HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-14 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING
CONTINUED ON OCTOBER 14, 1998
A continued regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held c
Wednesday, October 14, 1998 at 7:00 P.M. at the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Hall, 1
Cowell Street, in the town of Reading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order at 7:(
P.M. with the Chairman, Mr. Sweet, presiding. Also in attendance were Mr. Allen, Ms. Galvi
and Ms. Connors as well as the associate Board Member, Ms. Flammia and the Executi`
Director, Ms. Plansky. The architect for the Pleasant and Wilson Street development, M
Bernie Goba and the civil engineer in charge of the site engineering, Chris Emilius of GEO
were also in attendance.
Finances
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable
44340 -4342; Payroll Check #1942; as presented.
Management Checklist
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To ratify, approve and sign the Management Checklist for FY '98 for the
Housing Authority as presented.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Condition Assessment Reports (CAR) - DHCD
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve and authorize the Chairman to sign three CARs for the Reading Housir
Authority, as approved by the Department of Housing and Community. Development upon tl
waiver submission and specified as follows:
1. Replace windows at 74 Bancroft Avenue (689 -1)
2. Repair roofs /trusses at Waverly Oaks (705 -1)
3. Repair walk-ways/sidewalks at Waverly Oaks (705 -1)
4.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Brande Court Building - Pleasant and Wilson Streets
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
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10/14/98
VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to proceed with the Invitation for Bids for
building movers to move the house currently located at 14 Brande Court to the lot at Pleasant
and Wilson Streets; and to get proposals for loans /mortgages from area banks to finance the
move, rehabilitation and necessary engineering, architectural and other site work along with any
associated development costs.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Informational MeetinP for Neighbors and Abutters of Pleasant and Wilson Streets
The Chairman welcomed the neighbors to the meeting so that the Board and the neighbors could
exchange ideas and concerns regarding the proposed relocation of the building from Brande
Court to the lot at Pleasant and Wilson Streets. The Chairman outlined that the Conservation
Commission had determined that the stream that runs intermittently adjacent to the property was
not covered by the Rivers Protection Act. This decision was appealed to Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and DEP upheld the Conservation
Commission's decision.
The Chairman outlined that the building at 14 Brande Court was offered to the Authority very
recently. The Authority had a structural engineer look at the building and had a building mover
assess the feasibility of moving the structure to the new proposed location. Both the engineer
and building mover felt that the building was sound and could easily be moved. The engineer
also assessed the reasonableness for rehabilitating the structure. His opinion was that the
building was in overall good shape, but the exterior needed work. He felt that this would be a
good and cost - efficient project.
The Authority has now entered into a contract with B.Goba and Associates to perform the
necessary site work calculations and work; prepare plans for rehabilitating the building and
;issess the costs to perform this work. The Authority was satisfied that the financing of this
work could be supported with the projected income from the rentals.
Mr. Goba then explained the results of testing to date and the Town's requirements that the
Authority would have to follow:
• A 21 E -Phase 1 study has been completed which shows no pollutants on site.
• Flat site with several large trees (18 -20" in circumference) The Authority will
attempt to save as many as possible.
• Building is approximately 30.5 feet from top of foundation to top of roof ridge,
which is within the 35 foot height limitation required under the Zoning By -laws.
• Placement of house will have the current front entrance on Pleasant Street; a second
entrance will be created on Wilson Street so that the residents will have separate
entrances.
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10/14/98
• Chris Emilius reported that he will be doing the necessary calculations for the
submittal to Conservation Commission.
• GEOD will identify the setbacks and other conservation concerns for the filing.
The neighbors expressed their concerns, among them:
• Amount of water that flows into the area from drainage further up towards Memorial
Park.
• Many neighbors iterated stories of water in basements; flooding of their lots;
manhole covers rising from the force of water /sewage; the sponge -like effect that this
lot provides for neighboring residences.
• Gail Wood who serves on the Town's Water and Sewer Advisory Committee stated
that there have been traditional problems in the area which require a lot of work by
the Town to solve. She provided an overview of several of the issues. She noted
that some of these problems had been ameliorated by the recent installation of a new
pumping station.
• Ms. Wood suggested that the Authority consider tying the roof drains directly into
the storm drains to help with the runoff issues.
• Several of the neighbors spoke about the safety hazards with Little League park and
parents dropping off kids; parking for games, etc. One woman suggested the
installation of a sidewalk to help with safety.
The neighbors asked that the Authority consider their plight and find another lot. The Ch;
explained that the Town had promised this lot to the Authority 14 years ago when the units
the high school were being built. The Town just cleared title for the transfer of the lot to t
Authority. The Chair also explained the timing of the building offer and the time constraint t
'Town was under to move /remove the house and extend the parking lot.
'The Chair thanked the neighbors for their input and concerns and promised to work on them.
There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:
PM.
Res ectfully submitted
Margaret . Plansky, Secretary
dnd Executive Director