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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes OFR Town of Reading VED - � Meeting Minutes LER TORN CK: o � F:-4-i r E E D1!N1 'G, �;AA. 9./NCOPQO Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2018 MAY 16 AM g: 10 Board of Selectmen Date: 2018-02-27 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: General Business Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Chair John Arena, Barry Berman, Dan Ensminger, John Halsey, Andrew Friedmann Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Counsel Ray Miyares, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Mary Ellen O'Neill, David Cannon, Boriana. Milenova, Paula Pelusi, Penny Lashua, Nancy Docktor, Barbara Melanson, Todd Merkle, Amy Cole, Erin Gaffen, Todd Ellis, Michael Flynn, Gina Dulong, Josh Dulong, Jeff Palmer, Tony D'Arezzo, Stephen Crook, Mark Dockser, AJ Jerrett, Gina Snyder Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Chair John Arena called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Liaison Reports Mr. Halsey noted himself and Mr. Berman had a visit with the Chamber of Commerce about the override that went very well. He explained that the Little League baseball/softball want to bring back their opening day parade. At the end of the parade they will dedicate the new batting cages. He also noted that Little League softball will be going before the Recreation Committee asking for Sunday hours to accommodate their schedule. RCASA is working on their sustainability plan which could result in a mini grant. Mr. Ensminger explained that the Board of Health was fielding rodent complaints at a demo site. They went out and did a study and thankfully, they found no evidence to support that. They are also working on a new policy for bake sales. He noted the RMLD meeting was very productive last week and they have set up two more meetings for March. Mr. Ensminger suggested bringing in John Arena as a second representative for the town on the' Subcommittee. Mr. Friedmann suggested having Barry Berman as the second rep to free up some time for Mr. Arena as he is running for reelection right now. Mr. Ensminger noted Mr. Arena has a great history of problem solving with the RMLD and that is why he suggested him. Mr. Halsey noted he thinks the election is irrelevant; Mr. Arena knows the commitment and wouldn't agree to something he couldn't do. Mr. Berman suggested posting the Selectmen for all of the meetings for RMLD from now on because he would like to go anyway. Page 1 1 Mr. Ensminger made a motion to appoint ]ohn Arena as the second Town representative to the RMLD Payments to the Town Subcommittee. Mr. Halsey seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Friedmann noted the Climate Advisory Committee has its Earth Day Fair coming up on April 21St. The plastic bag bylaws were approved by the Attorney General. The.Forest Committee is working on `dog etiquette' rules for the town forest. The YES for Reading group is in full swing going around-town and putting up signs. Mr. Friedmann then asked about this Open Meeting Law Complaint letter that was sent by the Board and referenced in another memo. He noted he has never seen a letter that was sent by them and asked how that came to be if he didn't know about. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted, Town Counsel is hired by you and often responds on your behalf in such matters. He noted this letter has been seen by the board and was in a prior packet. Mr. Friedmann feels everything that has their name on it should be discussed before it is sent out. Mr. Halsey noted it is common practice for your lawyers to act on your behalf. Reading Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Mr. Ensminger read a proclamation proclaiming March 10th, 2018 as Girl Scouts Day to recognize the organization. The proclamation was passed with a 5-0-0 vote. Public Comment Nancy Docktor asked if there was an update on Camp Rice Moody after their visit to the board a couple months ago. The board noted they were open to discussion, however they have not heard from them since that original mention of it so there is no update at this time. Dave Talbot from the RMLD Commissioners noted he originally came to speak on the Town Meetiny warrant article regarding RMLD but is under the impression that article is going to be withdrawn. Mr. Ensminger noted that is correct. Mr. Talbot then proceeded to ask why the board is adding more members to the subcommittee now and why didn't they do this months ago. Mr. Ensminger noted this is all in reaction to the open meeting that was held last week in which the BOS attended. Gina Snyder wanted to inform the board that our sewer rates are the highest rates in the area and to please keep that in mind when voting on the new rates. Erin Gallen stood up to ask why the override information was not on the front page of the website. Mr. LeLacheur noted it was and showed her exactly where it is. She then asked if the town could do up a post card of information regarding the override and send it out in the mail to all the residents. Mr. LeLacheur noted the town legally cannot do that. She also asked if there can be more community listening sessions to which Mr. LeLacheur noted they have two planned already. Mark Dockser wanted to volunteer himself for the community listening sessions. He also suggested a meeting with all the elected boards before the election vote. He noted doing it in a financial forum setup and have residents submit questions prior to.the meeting and at the meeting they can answer the questions and discuss them. Town Managers Report Mr. LeLacheur wanted to inform everyone that one of our Firefighters has received the Firefighters of the Year award for 2017! Congratulations to Eric! The town received a new letter from the developer about the Eaton Lakeview project stating he will extend the discussion for one year. And, the best news of all, route 28 (Main Street) will be paved this summer all the way from one end of town to the other. Page 1 2 FY19 Non Union Classification and Compensation Plans Mr. Ensminger read the hearing notice. Mr. LeLacheur noted there have been no changes from last year. That may change depending on the result of the override vote but for now it is the same. Mr. Ensminger made a motion to close the hearing, second by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the FY19 Non Union Classification and Compensation Plans as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Eaton Lakeview - Resident Presentation Boriana Milenova and the Eaton Lakeview residents came up with a presentation to accurately lay out their thoughts and concerns on the pending project. Although the Selectmen have no say in this project, the residents felt they needed to convey.their thoughts to them as well. They want to work together to make a better project for the neighborhood. The residents outlined numerous concerns in the presentation including the developers' traffic study. They felt it needs to be widened to a much bigger scope. They feel the building is too close to the street and too tall as well. The residents also had environmental concerns about the project. Kevin Signete of Smith Ave noted the current flood issues already in that area. Mike Flynn feels we can meet the town's housing needs and the neighborhoods concerns by working together. Safety Requests The board reviewed these request at their previous meeting and plan on voting them today. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve Safety Amendment Number 2018-1 as presented; approve Safety Amendment Number 2018-2 as presented; approved Safety Amendment Number 2018-3 as presented. Mr. Berman seconded the motion and it passed with a 5-0-0 vote. Close Warrant for April Annual Town Meeting Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen remove Article 18 from the warrant. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger, with the second from m Mr. Halsey, moved that the Board of Selectmen approve Question 1 to be on the ballot for the local election on April 3, 2018 as follows: Shall the Town of Reading be allowed to assess an additional.$4.1.5 million in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of the general operation of the Public Schools for Classroom Teachers ($1,802,484); Teaching, Learning and Classroom Support ($821,429); and Athletics ($31,056); for 5 Police Officers and 4 Firefighter/paramedics ($1,050,311); for General Government including• Public Works, Finance, Technology, Human/Elder Services and Inspections ($317,391); and for increased hours, staffing and expenses for the Public Library ($127,329) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018? Yes No Page 1 3 Mr. Friedmann asked if the board should be including this much detail in the question. Mr. Berman answered yes, the people want that. Mr. Friedmann then suggested putting it in a list format. The board decided to leave it as it and voted 5-0-0 to approve the motion. Discuss BOS role in upcoming override Town Counsel Ray Miyares was present to clear some things up for the board regarding their actions during the override vote. Mr. Miyares noted no town resources may be used to advocate a certain position on a ballot question. He did note that if the board wishes they could, as a board, vote to take an official position of a ballot question. . Michelle Sanphy asked if the Selectmen could hold a meeting not in a town building and advocate for the override. It was noted, if it is not in a town building, yes. Mr. Berman moved that the Board of Selectmen support Question 1 on the ballot. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Amy Cole asked if we could do a reverse 911 call about the election. Mr. Miyares noted if it is simply, a call stating when and where the election is taking place then yes, but it cannot advocate or any ballot questions. Change of Manager - Biltmore and Main Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the change of manager for an Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License for Unagi Servers Inc d/b/a Biltmore & Main Bar and Grill at 530 Main Street, Reading, MA. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Change of D/B/A.- Reading Square Texaco Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the change of d/b/a for a Class II License for Bassam Kofahi d/b/a Reading Square Texaco at 749 Main Street, Reading, MA. Mr. Friedmann seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Friedmann brought up that he thinks the Climate Advisory Committee sunset needs be extended. Mr. Berman made a motion to extend the sunset clause for the Climate Advisory Committee until lune 30, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Discuss BOS Policies The board started with section 1.1 and discussed the history of reorganizing and the timing of it. The board was conflicted as to why it changed and if they should continue to reorganize in April or June. The board discussed liaison reports and inevitably noted it's near impossible to keep up with all the boards in town. They gathered thoughts on better ways to keep up and informed with other boards. The board then touched upon communication policies and social media. It was noted that if a Selectmen is using social media, they need to keep track of every comment or post that is made regarding town business. There also should be.no communication to each other on social media. Page 14 Preview Water/Storm water/ Sewer Rates Mr. LeLacheur gave a brief update on what the rates are looking like right now. He noted water is up 2.4%; sewer is up 2.8%. The impact on the rates next year is expected to be -3.6%. The board will vote to set FY19 rates at their next meeting. Minutes Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the meeting minutes from January 9th, 2018 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the meeting minutes from January 23rd, 2018 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Halsey moved that the Board of Selectmen adjourn at 11:09 PM, second by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Page i 5