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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-15 Select Board Packet Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 1 2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Select Board Date: 2022-11-15 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Agenda: Purpose: General Business Meeting Called By: Caitlin Nocella on behalf of Chair Mark Dockser Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonab ly anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: This Meeting will be held in-person in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall and remotely on Zoom. It will also be streamed live on RCTV as usual. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86505884927 Meeting ID: 865 0588 4927 One tap mobile +16465588656,,86505884927# US (New York) +16465189805,,86505884927# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) Meeting ID: 865 0588 4927 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/koHFZGYSF PAGE # 7:00 Overview of Meeting 7:05 Public Comment 7:10 SB Liaison and Town Manager Reports (see Town Manager Memo in posted Select Board Packet for topics/items to be addressed) 7:20 Public Hearing – Traffic Improvements: Stop Signs at Hillcrest Rd and Copeland Rd Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 2 7:40 Vote to accept gift of new baseball field at Joshua Eaton 8:00 Discussion of future locations of Pickleball Courts 8:20 Presentation from Reading Ice Arena Authority and Discussion on Lease Renewal 8:40 Discussion and Vote on Select Board Representative to Symonds Way Exploratory Committee 9:00 Discussion and Vote on Placing Menorah on Town Common 9:20 Discussion and Vote to submit letter of Support for Safe Routes to School Grant 9:30 Discuss and Vote on VASC recommendations for various boards and committee appointments 9:40 Discuss future agendas 9:50 Approve meeting minutes Office of the Town Manager 781-942-9043 16 Lowell Street townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us Reading, MA 01867 www.readingma.gov/town-manager To: Select Board From: Fidel A. Maltez Date: November 10, 2022 RE: Town Manager Memo for November 15th, 2022 Meeting This week Town staff became aware of a flag or flag like banner located on private property. The flag includes a four-letter word that many people consider to be vulgar and offensive. The word is used to refer negatively to Present Biden. Town Counsel was consulted and has advised that the Town refrain from initiating an enforcement action at this time. The First Amendment and Article 16 of the Massachusetts Constitution proscribe the Town from encroaching on residents’ rights to free speech. Courts have found that political speech on private property is entitled to the highest form of protection. See, Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138, 145 (1983) (“[S]peech on public issues occupies the highest run of the hierarchy of First Amendment values and is entitled to special protection.” (citation omitted)), see, also, Matal v. Tam, 137 S.Ct. 1744 (2017) (“Speech that demeans on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, or any other similar ground is hateful; but the proudest boast of our free speech jurisprudence is that we protect the freedom to express the thought that we hate.” (citation omitted)). The Supreme Court in Reed v. Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, 171 (2015), made clear that any distinctions based on the content or purpose of a sign constitute content-based discrimination that must satisfy strict scrutiny, meaning that the restriction must be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest. This is an extremely high burden to meet and one not met here. While I recognize that the use of the word is offensive to many in our community, the Courts have consistently protected the right for the public to make such statements. In Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971), the Supreme Court held that California could not prohibit an individual from wearing a jacket containing the same four-letter word displayed at issue in Reading today, in relation to the Vietnam draft, noting: In arguments before this Court much has been made of the claim that Cohen's distasteful mode of expression was thrust upon unwilling or unsuspecting viewers, and that the State might therefore legitimately act as it did in order to protect the sensitive from otherwise unavoidable exposure to appellant's crude form of protest. Of course, the mere presumed presence of unwitting listeners or viewers does not serve automatically to justify curtailing all speech capable of giving offense. *** For, while the particular four-letter word being litigated here is perhaps more distasteful than most others of its genre, it is nevertheless often true that one man's vulgarity is another's lyric. Indeed, we think it is largely because governmental officials cannot make principled distinctions in this area that the Constitution leaves matters of taste and style so largely to the individual. Id. at 21, 25. The Town may impose content neutral time, place, and manner restrictions on signage, and has done so through the adoption of Article 8 of the Zoning Bylaw. However, Article 8.5.6 permits decorative banners or flags to be displayed on residential lots in residential districts without restriction to size or location. I want to assure the Board that while the speech at issue here is protected under the First Amendment, there are limits to what residents can say in public. Certain categories of speech such as obscenity, defamation, fighting words, fraud, incitement, and speech integral to criminal conduct, can, consistently with the First Amendment, be regulated because of their constitutionally proscribable content. The Reading Police Department is aware of these limitations and will take appropriate action, to the extent such speech is present in our community. This week, I have spoken to many residents and Town Meeting members regarding this issue. I welcome any resident to reach out to my office, if they have any questions or would like to discuss this further. FAM ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts 211 Congress St., Boston, MA 02110 • 617.482.3170 • www.aclum.org Ruth A. Bourquin Senior & Managing Attorney (617) 482-3170 ext. 348 rbourquin@aclum.org August 25, 2020 Via Town Email Portal Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. Town Manager Town Hall 6 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Re: Reading Sign Bylaw and Political Signs Dear Manager LeLacheur: It has been brought to the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (“ACLUM”) that at least one resident of the Town has been cited for being in violation of the Town’s bylaw governing signs, including political signs, and is being pressured to take them down. Specifically, on August 18, 2020, Kim Saunders, the Town’s permits coordinator, wrote to Mr. Michael Mackeil of 3 Putnam Road saying: Good morning I am sending this email to let you know the Town has received quite a few complaints regarding the election sign that is on your property. The size of the sign does not comply with the Zoning Bylaw – Section 8.3. i For a period of time beginning 60 days before a Town of Reading municipal election, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts election, or a federal election, and ending two (2) days after the date of the election. Multiple signs each no more than 6 square feet are allowed. Please address this violation as soon as possible. Thank you in advance. Kim Saunders Permits Coordinator Public Services Department Town of Reading 781.942.6620 Page 2 Manager LeLacheur August 25, 2020 A Notice of Violation, dated the same day and imposing a $100 fine, was also received by Mr. Mackeil. While many reasonable people could and do object to any advocacy for re-election of the current occupant of the White House, such as that expressed through Mr. Mackeil’s signs, we write to highlight that the Town’s sign bylaw, generally and specifically as applied to political signs, is unconstitutional. As explained more below, it blatantly discriminates based on the content of signs and prohibits too much political speech on private property. It therefore is invalid under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 16 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. We therefore urge you to cease and desist in its enforcement, including as to political signs. In addition to restating the key legal points below, we also direct you to the open letter to cities and towns of Massachusetts that we provided through the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association last year: https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/20190423_open_letter_to_towns.pdf Content Discrimination The Reading Sign ordinance contains clear content-based discrimination that cannot satisfy strict scrutiny. The U.S. Supreme Court in Reed v. Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, 171 (2015), made clear that any distinctions based on the content or purpose of a sign constitute content-based discrimination that must satisfy strict scrutiny – a very difficult standard to meet. Zoning Bylaw Sections 8.3 through 8.6 are rife with content discrimination. On a positive note, everyone has a right to have one temporary sign on their property year-round. But an unlimited number of unlit directional or instructional signs, and signs qualifying as “original art,” are allowed throughout the year under 8.3b and d. Similarly, under 8.3e i through iii, additional signs related to construction or development are allowed for a period of a year or even longer. And, under 8.3e iv, additional “for sale” signs are allowed as long as the property is on the market. Yet, under 8.3e vii, residents are not allowed to express their political views on their own property with more than the one generally allowed temporary sign, except for 60 days before and 2 days after an election. And unlike the huge construction signs that are allowed under e i through iii, political signs cannot be more than 6 feet square. The Reading bylaw is full of other content-based distinctions too numerous to list here. But we note that, under Section 8.5.6, decorative banners or flags a re allowed year round in any number because they are deemed not to be signs. While a distinction between other signs and signs qualifying as banners or flags is likely not Page 3 Manager LeLacheur August 25, 2020 justified as a matter of constitutional law, given that Mr. Mackeil’s signs appear to be banners hung on his own fence, it is not clear why this exemption has not been applied to him. Excessive control of political speech on private property In City of Ladue v. Gilleo, 512 U.S. 43, 58 (1994), the Supreme Court said: A special respect for individual liberty in the home has long been part of our culture and our law; that principle has special resonance when the government seeks to constrain a person's ability to speak there. Most Americans would be understandably dismayed, given that tradition, to learn that it was illegal to display from their windows an 8-by-11-inch sign expressing their political views. Whereas the government's need to mediate among various competing uses, including expressive ones, for public streets and facilities is constant and unavoidable, its need to regulate temperate speech from the home is surely much less pressing. (citations omitted). Accordingly, the Court in City of Ladue, held that an ordinance prohibiting homeowners from displaying any signs on their property except residence identification signs, for sale signs, and safety hazard warning signs was unconstitutional because it simply “prohibits too much speech.” Id. at 55. The Court was specifically concerned that the ordinance broadly banned political signs on private property, or foreclosed an entire medium of communication to political speech. Id. Accordingly, restricting the display of political signs on private property is a violation of the First Amendment (and Article 16) rights of private individuals. Members of the City Council of Los Angeles v. Taxpayers for Vincent, 466 U.S. 789 (1984). Indeed, in a lawsuit recently brought by ACLUM, the U.S. District Court declared unconstitutional and permanently enjoined the City of Holyoke from enforcing an ordinance, or any future ordinances, restricting lawn signs, particularly political signs, to certain months of the year. https://www.aclum.org/en/cases/molloy- et-al-v-city-holyoke. In its final judgment, the Court said Holyoke could only regulate signs on residential properties to the extent necessary to protect public safety. Judgment, ¶ 4. For indeed, the only government interest strong enough to even potentially justify restrictions on political speech on private residential property is public safety, such as the need to prevent signs from blocking visibility on the streets or otherwise impeding traffic safety. Conclusion For all these reasons, the Town of Reading sign ordinance is unconstitutional, as is any imposition of sanctions based on it, including but not limited with regard to Mr. Mackeil. We therefore urge you to cease and desist in enforcement of it as Page 4 Manager LeLacheur August 25, 2020 currently written. As a courtesy, we also want to alert you to a prior case in which substantial attorneys’ fees and costs were awarded when another community failed to follow the law set forth above. Bell v. Baltimore County, 550 F.Supp.2d 590 (D. Md. 2008). Sincerely, Ruth A. Bourquin cc: Michael Mackeil, by email, premierheritage@hotmail.com Kim Saunders, by email ksaunders@ci.reading.ma.us Mass. Municipal Lawyers Association c/o James.lampke@lampkelaw.com Legal Notice (Seal) Town of Reading To the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading: Please take notice that the Select Board of the Town of Reading will hold a public hearing on November 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA or also available remotely on Zoom to act on proposed changes to the following Traffic and Parking Regulations:  Amendment Number 2022-20; Official placement of an isolated stop sign located on Hillcrest Road at Prescott Street  Amendment Number 2022-21; Official placement of an isolated stop sign located on Copeland Avenue at Prescott Street A copy of the proposed documents regarding this topic will be in the Select Board packet on the website at www.readingma.gov All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing in person or remotely via Zoom; or may submit their comments in writing or by email prior to 6:00 p.m. on November 15, 2022 to townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us By order of Fidel Maltez Town Manager To the Chronicle: Please publish on Tuesday, November 1st and November 8th, 2022 Send the bill and tear sheet to: Town Managers Office 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Town of Reading Amendment to the Traffic and Parking Regulations Amendment Number: 2022-20 Date Filed: September 28, 2022 Filed By: Traffic and Safety Officer Michael S. Scouten On Behalf of: Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force Section 1: Purpose of Amendment – Improve traffic safety at the intersection Hillcrest Road at Prescott Street. Section 2: Proposed Amendment: Official placement of an isolated stop sign. Location on Street: Hillcrest Road at Prescott Street. Regulation: Obedience to Isolated Stop Sign. Pursuant to Article: 6.12. Section 3: Effective Date: Upon approval of the Select Board. This act shall take effect upon its passage and the provisions above shall not expire. Select Board: Date Signed: Town of Reading Amendment to the Traffic and Parking Regulations Certification of Amendment: The Town Clerk certifies that Amendment Number ____________ above was ____________ by the Select Board of the Town of Reading through an official vote occurring during a public hearing held on ____________. The Amendment was ____________ through a vote of ____________ in favor and ____________ opposed. Town Clerk Town Corporate Seal Town of Reading Amendment to the Traffic and Parking Regulations Amendment Number: 2022-21 Date Filed: September 28, 2022 Filed By: Traffic and Safety Officer Michael S. Scouten On Behalf of: Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force Section 1: Purpose of Amendment – Improve traffic safety at the intersection Copeland Avenue at Prescott Street. Section 2: Proposed Amendment: Official placement of an isolated stop sign. Location on Street: Copeland Avenue at Prescott Street. Regulation: Obedience to Isolated Stop Sign. Pursuant to Article: 6.12. Section 3: Effective Date: Upon approval of the Select Board. This act shall take effect upon its passage and the provisions above shall not expire. Select Board: Date Signed: Town of Reading Amendment to the Traffic and Parking Regulations Certification of Amendment: The Town Clerk certifies that Amendment Number ____________ above was ____________ by the Select Board of the Town of Reading through an official vote occurring during a public hearing held on ____________. The Amendment was ____________ through a vote of ____________ in favor and ____________ opposed. Town Clerk Town Corporate Seal Presentation to the Select Board on 11.15.22 Field A Field B Proposed New Field •Two Fields →Field A & Field B •Field B needs many repairs to allow for AA play •Gift a regulation sized baseball field (46/60)at Joshua Eaton •Includes appropriate backstop and safety fencing •Less expensive to build a new field than redo Field B •Field B can still be used for T-ball •Total donation amount would be around $35,000 •Will schedule construction time to minimize impact on school activities •Reading Little League has made several successful donations to the Town over the years. -New scoreboards at Hunt Field &Tennis Court Field (Majors) -New dugouts at Hunt Field &Tennis Court Field (Majors) -Infield overhauls at Hunt Field &Tennis Court Field (Majors) -Batting Cages at Birch Meadow Complex •Recreation •Recreation Committee •DPW •Conservation •Building •Principal •Letters were sent out by Reading Recreation to abutters to attend the October monthly Recreation Committee Meeting to give input •Abutters main concern was parking if a third field was placed at Joshua Eaton Evolution of Pickleball What’s the big “dill”? Informational presentation by Reading Recreation to the Select Board on 11.15.22 What is Pickleball? An indoor or outdoor racket/paddle sport where two players (singles),or four players (doubles),hit a perforated hollow polymer ball over a 36-inch-high (0.91 m)net using solid-faced paddles.Opponents on either side of the net hit the ball back and forth until one side commits a rule infraction.Pickleball was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game on Bainbridge Island,Washington,USA. Pickleball Growth in the USA A 2022 report from the Sports &Fitness Industry Association called it the fastest growing sport in America,with 4.8 million players nationwide (a near 40 percent increase from 2020). Growth of total participants from 2020 to 2021 was the fastest among players under 24 years of age (21%) 60%of total participants are men and 40%are women;with a slightly faster rate of growth among women There are now an estimated 35,000 dedicated pickleball courts in the U.S.,more than double the number from five years ago. Reading Recreation and Pickleball Reading Recreation first began offering Pickleball in 2014 Since 2014,Reading Recreation has offered 239 Pickleball Programs in addition to the usage of Free Play at Memorial Park through Play Local.Recreation also has purchased 2 Douglas Premier PPS-22SQ Heavy Duty Pickleball Net Systems to keep on the outdoor courts at Memorial. Memorial Court bookings -courts are consistently booked out two weeks in advance Programming began at the Courts behind the playground @ the HS and eventually programming demands expanded and also occurred at the Tennis Courts @ Memorial Park,in the Coolidge Gym,Joshua Eaton Gym,Birch Meadow Gym,RMHS Field House &Parker Gym There have been a total of 2,141 program enrollments (these are not unique participants -there are duplicates) Due to lack of indoor play space -we often have extensive waitlists for our indoor offerings Town of Reading current pickleball facilities Memorial Park 4 Courts RMHS 4 Courts Staff & Rec Committee ideas for expansion Sturges Park (multi-use or dedicated facility) Barrows (multi-use or dedicated facility. Game play cannot happen during school hours.) Washington Park (explore half-court basketball area for 1 pickleball court. Already another full-court basketball facility on site.) “Friends of Reading Pickleball” Phase II of Birch Meadow Master Plan dedicates 8 pickleball lighted courts (already outlined on the conceptual and design plans) Existing conditions at Barrows Currently 2 tennis courts and 1 basketball court Existing conditions at Sturges Currently 1 tennis court and 1 basketball court Half-Court Basketball, 2 Pickleball Courts (1 multi-use) Full-Court Basketball, 1 Pickleball Court Looking ahead to another facility 8 dedicated Pickleball Courts (already in Birch Meadow Master Plan) Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC) Charge Authority The Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC) is an ad hoc committee appointed by the Reading Select Board. Membership The SWEC will have seven (7) members composed as follows: 1 Select Board Member (ex-officio, appointed by the Select Board) 1 Recreation Committee Members (ex-officio, appointed by the Recreation committee) - Angela Binda 1 Community Planning & Development Commission (CPDC) Member (ex-officio, appointed by the CPDC committee) - Heather Clish 1 Conservation Committee Member (ex-officio, appointed by the Conservation committee) - Andrew Dribin 1 Permanent Building Committee Member (ex-officio, appointed by the Permanent Building Committee) - Nancy Twomey 1 School Committee Member (ex-officio, appointed by the School committee) - Chuck Robinson 1 Council on Aging Member, or Senior Advocate (ex-officio, appointed by the Council on Aging) - Karen Janowski In order to help the Committee carry out its purpose, the Select Board invites the following staff will lend their professional guidance and advice to the Committee. Town Manager Superintendent of Schools Town Accountant Assistant Town Manager Community Development Director Administrative Services Director Procurement Officer Community Services Director Meetings will be recorded and administrative support will be provided by Town Hall staff (scheduling and posting meetings, taking minutes, etc.) Purpose The purpose of this committee is to serve as an advisory committee to the Reading Select Board for the purpose of recommending the best options for uses of the land for our community, understanding the needs of the community, located on Symonds Way. SWEC shall gather input from its members and the Reading residents as to what the property should look like and its functionality. SWEC will hold regular meetings and community outreach, SWEC will gather, analyze, and organize information for future planning decisions related to the best uses for this property. The Committee shall consider the following: 1. Best uses to serve as many residents as possible 2. Using public funds and grants where possible towards development 3. Private/public partnerships to develop the property The first task of SWEC will be to define the best use for the property. SWEC will provide feedback on potential physical layouts on the property developed by SV Design Architects and funded by Town Meeting on April 2022. If a private/public partnership is deemed appropriate, the SWEC will work with Reading Town Hall staff to develop and review a Request for Proposals (RFP) for private developers to invest in the property. Once proposals are received, and with the help of Reading Town Hall Staff, SWEC will help review and evaluate the submittals to the RFP. The Committee will offer recommendations for potential funding options, if pursuing public development. Deliverable The Committee shall begin its work in December 2022 and shall submit multiple options for development recommendations using an evaluation scheme to be determined by the committee to the Select Board no later than August 31, 2023 unless another date is agreed to by the Select Board. If approved by the Select Board, the Committee shall present its development recommendations to Subsequent Town Meeting in November 2023. Sunset The Committee shall sunset on June 30, 2024 but may be extended by a Select Board vote. Public Body The meetings and deliberations of the Committee shall be subject to the Open Meeting Law. HAVERHILL STREETPUBLIC-50' WIDESYMONDS WAY30' WIDE (PER REF #4)ACCESS & UT IL ITY EASEMENT (A .K .A RANGE ROAD PER REF #3 )SYMONDS WAY30' W IDE (PER REF #4 ) N 5 3 ° 5 3 ' 5 2 " E 6 2 9 . 3 6 'S53°53'52"W16.44'S11°56'08 " E 206.45'DN61°19'20"E72.38'N61°19'20"E50.10'S87°56'08"E132.89'S78°40'39"W237.83'N43°54'42"W43.30'N27°24'37"W214.57'S79°11'52"W87.00'S69°59'18"W215.50 ' S11°37' 4 2 " W 342.98' S11°37' 4 2 " W 808.04'DDDN06°00'48"W 339.84'S11°56'08"E40.55'R=283.00'D=038°10'03"L=188.52'CHB=N72° 58' 51"ECHD=185.05'N53°53'52"E81.13'N78°40'39"E166.29'N22°37'23"E321.13'N39°3 4 ' 14 "E321. 40 ' N05°30'13"W 479.06'MAP 41 LOT 37N/FLANDS OF M & M GRIMMER LLCBOOK 63798 PAGE 139MAP 35 PAGE 134N/F LANDS OFREADING RIFLE & REVOLVER CL.BOOK 9447 PAGE 490MAP 35 LOT 135N/FLANDS OFTOWN OF REDDING CONSERVATION COMMISSIONBOOK 9447 PAGE 490MAP 30 LOT 1N/FLANDS OF TOWN OF READING CONSERVATIONMAP 35 LOT 136N/F LANDS OFREADING RIFLE & REVOLVER CL.BOOK 27610 PAGE 535MAP 35 LOT 95N/FLANDS OF JOSEPH E & MICHAEL DISCIULLOBOOK 36449 PAGE 172MAP 35 LOT 96N/FLANDS OF MARIE A. DEVITO &DIANE WEATHERBEEBOOK 61957 PAGE 286MAP 35 PAGE 97N/FLAND OF ROBERT N. KINGBOOK 48865 PAGE 12MAP 41 LOT 56N/FLANDS OF TOWN OF READINGBOOK 11189 PAGE 431MAP 35 PAGE 94N/FLANDS OF KYLE & ELIZABETH VIRGINBOOK 74592 PAGE 457MAP 35 PAGE 132N/FLANDS OF CARL W & BRENDA ANN STINSONBOOK 10349 PAGE 31MAP 41 LOT 54N/FTOWN OF READING ICE ARENABOOK 11189 PAGE 431MAP 35 LOT 133N/FTOWN OF READINGBOOK 73040 PAGE 267PROPOSEDPARCEL "A"PROPOSEDPARCEL "B"REFERENCES:1. THE TAX ASSESSOR'S MAP OF READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MAP 35, LOT 133.2. MAP ENTITLED "NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, FIRM, FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP, TOWN OFNORTH READING, TOWN OF READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, PANEL 312 OF 656 ," MAP NUMBER 25017C0312E,EFFECTIVE JUNE 4, 2010.3.MAP ENTITLED "PLAN OF LAND IN REDDING, MASS. OWNED BY: READING RIFLE & REVOLVER CLUB, INC. P.O.BOX 212 READING, MA. 01867 PREPARED BY GARRIT CONSULTING LAND SURVEYOR - SITE PLANNING. DATEDOCT. 9, 1991 AND FILED IN MIDDLESEX REGISTRY OF DEEDS SOUTHERN DISTRICT. PLAN NO. 49-(1-3) OF 1996REC'D BOOK 25987 PAGE 226.4.MAP ENTITLED "TOWN OF READING MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS STREET ACCEPTABLEPLAN SYMONDS WAY," PREPARED BY ENGINEERING DIVISION, DATED MARCH 1995, RECORDED IN THEMIDDLESEX REGISTRY OF DEEDS SOUTHERN DISTRICT AS PLAN NO.922 OF 2003.5.ELECTRONIC CAD FILE CONTAINING LIDAR CONTOURS PROVIDED BY CLIENT, SEE NOTE #10.LOCUS MAPDWG. NO.HAVERHILL STREET WESTON & SAMPSONCOMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTSAPPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLAN OF LAND22-08 MAB.A.V.D.L.R.REVIEWED:FIELD CREWDRAWN:C.W./Z.C.03-30-202222FIELD BOOK NO.FIELD BOOK PG.FIELD DATETOWN OF READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTYLOT 133, MAP 35OF11G.L.H.APPROVED:6-22-2022DATE1" = 80'SCALE03-220120-00FILE NO.THE COPYING OR REUSE OF THIS DOCUMENT, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, FOR OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL PROJECT OR THE PURPOSE ORIGINALLY INTENDED, WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF CONTROL POINT ASSOCIATES, INC., IS PROHIBITED.CONTROL POINT ASSOCIATES, INC.- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.MASSACHUSETTS PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR #49211GERRY L. HOLDRIGHT, PLSDATENOT A VALID ORIGINAL DOCUMENT UNLESS EMBOSSEDWITH RAISED IMPRESSION OR STAMPED WITH A BLUE INK SEAL801 inch = ft.( IN FEET )GRAPHIC SCALE0408016032080!IDOYUG STC-APOOFBERELL (1-888-344-7233)THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REQUIRES NOTIFICATIONBY EXCAVATORS, DESIGNERS, OR ANY PERSON PREPARING TODISTURB THE EARTH'S SURFACE ANYWHERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.NOT TO SCALEMASSACHUSETTS STATE PLANE COORDINATE SYSTEM - NAD 83NOTES:1.PROPERTY KNOWN AS LOT 133 AS SHOWN ON THE TOWN OF READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY,COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, MAP NO. 35.2.EXISTING LOT 133 AREA = 646,023 SQUARE FEET OR 14.831 ACRES.PROPOSED PARCEL A AREA = 431,844 SQUARE FEET OR 9.914 ACRES.PROPOSED PARCEL B AREA= 214,179 SQUARE FEET OR 4.917 ACRES.3.THE LOCATIONS OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES HAVE NOT BEEN SHOWN. BEFORE ANY SITE EVALUATION,PREPARATION OF DESIGN DOCUMENTS OR EXCAVATION IS TO BEGIN, THE LOCATION OF UNDERGROUNDUTILITIES SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY THE PROPER UTILITY COMPANIES.4.THIS PLAN IS BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CLIENT, A SURVEY PREPARED IN THE FIELD BYCONTROL POINT ASSOCIATES, INC., AND OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL AS LISTED HEREON.5.THIS SURVEY WAS PREPARED WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A TITLE REPORT AND IS SUBJECT TO THERESTRICTIONS, COVENANTS AND/OR EASEMENTS THAT MAY BE CONTAINED THEREIN. IT IS STRONGLYRECOMMENDED THAT A COMPLETE TITLE SEARCH BE PROVIDED TO THE SURVEYOR FOR REVIEW PRIOR TOTHE PLACEMENT OF OR ALTERATION TO IMPROVEMENTS ON THE PROPERTY.6.EXISTING FIRM: BY GRAPHIC PLOTTING ONLY PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN FLOOD HAZARD ZONE X (AREASDETERMINED TO BE OUTSIDE THE 0.2% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOODPLAIN), ZONE X SHADED (AREAS OF 0.2%ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD; AREAS OF 1% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD WITH AVERAGE DEPTHS OF LESS THAN 1FOOT OR WITH DRAINAGE AREAS LESS THAN 1 SQUARE MILE; AND AREAS PROTECTED BY LEVEES FROM 1%ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD. PER REF. #2.7.THE EXISTENCE OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS, IF ANY, WAS NOT KNOWN AT THE TIME OF THE FIELDSURVEY.8.THE DELINEATION LINE WAS PLACED IN THE FIELD BY WESTON & SAMPSON ON 03/23/2022, AND FIELDLOCATED BY CONTROL POINT ASSOCIATES, INC. ON 03/31/2022.9.THE PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN IS TO SUBDIVIDE LOT 133, MAP 35 INTO TWO PARCELS; SHOWN HEREON ASPROPOSED PARCEL "A" & PROPOSED PARCEL "B".10.TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOURS ARE SHOWN HEREON PER MASSGIS 2013-2014 SANDY LIDAR DATA SET (DATAACQUISITION FALL 2013 & SPRING 2014) PROVIDED BY WESTON & SAMPSON ENGINEERS. INC.,AND REPRESENTS APPROXIMATE SURFACE ELEVATIONS AT A 2 FOOT INTERVAL ON THE NAVD88 VERTICAL DATUM. CONTOURS ARE SHOWN FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND ARE NOTINTENDED FOR USE IN SITE ENGINEERING DESIGN.LEGENDPOINT OF BEGINNINGPOBDELINEATION FLAG6-22-2022THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THIS PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED INCONFORMITY WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THEREGISTERS OF DEEDS. NO NEW RIGHT OF WAY LINES ARE BEINGCREATED AND THOSE SHOWN ARE EXISTING AND ARE NOT BEINGCHANGED OR ALTERED.SITECASPL ORTNOSSCOTAIETNIONI, C .508.948.3000 - 508.948.3003 FAX352 TURNPIKE ROADSOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772WWW.CPASURVEY.COMCHALFONT, PA 215-712-9800WARREN, NJ 908-668-0099MANHATTAN, NY 646-780-0411MT LAUREL, NJ 609-857-2099ALBANY, NY 518-217-5010HAUPPAUGE, NY 631-580-2645ROCHESTER, NY 585-250-1764PHILADELPHIA, PA 800-668-1819 Cassandra Cascon Community Grant Program Manager Massachusetts Department of Transportation 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4160 Boston, MA 021166 Re: Safe Routes to School Grant Application – Town of Reading Dear Ms. Cascon: On behalf of the Reading Select Board, please accept this Letter of Support for Reading’s Safe Routes to School grant application. We are extremely exciting about this grant application and the impact that it will have on all our residents, specifically our students. Reading’s grant application focuses on the area surrounding our Birch Meadow Complex. The Birch Meadow area is home to our Birch Meadow Elementary School, our Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School, and our Reading Memorial High School. In addition, the complex is home to our athletic facilities that are used by all our students, as well as a diverse make-up of members of our community. Finally, the area houses the Reading YMCA, which is a huge community asset. In Reading we say that the Birch Meadow Complex is the heart of our community. However, we recognize that we can greatly improve safety, connectivity, and transportation facilities surrounding the Birch Meadow Complex. Earlier this year, our Town staff submitted a Complete Street grant that focused on improving sidewalk infrastructure on Auburn Street and Parkview Road. Our Safe Routes to School grant application focuses on improving sidewalks and roadway infrastructure on Oakland Road, Hillside Road, and Birth Meadow Drive. This much needed infrastructure work will improve walkability, safety, and bicycle access for our students. Most importantly, it will improve vehicle traffic and safety on these critical corridors. We thank you for your assistance in helping bring this project to fruition. Sincerely, Mark L. Dockser, Chair Karen Gately Herrick, Vice Chair Christopher Haley, Secretary Carlo Bacci Jacqueline McCarthy PARKVIEW ROADREADING MEMORIALHIGH SCHOOLAAOAKLAND ROADBBBIRCH MEADOW DR IVE HILLSIDE ROAD WA V E R L Y R O A D MAINTAIN UTILITY POLESRELOCATE FIRE HYDRANTRELOCATE FIRE HYDRANTIF NECESSARYMAINTAIN UTILITY POLESCOMPLETE STREETSAPPLICATION SUBMISSIONMAINTAIN EXIST RETAIN WALLSWHITTIER ROADASPHALT PATH CONNECTIONTO WHITTIER ROADRELOCATE SCHOOL BOX POSTIF NECESSARYMAINTAIN UTILITY POLESMAINTAIN UTILITY POLEMAINTAIN UTILITY POLEREMOVE POSTMAINTAIN UTILITY POLEINVESTIGATE LANE USE ANDMULTI-WAY STOP CONTROL WARRANTSPROP BIKE RAILPROP SIDEWALK & CROSSWALK CONNECTIONTO SCHOOL'S MAIN ENTRANCEMAINTAIN UTILITY POLESPROPOSED CURB EXTENSIONTHROUGH INTERSECTIONREDUCE CORNER RADIIAT INTERSECTIONIMPLEMENT ROAD DIET BY REDUCING WIDTHOF EXISTING TRAVEL LANES ANDCREATING SPACE FOR SHARED USE PATHCONSIDER PEDESTRIAN-SCALE STREET LIGHTINGWITHIN HARDSCAPED BUFFERNNAD 83MAINTAIN EXIST BACK OF SIDEWALKSHARED USED PATH(HMA)4'8'11'TRAVEL LANEEXISTINGCL1.5%PROP HMA MILL, SHIM, & OVERLAYPROP 4" LOAMAND SEEDPROP SAWCUT (TYP)SECTION A-A(N.T.S)10'PARKING LANECEM CONCSIDEWALK8'11'TRAVEL LANE1.5%PROP 4" LOAMAND SEEDPROP GC;TYPE VB (TYP)5.5'PARKING LANEBUFFER2' LEVELSHIFTED CROWN LINE2.0%2.0%EXIST GROUNDEXIST GROUNDBIKE RAIL59.5'CEM CONCSIDEWALK5.5'EXISTING CLPROP 4" LOAMAND SEEDPROP SAWCUT (TYP)SECTION B-B(N.T.S)11'TRAVEL LANE1.5%PROP HMA MILL& OVERLAYPROP GC;TYPE VB (TYP)MATCH EXISTMATCH EXISTEXIST GROUNDBIKE LANE5'8'36'±PARKING LANECEM CONCSIDEWALK5.5'1'EXIST GROUND1.5%282 Merrimack Street2nd FloorLawrence, MA 01843Oakland Road / Hillside RoadReading, MassachusettsSAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTSScale: 1" = 60'November 9, 2022Legend= Cement Concrete Sidewalk= Cement Concrete Wheelchair Ramp= Hardscape Buffer NNAD 83PARKVIEW ROADOAKLAND ROADWESTON ROADLONGFELLOW ROADAUBURN STREETBANCROFT AVENUEHIGHLANDSTREETMINOR DRAINAGE UPGRADESTO ACCOMODATE CURB BUMP OUTSPROP CURB BUMPOUTS TOIMPROVE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGPOTENTIAL RETAINING WALLIMPACTS TO LANDSCAPE AREARELOCATE HYDRANT OUT OF DRIVEWAYEVALUATE OPTIONS TO RETAINTHREE EXISTING TREESMEET EXIST BACK OF SIDEWALK;RET EXIST FENCERET EXIST HEDGESAABBCCPOTENTIAL FUTUREIMPROVEMENTSPROP GC; TYPE VB(R&R EXIST)CEM CONCSIDEWALK5'2'11'±EXISTINGROADWAYEXISTINGCL1.5%RET EXIST PVMTPROP GC;TYPE VBPROP 4" LOAMAND SEEDPROP SAWCUTSECTION B-B(N.T.S)CEM CONCSIDEWALK5.5'13'±EXISTINGROADWAYEXISTINGCL1.5%RET EXIST PVMTPROP GC;TYPE VBPROP 4" LOAMAND SEEDPROP SAWCUTSECTION C-C(N.T.S)CEM CONCSIDEWALK5'3.5'12'±EXISTINGROADWAYEXISTINGCL1.5%RET EXIST PVMTPROP GC;TYPE VBPROP 4" LOAMAND SEEDPROP SAWCUTSECTION A-A(N.T.S)282 Merrimack Street2nd FloorLawrence, MA 01843Auburn Street / Parkview RoadReading, MassachusettsSIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTSScale: 1" = 40' September 29, 2022Legend= Grass/ Landscape Area= Cement Concrete Sidewalk= Cement Concrete Wheelchair Ramp Board/Committee/Commission Full Associate Animal Control Appeals Committee 0 1 Board of Assessors 0 1 Board of Cemetery Trustees 0 3 Celebration Committee 1 0 Climate Advisory Committee 0 3 Commissioners of Trust Funds 0 2 Community Planning & Development Commission 1 0 Conservation Commission 2 3 Constables 1 0 Council on Aging 2 0 Cultural Council 0 3 Finance Committee 1 0 Historic District Commission 0 1 Mystic Valley Elder Services Board of Directors 1 0 Permanent Building Committee 0 2 Recreation Committee 2 3 Trails Committee 0 1 Zoning Board of Appeals 0 2 Visit https://www.readingma.gov/515/Volunteer-Opportunities for more information VOLUNTEER BOARD VACANCIES AS OF 11/8/2022 Board/Committee # Full Mbrs Max # Assoc Members Full/ Assoc Orig. Date Term Ends Council on Aging 10 6 Deborah Small F 2018 2025 Council on Aging Joan Coco F 2017 2025 Council on Aging VACANT F 2025 Council on Aging Karen Fotino F 2020 2024 Council on Aging Karen Pinette F 2019 2024 Council on Aging Marilyn Shapleigh F 2014 2024 Council on Aging VACANT (NZ)F 2024 Council on Aging John Parsons F 2015 2023 Council on Aging Sally Hoyt F 2004 2023 Council on Aging Sandra Shaffer F 2014 2023 Council on Aging Jacquelyn Behenna A 2020 2024 Council on Aging Rosemarie DeBenedetto A 2022 2024 Council on Aging Beverly Cunio A 2022 2024 Council on Aging Jolyn Ek A 2014 2023 Council on Aging Karen Janowski A 2022 2023 Council on Aging Nancy Tawadros A 2022 2023 Recreation Committee 9 4 Eric Gaffen F 2018 2025 Recreation Committee Michael Coltman F 2018 2025 Recreation Committee VACANT F 2025 Recreation Committee Catherine Kaminer F 1988 2024 Recreation Committee VACANT F 2024 Recreation Committee Robert Weiden F 2020 2024 Recreation Committee Angela Binda F 2020 2023 Recreation Committee Chuck Robinson (Sch. Com.)F 2021 2023 Recreation Committee Richard Hand F 2011 2023 Recreation Committee VACANT A 2024 Recreation Committee VACANT A 2024 Recreation Committee Katelynn King A 2021 2023 Recreation Committee VACANT A 2023 Trails Committee 5 3 David Williams F 2008 2025 Trails Committee Kathy Kelly F 2018 2025 Trails Committee Ray Vaillancourt F 2021 2024 Trails Committee Benjamin Ream F 2018 2024 Trails Committee William Finch F 2011 2023 Trails Committee John Kastrinos A 2022 2024 Trails Committee VACANT A 2024 Trails Committee Thomas Gardiner A 2008 2023 DeBenedetto Janowski Kirwan Prato Pucci Tawadros 1 LaVerde, Jacquelyn From:Nancy <njziemlak@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, November 8, 2022 12:19 PM To:LaVerde, Jacquelyn Cc:Gemme, Laura Subject:Re: Online Form Submittal: Town Manager - Contact Us CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking  links, especially from unknown senders.  Thank you Jackie, I submitted an email to Laura Gemme resigning as a voting member from the Council On Aging.  Thank  you for scheduling me for an interview for an associate position on the same Council.  On Mon, Nov 7, 2022 at 12:23 PM LaVerde, Jacquelyn <jlaverde@ci.reading.ma.us> wrote:  Hi Nancy,  Thank you so much for calling earlier.  As I mentioned, the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee is meeting this  Wednesday, November 9th.  I have scheduled your meeting at 10:45 am.  The meeting will be held in the Town Hall  Select Board Meeting Room with Jackie McCarthy and Chris Haley of the Select Board.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you and kind regards,  Jackie  From: noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>   Sent: Monday, November 7, 2022 4:50 AM  To: LaVerde, Jacquelyn <jlaverde@ci.reading.ma.us>  Subject: Online Form Submittal: Town Manager ‐ Contact Us  CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking  links, especially from unknown senders.  Town Manager - Contact Us Ziemlak 2 Town Manager Staff Jacquelyn LaVerde, Administrative Specialist  First Name nancy ziemlak  Your E‐mail Address njziemlak@gmail.com  Subject Board of Registra  Message Good Morning, Laura Gemme suggested I get in touch with you. I am on the Board of Registrar and the Council on Aging. Laura just let me know that as a Registra I was not allowed to be on any other town Board or Committee. I am wondering if it is appropriate for me to be on the Council on Aging as a non- voting {associate} member? She suggested I get in touch with you. Thanks so much. Nancy Ziemlak, 15 Orchard Park Dr., 781-439-4450 Attachment Number 1 Field not completed.  Attachment Number 2 Field not completed.  Attachment Number 3 Field not completed.  Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. VASC Recommendations Karen Janowski as a member of the Council on Aging, term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2025 Nancy Tawadros as a member of the Council on Aging, term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2024 Nancy Ziemlak as an associate member of the Council on Aging, term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2023 Jean Prato as an associate member of the Council on Aging, term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2023 Melissa Pucci as a member of the Recreation Committee, term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2025 Tim Kirwan as an associate member of the Trails Committee, term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2024 2022 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD AGENDAS 2022 11/10/2022 Staff Responsibility Estimated start time November 17, 2022 Subsequent Town Meeting II Thursday November 21, 2022 Subsequent Town Meeting III Monday November 28, 2022 Subsequent Town Meeting IV Monday December 6, 2022 Tuesday Overview of Meeting Dockser 7:00 Public Comment Board 7:05 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:10 ReCalc Final Survey Update Umass Boston Director of Equity and Social Justice UpdateVote to Approve Licenses (delegated to Town Manager's Office) Update on 186 Summer Ave Vote to Approve Liquor Licenses Discuss Future Agendas Board Approve Meeting Minutes Board December 7, 2002 Wednesday Review Town Department FY24 budgets Public Services Delios Administrative Services Kraunelis Public Safety - Fire/EMS Burns Police/Dispatchers Clark Public Health Solarin Facilities Huggins December 13, 2022 Tuesday Review Town Department FY24 budgets Public Library Lannon Public Works & Enterprise Funds Kinsella Finance Angstrom Shared Costs Angstrom/Maltez Budget Summary Maltez December 14, 2022 Wednesday Town Department FY24 budgets (if needed) 2022 DRAFT - SELECT BOARD AGENDAS 2022 11/10/2022 Staff Responsibility Estimated start time Future Meetings - Agenda Items VASC Policy Changes and Recommendations VASC Discuss Early Sunday Hours at Recreational Fields & Parks Rec Comm Discuss/Vote to adopt Birch Meadow Master Plan (discuss with Town Counsel in advance) Rec Comm Public Safety Quarterly updates Landry/ Dockser Air BnB update CPDC Update on 186 Summer Ave / Review of Select Board role (consult with Town Counsel) Town Counsel Discuss Police Department Policies with respect to Police Reform Legislation & Department Accreditation Landry/ Dockser Discuss and Approve Flag Policy Board Discuss Tree Lawn Pesticide Policy BOH January 10, 2023 Tuesday January 24, 2023 Tuesday February 7, 2023 Tuesday February 21, 2023 Tuesday March 7, 2023 Tuesday March 21, 2023 Tuesday April 4, 2023 TOWN ELECTION April 18, 2023 Tuesday April 24, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING April 27, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING May 1, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING May 4, 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING May 9, 2023 Tuesday May 23, 2023 Tuesday June 6, 2023 Tuesday June 20, 2023 Tuesday July 11, 2023 Tuesday August 1, 2023 Tuesday August 22, 2023 Tuesday September 12, 2023 Tuesday September 26, 2023 Tuesday October 10, 2023 Tuesday October 24, 2023 Tuesday November 7, 2023 Tuesday November 13, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 16, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 20, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING November 21, 2023 Tuesday Novmeber 27, 2023 SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING December 5, 2023 Tuesday Vote to approve annual licenses (delegated to TM Office) Vote to approve Liquor Licenses December 6, 2023 Wednesday Department Budget Presentations December 12, 2023 Tuesday Department Budget Presentations Select Board Draft Minutes October 11th, 2022 Public Comment Rosemary DiBenedetto feels the town should buy the Walgreens building and then tear it down and build a parking garage. She also noted a long list of things that need updating at the Pleasant Street Center. John Parsons noted that the Pleasant Street Center hasn’t been fully staffed in a long time and it would be nice to get a full staff for the seniors. Liaisons Bacci attended the Board of Health last week; they are issuing a RFP for a community needs assessment survey to help with needs regarding covid. The MWRA waste water numbers are up. They also discussed the rodent issue up at the water tower. Haley noted he attended the Economic Development Summit last week which was well attended by the residents of the area. Lots of ideas were discussed and it was filmed by RCTV for anyone who wishes to watch. He also attended the RMLD Open House which was fantastic. He held office hours earlier today where most of the comments were in regards to a later agenda item, Walgreens. Herrick noted she met with Lisa Egan about the proposed Polystyrene Bylaw and her concerns. They are thinking about adding another public forum for outreach. She attended the Remembrance and Recovery event. The Council on Aging held a meeting that mostly discussed the Pleasant Street Center and what ADA complaint means. She also attended the financial forum. Dockser noted RECALC voted 7-0 in support of moving forward with the Walgreens Building. They also did a community survey and will receive an update sooner than December to report back. Town Managers Report Maltez noted that our trash contractor JRM was bought out by Republic Services. They assured us a smooth transition, but it has not been going well. He assured the board they are speaking with Republic and doing everything they can to rectify the situation. We received a complete streets grant. The last beer garden of the season will be October 22, 2022. State Warrant Town Clerk Laura Gemme was present and noted this warrant is for the November 8th State Election and was provided in the packet for the board. Haley moved to close the State Election Warrant as presented to be held on November 8th, 2022. Herrick seconded the motion and the motion passed with the following roll call vote: Bacci – yes; Haley – yes Herrick – yes; McCarthy – yes; Dockser – yes. Green Communities Maltez noted there was legislation signed last week that potentially impacts Article 22 on the warrant for Town Meeting. The Article may not be necessary anymore and it is Town Counsels recommendation to table it and wait until next year. Herrick would like to hear more of Town Counsels reasoning for tabling this. She feels the Article still may be needed so it would be best to let it move forward at this Town Meeting. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Minutes The board edited the previous meeting minutes. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 13th, 2022 as amended. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 20th, 2022 as amended. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. 17 Harnden Street Proposal The board discussed the current proposal from the Walgreen building that is on the table. They specifically discussed the timing of the article for town meeting and potentially holding a special election in January or February. The board feels that maybe this town meeting is too soon since there are still so many unknown answers. Dockser noted he felt ReCalc was interested in the Walgreens building but it needs more discussion before a final answer which is why they voted to move forward with discussions at this time. The board agrees as well that while this building could potentially meet a lot of their needs, there are still many questions as to whether it is the right building for this. The board discussed some concerns from residents that they feel this is skipping the line ahead of the Killam Building. It was noted this is not taking priority over Killam, it is just happening at the same time and are both high priorities. Maltez gave the board a presentation about some other options for a senior center. Maltez gave this presentation at the Senior Center Lunch N Learn last week. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. The board discussed the different costs associated with each option and then decided to proceed in Executive Session for further discussion. At 9:01 PM, Haley moved to go into Executive Session, including staff members Fidel Maltez, Caitlin Nocella and Ivria Fried and Jennie Merrill from Town Counsel’s office, under Executive Session Purpose 6 to discuss the acquisition and value of 17 Harnden Street, as the Chair declares that an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body; and under Purpose 7, to comply with Section 22 of the Open Meeting Law and that the board will reconvene in open session to continue discussion on the 17 Harnden Road topic. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. The board returned to open session at 9:54 PM. The board discussed which member would be the point person on this going forward. Herrick nominated Dockser while Bacci noted he would be willing to do it. Haley deferred to Bacci while McCarthy felt Dockser would be a good choice because of his background with the seniors. Haley moved authorize the Town Manager to send Notice to Award the Contract to BH Waltham II LLC, c/o Partel Management LLC, for the acquisition of 17 Harnden Street, subject to successful negotiations, as discussed during tonight’s meeting, and authorize Select Board Member Dockser to engage in such negotiations on behalf of the Board. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 PM. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Select Board Draft Minutes October 25, 2022 Public Comment John Means expressed his concerns about splitting the tax rate. As a small business owner himself, he noted it is not right for Reading. Reading is mostly small businesses who will have to pass the increase onto consumers if the board splits the rate further. Eilish Havey also expressed deep concerns for splitting the rate and asked the board to please consider keeping it the same. Liaison Reports Bacci noted he attended two Recreation meetings in which they discussed a third field proposal from Little League at Joshua Eaton and more lighting on pickle ball fields. The MMA held a webinar on solid waste and recycling where they talked about mattress and the new law that now requires them to be recycled. Haley noted that ARPA held their last meeting and is now finished. He thanked everyone who participated with the difficult task. Octoberfest, the town’s last beer garden of the season, was a huge success with a large turnout. The library held a new resident open house for the first time since the pandemic started. Coffee with a cop and Fidel also had a great turnout. Herrick also mentioned Octoberfest and the new resident open house while also noting Art fest and the Fire Department Open House were all great events. She attended an MMA Conference for women in elected office. She attended a new gas line hearing with National Grid to explain concerns about current gas leaks and safety. Downtown trick or treat is tomorrow night. McCarthy noted CPDC had a meeting about the balconies at 625 Main Street. They have to be removed and replaced with ‘Juliette’ balconies. They also spoke about the open space next to the water tank. New Resident open house was great. She spoke about medium house prices and low inventory in town for affordable housing. The Council on Aging called to order at 7:30 PM. ReCalc called to order at 7:31 PM. Dockser noted we need more volunteers for many town boards. He thanked the town manager and the DPW for handling the recent trash issues. Town Managers Report Maltez noted the Town Meeting Warrant books will be available Saturday. There is a financial forum tomorrow night. The Killam School walkthroughs will begin this week for town meeting members. Solid Waste Contract Update Maltez noted that we are all caught up with trash and recycling as of now. The crisis appears to have subsided at the moment. The board noted their little confidence in the situation and feels we should continue looking at other options. Tax Classification Town Assessor Victor Santaniello gave the board his yearly presentation to the board. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. Haley moved that the Select Board close the hearing establishing the FY2023 tax rate. Bacci seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5-0 vote. The board discussed shifting the rate slightly more. Bacci and Haley advocated to keep it at 1.02 noting the small businesses in town are still struggling and now is not the right time. McCarthy noted she would be ok somewhere in between 1.02 – 1.05. Herrick noted she would like to see the rate shift as far as 1.25 eventually but for this year she would vote for 1.05. Dockser also noted he would go for 1.05 this year. Haley moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of .9965 for Fiscal Year 2023. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 3-2 vote with Haley and Bacci opposing. Haley moved that the Select Board not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2023. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved that the Select Board not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2023. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved that the Select Board not grant a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2023. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. ReCalc Update ReCalc gave the board a presentation which can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. They then asked to extend their sunset date until July of 2023. Survey Results Caitlin Coyle from UMass Boston gave the board a quick presentation of the preliminary results from a few of the survey questions. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. ReCalc Sunset Extension The committee noted earlier they would like to be extended due to the current conversation in town surrounding the Walgreens building. They feel their work is not done yet and would like to be extended until next year. Most board members were fine with the extension; Bacci noted his concerns that this will interfere with the upcoming Symonds Way committee which is set to start off in December. Haley moved to extend the sunset date of the Reading Center For Active Living Committee (ReCalc) to June 30, 2023. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4-1 vote with Bacci opposed. Pay & Class Study Human Resources Director Sean Donahue and Joellen Cademartori from GovHR were present to give the board a presentation on the recent pay and class study. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. Classification Plan Maltez showed the board the new classification plan he is proposing. He is promoting Matt Kraunelis, current Director of Administrative Services, to Assistant Town Manager. He will now oversee Administrative and Public Services and his current position will be eliminated. Technology will also become its own department instead of sitting under Administrative Services. RAAC Recommendations on ARPA Funds The board had numerous recommendations from RAAC this evening. Marianne Downing, Chair of RAAC, was present to explain to the board their recommendations and votes. The first recommendation was for $4,000 to the Garden Club. RAAC voted 6-2 to approve this spending. Haley move to approve $4,000 in ARPA funds for the Reading Garden Club as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. The next recommendation was for $25,000 to the Reading Rotary. RAAC voted 8-0 to approve this spending. Haley moved to approve $25,000 in ARPA funds for the Reading Rotary as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. The following recommendation was for $29,000 to the Reading Chamber. RAAC voted 6-2 to approve this spending. The board discussed where this money was going to be spent specifically in the Chamber. The Chamber noted they would like to use it to help businesses who can’t afford the yearly dues. There was discussion if using the money for membership dues was appropriate and what the money should be used for. There was also discussion that $29K was more than needed to cover dues for this year. Dockser suggested only approving $19K for this instead. Herrick suggested asking them to spend the money differently. Haley moved to approve $29,000 in ARPA funds for the Reading Chamber as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. The next recommendation was for $4,000 to the First Congregational Church. RAAC voted 6-2 to approve this spending. RAAC voted 6-2 to approve this spending. Haley moved to approve $4,000 in ARPA funds for First Congregational Church as presented. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 5-0 vote. The following recommendation was $25,000 for due diligence on a potential purchase of 17 Harnden Street, the former Walgreens building. RAAC voted 7-1 to approve this spending. Haley moved to approve $25,000 in ARPA funds for due diligence on a potential purchase of 17 Harnden Street, the former Walgreens building, as presented. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 5-0 vote. Up next was a recommendation for $900,000 for Premium Pay. RAAC voted 5-3 to approve this spending. The board discussed the model that would be used to for this and how employees were rated on different scales from exposure levels and how often. It was noted there were many models before this one was decided on at RAAC. Dockser feels it’s important to do something but there aren’t many communities who have done this yet and feels this number is too much. Haley is on board for the full $900K noting our employees deserve it. He then mentioned a letter from an employee who left that was complaining they won’t get the money because they no longer work for us. McCarthy noted she thinks this model makes a lot of sense and she plans to support the $900K. Herrick noted she is fine with the model but feels a smaller number would be better. She is concerned that nothing has been done to help with affordable housing. She recommended trim the last couple requests to leave them with some more money to divvy up. Haley moved to approve $900,000 in ARPA funds for Premium Pay as presented. The motion was seconded by McCarthy and approved with a 3-2 vote with Dockser and Herrick opposed. The last recommendation was $930,314 for Water Enterprise Suppose/Capitol Costs. RAAC voted 8-0 to approve this spending and the last of the ARPA funds. Haley moved to approve $930,314 in ARPA funds for Water Enterprise Support/ Capital Costs as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote. Future Agendas The board decided to cancel their November 22nd meeting as it is in the middle of Town Meeting. Haley moved to adjourn at 11:39 PM. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote.