HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-21 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
• Farm Stand is now in operation - Tuesday afternoons at the Depot on High Street
• The MSBA audit on the RMHS project is progressing, with a goal of trying to get
another major MSBA reimbursement in time to be able to reduce property taxes from
the Debt Exclusion for the Reading Memorial High School project.
• The West Street Historic District Commission is in need of new members - they do
not have enough people on the Commission to constitute a quorum.
• Tennis Court painting work has started.
• The HC ramp on Birch Meadow Drive is being installed
• The intersection of Washington and Prescott is being revised through sidewalk and
curb construction
• The Town has received another $20,000 for the water division from the MTBE
settlement, for a total to date amount of almost $740,000.
• Brick crosswalks are now being installed in the downtown. The Lowell Street lot in
front of Town Pizza is now open to traffic and parkers.
• Repaving of Ash Street from Main to Washington is completed.
• Street reconstruction this FY
• West Street Rights of entry
• DOR Municipal Law seminar - September
Dates and Events:
• September 13 - Fall Street Faire
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Hechenbleikner, Peter
From: Kowalski, Carol
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:10 AM
To: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Cc: Safina, Nicholas; McCabe, Abigail; Charles Eisenberg
Subject: FAR for Downtown 40R
Peter,
The CPDC settled on a Floor Area Ratio of 3.4 for mixed use projects in the proposed Downtown Smart Growth
District, and 2.4 for residential-only projects in the proposed district. (For reference, the current allowed Floor
Area Ratio in Business B is calculated to be about 3.4.)
Carol
Carol Kowalski AICP
Community Services Director/Town Planner
Town Hall
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2683
(781) 942 - 6612
7/21/2009
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Hechenbleikner, Peter
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 1:24 PM
To: Reading - Selectmen
Cc: Schena, Paula
Subject: FW: 2009 Roadway Resurfacing List
I Board of Selectmen
From: Reinhart, Peter
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 1:15 PM
To: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Cc: Zambouras, George
Subject: 2009 Roadway Resurfacing List
Peter,
Here is the list of streets that we will be paving under the roadway resurfacing contract.
California Road (all) cold plane, cutout and patch, 1" level, 1.5" top
Franklin St (Grove to Sunset Rock) reclaim, 3" binder, 2" top
Lincoln St (all) cold plane, cutout and patch, level, 1.5" top
Sandra Lane (all) cold plane, cutout and patch, 1.5" top
School Street (Middlesex to Dudley): cold plane, 1.5" top
School Street (Dudley to Mt Vernon): reclaim, 2.5" binder, 1.5" top
Scotland Rd (Hillcrest to West St): cutout and patch, crack seal, 1" level, adjust structures, 1.5" top
South Street (Main St to Wakefield Town Line): cold plane, cutout and patch, excavate approx. (2) 100' sections
of road, regrade,
2.5" binder in excavated areas, 1.5" top.
Other possible streets if funds allow:
Bear Hill Road (all)
North Street (all)
Pearl Street (Wakefield St to Audobon Rd)
Harrison St (all)
Peter
7/21/2009
L~
Town of Reading
Public Works Department
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2683
Fax: (781) 942-5441
Website: www.ci.reading.rna.us
July 2, 2009
Owner
Address
Reading, MA 01867
Subject: West Street Roadway Reconstruction Project
Dear Property Owner:
ENGINEERING DIVISION
(781) 942-9082
The Town of Reading has been working for the past several years on the design of
roadway safety and related improvements to West Street. This project will consists of the
reconstruction of the roadway and the installation of safety improvements on West Street
from the Reading/Woburn town line to Longwood Road. It includes installation of
drainage, sidewalks, granite curbing, trees, landscaping, signage and the installation of
traffic signals at the West Street, Woburn Street and Wescroft Road intersection; West
Street, Winslow Road and King Street intersection; West Street, Willow Street and
Summer Avenue intersection; and improvements to the signals at the Woburn Street and
Summer Avenue intersection.
The 75% design is complete and is currently under review by Mass Highway. We are
hopeful that construction, which is funded under the state's Transportation Improvement
Plan, will occur within the next couple of years. The Town is also pursuing having the
project funded under the Federal Stimulus Program which will enable construction to start
next year.
In order to complete the roadway improvements, it will be necessary to access a number of
properties along the roadway. The access is necessary to construct the improvements and
to ensure that the improvements match the grades with existing properties. Examples of
the work typically required are re-grading portions of driveways and walkways to insure
there is a smooth transition to the new sidewalk or roadway, and to restore lawn areas that
may be disturbed during construction. The right to permit temporary access to your
property for the constriction of this work is accomplished through the use of right-of-entry
forms.
Enclosed is a right-of-entry form that outlines the work that will need to be performed on
your property. I have also attached a plan that highlights the extent of the anticipated work
area. We ask that you sign the attached form and return it to us as soon as possible.
C:\ Documents and Settings\phechenbleikner\Local Settings\Temporary Internet rites\OLKID\ROE Letter 070209.doc
Signing this form does not take away any property rights you may have; it only allows the
contractor to enter your property to perform the work shown on the attached plan.
If you are comfortable with signing the form, please return the signed form to the Town of
Reading Engineering Division by mail or in person between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and
5:00 P.M. If you would like additional information either on the project or the right-of-
entry form please call me at 781-942-6683 or Arthur Markos at 781-942-6684. We also
can be reached via email at azambouras(Li7,ci.r'eadinR.ma.uS or amarkosRci.readinv.ma.us
Very Truly Yours:
George J. Zambouras
Town Engineer
C\Documents and Settings\phechenbleikner\Local Settings\Temporary Internet File5\OLK7D\ROE Letter 070209.doc (9
Town of Reading
Massachusetts
RIGHT OF ENTRY - WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Owner(s) of Record: John Smith
Address: 123 West Street
Station: 13+45 -13+57 L
Project: West Street Roadway Reconstruction
Permission is hereby given to the above municipality and the Massachusetts Highway
Department or its duly authorized agents to enter upon my property in connection with
the reconstruction of a roadway on the above named project. Plans for this project are
located in the Engineering Office at the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. The
purpose of this Right of Entry is to allow for changes and to carry out the work on my
property as outlined below:
1. Loam and seed approximately 5 feet of my lawn.
2. Reconstruct approximately 5 feet of my front walkway.
3. Reconstruct approximately 5 feet of my driveway.
THIS ENTRY TO BE MADE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO MY RIGHTS IN
SETTLEMENT OF ANY CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES THAT MAY HEREAFTER
APPEAR.
Granted by:
Owner(s) or Authorized Representative
Recommended by:
George Zambouras. Town Engineer
Town Official - Title
Date
Julv 2, 2009
Date
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DRAFT - BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDAS
Office Hour
Highlights
Hearing
Discussion
(August 4, 2009
(Ben Tafoya
I RCASA
I
( 6:30
7:30
Introduction - Terry Kennedy - Executive Director - ARC
Personnel Policies
Up-date on Fall Street Faire
(Decision on Special Licenses - Fall Faire
Revised Liquor Policy
Review/approval of installation of score-board at Morton
Field and future expansion to serve lighted softball field
JApprove debt sale of July 28, 2009 +
August 18, 2009 WORKSHOP
Preview STM warrant
Review Charter
IScoreboard at Morton Field
September 1, 2009 t
Office Hour James Bonazoli
Highlights . Trails Committee
Update on Fall Street Faire
(Review of. Ipswich River Greenway project
Hearing Parking regulations - Mt. Vernon Street
Rescinding parking regulations on Birch Meadow Drive,
Hearing Hillside, Waverly
I
September 15, 2009 WORKSHOP
'Birch Meadow Master Plan - finalize
September 22, 2009
Close Warrant - Subsequent Town Meeting
I ~
September 29, 2009 - BCC Training Library
Time Management of meetings
7:50
8:00
8:30
Conference
Room
6:30
Conference
Room
7/21/2009 Please note this is not the final version and is subject to change.
2008-2009 Committee/Commission Survey of Reading
Thank you for volunteering your service to Reading. We would appreciate you taking this
short survey to give us your thoughts on the past year, and future ideas for the upcoming
year. ~ I Q _ g 1"A~ e"
C C V& I t
Overall ratings for 2008-2009: (1-5)
Committee/Commission:
Effectiveness
Accomplishments
Leadership
*Comment section in each category
Working with Town Liaisons
Staff
BOS
Town Officials
*Comment section in each category
Future Requirements for 2009-2010:
Committee/Commission has a common goal
Meeting objectives of master plan
Committee members all have a part in these efforts
*Comment section in each category
Resources needed for 2009-2010
Staff
Education
Town Officials
*Comment section in each category
Recommendations for Success
- Comment area
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TO: Board of Selectmen
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Re: Special Liquor License - Oktoberfest
Last week the Board of Selectmen heard a presentation by Sheila Clarke for an Oktoberfest at the
Fall Street Faire, and the Board of Selectmen indicated a willingness to give a Special License for
that event.
On 7-21-09, the Chief of Police, RCASA Project Director Erica McNamara, Lt. Richard Robbins,
consultant Jim: Staples and I met with Sheila, and outlined suggested terms and conditions of such a
license. Sheila had indicated a need to have a decision on the Special license as quickly as possible,
so that planning for the Fall Street Faire Oktoberfest could move forward.
The Board of 'Selectmen has previously delegated to the Town Manager the issuance of Special
Licenses. The following are suggested conditions for the issuance of a Special License, and I would
suggest that the Board of Selectmen indicate any concerns or agreement with the conditions, and
allow the Town Manager to issue the license as usual
1. The license will be issued to Sheila Clarke as event manager for Oktoberfest as part of the
Fall Street Faire on September 13, 2009;
2. Total consumption be limited to not more than 6, 4 oz serving per individual
3. Food is to be provided as part of the Oktoberfest
4. Hours of service is limited to noon to 5 PM
5. A Police Detail as determined by the Chief of Police will be provided
6. The Oktoberfest activity is limited to a fence or barricade enclosed area on private property,
with the plan of layout to be approved by the Town Manager
7. Nobody under 21 years of age, and no pets are to be allowed in the Oktoberfest enclosed
area (except that servers must be over 18 years of age)
8. Servers shall be TIPs or equivalent trained
9. No free beer is to be. provided to anyone, and servers and workers are not to consume
alcoholic beverages from the Oktoberfest before, during, or after the Oktoberfest event
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10. A management plan for the OktoberFest event, consistent with these conditions, shall be
approved by the Chief of Police. The plan shall include but not be limited to: the number of
workers on shift at a time, the number of customers allowed in the Oktoberfest enclosed area
at a time, the method of ensuring the limitation on beer consumption by any individual
customer, and the forms of age identification to be accepted by the event manager
11. The event will develop a rubbish management plan to be approved by the Director of DPW.
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TO: Board of Selectmen
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Re: Board, Committee, and Commission (BCC) Appointment Process
Now that the 2009 annual BCC appointment process is primarily competed, it is probably an
appropriate time for the Board of Selectmen to consider some of the potential changes in the process
to make it easier for applicants and for the Board of Selectmen, and to allow the process to be more
thorough in considering the Board of Selectmen's appointments to volunteer bodies.
This topic was initiated by Selectman Goldy at the beginning of the appointment process this past
year, and I believe the Board of Selectmen felt that some of the ideas had merit but it was to late in
the process to consider at that time.
From the prior discussion, it seems that there were at least two considerations that were to be
addressed by a revised process:
1. The amount of time taken by the Board of Selectmen and volunteers for this process seems
extraordinary and not necessarily productive
2. The depth of interviews given time constraints does not allow the Board of Selectmen to do a
thorough job of interviewing.
Selectman Goldy's concept was to create a two member Board of Selectmen subcommittee to do
interviews, and then to make its recommendations to the full Board of Selectmen. This is the
methodology that the Town of North Andover uses. There was some concern on the part of other
Board members that this would place too much authority in a two member subcommittee, and in
such a structure there did not seem to be any mechanism if one of the members of the Board of
Selectmen who was not on the appointment subcommittee wanted to object to an appointment or to
advocate for a different appointee.
Understanding the Board of Selectmen issues as stated above, one option would be to structure the
process as follows:
Continue the paperwork process of asking incumbents whether or not they wish to be
considered for reappointment
2. Continue the process of application by potential new applicants for BCC's
3. Have the Board of Selectmen appoint a two member Volunteer Appointment Sub-Committee
(VASC) at the time that Board of Selectmen liaison assignments are established
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4. Have the VASC schedule meetings to interview all potential BCC members, including any
incumbents that wish an interview.
5. The VASC would then put forward a slate of candidates for each BCC, and would transmit
that slate to the entire Board of Selectmen along with a list of all candidates who had applied
for each BCC. A copy of the application form and/or resume for any new candidate would
also be provided.
6. In early June, the slate would be presented to the Board of Selectmen as a "consent" item on
the agenda. Any member of the Board of Selectmen could ask for any BCC to be removed
from the consent item for consideration by the full Board of Selectmen. The consent item with
any remaining BCC appointments would then be considered and voted in its entirety.
7. Any BCC appointments pulled from the consent item would then be scheduled for interview
during succeeding Board of Selectmen meetings in June, and the appointment process to that
BCC would be the same process as current.
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