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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-20 Select Board MinutesCL I Town of Reading _C�'4dN CLE x Meeting Minutes „? i1 -It C1. �,RAA K fiT2OC112 pM Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2022-09-20 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, E.A. Caitlin Nocella, Carl McFadden, Rosemarie DiBenedetto, Amanda Haley, Lisa Egan, Erin Schaeffer, Jim Freeman, Brian Kimerer Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Executive Assistant 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. Public Comment Carl McFadden noted the kids of the Saturday Night Lights program in conjunction with the Reading High Cheerleaders are hosting a food drive. It will be held on October 11t at the High School Field from 3- 7 pm. Rosemarie DiBenedetto noted her displeasure with pursuing the old Walgreens building for a new senior center. She feels that space is not adequate for what they need and there is no parking there. She also mentioned after we purchase the building for a huge price tag, the renovations will be just as costly making it not worth it. Amanda Haley wanted to mention the camera/website that was brought up at public comment last week. She noted they do not make money off this website, it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything and people around town love the website for the recap of town events. Lisa Egan, speaking on behalf of the Chamber and business community wanted to share thoughts from their Board of Directors about the polystyrene ban. She urged the board to please consider postponing this article. She stated there has been no business outreach. She stated supply chain issues are so bad right now and adding this ban at this time would hurt the businesses even more. Liaisons Page 1 1 Herrick noted RMLD is impacted by the inflation reduction act, there is opportunity for significant grants coming. The highspeed electric charger at the library is being delayed due to supply chain issues and is expected to be installed Q1/2023. Killam School Building Committee met last night and voted affirmatively on the Killam warrant article. Dockser noted RECALC met with an architect last week. Town Manaeers Report Maltez noted there is a Financial Forum tomorrow night. They are planning three walkthroughs of the Killam School for Town Meeting members prior to Town Meeting. Class I License — Honda The Class I License for Honda on Walkers Brook Drive is changing hands. The new manager, Daniel Loggins was present for the meeting. The Police noted they have no issues with the license moving forward. It was noted the paperwork is all in order except for the lease agreement which will be signed at closing and then submitted to the town. Haley moved to approve the Class I license for TTHD Wakefield, LLC d/b/a RT. 128 Honda at 88 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA contingent upon receival of the fully signed and executed Lease and Section 58, Class I Contract. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Economic Development Update Economic Development Director Erin Schaeffer gave the board a presentation of updates. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. BID Update Jim Freeman gave the board a presentation about the BID process and updates. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. Cultural Council Brian Kimerer gave the board a presentation about the current Cultural Council happenings. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. RFP Update Maltez noted we only had one response to the RFP for space for the senior center. The response was from 17 Hamden Street. The board will have an executive session on this at their next meeting. Town Meeting Warrant Maltez ran through the articles on the Town Meeting Warrant for November again. The board had a long discussion about Article 20 which is the polystyrene ban bylaw. Haley and Bacci remained committed to their previous comments from the last meeting that this is not the right time for this bylaw. They noted the absent outreach to the business community and feel the board should push this to April to give more time to do the needed outreach. They also felt hearing from Lisa Egan on behalf of the business community speaks loudly that the business community was truly unaware of this Page 1 2 article. Haley still wants to know why big box stores are exempt from this bylaw. Herrick noted that during the prior Select Board meeting of September 13, 2022, the RCAC committed to public educational forums in October and to conduct outreach to impacted businesses. Haley moved to close the warrant with articles 1-19 and 21-23 for Subsequent Town Meeting to take place on November 14th, as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to close the warrant with article 20 for Subsequent Town Meeting to take place on November 14th, as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 3-2 vote with Haley and Bacci opposing. Grove Street Lot 5 Update Maltez noted the packet shows a very preliminary drawing Weston and Sampson put together for the lot. It contains 18 spots with 2 handicap spots and a place holder for bathrooms. It has to be approved by the National Heritage which is state agency, and we don't know how long it will take. It will also need to be reviewed and approved by the appropriate town boards/committees. Next steps would be a legal process with Meadow Brook to create an easement to get from the parking lot to the town forest. Haley moved to adjourn at 10:30 PM. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Documents Used: 2022-09-20 Select Board Packet Page 1 3