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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-06 Select Board Minutes Town of Reading a Meeting Minutes i E C E i a c U TMAIN CLERK R E P 1 i, G, %A.A. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 'All OCT 22 PM 2: 32 Select Board Date: 2019-08-06 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: John Halsey, Andrew Friedmann, Mark Dockser, Anne Landry via telephone Members - Not Present: Vanessa Alvarado Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders, Bill Brown, Angela Binda, Al Sylvia Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders Topics of Discussion: Acting Chair John Halsey called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Liaison Reports Mr. Friedmann noted at the last meeting he stated that the board should make an exception to the Charter regarding non-resident members; he no longer thinks that and will not ask the board to make an exception. He made a plea for election workers if anyone is interested in helping out the Town Clerk during the upcoming elections. He noted some dead trees in the town forest around the council ring have been removed as a part of their thinning project. Mr. Dockser noted RMLD's battery storage system is now up and running. Mr. Hasley noted Postmark Square project is coming right along. He also wanted to take a minute to remember one of our volunteers who passed away over the weekend. Gloria Hulse was not only a teacher in town but a long-time volunteer and election worker, she will be greatly missed. Mr. Friedmann wanted to remind the board that his office hours this month are this Saturday at 10 am at Cafe Nero. Town Managers Report Mr. LeLacheur noted RCASA's annual meeting is coming up. There will be a community conversation September 26th at 7:30 Pm in the Library. We will share more details as it gets closer. Mr. LeLacheur explained someone emailed the board upset they gat a reverse 911 call about the 375th celebration and asked why we can't use that for everything if we are going to use it for that. He explained that the reverse 911 calls are for emergencies and road closures. The call about the 375th was because parts of Main street and other streets were being closed down and it was an informational call noting those streets would be closed because of the 375th celebration; it was not a call advertising the 375th. He also Page I 1 mentioned an email that was sent to the board about concerns regarding the material used at the playgrounds. He noted if a resident has concerns that the material is hazardous they should take it to the Board of Health. He then gave a quick update on the ongoing Haverhill Street speed limit issues. We were directed by MassDOT to put the old signs back up and let them study the road. We are following that process because we have no other choice but to. In the consultants opinion, based on the data, the speed limit should be 35- 40 mph; however, it is MassDOT's ultimate decision in the end. Public Comment Bill Brown stood up and thanked Andy for his new comments regarding the Charter. A000int Volunteers The VASC had three applicants; two are current associate members on the Recreation Committee that are asking to be appointed to full members to fill vacancies and the third is a new applicant for the Climate Advisory Committee. The board had no comments or concerns on the VASC's recommendations. Mr. Dockser moved that the board appoint Catherine Kaminer to a full position on the Recreation Committee with a term ending June 30, 2021 and; that the board appoint Mary-Ellen Killion to a full position on the Recreation Committee with a term ending June 30, 2021 and; that the board appoint Denise McCarthy to an associate position on the Climate Advisory Committee with a term ending lune 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser — Yes, Landry — Yes, Friedmann — yes, Halsey — yes. Service is Timeless Clock Proiec[ Megan Young and Angela Binda were present to explain this project to the board that will honor the late Camille Anthony. Camille was a long serving Board of Selectmen member. They want to design and build a large clock to place somewhere in town in her honor. Anyone can make a tax-deductible donation to the Reading Rotary and that fund will be used completely for this project. They are hoping to get the word out at the Fall Street Faire and start vamping up fundraising efforts then. Mr. Halsey asked if Camille's family is involved in the project and they noted yes, the family is heavily involved and will be throughout the entire project. Approve Internal Borrowing Town Treasurer Endri Kume was present to answer any questions from the board. Mr. Dockser moved to approve the advance of funds in lieu of borrowing for the following projects with the understanding that the Town will reimburse the General Fund with proceeds from a note or bond within the fiscal year: 1. Turf 2 (Article 15 April'19) — 2.225 Million (entire amount) 2. Building Security Improvements (Article 16 April '19) - $1.7 million (4 million authorized) 3. Auburn Street Water Tank (Article 17 April '19) - $0.5 Million (;4.5 million authorized) 4. Grove Street water main (Article 18 April '19) - ;1 million (entire amount) The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser — Yes, Landry — Yes, Friedmann — yes, Halsey — yes. Page 1 2 Approve Monitorino Agent for Postmark 40R Mr. LeLacheur explained this is like the last monitoring agent they approved but for a different project. Ms. Landry asked if it was common practice for another Housing Authority to step in and monitor a housing project in another town. Mr. LeLacheur noted this is the first time we have done it but it does happen. Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve Barnstable Housing Authority as the Monitoring Agent for the Postmark 40R development. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser - Yes, Landry - Yes, Friedmann - yes, Halsey - yes. Senior Tax Relief Discussion Town Assessor Victor Santaniello was present to explain and answer any questions from the board. He noted the Home Rule Petition is entering its third and final year. He is only suggestion one change the next time. He is suggesting a fixed 150% compensation level. This alleviates uncertainty regarding the amount being granted and minimizes the risk of being bumped out of the state credit circuit breaker. He noted 200% gave a little too much and bumped some people out; 150% seems to be a sweet spot. Ms. Landry noted she would like to talk to Victor more at another time about the senior work off program at the Pleasant Street Center. The board agreed with Victor on his suggested 150% noting they want to help the seniors as much as possible but don't want to give them too much to where they get bumped from the state circuit breaker. Mr. Dockser moved that the board support a factor of 1.Sx the amount of the State Circuit Breaker for local tax relief, as will be proposed In a Home Rule Petition to November Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with the following roll call vote: Ms. Landry explained she will be abstaining on this vote due to her job. Dockser - Yes, Landry - abstained, Friedmann - yes, Halsey - yes. The board then discussed for Victors presentation in a couple months, simple is better. They are fine with him preparing a range of simple numbers, nothing complicated. Review SB Policies - Article 4 DPW Policies DPW Director Jane Kinsella and Assistant Director Chris Cole were present to give a brief overview of the changes they will be proposing once Town Counsel goes through it all. They noted most of the changes are practices that are already in place but have never been formally changed or updated in the policies. The full draft policies of proposed changes are online for viewing in the meeting packet. This will be back before the board after Town Counsel finishes reviewing and they have a completed draft proposal. Second Water Meters Jane Kinsella gave a quick presentation of second water meters also know as sprinkler meters. Sprinkler meter is a secondary meter that measures consumption of water that is used exclusively outside of a building and does not enter a sanitary sewer system. Reading currently has 138 sprinkler meters. About 71% of our peer communities who are also MWRA allow them. There are currently no MWRA or DEP regulations banning them however in 2012 the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Water Resource Commission, in conjunction with Mass DEP, released updated Water Conservation Standards stating that we must meet or demonstrate steady progress toward meeting residential water use of 65 gpcd including both indoor and outdoor use. Reading has an average of 44 gpcd. If we were to allow residents to do sprinkler meters there are a number of costs that the resident would assume including plumbing permits, the cost of the actual meter and Page 1 3 cost to have it installed. A second water meter is against conservation efforts unless the second meter is charged at a higher rate and will adversely impact those who utilize non- potable water for irrigation. The majority of communities that do allow sprinkler meters have a tiered rate or a separate higher rate for that second meter and there are no abatements for sprinkler meters. Reading would lose sewer revenue and residents that do not install a second meter will pay a higher share of the increase in sewer user charges than those that do install second meters. The presentation is also located in the Select Board packet on the town website. WasteZero Recycling Program This program is a new option to reduce waste. It is a company that works with cities and towns to reduce trash and increase recycling. They have a collection partner, Simple Recycling. Simple Recycling is a leader in providing effective, convenient, no cost curbside textiles collection. There is no cost to the municipality or residents. Their vans follow existing recycling routes and the Town will save on disposal costs. It is noted 85% of textiles are discarded and textiles make up 11% of Massachusetts solid waste. If the town were to decide to use the program, they would send postcards to all households three weeks before collections begin. They would then mail a textiles recycling bag and brochure after and send another postcard the week collections start. A resident simply places all disposing textiles in the pink Simple Recycling bag and leave it out for collection near their recycling bin. The collection personnel will pick up the full bag and leave a new replacement bag behind for next week. Many communities are already using this program. The board agreed this seems like a good idea and to why not give it a try! The more we recycle, the better! This presentation is also located in the Select Board packet on the town website. Minutes Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes from June 25' , 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser — Yes, Landry — Yes, Friedmann — yes, Halsey — yes. The board discussed minutes from July gth but wanted to go back and edit a portion. They will vote on a revised version at their next meeting. Mr. Dockser moved to adjourn at 10:00 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with the following roll call vote: Dockser — Yes, Landry — Yes, Friedmann — yes, Halsey — yes. J Page 1 4