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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-25 Select Board Minutes � OFq Town of Reading RECEIVED :' Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK 6�{� READING, MA. L ''��IMoxY"• Board - committee - commission - council: 2111 AUG 20 PM 2: 44 Select Board Date: 2019-06-25 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Vanessa Alvarado, Andy Friedmann, Anne Landry, Mark Dockser Members - Not Present: John Halsey Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Bill Brown, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Michael Asci, Cynthia Asci, Jack Devir, Emily Sisson, Virginia Adams, Mary Ellen Killion, Pino D'Orazio, Amelia Freedman, Jonathan Barnes, Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Karen Herrick ' Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders Topics of Discussion: Liaison Reports Mr. Friedmann noted his 'office hour' next month will be August 10th from 9:30-10:30 am at Cafe Nero. The Board of Health discussed revising the monthly health agent report but did not come to a conclusion. Mr. Dockser attended the audit committee which yielded a clean audit. Reading 375 was a great success and Jams for Jake was also a wonderfully done event. Ms. Landry noted summer reading has started at the library. The ad-hoc to create a Human Rights Committee met and is looking at other towns and how they structure their similar committees. The Communications subcommittee is working on closing the loop with communicating with people who email the board. Ms. Alvarado noted the ZBA is working on the signage for Weston and Sampson who are requesting a large sign on top of the building. The Finance Committee, Bylaw Committee and Permanent Building Committee appointments are done. RMLD is working on a solar workshop. Town Manager Report Mr. LeLacheur attended a Weston & Sampson open house. The Finance committee meeting tomorrow night is cancelled due to quorum issues. Austin Prep let us have an active shooter ' training which was very helpful. DPH passed a new law regarding CBD which has created a tricky situation in town. There will be more to come on that in the upcoming weeks. The town's conservation administrator wrote a memo to the board regarding 1310 Main Street. At the last conservation meeting they noted they have no interest in this property but will support the Select Board in whatever they decide to do with this property in its Chapter 61 status. The board discussed this noting there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in Page 1 1 purchasing this land because it is not of any great use to the town. It's a small parcel with a large price tag. Public Comment lack Devir asked about gas main problem. Mr. LeLacheur noted you should see workers out ' there within a week. Bill Brown noted regarding the instructional motion from Town Meeting about Memorial Park, he suggests we ask the Attorney General to get involved and settle this. Tree Hearing Jay Gallagher, the owner of 119 Winthrop Ave has requested the approval to take down a tree in front of their house. He noted it is dropping huge branches and he believes it is a safety concern for his family and surrounding neighbors. Mike Hannaford, Parks Supervisor, noted the reason they had to deny the request is because the tree is healthy and they cannot take down healthy trees. A couple of neighbors came out to support the Gallaghers noting they do not think that tree is safe and worries for the family. Maryellen O'Neill advocated for the tree noting we can't start taking down healthy trees because a few branches fell down. Ms. Alvarado asked Mr. Hannaford, in his professional opinion, if the tree was safe. Mr. Hannaford noted the tree Is healthy, but he wouldn't want it in his yard. After Mr. Hannaford's comment the board seemingly agreed that they do not like taking down healthy trees but it seems this is more for safety of the family. The board discussed planting other, more appropriate, trees on that roadway after to which Mr. Hannaford agreed. Mr. Dockser moved that the board close the hearing regarding a tree removal request at 119 Winthrop Avenue. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Mr. Dockser then moved that the board approve the tree removal request at 119 Winthrop Avenue as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Police Officer Badge Pinning Deputy Chief Clark wanted to present to the board and pin two new officers of his. Joshua Griffith, who was pinned by his father, and Christopher Briere, was pinned by his mother. The board congratulated the new Officers and welcomed them to Reading. Birch Meadow Survey Results and Plans The Birch Meadow Mast Plan Subcommittee called to order. They presented the survey results in a PowerPoint to the board noting the biggest thing users of the fields want to see is bathrooms followed by more walking paths. The survey also had a few targeted questions asking if people were in favor of new/upgraded field ' lighting and early morning Sunday play (prior to noon). Both questions got an 80% response of people in favor for those. The board discussed the old imagination station and how to better utilize that space. They also agreed they think it is time to talk about early morning Sunday play again soon. Page 1 2 Depot Renovations The applicant did not show up. Historical Commission called to order. Jonathan Barnes, Chair of the HC, noted he has been in touch with the applicant and they have a few things to figure out. The HC will be requesting the applicant keep the original color of the building which was not their intentions in the proposal. The board added this to their July 9�h agenda in hopes the applicant will be present then. Depot Parking Sticker The board discussed some comments residents have brought up about the depot parking sticker. Some Ideas included a senior discount and a discount for a second car. The idea of have a placard that could be switched from car to car was discussed. Ms. Alvarado asked if the board could get the cost to maintain that lot. Mr. Dockser asked if the board could get the number of stickers purchased for the last couple years so we can see what happened when they hiked the price up. The board will discuss this again at a future meeting. Town Manager Goals Mr. LeLacheur went through his past FY19 goals noting the senior center discussions seem to be happening everywhere in town now. School space needs are coming at the next School Committee meeting. Mr. Friedmann asked about policies on customer feedback. He also is interested in employee retention and would like the see the numbers going back three years. ' Mr. Dockser wanted to know what customer service training is taking place. As far as his FY20 goals, he asked the board for some direction with the volunteerism goal. Mr. Friedmann thinks an onboarding manual will be very useful. Mr. Dockser believes a mentoring program would be useful as well. Eco-Friendly Initiatives The board discussed ways the town could try and be more eco-friendly. Mr. Dockser suggested solar panels on municipal buildings. Ms. Landry noted the state runs a `green community' program that assists communities with green initiatives. Mr. Friedmann expressed interest in working more/talking with the Climate Advisory Committee as this is their mission. Ms. Alvarado agreed also noting working more with RMLD for things like electric charging stations would be great. The board then went back to discussing 1310 Main Street and agreed if they had no interesting in purchasing the land, they should vote on it so they can let the other buyer move forward. Mr. Dockser moved that the board not pursue its right of first refusal at 1310 Main Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of June 41h, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. pane 3 Mr. Dockser moved to go into Executive Session at 10:34 PM to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the Chair declare that an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser - Yes Landry - Yes Friedmann - Yes Alvarado - Yes Page 14