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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes OFRi r Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN E RK 's� r R E A D 1 . 5 -.s j [b J S%lNCORgO Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2010 MAY 16 RM 9: 10 Board of Selectmen Date: 2018-03-27 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, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Recreation Administrator Jenna . Fiorente, Brad Latham, Tom Connery, Bill Brown, David Cannon, Kaitlyn Mercurio, Maureen Hurley, Larry Hurley, Kate and Bob Kaminer, Dan Foley, Richard Hand, Emily Sission, Brian Keefe, Tim Higgins, Sally Boerner, Eileen Wilkes, Dominic Savinc, Petra Conboy, Nancy Swain, John Yurewicz Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Chair John Arena called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Selectmen Liaison Reports Mr. Friedmann reminded everyone that the Climate Advisory is preparing for their Earth Day Fair in April and everyone should attend. Mr. Halsey noted the Little League opening day parade plans are coming along. There will be a meeting about it tomorrow; the date of the parade will be April 29th. He noted the recreation committee has met twice regarding girls softball. That program has boomed.and scheduling has been difficult. We are trying to make room for them by proposing we open up Birch Meadow on Sunday mornings. The discussion so far has received good points from both sides. The temporary request from Recreation is now only tied to 3 Sundays they would need. Mr. Halsey noted he will recuse himself from that part of tonight's meeting because he is also a member of the Reading Softball Little League Board. Mr. Ensminger noted they are making progress on the RMLD payments to the town subcommittee. A proposal is in place and will be going back to their full board at their next meeting. If their full board approves it, it will then come back to the full Board here. Public Comment Bill Brown suggested us continuing to look into Memorial Park and see what we can do down there. That may help some of the scheduling problems we are having. Page 1 1 Matt Zucka, from the Reading Village project, came with an update. Demo of the buildings is in progress. We've heard some feedback that was getting to the town and we are addressing those concerns and taking them seriously. We don't want delays, we lose money, and so we are fixing everything and passing along all our contact information to the neighbors again so they can call us with any concerns. We are hoping to start site work mid-April pending permits. Nancy Docktor suggested when the board goes over their policies that they look at the way they interview volunteers. She would recommend the full board during that process and not just a subcommittee. Caitlin Thomases noted she is a neighbor of the Reading Village project and she is here to voice her health concerns with this project and ask how they plan to implement their process. The dust is out of control. Yesterday there was a stop order because of dust but today they are back to work and the dust isn't any better. There is a large lack of communication between the developer and the residents. She wants the town to get answers to her questions. Mr. Friedmann asked the developer about the asbestos in the building and if they have all their clearance from DEP since it is a waste site. It was noted it is not a waste site and they have been cleared by DEP. Proclamations and Certificates of Recognition The board wanted to recognize the friends of reading recreation head coach and two assistant coaches of the middle school cross country team. Head Coach Dan Princic and Assistant Coaches Chris Ritondo and Kathy Kinney have been instrumental in advancing the FORR Middle School Cross Country Team Program, and its advancement to the State & National Championship and the Junior Olympics levels, and for their ignition and encouragement of a love of distance running in all young athletes with a focus on self improvement and always giving a best effort. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen issue certificates of recognition to Dan Princic, Chris Ritondo and Kathy Kinney. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. The board also wanted to recognize two new Eagle Scouts who will be receiving their awards this weekend at their ceremony. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen issue certificate of recognition to Bryan W Doucette.and Benjamin 3 House. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Town Manager Report Mr. LeLacheur noted there was a hazmat situation earlier at 30 Haven Street but it has been cleared and there is no situation remaining. The town warrant is ready to be picked up whenever-people wish. He also noted we received some grants for our building security project. Hearing - Approve Water/Sewer/ Storm Water Rates Mr. Ensminger moved to close the hearing on setting the FY19 water, sewer and storm water rates. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0-0,vote. Mr. Ensminger moved to set the FY2O19 water rate at $10 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of $20 effective with the December, 2018 billing; Moved to set the FY2019 sewer rate at $10.17 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of $20.34 effective with the December, 2018 billing; Page 1 2 And moved to set the Storm Water Rate at $60 per unit (3210 square feet) per year to be billed quarterly effective with the December, 2018 billing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Hearing - Postmark Square Loading Zone Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Attorney Brad Latham and developer Tom Connery were present for the request. They explained they are requesting an 8' x 39' public loading space. There will be no loss of parking along the street. Engineering and Public Safety had no issues with the request. The initial plan concerned Reading Cooperative Bank.as it was close to their driveway so they modified the plan and moved the space up more. It was noted this will be for all public use, not just for Postmark Square. It is designed for any short term use for anyone running a quick errand or unloading their car in that area. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing regarding the loading zone request for Sanborn Street. 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 loading zone request on Sanborn Street as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Hearing - Approve BOS Policies The board has been having an ongoing discussion about cleaning up their policies with regards to article 1, general operating procedures. Consensus reached was to move section 1.5 into section 2 because it fits better and makes more sense to have it there. Section 1.4, communication - Mr. LeLacheur researched four other towns' communication policies and they are very similar. The board discussed emails to the selectmen. It was noted that the town manager is copied on the emails that get sent to the whole board but if someone were to send an email to one individual selectman then he is not copied on those emails and doesn't know about them. It was also noted that any email to any selectman, no matter what, is public record. The group discussed Bob being copied on every email that is sent to the selectmen whether it be an individual or a group. Bob Kiley noted he understands residents may want some privacy when writing to a Selectman but if it is public record anyway, transparency is better and having the Town Manager copied on every email is the best way to go. Kate Kamineer noted she is shocked the Selectmen don't have town emails; nothing they should so they can be monitored. Mr. Ensminger moved to close the hearing on the Board of Selectmen Policies, Article 1 General Operating Procedures. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger moved to approve the Board of Selectmen Policies: Article 1 General Operating procedures as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. Berman wanted to clarify why they were going to change when the reorganization happens but now we're not. Mr. Friedmann feels they should reorganize right after the election. Page 1 3 Hearing - Birch Meadow Sunday Hours Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios and Recreation Administrator Jenna Fiorente were present to explain the request and to answer any questions from the board. Mr. Halsey recused himself as he also sits on the Reading Little League Softball Board. Ms. Fiorente wrote a memo to board outlining exactly what they are requesting. She noted they need more time for a few games and are requesting to start play at 9 AM on 3 specific Sundays this 2018 spring season. Mr. Friedmann noted he couldn't find where this would fall into their policy and is wondering why it got brought before them tonight. Mr. LeLacheur noted it is hidden in their policies and in past events the board has always taken a position. Mr. Berman noted that he read a lot of correspondence regarding this matter from the Recreation Committee and he unfortunately feels the need to say that being rude to our staff is absolutely uncalled for and will not be tolerated. Mr. Arena feels this is a good problem'to have. There is an abundance of little girls who want to play softball and we need to find time for them to play. One parent noted she fully supports this request because at the core we just don't have enough space for all our recreation programs. It is hard to schedule and no one wants to pit one program against another. She hopes this is constructive start to a long term solution. Alan Boyer noted this is not a permanent solution and this should be tabled until a permanent solution can be reached. Maureen Hurley noted she has 2 daughters-in the-league and this problem is a lack of poorly allocated space. We have tried to work this out with the men's league but they don't want to work with us. If you turn kids away now they will stop playing and teenagers make poor decisions like drugs.when they don't have extracurricular activities to keep them busy. She noted she has done her research and the men's league gets priority; they don't cooperate with us and the numbers show they have a much longer season and they have so much open time. Another parent noted whoever does the scheduling needs help allocating better. Bob Kamineer asked if the Killam fields are used and it was noted they are not suitable for play. Jon Ulrich wanted to remind everyone there's also a summer league we need space for too. A neighbor reminded the board not to lose site of all the neighbors these fields have. Petra Convoy noted she is a neighbor; she cherishes her Sunday mornings and she doesn't want to hear.kids playing. Bob Kiley noted this is slippery slope if you allow this; you will set a precedent. Mr. Friedmann noted he feels trapped here as a community. We want to have these girls able to play but the neighbors don't want the noise. Mr. Berman explained he is not interested in making this a permanent solution. They are only asking for 3 Sundays. He asked if there is any way they could start playing at 10 am so it's not so early and it was noted the scheduling would not work out if they started at 10. Page 14 Alan Boyer explained we are really only talking about 6 hours this whole season, it seems like a reasonable request. Kate Kamineer noted we need to let Jenna do her job at scheduling without interference from league coaches. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing regarding Sunday Hours at the Birch Meadow Field. Mr. Berman seconded the motion and it passed with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the Sunday Hours at Birch Meadow Field as presented. Mr. Berman seconded the motion and it was approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. Berman wanted to let everyone know that this is not a slippery slope and they do not intend to make this a permanent solution or for any other field. Mr. Arena noted this is a one-time exception to deal with this one season, one program, one field problem. Mr. Friedmann expressed he is not happy to be in this position as he doesn't want to take away people's Sunday mornings. He does not want to be back here in this position next year so hopefully staff can work this out for next year. Sunoco Station Discussion - 467 Main Street Property owner Ray Boghos and his Attorney Brian McGrail were present to explain their request to ,the board. The project.has already been before the CPDC and the PTTTF group and they recommended coming before the board asking for a'driveway waiver, an outdoor dining license and permission to put 3 parking spaces along Main Street. Boghos Properties will be building a 4 floor mixed use building with commercial space on the first floor and 3 floors with 31 rental units above. The fourth floor will be setback. The roof will be a common area for the residents of the building. David Cannon asked about the grilles on the roof and it was noted they have been approved by the fire department and they are hard piped grilles. The group discussed.the driveway waiver which is slightly under the 50' requirement from Main Street but it was noted the gate that allows people in and out of the parking area will be pushed back as to not cause a hold up of cars. The outdoor dining license is contingent upon whoever rents the commercial space and whether it is something they would want to pursue or not. If the renter did want to, they would still have to apply for an outdoor dining license that shows the seating layout and be approved before they could use it. The board asked about the three parallel parking spaces along Main Street and it was noted the curb cut in that section is extremely large that they would still have 7 feet of sidewalk where the parking spaces would be. The parking spaces would not be just for that property but for anyone in the area. The board felt they did not have any concerns with the request but they will wait to officially vote on them until after a hearing is posted. The board plans to advertise the hearing and vote at their next meeting on April 17tH Page 1 5 Change of D/B/A Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the Change of D/B/A for an Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License for Ristorante Pavarotti at 601 Main Street, Reading, MA. Mr. Berman Seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5-0-0 vote. It was noted they are changing the name of Ristorante Pavarotti to Zucca Italian Restaurant. Executive Session Mr. Ensminger moved that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive Session at 10:45 PM to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the Chair declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and not to reconvene in Open Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and the following roll call vote was taken: Halsey - Yes Ensminger - Yes Arena - Yes Berman - Yes Friedmann - Yes Page i 6