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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-04 Select Board Minutes o� OFq� Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN RK READING, MA. c, a. 't Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2111 JUL 30 PM 4: 36 Select Board Date: 2019-06-04 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Vanessa Alvarado, John Halsey, Anne Landry, Andy Friedmann, Mark Dockser Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders; Alan Foulds, Bill Sullivan, Jeanne Borawski, Francis Burke Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders ' Topics of Discussion: Ms. Alvarado called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Liaison Reports Ms. Landry noted the ad-hoc human relations advisory committee set a regular meeting schedule for twice a month. They discussed the issue that was raised at the last meeting about non-residents being allowed on boards and noted there was a lot of mixed feelings on that topic. Mr. Dockser attended the RMLD Audit Committee meeting and noted they had a clean audit. He also wanted to let the board know that people seem to appreciate when he answers and acknowledges their emails, even if he doesn't have an answer to their questions they like knowing someone read their email and is looking into it. Ms. Alvarado noted the VASO has wrapped up all their interviews and they will be making their recommendations to the board later in the evening. Opening night for 375 was a tremendous hit and had a great turnout. Town Manager Report Mr. LeLacheur noted the Haverhill Street issue is in the hands of PTT-TF right now. Town Assessor Victor Santaniello will be coming to see the board in August to start talking about Senior Tax Relief efforts; if the board could start thinking about their questions and comments ahead of time and send them to Bob. The Taste of Metro North is next week. The ' town is currently working with Austin Prep to try and improve from drainage issues over there while they are doing field improvements. Public Comment Jeanne Borawski just wanted to comment how wonderfully successful opening night was for Reading's 375; it surpassed all their expectations. Page 1 1 Alan Foulds then reminded everyone the next event is tomorrow night at the Pleasant Street center and then this weekend kicks off with Tavern at the Tavern Friday night. FY20 Election Schedule Town Clerk Laura Gemme was before the board to explain the upcoming election schedule ' and possibilities. There will be 4 elections in 2020. Historically the town has combined the Presidential primary and the local election. Her request next year though is to keep those separate mainly due to amount of staff she would need to have on the one day and for early voting. Although it would save us some money combining the two, the amount of staff needed would be hard to find. Some members of the board noted turnout is generally better with a combine election. The board noted they will put this on a future agenda to discuss further. Town Forest Thinning Proiect Bill Sullivan gave the board a great presentation on their plans to thin the forest and keep it healthy. There are a lot of dead trees around the council area in the forest that is used a lot by the scouts. There is also invasion of buckthorn that can take over the forest. They want to try and cutout some of that invasive species to keep it from growing. The committee did a Forest Management Plan in 2010 which suggests selective tree removal. They have gotten help from a certified forester to prove this process is helpful to a healthy forest. The council ring is a good area to do because the machines can get in there with minimal disruption to the forest. Mr. Sullivan laid out their next steps in the process. Mr. Friedmann noted this was a great presentation and plan they have in place. Mr. Dockser thinks the committee should emphasize this plan to thin the forest is for safety as well. He thinks that notion would really stand out to people. Mr. Halsey agreed with Mr. Dockser noting that space gets used a lot and the fact that it is , unsafe with all the dead trees now is scary so this is for safety purposes. Ms. Alvarado asked about replanting and Mr. Sullivan noted that happens naturally. A000int Boards and Committees Ms. Alvarado noted that the VASC, which is Mr. Friedmann and herself, has interviewed incumbents and new volunteers over the past month. She noted most of the recommendations from VASC are straight forward but would let the committee know which ones they had to make a decision on and why they are recommending the way they are. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member John Miles to the Animal Control Appeals Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint Incumbent member Brendan Zarechian to the Board of Assessors for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Caitlin Salmon to the Board of Cemetery Trustees for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Ronald Stortz to the Board of Cemetery Trustees for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. k I t Page 1 2 ' 7 Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Brian Boyle as a Full member to the Board of Cemetery Trustees for a one-year term expiring June 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Eleanor Shonkoff to the Board of Health for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint AnnMarie Messina as an Associate member to the Board of Health for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Krissandra Holmes to the Board of Registrars for a three-year term expiring lune 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint incumbent Associate member Jeffrey Everson as a full member of the Climate Advisory Committee for a three- year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Patricia Cameron as a full member of the Climate Advisory Committee for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Peter MacGown as an associate member of the Climate Advisory Committee for a two-year term expiring lune 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member John Daly to the Commissioners of Trust Funds for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member John Weston to the Community Planning & Development Commission for a three-year term expiring lune 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Nicholas Safina to the Community Planning & Development Commission for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent Associate member Tony D'Arezzo to the Community Planning & Development Commission for a two- year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Annika Scanlon to the Conservation Commission for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member David t Pinette to the Conservation Commission for a three-year term expiring lune 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. LMr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Anthony Lalicata as a Constable for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Page 1 3 Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Brian Snell to the Council on Aging for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Deborah Small to the Council on Aging for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The J motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member loan Coco to the Council on Aging for a three-year term expiring lune 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint incumbent Associate member Sally Hoyt as a full member of the Council on Aging for a one-year term expiring June 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Karen Pinette as an associate member of the Council on Aging for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Nora Bucko to the Cultural Council for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Katherine Lopez Natale as an associate member of the Cultural Council for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Raymond Boyd as the Custodian of Sailors' and Soldiers' Graves for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The rl motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Everett Blodgett to the Historic District Commission for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Greg Manganzini to the Historic District Commission for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent Associate member Pino D'Orazio to the Historic District Commission for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Carl Mittnight as an associate member of the Historic District Commission for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Jack Williams to the Historical Commission for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Jonathan Barnes to the Historical Commission for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Page 1 4 Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent Associate member Amelia Freedman to the Historical Commission for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Timothy Kelley to the Housing Authority for a five-year term expiring June 30, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Marie Hanson as a member of the Housing Authority for a four-year term expiring June 30, 2023. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Kerri Riley to the Human Relations Advisory Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Chris Cridler to the RCTV Board of Directors for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Eric Gaffen to the Recreation Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Michael DiPietro to the Recreation Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint incumbent Associate member Michael Coltman as a full member to the Recreation Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Thomas Gardiner to the Town Forest Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member William Sullivan to the Town Forest Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent Associate member Nancy Docktor to the Town Forest Committee for a two-year term expiring lune 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member David Williams to the Trails Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member Kathy Kelly to the Trails Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. EMr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent member John LJarema to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Page 15 Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board reappoint incumbent Associate member Kyle Tornow to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term expiring June 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. The board discussed the last appointment to the ZBA. It was noted there were two ' applicants but only one position open. Ms. Alvarado noted they were both strong candidates but one also showed interest in another board so her thought was to place the candidate with only ZBA on the application. The board discussed waiting until their next meeting to take this vote until the other committee appointments were made so we know where all the candidates stand. The board ended up agreed to appoint the recommended candidate tonight. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board appoint Hillary Mateev as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term beginning June V, 2019 and expiring June 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Halsey and approved with a 5-0 vote. Role of Liaisons Discussion The board discussed what they think their roles as liaisons should be. It was clearly evident that each member has so many liaisons they can't possibly get to every meeting and it seems that each member tends to have two or three top priorities that they try and keep up with as much as possible. This tends to happen naturally without going through and assigning each member their top priorities, it seems to just happen. Some boards don't need as much attention as others because some don't meet as often as others. Mr. LeLacheur had asked around to see what the Chairs of boards felt the SB liaison roles should be and they had different answers. Mr. Friedmann brought up the idea of the onboarding manual for every board that would ' help volunteers understand their roles and the Select Boards. Onboardino Manual The board agreed an onboarding manual for the Select Board themselves would be a great idea. Ms. Alvarado suggested coming up with a high level list of topics that the manual should include. Mr. Dockser suggested talking with old members to get their thoughts and ideas of what would be helpful in the manual. Mr. Friedmann felt he would be good for the task as he went through the new process without the manual and can provide things that would have been helpful to him. He volunteered to be the lead and create an outline for the board to look at and agree upon before moving ahead. Minutes Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of May 21, 2019 as amended. Them motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 5- 0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the board adjourn at 9:54 PM and with a second from Mr. Friedmann the motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. P,c16