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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes OFI? O� r c Town of Reading Meeting Minutes r� i 839./NCOftP� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen Date: 2016-06-07 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, John Arena and Daniel Ensminger Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Paula Schena, Community Services Director John Feudo, Zachary Camenker, Tim Kirwan, John Costigan, Mark Ventura Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Daniel Ensminger noted that he, the Town Manager and John Halsey attended the North Reading Town Meeting regarding the MWRA. Their Town Meeting approved the money for the design phase. He also noted that the Volunteer Appointment Committee met twice. Barry Berman noted that he and Daniel Ensminger participated in the Memorial Day event. The parade was cancelled due to rain but they still did the ceremonies. He was invited by the Barrows PTO to speak with the kindergarten about the town government and it was a lot of fun. John Halsey noted that the Board will talk later about the Listening Sessions and the next session is June 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Parker Middle School. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted that the School Committee discussed the lead issue last night. The feedback from residents is that they are thrilled with how it is being handled and all of the information. Reading will be MWRA's model from now on. The schools were thankful that employees worked all weekend to fix the problem. John Arena asked why we are just finding out now and the Town Manager noted that we are only required to test every three years but we will retest more frequently. We have pieces of equipment being replaced. Page 1 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7, 2016 - page 2 Discussion/Action Items Annual Boards and Committees Appointments - Daniel Ensminger noted that the Volunteer Appointment Committee met twice. They interviewed incumbents when there were new candidates applying for a committee. He is recommending interviewing the Conservation Commission incumbents because they received a new application today. They also need to interview the CPDC new applicant. Daniel Ensminger noted that the Town Forest Committee has three associate members but it should only be two so they are considering not appointing the member who is serving on another committee and that would be Nancy Docktor. Kevin Sexton asked if she is okay with that and Daniel Ensminger noted she does not know about it but she really wanted the Board of Health position. John Halsey suggested not appointing them tonight and to reach out to the associates to see if someone is willing to step down. Daniel Ensminger noted that the Committee interviewed the Recreation Committee incumbents except for Frank Driscoll because he did not come in for his interview. Paula Schena noted that Frank Driscoll did call the office the following morning to find out his status since he was not present for the interview. John Halsey noted that causes him angst so he will not be voting for Frank Driscoll. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Berman that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Animal Control Appeals Com. John Miles 6-30-19 Animal Control (Associate) Joyce Gould 6-30-17 Audit Committee Barry Berman 6-30-19 effective 6/7/16 Board of Cemetery Trustees Ronald Stortz 6-30-19 Elise Ciregna 6-30-19 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows• Board of Health John Costigan 6-30-19 Board of Health (Associate) Nancy Docktor 6-30-17 Board of Registrars Kissandra Holmes 6-30-19 Climate Advisory Committee Laurie Ann Sylvia 6-30-19 Climate Adv. Com. (Associates) Jeffrey Everson 6-30-17 Gina Snyder 6-30-17 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. n"" Page 1 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7, 2016 - page 3 A motion by Ensminger seconded by Berman that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows• Commissioners of Trust Funds John Daly 6-30-19 Commissioner (Associate) Richard Holmes 6-30-17 Constable Tanya Amico 6-30-19 Community Planning & Nicholas Safina 6-30-19 Development Commission John Weston 6-30-19 Council on Aging Steve Oston 6-30-19 Sally Hoyt 6-30-19 Brian Snell 6-30-19 Council on Aging (Associate) Pooja Parsons 6-30-17 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Cultural Council Nora Bucko 6-30-19 _ Fall Street Faire Committee Leslie Leahy 6-30-19 Sheila Mulroy 6-30-19 Fall Street Faire Committee (Associate) Allison Ullman 6-30-17 Historic District Commission Everett Blodgett 6-30-19 Greg Maganzini 6-30-19 Historic District (Associate) Jack Williams 6-30-17 Historical Commission Jack Williams 6-30-19 Jonathan Barnes 6-30-19 Historical Commission (Associate) Virginia Adams 6-30-17 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 recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Human Relation Adv. Com David Clark 6-30-19 Heather McLean 6-30-19 Lori Hodin 6-30-19 RCTV Board of Directors Stephen Goldy 6-30-19 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7, 2016 - page 4 A motion by Ensminger seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Recreation Committee Michael DiPietro 6-30-19 Francis Driscoll 6-30-19 Lori Russo 6-30-19 Recreation Committee (Associate) Mary Ellen Stolecki 6-30-17 Catherine Kaminer 6-30-17 Gill Congdon 6-30-17 The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0 with Halsey and Ensminger opposed A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Town Forest Committee William Sullivan 6-30-19 Thomas Gardiner 6-30-19 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Berman that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendations of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: Trails Committee Edward Crowley 6-30-19 David Williams 6-30-19 Trails Committee (Associate) John Parsons 6-30-17 Board of Appeals John Jarema 6-30-19 Board of Appeals (Associate) Erik Hagstrom 6-30-19 The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. (Note - The Board amended some of the terms for the associate positions at their meeting on June 21, 2016) Human Relations Advisory Committee (HRAC) - HRAC members Heather McLean, Seema Lynch, Lynn Dornink, Lori Hodin and Linda Snow Dockser were present. Heather McLean noted that they reviewed what structures are being used in surrounding communities. They want to become a Human Rights Commission. They would create bylaws, implement policies and fall under Public Safety. Seema Lynch, Selectmen representative on HRAC, indicated they are asking the Selectmen for support to become a Commission. HRAC has an identity crisis. The role of HRAC is unclear to the Selectmen, then public and them. There is a lack of visibility and relevance in the community. They conducted a survey and the people love the schools, parks, downtown and library. People have concerns about the tendency to keep quiet, intolerance toward diversity, lack of education about inclusiveness and the Town is viewed as hostile to outsiders. John Halsey asked the number of responses to the survey and Heather McLean noted 30. Page 1 4 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7, 2016 - page S John Arena asked if there were specific concerns and Heather McLean noted they were write-in answers. They have heard different stories about people being pulled over. Seema Lynch noted that people may be fearful of coming forward. Barry Berman noted that the Town has done a lot of surveys and he would like this to get out to more people. Linda Snow Dockser noted that there is interest in forums for residents. John Halsey asked if the interest is in making Reading better or correcting a problem. John Arena asked if this will be an introduction of evil or something good. Seema Lynch noted they want to be more welcoming and create more opportunities for interaction and connection with the community. She reviewed the list of communities with Human Rights Commissions. She noted that the state has a Human Rights Commission that meets every month. Arlington's Human Rights Commission has been in existence for more than 20 years. They share similar goals to educate and a commitment to working closely with the Police Department. She feels we can adopt many aspects of Arlington's Human Rights Commission mission and organization. Barry Berman asked what the Arlington Human Rights Commission does that HRAC does not do and Seema Lynch noted they initiate community forums and programs, they hold community dialogues and they have a response team. John Arena asked if she is suggesting that this group will take a first responder mission? Seema Lynch indicated no, they would just look at it. The Police can keep the commission aware of,any problems. They can provide mediation services. John Arena asked who would decide the content of programs and Seema Lynch noted the commission. John Arena asked if that would be independent without oversight and Seema Lynch noted they don't have all the details worked out. They would create bylaws. John Arena asked if the Arlington Commission is autonomous and independent and Seema Lynch noted they provide a report to the Town and Police every year. John Halsey noted that of the 19 communities that they identified, only 4 are towns and the rest are cities. The examples are so foreign from how we run our town. Seema Lynch question if the Town wants to be inclusive, then why don't they want a Human Rights Commission. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel says the Human Rights Commission will still fall under the Open Meeting Law and the members will be employees of the Town. That means they cannot hold Executive Sessions or produce press releases. Seema Lynch noted this is an opportunity to be proactive. It is a way to better control and provide rapid response and assistance. It will ensure and promote civil rights. John Arena questioned bullet #3 .....address potential violations of bylaw? Seema Lynch asked why Reading would not want to acknowledge when an event happens. John Halsey responded that the Police Chief would make every attempt to find the perpetrator. Seema Lynch noted this would be the opportunity to educate the community and to publicly make the statement. Lori Hodin noted that the Commission could give access cards to victims of domestic violence or give brochures on hate crimes. John Halsey noted that the Police can also do that. John Arena noted just giving a card is not a delivery of service. John Arena asked how the community could receive quicker notice and Seema Lynch noted the Police could notify them and the Commission can issue a statement. Page 1 5 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7, 2016 - page 6 Barry Berman asked who appoints the Commission members, and if they have staff and a budget. Also, if there is a certain makeup of the Commission. Seema Lynch noted that they would first need to set policy and implement bylaws. It would be a 13 member Commission with S being appointed by the Schools, 4 by the Selectmen and 4 by the Moderator. The volunteers would be unpaid but could seek funding. They would hold hearings, studies and enter into agreements with agencies. They would also develop a complaint form. Daniel Ensminger asked how many incidents there have been in Reading over the past five years. Linda Snow Dockser noted there were four swastikas in the past year. They do not plan on taking the place of the Police but can work with the Police. She noted that she attended a civil rights program last week and she asked if publicity will increase the number of incidents and they said it might spike for a while but education will change that. John Halsey noted that there are many private organizations out there that are not part of government. Heather McLean noted that they all want to be involved with government. John Halsey asked why they don't want to privatize and Linda Snow Dockser noted that keeping in the government shows the Town cares. John Halsey asked what they will have and Seema Lynch noted their own bylaws and they will take their own steps without seeking advice. John Halsey noted that he endorses the cause but questions the methodology. John Halsey asked if they feel they don't have a voice now and Seema Lynch noted they are just advisory and they want more say. She feels the Town needs a Commission to show people they belong. The Town Manager noted that there is a letter from Town Counsel in tonight's packet. He notes that there are no state statutes for seating guidelines. The members are usually appointed by the Town Manager or Board of Selectmen. Clergy cannot appoint volunteers. The Commission has an Executive Director which is a paid position. They have the authority to invest. They can hold hearings but have no authority to impose a resolution if parties do not agree. They can educate the community. They are subject as a public body to the open meeting law, public records, state ethics and must submit an annual report inside the Town's Annual Report. If the Selectmen want the Commission to be independent then people can form their own groups. They lose their free speech rights as a Town employee. Seema Lynch asked the Board to allow them to move forward and speak with Town Counsel. Barry Berman noted he is curious to hear what the Police have to say. Seema Lynch noted this was a unanimous decision and the Town Manager noted that is not what he was told. Seema Lynch asked when they will know if the Board of Selectmen agrees so this can get on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The Town Manager noted that the best time would be the April Town Meeting because the November Town Meeting is already six to eight nights. John Halsey noted that there is a problem with the survey they did because there were only 20 responses. The Board cannot make a decision in just one hour. John Arena noted that he is struck by the Committee's tone and the fact that they are not letting the Selectmen be engaged. He noted the distance between what they want and Town Meeting is miles. Heather McLean noted she is surprised the Board of Selectmen doesn't want a Human Relations Advisory Committee. John Halsey noted we do and reminded them that they are the Human Relations Advisory Committee. The business of the Town is taking precedence over their want to be independent. He noted the Town doesn't need more expenditure, we Page 1 6 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7 2016 - page 7 need an override. There were 50 people today and 100 people last week who came out to talk about economics. We already have a Human Relations Advisory Committee and you're doing a good job. The Town Manager noted that Bylaw changes take 10 - 70 meetings before going to Town Meeting. Barry Berman recommended that they go into the community and show the need for a Human Rights Commission and then come up with different strategies. He feels they are putting the cart before the horse and they need to go out and do the work and then come back. Electronic Scoreboard in Little League Field and Commemoration Sign at Morton Field - Community Services Director John Feudo and Mark Ventura were present. John Feudo noted that the scoreboard came before the Board of Selectmen in 2014. They are now asking for a solar board instead of manual. Permits will be required for the forms and Engineering will be informed to locate the posts. Steve Lucas noted they are seeking approval for a 10 X 8 scoreboard that is solar and will have the name on the top panel. John Arena asked the elevation and Steve Lucas noted 10 feet from the bottom. Mark Ventura noted that the board will be installed on two steel Ibeams. John Arena asked if it will be anti- vandalism and what if it gets hit. Mark Ventura noted the connector and battery storage will be locked and a screen can be put in front of it to stop any balls though it is pretty resilient. John Feudo noted that he received two notes regarding the location. It is in the site line of two homes and they want to vote it to the left corner. Mark Ventura noted that it is located in right field due to sun exposure. Dave Swyter noted that they are adding 24,000 lights and the scoreboard can be seen from his house. He wants it moved to left field. He also noted this is not part of the master plan. He asked the size of the original board and it was noted 4 X 8. John Arena noted they could get a generator or wait until the power is there. John Feudo asked if it can be retrofitted and Mark Ventura noted it can when a more convenient power source becomes available. Kevin Sexton asked if it can be slid over facing the fans and Mark Venture noted they could but it won't get much sun there. David Swyter requested that they reduce the size by removing the top panel and move it to the left. John Halsey asked him what is offensive and David Swyter noted the lights and scoreboard will be seen from his house. If it is moved to the left it won't be a problem. John Halsey noted if it is moved to the left field the fans won't see it and then there are other neighbors to deal with. David Swyter noted that they don't have to take it all the way over to the fence. Mark Ventura noted that moving will change the Engineering. He has no problem with moving but he doesn't want to reduce the size. Page 1 7 Board of Selectmen Minutes - June 7, 2016 - page 8 Berman moved and Ensminger seconded to approve the installation of a solar powered score board at the Little League Field (Tennis Court Field). Sexton moved to amend the motion to have the score board located in left center field. The motion as amended was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. John Feudo went on to talk about the commemoration sign. John Halsey asked if the sign commemorates people who have donated and John Feudo noted yes. On that note, John Halsey and John Arena recused themselves and left the room due to the fact that they were donors. John Feudo noted in October the Board of Selectmen voted to change the name of the field. They want the sign to recognize the name. A dedication will be done this summer. The Building Inspector says we will need a permit for the posts. The current signs with the rules will be moved to the side. He noted that Jeff Pierce's son did the rendering. Jeff Pierce noted they have raised almost $50,000. Construction was completed in the fall and teams are playing there. They want to recognize the contributors of $500 or more and promote the field and park names and memorial names. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger that the Board of Selectmen approve the installation of the Morton Field/Moscariello Ballpark sign was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. John Halsey and John Arena returned to the meeting. Community Listening Meeting - Members of the Board summarized the first two Community Listening meetings for those members that were unable to attend. A majority of the public's comments demonstrated a high degree of confidence in the operations of the town government and school department, an appreciation of the high level of transparency, and an understanding of how the town arriving at this position was to be expected under the limitations of Proposition 2-1/2 coupled with the expectations of the community. Some members of the public, however, simply believed the town and schools should live within their means. The Town Manager quickly reviewed the presentation made earlier in the day at the Pleasant Street Center for the benefit of Selectman Arena who missed the meeting due to work commitments. At the conclusion of the discussion, all five Selectmen believed that they were updated on things they might have missed. They had few comments about changes needed for the presentation for the third and final Community Listening meeting to be held at Parker Middle School on June 16tH On a motion by Mr. Berman seconded by Mr. Ensminger, the Board voted 5-0-0 to adiourn the meeting at 10:41 pm. Respectfully submitted, Secre ry Page 1 8