HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-08 Select Board Minutes rriATown of Reading RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERKR= i,7l ., r:.. �1A.
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05
Select Board
Date: 2020-09-08 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Mark Dockser, Carlo Bacci, Vanessa Alvarado, Karen Herrick, Anne Landry
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Clerk Laura gemme, BOH Member
Kerry Dunnell, Ralph Poirier, David Zeek, Denise McCarthy, Erika McNamara,
Sammy Salkin, Ricky Patel
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By:
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely on Zoom.
Ms. Alvarado started off the meeting by thanking the voters of Reading. She is humbled and
honored by the support she received during the recall election. She is committed to serving
the town as best as she can.
COVID Update
Board of Health member Kerry Dunnell gave the quick board a COVID update and noted the
caseload is at a record low in Massachusetts.
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur gave an update on the Governor's new order #49 regarding
child care during the school year to accommodate virtual learning.
Town Clerk Elections Update
Town Clerk Laura Gemme gave the board an update on the election. They sent out 12,000
ballots and still had many people come vote in person on election day. They discussed the
volunteer situation and the election budget.
Hearina - Rickv's Liquor
Ricky's Liquor, 214 Main Street, was before the board with an application to alter their
licenses premises. Ricky Patel, owner, also owns the convenient store next door. They are
closing the convenient store and would like to expand the liquor store to take up both
spaces.
The board spoke about a past violation and noted there has not been any since then. Mr.
Patel noted his understanding of the law and has measures in place to make sure he does
not have any more violations.
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Carlo Bacci moved to approve the Alteration of Premises application for an Annual
All Alcoholic Package Store License for Ricky's Liquor, 214 Main Street. The motion
was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote:
Herrick — yes; Bacci — yes; Landry — yes; Alvarado — yes; Dockser — yes.
Liaison RepQrts
Mr. Bacci noted the Historical Commission is looking for photos to wrap the utility boxes in
for that art project.
Ms. Landry noted HRAC is planning a Zoom listening session with State representatives
soon. The ad-hoc human rights group as been speaking with Library Director Amy Lannon
about their plans for the staff person.
Ms. Herrick noted an applicant in front of CPDC right now wants to know how they can build
their new structure to be more eco-friendly.
Mr. Dockser attended both the audit committee meetings noted both the town and RMLD
had clean audits. He noted he had office hours last week and most people joined and spoke
with him about the cell tower proposal.
Public Comment
Ralph Poirier noted he was in front of the board at their last meeting asking about
restitution for cutting down trees he deemed dangerous to his property. He made a deal
with conservation that he could cut the trees down on his dollar but he feels he shouldn't
have to pay. He would like to know if the board has any answers for him.
The board noted they don't have a policy in place for things like this and they need to
consult counsel.
Sustainability & Master Plan
David Zeek and Denise McCarthy gave the board a presentation that can be found in the
Select Board packet.
They discussed plans for public buildings, private buildings and transportation. This includes
adopting the Stretch Energy Code which has been adopted by 278 municipalities in
Massachusetts already.
Ms. Alvarado suggested a broader meeting with all departments which would be involved as
this would be a team effort with multiple players.
Reading Coalition for Prevention and Su000rt
Coalition Director Erika McNamara and staff Sammy Salkin gave the board a presentation
that can be found in the Select Board packet.
The coalition is formerly known as RCASA which aims at improving collaboration and
reducing substance abuse in town. They have partnered with William James College for
referral services and they explained the hotline and how it works if you call.
They explained their intervention projects; an education program at RMHS called Chemical
Health and a pilot program, Crisis Intervention Team.
Vote to Soonsor Stretch Code Bylaw
The board briefing discussed the stretch code again. There is a draft bylaw in the packet
and tonight they will decide if they want to sponsor the article at Town Meeting. They are
not voting on the specific language of the article tonight just if they want to sponsor it or
not.
Mr. LeLacheur noted that even if this passes at November Town Meeting, it cannot take
effect until the Attorney General approves it after.
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Ms. Herrick raised a concern with the 'Purpose' in the draft Article 12 and took it as an
action item to investigate and report back.
Carlo Bacci moved to sponsor an article at upcoming Town Meeting to amend the
Bylaws to add the stretch energy code. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick
and approved with the following roll call vote:
Herrick - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes.
Town Manager Goal
The members went thru and gave the Town Manager their thoughts on his goals. They
discussed goals that may have changed due to COVID and different things he should be
focusing on. They discussed long term goals and how some of them cannot/will not be
completed in the next couple months just due to them needing a longer period of time to
complete. They discussed how to prioritize all of his goals and noted some of them don't fall
completely on him but have staff assigned to them for help.
The board decided that the Town Manager would work to integrate the board's suggestions
into a second draft.
Preview Warrant
The Town Manager gave the board a preview of the November Town Meeting warrant in
which they will vote to close at their next meeting.
Minutes
The board had 2 sets of minutes to approve from August 11th and 25'^.
The members offered up their edits to the minutes.
Carlo Bacci moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 11th as amended.
The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll
call vote:
Herrick - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - abstained; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes.
Carlo Bacci moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 25th as amended.
The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following
roll call vote:
Herrick - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes.
Future Agendas
The board discussed future agendas and meeting topics most notably adding the cell tower
discussion to a future meeting.
Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 10:56 PM. With a second from Anne Landry the
board adjourned with the following roll call vote:
Herrick - yes; Bacci - yes; Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes.
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