housing, parking and many other things. Public Comment - Bill Brown noted that the two Cemetery Trustees for the Building Committee are only for the Cemetery Garage project. Page I 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 23 2015 - page 2 Town Manacer's Report - The Town Manager noted that the Town Election will be in April. ' The State primary has not been set yet though he heard it may be in February. He and Daniel Ensminger had lunch with Town Counsel last week. Matt Kraunelis wants to meet with each Selectman and there will be a technology update in August. The Town Manager noted he will speak with Bunratty's regarding having to have a full food service and the issue of discriminating against children. Daniel Ensminger noted that there seems to be work ongoing on Salem Street for the pedestrian signal. He asked If there has been a resolution to the Oakland Road paper streets and he requested that second water meters be put on an agenda. The Town Manager noted he will look into the paper street issue. Discussion/Action Items Approve Sale of BANS - The Town Manager noted this is to borrow for one year for two school projects - the retaining wall and the portable classrooms and a piece of a water project. He noted that the Town and facilities are running into costs that we can't afford. Contractors are not bidding so projects won't be done. There seems to be a shortage of contractors. Barry Berman asked if we should bundle some projects and the Town Manager noted that Killam was unique. We can do others internally but we need to plan ahead. John Arena asked if any others came in way off and the Town Manager noted that two sewer stations bundled came in way off - we budgeted $750,000 and the bid came in at $1.2 million. We need to restructure the Capital Plan. Sexton moved and Arena seconded that the Board of Selectmen approve the sal of a $2,365,000 0.75 Percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Not (the "Note") of the Town dated lune 29 2015 and payable June 29 2016 to Century ' Bank and Trust Company at Par Plus a premium of56 859 00 Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Notes the Preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated June 5. 2015, and a final Official Statement dated June 17 2015 each in such form as may be approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified confirmed, approved and adopted. Further Voted: that the Town Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to execute and deliver a significant events disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC Rule ISc2-12 in such form as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the Notes for the benefit of the holders of the Notes from time to time. Further Voted: that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish Post issuance federal tax compliance Procedures in such form as the Town Treasurer and bond counsel deem sufficient, or if such Procedures are currently in place to review and update said Procedures in order to monitor and maintain the tax- exempt status of the Notes. Further Voted: that each member of the Board of Selectmen 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 votes. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Page 1 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes -June 23, 2015 - page 3 Approve Regional Health Agreement with Melrose (Senior Health Inspector) - The Town Manager noted this is a scaled back version of the agreement for the Senior Health Inspector. This person does the restaurant inspections. Melrose has approved the first reading of this. Barry Berman asked how the time gets allocated and the Town Manager noted that is on Appendix A which the City of Melrose has not approved yet. Barry Berman noted the contract doesn't stipulate recourse if we are not happy and the Town Manager noted he meets monthly with the Mayor of Melrose and a lot is based on trust. They talk through any problems. He noted that we will never find a perfect regional agreement. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen approve the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the City of Melrose and the Town of Reading for shared public health services for the incumbent Melrose Senior Health Inspector was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing - Approve FY16 Non-Union Classification and Compensation Plans - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Classification Plan has no proposed grade changes but a lot of name changes. The Social Worker is now the RCASA Outreach Coordinator, the RCASA Program Coordinator has been renamed, the Treasurer Collector and Town Accountant have title changes, the Assistant Fire Chief has been added and four employees have joined a union so they will be removed from the plan. Barry Berman asked if this is the same format as previous and the Town Manager noted that it is - 10% between grades and 12 steps in each. Barry Berman asked if the Appraiser would be in a different grade elsewhere and the Town Manager noted that we do internal grading, financial analyst of structural pay and market pay. The Town Manager noted that there are two compensation plans in the packet. One is 1% COLA and the other is 1.50% COLA. The CPI is approximately 1.50% COLA. He has set aside $55,000 in funding so if it is approved every non-union employee will get 1.50%. We will need to add approximately $100,000 per year to get up to speed with other towns. Barry Berman asked if we are seeing a runoff of talent and the Town Manager noted we are having a hard time replacing people at the same rate of pay. He can't say if we are losing because of pay but he feels it is a problem and the schools do too. He is requesting approval of the 1.5% plan. A motion by Arena seconded by Sexton to close the hearing to approve the FY16 Non-Union Compensation and Classification Plans was approved by a vote of 5-0- 0. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen approve the FY16 Non-Union Classification Plan and the FY16 Non-Union Compensation Plan that includes the 1.50% increase from FY15 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. RCN Members Report - Kevin Walsh noted he was the Board of Selectmen rep on the committee. He also noted that Kathi Crook, President of RCN Board of Directors, Marcel Dubois, Phil Rushworth, Katie Walsh and John Carpenter were present. Kevin Walsh noted that the Board gave an update to the Selectmen in October 2013. He noted that anybody can be a member and participate. They have done seven shows for Elder Services. Kathi Crook noted that they have a street faire group to plan for the faire this year. They cover the candidate nights, covered very long elections, Reading Tales. In addition they do a workshop in the summer for acting and behind the scenes. They brought a lot of kids into the mix from RMHS and the middle schools. They had six teams. She noted that everything is produced in HD and by the end of the summer the Conference Room and School will be HD. Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes -June 23. 2015 - page 4 John Arena noted the audio track leaves a lot to be desired. Kevin Walsh noted that audio ' issues are a big deal and they are continually working on it. Daniel Ensminger noted that the RCN Schedule shows the Selectmen meeting every Tuesday night, but they don't meet every Tuesday. Kathy Crook noted that they have sent letters to Verizon and Comcast to display their schedule but Verizon said it is not in the contract. John Arena also noted that the events are not listed alphabetically. The Town Manager noted that the schools are super happy with the coverage of the school meetings but they are not happy that you are not physically at the school to work with the kids. John Arena noted that RCN Is doing well financially and asked how they spend the money. it was noted the money is spent on the rent liability fund and property maintenance. John Halsey asked if they have corporate membership and Kathy Crook noted yes. The PR game show will need sponsors and that will air local businesses. Appointment of Board Committee and Commissions - John Halsey noted that not all people were available for an interview so they will be interviewed in July. The Town Manager noted that the Town Forest is at the maximum number of Associates (3) and all Associates are In a holding pattern until we hear from the Attorney General. John Arena asked when the Board will have a substitute discussion and the Town Manager ' indicated nothing will be done until the Attorney General approves it. A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendation of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Position Appointment Term ending Audit Committee Stephen Herrick 6-30-18 Board of Appeals Robert Redfern 6-30-18 David Traniello 6-30-18 Board of Cemetery Trustees William Brown6-30-18 Mary Vincent 6-30-18 Board of Health Elizabeth Shurland 6-30-18 Nancy Docktor 6-30-16 Board of Registrars Gloria Hulse 6-30-18 Celebration Committee Kurt Habel 6-30-18 , Page 14 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 23 2015 - page 5 Climate Advisory Committee Joan Boegel 6-30-18 Ray Porter 6-30-18 Climate Adv. Com. (Associates) Michele Benson 6-30-16 Gina Snyder 6-30-16 Commissioners of Trust Funds Neil Cohen 6-30-18 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendation of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Conservation Commission Brian Sullivan 6-30-18 Michael Flynn 6-30-18 (effective 6/23) Constable Thomas Freeman 6-30-18 Community Planning & Jeffrey Hansen 6-30-18 Development Commission CPDC (Associate) George Katsoufis 6-30-16 Council on Aging Thomas Procopio 6-30-18 Marily Shapleigh 6-30-18 Margaret Havey 6-30-18 Joyln Ek 6-30-18 Council on Aging (Associate) Pooja Parsons 6-30-16 Cara Leonard 6-30-16 Cultural Council Maryann Kozlowski 6-30-18 Julie Barber 6-30-18 Jane Soloway 6-30-18 Nora Bucko 6-30-16 Economic Development Comm. EDC (Associates) John Russell 6-30-16 Fall Street Faire Committee Brian Snell 6-30-18 Fall Street Faire Committee (Associate) Allison Ullman 6-30-16 Page 1 5 Board of Selectmen Minutes - lune 23. 2015 - nage 6 Historic District Commission Priscilla Poehler 6-30-18 , Virginia Adams 6-30-18 Historical Commission Sharlene Reynolds Santo 6-30-18 Jonathan Barnes 6-30-16 Historical Commission (Associate) Virginia Adams 6-30-16 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendation of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Housing Authority Richard Robbins 6-30-20 Human Relation Adv. Com RCN Board of Directors Kevin Walsh 6-30-18 Recreation Committee Daniel Foley 6-30-18 Nancy Linn Swain 6-30-18 ' Recreation Committee (Associate) Mary Ellen Stolecki 6-30-16 Town Forest Committee Richard Wetzler 6-30-18 KurtHabel 6-30-18 Town Forest Committee (Associates) Nancy Docktor 6-30-16 Michael Bourque 6-30-16 Daniel Ford 6-30-16 Trails Committee Thomas Gardiner 6-30-18 Jean Jacobs 6-30-18 Trails Committee (Associate) John Parsons 6-30-16 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing Transfer of a Liquor License from Athens Liquor Inc to Raksha Inc d/b/a Sauare , Liquors. 13 High Street - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that there is a letter from the Police Department saying okay. Page 1 6 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 23, 2015 - pace 7 Attorney Howard Rock indicated he represents Raksha Inc. Raksha is the sole owner and will obtain a loan from the bank and on her home and there will be a second loan when the inventory has been determined. Raksha is an employee of 3K Market. She is TIPS trained and everyone who works for her will be TIPS certified. She will work 40 - 50 hours per week. The current owner will work 4 - 5 hours per day and she is also hiring one of his current employees. She plans on purchasing equipment to scan ID's. John Arena asked if she has any financial interest in 3K Market or Ricky's Liquor and it was noted she does not. John Halsey asked if Raksha lived in Reading and it was noted she does. John Halsey asked if the corporation will have any other holdings other than the liquor store and it was noted it will not. John Arena noted that this Board of Selectmen takes a very dim view of sale to minors and their focus is to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. They have dealt harshly with this in the past. John Halsey noted that Mrs. Patel was working in a liquor store with multiple violations and Mrs. Patel noted yes, she will keep an eye on that. John Halsey asked if the retaining employee is TIPS trained and it was noted he is. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on the transfer of the liquor license from Athens Liquor Inc. to Raksha Inc. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen approve the transfer of the liquor license from Athens Liguor Inc. to Radsha Inc. d/b/a Sguare Liguors, 13 High Street subiect to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subiect to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager or his designee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board took a brief recess and resumed at 8:50 p.m. Review Boards and Committees due to Sunset - Daniel Ensminger noted that they will discuss the five committees that are due to sunset on June 30, 2015. John Arena noted that the basic sunset concept is a good idea. This is a time to reflect and determine if the purpose of the committee is to advise the Board of Selectmen and/or act on the Board's behalf. Some committees want a platform to communicate with the community, which may not be related to the Selectmen. John Halsey noted that boards and committees need a mission. The Selectmen need to let the committees know what we want and determine if it is valuable to the Selectmen. Barry Berman noted it is great that we have so many committees and he feels the committees will sunset themselves when there is no interest. John Halsey noted that the recent staff reorganization in Public Services is working well, and improving board communication already. For example he cited recent "Rec staff" at the Senior Center. He also would be in favor of quarterly meetings with board Chairs and Vice Chairs. Page 1 7 Board of Selectmen Minutes -June 23 2015 - page 8 Climate Advisory Committee - Daniel Ensminger noted that the committee requested an ' additional two years. John Halsey noted that we do hear from them regularly. John Arena noted that they do tangible work that makes changes in Reading. Daniel Ensminger noted that they are working on emergency preparedness i.e. power issues. A motion by Sexton seconded by Halsey to extend the Climate Advisory Committee to lune 30 2017 was aooroved by a vote of 5-0-0 Economic Development Committee - Daniel Ensminger noted that Jack Russell sent a memo on how to re-form the composition of this committee. John Halsey noted that Jack Russell's email was well thought out. He also noted that lack often attends events. He recommends sunsetting the committee and starting over. Barry Berman noted that the committee needs to be refreshed and refocused. We don't want to lose focus on existing businesses and the Impact of new businesses on existing businesses. Daniel Ensminger noted there are good points to keep some of their functions. The group could be split in two - Inward focus and outward focus. Mr. Ensminger also noted that years ago the Industrial Group (for the landfill) got folded Into the Community Planning and Development Commission. John Halsey noted that the Selectmen need to take an active role and he also noted that staff time is at a premium. Barry Berman noted that the Selectmen need to be the EDC for a while. Kevin Sexton agreed with the consensus. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to sunset the Economic Development Committee along with the Board of Selectmen thanks as of June 30. 2015 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Fall Street Faire Committee - Daniel Ensminger noted that they requested three more Faires witha sunset date of December 31, 2017. John Halsey noted that Brian Snell, the Chairman, indicated that they need Associates. He also noted that they requested that the Board dissolve them in 2017. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to extend the Fall Street Faire Committee to December 31 2017 was aooroved by a vote of 5-0-0 Human Relations Advisory Committee - Daniel Ensminger noted that they are doing important work but wondered If their mission were aligned with town government? Perhaps ' they should fall under the School Department or the Reading Clergy Association. John Arena noted that their passion is the best of intentions but he feels the Board of Selectmen has failed to assist them. He asked what their mission was. He suggested bringing them back In to chat about their mission to understand their relationship to the Selectmen. Page 18 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 23 2015 - page9 A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to extend the Human Relations Advisory Committee to June 30, 2017 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 Trails Committee - Daniel Ensminger noted they do good work on grants. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to extend the Trails Committee to June 30 2018 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Town Manager Evaluation Process - A committee consisting of Daniel Ensminger and Barry Berman was formed to conduct the process. Approval of Minutes A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to approve the minutes of May 19 2015 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to approve the minutes of June 2 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1 with Halsey abstaining A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to approve the minutes of June 3 2015 was approved by a vote of 3-0-2 with Arena and Sexton abstaining A motion by Sexton seconded by Arena to approve the Executive Session minutes of 3une 2. 2015 as written was approved on a roll call vote with Arena Ensminger, Sexton and Berman voting in the affirmative and Halsey abstaining A motion by Sexton seconded by Halsey to adiourn the meeting at 10.20 P.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary Page 1 9