Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-29 Select Board Minutes� OGq r C Js r offvoP� �t Board - Committee Date: 2024-10-29 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Commission - Council: Select Board Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: I V � 1< H25 JAN 23 PN 1: 23 Time: Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Chair Carlo Bacci, Karen Herrick, Mark Dockser, Chris Haley, Melissa Murphy Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Phil Pacino, Angela Binda, David Zeek, Kathy Zeek, John Sullivan, Tara Gregory, Linda Snow Dockser, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, DPW Director Chris Cole, Matt Abrahams Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Nocella Topics of Discussion: Bacci called the meeting to order at 7pm. Public Comment Phil Pacino commented about the high water rates since the tiers went into effect. Angela Binda would like to see a 1.2 shift in the split tax rate. David Zeek, Kathy Zeek and John Sullivan expressed their concerns about the water rates in multi -unit buildings. Tara Gregory asked why Bacci and Haley are allowed to participate in setting the tax rate because they both own businesses in town. Linda Snow Dockser would like to see a town -wide religious holiday policy. Liaison Reports Haley reported on the Killam School Building Committee and Charter Review Committee. Murphy noted she attended the new resident open house. Dockser reported on ReCalc. Herrick reported on a Mass Municipal Association Energy Conference she attended and the Killam School Building Committee. Bacci reported on the CPA Committee. Page 1 1 Town Manaaer Report Kraunelis reported the Connected Reading event at the library went well. He spoke about some upcoming town events. He explained a new MassWorks grant we received. He mentioned the incident over the weekend about the Police Officer that was hit while doing a traffic stop. Lastly, he explained that downtown tick or treat was cancelled due to the poor air quality because of the wildfires in surrounding towns. Tax Classification Hearing Haley read the hearing notice opening the hearing on setting the tax rate The board wentthrough and gave their opinions on what they would be comfortable voting for tonight. Tara Gregory again asked whatthe State Ethics Committee said about Bacci and Haley participating in this agenda item. Haley later responded that he knows when he hasto get out of his seat because with ethics complaints, people are 0 for 2 against him. Haley moved that the Select Board close the hearing establishing the FY2025 tax rate. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved that the Select Board not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved that the Select Board not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved that the Select Board adopt a residential factor of 0.992605 for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 3-2 vote with Herrick and Dockser opposing. Haley moved that the Select Board not grant a small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 5-0 vote. Hearing - Safety Amendments Haley removed himself as a board member and sat in the audience as a resident for this agenda item. Dockser read the hearing notice opening the public hearing. Lt. Jones was present to answer any questions the board had. The proposed amendments will amend Article 12.1 of the regulations by imposing the four- hour parking restriction established in Article 5.4.9 of the regulations, to the Brande Court Municipal Parking Lot (Amendment no. 2024-8) and the Reading Upper Municipal Parking Lot (Amendment no. 2024-9). If adopted, parking will be limited to a maximum of four hours between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in one or both of these locations. The board discussed if going back to four hours is the right move. They discussed potentially doing two hours, but it was noted that would be extremely difficult for our enforcement officer to deal with as she has other places in town to enforce and notjust that one lot. The Page 1 2 board is disappointed that parking behavior has gone back to what it was before the kiosks went in and they are seeing a lot of employees back to parking there all day. Dockser moved that the Select Board close the hearing on Safety Amendments 2024-8 and 2024-9. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 4-0 vote. Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 8 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 4- 0 vote. Dockser moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024 - 9 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 4- 0 vote. MNRHSO Inter -Municipal Agreement Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman explained that the only changes to the contract this year is the addition of two towns that will be participating in the agreement as well. Haley moved to approve the Metro North Regional Housing Services Office Inter -Municipal Agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote Multi -Unit Tiered Water Rates Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom explained to the board the proposed solution she has to water rates for multi -unit buildings. She explained the Postmark Building is a bit of an exception, but they can adjust the bills manually after getting readings from the HOA for each unit. Second Water Meter Discussion DPW Director Chris Cole and Matt Abrahams of The Abrahams Group gave the board a presentation for a second water meter pilot program. The board was also given a draft policy to look at. The presentation and draft polity can be found in the Select Board meeting packet on the Town website. ABPA Funds Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom discussed with the board any remaining funds that have not been encumbered from the ARPA funds yet. These must be encumbered by the end of the year or they will be turned back to the State. Haley moved to reallocate $87,348.34 from various line items with surplus to pickleball court design. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 4-1 vote with Herrick against. The board has asked for more clarification on the Health Department request. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Minutes The board edited previous meeting minutes. Page 1 3 Herrick moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 10, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 24, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote. At 11:03 PM, Haley moved to enter in Executive Session under Purpose 3: To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Facilities Union, as an open session may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Select Board; and to invite into the Executive Session, Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Human Resources Director Sean Donahue, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella and not to return to open session. The motion was approved with a unanimous roll call vote.