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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-23 SB HandoutFR k Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda ,s39 +tNCOPpe� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Selectmen Date: 201,8 -01 -23 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Time: 7:00 PM 1018 JAN 18 P3=f j Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Agenda: Meeting Called By: Caitlin Saunders on behalf of Chairman John Arena Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays.. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk's hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in. an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format, handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: 1) Reports and Comments a. Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments b. Public Comment C. Town Manager'. s /Assistant Town Manager's Report 2) Open Session for topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting 3) Proclamations /Certificates of Appreciation 4) Personnel & Appointments 5) Discussion/Action Items a. Appoint Library Trustee 7:15 b. Review RCTV Cable Community Needs Assessment 7:45 C. Housing Production Plan 8:15 d. Wayfinding Presentation 8:45 e. Discuss Downtown Parking Process 9:15 f. Overview of.BOS Meeting on 1/30 9:45 6) Approval of Minutes 7) Licenses, Permits and Approvals 8) Executive Session 9) Correspondence a. Legal Budget Document b. Email from Joanne Senders; re: Girl Scouts Proclamation request C. Correspondence from Xfinity; re: Contact Change d. Correspondence from David Monaha; re: Depot Sticker Fee e. Correspondence from National Grid; re: Yearly Operational Plan f. Email from Etain O'Dea, re: Override g. Email from Verizon, re: LFA Notification h. Correspondence from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, re: Open Meeting Law Complaint This Agenda has been prepared In advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed C at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily Include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page 1 1 Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:38 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Agenda Item: Overview of BOS Meeting on 1/30 BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(@ci.readina.ma.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: Kate Goldlust [mailto:kgoldlust @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:14 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: RE: Agenda Item: Overview of BOS Meeting on 1/30 Dear Members of the Board of Selectmen, As you meet tonight to discuss the format of the 1/30 meeting for the vote on the Override I ask that you allow for Public Comment prior to your deliberations and final vote. This decision will impact all residents and it is imperative to hear from residents prior to the vote. While it can be gleaned from the BOS survey that the dollar amount ask from the previous override was too high it was not the only reason it did not pass. The Town Manager has used his expertise to propose a restructured budget that ensures our town will be run. safely and responsibly. The School Administration has used their areas of expertise to propose a restructured budget that will allow not only teachers to be retained and rehired but one that will allow our district to be responsible to the advancing state standards and level of education that people moved here for in the first place, my family included. Again I ask you to consider all input, not only the August survey, but public comment related to these December & January budget discussions, before taking a final vote. Sincerely, Kate Goldlust 112 Spruce Road Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:38 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Support for the Reading town override BOS packet Robert W LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(cDci. readin a. ma. us (P) 781 -942 -9043, (F) 781 -942 -9037 www.readingma.goy 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: Rosie Martel -Foley [ mailto :rosiemartelfoleyabgmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:20 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Support for the Reading town override Hello, As a Reading resident I am writing to voice my support for the upcoming override vote for the full amount the schools have requested of $2.436M. I hope you will allow public comment before the January 30th meeting and vote. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Rosie Rosie Martel -Foley rosiemartelfoleyggmail.com 68 Pine Ridge Road, Reading, MA 01867 860 - 874 -8456 o Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:39 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Concerns for the override BOS packet From: Erin Gaffen [mailto:erinaaffen@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:27 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Concerns for the override Dear Mr. Arena, Mr. Berman, Mr. Ensminger, Mr. Friedmann, and Mr. Halsey, We are grateful for all of the time and energy that has gone into this year's budget presentations. We have shared a lot of long meetings and late nights with you all. We are writing today to urge you to continue this budget process in a collaborative and inclusive manner. The format for your meeting on 1/30/18 is on the agenda tonight. We hope that you will choose to allow public questions and comments at the start of your meeting on the 30th, before you deliberate on an override number, and certainly before you vote on one. You have been given a second chance to get this override right and we hope that you will listen to the voters in order to do so. We are also deeply concerned that the override number be truly reflective of the needs that the School Committee and Town Manager have identified. Their expertise should be thoughtfully and heavily considered. The number needs to carry us for several years so that we can avoid having to go back to the voters for another override too soon. We also realize that the number must be significantly lower than what was asked for in 2016, but we feel that the identified needs from both the schools and the town fulfill these requirements. Unfortunately, we are still hearing far too often about mistrust. We have deep concerns about how we will be able to assist in passing the override if the residents are not included in the conversation to set an amount and if the amount decided upon is not enough to properly fund town and school services. Last night, we were disheartened by Mr. Arena's comments near the end of the meeting. The School Committee has repeatedly stated that they did not wish to prioritize their override list and instead wanted to present it as a full picture of what the schools need moving forward. Mr. Arena stated that he hoped the School Committee was prioritizing behind the scenes so that they would be prepared in the event that the override number was lower than their need. In introducing himself as the chair of the Board of Selectmen, he appeared to be speaking on behalf of the board; and telling the School Committee that they are not going to get the amount that they need to fund the schools. This sends the message that determining the override amount is not a collaborative process and has the potential to become yet another mistrust issue. This complicates our efforts to assist in the passage of an override. Thank you as always for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Erin Gaffen & Michele Sanphy *I Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:06 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Over Ride BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaerPci.readina.ma. us (P) 781 -942- 9043, (1=) 781 -942 -9037 www.readinc�ma.�ov 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: The Deckers DECKER [ mailto:tripledecks@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:06 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Over Ride Dear Selectmen, Please allow public comment before the January 30th meeting. I also wish to request that the Reading Public Schools receive the full amount they requested. Thank you, Robin Decker 18 Winter Street Reading, MA 01867 Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:01 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: 1/30 Meeting and Override BOS packet Robert W LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(o)ci. reading. ma. us (P) 781 -942- 9043; (F) 781- 942 -9037 www.readinama.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: heatherksylvester(- agmail.com [ mailto :heatherksylvester(@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Heather McLean Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 3:43 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: 1/30 Meeting and Override Hello Selectmen- I am writing to encourage you to allow public comment before the January 30th meeting. I also encourage you to vote that the school committee get the full amount of funding that they recently voted on. I think our schools need that funding to be able to continue to provide excellent education to our young people in Reading, and not just ride on reputation alone. Thanks for your consideration as always - Heather McLean Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:02 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Agenda for 1/30 and override discussion BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(@ci.readina.ma.us (P) 781 -942- 9043, (F) 781 - 942-9037 vvww.readin�ma.aov 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: Anne Johnson Landry [ mailto:anne.johnson5 @amail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 3:52 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Agenda for 1/30 and override discussion Hi all: I respectfully request that when you set the agenda for your meeting on 1/30, you provide opportunity for public comment relative to the override early in the evening/meeting. It is becoming increasingly clear that our town's needs are serious and cannot be met through the balanced budgets that have been proposed. The cutting of the middle school language program alone will have consequences for decades to come. We do a disservice to our community by underfunding public safety and asking our town employees to work and do more with and for less. I ask that you set the override amount to meet as many of the needs that have been laid out by the town and schools as possible, recognizing that the amount will be less than what was on the ballot in 2016. I am greatly concerned that if you put an amount on the ballot that is too small, we will find ourselves again- and soon- in a similar situation as that in which we currently find ourselves- of operational shortfall and of gutting town and school services. And if we go back to the voters too soon, the community will have little appetite to authorize another override "so soon" and our community will become one that fails to meet the needs of its residents and adequately prepare the next generation of citizens. I understand your task is not an easy one, and I thank you for your service. Many thanks for your consideration, Anne Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:02 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: please allow public comment BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(o)ci. reading. ma. us (P) 781 - 942 -9043, (F) 781 - 942 -9037 www.readinkma-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: Megan Fidler -Carey [ma ilto : mega n.fidlercarey @amaiLcom] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 3:57 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: please allow public comment Dear Select Board of Reading, Thank you so much for the many hours you have spent in recent weeks /months on this budget and the many complicated facets involved. I am writing to you today to ask that you please allow public comment before your vote on Jan. 30 on the override amount. I know it goes without saying but just as you all have put in countless hours, so have many other thoughtful, dedicated, and very committed people in the town. Thank you in advance for honoring this request and again, thank you for all you do. Megan Fidler- Carey, 64 Charles Street Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:02 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Please hear people out before you vote on override amount BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaeer(@ci.readine.ma.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 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: marionna sabia [ mailto:marionnasabia @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:00 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Please hear people out before you vote on override amount Dear board of selectmen. I'm writing you as a concerned resident of Reading. urge you to please hear people out before you vote on an amount for the override. Also - in my opinion should the education system with schools and teachers and especially the middle school foreign languages have priority and receive the full amount the school committee is asking for. Thanks for considering my request. Marionna Sabia 75 Cross Street Sent from my iPhone 9-6 Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:42 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Public comment needed prior to override vote on 1/30 BOS packet From: J Ross [mailto:jccjulie@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:41 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Public comment needed prior to override vote on 1/30 Dear Members of the Board of Selectmen, I am writing to express concern over the request made to the School Committee last night by Chairman Arena for a prioritized budget list as they were determining the amount of a potential override ask that would best fit the needs of the students of Reading. I am not able to attend tonight's meeting due to family obligations but I will be watching and implore you to allow public comment prior to voting on an override amount at your meeting on January 30, 2018. Much time and energy was put into the survey to figure out why the override failed. The ask was too high and that was clear but that is not the only reason why it failed. It appears that Chairman Arena may be focusing on an amount that voters will easily accept rather than what the number will get us or for how long. The school administration worked for countless hours to come up with a balanced budget that included devastating cuts. They then worked to determine what they would need to repair the damage that had been done by past cuts if an override finally passed. It seems that the suggestion at last night's meeting by the Chair is all but ignoring the recommendations by those whom I would consider to be experts, and rather focusing on a number that voters can accept without much effort to explain why the School Committee's proposal of $2.4 mil is what is best for kids. I wouldn't want the Board telling the Fire or Police Chiefs what they need for their staff to be effective and it is not the job of the Board to make decisions that our School Committee was elected to make. Difficult conversations need to be had and hard work is ahead of us but if we go into this override asking for too little, the trust gap will resurface (I would suspect stronger than ever) when in a year or two we need to once again ask voters for an override. I volunteered to help educate voters for the last override and I'm willing to spend time away from my family and other responsibilities to do it all over again (and I'm happy to say that our support is gaining steam) but if this ask is too low, I and others will have a hard time selling it to voters knowing that it will not be what is best for our town and schools. The Board needs to do what is right by the town rather than what is easy. I saw many of you at the meetings over the last couple of weeks and appreciate your dedication. I know that you understand the magnitude of this issue and you know that if we don't do this right, it will have a lasting impact on our town and schools. Use your position to help Reading continue to be the place we are proud to call our hometown and trust that those who elected you will listen. Sincerely, Julie Ross Kensington Ave. Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:09 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: override discussion BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr, C'F'A Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(a)ci. reading. ma. us (P) 781 -942- 9043, (F) 781 - 942 -9037 www.readinpmg.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: Shawn Brandt [mailto:shawn.brandtOgmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 11:39 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: override discussion Gentlemen, My understanding is that your meeting this evening will include a discussion of how you'll approach setting an override amount on the 30th. I want to strongly encourage that any approach include an explicit opportunity for public comment. I watched the SC meeting last night, and was a little bit concerned by Mr. Arena's comments at the end, which seemed to imply that he leans toward a number that would not meet the school's restorative budget request. Asking for an insufficient override today, as a practical matter, may hamper the town for years given the appetite to go back again soon. Our schools are slipping, and when the reputation catches up with reality, everybody in this town will pay a price in the form of property values. To be blunt, I worry that the Chairman may pursue a strategy that satisfies the most voters, vs. the one that is right for the town in the long- term. While my concern may well be completely unfounded, I would also suggest that this appearance of a potential conflict of interest should inform the BOS as you consider the rules regarding selecting a Chair in the future. Thanks, Shawn Brandt 231 Franklin Street �a Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:11 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: Determining amount of override BOS packet Hobert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaaer(a)ci. reading. ma. us (P) 781 -942 -9043; (P) 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: Alice Collins [mailto:acollins23 @verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:10 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Determining amount of override Please, please allow public comment before the vote determining the amount of the override at your January 30`h meeting. Residents want to voice their opinions on this, especially considering that many folks feel the amount was instrumental in losing the last override. In the interest of transparency, I urge you to determine that public comment will be appropriate. Also, for the record, I strongly support the entire $2.4 million the school committee voted was needed to fund the schools. Thank you for your consideration. Alice Collins \3 Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:05 PM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: [Reading MA] Override (Sent by Amy Cole, acole27 @comcast.net) BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanaizer @ci.readinR.ma.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 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 11:29 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: [Reading MA] Override (Sent by Amy Cole, acole27 @comcast.net) Hello Board of Selectmen, Amy Cole (acole27 @comcast.net) has sent you a message via your contact form (https: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA. If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at _h_ttps: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /edit. Message: I am writing to request time for public comment at the meeting on 1/30 before you vote on an amount for the override. The public should be heard before you determine the amount. I sincerely hope the board is giving full weight to the total funds needed as outlined by both the town and schools. Anything else, in my view, amounts to choosing an arbitrary number based on an unscientific assessment of what the voters will tolerate. The board can set the amount based on what the town and schools have requested and it will still be well below the amount asked for last time. I have been advocating for an override since 2015 and I honestly cannot say that I will be able to continue to advocate for one that does not meet the full needs of the schools and the town. Sincerely, Amy Cole Bartlett Cir Saunders, Caitlin From: Sent: To: LeLacheur, Bob Tuesday, January 23, 2018 12:05 PM Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: [Reading MA] $2.4M school funding; public comment before 01/30 (Sent by Ben Ream, breart)1221 @gmail.com) BOS packet Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. CFA Town Manager, Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867 townmanager @ci.reading.ma.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 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 11:30 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: [Reading MA] $2.4M school funding; public comment before 01/30 (Sent by Ben Ream, bream1221 @gmail.com) Hello Board of Selectmen, Ben Ream (bream1221 @gmail.com) has sent you a message via your contact form (https: / /www.readingma.goy /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA. If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at https: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /edit. Message: Hello, I am asking you to approve the full $2.4M funding for Reading Public Schools. Maintaining Reading's high educational standards benefit everybody. Don't cherry-pick or line -item these essential programs. Approve the full $2.4M for Reading schools. It is also important that you provide opportunities for Public Comment prior to the vote on 01/30. 1 know the Board will welcome the considered input of Reading voters on votes of this magnitude. This is my first email to the Board. I am encouraged that my voice will be heard. Ben Ream 972 Main Street �5 Reading 781 - 942 -7884 410 Saunders, Caitlin From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 11:53 AM To: Saunders, Caitlin Subject: FW: [Reading MA] Winter Parking Rules (Sent by Mary and James Soucy, mjfs @verizon.net) BOS packet - - - -- Original Message---- - From: vtsdmailer @vt -s.net [mailto:vtsdmailer @vt- s.net] Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 10:36 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: [Reading MA] Winter Parking Rules (Sent by Mary and James Soucy, mifs @verizon.net) Hello Board of Selectmen, Mary and James Soucy (mifs @verizon.net) has sent you a message via your contact form (https: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /contact) at Reading MA. If you don't want to receive such e- mails, you can change your settings at https: / /www.readingma.gov /user /475 /edit. Message: Is it time for the Town to consider replacing the overnight winter parking ban with one geared to actual forecasts versus the calendar? The chore of juggling cars every night seems unnecessary when no snow is forecast for days ahead. Could the police robo -call system be used to notify residents when snow is actually expected instead and that cars will be ticketed if plowing is expected? Thank you for your consideration of this idea. I