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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-06 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: 2023-06-06 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 Jackie McCarthy 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 reaso nably 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/89219360873 Meeting ID: 892 1936 0873 One tap mobile +16465588656,,89219360873# US (New York) +16465189805,,89219360873# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) Meeting ID: 892 1936 0873 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/k3bi5dkmb PAGE # 7:00 Overview of Meeting 7:05 Public Comment 7:15 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports 7:30 HEARING – Meadow Brook Golf Club Alteration of Premises to Liquor License 3 7:45 Discuss/Vote to Authorize Debt related to the Auburn Water Tank, Maillet Sommes Morgan, and Haven Street 33 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 8:00 Discussion and Vote on FY2024 Water & Sewer Rates 35 8:15 Update from Economic Development Director on Kiosk Roll-Out 51 8:30 Discussion on Improving Communication with Small Businesses 8:45 Vote to Allocate $15,000 from ARPA Funds previously allocated to Public Health, for File Digitization for Public Health 9:00 Vote on Changes to ReCalc Charge and Expansion of Sunset Date 61 9:15 Discussion on Funding Request from Boards, Committees and Commissions 63 9:30 Discussion on the Development and Planning Process for a Dog Park in Reading 9:45 Discussion of Emails for Boards and Committees 10:00 Exploration of Town Counsel 10:30 Discuss Future Agendas 68 10:45 Approve Meeting Minutes 70 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 June 6th, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Select Board Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts, and remotely via Zoom, to act on an Alteration of Premises request for an annual All Alcohol Club License for Meadow Brook Golf Club Corp of Reading Mass d/b/a Meadow Brook Golf Club at 292 Grove Street, Reading, MA. A copy of the proposed documents regarding these topics will be in the Select Board packet on the website at www.readingma.gov All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing, or may submit their comments in writing or by email prior to 4:00 p.m. on June 6th, 2023 to townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us By order of Fidel Maltez Town Manager To the Chronicle: Please publish on May 23rd and again on May 30th, 2023 Send the bill and tear sheet to: Meadow Brook Golf Club 292 Grove Street Reading MA 01867 Ron Rice, General Manager 781-909-5909 ron@meadowbrookgolfclub.org VOTE OF THE SELECT BOARD I, the Clerk of the Select Board of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts (the “Town”), certify that at a meeting of the board held June 6, 2023, of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the board in my custody: Voted: that the sale of the $3,555,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2023 Bonds of the Town dated June 15, 2023 (the “Bonds”), to Raymond James & Associates, Inc. at the price of $3,881,971.91 and accrued interest is hereby approved and confirmed. The Bonds shall be payable on November 15 of the years and in the principal amounts and bear interest at the respective rates, as follows: Year Amount Interest Rate Year Amount Interest Rate 2023 $340,000 5.000% 2032 $185,000 5.000% 2024 335,000 5.000 2033 95,000 5.000 2025 335,000 5.000 2034 95,000 5.000 2026 335,000 5.000 2035 95,000 5.000 2027 335,000 5.000 2036 95,000 3.375 2028 185,000 5.000 2037 95,000 3.500 2029 185,000 5.000 2038 95,000 3.500 2030 185,000 5.000 2039 95,000 3.500 2031 185,000 5.000 2042 285,000 4.000 Further Voted: that the Bonds maturing on November 15, 2042 (a “Term Bond”) shall be subject to mandatory redemption or mature as follows: Term Bond due November 15, 2042 Year Amount 2040 $95,000 2041 95,000 2042* 95,000 _____________ *Final Maturity Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Bonds, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated May 25, 2023, and a final Official Statement dated June 1, 2023 (the “Official Statement”), each in such form as may be approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted. Further Voted: that the Bonds shall be subject to redemption, at the option of the Town, upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Official Statement. 2 Further Voted: that the Town Treasurer and the Select Board be, and hereby are, authorized to execute and deliver a continuing disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC Rule 15c2-12 in such form as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the Bonds, for the benefit of the holders of the Bonds from time to time. Further Voted: that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town Treasurer and bond counsel deem sufficient, or if such procedures are currently in place, to review and update said procedures, in order to monitor and maintain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds and to comply with relevant securities laws. Further Voted: that any certificates or documents relating to the Bonds (collectively, the “Documents”), may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same document; delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to a Document by electronic mail in a “.pdf” file or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart signature page to such Document; and electronic signatures on any of the Documents shall be deemed original signatures for the purposes of the Documents and all matters relating thereto, having the same legal effect as original signatures. Further Voted: that each member of the Select Board, the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be and hereby are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes. I further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that a notice stating the place, date, time and agenda for the meeting (which agenda included the adoption of the above votes) was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in a manner conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or on the municipal building that the office of the Town Clerk is located or, if applicable, in accordance with an alternative method of notice prescribed or approved by the Attorney General as set forth in 940 CMR 29.03(2)(b), at least 48 hours, not including Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the Bond were taken in executive session, all in accordance with G.L. c.30A, §§18-25, as amended, further suspended, supplemented or modified by the Executive Order of the Governor of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, §20 dated March 12, 2020. Dated: June 6, 2023 _____________________________________ Clerk of the Select Board 133300824v.1 Town of Reading Water & Sewer Public Forum May 31, 2023 FY24 Water Enterprise Budget $8,655,507 (2% Reduction vs. FY23) Voted by Town Meeting: •$850,000 Offset from Reserves •$145,000 from ARPA to Support Capital FY24 Sewer Enterprise Budget $7,791,992 (2.5% Increase vs. FY23) Voted by Town Meeting: •$650,000 Offset from Reserves Look at Structural Change for FY24 •Wakefield completed Water Rate Study to implement Tiered Water and Sewer Billing Tiers Start End Water Sewer 1 1 1,000 $7.30 $11.20 2 1,001 2,500 $7.72 $11.70 3 2,501 6,000 $8.15 $12.21 4 6,001 + $8.99 $13.22 •65 gallons per person per day (8.7 cubic feet) used as basis for setting tiers •Tier 1 captures person living alone, senior couples, and other small users •Tier 2 captures average residential user (approx. 1,950 cubic feet) and three-person households •Tier 3 threshold allows commercial accounts and larger residential users to conserve to avoid or limit tier 4 consumption FY24 Rates, Reading is pursuing Tiered Rates Overview: •Today we have a single rate system, based on water usage •Proposal is to go to a tiered system that would encourage conservation. Higher usage would be billed at a higher rate •Town Meeting funded a water & rate study that developed proposals that the Select Board has been reviewing since February –Rates have been discussed at three Select board meetings –Public Hearing held on May 23, 2023 •Select Board recommended a public forum, which we are holding today to answer residents’ questions •The Select Board will Vote on new water & sewer rates at their meeting on June 6, 2023 •New rates will be in effect on September 1, 2023 FY24 Rates –Good News •Thanks to a more than usual dry-summer in 2022, revenue in the water & sewer enterprise funds is ahead of projections –This will result in additional regeneration of retained earnings, more than anticipated –Very hard to predict what next summer will be like, we do not want to assume a dry summer every year •MWRA Preliminary Assessment is very positive for Reading –0.6% Increase in Water Assessment ($2,825,027) –-0.8% Decrease in Sewer Assessment ($5,337,985) –-0.3% Decrease combined Historic MWRA Water Assessments Question: Are we using the right time frame? •For our analysis we are using, 4 quarters (1-year) worth of data: 7/27/2021, 10/26/2021, 1/25/2022, 4/26/2022. •Below is a graphical trend of water usage for Reading, issued on February 2022 and on February 2023. •Higher water usage the summer of 2020 (presumably because of COVID) and the summer of 2022 (presumably because of weather). It appears that the winter months stay consistent, year over year. •Going back to 2019 is too dated, especially with development. •We still think the data used for analysis is the best. Question: Are we required to go to tiers? •M. G. L. c. 165, §2B was passed in 1993, but was to take effect on July 1, 1994. Subsequently, the law was amended to include additional language on July 10, 1994, with the amendment also retroactive to July 1, 1994. •The original version of G. L. c. 165, §2B was passed in 1993 and stated as follows: “All municipalities or water districts shall institute water charges and fees that incorporate a base rate for all users; provided, that said base rate shall be increased at an increasing block rate to fairly reflect the resource demand and consumption of high volume users of water.” St.1993, c. 110, §195. Section 196 of that legislation further intended to add that Section 195 was to take effect on July 1, 1994, but contained a typo referring to Section 196, which was subsequently corrected on January 14, 1994. •On July 10, 1994, the Legislature amended G. L. c. 165, §2B to include additional language [shown here in italics]: “All municipalities or water districts within the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, but not including communities serviced by the Connecticut Valley Aqueduct shall institute water charges and fees that incorporate a base rate for all users; provided, that said base rate shall be increased at an increasing block rate to fairly reflect the resource demand and consumption of high volume users of water.” The amendment was made effective retroactively as of July 1, 1994. St.1994, c. 60, §140. Question: Should we implement second meters? •Commonly known as “Irrigation Meters”, this would allow water used for irrigation or pools to be metered separately and not billed for sewer usage •It will create a deficit in sewer revenue that is hard to predict •Residents must install and pay all plumbing expenses, permits and purchase second meter to take advantage of this •If Select Board would like to pursue this option, recommend limiting to 50 Residential Properties for at least 2 fiscal years, to analyze trends and impacts on revenue •Do not recommend allowing irrigation meters to commercial properties Question: How many people in a household would fall in each tier? •A resident asked the size of home that would fall on each tier. The table below is the best approximation we can show: –45 gallons/person/day is based on MWRA data for Reading –65 gallons/person/day is based on EPA nationwide data –Does not account for irrigation, pools, or outside water usage, this accounts for domestic consumption Tiers Start End Start End Start End 1 - 500 0 1 0 1 2 501 1,000 1 2 1 1 3 1,001 2,500 2 5 1 3 4 2,501 4,000 5 7 3 5 5 4,001 +7 or More 5 or More # of persons in household per tier 45 gallons per day 65 gallons per day Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Start - 501 1,001 2,501 5,001 End 500 1,000 2,500 5,000 + Rate 10.00$ 10.50$ 10.70$ 12.00$ 12.00$ % Difference -8%-3%-1%10%10% Usage and tiers in cubic feet; rates based on 100 cubic feet of usage Sewer Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Start - 501 1,001 2,501 5,001 End 500 1,000 2,500 5,000 + Rate 10.10$ 10.80$ 11.70$ 13.00$ 13.00$ % Difference -11%-5%3%14%14% Usage and tiers in cubic feet; rates based on 100 cubic feet of usage Water FY23 Rates Water Sewer 11.41$ 10.86$ Rate per 100 cubic feet of usage Rates Proposed FY24 Tiered Rates •Initial Rates Proposed in February 2023. Select Board was concerned with such a high increase to tier 4 & tier 5 users •Select Board requested that tier 4 & tier 5 be separated and that tier 4 receive a lower increase than tier 5 FY23 Rates Water Sewer 11.41$ 10.86$ Rate per 100 cubic feet of usage Rates Proposed FY24 Tiered Rates •Big change: modified tier 4: 2,501 to 4,000, to lower the impact on larger households. Tier 4 has a lower increase than tier 5 •The proposal had a significant decrease to tier 1 users but has a large increase to tier 5 users. •Select Board Chair requested that we lower the reduction to tier 1 and lower the increase to tier 5 Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Start - 501 1,001 2,501 4,001 End 500 1,000 2,500 4,000 + Rate 10.10$ 10.80$ 11.70$ 12.50$ 13.00$ % Difference -11%-5%3%10%14% Water Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Start - 501 1,001 2,501 4,001 End 500 1,000 2,500 4,000 + Rate 9.60$ 10.30$ 11.15$ 11.90$ 12.35$ % Difference -12%-5%3%10%14% Sewer FY23 Rates Water Sewer 11.41$ 10.86$ Rate per 100 cubic feet of usage Rates Proposed FY24 Tiered Rates •Big change: modified Tier 1 & Tier 2: from 0 to 1,000 cubic feet charged the same rate. Reduces the distribution between Tier 1 & Tier 5. •Water: With this plan, billings are projected to go up $195,848 (or 2.6%) if the new structure is in place for a full year and $36,252 (0.5%) if the new structure is in place for ¾ of a year. •Sewer: With this plan, billings are projected to go up $53,245 (or 0.7%) if the new structure is in place for a full year and $25,059 (0.3%) if the new structure is in place for ¾ of a year. Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Start - 501 1,001 2,501 4,001 End 500 1,000 2,500 4,000 + Rate 10.75$ 10.75$ 11.70$ 12.00$ 12.50$ % Difference -6%-6%3%5%10% Water Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Start - 501 1,001 2,501 4,001 End 500 1,000 2,500 4,000 + Rate 10.20$ 10.20$ 11.15$ 11.50$ 12.00$ % Difference -6%-6%3%6%10% Sewer Projected Billing for Water Projected Billing for Sewer User Type Usage Current Bill FY 2024 - TIERS FY 2024 - NO TIERS Low-End User 500 57.05$ 53.75$ 58.90$ Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)1,500 171.15$ 166.00$ 176.71$ Avg. Residential User (65 gpd)2,200 251.02$ 247.90$ 259.18$ Large Residential User 4,500 513.45$ 525.50$ 530.14$ Large Commercial User 10,000 1,141.00$ 1,213.00$ 1,178.08$ Very Large Commercial User 100,000 11,410.00$ 12,463.00$ 11,780.83$ User Impact (per Bill) - Water Bills Only User Type Usage Current Bill FY 2024 - TIERS FY 2024 - NO TIERS Low-End User 500 54.30$ 51.00$ 55.93$ Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)1,500 162.90$ 157.75$ 167.79$ Avg. Residential User (65 gpd)2,200 238.92$ 235.80$ 246.09$ Large Residential User 4,500 488.70$ 501.75$ 503.36$ Large Commercial User 10,000 1,086.00$ 1,161.75$ 1,118.58$ Very Large Commercial User 100,000 10,860.00$ 11,961.75$ 11,185.80$ User Impact (per Bill) - Sewer Bills Only Recommendation for Water & Sewer Rates for FY24 Tiers 1 2 3 4 5 Water Rate 10.75$ 10.75$ 11.70$ 12.00$ 12.50$ Sewer Rate 10.20$ 10.20$ 11.15$ 11.50$ 12.00$ FY24 Combined Rate 20.95$ 20.95$ 22.85$ 23.50$ 24.50$ FY23 Combined Rate 22.27$ 22.27$ 22.27$ 22.27$ 22.27$ % Difference -6%-6%3%6%10% Avg. Residential User (45 gpd)Usage Current Bill New Bill Quarterly Water Bill 1500 171.15$ 166.00$ Quarterly Sewer Bill 1500 162.90$ 157.75$ Combined Bill 1500 334.05$ 323.75$ Usage in cubic feet Next Steps •We developed a tool to project Residents’ Water & Sewer bill by inputting their usage. We will demonstrate this tool now. We will also make it available on our website. •The Board will be asked to vote on Water & Sewer rates on their next meeting on June 6, 2023. Downtown Parking Changes Upper Haven (CVS) and Brande Court Lots UPDATE ON PROGRESS, TIMELINE, and COMMUNICATIONS JUNE 2023 June July August September Kiosks Installed in Lots Police Department Enforcement Contract & Logistics Senior Lunch N’ Learn Outreach & Communications for New Lots + Installation of Signage at Lots Ongoing Outreach + Digital Learning with Seniors New Parking Format Comes On- Line + Enforcement Begins •Kiosks installed, communications continue •Lunch N Learn, June 29th, at the Pleasant Street Center •Informational session on “how-to” of using the kiosks and/or the smart phone app •Parking enforcement contract completed with IPS and completion of Police Department preparation with new police enforcement officer •Parking payment structure completed internally with Reading financial departments and Reading Police Department •During July, extensive outreach to businesses regarding employee parking will occur •1:1 meetings with Economic Development Director •In person flyering of businesses •Use of Facebook groups, social media platforms, and additional informational platforms to notify the public of changes at these lots •Installation of new signage at lots, signifying how to use the pay-by phone smart app and explanation of new regulations •Ongoing outreach via flyering of parked cars at Upper Haven and Brande Court lots •Outreach across social media platforms •Reverse 911 issued two weeks ahead of September 1st start date for kiosks •Digital Learning session with Seniors at the Pleasant Street Center on August 24th •Two-week grace period of Issuing of informational tickets and handing out two pagers with FAQs and parking map •Information for the Economic Development Director’s contact will be provided in order to field questions and concerns related to new parking formats/kiosks Upper Haven Lot Kiosk Locations Parking Kiosk Upper Haven Lot Kiosk Locations Parking Kiosk Kiosk Brande Court Lot Kiosk Locations Parking Kiosk Kiosk Brande Court Lot Kiosk Locations Parking Kiosk Kiosk Employee Parking is Highlighted in Blue Q&A Session Thank You! Select Board ad hoc Committee: Reading Center for Active Living Committee (RECALC) Amended Charter June 6, 2023 There is hereby established a volunteer ad hoc committee reporting to the Select Board known as the Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCalc). The charge of ReCalc is to explore the current and future needs of the Community, and initiate planning for a potential new Senior/Community Center in town that will focus on residents aged 60+ and possibly other members of the Community. At the Annual Town Meeting, $40,000 was appropriated in FY’22 capital funds for the purpose of Senior/Community Center planning. A consultant will be hired with these funds to provide technical assistance and expertise in Community Resource Planning and Community Engagement. The Town Manager may also require Town Staff to work with ReCalc. Previously accomplished goals: -ReCalc will collect data and information from communities that have successfully navigated the Senior/Community Center planning process. -ReCalc will articulate a vision of a Community Center and conduct extensive Community Engagement to determine if residents desire a 60+ Center for Active Living or a multigenerational center. - Through regular meetings and community outreach, ReCalc will gather, analyze, and organize information for future planning decisions related to the proposed center. Specific goals: Progress report delivered to the Select Board before Annual Town Meeting 2023. ReCalc shall continue to operate and add to its charter the following goals: a. Information for Feasibility Study: Using information obtained and developed through review of best practices, visits to and discussions with other senior centers around us, and survey results, provide a document and informati on to be used by the firm being hired to perform the feasibility study. Goal of sharing this within 45-60 days. b. Program focus: Using the above tools and new interviews, explorations and discussions, add programming review to help define what we may want to offer in terms of services for seniors. c. Operating Finance: Explore a variety of financing alternatives used by other senior/community centers for programming activities to include donations, grants, town support and potentially other alternatives. d. Transportation: Explore transportation best practices for senior centers. ReCalc shall report back to the Select Board quarterly with progress and to upcoming Town Meetings. It shall be the goal of ReCalc to make and report substantial progress on these goal s before the end of 2023. The Committee shall be made up of 7 voting members, all of whom must be Reading residents, all appointed by the Select Board and comprised of the following: • Mark Dockser to represent the Select Board 1 member of the Council on Aging (COA), designated by the COA 1 member of the Recreation Committee, designated by the Recreation Committee Chair • 4 at-large members from the community, preferably with background in architecture, design, planning, project management and community engagement, and/or who represent a variety of key stakeholder groups such as seniors who participate in our Council on Aging programs, eldercare professionals, families with age 60+ members who use our recreation programs, and those aged 60+ who don’t currently use the COA programs and an additional 1-2 associate members with background and interest in financing options for programs at senior/community centers or other civic organizations, all to be recommended by VASC. ReCalc shall provide regular updates to the Select Board during the process. ReCalc shall sunset on or before June 30, 2024. If needed, this date can be extended by vote of the Select Board. Open Meeting Law: ReCalc is a committee under the Select Board and is therefore subject to the requirements of the Open Meeting Law (e.g., advance notice of meetings, agendas, minutes, production of documents when requested, etc.). Further, any formal subcommittees of ReCalc, charged with carrying out specific tasks are also subject to the Open Meeting. The Town Forest Committee requests $10,000 for FY24 to cover the following expenses: 1. Update the Forest Management Plan (FMP). The FMP describes the current conditions of the TF and recommends actions to enhance forest health and biological diversity. Having an FMP makes the Town eligible for forestry grants from the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Reading has received a total of $20,000 in DCR grants over the last two years. FMPs must be updated every 10 years. The TF plan was prepared in 2010, so it needs to be updated to remain eligible for DCR grants. Updating the FMP is also necessary to reflect the changes that have occurred in the Town Forest as a result of the dying red pine trees and the three phases of dead pine tree removal. 2. Prepare a Forest Cutting Plan for dead tree removal. Dead pine trees have been removed from about 15 acres of the TF under three phases conducted in 2020 and 2022. A fourth phase should be conducted in FY24 to continue to mitigate the safety hazards of falling from trees and forest fires. A Forest Cutting Plan is required in order to obtain approval from DCR and the Reading Conservation Commission. 3. Control invasive plants. Invasive plants have become firmly established in the Reading Town Forest. Budget is needed to implement control measures to prevent invasive plants from displacing the native plants in the TF. 4. Plant native plants. Areas cleared of dead pine trees have created ideal conditions for new plants to grow. It is important that native trees, shrubs and pollinators be planted so that the invasive plants do not colonize the newly opened areas. Budget is needed to develop a planting plan and to purchase native plants. The TFC was funded at $5,000 for FY23. This request for $10,000 reflects the great need for corrective action in the Town Forest. Please contact me if you have any questions about this request. Thank you. Bill Sullivan, Chair Town Forest Committee For the 2024 fiscal year, the Climate Advisory Committee requests $2,000 to support: • $1200 to distribute the Heating & Cooling Survey for the 3rd year. • $300 for posters and similar outreach materials. • $500 to support Community Planning and similar town efforts on things like the Net Zero Plan and the Walking & Biking Plan. Regards, David Zeek, Chair Reading Climate Advisory Committee Trails Committee Budget Request 2023-2024 Stock and Materials $5000.00 The Trails Committee remains committed to maintaining over 708 acres of conservation land and 15 miles of trails in Reading. That said, we have noticed that our boardwalks and bridges are aging and will require some maintenance in order to remain safe to use. We have decided to make it our priority to update over 400 linear feet of boardwalks, some of which have been standing for over 20 years. Several of them no longer meet our current standard for design and will need repairs and in many cases replacement. This summer we have an opportunity to capitalize on some extra hands from Next Step Ministries again. Last year they were extremely helpful to us and constructed over 160 feet of boardwalks. We would like to use the $5000 to cover the stock and materials for these important projects and together with Next Step Ministries and our TC volunteers, get the work done. We would appreciate your consideration in providing the extra funding for the costs for this year only. Next year, we will likely seek out additional funding from grants. Regards, Kathy Kelly, Chair Reading Trails Committee Hi Sam, I spoke to Jonathan Barnes yesterday about the continued funding for the Reading Historical Commission. I wanted to reiterate and memorialize the Town’s commitment to maintain the annual funding of $1,500 for the historical commission. I know that this funding was given in FY2023, and it will be given again in FY2024. If there are any other questions, please let me know. Thank you for everything you do for our community. Fidel A. Maltez Dear Select Board members: For the 2024 fiscal year, the Community Garden requests $2000 from the Select Board Fund for Boards, Committees and Commissions to support the following. • $1000 to supplement costs for watering the garden beds. We expect the income from gardeners' fees to go fully toward water costs. Based on the first year of operation, actual costs will exceed fees collected by approximately this amount. This support from the Select Board will allow fees to remain affordable for Reading residents, provide fresh produce for Food Pantry users, and ensure that the community garden remains a resource for the full community. In future years, the plan is to install a rainwater collection system, which will alleviate the need for such support. • $1000 to support costs to complete phase 3 of the community garden, including an additional 10 beds. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Cathy Zeek and Simone Payment Reading Community Gardens Reading, MA Fiscal 2024 Reading Conservation Commission Budget Request I am submitting our budget request on behalf of the Reading Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission oversees over 700 acres of land plus 50 acres of Conservation Restrictions. Another parcel off Sanborn Ln will be added this season. As always, the primary focus of the Commission is guidance to Reading residents for the execution of projects on their property in accordance with the jurisdictional regulations. In addition, we have been working on a multi-year effort to upgrade our Conservation Areas with environmental improvements, maintenance and improved signage. This past year we did that with beautiful new signs at the entrances to Mattera Cabin and Bare Meadow Conservation Areas. This focus is reflected in some of the budget requests that are listed below. Our aim is to have the entrances and signage for the Conservation Areas reflect the pride of ownership that we hope to engender in the many residents who walk these Areas daily in particular and the Town of Reading as a whole. Our request is as follows: $2,000.00 – Signage for the Entrance to the Pinevale Conservation Area • This item is part of the continuation of our effort to improve our Conservation Areas. This sign would also follow the current Town of Reading design style as exemplified in the beautiful new sign at the entrance to Mattera Cabin off Main Street $ 3,200.00 - Invasive management removal per Audubon plan • Last year’s Conservation Commission budget funded the 2023 Audubon invasive management assessment. This assessment identifies and prioritizes invasive treatment areas throughout Bare Meadow for FY 24. The funds will be used for phase 1 of a 3-year plan design to use the most common application methods during the best time to apply the treatment during the year. $1000.00 - Equipment & supplies purchases Muk Luk Boots, wayfinding signage for Bare Meadow, repairs to Bare Meadow viewing platform railings $500.00 - Outreach funding to Town Residents, four nature-based educational workshop discussion events at Mattera Cabin. $750 – Conservation improvements to both Pinevale and Bare Meadow Conservation Areas such as purchase and installation of bird boxes Total: $7,450 Respectfully submitted by, Martha Moore, Conservation Commission Chair Brian Bowe, Conservation Commission Vice-Chair 2023 - Select Board Fund for Boards, Committees and Commissions Committee Funding Request Town Forest 10,000.00$ Historical Commission 1,500.00$ Trails Committee 5,000.00$ Climate Advisory Committee 2,000.00$ Reading Community Garden 2,000.00$ Conservation Commission 5,000.00$ Select Board Outreach Material 500.00$ TOTAL REQUESTS 26,000.00$ Available Funding 20,000.00$ June 20, 2023 Tuesday Overview of Meeting Dockser 7:00 Public Comment Board 7:05 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15 HEARING Vote on Traffic Amendments on Family Circle, Woodland Street and Bancroft Board 7:30 Vote on Funding Request from Boards, Committees and Commissions Board 8:00 Discussion on Special Committee for Charter Review Board 9:00 Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30 Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:45 July 18, 2023 Tuesday Overview of Meeting McCarthy 7:00 Public Comment Board 7:05 SB Liaison & Town Manager Reports Board 7:15 Presentation from Assessor on FY25 Tax Rate Board 9:15 Vote to Accept Easement from Meadow Brook Golf Course to Conservation Commission, Lot 5 Board 8:00 Discuss Future Agendas Board 9:30 Approve Meeting Minutes Board 9:45 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 Future Meetings - Agenda Items VASC Policy Changes and Recommendations VASC Discuss Early Sunday Hours at Recreational Fields & Parks Rec Comm Public Safety Quarterly updates Board 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 Board Discuss and Approve Flag Policy Board Recurring Agenda Items Close Warrant: Annual Town Meeting March 3/1/2022 Close Warrant: Subsequent Town September 9/27/2022 Appoint Town Accountant March Annual HEARING Approve Classification & Compensation May Annual Appointments of Boards & Committees May/June Annual HEARING Approve Tax Classification October Annual HEARING Approve Licenses December Annual Liaison: RCTV members Report Annual Liaison: CAB (RMLD) member Report Annual Liaison: MAPC member Report Annual Liaison: Reading Housing Authority Annual Liaison: Reading Ice Arena Report Annual Town Accountant Report Qtrly Economic Development Director Semi-ann Parking/Traffic/Transportation Task Town Board & Committee visits Town Department visits Review Select Board Goals Review Town Manager Goals February/March SELECT BOARD DRAFT MINUTES MAY 9TH, 2023 Public Comment Vanessa Alvarado felt Select Board member Carlo Bacci’s comments about Angela Binda, a volunteer, were unacceptable. She believes he violated ethics laws and should apologize to her. Joe Carnahan wanted to ask why there was nothing mentioned about sprinklers when talking about the water and sewer rates. He also believes the town should not offer second meters if they want to encourage conservation because that does the opposite. Reorganization Town Manager Fidel Maltez took control of the meeting and opened the floor for nominations for Chair. Herrick nominated McCarthy with a second from Dockser. Maltez closed nominations for Chair. The board shared a consensus of their confidence in McCarthy to lead the board and keep a good tone of the town. The board took a roll call vote for McCarthy as Chair and it was approved unanimously. McCarthy then opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair. McCarthy nominated Dockser with a second from Herrick. Haley nominated himself with a second from Herrick. McCarthy noted she learned a lot from Dockser when he was Chair and believes he would be a great Vice Chair. Haley and Dockser both spoke on their reasons for why they would be a good Vice Chair. The board took a roll call vote on Dockser for Vice Chair with the following results: McCarthy – yes; Herrick – yes; Dockser – yes; Haley – no; Bacci – no. Dockser is Vice Chair. McCarthy opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. McCarthy nominated Bacci for Secretary with a second from Dockser. Bacci nominated Herrick with a second from Haley. The board took a roll call vote unanimously voting for Herrick as secretary. Liaison Reports Herrick noted that the Town Manager and some board members presented the YMCA with their ARPA check. Dockser noted that the Council on Aging hopes to keep the momentum going on finding a new senior center. They made a video highlighting all the problems at the current Pleasant Street Center. Bacci noted that the Recreation Department welcomed Jim Sullivan to the team. Haley noted the School Committee gave Dr. Milaschewski a new 6 year contract. McCarthy noted she held her office hours last week. Town Manager Report Maltez noted that the Lowell Street paving project is now finally done. COLA Increase for Retirees Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom gave the board a presentation on why the request is coming before them. She explained the Governor signed an act into law that allows this one- time increase of up to 5% of the base amount for this year only. The board must approve the increase which would give the retirees an additional 2% for FY23. The board will vote on this at their next meeting. MassWorks Grant Economic Development Director Ben Cares gave the board an overview of the MassWorks infrastructure program and how it could help our downtown Haven Street. He is asking the board to approve a letter of support for the Town’s application for the grant. Herrick moved to sign the proposed letter of support for a MassWorks Grant related to construction on Haven Street. The motion was seconded by Haley and approved with a 5-0 vote. Sanborn Lane Gift Chuck Tirone explained to the board the request to accept a gift of a parcel of land on Sanborn Lane. The Conservation Commission will also need to accept the gift. Herrick moved that we, Select Board of the Town of Reading, in accordance with M.G.L. c.40, §8C, vote to approve the acceptance by the Town of Reading Conservation Commission of a gift of land located at 0 Sanborn Lane from William A. Quigley Jr, Trustee of Butcher Family Realty Trust from Steven and Irene Butcher as described in the deed to the Town of said land. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. SWEC Charge Maltez noted the committee would like the board to adjust the charge of the committee to expand their work to include a large portion of the land on Symonds Way. Chuck Tirone explained to the board more about the land and the potential it has. VASC The board discussed the term for members on VASC. There seems to be some confusion on if it rotates annually or not. The consensus of the board is that a two-year term is more favorable. Herrick moved to appoint McCarthy and Bacci to the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. McCarthy and Bacci noted they interviewed Tony D’Arezzo who is current associate on the CPDC and he would like to move into the open full position. Herrick moved to appoint Tony D’Arezzo to a full position on the CPDC with a term expiring June 30, 2024. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. Liaison Assignments The board discussed their liaison assignments. The general consensus of the board was that the assignments were fine as is. Dockser made a comment they should switch them up eventually. Herrick made note that some of these don’t seem necessary. The board will send any comments to Maltez and they will vote at their next meeting. Water & Sewer Rates Maltez went over the water and sewer rates with a presentation. The presentation can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. The board discussed their thoughts on second water meters. Haley is very in favor of second water meters and would like a pilot program to test it out. Other members of the board, Dockser and Herrick are not interested in second meters noting this has continuously been voted down by Select Boards in previous years. The board will continue this discussion with a public hearing at their next meeting and a public forum on May 31st for any residents that are interested in learning more about the proposed tiered system. RFP – Senior Center Dockser noted it would be a good idea to issue a new RFP for a feasibility study for the senior center to see what kind of other options are available. Bacci feels this is a repetitive process and will only tell us things we already know while wasting more ARPA money. The board will vote at their next meeting. ReCalc Charge and Sunset Date Dockser noted the group feels they have done their work and are not sure if the Select Board wants them to continue and if so, what should they do. They are due to sunset in June if the Select Board doesn’t do anything. Dockser will reach out to the group and get their feedback on a new sunset date. Schedule Reading Ice Arena Authority Meeting Herrick noted the lease says the board can request a meeting with the Ice Arena Authority annually and she would like to do that. She noted RMLD would like to join the meeting as well. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Minutes The board edited previous meeting minutes. Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 18th, as amended. The motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote. Herrick moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:22 PM. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.