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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes e'� cargo ., Town of Reading x Meeting Minutes hC!'EIVF.0 4110 •„Mow° AC!NG. M;SS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen i016 RAY Q4 P $ 01 Date: 2016-04-19 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Chairman John Halsey, Vice Chairman Kevin Sexton, Secretary Barry Berman, Daniel Ensminger Members - Not Present: John Arena Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Cellos, Police Sergeant Christine Amandola, Executive Assistant Paula Schena, Stephen Crook, Al Sylvia, Sean Kelly, Nancy Docktor, David Swyter, Kate Kaminer and Nancy Linn Swain ' Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Daniel Ensminger asked who pays for hydra Flushing and the Town Manager noted that unaccounted for water is spread out to all users. Barry Berman noted that he has been monitoring the Library Building Committee and they are looking at a fall opening. He attended meeting of the Library Trustees to discuss fundraising Ideas for items not covered in the project. They have a wish list but it is not prioritized yet. Kevin Sexton noted that he attended the CPDC workshop re: 40R District. It was well attended and there was an overwhelming sense of wanting an overlay to allow for flexibility. Jean Cellos noted that an overlay district allows you to do more. Kevin Sexton noted that there was also a big push for Area 1 to become a Historic District. John Halsey asked if he heard from any businesses on Washington Street and Kevin Sexton noted he didn't remember — it was a fact gathering night. Barry Berman asked if there was any discussion about components of affordable housing and Kevin Sexton noted there was not because they were discussing 4011 not 40B. Kevin Sexton noted that the Human Relations Advisory Committee has reorganized and Heather McLean is the new Chairman. They are discussing what they want to be and one ' member suggested a Commission instead of a Committee to hopefully stand alone. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel will look at that and explain the difference. Kevin Sexton noted they are also looking at changing their name to the Human Rights Commission. Page I 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes -April 19 2016 - page 2 Public Comment - Bill Brown asked about the status of the Oakland Road property and the Town Manager noted that Town Counsel is drafting an Article for Town Meeting. There Is ' some disagreement between the Engineers and Town Counsel. Bill Brown noted that the handicap ramp at Birch Meadow is being done. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted that he and John Halsey attended the Volunteer Dinner. The amount of volunteer hours is equal to two full time people working every hour of every day. The Town is being sprayed for mosquitos. He also noted that 25 residents finished the Boston Marathon on Monday - hats off to them. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Arbor Day Proclamation - A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger to Proclaim April 29 2016 as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0- 9-. Personnel and Appointments Board of Assessors - The Town Manager noted that Mr. Golden will be the first appointed member of the Board of Assessor and he recommends a three year and three month term so it coincides with the other Boards and Committees. The position has been posted and he is the only applicant. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger to appoint Francis 7 Golden to the Board of Assessors with a term expiring June 30 2019 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items ' Approve Inter-Municipal Aoreement with North Reading Saugus and Wilmington for Regional Housing Services Officer - Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios noted that the draft Inter-Municipal agreement is similar to the one signed before. This is done in an economical way that allows us to have expertise at our fingertips without paying for a full time person. It is going well. Lotteries are being monitored and it is properly overseen. Barry Berman asked what efforts are being made to identify people who would qualify and Jean Delios noted that we have a ready renters/buyers list but it Is not complete. They hope to develop a website. Barry Berman asked if we can advertise In the four communities and Jean Delios noted we can and developers have a lottery agent who handles that. We more or less audit what they are doing. John Halsey asked If that makes us the referee and Jean Delios noted It does but we work on making sense out of old deed riders and we are Involved in resales. John Halsey asked if the number of units remain flat year after year or if we have lost any. Jean Delios noted that we lost some and gained some. She noted that we lost some units with older agreements and the Housing Authority lost 10 units. The School House at 52 Sanborn Street was sold to Greenhouse in 1998 with affordable units for 25 years and that ran out. The company went bankrupt and the Housing Authority acquired four units. Jean Dellos noted that the housing at Main and Summer was a similar situation. The restrictions expired. John Halsey asked what happened to the units and Jean Delios noted that she thinks they are still being rented to low/moderate Income but the Housing Authority is not interested in working with the Town to make It count on our Inventory. Barry Berman noted ' that they should sell the units back to the Town if they don't want them. Daniel Ensminger noted that sections 9 and 10 talk about an advisory committee, but what do they advise on? Jean Delios noted they are Planners from each community and they discuss financials, etc. Jean Delios noted that affirmative marketing is regulated by the state. Page 1 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes -April 19. 2016 - page 3 Barry Berman noted that other towns set aside units for Town employees and Jean Delios noted that local preference includes employees. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminaer that the Board of Selectmen approve the Inter-Municipal Agreement with North Reading. Saugus and Wilmington for Regional Housina Services Officer effective July 1. 2016 and expiring June 30. 2018 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Health Update - Board of Health Chairman Andrew Friedman and member Nancy Docktor were present. Andrew Friedman gave an overview of what's been done over the past year. He noted they are in their second year of a five year strategic plan. They have developed a good working relationship with the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen liaison. They hired a new full time Health Agent and part time Public Health Nurse. Specific goals of the five year health plan Include: • addressing the unmet needs of people aged 25 to 65 years • become a go-to resource for health Information • work with employees and volunteers to achieve these goals In addition, they have state requirements and other responsibilities. The Board of Health does not do the work but they are responsible for making sure it gets done. The Health Agent, Inspectors, Public Health Nurse and staff do the work. ' Andrew Friedman noted that they need more hours for the Public Health Nurse because she does not have enough time to attend the Board of Health meetings to teach them about Issues and It would be nice to increase clinics on certain issues. She also works In a cubicle with no privacy. Daniel Ensminger thanked John Halsey for working with them over the past two years because It has made a huge difference. John Halsey noted that there are great volunteers on this Board and he applauds them. Kevin Sexton asked where the Public Health Nurse is working from and it was noted she is in Public Services at Town Hall. Kevin Sexton asked If she had to be onsite or could we get an office offsite. Jean Dellos noted that they have a plan for new office furniture. The latest. are enclosed cubicles which are pricey so that will need to be discussed In the future. She talked about giving the Nurse a cell phone so she can go out to her car because we are dealing with limited resources. Andrew Friedman noted that they understand the budget constraints and they will work together to come up with creative solutions. Barry Berman noted that the Nurse works 16 hours/week and asked what she would do if the hours were increased. Andrew Friedman indicated he would like to table the discussion and speak with her first instead of talking off the cuff. He noted it would be nice to have her attend Board of Health meetings so she can give her own report. ' John Halsey asked if the clinics would be informational or vaccinations and if the Nurse is shared. Andrew Friedman noted that they could look at grant money to fund vaccines and noted that she is not shared. John Halsey thanked them for all of their hard work. Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes -April 19, 2016 - oaoe 4 Town Forest Committee Report - Rick Wetzler, Chairman of the Town Forest Committee and members Farrukh Najml and Curt Habel were present. He thanked the Board for approving ' their rules and regulations. They reached out to 120 people when they were creating their policies. It has minor steps for dog walkers and disposal of waste. They have put up signage and natural history plaques. They want to webstream a walk in the woods and they plan on putting out nest boxes for educational and conservation purposes. Farrukh Najmi noted that he Is exploring a new generation website that will provide more information by using a cell phone. Curt Habel noted that the Town Forest was planted 85 years ago to be harvested every 10 years but that never happened. Harvesting is a big job and there is a limited market for the trees. They are trying to reduce the number of trees to open it up and let other things grow. Rick Wetzler noted that recreational uses are thriving. . The Boy Scouts camp there and Eagle Scouts have built boardwalks and bridges. The cranberry bog project continues on. The Town Forest is a resource we want to maintain. Rick Wetzler noted that Grace Strohman wrote the handbook on Reading Preserves and the Ipswich River Watershed is giving us a bigger picture on how to preserve species. Barry Berman noted that this is a great sanctuary and the trails are well marked - kudos. John Halsey noted that he has spent many overnights in the Town Forest with the Boy Scouts and he noted that Reading produces more Eagle Scouts than any other county. He asked how they do so much with no budget and Jeff Zager noted they have a budget of ' $1000/year. Rick Wetzler noted that the Eagle Scouts pay for their own projects. John Halsey asked If they had a wish list and It was noted that website accessand pruning the forest would be nice. John Halsey asked If they knew of a volunteer forester and Curt Habel noted that nobody will do it for free. The Town needs to hire a forester to do the labor and find someone who wants the trees. It was noted that foresting Is a four to five year plan and a state official had noted that North Reading and Haverhill are very aggressive in their forest management plans. Hearing -Bancroft Avenue Parkina Regulations (across from Birch Meadow Tennis Courts) - The Secretary read the hearing notice. Police Sergeant Christine Amendola was present. The Town Manager noted that the Parking Traffic and Transportation Task Force meets once a month. The Task Force consists of Police, Planning, DPW Director, and Town Engineer and they discuss traffic and safety. The PTTTF began this discussion last summer and feel this Is an easy fix. Wayfinding signs are being Installed to direct traffic off of Bancroft Avenue but the Selectmen do not need to approve that signage. This request addresses the four houses across from the tennis courts. The proposal is for resident parking only between 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and we can look at changing the hours when the lights are working. Sgt. Amendola noted that the problems are when the games are occurring. There were 16 parking violations including parking in the handicap space, blocking driveways, etc. The residents at the four houses will get a sticker for free. Enforcement will be done. Barry Berman asked If it is just for these four houses and Sgt. Amendola noted that is correct. Daniel Ensminger asked if there has been any discussion regarding placard parking for , people who live there and Sgt. Amendola noted that we don't have that so they thought they would start with this. The Town Manager noted that when all else fails it will be an option. Page 1 4 Board of Selectmen Minutes -April 19 2016 - page 5 Recreation Committee member Frank Driscoll noted that the Recreation Committee thought we were going to get parking off of Bancroft Street. John Halsey noted that is not the discussion. The signage and the GPS move will be the strongest moves. Dave Swyter suggested the Selectmen talk to the neighbors and John Halsey indicated that is what they are doing now. All of the abutters have been notified. Dave Swyter asked if there is any way to restrict bus traffic and Sgt. Amendola noted that John Feudo told every coach to get the word out. Dave Swyter asked about enforcement and Sgt. Amendola noted that the Police do selective enforcement or a resident can call the Police if there is an Issue and there are no Police around. - Dave Swyter recommended restricting parking on Hartshorne Street from Bancroft on the northerly side in front of his house and also around the corner on the hill. He also recommends the time be changed to 10:00 p.m. when the lights go out. John Halsey noted that those amendments would need to be brought back and the residents notified. The Town Manager noted that the times are okay for tonight but we can't change the geography in what we are doing tonight. Danny Cramer from Bancroft Avenue noted this should have been done months ago because by the time It gets done the season will be over. John Hunter from John Carver Road asked why the time cannot be move to 10:00 p.m. and the Town Manager noted that data suggests 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. It can be revisited when the lighting goes up. ' Jenna Fiorente noted that the subcommittee for the lights is looking at the times lights will be on. The High School only plays until 9:00. The Town Manager noted he is looking at scheduling that hearing on May 17, 2016 at 8:30 p.m. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on Bancroft Avenue Parking Regulations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Berman seconded by Sexton to amend Article 5.2 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations by adding: parking shall be restricted by Permit to those with a Reading Resident Community Access Permit Sticker, from the hours of 2:00pm to 8.00om from April lrt through August 31`r on any streets or parts of streets to which this Article has been applied as listed under Article 12 was aooroved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Berman seconded by Sexton that in accordance with article 5.2. parking shall be restricted by permit to those with a Reading Resident Communiri Access Permit Sticker from the hours of 2.000m to 8:00ym from April 1°` through August 31# Street to be amended: Bancroft Avenue Location on Street, Westerly Side from Hartshorn Street to End of Bancroft Avenue Regulation: Article 12 ' Pursuant to Article: 5.2.2 The motion was aooroved by a vote of 4-0-0. Bylaw Committee November 2016 Town Meeting Recommended Bylaw Changes - Steve Crook, Chairman of the Bylaw Committee noted that they are looking at the Bylaw with respect to the Charter changes. They are looking at the severability clause and tweaking some definitions. In Section 8.6 and 8.5 of the Charter the Treasurer/Collector needs to be Page 15 Board of Selectmen Minutes - April 19 2016 - page 6 separated. Removal of Associate members from the ZBA and CPDC in the Zoning Bylaw. The Rules committee does not always meet annually so perhaps recommend every two ' years. The Town Manager noted that the General Bylaw re-numbering needs to be cleaned up. Also, Town Counsel suggests adding repairs to private roads is the Town's responsibility and he suggests a storm water Bylaw. The Permanent Building Committee will have tweaks also. Discuss Cable Advisory Committee (11/23/18 deadline)- John Halsey noted that we are required to establish a committee. The Town Manager noted that we are required to begin discussions and Town Counsel recommends special counsel for this. John Halsey noted he will have some discussion with RCN. The Town Manager noted that he will hire special counsel and he will let us know who should be on the committee. The Schools are Interested in being involved also. Approval of Minutes A motion by Berman seconded by Sexton to approve the minutes of April S. 2016 as amended was aooroved by a vote of 4-0-0 A motion by Berman seconded by Sexton to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the Chair declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining Position of the body and to not reconvene in Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary 1 Page 1 6