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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-21 Select Board Packet Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda 2018-07-16LAG Board -Committee -Commission -Council: Select Board Date: 2025-01-21Time: 7:00PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell StreetAgenda: Purpose:General Business Meeting Called By:Caitlin Nocella on behalf of the Chair 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 reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will notbe accepted. Topics of Discussion: Zoom Option:PAGE # Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89090023546 Meeting ID: 890 9002 3546 Dial by your location • +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) • +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kiFjNYWq5 7:00 Overview of Meeting 7:05 Public Comment 7:15 Select Board Liaison / Town Manager Reports 3 7:30 Trash Cart rollout and general DPW updates 19 8:00 Downtown Parking/ Kiosk update 29 8:30 Discuss options for the future of the Pleasant Street Center 9:00 MBTA Turnback Track brief update 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 Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda 35 9:10 Future Agenda items 37 9:20 Approve meeting minutes Executive Session: To conduct strategy session in preparation for 9:30 contract negotiations with nonunion personnel -Town Manager Matthew Kraunelis. (G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(2)) Discussion and potential vote to execute a new employment 10:00 contract with Matthew Kraunelis for Town Manager services 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 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Fax: (781) 942-5441 PUBLIC WORKS Website: www.readingma.gov (781) 942-9077 Date: January 16, 2025 To: Town of Reading Select Board Cc: Matthew A. Kraunelis, Town Manager From: Christopher A. Cole, Director of Public Works Michael B. Kessman, Assistant Director of Public Works Re: Rubbish and Recycling Cart Update Per the request of the Select Board, the Department of Public Works is submitting the attached presentation updating the Board on the status of the Rubbish and Recycling Cart program. Town Meeting voted to approve $900,000 in funding for this cause in November, 2023. The Town has been actively engaging with (3) vendors to prepare for the successful execution of this program including the purchase, delivery and distribution of said carts to all addresses served under the current collection contract. This program will prepare Town as we transition to automated collection, beginning in July, 2026. Starting Tuesday, April 8, 2025, unassembled carts will be delivered to the gravel parking lot behind the Burbank Ice Arena on Symonds Way. This site will also serve as the staging area where the rollout (assembly and local delivery of the carts) shall occur from. Lastly, collection of old barrels shall be completed via: special Saturday collections by Republic Services; a dedicated roll off container at the DPW yard; and at the annual Spring recycling event at the DPW yard (May / June). Special priority is being given to residents who do not desire the standard sized carts (64-gallon rubbish and 96-gallon recycling). A list of public engagement completed to achieve this goal is included in the presentation. We look forward to presenting this information to the Board, and please feel free to reach out to us with any questions prior to your meeting. Thank you, Christopher A. Cole Michael B. Kessman Director Assistant Director 781-942-6685 781-942-6686 RUBBISH AND RECYCLING CART PROGRAMUPDATE What is involved? 3 Vendor contracts Wastequip Ώ Ʒƚ ƦǒƩĭŷğƭĻ ğƓķ ķĻƌźǝĻƩ ƷŷĻ ĭğƩƷƭ ЊЉ ǤĻğƩ Ή ЊЋ ǤĻğƩ ǞğƩƩğƓƷǤ ΛĭƚƒƦƚƓĻƓƷƭ Ή ĬƚķǤΜ Container Pros Ʒƚ ƩĻƭźķĻƓƷƭ WasteZero ŅƚƩ ƭǒƦƦƌǤ ƚŅ ƚǝĻƩŅƌƚǞ Ĭğŭƭ Reading Conservation Commission Approval Required for the installation of storage containers at the end of Strout Ave to house extra carts Approved and Complete Republic Services disposal of old barrels Where are we at? Town meeting approved $900 k for the supply and delivery of cart rollout November 2023. The order has been placed. The PO has been cut. We are working with three vendors to achieve this goal. Outreach regarding smaller carts is ongoing Where are we at? (Continued) Rollout to be staged out of the gravel parking lot behind the Burbank Ice Arena on Symonds Way. Cart delivery to households will begin Tuesday April 8, 2025. Storage site for extra carts has been secured at the end of Strout Ave. 2 Storage containers to be installed for this purpose Communications and Outreach Smaller Carts & Second Carts Priority given to 60+ and disabled residents Small cart signup sheet has 332 entries Residents sign up by calling the dedicated phone number 781-942-9077 48 Gallon Rubbish = 257 Requests 48 Gallon Recycling = 235 Requests 64 Gallon Recycling = 88 Requests nd 2 64 gallon Rubbish Cart leases are live on OpenGOV ($200 / year) nd 2 96 gallon Recycling Cart available via OpenGOV (no charge) Overflow bags tƩƚƦƚƭğƌ ŅƩƚƒ ‘ğƭƷĻœĻƩƚ Ʒƚ ƭǒƦƦƌǤ ƚǝĻƩŅƌƚǞ Ĭğŭƭ ŷğƭ ĬĻĻƓ ƩĻĭĻźǝĻķ ŷĻ ƚǞƓ źƭ ǞƚƩƉźƓŭ ǞźƷŷ ‘ğƭƷĻœĻƩƚ Ʒƚ ƒğƓğŭĻ ƷŷĻ ŅźƓğƓĭźğƌ ƦƚƩƷźƚƓ .ğŭƭ Ǟźƌƌ ĬĻ ğǝğźƌğĬƌĻ ğƷ ƭĻǝĻƩğƌ ƌƚĭğƌ ƩĻƷğźƌĻƩƭ tƚƷĻƓƷźğƌ ƌƚĭğƷźƚƓƭ źƓĭƌǒķĻ {ƷƚƦ ε {ŷƚƦͲ ağƩƉĻƷ .ğƭƉĻƷͲ /{ ĻƷĭ͵ ‘ğƭƷĻœĻƩƚ ĭƚƚƩķźƓğƷĻƭ ķźƩĻĭƷƌǤ ǞźƷŷ ƷŷĻ ƌƚĭğƌ ǝĻƓķƚƩƭ Order Quantities Order Budget Resident Cart Rollout Cart delivery to be staged out of the gravel parking lot behind Burbank Ice Arena DPW to install temporary chain link fence to secure the area on Monday, 4-7-25 Tractor trailers will arrive overnight Monday night into Tuesday morning, 4-8-25 Resident Cart Rollout (Continued) (2) Daytime crews will work to assemble carts and load them into smaller box trucks Box trucks will make local deliveries Monday Saturday, 7 AM 7 PM Rollout to take 2-3 weeks to complete DPW staff will be on site to ensure the operation runs smoothly Disposal of old barrels 5źƭƦƚƭğƌ ƚŅ ƚƌķ ĬğƩƩĻƌƭ Ʒƚ ĬĻ ŷğƓķƌĻķ źƓ ƷŷƩĻĻ ǞğǤƭ {ƦĻĭźğƌ ĭǒƩĬƭźķĻ ĭƚƌƌĻĭƷźƚƓ ƚŅ ƚƌķ ĬğƩƩĻƌƭ ĬǤ wĻƦǒĬƌźĭ Ʒƚ ƷğƉĻ ƦƌğĭĻ ĻǝĻƩǤ {ğƷǒƩķğǤ ķǒƩźƓŭ WǒƓĻ wƚƌƌƚŅŅ ķǒƒƦƭƷĻƩ ğƷ ƷŷĻ 5t‘ ǤğƩķ ŅƚƩ ƩĻƭźķĻƓƷƭ Ʒƚ ķźƭƦƚƭĻ ƚŅ ƷŷĻźƩ ƚƌķ ĬğƩƩĻƌƭ 5t‘ ğƓƓǒğƌ {ƦƩźƓŭ wĻĭǤĭƌźƓŭ 9ǝĻƓƷ ΛağǤ Ή WǒƓĻ Ώ 5ğƷĻ .5Μ Storage of Extra Carts Order to include extra parts and carts (all sizes and types) The goal is to be prepared to quickly respond to resident requests and future needs Extra carts and parts to be stored in containers and an existing garage at the end of Strout Ave. Conservation filing complete and approved Containers scheduled to arrive on Friday, 1/24 The Future of Rubbish and Recycling in Reading Look ahead to next R&R collection contract We will be prepared to switch to an automated collection contract (July 2026) Once the rollout is complete, Town staff will begin work on an RFP to obtain the most competitive pricing possible ANY QUESTIONS?? Parking Enforcement Data 2016-2018 2022-Current Past and Current Trends Note-Worthy Changes to the Downtown Presented by Deputy Chief Christine Amendola January 21, 2025 2016 Parking Citations 350 12% 508 18% 1980 70% Overtime Parking 350Permit Violations 508All Other Violations 2017 Parking Citations 270 11% 541 21% 1699 68% Overtime Violations 270Permit Violations 541Various Others 2018 Parking Citations 362 14% 608 23% 1642 63% Overtime Violations 362Permit Violations 608Various Others 1642 Parking Citations 2022 371 21% 855 49% 512 30% Overtime Parking 371No Parking Permit 512All Other Parking Violations 2023 Parking Citations 650 39% 810 48% 223 13% OvertimeViolation Breakdown Two Hour vs. 2024 Parking Citations Four Hour -2024 301 40% 648 42% 758 49% 457 71 60% 77 4% 5% Overtime Violations 758No Permit Vioaltions 77 Failure to Pay 71All Other Violations 648 Four Hour ViolationsTwo Hour Violations Parking Lot Break-Down 2024 457 Violations of Overtime Parking from the two lots. 228 50% 229 50% Upper Municpal LotBrande Court Changes to Downtown Reading Worth Noting Over the Last 10 Years •205 Residential Units have been built which includes 398 Bedrooms •39 Residential Units are currently being built •44,500 sf of commercial space/ all new across 7 projects •5,200 sf of commercial space currently being built •No new public parking have been added but changes to permits •281 Private Parking Spaces for all the new construction/residential units which is 1.4 spaces per unit •Looking at the numbers of increased Overtime Parking Violations which have more than doubled since 2018 is the reason for the needed turn-over and customer complaints. •The parking lots were chosen due to design, location, and access to kiosk to begin the plan for turn-over •Upper Municipal Lot and Brande Court changed from a two-hour limit to four-hour limit in February 2019 •Parking Citations January 6-January 15, 2025 •79 Parking Violations Downtown •Overtime Violations: 60 Violations in 8 Working Days * 19 Upper Municipal Lot * 18 Brande Court Lot This pace of citations for just overtime parking violations could increase from last year by 40-50%. Citations for overtime parking continue to rise. •Employee Pass Permits: •Program is working for many businesses. We can sell 250 Employee Parking Passes. Currently for 2025 we have sold 150 passes. The Potential of the Pleasant Street Center 2 Quick Facts •Finished Living Area is 4,320 square feet. •Currently assessed at $869,100 (Commercial appraisal has not been completed, as it would be costly and there would be a long wait). •Site located in a Multi-Family A40 Zone, but at 22,512 square feet, falls short of the 40,000 square foot minimum requirement. •On the Massachusetts Historic Registry (of local importance), which may be a hurdle to redevelopment possibilities. 3 A New Life •Keep for future Town Use. •Lease to a non-profit. •Sell the property. •Gift to Reading Housing Authority (RHA), who could leverage grants and subsidies to create 3+ affordable units to be managed by the RHA (RHA may be exempt from Multi-Family zoning limitations). 44 Potential Uses Meeting/Event Coffee Shop Space Pre-School Space (e.g. Grocer for Y) Commercial Town Lease Educational Office Space Space ~$20/sf Use Training ~$85,000/yr Food Pantry Programs Art/Exhibit Storage Restaurant Space 5 Non-Profit Examples in Other Communities INspireCafé,Wakefield •Sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club. •Provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities. BreakingGroundsCafé,Peabody •Created by Northeast Arc to support local restaurants in need of employees. •Provides employment training to people with disabilities or autism. 6 Repurposing Examples in Other Communities TheCenterfortheArts,NatickFirehouseCenterfortheArts,Newburyport •Performance Venue.•Theater. •Screenings.•Music. •Community Events.•Gallery. •Education.•Education. Select Board Draft Minutes December 3, 2024 Bacci and Herrick via Zoom 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 public forum for the Reading Center for Active Living. Town Manager Report 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 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 the exit of 62 Willow Street parking lot onto Willow Street and Safety Amendment 2024-11; the installation 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- Regulations as presented. The motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a unanimous roll call vote. Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2024- 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 de 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 at the previous meeting, DPW Director Chris Cole made updates to the draft policy which can be found in the Select Board meeting packet on the town website. They 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 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 Café 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 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 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. Select Board Draft Minutes December 4, 2024 ed 2% increase overall The long-term goal is to add four more training and the mutual aid be funded not be The board adjourned at 9:43 PM.