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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-07 Select Board Minutes opP orxyo Town of Reading Meeting Minutes � Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board 2U20 JUk -2 P S 3153 Date: 2020-01-07 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, John Halsey, Mark Dockser, Anne Landry, Andy Friedmann Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Bill Brown, Hein Dong La, Robert Connolly, Peter Misticawl, Nancy Docktor, Peter Kramer Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders Topics of Discussion: Ms. Alvarado called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Liaison Reports Mr. Dockser noted the RMLD Board of Commissioners are meeting tonight to discuss the payment to the town going forward. It seems they will be discussing three options tonight and he will update the board at their next meeting. Town Manager's Report Mr. LeLacheur noted RCASA has rebranded now that they are no longer under a grant. They will also have a new name to be determined. The former Daniel's House property is in the hands of Town Counsel who has reached out to the new property owner and asked what his Intentions are. He is happy to report there were no capacity violations on New Years Eve. Jane Kinsella came up to talk a little bit about snow and how their plowing system works due to a recent complaint. She noted while there is a snow storm the streets are their main priority. That being said, the sidewalks get done the day after the storm is done and the streets are clean. Depending when the storm ends it may seem like a long time before the sidewalks get done but really it is as soon as the guys are back to work the next day after the storm. They operate 2 bobcats and 4 sidewalk machines while clearing 45 miles of sidewalks after plowing. She also noted if they get less than 2 inches of snow the sidewalks do not get done because they tear up tree lawns easily when the ground is not frozen. Mr. Friedmann noted he thinks the sidewalks should be done no matter how little snow we get. Public Comment Peter Kramer noted he thinks management dropped the ball on the most recent storms regarding the sidewalks. Page I I Nancy Docktor would like an update on Camp Rice Moody. She also noted the letter from HR about retention numbers was not informative and she wants more information. Lastly, she would like an update on the pesticide regulations as spring will be here soon. Bob Connolly from Varney Circle came to express his concerns about his small dead-end road called Varney Circle. Him and his neighbors have witnessed disturbing things from drugs, public nudity, public urination, drinking and other acts from people who come and use their street as a hangout. He noted one section of the road is not lit and that is where all the cars come sit and do whatever they came to do. He would like to ask for a street like to go on an existing pole in that unlit area. He noted Officer Scouten gave them a dead-end sign which he is very grateful and thankful for. Appoint Volunteers Ms. Alvarado and Mr. Friedmann met as the VASC and has the following recommendations. Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint the following volunteers to the Conservation Commission: Martha Moore to a full membership term expiring June 30, 2021 John Sullivan to a full membership term expiring June 30, 2020 Nancy Evans-Rhoads to an associate membership term expiring June 30, 2021 Nichola Meserve to an associate membership term expiring June 30, 2021 Scott Keefe to an associate membership term expiring June 30, 2020 The motion was seconded by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint James Maughan to an associate membership on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2020. The motion was second by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint Heather Clish to a full membership on the Community Planning and Development Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2020. The motion was second by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint Susan Darling True to an associate membership on the Board of Cemetery Trustees with a term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint Frances Barba-Boyle to an associate position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 4-0-1 vote with Friedmann abstaining. Preview 2020 Annual Town Meeting Mr. LeLacheur went through the warrant predicted thus far. There are 17 articles with nothing out of the ordinary. Budget Update Mr. LeLacheur noted there are two notable differences from the last time the board saw this. He added 100K for Symonds Way development work. He also added $210 K for a new ladder truck that needs to be replaced sooner than we expected. Town Manager Evaluation Form The board agreed this form looks good. They then set a deadline to get their evaluations back to Judi, HR Director, no later than January 24'^. Select Board Strategy Discussion Jayne Miller, Business Administrator for the Town was also selected to help the board strategize on objectives and priorities of the board. Tonight's meeting was to get the balling rolling. Her first ask of the board was to hear each members' priorities and things they Paye 1 2 would like to see the board accomplish. The board took turns speaking about their priorities while Ms. Miller wrote down all their thoughts for future use. Once all the members got to speak, the board picked a date to continue this strategizing meeting where they can break down the goals even further and see what goals they had in common. Ms. Miller noted a more laid-back setting without cameras tends to lead to better discussions. The board decided to have their next meeting just to continue strategizing on February 8'h at 9 am. Location will be determined and the meeting will be posted as normal because it is still an open meeting to the public even though it will not be televised. Onboarding Manual The board once again liked the direction Mr. Friedmann was going with his onboarding manual. They had a few comments and would like Mr. Friedmann to keep up the great work. Minutes Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of December 4, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4-0-1 vote with Halsey abstaining. Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of December 11th, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dockser moved to adjourn at 10:15 PM; with a second from Mr. Friedmann the motion passed 5-0 vote. Page 1 3