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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-17 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Tuesday, March 17, 2009 • Budget Reductions to date: • Spring leaf collection cancelled • The Compost center will be closing at 4 PM on Saturdays beginning in April, • Assistant Building Inspector laid off. • RFD will not respond to car lockouts unless a child is inside • Coordinator of Volunteers has retired and the position is being left vacant • Reading Rocks- Reading Rocks was founded by Tom Nelson (RMHS graduate) to feature local bands. In 2009, RMHS students Nathan Tyrell and Mark Wilson signed on to continue the concert series. The first show organized by Tyrell and Wilson will be held on Friday March 20th from 7-10 p.m. at Birch Meadow and will feature 4 bands. Admission cost is $7.00 at the door and open to high school students. Adult chaperones and a police detail will be in attendance. For more info, contact Erica McNamara, Adult Advisor, 781-942-6793 or emcnamara(a),ci. reading. ma. us • The date of the Community Organizations Seminar is March 19, 2009 in the Police Community Room. The Health Division has sent out the invitations • New Businesses in Reading o Ristorante Pavarotti • Swiss Baker — Grand Opening March 22 o Wayside Bazaar site — Restaurant coming soon • Portion of Eastern Bank site — Meat and Poultry shop • Salem 5 Bank • The Town has received an additional $20,000 in MTBE settlement, and another $30,000 is on its way. • Next Board of Selectmen - Office hour at 6:30 on o April 14 —James Bonazoli Dates and Events: • March 19 Training session for Seminar for volunteer organizations re fundraising events I • March 26 — Adopt-an-Island Kick-off • March 28 — 2 to 4 PM - Rabies Vaccination —at DPW garage — cats from 2-3, dogs from 3 to 4 • April 1 - Dogs must be'licensed • April 3 Compost Center opens • April 4 "Earth Day" at RMLD • April 6 — Mercury Collection at DPW garage • April 7 - Local Election • April 24 to May 2 — "Spring Spruce Up" focused on Reading's sidewalks • April 27 — Town Meeting begins • May 3 - Library House Tour • May 16 - Household Hazardous Waste Collection. — at the Reading DPW • May 16 - Viewing Platform dedication - Bare Meadow. • June 20 - Friends and Family Day Date: Thursday, March 26t' (day change so that the Selectmen can stay for the meeting) Time: 7:00prn Place: Reading Senior Center Join us for Desserts & beverages and additional information; There will be a slide show featuring Reading islands from previous years. While at the kick -off, please feel free to share ideas and ask questions. We have some new, informative websites, please contact us if you'd like a copy. If responding via e-mail, please indicate AAI RSVP in the heading. Susan Bowe: 781 -944 -7807 Bbowe@comcast.net Sue Hunter: 781 -942 -7311 suehunterl@verizon.net Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection's 3rd `' � }�� is n il Held at RMLD 230 Ash Street, Readinv QW . Conservation measures for heating, electric, water, renewable energies, ENERGY STAR: appliances, . Native plants, streams, walking, biking trails in our community and more, . Organic foods and gardening, • Kids' Activities, • Bike safety. Fair Sponsored by: The Cities for Climate Protection Committee hosted by Reading Municipal Light Department Http:Hci.reading. ma.us /climate Read inaMassCCPa.hotmail.com OFRF- o .• o 639�INCORpO�P 101111 T N I � I z =, MrT ;M, 7*1 111 1 aeri Recycling Program The Department of Public Works and our contractor, JRM Hauling & Recycling of Peabody would like to remind you how to properly prepare your recyclables. Please recycle all plastic containers numbered 1 -7. All commingled materials (glass, metal, and plastics) should be placed in your recycling bin; no need to sort. If you cannot fit all materials in the bin, place the extra in plastic bags. Do not put in paper bags. All paper, paperboard and newspapers should be handled as usual; place in paper bags or bundle. Please make sure that cardboard is cut no larger than 3' X 3' and bundled. The Public Works Department and JRM would like to thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (781) 942 -9077. PLEASE NOTE: RECYCLING IS MANDATORY! MERCURY PRODUCT COLLECTION Attention Reading Residents and businesses Do not dispose of thermostats, thermometers, or fluorescent lighting. These products contain mercury which can be harmful if not managed properly. Monday, April 6, 2009 —10am —12 Noon DPW Facility, 75 Newcrossing Rd Business owners: 36 Bulbs or more, call Dan Harty at Covanta Energy (978) 241 -3002 Sponsored by: Covanta Energy & Town of Reading (www. keepmercuryfromrising. oriz) For Compost Center information and Schedule, please see the reverse side. STREET SWEEPING PROGRAM What the Department of Public Works puts down for snow and ice control in the winter, the Department of Public Works has to pick up in the spring. Residents are asked to sweep their sidewalks and tree lawns (the grass strip that often exists between the walk and the roadway) into the street. Please don't sweep the sand into a pile since that makes it more difficult for the sweepers to pick up the material. Instead, sweep it into a row along the curb. We hope to start sweeping the week of March 23, 2009 weather permitting. If you have any questions regarding the sweeping program please contact the Highway Division at (781) 942 -9092 or the D.P.W. Administration office at (781) 942 -9077. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COLLECTION Saturday, May 16, 2009 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Reading DPW Garage 75 Newcrossing Road h� �I Bring Driver's License for Identification NO COMMERCIAL WASTE *LEAVE LATEX PAINT HOME* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL READING PUBLIC WORKS (781) 942 -9077 Public Works Newsletter March 2009 Phone (781) 942 -9077 C1, Page I of I SchenanPaula From: [eLacheur'Bob Gant Tuesday, March 17.20UQ12:5DPM To: Haxhenb|eikner. Peter; Gnhena.Paula Subjmot:ExcimeTmxpoymente - updaba Do you wish to include this in the B(]8 packet for tonight? ========================================== 1/28/OQvve mailed 17.785 excise bills for 20O0— due on2/27/OQ 2/26/09 posted reminder on website & in local newspaper & cable stating due date 3/2 (Monday) 3/2-3/Qwe received 1.88y payments (no fees charged) 3/9 & 3/10 mailed 2,189 reminder notices with exact amounts owed, and a last chance due date of 10am on 3116 (Monday) 3/1O-3/1O(1Oam) we received 1'O40 payments (no fees charged) 3/16 shortly after 1 Oam white mailbox emptied, payments included in totals without fees above � 3/16 after 10am: we have received 7 payments with demand fees; approximately 15-20 people departed without paying when advised they had missed the deadline 3/17 8:15am we found 16 payments in the white mail box-these will all be charged the demand fee. Since we cannot accept partial payment, these checks will be returned with a notice stating the new total due. 3/17—Yve sent the demand bill file t0 the Deputy Collector, these will be due 4/l/09.These bills include the $25 dcoz0zd feu and interest at 12% from the original due date. About l,l4Q bills remain unpaid — the demand fee portion Oothio amount i8 $28,725. This total is aonbGtantia} improvement from the last several years, when l5%of the bills remain unpaid by mid-April (about 2,600). ]/l7/2009 selectmen meeting Schena, Paula From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 4:36 PM To: Schena, Paula Subject: RE: selectmen meeting Cc this to the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday From: Schena, Paula Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 4:21 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: FW: selectmen meeting Paula Schena Office Manager Reading Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 781- 942 -9043 Fax 781- 942 -9071 From: Demers, Joseph (HOU) [ mailto :Joseph.Demers @state.ma.us] Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 4:08 PM To: Schena, Paula Subject: selectmen meeting Paula, Sorry about the back and forth about the selectman's meeting and the Reading delegation. Page 1 of 1 Unfortunately, Representative Dwyer had a previously scheduled engagement that I was unaware of before now, so he will be unable to attend. I will be emailing you on Monday morning to present to the Town Manager and the Board of Selectman a prepared statement from Representative Dwyer on his outlook for the economy and the FY2010 budget, etc. that can be forwarded to Mr. Hechenbleikner and the selectmen and made part of the public record if the Board of Selectman chooses to do so. Thanks, Joe Demers Legislative Aide Office of State Representative James J. Dwyer 30th Middlesex District Room 39 617- 722 -2014 3/13/2009 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts James J. Dwyer State Representative 30th Middlesex District Rm 39, State House, Boston TEL: 617- 722 -2014 James.J.Dwyer@,state.ma.us March 17, 2009 Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell St Reading, MA 01 867 House of Representatives State House, Boston, 02133 Dear Members of the Reading Board of Selectmen, Committees Judiciary Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Steering, Policy and Scheduling Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend tonight's meeting of the board of selectman, due to a previously scheduled event. However, I wanted to reach out to you to let you know that I will be working diligently to assist Reading through these very difficult economic times. As you know, I have a unique perspective on municipal issues and finance, having been a member of the finance committee during my tenure on the Woburn City Council. I am currently using this experience, in formulating my decisions on how we can assist when certain cuts have to be made effecting local aid and therefore town services. I look forward to continue to receive your input and direction and will do my best to convey your requests and opinions in the coming budgetary hearings. Please know that I will work in cooperation and seek guidance from my colleague in the House of Representatives representing Reading Brad Jones, and Senator Richard Tisei. I understand that difficult financial times are ahead, and hope together we can identify ways to preserve the quality of life, and continued delivery of excellent municipal services. I seek your knowledge, and will need all the assistance I can receive. I will continue to do my utmost in representing Reading's best interests during these very difficult economic times. Sincerely yours, J UILU ttG�J1 C�ClllQtl V C 3 0th Middlesex District yaw (AW4 o/ LATHAM, LATHAM & LAMOND9 P.C. 643 MAIN STREET READING, MASSACHUSETTS 01867 -3096 WWW.LLLLAW.COM KENNETH C. LATHAM (1939 -1996) O. BRADLEY LATHAM* JOHN T. LAMOND JOSHUA E. LATHAM* CHRISTOPHER M. O. LATHAM *ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE Board of Selectmen c/o Peter I. Hechenbleilmer, Town Manager Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Hand Delivered TELEPHONE: (781) 944 -0505 March 17, 2009 FAX: (781) 944 -7079 RE: DUNKIN DONUTS APPLICATION FOR WAIVER FROM 3.9 RETAIL SALES PRIOR TO 6AM FOR 454 MAIN STREET and 273 SALEM STREET Board of Selectmen: This correspondence to request the withdrawal without prejudice of the application of Dunkin Donuts ( "Applicant ") for a waiver of retail sales before 6:OOAM relative to Applicant's locations at 454 Main Street and 273 Salem Street, Reading, Massachusetts. If the Board is unable to withdraw the above noted application without prejudice then the Applicant requests a continuance of the matter. If you have any questions, issues or concerns please contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. Sincerely, LATHAM, LATHAM & LAMOND, P.C. Chris Latham 95 :1 pfd L 1 0116011 (00002707.DOC;) 9 Page I of 2 Schena, Paula From: Reading - Selectmen Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 10:50 AM To: christopher—wilkes@us.ibm.com; Town Manager Cc: Steve Goldy forwarding account; Ben Tofoya; James Bonazoli forwarding account; Camille Anthony forwading account; Rick Schubert Multiple Addresses; jcorm ier@ci. read ng. ma. us; jcorm ier@ci. read ng. ma. us; Schena, Paula Subject: RE: Dunkin Donuts Application for 5:OOAM Opening Dear Christopher: Thank you for sending an email to the Board of Selectmen. The Board has adopted a policy of not sending substantive responses to emails in order to try to stay in compliance with the Commonwealth's open meeting law which prohibits policy discussions by the Board outside of an open public meeting. Please understand that the Board values your input on issues and your correspondence will be included in the materials circulated to the Board prior to its next meeting and it is available as part of the public record. The Board members will have a chance to comment during an upcoming public meeting. Please be assured that your letter will be copied for the record, and your concerns will be considered at the hearing. Thanks for taking the time to express your concerns about this matter. If you want to have a personal discussion of the issue with a member of the Board, we hold "office" hours in Reading Town Hall before the first regularly scheduled meeting of each month at 6:30 PM in the first floor conference room. Thank you again for contacting the Board of Selectmen. James Bonazoli Secretary Reading Board of Selectmen l/c Board of Selectmen From: christopher — wilkes@us.ibm.com [mailto:christopher—wilkes@us.ibm.com] Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 8:30 PM To: Town Manager Cc: Steve Goldy forwarding account; Ben Tofoya; James Bonazoli forwarding account; Camille Anthony forwading account; Rick Schubert Multiple Addresses; jcormler@cl. read ng. ma. us; jcormier @ci.readng.ma.us Subject: Dunkin Donuts Application for 5:OOAM Opening Importance: High Dear Mr. Hechenbleikner, I am writing you regarding the application for the Dunkin Donuts located at 273 Salem Street to open at 5:OOAM. My neighbors and myself are opposed to having this application granted for the following reasons: 3/16/2009 9 Page 2 of 2 1. There is currently no vegetative block at this location and cars in the morning and evening routinely leave their lights on when entering the establishment. Depending on the spot they park in the cars light are illuminating multiple houses on Salem Street and Governors Drive. know in recent developments around town that there is a requirement for vegetative block to prevent this from happening. I am sure there was such a provision in granting this site to operate in the town but over the years the vegetation and trees have been cut down and not replaced. 2. Today with current opening time at 6:OOAM we are dealing with loud diesel trucks that park in the lot at 6:OOAM for coffee. On most mornings you can find 2 trucks running idle. Now that the warm weather is arriving this will cause issues as residents to keep their windows closed because of the noise so early in the morning. 3. Today we have to deal with a street cleaner who routinely visits the parking lot between 9:OOPM and 1 1:00PM to sweep the lot. In order to remove debris from the islands and near the building the street sweeping company uses a backpack leaf blower to clean these areas. These types of gas powered leaf blowers ranges anywhere from 80 - 85 decibels, which is pretty loud no matter the time of day it's used let alone between 9:OOPM — 1 1:OOPM. Imagine if you lived next to this property and put your kids down to sleep and at 10:30PM they are awoken by this loud noise. Between my neighbors and myself we have logged multiple complaints with the RPD about the noise and they have been great to respond right away and make the sweeping company stop. My wife even called and spoke with the day Sergeant (I believe Sgt. Russell) who spoke to someone associated with the property management aspect of this site and the late night cleaning stopped for a while but returned after about a month. I know this Dunkin Donuts has Reading residents sign a petition to support them in there application to open early. I would ask that you take into . account no one who lives very close to this location has signed the petition I am unable to attend this weeks hearing and ask that you take the concerns of my neighbors and my family when reviewing this application. Sincerely, Christopher Wilkes 10 Governors Drive Reading MA, 01867 3/16/2009 0 MAR-16-09 TUE 12:01 PM 9 P.01 L ) 42 AZ, Page 1 of 2 Schena, Paula From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:46 PM To: Nancy Cullen Cc: Schena, Paula; jlatham @latham- lamond.com Subject: RE: Abutter to 885 Main St. Mark and Nancy Thanks for your comments. I will cc them to the Board of Selectmen and also to the property owner so they can be prepared to address them at eh meeting on Tuesday night. I look forward to seeing you thin. Pete Hechenbleikner From: Nancy Cullen [mailto:timber2728 @comcast.net] Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 10:35 AM To: Town Manager Subject: Abutter to 885 Main St. To: Mr. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager From: Mark and Nancy Cullen Date: March 16, 2009 Re: 885 Main Street proposal for housing development We have received your letter regarding the proposal for a housing development at 885 Main St. We are Mark and Nancy Cullen, the residents of 58 Francis Drive in Reading, one of the closest abutters to 885 Main St. and our concerns and comments regarding this property are as follow: Development of this property as a 3 -story townhouse development in a quiet single family residential area will severely impact the property values in the area, especially our property value, since we are the closest abutter. According to Reading's own website, this property is zoned for a single residence. Is this true or not? A development like this will take away the beauty of this area and make it appear congested. Currently we can sit on our deck in privacy. Upon completion of this proposed project, it appears we will have a 3 story, 5 unit building overlooking our deck as well as another 3 story, 5 unit building overlooking our front yard. The units overlooking our deck appear to be within nearly 30 feet of our property. Is this necessary? How do you do this to your neighbors? Was there a consideration to simply build 4 or 5 single family homes to maintain the aesthetic beauty of the neighborhood? They have done this in Wakefield. Why not here? The location of the trash/recycle dumpster is really psetting to us. It is way too close to our home which is both a health hazard and simply not a nice thing to do. It would seem that it could be better 3/16/2009 Page 2 of 2 located between Buildings B and C where there is much more land space. What about the trees that currently abut our property? What will be left of them? Are there set asides for Section 8 in this proposed plan? If not what happens,if the units don't sell, is it possible that any of the units could become Section 8 property? This happened recently in Woburn. Townhomes could not be sold and have now become Section 8. It appears that there is only one way out of this complex. Since we will have 10 units so close to us, we have a concern about fire hazard. Shouldn't there be another option for fire equipment to reach these units? Is this land in any way environmentally protected from being developed as is our backyard land that dips down below our grassy yard? Water issues, etc. Has any research been done on protected species of trees or animals in this area? There is ledge in this area. What will the town be doing to protect my property against any damage caused by any blasting and /or re- grading of the land? Will you be ensuring that all licenses and insurances are in place to protect our home from damage? How will you notify us of this protection? Will there be blasting and re- grading of the land? Will the land area be flattened or remain an up and down hilly area? Will there be fencing around the property? If so, what type and where? How will you be protecting our land from being used as a cut through for kids and owners of dogs, etc. trying to walk to a quieter street than Main St. or trying to get to Memorial Park or trying to get home from school. What about lighting? Lighting for a 20 unit development will most certainly be intrusive to the surrounding single family homes? Please advise on the above comments. We will be at the meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Sincerely, Mark and Nancy Cullen 58 Francis Drive Reading 3/16/2009 rdo Page 1 of 1 Schena, Paula From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 10:56 AM To: the2flats @aol.com Cc: Schena, Paula Subject: RE: Main and Hopkins Street hearing Thanks for your comments, Tom and Barbara. We will be asking Mass Highway to approve signalization of this intersection, or to provide other traffic control as you have suggested. I'll make sure that eh Board of Selectmen has a copy of your letter at eh hearing. Pete C — Board of Selectmen From: the2flats @aol.com [mailto:the2flats @ aol.com] Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 8:42 PM To: Town Manager Subject: Main and Hopkins Street hearing Dear Mr. H - -- just want to include our thoughts about this dangerous intersection. We live at Leaning Elm Drive and just wonder when a real disaster is going to happen at that intersection. For folks heading into Reading from Stoneham etc. -- there should be no left turn onto Hopkins St. Traffic should proceed to Summer Avenue where there are lights to guide the traffic and the light could have a green arrow installed in order to go left - -- just as we find at South Street and Washington Street to allow for easier flows of traffic. When the Shell gas station was established -- with the ever popular Dunkin Donuts -- and also with the traffic entering into Calareso's farm stand - -- traffic has become worse than ever.Now with the possibilty of a restaurant in'the Wayside Bazaar building -- traffic could really be worse than ever - - -- if this is at all possible. In the evening -- particularly before and at dinner time -- this intersection is impossible to manipulate plus, folks are rapidly changing lanes for NO ONE CAN WAIT A MOMENT EXTRA to continue on his/her journey Thank you for having the legal notice sent out to us so that we could add our input to this issue for the March 17th meeting. Tom and Barbara Flaherty A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours.,in just 2 easy steps! toll 3/16/2009 . Page I of I Schena, Paula From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:33 AM To: Schena, Paula Subject: FW: Stop sign at northbound Harrison Street at Charles From: lestone@comcast.net [mailto:lestone@comcast.net] Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 9:32 PM To: Town Manager Subject: Stop sign at northbound Harrison Street at Charles I was happy to see that there will be a hearing on placing a stop sign at the north end of Harrison Street where it intersects with Charles Street. I live a few doors from that intersection (at #65 Harrison) and strongly support installing a stop sign at that location. As you no doubt are aware, many drivers use Harrison as a "cut through". They frequently roll through that intersection to turn right onto Charles. I see this happening regularly, even when there is eastbound oncoming traffic on Charles. There have been near misses. A stop sign by itself does not mean that a driver will quit rolling through an intersection. But drivers do think differently about an intersection where they know they don't have to stop. Drivers cutting through tend to drive faster on Harrison than those of us who live on the street. I would hope that adding a stop sign at the Charles end might slow down some of them. Finally, more and more children who live on the streets surrounding Harrison who used to be toddlers are now older and getting out more on foot and on their bikes. Memorial Park is a big draw for them (which is as it should be). Many kids access the park from the Harrison/Charles corner. As we know, kids are less likely to be paying attention than adults. I'm not suggesting that a driver wouldn't stop for children; I am suggesting that increased activity by children is another good reason for a stop sign at that intersection. I know that installing a stop sign at that intersection will not miraculously slow down all drivers who travel north on Harrison or prevent all of them from using a "rolling stop". I do believe that it can put a helpful nick in both of those. As the town moves toward making Memorial Park more attractive and Harrison a more heavily traveled street because of that, I think adding that stop sign would be a prudent move. Thank you for this opportunity to express my concerns. Elaine Stone 65 Harrison Street Reading, MA. 3/17/2009 Page 1 of 2 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 4:39 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter; Schena, Paula Subject: for the BOS tonight? e- Government Award Recipients: In order to qualify for an e- Government Award, the town or city must post their governing body's agenda and minutes, budget information, general by -laws, and - -if applicable- -their town meeting warrant and results. At present, the following 71 municipalities meet this criteria: Amesbury, Amherst, Andover, Arlington, Ashburnham, Ashland, Barnstable, Becket, Bedford, Bellingham, Belmont, Bolton, Boston, Boxborough, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Carver, Charlton, Chatham, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Chilmark, Concord, Dalton, Dedham, Dennis, Dudley, Dunstable, Duxbury, East Longmeadow, Eastham, Easton, Egremont, Everett, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Freetown, Gardner, Gill, Gloucester, Haverhill, Holden, Holland, Holliston, Holyoke, Hopkinton, Hudson, Ipswich, Kingston, Lakeville, Leominster, Littleton, Longmeadow, Lowell, Malden, Manchester -by- the -Sea, Marlborough, Mashpee, Maynard, Melrose, Methuen, Millbury, Milton, Monterey, Nantucket, Needham, Newburyport, Newton, Norfolk, North Andover, North Reading, Northampton, Northborough, Northbridge, Orange, Orleans, Otis* Paxton, Pembroke, Pepperell, Provincetown, Reading, Rocleland, Rockport, Salem, Salisbury, Sandwich, Saugus, Scituate, Sharon, Sheffield, Somerville, South Hadley, Southwick, Springfield, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Sutton, Tewksbury, Topsfreld, Upton, West Boylston, West Springfield, Westford, Westminster, Weston, Westwood, Weymouth, Wilbraham, Williamstown, Winchester, Winthrop, Woburn, Worcester, and Wrentham. e- Government Award with Distinction Recipients: In order to qualify for an e- Government Award with Distinction, the town or city must firlfr"ll requirements above, as well as provide archived governing board agenda and minutes, zoning by -laws, school committee agendas and minutes, agendas and minutes for an additional board or committee, and a calendar with all public meetings. At present, the following 46 communities meet this criteria: Amherst, Andover, Arlington, Bolton, Boston, Burlington, Chatham, Chelmsford, Concord, Dedham, Duxbury, East Longmeadow, Easton, Falmouth, Freetown, Gardner, Gill, Gloucester, Haverhill, Ipswich, Kingston, Littleton, Lowell, Maynard, Monterey, Needham, Newton, North Andover, North Reading, Provincetown, Reading. Salem, Salisbury, Sandwich, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Sutton, Tewksbury, West Boylston, Westford, Weston, Westwood, Weymouth, Worcester, and Wrentham. Bob LeLacheur 3/17/2009 I Residents, legislators and Inspector General testify about 40B failures and abuse �&�� ~1,�� Page 1 of 2 On October 23, the Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on 4OB. The testimony offered by affordable housing advocates and legislators highlighted widespread abuse of and failures by 40B. The state's Inspector Gnpg2ry_SuUivan, offered a scathing indictment of --� � from 4� scandal represents the biqqest abuse in state history in i i " I— "Five of the seven 40B projects sampled. for financial review indicated that millions in excess profits were owed to towns. Our investigation has indicated that only $17,000 has been back to " "State efforts to rectify developer abuses and excess profits are totally inadequate and will likely make matters worsa,! the appraiser. That is dead wrong." "State regulations today say that developers and banks should determine profits to be rectified. Would you buy a house if the seller mandated the price according to his own appraisal?" Testimony was also given by a single mom who had been homeless and a recant college graduate. They testified that: Housing built by 40B is far too expensive and isn't helping the people who need it most New homes built by4O8have di h of In the last few years, there was a 9096 drop in the number ofcommunities affordable to first-time homebuyers, at the same time that 40B was producing record high numbers of projects with record low percentages of affordable housing. How they resented developer lobbyists and staff from [HAPA snickering and smirking during their testimony to improve affordable housing. Beacon Hill "should be ashamed" of4OD'a record and that "we can do better. We have better programs." Stop using 4O8to force the development of upscale homes that wedo not need http://v,,ww.repeal4Ob.com/testimony.htm 3/16/2009 Residents, legislators and Inspector General testify about 40B failures and abuses and do not want. It is time for this state to start building some affordable housing Not surprisingly, developers and their lobbyists used tired innuendo and negative attacks to fight reformists and citizen input. Even after the Inspector General reported that state reforms are "totally inadequate" and are likely to "make matters worse," these lobbyists still insisted that 40B was the state's The Deputy Director ofMaasHousing called 40B "bok' innovative" and said "the issue of oversight has been addressed." This claim is ridiculous coming from the "state's affordable housing bank" since it was this very agency that recen2y luxury condominium complex! The Executive Direotor of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership claimed that 40B | is "more necessary and more important now than at any port in our history." He also said that "local concerns have been addressed head nn." In what might be the most outrageous statement of the day, he said "the comprehensive permit (40B) process is fundamentally fair." Maybe neither of these gentlemen heard the Inspector General clearly when he described the problematic response by the state to rectify issues of financial abuse. He held up a document created by the Department of Housing &Communih/ Development after his investigations that forces local zoning board members to sign away their right to legally challenge a 40B project and stating that profits would be determined by the developer and its bank. Deacon MU| and the developers think that their 4D8 reforms are working. Do http://www.repeal4Ob.com/testi-Tnony.httn 3/16/2009 To: Peter I. Hechenbleikner Town Manager, Reading, MA The following are my comments and questions regarding the project being considered for 885 -891 Main Street, Reading. As an Abutter and property owner at 895 Main Street for over 27 years, I have many concerns and questions. I do not find it comforting that the applicant wants to work with the selectman to build a friendly 40B of about 84,000 sq. ft. 24 townhouses (only 6 units would be affordable) and has no concerns for the neighbors or neighborhood of well kept single family homes. It is a shame that the Reading Design Review Team did not include several of the affected abutters who would have had eight months to prepare for the March 17, 2009 meeting. "Questions and Comments" 1. The Concept Plan would not compliment the neighborhood and would not preserve or offer much green space as stated. It is all buildings and black top pavements. 2. Section 3 of the Zoning By -Laws, revised as of March 2009 does not permit Two Family Dwelling,Apartments, and Boarding Houses in Residence Single Family Districts 15, 20 and 40. See Table of Uses 4.2.2. I Townhouses are permitted in Business Districts. What Zoning By -Law allows Apartments or Townhouses in a Single Family District? 4. A check of the property in question March 14, 2009 did not reveal any flagged Wetlands as stated in the July 21, 2008 minutes of the Review Team Meeting. 5. Site lighting and traffic (regardless of what is said) will be infringing on the peacefulness of this single family neighborhood. 6. The Town Planner should have more concern for the long term residents of the area in question rather than providing for additional parking spaces for the project. It appears that it will be extremely difficult to minimize paving and maximize landscaping when reviewing the Concept Plan. 7. How does 24 units and or 5 buildings blend in with the well maintained, professionally landscaped Single Family Homes? 8. This area is Wetland at present and the proposed construction will adversely affect the entire area. It is wet enough without this project. Arrow Environments of Easton, PA did the Wetland Survey on 3/17/08 and trespassed on my property marking trees that I own. 9. Again, I am disappointed in the Reading Design Review Team which consists of eleven town employees who derive their income from the tax payers who happen to be Abutters to the property in question and no one was notified until March 12, 2009 by letter how this proposed project would affect them. When one reads the minutes of the July 21, 2008 meeting, it appears that approval of this project is just a matter of time. Is that true? I am a very concerned Abutter along with my neighbors. a� Barbara (Strazzere) Argonish 895 Main Street Reading, MA - - .ti�.�'`;yrfrs -a 'vfi , Y `PAY -� �Znz -,;r-sri � 4 r WON c ;-FS �vn..v ...4 �.n sr ����✓�d�i � l��k � �' �6 �. F t • ' . r i Al AL MR ABOVE y TA C_5. FLAT T.H. FLAT C_2 2 T.H.ri C -3 a A3 © 2 -BR+ n3 Y T.H. n f ` ENVRONMENTAL1Ci(f�r �1 at Y�! 7 xs: S i B -1 ' 2 -BR FLAT - e B_2 3_RR �1 at Y�! / - 1 1 I I ya o 0 N ct g� 1 AL Ali- / / z .............................: ............. C..-4 / 1 / 2 -BR 1 . 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