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Home My WebLink About2024-12-03 Select Board Minutesow Board - Committee Date: 2024-12-03 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes tf n=(.-EIVLU TO 'N CLERI i L<<?. MA Commission - Council: Select Board Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final 2025 JAN 23 PM 1:2 Carlo Bacci and Karen Herrick via Zoom, Chris Haley, Mark Dockser, Melissa Murphy Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Paul Silva, Nancy Docktor, Angela Binda, Lt. ]ones, Town Engineer Ryan Percival, Senior Planner Kevin McCarthy, DPW Director Chris Cole Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Nocella Topics of Discussion: Bacci called the meeting to order at 7pm Public Comment Paul Silva advocated for second water meters. Nancy Docktor wanted to point out that the Select Board Policies are not completely gender neutral. Angela Binda noted that while second water meters may help some residents, it puts the burden to the rest of the residents who won't be using one and the board needs to consider that. Liaison Reports The board gave their liaison reports and updated the community on several upcoming events in Reading, including the Menorah lighting, Shop the Block downtown shopping event, an Eastern Gateway open house, and a publicforum forthe Reading Centerfor Active Living. Town Manager Reoort Kraunelis provided updates on the town budget process starting with department hearings. also mentions the Adopt -a -Family holiday program run by Elder Services. He also mentions all the upcoming town events, projects, and programs going on. Town Manager Review Process Page 1 1 The board discussed the Town Manager review process. Herrick moved to authorize Human Resources Director Sean Donahue to collect all the reviews and compile them. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved to solicit feedback from: Superintendent Dr. Milachewski, Library Director Amy Lannon, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Town Clerk Laura Gemme, Police Chief Clark, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman, and Public Services Director Jenna Wood. These reviews will be anonymous. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Safety Amendment Hearings Haley read the hearing notice to open the public hearing. Lt. Jones was present to answer any questions. The board had two safety amendments in front of them this evening. Safety Amendment 2024-10; the installation and maintenance of an official Right Turn Only Sign at the exit of 62 Willow Street parking lot onto Willow Street and Safety Amendment 2024-11; the installation and maintenance of an official LeftTurn Prohibited sign on the Northerly side of Willow Street across from the entrance to Maillet, Sommes & Morgan Conservation Area parking lot. Haley moved to close the hearing regarding Safety Amendments 2024-10 and 2024- 11.The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024-10 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024-11 to the Traffic and Parking Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Driveway Waiver Town Engineer Ryan Percival was present to explain the driveway waiver request from the developer at 264 Ash Street. Engineering denied the request because it does not meet the minimum 125 -foot separation guidelines between driveways. PTTTF reviewed and determined that there was no concern in regard to public safety or traffic on the roadway to prohibit the driveway. Haley moved to approve the driveway waiver request submitted for 264 Ash Street as presented. The motion was seconded by Herrick and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Economic Development Update Senior Planner Kevin McCarthy gave the board a quick update on economic development happening around town. Second Water Meter Pilot Program Discussion The board continued discussions on a second water meter pilot program. Based on discussions atthe previous meeting, DPW Director Chris Cole made updates to the draft polity which can be found in the Select Board meeting packet on the town website. They Page 1 2 specifically discussed fees and costs. They also discussed opening this up to as many residents as possible; but it was noted that wouldn't be considered a pilot program if we just allowed second water meters for everyone. Haley moved to approve the second water meter pilot program as presented. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with the following roll call vote: Murphy - yes; Herrick - no; Haley - yes; Dockser - no; Bacci - yes. Declare Surplus The Fire Chief is asking the board to declare an old 2009 Ford Escape as a surplus item so it can be disposed of properly. Haley moved to declare the Fire Department's 2009 Ford Escape as surplus. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Annual Liquor License Renewals The board renewed the following liquor licenses for 2025. Haley moved that the Select Board renew the All -Alcoholic Package Store Liquor Licenses for: • Nilkant 350 Inc. d/b/a City Wine Spirits & Smoke Shop, 345 Main Street • Raksha, Inc. d/b/a Square Liquors, 13 High Street • Jay and Ricky, Inc. d/b/a Reading Liquors, 214 Main Street • Anastasi Brookline Inc. d/b/a Reading Fine Wine and Spirits, 25 Walkers Brook Drive • Kajal and Kevin LLC d/b/a The Liquor Junction, One General Way for a term expiring December 31, 2025 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager or his designee. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved that the Select Board renew the All -Alcoholic Club Liquor Licenses for: • Meadow Brook Golf Corp. of Reading, MA d/b/a Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street • Home Building Corp. d/b/a Knights of Columbus, 11 Sanborn Street for a term expiring December 31, 2025 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager or his designee. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved that the Select Board renew the All -Alcoholic Veteran Club Liquor Licenses for: • Reading Veterans' Association, Inc, d/b/a American Legion Post 62, 37 Ash Street for a term expiring December 31, 2025 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the Page 3 establishment by the Town Manager or his designee. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved that the Select Board renew the All Alcoholic Restaurant Liquor Licenses for: • Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza of Reading LLC d/b/a Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, 48 Walkers Brook Drive • Mecom, Inc. d/b/a Cafe Capri, 355 Main Street • CAC Foods, Inc. d/b/a Venetian Moon Restaurant, 680 Main Street • Pepper Dining Inc. d/b/a Chili's Grill & Bar, 70 Walkers Brook Drive • HJB Restaurant Company LLC d/b/a Fuddruckers, 50 Walkers Brook Drive • RARE Hospitality International, Inc. d/b/a Longhorn Steak House, 39 Walkers Brook Drive • Boston Foods Inc. d/b/a Zucca Italian Restaurant and Bar, 601 Main Street • The VI Incorp. d/b/a Public Kitchen, 530 Main Street • KOK, Inc. d/b/a Oye's, 26 Walkers Brook Drive • Bistro Concepts, Inc. d/b/a Fusilli's Cucina, 107 Main Street • RKR Corporation d/b/a Bunratty Tavern, 620-622 Main Street • Mandarin Reading Inc, d/b/a Mandarin Reading Restaurant at 296 Salem Street • Reading Foods LLC d/b/a Half & Half at 607 Main Street • PARC LLC d/a/a POST 1917 at 136 Haven Street • Bertucci s Restaurant Corp, d/b/a Bertucci's Brick Oven Ristorante at 45 Walkers Brook Drive for a term expiring December 31, 2025 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager or his designee. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved that the Select Board renew the Wine and Malt Restaurant Liquor License for: • Palatat Pattenesuan d/b/a Bangkok Spice Thai Restaurant, 76 Haven Street for a term expiring December 31, 2025 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager or his designee. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Select Board Policy Discussion The board continued their discussion on Section 1.5 of the Select Board Policies specifically discussing volunteer board and committee appointments and procedures. Haley moved to approve the amendments to the Select Board Policy in Section 1.5 as amended. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Edge Sports/Symonds Way Update Page 14 Bacci noted he met with Edge Sports who was the only responded to the RFI at Symonds Way to see if they were still interested in doing a project down there. It was noted that they were still interested but it would not work in conjunction with the new Senior/Community Center. Future Agendas The board discussed future agenda items. Executive Session Haley moved to enter executive session at 10:37, under Purpose 3 of the Open Meeting Law to discuss strategy with respect to litigation involving (1) Davenport v. Town of Reading, and (2)Town of Reading v. Delphi Construction, as the Chair declares that an open session will have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town in both matters, to invite Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Ethan Dively, Town Manager Matthew Kraunelis, and Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella in to the executive session for all matters and Chief Clark for Delphi Construction only, and to adjourn from executive session, not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Page 15