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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-02 Select Board Minutes O� Or RrgQi Town of Reading Meeting Minutes I _ Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 28i1 NOV 19 PM 2: 26 Select Board Date: 2018-10-02 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Andy Friedmann, Barry Berman, Vanessa Alvarado, Dan Ensminger, John Halsey Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Town Assesor Victor Santaniello, State Representatives Jim Dwyer and Brad Jones, Senator Lewis, Bill Brown, Shawn Brandt, Lisa Egan, Cadance,Thomases Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Liaison Reports Mr. Friedmann started by noting there was a Flyer that went out about the rodent problem In town. He also made mention that the Climate Advisory Committee will be discussing asking the board for electric vehicle charging stations on town property. Mr. Berman reminded everyone the downtown parking and economic development discussion will be at the Library on October 171h at 7:00 PM. Public Comment Bill Brown made a suggestion regarding the grant we received to hire more firefighters explaining we could put the money from the override into a stabilization fund for Fire department use only. It was noted the Finance Committee did discuss this a little bit at their meeting recently and it will likely be discussed at their financial forum next week. Lisa Egan from the Chamber of Commerce would like to make a statement on behalf of Reading business' pleading with the board to keep the single tax rate. She explained Governor Baker signed a bill that will be raising the minimum wage among other things that ' will put a huge strain on the businesses. They can't afford a split tax rate also. Cadance Thomases asked if there were any updates on the Lincoln/Prescott project. Mr. LeLacheur noted he heard there was a neighborhood meeting coming up soon. Ms. Thomases noted they should have a parking lot the workers should be parking at and not on the street. Page 1 1 Ms. Cellos responded noting they only learned about the parking problem last week. She called the developer as soon as she found out and told them we will not tolerate all their vehicles on the street. Ms. Thomases feels the town makes agreements with the developers but then does not ' follow thru with enforcing them. Close Warrant Ms. Alvarado made a motion the Select Board close the warrant for the State Election to be held on November 6u', 2018. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Town Manaaer's Report Mr. LeLacheur explained there will be a test of the state emergency wireless system tomorrow at 2:18 PM. If you receive the notification, it is not a real emergency,just a test. He then noted Erica MacNamara has decided to come back to Reading and resume her position as the director of RCASA. Lastly, he would like to thank the Chronicle for posting a correction in the paper regarding an article about North Reading and the MWRA. Proclamations Mr. Berman made a motion to grant a proclamation to Girl Scout Troop 73709 for their project earning them their Silver Award. For their project, they outfitted a playroom, waiting room and library at Capernaum Place, a transitional housing facility for homeless women and children in Lawrence. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 5-0 vote. Legislative Update ' Our State Representatives Jim Dwyer and Brad Jones along with State Senator Lewis came to visit the board for a quick state update. Rep. Jones talked budgets noting that Chapter 90 funds have an extra $40 Million in it this year. Senator Lewis noted the economy is very strong right now and briefly explained using the chapter 90 funds for safety and things like rapid Flashing beacons at cross walks. Mr. Ensminger thanked Rep. Dwyer for all his hard work as he is retiring. Mr. LeLacheur echoed Mr. Ensminger's thoughts. Review Senior Tax Relief Town Assessor Victor Santanielio was present to assist the board. Last year the board voted to relieve the qualifying seniors at 200%. Mr. Santaniello provided some numbers that show 61 people who filed last year did not rile again this year. This could be for many reasons; i.e. the money they received last year knocked them out of the qualifying bracket for this year, they may have moved or even passed away; however, there is no way to know. The board discussed doing relief at 1 or 1.5 this year to see if more people would apply/qualify so they can help as many as possible. Mr. Halsey noted he would be fine with adjusting down and see what happens because there ' is no way to predict it otherwise. Mr. Berman noted he wanted to do 100% last year but he also doesn't want to do anything extreme by going from 200% down to 100% so he would be in favor of matching at 1.5 this year. Page 1 2 Ms. Alvarado made a motion to fund senior relief at a factor of 1.5 (150%). The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and approved with a 5-0 vote. Preview Tax Classification Mr. Santaniello noted he would like to figure out what the board is thinking so he has a direction to prepare for the hearing next week. The board discussed splitting the rate to 1.02 shift with some members notably against any kind of a split. The board then decided to give Victor a range of numbers they would like to see next week for the hearing. The range included everything from 1 — 1.1 with a motion from Mr. Berman. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved with a 5-0 vote. The board then briefly discussed the money surrounding the fire department and the grant they received to help hire more firefighters. Town Accountant Update Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom gave the board a brief update from the finance department. She noted they are having a hard time hiring help and recently lost a candidate due to vacation time. She noted the year close happened on September 611. She does not have the free cash number yet however it does look positive. Water, sewer and storm water revenues are all up. The auditors have started their preliminary work and the Schools end of the year report was submitted on time. Minutes Ms. Alvarado made a motion approve the September 111" minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and approved with a 5-0 vote. Executive Session At 10:06 PM Ms. Alvarado moved that the board go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the chair declare than an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and passed with the following roll call vote: Halsey — Yes Alvarado — Yes Ensminger — Yes Berman — Yes Friedmann - yes Page 1 3