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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-20 Select Board Minutes� OFq O Town of Reading z Meeting Minutes &P „. 0 5JA'IMCOAA�P' ' Board - committee - commission - council: 7%^+. ! I' rH 3: 10 Select Board Date: 2024-08-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Carlo Baco, Karen Herrick, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Marilyn Shapleigh, Tony D'Arezzo, Bill Sullivan, Nancy Docktor, Christine Lusk, Guy Manganiello, Town Clerk Laura Gemme, DPW Director Chris Cole, Dan Higgins, John Sasso Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Nocella Topics of Discussion: Chair Bacci called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Public Comment Marilyn Shapleigh thanked the board and staff for their support on the ReCalc project Tony D'Arezzo wanted to speak on the agenda item regarding CPDC's member Guy Manganiello's conflict of interest with the META communities' discussions. He feels Mr. Manganiello was pushed onto CPDC bypassing the normal process. He noted Mr. Manganiello claimed he did not have any projects in front of CPDC but that is not true. He feels Mr. Manganiello's conflict is huge, and this exemption should be denied. Bill Sullivan, chair of the Town Forest Committee spoke in support of the appointment of Christine Lusk to the Town Forest Committee appointment. Nancy Docktor noted CPDC member Guy Manganiello owns many properties in town and has many projects pending. She feels his appointment to CPDC was questionable and this board knew there would be conflicts, but the board still appointed him anyway. She feels it would be very concerning if the board approves this exemption he is asking for. Liaison Reports Haley noted that there have been a couple of Killam School Building meetings including a tour of Uxbridge high school. The committee voted unanimously to move forward with the B1 design option as preferred option. B1 includes 12 Rise pre -K classrooms. Page I r Dockser noted ReCalc is here tonight to give their final presentation. The Permanent Building Committee has met twice now, and they sent out an RFQ to find an Owners Project Manager. They had five responses and hope to hire someone in September. Herrick met with the Trails Committee about all the work they do, and she is concerned about their limited budget. She also attended some Killam Meetings and the MMA meeting on the Inflation reduction Act. Murphy attended the MBTA community forum, and they put forth 4 concepts. They hope to pick one of the concepts to put forth to the Select Board. She mentioned that VASC has a couple applications pending and she doesn't think it is reasonable to do these interviews at our full meetings; she asked if Herrick would consider stepping down from VASC and allowing another member with more availability step in to get these done. Bacci thanked staff forthe MBTA Communities forum. The CPA committee met and had Chase from the CPA Coalition attending. Based on Chase's advice, there is not enough time to get on the November ballot. He recommended a 2026 vote for CPA. They want to come back to the Select Board to revise their charge. Town Manager Report Kraunelis reminded the Board the fall street faire is September 8. He announced that they have hired an Economic Development Director. He also made an offer that was accepted for a public health nurse. Wellman noted they are planning a climate week in September to showcase all the ways we have done eco-friendly and climate conscious activities. It will coincide with the Mallet- Sommes ribbon cutting. Town Forest Committee Appointment Christine Lusk applied to be on the Town Forest committee. She noted she has been a resident for 19 years and a Town Meeting member. She is passionate about the Town Forest as she spends a lot of her time there. She has already been attending their meetings regularly. Haley moved to appoint Christine Lusk to a full member on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2027. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Conflict of Interest Bacci and Haley recused themselves from the conversation due to their ownership of properties downtown in potential MBTA Zoning areas. Herrick took over as acting Chair of the meeting. Nancy Docktor reiterated her comments from public comment. CPDC Member Guy Manganiello noted he filed this disclosure because he owns some properties that could be in the potential MBTA zoning area. He explained in Andrew MacNichol and his opinion, the two properties in question, would not be positively impacted by the MBTA zoning. He pulled up map and showed the properties in question and the statics on the projects as approved and if MBTA zoning were to go into effect. Because his properties would not be positively impacted, he believes there is no true conflict. Page 1 2 Dockser and Herrick believe this is a conflict and asked if he has spoken with the Ethics Commission at the State and asked their opinion. He stated he has not but will gladly do so if that would help this decision here. Murphy agreed she would like to hear what the Ethics Commission's opinion would be before voting and suggested postponing this vote until Manganiello speaks with Ethics. She also suggested he not participate in any conversations regarding MBTA Communities until hearing from Ethics as well. All board members and Manganiello agreed with Murphy and they will proceed as suggested. Discuss Moving Annual Town Election Bacci added this to the agenda to see if there would be appetite to move the Annual local election back a couple weeks to April or May so it would be during warmer weather. Town Clerk Laura Gemme noted this would be a Bylaw Change. She also noted while they could move the election it would still need to be done prior to Town Meeting. The board decided it didn't seem like a big enough benefit to go through the process. Close Warrant Haley moved that the board close the warrant for the State Primary to be held on September V, 2024. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Discuss Trash Contract and Barrel Update DPW Director Chris Cole gave the board a presentation about the trash barrels and where the process stands today. Manual collection is no longer going to be an option in the future and our next contract will likely depend on these new barrels. Republic is also asking for the town to sign a new contract with them earlier than the current contract expires. Staff believe we should proceed with the normal process of going out to bid and seeing what responses they get. Dan Higgins from Republic was present to answer any of the board's questions/comments. The board expressed their frustrations and dissatisfactions with the company in the last couple months. They explained the missed pickups and delays are daily occurrences and it is not acceptable. Mr. Higgins explained they struggle with staffing and when an employee calls out, they simply don't have anyone to replace them. He noted automated barrels would help the situation because it requires less manpower. The board discussed the size barrels for recycling. They opted to go with the 96 gal but feels there needs to be an option for the elderly and others who need a smaller option on a case by case basis. Second Water Meters DPW Director Chris Cole gave the board a presentation on the history of second water meters in town as well as the pros and cons. The presentation can be found on the towns website in the Select Board packet. He also showed the board what surrounding towns do. Page 13 While having a second water meter would help cut down the bills for people who water their lawns, it was noted that second water meters don't encourage conservation and would force an increase in the sewer rate townwide. Haley would like to see a pilot program in place. ReCalc Update ReCalc called to order at 10:22 PM. John Sasso gave the board a presentation that can be found in the Select Board packet on the town website. He went over the mission of ReCalc, the members and all the work they have done over the past few years. The committee has concluded that Symonds Way is the preferred site for a new Senior Center. The Permanent Building Committee has agreed to take on the project. ReCalc adjourned at 11:08 PM. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Minutes The board edited previous meeting minutes. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from June 18, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from June 27, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from July 9, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:36 PM. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. P'e" I