HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-18 Volunteer Appointment Committee MinutesOFq
Town of Reading
b' Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Volunteer Appointment Committee
Date: 2017-04-18
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
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Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Conference Room
Session: Open Session
Version:
Chairman Daniel Ensminger and Barry Berman
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Mike Golden and Bob Hayes
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By:
Topics of Discussion:
Chair Ensminger called meeting to order at 6:38pm, present also Berman, LeLacheur and
Mike Golden, applicant for Board of Assessors, later joined by Bob Hayes, applicant for
Conservation Commission.
Board of Assessors
LeLacheur explained that there are two vacancies on the Board of Assessor one each for a
term ending 6/30/18 and 6/30/20. Note these terms slightly exceed a three year maximum,
but that Town Counsel agreed in the transition from elected to appointed Board members
that this term was fine.
Robert Marshall, current BOA member, is seeking re -appointment and therefore, by past
practice and as a matter of courtesy, should be selected for the term ending 6/30/20. Mike
Golden as an applicant could therefore replace Steve Crook who had recently submitted his
resignation, with a term ending 6/30/18.
Ensminger asked about two brothers on a 3 -member board, and LeLacheur replied that
Town Counsel had looked into this almost a year ago in case Mike Golden should become
interested, given that he works in the field professionally for another community but is a
Reading resident. Town Counsel concluded that it is legally and ethically permissible, but
some disclosure forms should be submitted to the Town Clerk. Mike Golden added that he
and his brother Frank have a lot of interaction about youth hockey, but their professional
work is never discussed at home as they each have a set of ethics to follow.
Berman asked about his experience in Weston and Lexington, and especially about
commercial property valuations as background for the residential factor decision annually.
Golden gave extensive background comments from his professional experience.
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Volunteer Aanointment Subcommittee Minutes - ADO 18, 2017 - Daae 2
Ensminger asked why he was interested, and Golden replied that in Lexington he has found
the Board of Assessors to be a strong asset to that community and one that helps make the
assessment process function well. He is interested in carrying on that style in Reading, his
home town.
On a motion by Berman, seconded by Ensminger, Mike Golden was recommended
to the full Board of Selectmen for a term on the Board of Assessors ending June
30, 2018.
On a motion by Berman, seconded by Ensminger, Bob Marshall was recommended
to the full Board of Selectmen for a term on the Board of Assessors ending June
30, 2020.
Conservation Commission
LeLacheur explained that there was one term through 6/30/18 available due to a
resignation.
Ensminger asked the applicant about his background and interest in the volunteer position.
Bob Hayes explained his professional background in managing a small/medium business in
Waltham on Moody Street. He explained how when it came time to sell the land how he
went through the 21E process (for contaminated soil), and began to understand the
advantage of prevention instead of clean-up. He explained that Reading's CONSCOM used to
have a threatening reputation, but that was not his style or interest, he preferred a common
sense approach.
Hayes explained in response to a question by Berman that he believes in protection of land,
however he believes where it is legal that seemingly innocuous uses of the land be allowed.
He said it was important to use common sense to assess the real threat to conservation
land. As an example he gave a past issue where a resident had to take down and relocate a
swing set from conservation land. He also mentioned in 1999 when he purchased a home in
Reading that an existing backyard garden encroached a buffer zone, and he was ordered to
remedy that.
In response to a question by Ensminger about possible conflicts, Hayes described his active
interest in a new girls' softball league, and that if any related issue came before CONSOM he
would simply recuse himself.
Ensminger and Berman then discussed the candidate's lack of expertise, and that perhaps
he should begin as an Associate member. LeLacheur stated that there were no Associate
members currently on CONSCOM, and although a resignation was recent that in fact the
committee had been working for almost a year short-handed. Ensminger pointed out that
even with a vacancy that the Associate member could be elevated to full member by the
Chair for specific issues. LeLacheur said he would double check that fact with Town Counsel
before the full Board needed to vote on 4/20.
On a motion by Berman, seconded by Ensminger, Bob Haves was recommended to
the full Board of Selectmen for an Associates term on Conservation ending June
30, 2018.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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