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Home My WebLink About2021-05-18 Select Board Minutes Town of Reading RECEIVED ' Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK a� ierx READING, MA. L lar Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2021 JUN 16 PM 3. 11 Select Board Date: 2021-05-18 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser, Karen Herrick, Carlo Bacci, Chris Haley Members - Not Present: Anne Landry Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Town Clerk Laura Gemme, Peter Simblaris, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Economic development Director Erin Schaeffer, Deputy Chief Amendola, Safety Officer Scouten, Josh Latham, Giovanni Fodera, Guiseppe Fodera Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely on Zoom. Any materials referenced in the minutes can be found in the Select Board packet on our town website. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Liaison Reports Mark Dockser noted the Council on Aging is excited Town Meeting approved some funds to explore space for a new senior center. He and Karen Herrick attended an award ceremony by the State Fire Marshall that recognized a few of our Reading Firefighters for their actions during the School House Condominiums fire. - Chris Haley noted a resident on Prescott Street reached out to him about a sign so he reached out to Bob to get the right contacts for the resident. Karen Herrick asked if the board could get a copy of the deed restrictions for 186 Summer Ave. WILD is wrapping up their solar grant program which ends on June 3&. She helped with the sandwich drive by event at the Pleasant Street center.She would like to know the next steps in regards to the information collected from the gas leak audit. Town Manager suggested the Select Board send a letter to National Grid. Carlo Bacci noted the Climate Advisory Committee reached out to him in regards to his comments from the Space Planning meeting.They would love to get a successful farmers market going in town and they Page 1 1 discussed all the logistics and ideas to try and get this going. It would be a lot of work and they would need a lot of help from volunteers. Town Manager Report Bob LeLacheur noted the State of Emergency is ending June 15th which affects a lot of things including the way the board meets.As of right now,the board will have to meet in person starting lune 15'h.Town hall is still recovering from the flood so other potential rooms like the library or high school will be looked at for meeting space. Public Comment Peter Simblaris wanted to comment on the agenda item later this evening regarding CVS parking lot. He noted the last time someone took parking spots from the town,they paid the town 15K per spot. He feels we should not be giving away parking spots when we have a parking problem. He is not in favor of giving away parking spots for nothing. Elections and Precincts Town Clerk Laura Gemme explained after looking at the numbers it is not recommended we add another precinct at this time.Most likely after the next census numbers in 2030 are released is when we will need to add a ninth precinct.With that being said,we will probably still need to"re-divide"the precinct lines to make the current eight precincts more even.She noted in 2022 Town Meeting is wiped clean and everyone will need to run again. Classification and Compensation Schedules Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted the only change to the classification plan is the removal of the Health Agent position which was previously replaced with a Health Director position.The compensation plan adds a top step and a .75%COLA. Mark Dockser moved to close the hearing regarding the FY22 Classification and Compensation plans. The motion was seconded by Chris Haley and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Mark Dockser moved to approve the FY22 Select Board Classification and Compensation Schedules as presented.The motion was seconded by Karen Herrick and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Town Accountant Update Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom gave the board her quarterly update. Her presentation and information can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website.She noted the Towns audit was recently done and it went will with no issues.She noted we are a little behind on collections for this time of year but nothing too concerning.She noted there was a big dip in liquor fees but it was determined that was because the board gave a discount to liquor licensees this year due to the pandemic. Economic Development Update Economic Development Director Erin Schaeffer gave the board a quick update. Her presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website.She has been working hard with our downtown business right now to keep it thriving.They are looking forward to the parking overhaul.She noted we Page 1 2 have 10 new businesses in the town.Working with the Chamber they have created a"shop the Readings" initiative they are very excited about. Erin also shared that the B.I.D.initiative has received positive response and would be interested in creating a farmers market. The board noted they would like regular updates from Erin on ongoing projects. PTTTF Hearing Deputy Chief Amendola and Safety Officer Scouten were present to explain the request.They are asking for a stop sign at the corner of Wakefield and Haverhill Streets. PTTTF received requests from neighbors in the area.The police department did speed and safety checks and this request is the result of those studies.The Board had no issues with this request. Mark Dockser moved to close the hearing regarding the stop sign on Wakefield Street.The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Mark Dockser moved to approve Amendment 2021-2 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented.The motion was seconded by Carlo Bacci and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. 18-20 Woburn Street An applicant was before the board to request taking some parking spots in the CVS parking lot to allow access to his building.The applicant is currently before CPDC with his plans for the building and they instructed them to come before the Select Board for access to their property through the municipal lot. The applicant showed their plans which can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. The Town Manager asked if these are the same plans that CPDC has seen and it was noted they are not. The applicant admitted they took in information and suggestions from CPDC and tweaked the plans before coming before the Select Board.The board did not feel comfortable that CPDC has not yet seen these new plans and asked if any staff have seen them. It was noted that Julie Mercier has seen them and PTTTF staff have but confirmed CPDC has not had any say on these new plans yet. Some members had other concerns like for delivery trucks in the tight space.Carlo Bacci did not have any concerns about deliveries. The board felt they need more feedback from other businesses that use this lot considering we already have a parking without adding another building with businesses.The Select Board would like the CPDC to weigh in on these new plans before they do officially. Minutes The board edited the minutes and asked for staff to resend them eut-with the edits incorporated for next meeting. Mark Dockser moved that the board table the minutes;with a second from Carlo Bacci the motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. Mark Dockser moved to adjourn at 10:03 PM;with a second from Carlo Bacci the motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. Page 1 3