The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-02-16 Select Board Minutes 'RECEIVED q TOWN CLERK Town of Reading RGAJ) it,! C;. PAA. , �: Meeting Minutes �� 2021 MAY -5 PM 2: 42 ^0 6�e:IMOPP tS Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2021-02-16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser, Karen Herrick, Vanessa Alvarado, Carlo Baca, Anne Landry Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders Nocella, Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely on Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur and Superintendent John Doherty made a joint statement regarding some issues regarding teachers, town employees and police. The Town Manager, Superintendent and Police Chief have met to discuss such issues and learn more. They are working to resolve such issues collaboratively. Carlo Bacci moved to go into Executive Session including Counsel Greg Pagnini (BHPK Law), Jody Mills (MIIA) and Ivria Fried (Miyares & Harrington); and staff members Bob LeLacheur and Caitlin Saunders Nocella, in order to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and pending actions involving 59 Middlesex Road and that the Select Board Chair declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and to reconvene in Open Session at approximately 7:45 PM. The motion was seconded by Anne Landry and approved with the following roll call vote: Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Herrick - yes; Dockser - yes. The board returned to open session at 8:02 PM. Hearino - Safety Amendment The Safety Officers at the Police Department have brought forward an amendment to the Traffic and Parking Regulations. Lt. Amendola and Officer Scouten were present to explain and answer any questions. The amendment being proposed would add a 'Right turn only from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM sign' on the corner of Oak Street at the Joshua Eaton School driveway. The board had no issues with this as long as the police and school were okay with it. Page I 1 Carlo Bacci moved to close the hearing, with a second from Karen Herrick the motion passed with the following roll call vote: Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bocci - yes; Herrick - yes; Dockser - yes. Carlo Bacci moved to approve Amendment Number 2021-01 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Herrick - yes; Dockser - yes. Hearing - Bertucci's Chanae of Manager Bertucci's is before the board to amend their liquor license with a change of manager. The new manager is Steve Cutsumbis; He was the manager at Bertucci's before but left for another opportunity. He has decided to return and will be manager once again. Carlo Bacci moved to close the hearing. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and the motion was approved with the following roll call vote: Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Herrick - yes; Dockser - yes. Carlo Bacci moved to approve the Change of Manager request for an Annual All Alcohol Restaurant License for Bertucci's Restaurant, 45 Walkers Brook Drive. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Landry - yes; Alvarado - yes; Bacci - yes; Herrick - yes; Dockser - yes. COVID Update Dr. Rich Lopez noted the town is down to about 100 active cases. We have gone down to a 'yellow'town meaning moderate risk now. February 5'h they held a clinic to test protocols for larger scale clinics and finish the phase I recipients. February 9'h they had a clinic to give second doses to first responders. Last Friday they gave about 98 vaccines to people in phase II which are residents over 75. The major problem is still vaccine supply; the town has none and there is not telling when they will get more. Liaison reports Anne Landry drew the boards attention to the documents from the ad-hoc human rights board that were in the packet. Karen Herrick spoke about the climate advisory committee and a woody biomass energy policy they want to come see the board about it. Vanessa Alvarado noted she has a lot of questions about the water tower still. The School Committee appointed a new Superintendent. Carlo Bacci spoke about CPDC and the changes to the Chronicle building. Mark Dockser noted he has been assured that the voting options bill will be passes quickly. He and Ryan Percival completed the application for the water tower to go to the PBC. Town Manaaer Update Bob Lel-acheur noted that himself, Mark and Karen, town staff and RMLD staff met to discuss green communities recently. He noted FINCOM has a bunch of upcoming budget meetings that he will post the board to attend incase anyone would like to go. Public Comment Mike Lacey spoke about the water tower and his thoughts about pricing. Jackie MCcarthy spoke about her experience trying to get public records. She thinks the board needs a new records access policy and she wrote one up for them to consider. Walkers Brook Drive Corridors and Intersections The board was given a presentation regarding Walkers Brook Drive that can be found in their meeting packet under the respective meeting date on the website. Page 1 2 The board had some comments regarding sidewalks, bike lanes and costs. They asked if sidewalks on both sides of some streets are necessary as some streets are tight already. They also talked about cost and how the town would do all this. It was noted this plan is supposed to be implanted in phases as it would be impossible for the town to do everything at once. They also noted the options for some grants that could help out with some of these projects. VASC The Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee met recently to interview new candidates for a variety of boards. Carlo Bacci moved to appoint: • Linda Harrison for a full membership on CPDC; term expiring June 30, 2021 • Alex Normandin for an associate membership on ZBA; term expiring June 30, 2021 • Chris Emilius for an associate membership on ZBA; term expiring June 30, 2021 • Ashley Gross for a full membership on HRAC; term expiring June 30, 2021 The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes. Karen Herrick recused herself for the following vote. Carlo Bacci moved to appoint Madeline Herrick for an associate membership on HRAC; term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes. Communications Policy Anne Landry showed the board the draft policy she had been working on with Bob. The board had some discussion about exceptions for residents' emails going into the packet. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur asked the board when the cutoff time would be for resident emails into the packet not that the packet is being produced a week in advance. The board did not give an answer. Carlo Bacci moved to approve the Select Board Policy Article 1 Section 1.4 Communication as amended. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes. Records Access Policy Chair Mark Dockser noted a resident had a hard time accessing a record recently and now would like the board to consider a new policy in regards to such. The board noted they need to hear from Laura Gemme, who handles public records requests, and our procurement officer before taking any action on this. Minutes Carlo Bacci moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 19th, 2021 as amended. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes. Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 11:05 PM. The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with the following roll call vote: Page 13 Herrick - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Alvarado - yes; Dockser - yes. V,,, 14