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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-16 Select Board Minutes ���y OF NraQ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes _ Board - committee - commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2020-06-16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser, Anne Landry, Carlo Bacd, Karen Herrick, Vanessa Alvarado Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Eleanor Shankoff, Community Development Director Julie Mercier, Business Administrator Jayne Wellman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: The meeting was held remotely on Zoom. Mark Dockser called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Board of Heath Member Eleanor Shonkoff started off the meeting giving an update noting outdoor dining spaces are opening. She also noted the School Nurses can stay on to help staff through the summer if they want. The BOH has been working on election safety measures for the fall and they are requesting volunteers to help with contract tracing in the fall. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur thanked the Schools for letting us use their nurses until school starts again. He noted the state is looking at a 1/12 budget which would have been very difficult for us to work with. Very pleased that Town Meeting passed the revised budget as proposed. He thanked everyone for a successful Town Meeting last night. Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios gave an update about how staff has been working with applicants who wish to do outdoor dining. Staff has created an EAT group, Expedited Approval Team that is meeting every week to go over all applications. It is slightly more complicated if the establishment holds a liquor license because that involves the ABCC and another application to amend their license. Liaison Reports Anne Landry noted she attended the rally. The ad-hoc human rights group is meeting tomorrow night. Karen Herrick noted she also attended the rally and people who attended can go and get tested for COVID. Climate Advisory Committee is working on moving forward with the methane gas leak audit. Page I 1 Carlo Bacci noted himself and Ms. Herrick had VASC interviews every night last week which they will talk about later in the night. He thanked the town meeting task force for putting together a successful virtual town meeting. Mark Dockser noted Human and Elder services have made over 5,000 wellness calls to check in on people. Town Meeting approved the Elder Services Director position to 35 hours. The cultural council is looking for feedback if you visit their page on the town website please take their survey. Vanessa Alvarado wanted to take a minute and state that the Town Hall needs to support Black Lives Matter and they need to put a sign on the lawn to make it known we stand with our black community. Outdoor Dining Liquor Licenses Update The application in front of the board tonight is Venetian Moon. They are proposing a tent in the cobblestone area which would close the parking lot completely. Jersey barriers will be in place to close off the lot. It was noted the applicant spoke with neighbors and surrounding businesses and staff got letters of support with some businesses excited to also use this area. The departments and appropriate staff have signed off on it with a few minor things left for building department to check off. The liquor license needs to be extended tonight by the board to cover this area. We are waiting on some legislation fixes for the liquor which is why this is on the agenda tonight and again as a hearing on next meeting. Vanessa Alvarado noted this seems like a lot of hoops for the businesses to jump through and she wants to streamline this process as much as possible to make this easy for them. Mark Dockser agreed the board is willing to meet whenever to approve more of these liquor licenses quicker. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur explained normally a two-week publication hearing notice is required to amend liquor licenses but pending legislation would remove that hurdle and just allow the board to post it on their normal 48-hour advance notice. Public Comment Nancy Docktor wrote an email to be read this evening. She noted she hopes the board chooses well qualified health professionals to be on the Board of Health. Venetian Moon Owner Lisa Cavallo joined the meeting to answer any questions. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur explained the executive order the Governor did doesn't line up with the legislation so there are trying to solve that problem. Venetian is here tonight to get approval based on that legislation/clarification waiving the two-week hearing rule. He is certain this was a mistake and they intend to fix it. The Town Manager feels comfortable with the board approving this with the language he provided. Town Counsel also noted there is no liability to employees or the town if this is approved before legislation. The ABCC still requires the paperwork after the fact but they will not enforce or go after anyone. Mr. Dockser asked if all other requirements are in place and it was noted yes. Ms. Cavallo noted she expects the tent to probably come down mid-September as outdoor dining is not desirable in the colder months and to give back the parking. The State order ends November 30th. The sidewalk access is still in place. Page 1 2 Carlo Bacci moved to approve the extension of Venetian Moon's liquor license to their outdoor dining area, subject to the following conditions: (a) recommendation of an outdoor dining plan by the Expedited Approval Team; (b) approval of such plan by the Town Manager; and (c) subject to legislation or clarification that the two-week notice for a Public Hearing is waived for this purpose. Vanessa Alvarado seconded the motion and it was approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. Housing Agreement Community Development Director Julie Mercier explained the housing agreement she is asking to be reapproved. They updated the dates and the budget to allocated correctly. This is something the board signs every two years. It's a multi community agreement that gives us a good value for the money. Carlo Bacci moved to approve the Metro North Regional Housing Services Inter- Municipal Agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. Water Tank/Cell Tower Proiect Town Engineer Ryan Percival, DPW Director Jane Kinsella and Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole were present. Mr. Percival reported that the need to replace the current water tank is now urgent. It is being held up by the need to create a new cell tower to house the cell provider's equipment. He explained to the board that the plan preferred by a previous board of building a temporary cell tower and have it funded by the cell carriers which was put out to request for proposal (RFP) came back with no qualified bidders. He is convinced that we will not be able to move forward this way, yet we need a new water tank urgently. He asked the board for their thoughts on moving ahead with a town sponsored tower. He noted that from a security standpoint, having just a single water tank with towers is not the preferred solution. Best not to have carriers with access to the water supply. Mr. LeLacheur also emphasized this point. Mr. Percival also asked the board for their thoughts on a temporary cell tower vs. a permanent cell tower and if the board would consider both options. The board members expressed their interest in also considering a permanent cell tower option. VASO Carlo Bacci and Karen Herrick took on the task of being the Volunteer Appointment SubCommittee this year and they spent 4 nights last week interviewing over 60+ people via Zoom. At the end of the day, they found a spot for everyone and agreed to most appointments. The only board they did not agree on was the appointments to the Board of Health. The full board thanked them for their work and opted to appoint all the recommendations of the VASC minus the board of health and then they would discuss the board of health appointments after and appoint as a full board. Carlo Bacci moved to accept all VASO recommendations as follows: Move to reappoint Tina Ohlson as a full member to the Animal Control Appeals Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Page 1 3 Move to reappoint Joyce Gould as an associate member to the Animal Control Appeals Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Robert Marshall as a full member to the Board of Assessors with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Cheryl Moschella as an associate member to the Board of Assessors with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Brian Boyle as a full member to the Board of Cemetery Trustees with a term ending lune 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Carl McFadden as a full member to the Board of Cemetery Trustees with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Diane Naczas as an associate member to the Board of Cemetery Trustees with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Harry Simmons as a full member to the Board of Registrars with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Celeste Kracke as a full member to the Climate Advisory Committee with a term ending lune 30, 2023 Move to reappoint David Zeek as a full member to the Climate Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Denise McCarthy to a full member on the Climate Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2021 Move to appoint Patricia Cameron to an associate member on the Climate Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to appoint Travis Estes to an associate member on the Climate Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Elizabeth Klepeis to a full member on the Commissioners of Trust Funds with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Brenda Cashman to an associate member on the Commissioners of Trust Funds with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Heather Clish to a full member on the Community Planning and Development Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Pamela Adrian to a full member on the Community Planning and Development Commission with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint John Sullivan to a full member on the Conservation Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Scott Keefe to a full member on the Conservation Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Sally Hoyt to a full member on the Constables with a term ending June 30, 2023 Page 1 4 Move to reappoint John Parsons to a full member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Sally Hoyt to a full member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Sandra Shaffer to a full member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Barbara Carney to a full member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to appoint Brenda Cashman to an associate member on the Council on Aging with a term ending lune 30, 2022 Move to appoint Jaquelyn Behenna to an associate member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Pooja Parsons to an associate member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to appoint Karen Fotino to an associate member on the Council on Aging with a term ending June 30, 2021 Move to appoint Katherine Lopez Natale to a full member on the Cultural Council with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Kerri Perry to a full member on the Cultural Council with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Megan Fidler Carey to a full member on the Cultural Council with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Bharti Parris to an associate member on the Cultural Council with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Illene Bornstein to a full member on the Historic District Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Amelia Freedman to an associate member on the Historic District Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Amelia Freedman to a full member on the Historical Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Samantha Couture to a full member on the Historical Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Pino D'Orazio to an associate member on the Historical Commission with a term ending 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Virginia Adams to an associate member on the Historical Commission with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to appoint Ronald Weston to an associate member on the Historical Commission with a term ending June 30, 2021 Page 1 5 Move to reappoint Richard Robbins to a full member on the Housing Authority with a term ending lune 30, 2025 Move to reappoint Kyung Yu to a full member on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Lori Conway to a full member on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2021 Move to appoint Jordan Serpone to an associate member on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to appoint Steven Sullivan to a full member on the MAPC with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Diane Naczas to a full member on the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board of Directors with a term ending June 30, 2021 Move to reappoint Carl McFadden to a full member on the Reading Ice Arena Authority with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Angela Binda to a full member on the Recreation Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Richard Hand to a full member on the Recreation Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Robert Weiden to a full member on the Recreation Committee with a term ending lune 30, 2021 Move to appoint Gina Nelson to an associate member on the Recreation Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Patrick Sheeran to an associate member on the Recreation Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Vivek Soni to a full member on the RMLD Citizens Advisory Board with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Jeffery Lamson to a full member on the Town Forest Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Brian Scouten to an associate member on the Town Forest Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint Daniel Ford to an associate member on the Town Forest Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint William Finch to a full member on the Trails Committee with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to reappoint Benjamin Ream to an associate member on the Trails Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Move to reappoint John Parsons to an associate member on the Trails Committee with a term ending June 30, 2022 Page 16 Move to appoint Ian O'Leary to an associate member on the Trails Committee with a term ending June 30, 2021 Move to reappoint Damase Caouette to a full member on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint Hillary Mateev to a full member on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term ending June 30, 2023 Move to appoint James Maughan to a full member on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term ending June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. The board then moved on to discuss the Board of Health and those candidates. Carlo Bacci presented his recommendations and Karen Herrick did as well. Mr. Bacci and Ms. Herrick picked the same three candidates (Sexton, Curren, Dunnell) but had them in different positions. Vanessa Alvarado asked why they want to reappointment Kevin Sexton and not appoint a health professional instead. Carlo Bacci noted for him, Sexton has experience and has been going through the COVID- 19 situation for the past three months. Even though he is not a health professional in his career, he now has hands on experience helping the town navigate through this pandemic. He also noted that the board has never not reappointed a volunteer. Vanessa Alvarado noted it seems odd to have someone on the board of health with no health background. She noted she looked at the candidates and their resumes and suggested appointing Curren, Dunnell, and Asher. Karen Herrick noted Curren has great practical experience that would be great for the board. Mark Dockser noted that Bacci and Herrick both agree Dunnell should be a full member and asked if the whole board could agree to that appointment as well. Carlo Bacci noted the time commitment for this board is a lot right now and the new candidates need to be ready for that. Anne Landry noted her struggle with deciding to keep Sexton as a full or have him as an associate member. Mark Dockser agreed with her thoughts but also noted the importance of having health professionals on the board. Mark Dockser suggested Curren being the other full member and Sexton as the associate. The board agreed except for Mr. Bacci. Carlo Bacci moved to appoint Kerry Crehan Dunnell to a full member on the Board of Health with a term ending June 30, 2023. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. Page 1 7 Carlo Bacci moved to appoint Paula Curren to a full member on the Board of Health with a term ending June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - no; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. Carlo Bacci moved to appoint Kevin Sexton to an associate member on the Board of Health with a term ending June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - no; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes. Board Retreat Business Administrator Jayne Wellman was present to help the board with next steps. Mark Dockser explained to the new members the last retreat they went on and the goals they discussed. Vanessa Alvarado liked the idea of another retreat and noted the board talks too much and she would like to spend more time on the big issues and trust staff to do their work to help along the meetings. Mark Dockser agreed noting board members need to do their homework before the meetings to make more time. Anne Landry echoed Vanessa's comments now and her earlier comments about being a more inclusive community. Karen Herrick and Carlo Bacci agreed the retreat sounds like a great idea and they look forward to it helping them work better together and more efficiently. The board moved Town Manager goals to their next agenda. Carlo Bacci moved that the Select Board move to Executive Session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property that the chair has declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the board, and not return to regular session this evening. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Dockser - yes Page 1 8