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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-12 Select Board Minutes gip OF ry�Q' Town of Reading - o� Meeting Minutes RECEIVED " . TOWN CLERK ' READING, MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2019 APR 23 PN 31 Select Board Date: 2019-03-12 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Draft Attendees: Members - Present: Andy Friedmann, Vanessa Alvarado, Barry Berman, John Halsey, Dan Ensminger Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Deputy Police Chief David Clark, Lt Christine Amendola, Safety Officer Michael Scouten, residents: Barbara Melanson, Morgan D'Entremont, Carl McFadden, Carlo Bacci, Mark Dockser, Nancy Docktor, Bill Brown, Elizabeth Gomez, Kristyn Kaupas, Kristen Swartz, Maureen McArdle, Noel Fennessy, Ron O'Keefe, Rosemary Murphy, Gina Snyder, Will Finch Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Mr. Friedmann called the meeting to order noting that a former member of the Select Board Camille Anthony had recently passed. He invited another former member, Ben Tafoya, to speak a few words about her. Ben Tafoya noted Camille spent 18 years on the Board of Selectmen, as it was called back then. She spoke to everyone and always had a smile on her face no matter the conversation. She participated in many things while on the board and long lasting Initiatives. She will be missed by many. Mr. Friedmann then held a moment of silence for Camille Anthony. Liaison Reports Mr. Ensminger started off his reporting thanking Ben Tafoya for his kind words also noting he served on the Board with Camille as well. He noted the subcommittee regarding the Town Manager review process will be meeting to finish up Thursday and they will present their Ideas at the next meeting. Mr. Berman explained Camille Anthony is the reason he is on this board. She talked to him when he expressed he was first interested. He also noted, on this day six years ago we hired our Town Manager Bob LeLacheur. Tomorrow night the Wakefield ZBA is holding another meeting on the project that borders Reading. Last but not least, he would like to report a Reading parent Theresa Wiggins is holding workshops for parents to help them learn how to talk to their kids about inclusion. She is doing this free of charge to help people learn how to be inclusive of everyone. Page 1 1 Mr. Halsey noted the board has been getting quite a few emails from convenient stores and gas stations requesting the town create a beer and wine package store license. He thinks this should go on a future agenda for the board to discuss. He also mentioned Camille , Anthony and how her work here in Reading is legendary. Ms. Alvarado also noted Camille Anthony urged her to run for Select Board and a big reason she is here today. She explained the Rec Committee is looking at requests for earlier start times on Sunday. She believes this is a good topic for a future agenda. Mr. Friedmann commented Camille Anthony was truly a great person. Reading 375 had another successful trivia night. He also would like to nominate Ms. Alvarado to give the report to Town Meeting on the RMLD Instructional Motion. The board had no objections to that. Town Manager's Report Mr. LeLacheur gave a quick background on the history of liquor licenses in town mostly noting that if the board wanted to create a beer and wine package store license it would have to go to Town Meeting and the voters to decide. Public Comment Mr. Brown noted they still need to fill the Custodian of Solider and Sailors graves volunteer opening but noted the cemetery department and volunteers will make sure the markers are out for Memorial Day ceremonies. Nancy Docktor noted her concerns about the requests for beer and wine package store licenses stating that Is public safety and health concerns and thinks RCASA should be consulted and have a say in this matter as well. She also asked again if Deputy Chief Clark's salary was increased when he took over. Minutes ' Ms. Alvarado moved that the board approve the meeting minutes from February 13th, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Appoint Town Accountant The Charter requires the Town Accountant to be appointed on a yearly basis to be done in March and effective July ln. The board unanimously agreed Sharon Angstrom is great and should be reappointed. Ms. Alvarado moved that the Board appoint Sharon Angstrom as Town Accountant for a term expiring June 30, 2020, consistent with the requirements of Reading Home Rule Charter Article 6.3. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and approved with a 5-0 vote. Change in Beneficial Interest The town received a request from Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza for a change in beneficial interest. This has to go before the board because they hold an annual all alcoholic beverages license. There will be no change in management or the day-to-day operations. The Police Department has no concerns regarding this matter. Ms. Alvarado moved that the Board approve the change in beneficial interest for an Annual All Alcohol Liquor License, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, at 48 Walkers Brook Drive, as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Hearing - Haverhill Street Speed Limit Reduction Deputy Chief Clark, Safety Officer Scouten and Lt. Amendola were present to address the board in this hearing. Page 1 2 They presented results of traffic studies they conducted noting Haverhill Street has 3 different speed limits going from the rotary into North Reading. They would like to make the road one consistent speed and lower that speed to 30 mph. They would also like to ask Engineering to do a traffic study possibly putting a light at Franklin and Haverhill. Mr. Ensminger confirmed the school zone would stay 20 mph per usual. Mr. Berman supports the consistent change to 30 mph and the light at Franklin study. Mr. Halsey asked if there was a reason they picked specifically 30 mph, not that he disagrees. The Deputy Chief noted they picked 30 because it is a long, windy, thickly settled road and people tend to do slightly over the posted speed limit anyway. A resident from 26 Batchelder Road suggested a 4 way stop Instead of a light at Franklin and Haverhill. A Haverhill Street resident noted there are not enough speed limit signs along the road and suggested the electronic ones as those grab people's attention better. Kristen Coppas, a Timberneck resident, would like a blinking light at her street. She likes the idea of reducing all of Haverhill down to 30 mph but Is still concerned about rush hour traffic. Rosemary of 44 Batchelder Road noted she likes the 4 way stop sign idea better than the light. John Sullivan of 556 Haverhill Street thinks a light at Franklin will cause more traffic. Brian O'Mara of Batchelder Road is in favor of the uniform speed along Haverhill but would like 35 mph not 30. He also would not like a light at Franklin. Tim Procopio of 551l Haverhill asked if reducing the size of vehicles allowed on that road was possible. Jeff Marshall supports the lowering of the speed limit. Elizabeth Gomez supports the 30 mph change and would like more signage in general. She also wants a blind driveway sign for her driveway. Kristen Stortz of 240 Haverhill Street is in favor of the 30 mph change and noted the traffic during school hours is terrible. Sean Glen of 367 Haverhill is also in support of lowering the speed limit and the study of the Franklin street intersection. Jim Taylor noted a police presence greatly helps and would like a light at Charles Street too. Dan of 419 Haverhill asked if any studies show that when a speed limit is lowered the volume of cars decreases. Kristen Coppas would also like more crosswalks. The board seemed to be in agreement with lowering the speed limit to 30 mph. Ms. Alvarado moved that the Board close the hearing regarding the speed limit ' change on Haverhill Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger and approved with a 5-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved that the Board approve Amendment 2019-1 to the Town of Reading Traffic and Parking Regulations, reducing the speed limit on the entire Page 1 3 length of Haverhill Street, as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger moved that the board take the agenda out of order and discuss the water rates now. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved unanimously. 1 Hearing - Water. Sewer. Stormwater Rates J Town Manager Bob LeLacheur gave a quick update on what is going on with water and sewer at the moment and the future budget. Mr. Halsey wanted to take a minute to ask if now was a good time to have the second water meter discussion incase It would Impact how they vote the rates. Mr. LeLacheur noted If the board does have interest in moving forward with a second water meter we would need time to implement that. Mr. LeLacheur noted water is up 2.2% and sewer Is up 8.6%. He noted, basically were selling more water due to our population growth. He noted there is $5.5 million in the water reserves and $5.2 million in the sewer reserves. He then gave the board some numbers on what rates should be depending on how much they decide to use from the reserves and a historical chart of what they have done In the past few years. The future of water and sewer rates are going up. 33% of water and 75% of sewer rates are determined by the MWRA. The idea should be to sell more water but continue to conserve. FY20 Storm Water budget decreases about $140k due to temporary lull in capital projects but increases are expected ahead. Reserves are not generated by usage, but only bemuse past spending was below what was budgeted, our collections were unexpectedly strong. The $60 Storm water rate can be maintained for FY20 without a change but an increase to $80 or $100 is on the horizon with future capital spending. Mark Dockser asked what the reserve numbers should look like if we wanted to have more ' than necessary for emergency and perhaps have some to start doing other work we need to do as well. Bill Brown noted the storm water management is a tax. Gina Snyder asked how the MWRA sets the rates for Reading. She also noted she thinks allowing a second water meter Is a bad Idea. We are supposed to be conserving water and the idea of a second water meter completely goes against that. Will Finch also agreed that allowing second water meter is a bad idea. The burden of the second water meter would just shift to other rate payers. Bill Brown noted he does not support second water meters either. Gina Snyder suggested the board look at tiered water rates instead of second water meters. Ms. Alvarado moved that the Board close the hearing on setting Water, Sewer and Storm Water rates for FY20. Mr. Berman seconded the motion and It was approved with a 5-0 vote. The board then started discussing what numbers they were comfortable with. Mr. LeLacheur suggested using a $1.1 mil or less of reserves for water and sewer and keep the storm water rate the same at $60 per household Flat rate. Mr. Halsey noted he would like to use the full $1.1 million this year to help out our , taxpayers as much as we can. Mr. Ensminger suggest doing 75% reserves for both water and sewer. Mr. Berman suggested using last years number for water and 75% for sewer. Page 14 Ms. Alvarado suggested using 90% for water and 80% sewer. Mr. Halsey noted whichever way it is split is immaterial but will not vote for using anything less than $1.1 million noting our tax payers have been hit hard and there is more to come. Ms. Alvarado noted we should use a little less this year in preparation for needing more next year. She suggested we use $900k this year. Mr. Friedmann would like to give the taxpayers relief but also keep some reserves for the future. The board tried to circle around an agreeable number. Using $550k for water and $350k for sewer totaling $900,000 of reserves being used. Mr. Halsey suggested using more for sewer noting it is not substantial to our budget but is to household which would be 100% for water and 75% for sewer. Mr. Berman noted they have $900,000 on the table and $1.1 million on the table and suggested just going right down the middle and using a million in reserves. The board finally agreed. Ms. Alvarado moved to set the FY2020 water rate at $10.37 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of $20.74 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to set the FY2020 sewer rate at $11.03 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum quarterly bill of$22.06 effective with the December, 2019 billing; Moved to set the Storm Water Rate at $60 per unit (3210 square feet) per year to be billed quarterly effective with the December, 2019 billing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ensminger. Mr. Halsey asked what the total of reserves is being used again and It was noted this motion on the table would use $1 million. Mr. Halsey wanted to make his feelings known that he fully believes that they should be using the full $1.1 million that Mr. LeLacheur noted they could use without jeopardizing their capital. To not use it all and help the tax payers is not something he can vote for. The board voted 3-2 to approve the motion on the floor. Hearing - Amend Select Board Policies Articles 1 and 2 Mr. Ensminger and Mr. Friedmann have been working on redoing the policies of article 1 - operating procedures and article 2 - boards, committees and commissions. Mr. Ensminger took the board thru their changes with a bold and cross out version of the document also noting Town Counsel has seen and made some comments on the document as well. Ms. Alvarado noted she has a some questions that may require Town Counsel advice and would like to have some more time to go over the document. The board agreed they could all make some comments and send them along to Bob to add to the document and then take it up with everyone's comments at the next meeting. Mr. Ensminger made a motion to continue the hearing until March 26, 2019 at 9 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0 vote. Appoint Members to ad hoc Committee on Human Rights The board has to officially appoint some members before their next meeting. Ms. Alvarado moved that the Board appoint the following nominees to the ad hoc Committee on Human Rights with a term expiring on November 30, 2019 when the Page 1 5 committee will sunset: Deputy Chief David Clark; Lisa Egan; Josh Goldlust; Russ Graham; Lori Hodin; Shirella Lastrade; Gina Beck McCormick and Reverend Kyung Lyul Yu. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0 vote. The board discussed next meetings agenda and Mr. Friedmann asked if any members have any other topics they would like to see added to the agenda. Mr. Berman suggested inviting Weston and Sampson in and letting them tell us why they decided to move to Reading. Ms. Alvarado felt that wouldn't be the best idea because we don't do this for every business that comes into town. She noted they are a very large company and is happy they are here but doesn't see the need for them to come to a meeting because we have never done anything like this before. Mr. Ensminger and Halsey agreed it doesn't seem necessary. After the board discussed the packed agenda for next meeting Mr. Ensminger moved to reconsider his last motion continuing the Policy hearing to 9 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Ensminger moved to continue the hearing regarding the Select Board Policies to March 26, 2019 at B PM instead. The motion was seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved with a 5-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved that board adjourn at 11:05 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. Berman and approved with a 5-0 vote. Page 1 6