HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-11 Select Board Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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soard - committee - commission - Council: 21,20 JAN -9 PH 1: 55
Select Board
Date: 2019-12-11 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Great Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Budget Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Vanessa Alvarado, Vice Chair John Halsey, Mark Dockser, Andrew
Friedmann, Anne Landry
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Finance
Director Sharon Angstrom, Assistant Facilities Director Kevin Cabuzzi, DPW
Director Jane Kinsella, Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole, Deputy Police
Chief Dave Clark, Library Director Amy Lannon, Fire Chief Greg Burns,
Administrative Services Director Matt Kraunelis, Dan Dewar, Will Finch
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
Chair Vanessa Alvarado called the meeting to order at 7:08pm.
Town Manager's Reoort
Mr. LeLacheur stated that in recognition of Arbor Day, the Board was asked to sign a
proclamation.
Mr. LeLacheur shared a thank you card from the students of Joshua Eaton Elementary
School. The students were learning about people who keep their community safe.
Last night a Board member asked about reconsidering a vote from a recent meeting
regarding parking stickers for residents of 40B and 40R developments. The vote was split
2-2 due to one member being absent at that meeting. Mr. LeLacheur stated that Town
Counsel advised that the Board may entertain a re-vote, however, unless it is urgent it is
best to wait until another hearing can be posted. Following discussion, the Board agreed
that even though it is a time sensitive issue, another hearing can wait until a January
meeting.
Aoorove Liquor License Renewals
Ms. Alvarado stated that there was hesitation to renew licenses at last week's meeting due to an
over-capacity issue at one of the establishments. An investigation took place, but the Select
Board was informed that over occupancy is not a cause to deny a liquor license.
Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve the All Alcoholic Restaurant Liquor
Licenses for:
• Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza of Reading LLC d/b/a Anthony's Coal Fired
Pizza, 48 Walkers Brook Drive
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• Mecom, Inc. d/b/a Caf6 Capri, 355 Main Street
• CAC Foods, Inc. d/b/a Venetian Moon Restaurant, 680 Main Street
• Pepper Dining Inc. d/b/a Chili's Grill & Bar, 70 Walkers Brook Drive
• The Boland Group III, LLC d/b/a Fuddruckers, 50 Walkers Brook Drive
• RARE Hospitality International, Inc. d/b/a Longhorn Steak House, 39
Walkers Brook Drive
• Boston Foods Inc. d/b/a Zucca Italian Restaurant and Bar, 601 Main
Street
• Unagi Servers Inc. d/b/a Biltmore & Main Bar and Grill, 530 Main Street
• KOK, Inc. d/b/a Oye's, 26 Walkers Brook Drive
• Bistro Concepts, Inc. d/b/a Fusilli's Cucina, 107 Main Street
• RKR Corporation d/b/a Bunratty Tavern, 622 Main Street
• Bertucci's Restaurant Corp, d/b/a Bertucci's Brick Oven Ristorante at 45
Walkers Brook Drive
• Mandarin Reading Inc, d/b/a Mandarin Reading Restaurant at 296 Salem
Street
for a term expiring December 31, 2020 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws,
Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the
establishment by the Town Manager or his designee.
Mr. Halsey seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve the Wine and Malt Restaurant Liquor
License for:
• Palatat Pattenesuan d/b/a Bangkok Spice Thai Restaurant, 76 Haven Street
for a term expiring December 31, 2020 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws,
Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of 7
Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the J
establishment by the Town Manager or his designee.
Mr. Halsey seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Town Deoartment Budoet Presentations
Public Works - lane Kinsella
Ms. Kinsella provided an overview of the org chart for DPW, which includes 60 FTE and 2.16
seasonal workers, and reviewed each division of the DPW and their respective
responsibilities. Challenges the DPW faces include: acquiring and retaining staff; DPW
garage space; need another bay lift; need a larger training/meeting room; recycling center;
cemetery garage space; funding for road paving; and OSHA compliance. She summarized
the salaries and expenses for the department.
Mr. Halsey noted that spending $350,000 a year for road improvements would increase road
quality and be a good use of free cash.
Mr. Friedmann asked if DPW is working with any companies to provide composting for
homes that are interested. Ms. Kinsella stated that she had met with a company that some
residents were using, but she was concerned that the company might want to take over the
compost center. But any resident could contract with them and she can put the information
for the vendor and others like it on the DPW webpage.
Ms. Alvarado asked about the plan for the Auburn Street water tower replacement. Ms.
Kinsella explained that the water tower will definitely be replaced, though the timing is
uncertain, as the cell tower is holding it up.
Ms. Kinsella continued to provide an overview of the water, sewer, and stormwater divisions
budgets and enterprise funds.
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Summary FY21 Town Budgets
Mr. LeLacheur noted that next Monday he will meet with department heads to discuss goals
and budgets. Over the next 4-6 weeks, he will work on balancing the budget and focusing
on: capital and the $210,000 surplus, energy improvements, need for master plans for
parks and fields, use of Symonds Way parcel, Senior Center/Community Center, roads, and
downtown improvements; and staffing, including adding a proposed Benefits Analyst
position.
Mr. Friedmann stated that there are two things of concern that he hears from constituents
frequently: snow and ice not being completely removed from sidewalks, and an increase in
psychiatric related calls to Police and Fire departments. He suggested follow up in the days
following snow storms to prevent people from having to walk in the streets and prevent the
sidewalks from refreezing. He asked if adding a psychiatric social worker to the Police or
Fire department could be considered. Mr. LeLacheur stated that he has discussed with
other communities the possibility of a shared position. RCASA is restructuring at the
moment, is expanding the mission to include mental health, and may address the issue in
the next year.
Mr. Friedmann asked about the status of the settlements from pharmaceutical companies
with states for their involvement with the opioid crisis. Mr. LeLacheur stated that he has
discussed it with Town Counsel who recommends staying involved with the class action
lawsuit.
Mr. Dockser made a motion to adjourn at 8:38pm; the motion was seconded by Mr.
Halsey and approved by a 5-0 vote.
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