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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes FA Town of Reading b Meeting Minutes B39' 0tlQOPr Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen Date: 2015-11-03 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Session: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Chairman Daniel Ensminger, Vice Chairman John Halsey, Secretary Kevin Sexton, Barry Berman Members - Not Present: John Arena Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assessor Victor Santaniello, Executive Assistant Paula Schena, Sean P. Kelly, Kevin Brown, Al Salvia, Sylvain Tremblay, Stephen Crook, Robin Drane, John Gagnon, John Douglass, Phil Vaccaro, Steven Barbas, John Crosby, Michael Giacalone, Leslie McGonigle, Lisa Deleo, Lisa Egan, Andrew Schultz, Lisa Vouras, Bill Brown, Michael Patalano, John Tedesco, Tom O'Connor, Dennis Frazier, Greg Ryan, Brian Crosby, Peter Simms, Bobbi Botticelli, Laurence Hodson, Jeanne Hodson, Charles Gray, Kevin Barile, Mark Doherty, Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Kevin Sexton Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - John Halsey noted that he was visiting with Recreation tonight while they are hosting an open forum downstairs. All users of Birch Meadow are invited to come as able to discuss the Master Plan for the Birch Meadow area. He also noted that the RMHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction is November 21St Daniel Ensminger noted that he attended the Financial Forum on October 28th and the first round of reviewing Police Chief resumes and they have good candidates. The Veteran's Day ceremony is November 11 at the Senior Center for breakfast followed by a ceremony on the common. Public Comment - Bill Brown asked about the status of the land across from the High School and the Town Manager noted that the schools did some drilling but he never saw the results. Also, Town Counsel and Engineering are working on the paperwork. John Halsey noted that the most recent conversation on that land was for early childhood education. Bill Brown noted that he and the Cemetery Trustees toured the cemeteries with the Permanent Building Committee. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted that he attended four Permanent Building Committee meetings. The quality of the members is unbelievable. They are high quality and working closely with the Facilities Director. Page 1 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - November 3 2015 - page 2 Town Meeting begins next Monday at 7:30 p.m. and it should be a two night Town Meeting. There were almost 600 responses to the Birch Meadow survey. Passive recreation and walking were of very high interest. A dog park and skateboard park were low. The results will be summarized for the public. The Town Manager noted that the Police Chief will be in at the next meeting to give an update on the Police Master Planning to update law enforcement for the next 5 - 10 years i.e. cameras for Officers. He noted that a lot of people are recording events as they happen. The Town Manager noted that MAPC will wrap up their work on December 1. The RMLD will give an update on space needs. Jean will cover economic development models. At the December 15th Selectmen's Meeting the Board will confirm the Police Chief appointment. The Library Building Committee will do a formal update with an expected completion and moved in by September. There will be a joint meeting with the Recreation Committee on the Birch Meadow Master Plan. There will also be a discussion on a Disability Commission. The Town Manager also recommends that the Selectmen set up an ad hoc Cable TV Committee to prepare for negotiations with Comcast and Verizon because the agreements expire in two years. Barry Berman asked if this has anything to do with RCN and the Town Manager noted they might be evaluated. John Halsey noted it is simple to create a committee but we need to know what they will be doing. He suggests starting on this right away. Discussion/Action Items Authorize MWRA Debt - The Town Manager noted that this is for Phase 7 of the water main replacement. A motion by Sexton seconded by Halsey that the sale of the $39,050 Sewer Bond of the Town dated November 16 2015 to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (the "Authority") is hereby approved and the Town Manager is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town a Loan Agreement and a Financial Assistance Agreement with the Authoritv with respect to the bond The bond shall be payable without interest on November 15 of the years and in the principal amounts as follows: Year Installment 2016 $7,810 2017 7,810 2018 7,810 2019 7,810 2020 7,810 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 anv of them to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing vote was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Page 1 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes - November 3, 2015 - page 3 Hearing - Tax Classification for FY2016 - The Secretary read the hearing notice. John Halsey noted that he filed documents today with the Town Clerk indicating there may be some appearance of conflict because he serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He does not feel there is a conflict because they don't dictate his decision. There was material put out by the Chamber of Commerce that had his name as one of the Board of Directors. He does not feel he needs to recuse himself. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel agrees there is no conflict. Assessor Victor Santaniello was present. He noted that the Board needs to decide on a minimum residential factor; whether they want a discount for open space; whether they want to grant a residential exemption or a small commercial exemption. Victor Santaniello noted that the Town has never adopted a split tax rate so the Minimum Residential Factor is 1. Mr. Santaniello noted that the average family home value is $499,500 and he reviewed a chart showing various shifts in the residential factor. He noted that the average commercial property valuation for FY2016 is $1,493,100 and he reviewed a chart showing a commercial tax bill at various shifts. Barry Berman asked if 22% of the commercial tax base is under $1 million then the average median is $480,000 and Victor Santaniello indicated that is correct. Victor Santaniello noted that the Discount for Open Space is an exemption of up to 25% which can be adopted but never has. Victor Santaniello noted that the Residential Exemption is for residential properties that are owner occupied. This would raise the residential tax to $17.51 from $14.51. The estimated breakeven point is $550,000 and a tax amount of $7980. John Halsey noted that 70% are below the breakeven point. He feels the elderly and low income hurt the most and we should protect that class. Daniel Ensminger asked if paper work has to be filed for a residential exemption. Victor Santaniello noted yes. He would have to send a letter to residents and they would have to provide paperwork. It is very labor intensive and it can't be done for one year and not another. Communities who adopt this have a higher rate of investor property. John Halsey asked if the startup cost is onerous and Victor Santaniello noted it is. The communities who have adopted it are Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge and Waltham. John Halsey noted that the elderly population is growing very fast in Reading and the people who live in town want to stay in town. Victor Santaniello noted that the Board can grant a small commercial exemption up to 10% of the property value but does not include industrial or personal property. Daniel Ensminger asked how many would be eligible and Mr. Santaniello noted 218 qualify. After he takes out small home based businesses, then there are 53 who might qualify and of the 53 only 7 are owner occupied. Barry Berman asked if there are three businesses on one property and one has 3 employees and the other two have 4 and 7 do they qualify and Mr. Santaniello noted if it is under $1 million then yes, if over $1 million then no. John Halsey asked if the building is under $900,000 and there are three businesses each with under 10 employees, are they eligible? Mr. Santaniello indicated yes. Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes - November 3 2015 - page 4 Victor Santaniello reviewed a chart of surrounding communities and noted that Reading and North Reading have no split tax rate. Daniel Ensminger asked why Winchester's split was very minimal 12.14/11.40 and Victor Santaniello note that they put the water and sewer on the rate. There is no shift in the taxes but there are two rates because of water and sewer. Daniel Ensminger noted that Stoneham has a dramatic split of 12.96/22.08. Barry Berman noted that there is no average for commercial properties so how do we know if that property is paying its fair share. Victor Santaniello noted that the Assessors request their income and expenses information to determine a value. John Halsey noted there is a certain obligation to look at people's ability to stay in Town. With a residential exemption a $408,000 home would get a tax reduction of $485 and a $883,000 home would go up $999. John Halsey noted that there are a handful of commercial sites in Reading worth $20 million and he asked if they are paying their fair share. Barry Berman noted that we support our businesses. If we don't change the rate but do a residential exemption, the average residential tax bill will increase 6.15% and the average commercial will increase 1.6%. Kevin Sexton noted we are talking about money going in and out of people's pockets and he would like to hear from the people who are being affected. He noted that we are trying to make the Town attractive to economic development. Bill Brown, 28 Martin Road, noted that John Halsey makes sense. On top of a tax increase, the water bill will increase and there will be no increase in social security next year. John Tedesco asked how this will affect Prop 2 1/2 next year and Daniel Ensminger noted it is revenue neutral. Andrew Shultz, President of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce noted that the Chamber is against a tax increase. Businesses are paying $6500 more in Lynnfield than Reading so they will be coming to Reading. The Chamber is also against any plan that limits the number of employees because that stifles businesses. He noted that most business owners who lease are paying the taxes. The Chamber of Commerce goes on record that they are against a split tax rate. Phil Vacarro, owner of 601 - 607 Main Street, noted that two of his tenants are paying 60% less than what the lease says. There is no parking. Four of his tenants are supposed to pay taxes by they don't. His only other choice is to put them out of business and renegotiate with someone else who can't pay. Robin Crane owner of Fitness Within noted that a split rate will impact business owners. She pays triple net pay. John Douglas from Douglas Funeral Home noted that he works and lives in Reading. If the business tax is increased the cost will get passed onto the consumer. John Gagnon noted that he owns three commercial properties and parking is a problem. He feels Reading is not a friendly place to have a business. Bobbie Boticelli noted that she is a realtor and a home owner so she would get hit both ways. She feels the big box stores should help out. Daniel Ensminger asked for her thoughts on the residential exemption and she noted that just because a house is valued Page 1 4 Board of Selectmen Minutes - November 3, 2015 - page 5 over $800,000 doesn't mean they can afford an increase. The elderly want to age in place. She also noted that Social Security is not increasing next year but Medicare is. Bill Brown noted that people complain about Reading not being business friendly but that is due to NIMBY including Summer Avenue. Kevin Sexton and Barry Berman noted they are in favoring of continuing the hearing. John Halsey noted that Victor did a great presentation. He is not prepared to vote tonight. There is a lot of information and we need to get it right. He wants more time. Kevin Sexton noted that he wants to hear more of what the public wants. He will reach out to the parent groups. Daniel Ensminger noted that the public can call, email, etc. He also noted that we need to decide if this is the right year to do this. The Town Manager suggested that two Selectmen work with him to get information out. Charlie Gray asked if it was possible to have workshops with the Selectmen to go over their concerns and Daniel Ensminger noted he didn't know if that could be done in two weeks. Victor Santaniello noted that this can be revisited in the spring to have more time to do community outreach. Lisa Egan, Executive Director of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, noted that she moved to Reading because of the train station. She is from out of state and loves the Town. If the Town makes it harder for businesses then it was a lot of hard work for a. nothing. She noted that small businesses in Town support the community and always say yes when an organization asks for help. A 7% commercial base is small and it won't grow if we make it harder. She wants to see more businesses in Town. Michael Giacalone, 9 Orchard Park Drive, noted that there is no simple answer. He noted that the Town needs to look at the ability to keep current businesses in Town. He came to a Town that was a small commercial base and he is willing to pay the cost to keep it that way. Larry Hodson noted that he charges $10 per square feet and he has a tenant who hasn't paid him for six years. Daniel Ensminger noted that he and Kevin Sexton will work on polling the public. John Halsey noted that he liked Charlie Gray's recommendation to empower them to have a workshop. He also noted that our taxes are extremely reasonable and the Board needs to think about how the professional team speed up when they are understaffed. A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman to continue the hearing establishing the FY2016 tax rate to November 17 2015 at 8:15 p.m. in the Town Hall Selectmen's Meeting Room was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discuss Human Relations Advisory Committee and Boards and Committee Communication Policy - Linda Snow Dockser, Deputy Chief Segalla and Heather McLean from the Human Relations Advisory Committee were present. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Health Chairman Andy Freedman wants to issue a column to the press on the pressures of college students. He has a PHD and is not an expert on any of these issues. The issue is when the Committee speaks they are speaking Page 1 5 Board of Selectmen Minutes - November 3 2015 -page 6 for all. The Selectmen need to decide a communication policy for boards, committees and commissions. The Town Manager noted that the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse has a Board of Directors who do not issue press releases. The Board of Assessors does issue press releases but they are factual, not personal opinions. He recommends that the Selectmen meet with the Chairs and Vice Chairs of all boards and committees regarding a policy. Linda Snow Dockser, Chairman of the Human Relations Advisory Committee noted that they want to clarify how they perceive their mission. They see themselves doing outreach, education and letting residents know that Reading is a warm and welcoming Town. Barry Berman asked how they separate the function of education and also being a reporting agency. Linda Snow Dockser noted they want people to know they are a place where people can come for support. Deputy Chief Segalla noted that is where he comes into it as a police function. Linda Snow Dockser noted that last spring they did a press release giving instructions to people of what to do if they see hate in the neighborhood. They should call the police if they see something. They could do a community activity to raise awareness. They can make a positive experience out of a negative. The Town Manager noted that the Open Meeting Law can create problems for people reporting things. Daniel Ensminger noted that they can have a subcommittee meet with the person and bring the issue back to the full board. The Town Manager noted in that case it is better to have a subcommittee of two members. Linda Snow Dockser noted that Winchester has a two member subcommittee to do triage. Linda Snow Dockser noted that she has done research on how to safely communicate to the people they need to reach. Press releases need to present a unified front. The Police will publish a press release when an event happens in town and they will include the Human Relations Advisory Committee contact information. Deputy Chief Segalla noted that the Police are in favor of including the HRAC contact information. John Halsey asked what the addendum would do and Linda Snow Dockser indicated the goal is that people won't feel helpless. Mrs. Dockser noted that all other press releases go through the Selectmen or Matt Kraunelis. Heather McLean noted that she would like to create a Human Relations Advisory Committee Facebook page. It would be a public site but only Admins can post to the page. The page will be used to post events. John Halsey asked if this really is more of a calendar and Linda Snow Dockser indicated it is with reminders. John Halsey asked if there will be an opportunity to blog or communicate and Linda Snow Dockser indicated there will be no conversation. They will eventually like to run stories. John Halsey asked who will judge who the role model is and Mrs. Dockser noted either Matt Kraunelis or Kevin Sexton. Currently, she is sending out emails that is time consuming. Heather McLean recommended using mail chimp because it is free if there are under 2000 recipients. Ms. McLean also noted that the webpage needs to be kept up to date and events and meetings should be on there. Linda Snow Dockser asked the Selectmen to give their okay for these forms of communication. John Halsey asked if Facebook and the email marketing is the right format for what they do. The Town Manager noted that the social media for calendar purposes is okay but once they get into something that is personal opinion then it is not necessarily okay. Page 1 6 Board of Selectmen Minutes - November 3 2015 - page 7 Barry Berman noted that he has no problem with the Facebook page for calendar and events. Heather McLean noted they will not post any blogs. John Halsey noted that their work is spectacular but he is not sure this is a group to be publicly controlled. It's more of a procedural question. The Town Manager noted they need to discuss timeliness if events occur and they can't get a quorum then who takes care of it. He and Matt Kraunelis will be the gatekeepers. Barry Berman requested that they come back to the Selectmen when they figure out the organizational structure. Kevin Sexton noted that the statement that gets attached to the Police press releases needs to be approved by the Board of Selectmen first. Approval of Minutes A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman to approve the minutes of October 20, 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman to approve the minutes of October 6, 2015 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman to approve the minutes of September 16, 2015 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1 with Halsey abstaining. A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman to approve the Executive Session minutes of October 6, 2015 as written was approved on a roll call vote with Ensminger, Sexton and Berman voting in the affirmative and Halsey abstaining. A motion by Sexton seconded by Berman to adiourn the meeting at 10:17 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary \ Page 1 7 1 1 1