The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022-05-03 Select Board Minutesrq Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK �o READING, MA. 2022 MAY 23 PM 3: 29 Board - Committee - commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2022-05-03 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Mark Dockser, Carlo Bacci, Chris Haley, Jackie McCarthy, Karen Herrick Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Fidel Maltez, Alan Beaulieu, Shanker Krishnamoorthy, Phil Vacaro, Jay Jackson, Julie Mercier, Tom O'Connor, Deputy Chief Amendola, Caroline Gauthier, Bernie Horn, Caitlin Nocella, PARC Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Nocella Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in person and remote via Zoom. Mark Dockser called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Liaison Reports Bacci just reported about Town Meeting. Haley echoed while also noting going back to in person this year has been great and the presentations have been helpful. McCarthy noted RMLD is interviewing candidates for General Manager today. Dockser echoed Haley and loved the videos that were posted online prior to town meeting. He also mentioned the Meet & Greet with Sudeshna Chatterjee, the new Director of Equity and Social Justice, on May 1g`h. Town Manager Report Maltez mentioned Town Meeting as well and reminded the board there is a badge pinning ceremony tomorrow night that they are all invited to. Public Comment Alan Beaulieu noted he is following up on his request from last year about a flag policy and flying flags for the military branches. Page I 1 Land Use Discussion Town Manager Maltez gave the board a short presentation on an idea for Oakland Road. The site could be used for senior housing and developed as a small community for seniors. Lynnfield did this recently. The town owns roughly 4 acres on Oakland Road but it was also noted there is a lot of ledge there. McCarthy asked if this could be used for other populations not just seniors. Dockser asked to look at this space for community area as well. The board consensus was this was an interesting idea to be pursued further by Maltez. Maltez then discussed Symonds Way. There is roughly 2.7 acres that is buildable. Weston & Sampson are surveying the land on what we could do there. There is room far a building about the size of the ice rink. He feels it would be a good recreational use building. The board would like to see a number of ideas for this space and discussed putting together a sub- committee for Symonds Way. Herrick arrives at 7:35 PM. Half & Half Liquor Application The owners of Zucca Italian Restaurant bought Fusion Caf6. They plan to turn it into a breakfast and lunch place called Half & Half. They are requesting a liquor license for this location. Building owner Phil Vacaro noted that the owner, Shanker Krishnamoorthy is a great tenant and business man and he supports him expanding his businesses in town. Haley moved to close the hearing regarding the liquor license application. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. Dockser emphasized that the town is very concerned with compliance with liquor laws and requested that the owners continue to be diligent about this. Haley Move to approve the new Annual All Alcohol License application for Reading Foods d/b/a Half & Half at 607 Main Street as presented. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. PARC PARC called to order at 7:47 PM. Haley, speaking as a resident and business owner in town, noted he is in favor of the kiosks. Tom O'Connor, resident and business owner, had the pleasure to serve on PARC. He noted he is against kiosks but if the board does move forward with them he urges the board to look the duties of the parking officer that is now in place. Caroline Gauthier noted she has a business on Haven Street and her patients use the Brande Street lot. She explained the parking issues started after that lot was changed from the 2-hour limit. She is against the kiosks noting it would be hard for her senior patients to use an app. She urged the board if they feel the need to implement kiosks then to consider the first 2 hours free. Page 1 2 Deputy Chief Amendola noted anyone with a handicap placard can parka nywhere, anytime in town for free. Haley moved to close the public hearing regarding downtown parking modifications. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendments: 2022-5, 2022-6, 2022-7, 2022-30, 2022-12, 2022-13, 2022-14. Motion seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 5-0 vote. Bacci noted he is not fully sold on the kiosks yet. He would like to implement everything else and wait 6 months to see what happens. The board had a lengthy discussion about kiosks and the timeline for implementing them if they were to move forward. Herrick and Dockser noted their opinions are to move forward with the kiosks as suggested by PARC. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendments: 2022-8, 2022-9, 2022-11. Motion seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4-0-1 vote with Haley abstaining due to potential conflict of interest as a business owner in the area. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2022-15. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 3-1-1 vote with Haley abstaining (due to potential conflict of interest as a business owner in the area) and Bacci opposed. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2022-4. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4-0-1 vote with Bacci abstaining due to potential conflict of interest as a business owner in the area. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendments 2022-2 and 2022-16. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 3-0-2 with Haley and Bacci abstaining due to potential conflicts of interest as a business owner in the area. PARC adjourned at 8:40 PM. Memorial Day Celebration McCarthy and Haley noted they would be interested in speaking. The other members also noted interest in participating. Arbor Dav Dockser read an Arbor Day proclamation. Haley moved to accept the proclamation as presented. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. Liaisons The board noted they were happy with the liaisons Town Manager Maltez had put together Page 13 Dockser noted the new Director of Equity and Social Justice, Sudeshna Chatterjee, is starting an advisory commit called PAIR. He noted he would happily be the board representative on it. The board agreed to this assignment. The board asked to add a discussion about the role of liaisons to a future agenda. Office Hours The board discussed starting up office hours again. Haley volunteered to do May. Bacci will do lune. McCarthy will take July while Herrick takes August and Dockser does September. The exact times and locations will be advertised ahead of time. Future Agendas The board discussed future agendas with Dockser adding a flag policy discussion to their next agenda. Minutes The board reviewed the changes Herrick put forth. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 19, 2022 as amended. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Executive Session At 9:15 PM Haley moved that the board go into Executive session, including staff members Fidel Maltez and Caitlin Nocella under Purpose 2 and Purpose 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with and approve contracts for the following unions: (AFSCME Local 1703, Engineers Bargaining Unit); and further the Chair declares that an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body; and that the board will NOT reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. Documents Used: • 2022-05-03 SB Packet • SB Meeting Schedule • TM Memo • Half & Ha1fABCCApplication • Half & Half Police Report • Half & Half Hearing Notice • PARC Proposed Changes Map • PARC Final Proposals • PARC Kiosks Pricing Breakdown • PARCSB Presentation • PARC Votes • Oakland Road PowerPoint • Symonds way conceptual layout • Arbor Day Proclamation • 2021 SB Liaisons Page 14 a 2022-04-19 Draft SB Minutes Page 1 5