HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-01 Select Board Minutes or
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: µ.
Select Board
Date: 2020-04-01 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Mark Dockser, Anne Landry, Carlo Bacci, Vanessa Alvarado, Karen Herrick
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob Lel-acheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief David
Clark, Assistant Town Manager Jean Dallas, Superintendent of Schools John
Doherty, RMLD General Manager Coleen O'Brien, DPW Director Jane
Kinsella, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Library Director Amy Lannon,
Administrative Services Director Matt Kraunelis, Health Nurse Kerry Valle,
Board of Health Chair Emmy Dove, Business Administrator Jayne Miller,
Economic Development Director Erin Schaeffer, Reverand Jamie Michaels,
Veterans Agent Kevin Bohmiller
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely on Zoom.
Chair Mark Dockser called the meeting to order just after 7:00 PM.
The meeting started off with a COVID-19 update from the Town Manager. Mr. LeLacheur
explained that himself and the ICS, Incident Command System, started meeting the end of
January when COVID-19 was still in China. The ISC is comprised of staff from every
department in town including both Police and Fire Chiefs, DPW Director, Facilities Director,
RMLD General Manager, Facilities Director and many other staff and department heads from
the town departments.
Chief Burns then gave the board an explanation of how the ICS has been handling the
situation and making decisions.
Emmy Dove gave an update from the Board of Health side of things. She noted the Board of
Health has met 18 times since March. They have closed town buildings to the public, they
have closed courts and fields, they have closed salons. They have voted on a temporary ban
on door to door solicitations in town and they voted on a local state of emergency. She
noted we had been using Maiden's nurse for help but she won't be able to help anymore.
Her biggest concern is the lack of nurses currently trained in MAVEN.
Mr. LeLacheur explained the new nurse should be able to get on MAVEN soon.
Ms. Delios noted she has submitted all her paperwork for the system and they are just
waiting on the state to approve it all and then she can get right on.
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Ms. Alvarado noted the town's former health nurse had offered to return on a temporary
basis to support the town and asked why that wasn't possible.
Police Chief Clark wanted to let everyone know the Police are still working and here for the
town when needed. They have changed the way they operate and use the building but they
are still on shift as normal and will be answering calls if you need them.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doherty noted the schools have transitioned into virtual
learning and administrative staff are working hard to make sure all students have the
technology they need to continue to learn at home and meals if needed.
Ms. Dowd noted they are doing grab n' go lunches for students who depended on school for
food. Administrative staff are working on school packets for all students to keep learning at
home.
Mr. LeLacheur then explained how Town Hall has changed their operations. He noted a
significant amount of staff are set up and working from home. There are a limited amount of
staff in the building at one time and only in the building when they need to be. They have
temporarily shortened the hours the building is open for staff as well. Most services are
continuing just transitioning to an electronic communication and issuance.
General Manager Coleen O'Brien noted RMLD is still maintaining full operations. The
business office is closed but the control room is still answering all calls. She also explained if
anyone is struggling to make payments to please visit the website and they can work with
you to set up a payment plan.
Mr. LeLacheur noted there have been new emails created to help people with COVID-19
issues/questions. There also is a whole page on the website created for information related
to COVID-19 and town operations. He urged people to please NOT call 911 to ask what
businesses are open or not; that is not an emergency and dispatchers need to be available
to answer emergency calls.
Library Director Amy Lannon noted she and her staff are figuring out how much they can do
online. The building is closed to the public so they are working on how to convert as many
services to online as possible.
Facilities Director Joe Huggins noted his staff is on a rotating schedule now. They are
focused on deep cleaning all the town buildings, town vehicles and DPW garage.
DPW Director Jane Kinsella noted her employees are on rotating schedule as well so that
only half the staff is on duty at a time.
Business Administrator Jayne Miller noted she has been attending the command meetings
and keeping the town website and Facebook page up to date with any and all COVID-19
communications.
Ms. Herrick asked if there were options for staff to be tested.
Mr. LeLacheur noted there is not at this time but if for any reason an employee feels sick or
feels they were exposed, they are asked to stay home. The buildings are cleaned nightly
and deep cleaned every weekend and equipped with sanitizer and wipes for employees to
use during the day If they are In the building.
The comment about people still gathering at parks and recreational area was brought up
and DPW Director Jane Kinsella informed the board that the basketball hoops were being zip
tied to discourage play.
Ms. Dove noted there are 31 cases in Reading as of today.
Ms. Landry thanked the staff and Emmy for all their hard work.
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John Stempeck from the RMLD Board asked if there was more we can do to be proactive.
Mr. LeLacheur noted the police do not have the capability to police all the fields/courts 24/7
so it would be really helpful if parents could explain to their kids that they should be social
distancing and not playing at the parks.
Economic Development Director Erin Schaeffer explained how she has been reaching out to
the local businesses. She also set up a page on the website for business help and resources
for them to access.
Rev. Jamie Michaels explained the food pantry schedule how they plan to hand out food.
The best donations right now are grocery store gift cards.
The board decided to vote to declare a local state of emergency.
Mr. Bacci read the following motion:
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS,the 2019 novel Coronavirus("COVID-19")is a highly contagious,serious,and
sometimes fatal respiratory disease with no vaccine and no treatment other than symptomatic
support;
WHEREAS,COVID-19 has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by
the World Health Organization;
WHEREAS,on March 10,2020,the Governor declared a State of Emergency to mobilize the
Commonwealth's resources needed to address this public health crisis;
WHEREAS,on March 13,2020,the President of the United States declared a National Emergency
to Similarly mobilize national resources;
WHEREAS,on March 23,2020,the Governor issued an emergency order requiring all businesses
and organizations that do not provide "COVID-19 Essential Services"to close their physical
workplaces and facilities to workers,customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon
until Tuesday,April 7th at noon;
WHEREAS,on March 25,2020,the Governor issued an emergency order modifying prior orders
to extend the time that schools and non-emergency day-care facilities shall be closed until May 4,
2020;
WHEREAS,the Governor has issued various additional emergency orders on different dates
substantially altering the operations of state and local government in response to the COVID-19
public health emergency;
WHEREAS,the residents and businesses of Reading are in immediate and serious risk of suffering
personal and financial losses as a result of COVID-19's current and ongoing threat to public health
and safety;and
WHEREAS,the ordinary resources of Reading are expected to be insufficient to meet the needs of
its residents and businesses in coping with the public health,safety,and economic impacts of
COVID-19;
THEREFORE,the Select Board, pursuant to its authority under Section 4.7.4.1 of the
Massachusetts Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan(January 2019)and any other
applicable law, hereby declares a State of Emergency in the Town of Reading as a result of the
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threat of COVID-19 as recognized by global, national,and state health officials.
The Town Manager shall appoint an Emergency Management Director(EMD).The EMD shall
work with other local officials and representatives of state and national emergency personnel to
direct all necessary or appropriate action,including but not limited to directing evacuations,
opening shelters,mobilizing local resources,activating mutual aid agreements, requesting state and
national assistance,and seeking appropriation of funds for all such actions.
This declaration of a State of Emergency is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until it is
rescinded by the Select Board or the Governor's declaration of emergency is rescinded,whichever
comes first.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and passed with the following roll call
vote:
Alvarado — Yes; Herrick — Yes; Bacci — Yes; Landry — Yes; Dockser — Yes.
The board then decided to temporarily ban door-to-door soliciting.
Mr. Bacci read the following motion:
EMERGENCY ORDER PROHIBITING DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITATION AND CANVASSING
WHEREAS,the 2019 novel Coronavirus("COVID-19")is a highly contagious,serious,and sometimes
fatal respiratory disease with no vaccine and no treatment other than symptomatic support;
WHEREAS,on March 10,2020,the Governor declared a State of Emergency to mobilize the
Commonwealth's resources needed to address this public health crisis;
WHEREAS,on March 23,2020,the Governor'is'sued an emergency order requiring all businesses and
organizations that do not provide "COVID-19 ssential Services"to close their physical workplaces and
facilities to workers,customers and the public as of Tuesday,March 24th at noon until Tuesday,April
7th at noon,unless further extended;
WHEREAS,on March 24,2020,the Department of Public Health issued a Stay-at-Home Advisory for
individuals over 70 and for those with underlying health conditions;
WHEREAS,on March 25,2020,the Governor issued an emergency order modifying prior orders to
extend the time that schools and non-emergency day-care facilities shall be closed until May 4,2020;
WHEREAS,on April 1,2020,the Reading Select declared a State of Emergency in the Town of Reading
as a result of the threat of COVID-19;
WHEREAS,door-to-door solicitations creates an unnecessary face-to-face situation for residents who
are home in unusual numbers due to the closure of schools and businesses, possibly endangering the
health of residents, particularly those subject to the stay-at-home advisory, and by extension,the
community;
THEREFORE,the Select Board and the Board of Health, pursuant to the powers and authority provided
to and vested in them by the declarations described above,and all relevant state laws and lawful
authority including M.G.L.c.111,§104,do hereby issue this EMERGENCY ORDER:
All door-to-door solicitation and canvassing in the Town of Reading is hereby prohibited. The Chief of
Police is directed to temporarily revoke all Certificates of Registration required for such soliciting and
canvassing, pursuant to General Bylaw§8.9.9.5,for good cause as described in this Order.
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This EMERGENCY ORDER is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until it is rescinded by the
Select Board and Board of Health,or the Gove'rnor's declaration of emergency is rescinded,whichever
comes first.
The motion was seconded and passed with the following roll call vote:
Alvarado - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Bacci - Yes; Landry - Yes; Dockser - Yes.
Mr. Bacci moved that the Town Manager shall be delegated the authority that is
expected to be conferred upon the Select Board by legislation adopted by the State
Legislature, once signed into law by the Governor, to provide relief from late
charges for property tax or water, sewer or stormwater utility fees, consistent
with the limitations set forth in that legislation as enacted. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with the following roll call vote:
Alvarado - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Bacci - Yes; Landry - Yes; Dockser - Yes.
Mr. Bacci moved to approve the Health Insurance Agreement and Health
Insurance Op-Out Program Side Lett^_r, both dated July 1, 2020 through June 30,
2021 as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Herrick and approved with
the following roll call vote:
Alvarado - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Bacci - Yes; Landry - Yes; Dockser - Yes.
Ms. Alvarado recused herself for the following portion of the meeting regarding the recall
petition against her.
Mr. Dockser noted he and Bob have been working with Town Counsel. There is some
question on whether or not Ms. Alvarado got legally notified of the recall. It would be a good
idea for the board to have Bob send a formal letter to Ms. Alvarado on behalf of the board.
Mr. Bacci moved to instruct the Town Manager on behalf of the Select Board to
send a notice to Vanessa Alvarado on April 2"d, 2020 which will start the (5) five-
day period consistent with Section 8.11.3 of the Town Charter. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote:
Alvarado - Recused; Herrick - Yes; Bacci - Yes; Landry - Yes; Dockser - Yes.
The board then discussed their appetite to meet weekly given the circumstances. The board
agreed they will meet every Wednesday night, remotely, at 7 PM until further notice.
Mr. Bacci moved to adjourn at 9:30 PM, the motion was seconded by Ms. Landry
and approved with the following roll call vote:
Alvarado - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Bacci - Yes; Landry - Yes; Dockser - Yes.
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