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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-03 Select Board Minutes Town of Reading k Meeting Minutes Board - committee - Commission - Council: Select Board ic:0 F�u 5 PFI 2: 11 Date: 2019-12-03 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, Anne Landry, Andy Friedmann, Mark Dockser Members - Not Present: John Halsey Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Bob Hayes, Larry Hurley, John Parks, Bill Brown, Dan Dewar, Karen Herrick, Thomas Wise, John Doherty Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders Topics of Discussion: Ms. Alvarado called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Liaison Reports Mr. Friedmann noted Mr. Snell's email about dementia friendly Reading again. He then talked about the Gas Leak article from Town Meeting in which phase 1 is to hire a consultant to do survey of leaks in the area. The MET is on the ZBA agenda tomorrow night for some more deviations from the comprehensive permit; he feels its important for the board to know all the deviations that have taken place. Mr. Dockser noted the Reading Light Board met last week regarding the payment to the town. They want to resolve this quickly, however the number they have in mind is much lower than what the town has been getting. Ms. Landry noted Emmy Dove on the Board of Health sent an email noted the board had a new draft of the pesticide regulations which included some of the feedback the Select Board had given them. She attended the Service is Timeless ceremony in which a clock was dedicated to Camille Anthony. Ms. Alvarado noted the Recreation Committee voted down the Sunday hours request for use of the Birch Meadow Field. She then thanked DPW for their hard work during the snow storm the past few days. Town Manager's Report Mr. LeLacheur explained that on Thanksgiving Eve, there was an incident at one of our establishments that holds a liquor license. They had been warned earlier in the day about compliance with occupancy numbers. That evening a medical call came in and emergency personnel could not get thru the door of the establishment. It was recorded they had over 300 people inside when their occupancy permit allows only 150. He noted this is an Page 1 1 extremely dangerous matter for any establishment to be over occupancy. It is a safety matter and the establishment ignored warnings from the Fire Department earlier in the day. Public Comment Bill Brown noted there was an instructional motion from Town Meeting regarding Memorial Park. He would like this done and put to rest. He thanked Bob and Kevin Bohmiller for the plaque on the flag pole. Carl McFadden thanked everyone involved in dedicating the clock for Camille Anthony. Larry Hurley noted girls' softball does not get enough field time and wants Sunday hours at Birch Meadow. Bob Hayes echoed Mr. Hurley's thoughts. FY2020 Classification Plan Mr. Dockser read the hearing notice. Mr. LeLacheur noted this is simply to change the name of RCASA because they are restructuring after the grant runs out. Mr. Dockser moved that the board close the hearing, the motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the FY20 Classification Plan as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Liauor License Renewals The board wanted to discuss the occupancy issue Mr. LeLacheur noted earlier in the night. They questioned what actions they could take and if they could not renew their liquor license. The board felt this is a serious issue and they need to be made aware they must comply with occupancy limits. The board asked if this establishment has been named yet and Mr. LeLacheur noted not publicly. The board didn't want to publicly name the restaurant however they weren't ready to approve their liquor license without more information about what they can do. The board approved the following liquor licenses: Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve the All Alcoholic Package Store Liquor Licenses for: • HT Reading Liquors LLC d/b/a Baystate Liquors, 345 Main Street • Raksha, Inc. d/b/a Square Liquors, 13 High Street • Jay and Ricky, Inc. d/b/a Ricky's Liquor, 214 Main Street • Anstasl Brookline Inc. d/b/a Reading Fine Wine and Spirits, 25 Walkers Brook Drive • Kajal and Kevin LLC d/b/a The Liquor Junction, One General Way • Pamplemousse Inc. d/b/a Pamplemousse, 26 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 Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager or his designee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve the All Alcoholic Club Liquor Licenses for: • Meadow Brook Golf Corp. of Reading, MA d/b/a Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street Page 1 2 • Home Building Corp, d/b/a Knights of Columbus, 11 Sanborn 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. The Motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve the All Alcoholic Veteran Club Liquor Licenses for: • Reading Veterans' Association, Inc. d/b/a American Legion Post 62, 37 Ash 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. The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with a 4-0 vote. The board continued the hearing on liquor renewals until Wednesday, December 11th at 7 PM at the Pleasant Street Center. Pledge of Collateral Liquor Junction has put in an application for a pledge of collateral on their liquor license. This is a formality that needs to be approved at the local level before going to the ABCC for final approval. All their documentation is in order. Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the Pledge of Collateral application for Liquor]unction, 1 General Way, Reading, MA. The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with a 4-0 vote. Update on Employee Attraction & Retention• Trainina Opportunities Human Resources director Judi Perkins gave the board a presentation on training and staff for the Town. The presentation is available on the town website. Mr. Friedmann explained he was really looking for the data on employee retention; i.e. number of employees who have left, how long they were here for and why they left. He would like to see those numbers for the past 5 years. Facilities Department - Energy Improvements Facilities Director Joe Huggins gave a presentation on all the energy improvements the department has done the past few years and their plans for the future. This presentation is also on the website for viewing. Facilities has seen a significant savings since signing the The board discussed the future of electric vehicles but Mr. Huggins feels it's just not there yet for municipalities. Karen Herrick asked about the portable classrooms and if they are included in the towns building contract for energy solutions. Minutes Mr. Docker moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of November 19, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with a 4-0 vote. Office Hours The board set some office hours in various locations for the upcoming months. January 4th, February ht and March 7th at 9:30 am at the Library. PTTTF Suggestions Mr. LeLacheur explained this suggestion coming from PTTTF closes a loop hole for 40B and 40R residents to get free parking. This was originally put in place to help the 4 houses along Page 1 3 the train station be allowed to have a parking spot. Now that all the new developments in place, this technically allows everyone living in all those units to also get free parking. However, those buildings have provided parking spots for each unit and guest parking. Mr. Dockser, Ms. Landry and Mr. Friedmann noted they had no issues with this. Ms. Alvarado noted she felt uncomfortable treating people differently (homeowners vs. renters). Lt. Amendola explained we are talking about 4 houses getting free stickers vs. over 150 units now. The houses don't have anywhere for guests to park and train goers park in front of their houses. The people living in these new units have guest parking provided to them. This would also be temporary as well due to the current effort to do a complete overhaul with downtown parking regulations. Mr. Friedmann agreed with Ms. Alvarado it didn't feel right to treat homeowners differently than renters. Mr. Dockser moved to close the hearing regarding the PTTTF suggestions. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019-12 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and failed with a 2-2 vote with Alvarado and Friedmann opposing. Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019-13 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and failed with a 2-2 vote with Alvarado and Friedmann opposing. The MET The board then discussed the MET project which is scheduled to go before the ZBA tomorrow with regards to some deviations from the comprehensive permit. Some members felt they should call the developer in again before the board to explain himself. Mr. Friedmann asked if the board can get a complete list of all the deviations from the comprehensive permit this project has had. The board ultimately decided they should wait and see how the ZBA handles the newest deviations and then perhaps have one or two members of the board speak with the developer offline. Mr. Dockser moved to adjourn at 10:42 PM. With a second from Mr. Friedmann the motion passed with a 4-0 vote. Page 1 4