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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-11 Appointment Committee - Permanent Building Committee Minutes Tara Greoory (New Aoolicant) Tara Gregory is a new applicant with nine years of experience as a Fire Protection Engineer, specifically as a Code Consultant ensuring that buildings meet building, safety, and accessibility codes. They are familiar with the Massachuse[ts euilding Codes, and Massachusetts General Laws. They have experience working on a variety of development projects and renovation projects, and working with stakeholders to get consensus to achieve compliance. Their job entails reviewing plans for compliance with various state standards. They have also prepared and presented plans Por hearings before the state architectural access board of appeals. Mr. Foulds asked Mx. Gregory whether they had any wnFlicts of in[erest, would be open to assume the Chair of the PBC if the opportunity arose in the future, if they would be interested in an Associate seat if not appointed [o a full seat, and whether they are a Town Meeting Member. Mx. Gregory stated that they have no conflicts, would serve as Chair in the future, would accept an appointment as an associate, and was recently elected to Town Meeting in May. Thomas Wise asked Mx. Gregory about their interest in other boards and committees to which they applied, induding the Center for Active Living Committee, Animal Control Appeals, and Zoning Board of Appeals, and what interested them about those mmmittees. Mx. Gregory stated that they just wanted to help out any way they can, and noted those boards and committees aligned with [heir interests and had vacancies. Mr. Wise asked that, although the Reading Center for Active Living Building Committee (ReCAL) has not yet been fleshed out, could associate PBC members be assigned to a specific projed, in place of full PBC members. Pat Tompkins stated tha[ the PBC would definitety consider doing that but would need guidance from the Select 8oard or Town Counsel if that would be acceptable under the bylaw. Mr. Bacci asked Mx. Gregory for darification on their degree. Mx. Gregory explained that their undergraduate degree was in mechanical engineering, and masters in fire protection engineering. Mr. Bacci asked if i[ would be a mnflict for someone to be appointed to bo[h the Zoning Board of Appeals and PBC. Mr. Wise stated that it would not be a conFlict, and while elected officials cannot serve on appointed committees, other residents can be appointed to more than one mmmittee. David Swvter (New Aoolicantl Davis Swyter is a new applicant to the PBC. He has lived in Reading for 37 years, and over the years has served on Town Meeting and on the RMLD Board of Commissioners. His children went through Reading Public Schools, and now he is retired. Mr. Foulds asked Mr. Swyter if he had any mnFlicts, if he would consider the Chair, and if he would consider an associate seat. Mr. Swyter stated that he has no conflicts, would serve as Chair, and would accept an associate seat with darification. He was confused about the membership, and stated that he was interested in the PBC to give his precinct, Precinct 7, a voice In town govemment with regards co building projects. The precinct includes the water tower, Senior Center, and Birch Meadow Complex, and felt his precinct did not have input on the water tower and Birch Meadow. His background is im m�struction project management. Mr. Wise asked about the water tower and whether it fell under the PBG Mr. Swyter argued that it muld. Mr. Tompkins recalled the origins of the PBC, and that the Select Board had asked the PBC to look at the water tower. Mr. Swyter ezplained his interpretation, and perceived vagueness of the PBC bylaw, and when a project should come under the PBC, for example, Birch Meadow, whiie not a building is a large construc[lon project. Mc Bacci asked Mr. Swyter if he was on Town Meeting. Mr. Swyter stated that he is not currently a Town Meeting Member, but served on it for fourteen years, and served ten years on the Light Board. vaqe I � Tara Greaory (New AoolicanU Tara Gregory is a new applicant with nine years of ezperience as a Fire Protection Engineer, specifically as a Code Consultan[ ensuring that buildings mee[ building, safety, and accessibility codes. 7hey are familiar with the Massachusetts Building Codes, and Massachusetts General Laws. They have experience working on a variety of development projects and renovation projects, and working with stakeholders to get consensus to achieve compliance. Their job entails reviewing plans for compliance with various s[ate standards. They have also prepared and presented plans tor hearings before the state architectural access board of appeals. Mr. Foulds asked Mx. Gregory whether they had any conFlic[s of interest, would be open to assume the Chair of the PBC if the opportunity arose in the future, if they would be interested in an Associate seat if not appointed to a full seat, and whether they are a 7own Meeting Member. Mx. Gregory stated that they have no conflicts, would serve as Chair in the future, would accept an appointment as an associate, and was recently elected to Town Meeting in May. Thomas Wise asked Mx. Gregory about their interest in other boards and committees to which they applied, including the Center tor Active Living Committee, Animal Control Appeals, and Zoning eoard of Appeals, and what interested them about those committees. Mx. Gregory stated that they just wanted to help out any way they can, and noted those boards and committees aligned with their interests and had vacancies. Mr. Wise asked that, although the Reading Center for Active Living Building Committee (ReCAL) has not yet been fleshed out, could associate PBC members be assigned to a specific project, in place of full PBC members. Pat Tompkins stated that the PBC would definitety consider doing that but would need guidance from the Select Board or Town Counsel if that would be acceptable under the bylaw. Mr. Bacci asked Mx. Gregory for clarification on their degree. Mx. Gregory explained that their undergraduate degree was in mechanical engineering, and masters in fre protection engineering. Mr. Bacci asked if it would be a conflict for someone to be appointed to both the Zoning Board of Appeals and PBC. Mr. Wise stated that it would not be a conflict, and while eletted offi[ials cannot serve on appointed committees, other residents can be appointed to more [han one committee. David Swvter (New AoolicanU Davis Swyter is a new applicant to the PBC. He has lived in Reading for 37 years, and over the years has served on Town Meeting and on the RMLD Board of Commissioners. His children wen[ through Reading Public Schools, and now he is retired. Mr. Foulds asked Mc Swyter if he had any conFlic[s, if he would consider the Chair, and if he would mnsider an associate seat. Mr. Swyter stated tha[ he has no conFlicts, would serve as Chair, and would accept an associate seat with clarification. He was confused about the membership, and stated that he was interested in the PBC to give his precinct, Precinct 7, a voice in town government with regards to building projects. The precinct indudes the water tower, Senior Center, and eirch Meadow Complex, and felt his precinct did not have input on the water tower and Birch Meadow. His background is in construction project management. Mr. Wise asked about the water tower and whether i[ fell under the PBC. Mr. Swyter argued that it could. Mr. Tompkins recalled [he origins of the PBC, and that the Select Board had asked the PBC to look at the water towec Mr. Swyter explained his interpretation, and perceived vagueness of the PBC bylaw, and when a project should mme under the PBC, for ezample, Birch Meadow, while not a building is a large construc[ion project. Mr. Bacci asked Mc Swyter if he was on Town Meeting. Mr. Swyter stated that he is not currently a Town Meeting Member, but served on it for fourteen years, and served ten years on the Light eoard. aaee I z Ari Greenberg (New Aoolicantl Ari Greenberg is a new applicant. Mr. Foulds asked Mr. Greenberg if he had any known conflicts of interest, whether he would be interested in an Associate seat, if he would serve as Chair in the future, and if he is a Town Meeting Member. Mc Greenberg stated that he does not have any conflicts. He stated that he applied assuming he was applying for the Associate seat, but is open to either full or associate. Mr. Greenberg stated that he would want more information and experience on the Committee, but would serve as Chair in the future. He is not a Town Meeting Member. Mr. Bacci asked Mr. Greenberg about his volunteer background and his time in Reading. Mr. Greenberg stated that he moved to Reading three years ago. His involvement in Town is growing. He is on the Net-Zero Action Plan Advisory group, and he applied to volunteer on the Climate Advisory Committee, in addition to the PBC. Professionally, he is enthusiastic about buildings and building sustainability. By trade he is a mechanical engineer and does predominantly building decarbonization and electrification. He also comes from a residential construction background and electrified his own house. His priorities lie more with buildings than other sustainabilitY topics. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Greenberg about his experience on the Net-Zero Advisory Committee. Mr. Greenberg stated that it has been about 6 months since the group commenced. He stated that he fnds the progress slow, and [he third-party consWtant has not provided concrete recommendations yet. But he thinks the aims are in the right place with residential and municipal buildings. He noted his interest in the PBC came about through his interest in the sustainability opportunities for the Killam School building project Mr. Wise asked Mr. Greenberg about the cost benefit of implementing electrification and how to sell that to the community. Mr. Greenberg stated that under the updated stretch code, the gap between code minimum and best-in-class is very smalL That gap can be dosed with attractive incentives from the federal level and from RMLD. Educating the mmmunity on the altematives can help as well. eradford Conodon (Incumbentl Bradford Congdon is an incumbent associate on the Permanent Building Committee. He has served on the Committee since it started in 2015, originally as a voting member, but took a backseat last year due to personal reasons and a ramped-up work schedule. He noted that he has not participated as much, but would be interested in staying on as an associate, if needed, to support the ezisting Committee, but would prefer to stay on for only one year. Mr. Foulds asked Mr. Congdon if he has any mnFlicts, and if he is a Town Meeting Member. Mr. Congdon stated that he does not have any conflicts and is not a Town Meeting Member. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Congdon to darify what he meant by "if needed," and if he would be ok with not being reappointed. Mr. Congdon stated that if the Appointment Committee has other candidates, and is comfortable with appointing them, then he would be ok with stepping down. Mr. Congdon works as a government contractor, builds teams to pu[ proposals together, then transitions projects for mnstruction. He has not been involved in the Killam efforts to date, but can help out on the Senior Center if there is a need Por that. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Congdon if he would be interested in joinin9 the upcoming ReCAL Building Committee if the opportunity arose. Mc Congdon stated that he would. Mr. Bacci asked Mr. Congdon if he would be available to be fully involved in the Senior Center project. Mc Congdon asked about the timeline, and noted that if activity will not pick up until the fall, then yes. But he has other work priorities over the summer. Greaory Steoler (Incumbentl Greg Stepler is an incumbent on the Permanent Building Committee, served as the inaugural chair, served on Town Meeting for a number of years, and has lived in Reading for twenty-one years. vaqe I s Mr. Foulds asked Mr. Stepler if he had any knowm m�flicts. Mr. Stepler stated that he did not. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Stepler what elements from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process Por Killam he would advise the fu[ure ReCAL use. Mr. Stepler stated that the [own should give itself more credit for sustainable design, construction, and operation. MSBA has milestones and reimbursements Por inclusion of energy saving features, and design criteria. He suggested trying to follow those same criteria for that building as well. Mr. Wise asked how he would suggest closing the gap with staff wi[h regard to the new technology. Mr. Stepler stated that it can be done with the system choices that are made, and training and comfort of the staff. Mr. Bacci asked Mc Stepler if the infrastructure could support the growing electrification requirements. Mr. Stepler noted that if you lose electricity, you lose service to the building for systems, such as gas, that need electricity to run. He stated that he has no qualms about electrification, as it is the way moving forward. The challenge is upgrading the grid to meet the future demand. Equipment is getting more efficient, and more renewable sources are comin9 on to the grid. The utility companies will not expand capacity until there is demand. Mr. Stepler closed by voicing his support for appointing Ari Greenberg. Mike Nazzaro fNew Aoolicantl Mike Nazzaro is a new applicant. He has lived in Reading for nineteen years. He worked at Harvard Medical School for twenty years in the Engineering Construction Department doing renovations, upgrades, mechanical equipment, and maintaining the facility. He left there a couple years ago and is now working Por an Owner's Project Management (OPM) company doing the same thing for different dients. Mr. Foulds asked Mr. Nazzaro if he had any known conflicts of interest. Mr. Nazzaro stated his wife is on the Killam School Building Committee. Mr. Foulds asked if he would considered taking [he Chair if needed in the future, if he would consider an associate seat if not appointed to a full seat, and whether he was a Town Meeting Member. Mr. Nazzaro stated that he could consider the Chair in the future, would accept an appointment as an associate, and though he ran forTown Meeting, he was not elected. Mr. Bacci disclosed that he has known Mc Nazzaro tor many years and is familiar with his experience in the industry. He stated that he would be a good it for PBC. Mr. Wise stated that he is familiar with Mr. Nazzaro as well, and asked about his interest in the ReCAL Building Committee, for which he also applied, versus PBC. Mr. Nazzaro stated that if he was on PBC he would like to be involved with the new Senior Center, and if not, he would still like to be involved in some way. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Nazzaro what parts of the MSBA process he would recommend using, and his personal ezperience, for the new Senior Center. Mr. Nazzaro stated tha[ while he is not as familiar with MSBA, he knows they have a good process with selection committees and milestones for design that are typical across the industry. The MSBA follows the same overall process he would follow for a project. Deliberate and Vote on A000intments to the Permanent Buildina Committee: Following all the interviews, the Appointment Committee members deliberated on appointments. Mr. eacci stated that he would reappoint Pat Tompkins and Greg Stepler as full members, would appoint Ari Greenberg to the two-year Associate seat, and Mike Nazzaro and Bradford Congdon to the two one-year Associate seats. eaqe I a Mc Wise noted that it is a tough decision as the demeanor and presentation of each candidate is very different. He agreed with keeping Pat Tompkins and Greg Stepler as the full members. with the slate of new interest, he did not want to appoint Bradford Congdon, and suggested that Mr. Congdon re-engage when ReCAL mmes up in the fall. He was ezcited by Greg Stepler's support for Ari Greenberg and agreed that he should be appointed to the two-year Associate seat, given his ezperience with sustainability. He noted that for the one-year terms, he would support Mike Nazzaro, given his even-keeled temperament, and his long history in the industry, and David Swyter, given his interesting interpretation of the bylaw. Mr. Foulds agreed with reappointing Patrick Tompkins and Greg Stepler to the full seats and liked Ari Greenberg the best for the two-year seat He also agreed with appointing Mike Nazzaro, and supported appointing Tara Gregory, given their different skills, to the two one- year seats. He expressed concem for Bradford Congdon's ability to commit. Mr. Bacci noted that David Swyter can be direct and opinionated, and though the Appointment Committee wants everyone on the Permanent euilding Committee to get along, they also want people to push back and ask questions. Mr. Bacci stated that he muld agree with David Swyter being appointed to a one-year seat. Alan Foulds nominated Patrick Tompkins, Tara Gregory, David Swyter, Ari Greenberg, Gregory Stepler, and Mike Nazzaro for the two full memberships. The Appointment Committee wted as follows: Pat Tompkins: Alan Foulds - Yes, Thomas Wise - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes Tara Gregory: 0 votes David Swyter: 0 votes Ari Greenberg: 0 votes Greg Stepler. Thomas Wise - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes, Alan Foulds - Yes Mike Nazzaro: 0 votes Wi[h three votes each, Patrick Tompkins and Greg Stepler were unanimously reappointed to three-year terms, expiring ]une 30, 2027. Alan Foulds nominated Tara Gregory, David Swyter, Ari Greenberg, and Mike Nazzaro for the two-year Associate position, seconded by Thomas Wise. The Appointment Commlttee voted as follows: Tara Gregory: 0 votes David Swyter: 0 votes Ari Greenberg: Thomas Wise - Yes, Alan Foulds - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes Mike Nazzaro: 0 votes With three votes, Ari Greenberg was unanimously appointed to the two-year Associate position, term expiring ]une 30, 2026. Alan Foulds nominated Tara Gregory, David Swyter, Bradford Congdon, and Mike Nazzaro Por the two one-year Associate positions, seconded by Thomas Wise. The Appointment Committee voted as follows: Tara Gregory: Alan Foulds - Yes Dvid Swyter: Thomas Wise - Ves, Carlo Bacci - Yes Bradford Congdon: 0 votes Mike Nazzaro: Alan Foulds - Yes, Thomas Wise - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes With three votes, Mike Nazzaro was appointed to an Associate position for a one-year term, expiring ]une 3Q 2025. With two votes, David Swyter was appointed to an Associate position for a one-year term, expiring ]une 30, 2025. On a mo[ion by Thomas Wise, semnded by Carlo Bacci, the Permanent Building Committee Appointment Committee voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:32 pm. Roll call vote: Alan Foulds - Yes, Thomas Wise - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Ves. Page I 5