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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-02 Select Board Minutes RE IVED Town of Reading TO WNE CLERK Meeting Minutes EF,ACfFJq r (Mj 2621 APR 28 pp3: 41 Board - committee - Commission - council: Select Board Date: 2021-02-02 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 Bacci, Anne Landry Members - Not Present: others Present: Town Manager Bob Lelacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Saunders Nocella, Dr. Lopez, Kevin Bohmiller, Jenna Fiorente, Jead Delios, Greg Bums, Julie Mercier, Will Finch, Kathy Kelly, Chuck Tirone, Rich Hand, Mark Novak Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely on Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Dr. Lopez started the meeting off with a COVID update. He noted we seem to be in the post-surge period. There is a clinic on Friday to finish phase I and test protocols for mass clinics for the next phases. We currently have a very low amount of vaccines. Karen Herrick asked Or Lopez why it might appear that other communities have more vaccine doses. Town Manager clarified that all communities are receiving about the same ration of vaccine based on population. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted any veterans who are enrolled in VA healthcare can get vaccinated through them. He noted we are ready to do large scale clinics once we actually have the vaccine to give. Fire Chief Burns noted first responders will be getting their second doses next week. I laison Reoorts Vanessa Alvarado noted the School Committee has picked the finalists for the Superintendent. RMLD has brought to our attention a grant that would help put in electric charging stations but they need guidance for location. Carlo Bacci noted Recreation approved to move forward with a walk way at Birch Meadow and a storage/ restroom pavilion. CPDC has been discussing outdoor dining for the spring and changes to the downtown smart growth district. Page 1 1 Anne Landry noted the board received a request from concerned parents asking the to attend a meeting tomorrow evening. The board decided Mark Dockser and Vanessa Alvarado will attend for the board. Karen Herrick noted there is an upcoming VASC meeting to which she needs to recuse herself because her daughter has an application in. Vanessa Alvarado noted she can stand in for Karen for this meeting. Karen Herrick also attended the open space planning forum. Karen Herrick shared that Climate Advisory Committee is sponsoring a clean energy conference. They also have developed a 5-6 slide presentation (at the request of RMID) to provide input and feedback on the kinds of energy Reading would like RMLD to Invest in Including biomass. They would like the opportunity to present this to the Select Board at the earliest possibility and have the Select Board forward to our Citizen's Advisory Board rep. Karen Herrick presented an overview of the Open Space Planning Forum and noted the requests for items including better maintenance and expanded use of Mattera Cabin (adding a deck, making bathroom accessible [to the public], adding doggie bags, better trash barrel maintenance and renting snowshoes) as well as discussions about the Increased use and maintenance of trails, adding pocket parks, bike paths, and downtown green space. Possible funding options discussed including expanding town funding to support these goals and joining the CPA (Community Preservation Act). Karen Herrick asked Town Manager Bob Lelacheur whether it would be possible to increase funding for seasonal maintenance to address some of the Items and noted that many of the ideas were also raised In the Birch Meadow Master Plan. Mark Dockser attended the Permanent Building Committee to discuss If the water tower project could be something they could handle. The most obvious point they made was this isn't a building; but they did ask for an application to be filled out for their review. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur thanked the DPW workers who have been working for 2 days straight now plowing and clearing snow. They have been sent home for rest but will be back out later tonight to continue clean up efforts. Public Comment Will Finch commented that recently it has been noted the trails committee needs to use their funds to take down trees. He doesn't believe that funding should have to come from them since their funding Is limited. Kathy Kelly agreed with Mr. Finch noting they do not have to funds to take down trees and she has some concerns that this is falling on them. Carlo Bacci wanted to take a minute and note he would like to move forward with creating a new liquor license for one of businesses Erin mentioned last week. He thinks this is a good opportunity to get ahead of It and have a license available for when they need it. It's about creating opportunities for businesses to want to be in town. PARC Community Development Director Julie Mercier presented the board with a new committee for them to consider creating to discuss the downtown parking. The board recently saw this proposal but noted they think there should be more people from the downtown area on the committee. The new proposal tonight would Include 9 members total now. One member from the Select Board, one member from CPDC and 7 members from the downtown area to represent the residents and businesses owners. Julie also reminded the board of the potential conflict of interests that Town Counsel sent them a memo regarding. There was discussion as to 4 categories for the 7 other members. It was noted the Select Board will be picking all the members and these are just guidelines but they will be the ones to pick the members in the end. Page 12 The board agreed they liked the 9 member board and the proposal. Carlo Bacci moved that the board create the ad-hoc Parking Advisory & Recommendations Committee (PARC) as presented: The PARC shall be comprised of nine (9) members and will be a Committee as defined by the Town of Reading Home Rule Charter. In selecting the PARC, the Select Board shall fill the positions as follows: • One member from the Select Board; • One member of the Community Planning & Development Commission (CPDC), recommended by the CPDC; • Seven other members, and the Select Board will consider the following qualifications: ., Residents of the downtown or greater downtown area; Downtown business owners, managers or representatives of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, who are also Reading residents; Employees of the downtown, who are also Reading residents; and o Residents or resident business owners/managers with professional experience or keen personal interest in parking management, economic development, data analysis or service systems design and logistics. The PARC will sunset within one month from the date of the Select Board vote on the series of recommendations, or by December 31, 2021, whichever comes first. If needed, this date can be extended by vote of the Select Board. The motion was seconded by Vanessa Alvarado and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci - yes; Dockser - yes. Birch Meadow Master Plan Update Recreation Director Jenna Fiorente, Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone, Recreation Chair Rich Hand and Consultant Mark Novak were present for this agenda Item. Consultant Mark Novak gave the board a thorough presentation which can be found in the Select Board packet for this meeting date on our website. The presentation broke down the best options for the Birch Meadow area, the top priorities or projects in phases and a general idea of costs for each project. Mark Dockser asked if the walkways being proposed would be wide enough for strollers and bikes. It was noted they would be wide enough to get a vehicle in there when needed. Vanessa Alvarado asked If lighting was needed on the walkways if most of the surrounding fields would be lit at night. It was noted everything would be able to be turned off/on remotely so when lighting Isn't needed it can be easily turned off. Carlo Bacci thanked everyone and hopes we can move this along and start some of these projects. Open Space Update Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone, Conservation Commission Chair Mike Flynn, Consultant Krista Moravec and Martha Moore were present for this agenda item. They had a meeting last night to update the 2013 Open Space plan. Consultant Krista Moravec gave the board a presentation which can be found in the Select Board packet for this meeting date on the website. The presentation went over why we have an open space plan, what the benefits are, and where we are today with the plan. Page 1 3 Mark Dockser asked if the Birch Meadow Master Plan process has been in conjunction with this as well. They answered yes. He also asked about funding. M 'll tomLand Uodate Town Manager Bob LeLacheur gave a background on this noting the board/community is facing a two-step process to rectify some things that were done in the 30's. The board needs to vote to determine the Malllet Land is no longer needed for what it was intended for orginially and should be transferred to the Conservation Commission. The second action would be an Article at Town Meeting. They will need to create easements for DPW that will create a little complicated language in the Article. Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone noted the Maillet Land is 4 parcels and two are already deeded to Conservation and they would like the other 2 to come over to them as well. There have been attempts to do his ln the for the past. Sprng neervation Town Meeting ion would really appreciate if you would support t DPW Protocols DPW Director Jane Kinsella noted that herself, Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone, ConsCom Chair Mike Flynn, Community Development Director Julie Mercier,Tree Warden Mike Hannaford and Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole started meeting last spring to come up with some protocols for DPW with regards to communication on tree removal on conservation land. They drafted this policy which is in the Select Board packet for this meeting date on the webslte. She noted they started by looking at all the tree removal requests they have gotten and the facts surrounding the requests. She discussed the funds they have for tree removal and the costs they have been incurring. Karen Herrick had asked to hear from the tree warden as he is instrumental and a critical part (of the discussion.) Jane Kinsella explained that he had every Intention of being here tonight, however, he just worked 30 hours straight during the snow storm and could not be here. Chuck Tirone noted the Trails committee needs to be involved; their budget is so miniscule and they need it to maintain the trails, there is not enough to also use to take down trees. Karen Herrick asked if the Forest ommittee reviewed s since mentioned in this policy as well.. DPW Di ector Jane Kilthey are Kinsella answered, o red, , Mark Dockser asked If there was a revolving fund to cover trail maintenance since we now have more trails and more usage. DPW Director Jane Kinsella answered, "No." Vanessa Alvarado asked if the issue is more funding or staffing. Jane Kinsella noted they take down the tree if they can but if they cannot; they have to outsource, which is expensive. Our current tree department is only three people and they are constantly trimming trees and doing maintenance. Trail Maintenance and is not a top priority...we recently had $281k in requested trail expenses and a budget of$15k. Vanessa Alvarado noted she is concerned about the trails committee budget being In the policy since it is so small. Conservation Commission Chair Mike Flynn noted ConsCom has been making an effort over the past few years to develop a tree policy that includes mechanisms to put funds into the shade tree fund. He thinks it has been successful but they are still looking into more ways to increase funding for trees. Jane Kinsella noted DPW now meets monthly with Conservation to increase communication and talk about projects coming down the pipeline. Town Manager Goal Update Page 14 The board decided to move this discussion until a future meeting. The chair asked members to look over what Bob LeLacheur had put in their packet and send him any questions they have in advance of their next conversation. Karen Herrick asked the Chair Mark Dockser of she could have 5 minutes. There was no objection from the Select Board. She noted that she had three items that were a follow up for the Town Manager from the last meeting. The first item was she has been hearing rumors about disturbing things going on between the teachers and police officers; the second was that there has been no update about the election day police Incident. She has heard a rumor that an officer was suspended. Lastly, she wants to know the status of the Deputy Police Chief hiring. Karen Herrick noted she was quite concerned that our Select Board has not received any communication on this. She added If true - it can have a serious Impact on our ability to recruit the best teachers and police officers. She noted that she has requested several Items via email related to election day from Town Manager and has not received them including a police blotter, completed investigation report and a copy of the police conduct handbook. Lastly Karen Herrick asked about the status of the hiring of the Deputy Police Chief because she wants to fully support our new Chief and the entire reading police force. Town Manager noted that he should not discuss personnel matters in public." He clarified that he submitted Karen's email request as a formal records request and assured her that she would receive all of the information requested. The chair then asked that all parties take a step back, suggested that some of the Issues noted will be better addressed with the new communications policy and follow up systems envisioned, and ended the discussion. Minutes Carlo Bacci moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 5t^, 2021 as amended. The motion was seconded and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci -yes; Dockser - yes. Carlo Bacci moved to adjourn at 10:27 PM. The motion was seconded by Anne Landry and approved with the following roll call vote: Herrick - yes; Alvarado - yes; Landry - yes; Bacci -yes; Dockser - yes. any,i 5