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Home My WebLink About2020-07-21 Select Board Minutes cry Ot-R�a Town of Reading e Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board 54 Date: 2020-07-21 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser, Anne Landry, Carlo Bacci, Karen Herrick, Vanessa Alvarado Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager lean Delios, Economic Development Director Erin Schaeffer, HR Director Sean Donahue, Community Development Director Julie Mercier, RMLD General Manager Coleen O'Brien, Dave Talbot, David Zeek, Jigar Thacker, Matthew Porter, Jane Harrison, Bernie Horn, Kerry Dunnell, Nate Lash, Andy Paul, Paul Stedman, Koby Lemnse Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely on Zoom. Mark Dockser called the meeting to order at 7pm. BOH Update Board of Health Member Kerry Dunnell gave the board an update including new covid plans on civic function permits. They are encouraging people to vote by mail. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur explained the mail in ballots system. Liaison Reports Carlo Bacci gave an update on the Recreation Committee noting they reorganized and are focused on the Birch meadow Complex at the moment. Mark Dockser noted the Audit Committee met and they reviewed and approved the clean audit the Town was given. Town Manager Report Town Manager Bob LeLacheur explained a housing grant we received. Public Comment Jane Harrison noted August is busy time for her business and she noted the only solution in her mind is for the tent to come down immediately. Bernie Horn expressed his concerns with the road diet. Page I 1 Venetian Moon Tent Mr. Bacci and Mr. Dockser explained to the board that they had reached out to Venetian Moon about the other options and most especially the idea of a parklet, but had not received a response from Venetian Moon. Staff reported that they received some feedback from abutters indicating that they would be ok with a parklet idea but they were not interested in other mitigation options. The discussion focused on when the tent should come down. Mr. Dockser suggested August 3161loth/171h as options. Mr. Bacci also felt the tent needed to come down in August but was open to discussing dates. Ms. Alvarado was concerned that we had approved the tent and that we should not be changing our minds as it reduces or credibility. Ms. Landry suggested that we split the difference on timing and use August 10. Ms. Herrick felt that we should allow the permit to remain in force until August 301h, per her discussion with Venetian Moon. Mark Dockser, Carlo Bacci, and Vanessa Alvarado felt August 17th, which coincided with the tent's lease's expiration, was the right compromise. Anne Landry indicated that she would support the date of August 10th as a compromise, halfway between Dr. Harrison's suggestion of August 3rd and Venetian Moon's tent lease expiration. Karen Herrick would have the tent stay up as long as possible, given the challenges of COVID-19 and the importance of helping businesses to adapt. Carlo Bacci moved that (1) pursuant to Section 3.9.2 of the Board's Policies, the Board revoke Venetian Moon's Outdoor Dining License issued on June 17, 2020, effective upon execution of a new license agreement for Outdoor Dining with the Town Manager, or August 17, 2020, 12:01 am, whichever comes first; and, (2) pursuant to Section 3.9 of the Board's Policies, issue a new Outdoor Dining License to Venetian Moon, subject to execution of a license agreement with the Town Manager, provided, however, that such new license shall expire on November 30, 2020 per Select Board policy. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Bacci - Yes; Herrick - No; Landry - No; Alvarado - Yes; Dockser - Yes. Liouor License Transfer Reading Fine Wine & Spirits is changing hands. The attorney and new owner were present for any questions. The board noted they take the liquor laws very seriously and will not tolerate any violations of underage sales. The applicant noted they do as well and will do their best to make sure they are following the rules. Carlo Bacci moved to approve the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package store license to Tivaan Corp, at 25 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA. The motion was seconded by Anne Landry and approved with the following roll call vote: Bacci - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Landry - Yes; Alvarado - Yes; Dockser - Yes. Internal Borrowing Mr. LeLacheur explained the request for funding the work at the Sturges Sewer Station which needed to be done now and was one of the articles that Town Meeting Approved. The request is to use internal borrowing to accomplish this, as approved by Town Meeting in lune. Carlo Bacci moved to approve internal borrowing up to a total of $2,000,000 for the Sturges Sewer Station project as approved by Town Meeting in June 2020, until such time as the Town permanently borrows these funds or June 30, 2021, whichever comes first. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Bacci - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Landry - Yes; Alvarado - Yes; Dockser - Yes. Page 1 2 Classification Hearing A hearing was held to add a new benefits coordinator position that had been supported by the School Department, recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by Town Meeting. Carlo Bacci moved to approve the Classification Plan as presented, adding the Benefits Coordinator position as Grade F pursuant to FY21 funding approved by Annual Town Meeting in June 2020. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Bacci - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Landry - Yes; Alvarado - Yes; Dockser - Yes. Appoint Board of Health Member With the resignation of Lara Romanowski from the Board of Health, the Board had asked the VASC to recommend a candidate to fill this slot. Dr. Richard Lopez was their recommended candidate. Board members all noted they were impressed with his credentials and he would make a great addition to the board. Carlo Bacci moved to appoint Dr. Richard Joseph Lopez to an associate membership on the Board of Health with a term ending June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded and approved with the following roll call vote: Bacci - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Landry - Yes; Alvarado - Yes; Dockser - Yes. DOT Uodate Mass DOT team Nate Lash, Andy Paul, Koby Lemnse and Paul Stedman gave an update about the road diet. The presentation can be found in the board's meeting packet on the town website. The DOT team explained the criteria they will use to determine if the road diet is a success. A number of questions were raised by board members as well as Chief David Clark particularly about increased traffic on side street. DOT and the town are in close contact. The board asked DOT to return at a later date to provide an update. Green Communities Community Development Director Julie Mercier updated the board about green communities and then David Zeek from the Climate advisory committee gave a small presentation as well. RMLD General Manager Coleen O'Brien and Commissioner Dave Talbot were present as well. The presentations can be found in the board's meeting packet on the town website. Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 10:04 PM. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Bacci - Yes; Herrick - Yes; Alvarado - Yes; Dockser - Yes. Page 1 3