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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-20 Board of Selectmen HandoutDRAFT MOTIONS BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING APRIL 20, 2017 Halsey, Berman, Arena, Ensminger, Friedmann LeLacheur la) Move to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and to reconvene in Open Session at approximately 7:00 p.m. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann 4a) Move that the Board of Selectmen declare April 28, 2017 as Arbor Day in the Town of Reading. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann 4b) Move that the Board of Selectmen proclaim the week of April 9 — 15, 2017 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann 6a) Move to place the name of into nomination as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann Move to close the nominations. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann Move to place the name of into nomination as Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann Move to close the nominations. Halsey Berman Arena Ensminger Friedmann V Move to place the name of into nomination as Secretary of the Board of Selectmen. Halsey Berman Arena Move to close the nominations. Halsey Berman Arena 7a) Move to approve the minutes of Halsey Berman Arena Move to adjourn the meeting at Ensminger Friedmann Ensminger Friedmann March 7, 2017 as amended. Ensminger Friedmann p.m. 0 Schena, Paula From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 7:57 PM To: Schena, Paula; Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: MASSDOT ADVISORY: READING I -95 NORTH AT I -93 EXIT 37 MULTIPLE NIGHTTIME LANE CLOSURES - TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 22ND BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(@ci. readina. m a. us (P) 781 -942 -9043, (F) 781 - 942 -9037 www.readingma.gov Town Hall Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 7:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m.;Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Friday: CLOSED From: Demers, Joseph (HOU) [ mailto :Joseph.Demers(a)mahouse.gov] Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 6:20 PM To: LeLacheur, Bob Subject: Fwd: MASSDOT ADVISORY: READING I -95 NORTH AT I -93 EXIT 37 MULTIPLE NIGHTTIME LANE CLOSURES - TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 22ND On Tue, Apr 18, 2017 at 17:39, Demers, Joseph (HOU) <Joseph.Demerskmahouse.gov> wrote: FYI Sent from my iPhone, please pardon any typos Begin forwarded message: From: "Fielding, Daniel (DOT)" <Daniel. Fieldinggdot. state.ma.us> Date: April 18, 2017 at 5:30:29 PM EDT To: "Fielding, Daniel (DOT)" <daniel.fielding2Astate.ma.us> Subject: MASSDOT ADVISORY: READING I -95 NORTH AT I -93 EXIT 37 MULTIPLE NIGHTTIME LANE CLOSURES - TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 22ND r 1 r For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Contact: MassDOT Press Office: 857- 368 -8500 MEDIA ADVISORY: READING READING I -95 NORTH AT I -93 EXIT 37 MULTIPLE NIGHTTIME LANE CLOSURES - TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 22ND The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announces that: On Tuesday April 18th through Saturday April 22"d multiple lanes will be closed on I -95 northbound at I -93 (Exit 37) between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM nightly to allow work crews to repair damaged bridge beams. The lanes closed will vary depending on the work. As part of this work, the ramp from I -95 northbound to 1 -93 northbound (Exit 3713) and the ramp from 1 -93 southbound to I -95 northbound (Exit 37A) will be closed and detours put in place on Saturday night April 22"d The detour for the ramp closure from I -95 northbound to 1 -93 northbound shall be as follows: continue northbound on I -95 to Exit 38B (Route 28 northbound) then take ramp to I -95 southbound then take Exit 37B to 1 -93 northbound. rf The detour for the ramp closure from I -93 southbound to I -95 northbound shall be as follows: continue southbound on I -93 to Exit 36 (Montvale Avenue) then take a left on Montvale Avenue then take a left onto the ramp to I -93 northbound then take Exit 37A to I -95 northbound. MassDOT encourages drivers to seek alternate routes, if possible, to avoid delays. Drivers that must travel through the affected area should expect delays, reduce speed and use caution while traveling through the work zone and along detour routes... For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov /massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com /massdot and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo. OF Town of Reading Meeting Minutes f N) co � Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen Date: 2017 -03 -07 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Chairman John Halsey, Vice Chairman Kevin Sexton, Secretary Barry Berman, John Arena and Daniel Ensminger Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Police Chief Mark Segalla, Executive Assistant Paula Schena, RMLD Director Coleen O'Brien, Dennis Lane, Bill Brown, Jen Hillery, Kaitlyn Mercurio, Mark Dockser, Erin Calvo - Bacci, Stephen Crook Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Secretary Barry Berman Topics of Discussion: Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - John Arena noted that he attended the March 2, 2017 meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee. How they want to operate is still an ongoing discussion. Representatives from Wakefield were present and they are set up differently. He feels Reading's Human Relations Advisory Committee should consider Wakefield's policy. In addition, John Arena met with Eric Berkhart regarding an email he sent. He attended Seth Moulton's Town Hall on Saturday and that was amazing. He met with Kaitlyn Mercurio, Gina McCormick and Barry Berman to go over the Human Rights proclamation and they will meet again on Thursday night in the Town Hall Conference Room. Kevin Sexton noted that the Human Relations Advisory Committee had a good lively discussion and he feels that Wakefield is a potential model for them going forward. He noted that the Seth Moulton forum was great but only half of the people were from Reading. Barry Berman noted that he attended the Trust Fund Commissioners meeting and they are setting money aside for scholarships. They also said good bye to Nancy Heffernan. He attended the Human Rights working group and they are working things out. Barry Berman also gave a big shout out to Library Director Amy Lannon and staff for setting up the Seth Moulton event. Daniel Ensminger noted that he attended the Human Relations Advisory Committee meeting and he noted that Senator Lewis was present. He also noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee met tonight and interviewed two applicants for the Council on Aging. 1. Page I 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes - March 7, 2017 - ya_ge 2 John Halsey noted that he attended several of the above mentioned events. He also noted that the Rotary Club is holding the Taste of Metro North on March 29th and the Reading Rotary put all of the money back into Reading. Public Comment - Dan Dewar, owner of a convenient store at 519 Main Street, noted that Andy Friedmann spoke with the Board of Selectmen regarding expanding tobacco regulations. Mr. Friedmann is the former Chairman of the Board of Health and is currently running for Selectmen and he insulted a business owner publicly. Mr. Dewar noted that he paid his price and has no desire to sell to minors. The State does nothing to regulate tobacco like alcohol. The new Board of Health regulations addresses a problem that does not exist. They write regulations without any input from business owners. The Board of Selectmen want to support local businesses but the Board of Health is playing fast and loose with the data and invite people from other towns. He is requesting that the Board of Selectmen have the Board of Health postpone their vote because other retailers want to have input. He received a letter saying the meeting was rescheduled but there was no time listed on it. John Arena asked who is buying the flavored products. Dan Dewar noted that people who are over 21 and trying to quit smoking. Sometimes it is the guy who wants to go home and have a beer with a peach flavored cigar after a long day's work. John Arena asked if there is a reason other retailers don't sell them and Mr. Dewar responded that not all of the retailers are set up for it. He also noted this is a good source of revenue for him. Lori Hodin noted that she is hopeful we can work together to come up with a Human Rights Resolution. She is a 25 year resident and has served on HRAC for 10 years. A student member of HRAC did a survey at the High School and relayed the results to a room full of adults. She noted that there is hate going on outside of schools. John Arena asked what difference it would make if the resolution was approved and Ms. Hodin noted that it would make her so proud for Town leaders to stand against indifference. Dennis Lane representing the Coalition for Responsible Retail Association noted that retailers are facing a 40% increase in the minimum wage. There are no laws in the Commonwealth that says kids can't smoke - they just can't purchase tobacco products. Mr. Lane noted that a purchase and use law would be helpful to retailers. He noted that there are 40 flavors of liquors. He saw Captain Morgan rum on a billboard. He asks that the rights of responsible adults and retailers be considered. He also asks that the Board of Health get more input from retailers. Jessica, a student liaison to the Human Relations Advisory Committee noted that she created survey regarding discrimination. There were 415 respondents and the results show that there is discrimination. John Arena asked how many are in the World of Difference Club and Jessica noted about seven but they are open to everyone. A resident from 37 Pearl Street noted that he supports Dan Dewar. He feels it is the parents responsibility to police their children. He has seen Mr. Dewar reject selling to kids. Erin Calvo -Bacci noted that she went on Amazon and she could buy tobacco. She asks that the Board of Health regulate tobacco the same as alcohol. Barry Berman asked the Police Chief if we can regulate tobacco and Chief Segalla noted that would have to be a state law. He also noted that if his officers see a kid sitting in front of Town Hall smoking they will take the cigarettes and bring the kids home to their parents. Jennifer Hillery noted there was no discussion on the Board of Selectmen agenda last week regarding an override. She wants the Board of Selectmen to set a timeline for another override. ` Page 1 2 Board of Selectmen Minutes - March 7, 2017 - page 3 Bill Brown noted that a bill has to be filed with the state legislature to change the tobacco regulations. Linda Snow Dockser noted that she is proud of our students who came tonight and voice what they did with their survey. She noted that the schools have extra curricula classes and homerooms are planned over four years to help teachers form relationships with kids. She noted that students and need more so there is constant outreach. Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager noted that many peer communities are going to their voters regarding recreational marijuana but we are the only community asking for a Special Act. Personnel and Appointments Appoint Council on Aging Members - Daniel Ensminger noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee interviewed Joan Coco and Jayna Stafford for positions on the Council on Aging. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Arena that _the _Board of Selectmen accept the recommendation of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee as follows: • Joan Coco to a position on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2019; and • Javna Stafford to an Associate position on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2017 was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Discussion /Action Items RMLD General Manager Update - RMLD General Manager Coleen O'Brien, Jane Parenteau and Hamid Jaffari were present. Coleen O'Brien noted that she has met with each of the Town Managers regarding shred the peak to curtail usage during peak hours. Jane Parenteau noted that the RMLD is willing to work with the Town if we want solar. They have a commercial site in Wilmington. John Arena asked about the total cost of solar and what the real economics are. Jane Parenteau noted that she can get that for him. John Arena asked if it favors net metering and Jane Parenteau noted it does in Reading. The Town Manager asked how tax credits play into it and Jane Parenteau noted that tax incentives are changing. There is a cost of service increase of 3 - 4% every three years. Barry Berman asked about comparative costs and Jane Parenteau noted for 750 KW from the RMLD costs $100; from National Grid costs $153 and Boston Edison costs $148. John Halsey asked how we partner with our Economic Development Officer to take this on the road. Coleen O'Brien reviewed the benefits of receiving electric service from the RMLD and noted that she is meeting with the state regarding economic development. Jane Parenteau reviewed the peak command reductions measures including: rebates, CEIP, CLRP, a rebate program for going paperless and vehicle charging stations. She also noted that they are applying for money from the Volkswagen lawsuit for charging stations. Bill Brown noted that the RMLD is on the most valuable property in Town and asked if there is any chance they will move. Coleen O'Brien noted that they are only doing bare minimal repairs to the building. l Page 1 3 Board of Selectmen Minutes - March 7, 2017 - pac 4 Hamid Jaffari noted that they created a technical services group who developed and revitalized the system maintenance programs. They are also looking at the transformer replacement program; pole testing; manhole inspection and tree trimming. John Halsey noted that there were some guys on his street taking pictures of the trees hanging over the power lines after the storm. Hamid noted they were contractors collecting data for the RMLD. Hamid Jaffari noted that they are also replacing 65 street lights per week with LED lights. Jane Parenteau noted that is a $51,300 annual savings for Reading which is approximately 30% savings. Kevin Sexton noted that in the past select street lights were shut off to save money. He asked if there are any lights off now and it was noted no, they are all on. Hamid noted that the RMLD participates in the NJUNS pole transfer program which tells them who has what on each pole. Custodial repairs in Reading is half RMLD and half Verizon. There are also 27 double poles in Reading. Hearing - Approve Stop Sign on Auburn Street at Beacon Street - The Secretary read the hearing notice. Police Chief Mark Segalla noted that several neighbors have concerns regarding speeders leaving the High School. The traffic count showed 100 - 200 per day between 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. He is in favor of a stop sign on Auburn Street eastbound. Amy Ward who lives on the corner of Beacon and Auburn Street indicated she does not know how they speed around that corner. There are children in the area. There are also speeders in the morning but there is no place to put the sign. Chief Segalla noted they can do enforcement in the morning. A neighbor of Amy's indicated he is in favor of the stop sign. Barry Berman asked if the Police monitor the area when we install a stop sign and Chief Segalla noted they do. Mike Lacey, 9 Beacon Street, noted that there are a lot of young kids in the neighborhood and the speeding is a problem. John Arena asked if we can take away the radius of the turn and Chief Segalla noted he will talk with Engineering. A motion by Berman seconded by Arena to close the hearing on the stop sign on Auburn Street at Beacon Street was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Berman seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen approve the placement of an isolated stop sign on Auburn Street eastbound at Beacon Street was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Hearing - Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rates for FY18 - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted this is the same presentation as former years. Local costs increase 1.50% annually. MWRA costs are 5% water and 3% sewer. The MWRA is approximately 50% of the budget. Water usage has been declining for 10 years. Reading is at 25% average use. Reading is the lowest in the state for uncounted water at 1.13 %. Some communities are at 15% - 20% unaccounted for water. John Halsey noted we have been working on our infrastructure. Page 1 4 Board of Selectmen Minutes - March 7, 2017 - page 5 The Town Manager noted that there are no problems with collections and we have healthy water reserves. Nothing much is being done with storm water. He suggests bringing in DPW to talk about what we do with this. There are river projects that need to be done. He suggests using $600,000 and $450,000 from reserves. John Arena noted that since reserves are healthy he would like to discuss second water meters. This could increase our consumption also. Daniel Ensminger noted that he would like to see some models on second water meters. The Town Manager noted that some communities have tiered rates. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on setting the water, sewer and storm water rates for FY18 was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Barry seconded by Arena to set the FY2O18 water rate at $10.00 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum auarterly bill of $20.00 effective with the December, 2017 billing was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Barry seconded by Arena to set the FY2O18 sewer rate at $10.17 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum auarterly bill of $20.34 effective with the December, 2017 billing was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Barry seconded by Arena to set the Storm Water Rate at $40.00 per unit (3210 square feet) per year to be billed auarterly effective with the December, 2017 billing was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Hearing - Amend the FY17 Non -Union Classification Plan - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Treasurer /Collector resigned. He plans to create an Assistant Department Head to help Sharon. The intent is to cross train employees and create growth for current staff while remaining within the budget that the Finance Committee has. The amendments to the plan are to eliminate the Treasurer /Collector position; create a Treasurer /Assistant Finance Director position; upgrade the Assistant Treasurer position and create a Collector position. The plan will give the Town Accountant a hand and create opportunities for people. It is best to have a china wall between Assessors, Treasurer /Collection and Town Accountant. In addition, he is asking the Board of Selectmen to disconnect the Treasurer /Collector in the Charter and each of those need a backup too. A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminger to close the hearing amending the FY17 Non -Union Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Berman seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen approve the amendments to the FY17 Non -Union Classification Plan as follows: 1. Eliminate the Grade 7 - Treasurer /Collector position. 2. Create a Treasurer /Assistant Finance Director position in Grade J. 3. Uparade the Assistant Treasurer position from Grade F to Grade G. 4. Create a Collector position at Grade I. The motion was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Arena that the Board_ of Selectmen, upon the recommendation of the Town Manager, may separate the powers and duties of the Town Treasurer with those of the Town Collector, and the Town Manager may then appoint a separate Town Treasurer and separate Town Collector, was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Page 1 5 —j Board of Selectmen Minutes - March 7, 2017 - page 6 Vote Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles - The Town Manager noted that Article 4 is moving a lot of capital. Metro Fire is giving us a Fire Prevention Trailer. Article 5 is moving money in the current FY and we are using $173,000 in free cash because snow and ice is over budget. Article 6 is to pay a prior year bill. Article 7 authorizes disposal of surplus equipment. Article 8 is OPEB. Article 9 is another attempt for Oakland Road. Article 10 is in case we need to spend more money on the Library. Article 11 is for a sewer station repair. Article 12 is sponsored by the Retirement Board for a change in COLA for retirees. Article 13 abolishes the sick leave bank. Article 14 is to approve the Affordable Housing Trust Plan. Article 15 is for the annual revolving funds. Article 16 is the FY18 budget. Article is to authorize Chapter 90 funds. Article 18 is to amend the General Bylaws for the Permanent Building Committee. Article 19 amends the Zoning Bylaws regarding accessory apartments. Articles 20, 21 and 22 are regarding marijuana retailers. Article 23 is a change in affordable rental units to 25 %. Article 24 is the Smart Growth expansion to the other side of Main Street. Article 25 is to remove Town Meeting Members. Daniel Ensminger suggested not covering Articles 10, 12 or 25. A motion by Berman seconded by Arena that the Board of Selectmen recommend the subiect matter of all of the Articles of the 2017 Annual Town Meeting Warrant except for Articles 10, 12 and 25 was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Community Projects (Boards and Committees, - The Town Manager reviewed the list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. He broke them down into categories: elected, generally independent, partially appointed and appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that we will be starting negotiations with RCTV soon and he wants to know what the Selectmen want RCTV to cover. Daniel Ensminger suggested requiring them to record all meetings that are in a wired room. The Town Manager talked about Community Working Groups. He noted that we need a Master Plan for the Water Treatment Plant site. He would like to see certain boards work together on that. Community Working Group for events would be good. He noted that Wakefield has a group of volunteers that put on events. Other working groups would include charitable giving; historic document preservation and economic development planning. The Town Manager read a letter that was received from a resident in California regarding an old Little League Souvenir Program from 1954. He noted it would be great if we could find any people in the pictures. Approval of Minutes A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton that the Board of Selectmen approve the minutes of February 21, 2017 was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Ensminger seconded by Sexton to adjourn the meeting at 10:33 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Respectfully submitted, Secreta ry Page 1 6