HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-04 Select Board Minutesi Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: L.
Select Board
Date: 2025-02-04 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 Bacci, Karen Herrick, Chris Haley, Mark Dockser, Melissa Murphy
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Assistant Town Manager Jayne Wellman,
Executive Assistant Caitlin Nocella, Linda Russo, Pat Crowley, Jim Riley,
Gena Pylvylski, Bryce Sheedy, Amy Staffer, Mark Agne, Vanessa Alvarado,
Angela Binda, Karen Rose Gillis, Nancy Ziemlak, lin Zhang, Robert Lee, Lt.
Jones, Brian Hmmadka
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Nocella
Topics of Discussion:
Bacci called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Public Comment
Linda Russo, Jin Zhang, Pat Crowley, Jim Riley, Lucas Prato, Gena Pylvylski, Bryce Sheedy, Amy
Staffier, Mark Agne expressed their concerns for the proposed MBTATurnback track project.
Vanessa Alvarado, Angela Binda and Karen Rose Gillis all spoke in favor of turning the kiosks
back on.
Nancy Ziemlak spoke about ReCal and encouraged everyone to look at their website for
more details.
Liaison Reports
Dockser gave updates on the Council on Aging and ReCal.
Murphy gave updates on the School Committee.
Haley attended the neighborhood meeting on Saturday about the MBTAturnback track. He
gave updates on the Killam School Building meeting.
Herrick attended the MMAAnnual Conference and gave updates on that weekend.
Town Manager Repon
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Kraunelis recognized Fire Captain Marchetti wished him well as he retired recently. The MBTA
will be hosting a community meeting at the Pleasant Street Center on February 25, 2025. He
also attended the MMA Annual Conference. He is continuing to work on the Town Meeting
Warrant, Special Town Meeting warrant and the budget.
Mandarin Restaurant Recognition
The board recognized Robert Lee and his staff at the Mandarin Restaurant for their
contributions to the community throughout the years. Mr. Lee has reached an incredible
$100,000 in donations to community organizations through various fundraisers.
Public Hearing - Parking and Traffic Regulations
Haley read the hearing notice opening the public hearing.
The board had three amendments in front of them for consideration.
Amendment Number 2025-1; Enact Article 5.4.4.13: No person shall park a vehicle between
the hours of 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
from August 25" through June 301h on any of the streets or parts of streets to which this
Article has been applied as listed under Article 12.
Amendment Number 2025-2; Article 12.1 to Enact Pursuant to Article 5.4.4.13: No person
shall park a vehicle between the hours of 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays from August 25`^ through June 3011 on the southerly side
of Arcadia Avenue, starting at West Street to Edgemont Avenue.
Amendment Number 2025-3; Article 12.1 to Enact: Pursuant to Article 5.3: Parking shall be
prohibited on Green Street along the southerly side, starting at Main St heading in the
westerly direction on Green Street, extending 90 feet ending prior to 59 Green Street.
Lt. Jones was present and answered any questions the board had. Amendment numbers
2025-1 and 2025-2 are to help alleviate parking problems on Arcadia Ave due to an overflow
of Austin Prep students.
Haley moved to close the hearing regarding the amendments to the Parking and Traffic
Rules and Regulations. The motion was seconded by Murphy and approved with a 5-0
vote.
Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2025-1 as presented. The motion was
seconded by Murphy and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2025-2 as presented. The motion was
seconded by Herrick and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Haley moved to approve Safety Amendment 2025-3 as presented. The motion was
seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
MBTA Turnback Track Discussion
MBTA representatives gave a brief presentation about their plans to increase train frequency
on the Haverhill line, including a proposed turn track project in Reading. The project aims to
provide 30-minute service to Reading as part of a larger plan to improve service and
eventually electrify the line. They acknowledged concerns about diesel emissions and noise
in the short term but emphasize that this is a step towards long-term improvements. The turn
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track would allow trains to turn around more efficiently, though some residents express
concerns about increased idling near homes. It was noted that electrification is planned for
the future, with the Haverhill line slated after other priority lines. The MBTA confirms they are
aware of relevant laws and regulations. They explained that the project did not trigger
thresholds for environmental review. The MBTA commits to providing more detailed data and
clearer communication at the upcoming community meeting on the 25th.
RgCal Design Update
Brian Hromadka discussed the schematic design phase and the anticipated project costs for
the new center. He explained how construction project costs are derived and the variables
that must be considered. Brian also shared that they have completed the initial cost estimates
and are reconciling the discrepancies between the different cost estimates. He mentioned
that they are committed to keeping the project below the $30 million dollar threshold. Brian
clarified that the cost range he shared was based on a benchmark of similar projects and that
they are confident in keeping the number below $30 million.
Parking Kiosk Discussion
Haley noted he would only be speaking on the CVS lot parking kiosks.
The board discussed the potential reinstatement of the kiosks, with some members
expressing concerns about the initial implementation and the current state of parking in the
area. They also discussed the need for better communication with the business community
and the possibility of selling the kiosks. Bacci, Haley and Murphy agreed that there was no
need for the kiosks, as the problem seems to have taken care of itself. Dockser and Herrick
disagreed, noting the board did not give them enough time before turning them off to do
what they are supposed to do and it really depends on the time of day when the lots are full
or not. The board ended up taking a vote because they feel they will not have any further
information to delay a vote.
Haley moved to direct the Town Manager to refrain from collecting parking fees
pursuant to Article 5.19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Upper Haven
Street Municipal parking lot from February 4, 2025 - indefinitely. The motion was
seconded by Murphy and approved with a 3-2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against.
Herrick noted she voted against this because she refuses to go against the will of Town
Meeting, the PARC Committee and Deputy Chief Amendola.
Haley left the room for the next discussion and vote.
Bacci moved to direct the Town Manager refrain from collecting parking fees pursuant
to Article 5.19 of the Traffic and Parking Regulations in the Brande Court Street
Municipal parking lot from February 4, 2025 - indefinitely. The motion was seconded
by Murphy and failed with a 2-2 vote with Herrick and Dockser against.
Council on Agina Liaison
Dockser noted he now has a conflict and can no longer make the meetings/ be one of the
Council on Aging liaisons. Haley noted he is willing to co -liaison with Herrick.
Haley moved to appoint Chris Haley as the Council on Aging liaison. The motion was
seconded by Murphy and approved with a 5.0 vote.
Future Agendas
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The board discussed future agenda items.
Minutes
The board edited previous meeting minutes.
Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 7, 2025 as amended. The
motion was seconded by Bacci and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Haley moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 21, 2025 as amended. The
motion was seconded by Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
Haley moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:13 pm. The motion was seconded by
Dockser and approved with a 5-0 vote.
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