Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-18 Board of Selectmen Handout - Part 1TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Tuesday, September 18, 2007 • 1 would like the Board of Selectmen to.approve a motion formally referring the proposed 40R zoning bylaw amendments to the CPDC for hearing. • Enclosed is the Town Treasurer's "Report on Investments" for FY 2007. A copy has also been given to the Finance Committee. • Nurse Advocate Dianne Aurilio-Luther has been hired and has started work. She is working part time in that position, and will also be filling in part time as the Public Health Nurse until we can fill that position. Dianne's resume is attached. • Larry Ramdin will start work on October 1 as our new Health Services Administrator. Larry's resume is attached. • Franklin Street sidewalks are done. Finish work including loam and seed have also been done. I would like to have a "ribbon cutting" in October - combined with the dedication of the Mattera Conservation Area. • The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection is a Wakefield High School on September 22. This is a joint program with the Town of Wakefield, open to Reading and Wakefield residents. There will be another collection in Reading in the spring. The RCASA Annual Meeting is on September 26 at 7 PM at the Parker Middle School. I would encourage all residents who are interested in the issue of Substance Abuse to become involved. There is a need for many areas of expertise, if you have the time to volunteer. • DPW has filed a grant application for 4 things: • Park recycling containers • Shade trees for south Main Street • Conversion of the Town's traffic signals from conventional sources to LED (much more energy efficient, plus better visibility) • Recycling post cards to all households • The temporary "Truck Exclusion" signs on a number of streets off of Lowell Street and Main Street that were installed because of the RMHS construction have expired and will be removed shortly. • On 09-13-07, a meeting was held in the Community room with over thirty neighbors of the Washington Street Park area. Also in attendance were the Chief, Sergeants McKenna and Segalla. The neighbors voiced their concerns on the safety and security of the park due to several recent incidents. The recent incidents involved larcenies and assaults on young children by several high school students. Parents have also witnessed incidents of bullying, fighting, fowl language, public urination, alcohol consumption and drug use. The parents are extremely upset and do not want the issues to become even more volatile. As a result, many families with young children are afraid to let their children play at the park. As a result of this meeting, the Police Department will take a very proactive approach to quelling the neighbors concerns. The Board of Selectmen have received invitations to the MMA Fall regional Forums Enclosed is an invitation for the Board of Selectmen to participate in a World Caf6 Community conversations process. 8 of the 10 bike racks received under an MAPC grant have been installed by DPW. The Police Station and RMLD racks will be installed shortly. C~ BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDAS September 25, 2007 Proclamation Knights of Columbus 7:25 Review proposed changes to LIP regulations - Town Counsel 7:30 Close Warrant - Subsequent Town Meeting 8:00 Hearing Longhorn Liquor License 8:30 Sertucci's plan for outdoor dining ( 9:30 Discussion re Municipal building Committee Executive Session Labor negotiations Certificates I Eagle Scout Awards Highlights Human Resources 7:30 Report - Tax Classification Task Force Review Action Status report October 16, 2007 Adopt an Island Reception - Senior Center ( 7:00 Review warrant - Subsequent Town Meeting Discuss traffic issues - stop signs, multi-way stops, )October 17, 2007 -Financial Forum Sr. Center October 23, 2007 - BOS Forum 7:30 October 30, 2007 D3 S ci i) Page 1 of 2 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: TheresaPetrillo [theresapetrillo1@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:44 PM To: Town Manager Cc: Reading - Selectmen; Kowalski, Carol Please forward to CPDC Dear Pete, Thank you for speaking with me today and last week regarding the Addison-Wesley property. As tonight is Curriculum Night at Joshua Eaton, I am unable to attend the Selectmen's Meeting for public comment to voice the concerts I mentioned to you directly. Last night a group of South Street and Curtis Street abutters met to discuss the proposed development at the property. Several issues and concerns were raised, briefly stated below. We are concerned with the speed with which this may go to Town Meeting and the lack of detailed information on the entire development that has come forward to date. We would like to see a plan from the developer that acknowledges and addresses these concerns in a manner satisfactory to all. We feel it would be appropriate to have an abutter more closely involved with further discussions regarding zoning and design standards, and I am willing to participate. Our main concerns: We would like to see a 75 foot buffer zone to include existing vegetation and additions where necessary. We would like no parking within the 100 foot "no build zone." The concern here is a parking lot abutting yards. Abutters have previously asked the developers to keep parking lots on the inside of the development. Perhaps there are other design solutions that would minimize traffic and exhaust next to our yards. The density of the entire development is a concern. Drainage is a concern. Will any engineering studies be done? Can a catch basin be considered? Traffic is a concern. National Development first presented itself to the town in January, and hopes to go to Town Meeting in December, yet it is mid September and no detailed traffic information regarding volume and traffic patterns has been presented. This is especially concerning, considering the proposed development across the street at 80 - 100 Main Street. We would like to see the restricted area to remain untouched. We look forward to being able to discuss these issues further, and will contact you regarding the proper venue for these discussions. Sincerely, Theresa Petrillo 9/18/2007 Dianne Aurilio-Luther RN 22 Maryvale Road Burlington, MA 01803 781-229-8620 EDUCATION: Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Graduated 1987 TRAINING: Current MA License, Registered Nurse, Alzheimer and Dementia ICS 100 & 700 American Red Cross Shelters EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE: 2001- Present Part-time Public Health Nurse, Town of Burlington • Communicable Disease Reporting and Investigation. • Tuberculosis: Mantoux skin testing, MDPH line list monthly follow up. • Vaccine Program Management under the MDPH Immunization Program, responsible for ordering vaccine, distribution to providers and obtaining signatures for annual program enrollment and model standing orders. • Vaccine administration in office, seasonal clinics, and home visits when indicated. • Weekly blood pressure clinics in office and, monthly blood pressure clinics at senior housing. • Cholesterol screenings using Cholestech LDX Analyzer. • Order and maintain medical supplies for office. • Co-facilitate a monthly support group with COA Outreach Worker for caregivers of those with cognitive impairment. • Assist COA Outreach Worker as needed with home visits. • Participate in annual Senior Health Fair held at Burlington COA • Patient Care Coordinator under Incident Command structure for EDS Drill November 2006. Responsible for duties of screeners, dispensers, greeters, registration, triage, translators and behavioral health. Responsible for ordering medical supplies for drill. • Assist residents with MassHealth applications • Assist residents with applications for Patient Assistance. Programs with pharmaceutical companies. • Assist full time nurse with program planning and clinics and screenings. 1998- 2001 Wellness Coordinator, Hearthstone Alzheimer Care Assisted Living, Woburn, MA • Unit Manager: hiring, scheduling, and supervising.of staff, including presenting required in-services. • Health Care Coordination: assessing; planning, implementing and evaluation of personal care and medical services. • Resident and family advocate with physicians. • Group Adult Foster Care reimbursement documentation. Co-facilitate monthly support group for the residents families • Assist Program Director with in home assessments for potential placement. 1994-1998 Char2e/Medication/Treatment Nurse. Wingate of Reading and Wingate of Andover, MA • Responsible for 40 bed Long Term Care Unit. • Implement Physician Orders, administer medication, provide wound care and supervise the licensed nurses and certified nurse's assistants. 1991-1994 Courtyard Nursing Care Center, Medford. MA • Charge Nurse, third shift, opened the 41 bed Dementia Care Unit on facility start up. • Third Shift House Supervisor for 180 beds. • First Shift Supervisor for 41 bed Dementia Care Unit and 80 bed Early/Late Alzheimer Care Units • MMQ Coordinator/ Q/A staff documentation. 33 Woodbury Street Phone 781-643-1608 Arlington MA 02476-5627 Fax 781-643-1608 E-mail Ir2mdin0hotm2il.com Lam/ Ramdin Education 1997 - 1999 Framingham State College- Framingham, MA MA Public Administration 1990 -1994 Northeastern University Boston, MA BS Health Sciences ■ Magna Cum Laude ■ Award for Academic Excellence ■ Dean's List 1990 -1994 1980-1982 Barbados Community College Barbados Certificate Public Health Inspection ■ First Place Public Health Inspection ■ Distinction Environmental Health ■ Most Outstanding Student : Division of Health Sciences 1987 Barbados Community College Barbados Diploma Meat and Other Foods Inspection ■ Distinction Employment 2001 - Present Newton Health Department Newton, MA History Environmental Health Specialist 2000 - 2001 ESI QUAL International Stoughton MA Manager Technical Services and Auditing 1998 -1999 Hans Kissle Co. Wilmington, MA Director of Quality Assurance 1994- 1998 MDPH Division of Food and Drugs Boston MA Senior Food and Drugs Inspector 1991-1994 Deaconess Hospital Boston MA Account Collection Specialist- Medicare 1983 -1990 Point Fortin Corporation Point Fortin Trinidad Public Health Inspector 1977-1980 San Fernando Corporation San Fernando Trinidad Aedes aegypti Control operator Experience ■ Coordinate Newton Health Department's participation in FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory program standards ■ Grant Writer - Environmental Health Division ■ Administer food safety training program ■ Liaise with internal and External and community agencies to develop protocols that promote compliance and resolution Public Health issues ■ Prepare reports activity and compliance reports ■ Develop organize and implement training programs for Environmental Health professionals , Interns, students local and regional peers in Environmental Health Practice ■ Inspected food processing plants for compliance with food safety laws ■ Conduct inspections on regulated establishments for compliance with health regulations and vendor qualification reviews and audits Memberships ■ Review and approve food establishment plans, variance requests, HACCP plans for compliance with health laws ■ Advise citizens on issues relating to Public Health ■ Collect samples for chemical, physical and microbiological testing ■ Investigate food-borne illness outbreak ■ Supervised Sanitation and Pest Control Units ■ Prepared Annual, Monthly and Statistical reports for Town Council and Public Health Committee ■ Inspected and treated mosquito breeding foci, and identified mosquito species ■ Trained Food Handlers in basic principles of food safety ■ Review, correct and submit Medicare reimbursement claims for accuracy and compliance with reimbursement protocols Massachusetts Environmental Health Association - Vice President Chair Education Committee Co-Chair 45h Yankee Conference Program Committee National Environmental Health Association- National Certificate of Merit 2005 Massachusetts Local Public Health Institute - Board Member Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Society - Northeastern University President - 1999- 2001 Massachusetts Health officers Association- Member Special Projects NSF Standard P235 - Reviewer and training Doing it right : Swimming and Bathing Beach testing video- Content and Script Developer and Presenter - New England Alliance for Workforce Development Guidelines for Developing Competency Based Emergency Preparedness . Training - Contributor Hazardous Materials Training for First Responders ( IAFF), National Incident Management Systems Introductlon(FEMA) Accreditation Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian - National Environmental Health Association Certified Health Officer- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Certified Food Safety Professional - National Environmental Health Association Certified Pool Operator Primary Certification - Massachusetts Association of Health Boards Trainer- Sanitation Control Procedures for Processing Fish and Fishery Products : FDA Seafood. HACCP Food Manager Trainer - State Of. Rhode Island, National Restaurant Association NEHAINational Registry Of Food Safety Professionais, NSF/ Expenor Certified Food Manager- Servsafe/National Restaurant Association. Computer Microsoft - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher experience Corel Office Products, Web-design References J. David Naparstek Commissioner of Health and Human Services Newton 617-796-1420 Robert Cooper Director Of Health Framingham Health Department 508-380-1100 C-~ f Press Release On 09-13-07, a meeting was held in the Police Department Community Training Room with over thirty neighbors of the Washington Street Park area. In attendance representing the Reading Police Department were Chief James Cormier, Sergeant's John McKenna and Mark Segalla. The neighbors voiced their concerns on the safety and security of Washington Park and the adjacent neighborhoods due to several recent incidents. Neighbors have witnessed incidents of bullying, fighting, foul language, public urination, alcohol consumption and drug use. The neighbors are extremely upset and do not want the issues to become even more volatile. As a result, many families with young children have indicated reluctance to let their children play at the park. The Police Department strongly encourages all families to make use of the park, and to report any instances of concern to the Police Department iminediately. The Reading Police Department ensured the residents they will take aggressive, pro- active steps to address the issues raised at the community meeting. The Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and tranquility of the Park and the adjacent neighborhoods. The Patrol Division under the leadership of Lt. David Stamatis, is developing a directed response to the neighbors concerns. It is important to make the entire community aware the Police Department will strictly enforce all laws relating to quality of life issues such as trespassing, vandalism, public disturbances, public alcohol consumption, etc. Please contact Sergeants John McKenna and/or Mark Segalla with any concerns regarding this situation at 781-944-1212. In an emergency please dial 911, if dialing 911 on a cell phone, be prepared to state the town/city you are calling from so the call can be directed appropriately as emergency cell phone calls go to the State Police dispatch center in Framingham. PD Did you ever wonder what other arouas in Readina are doina? Or how their aoals miaht match uo with vours? Reading is blessed with a host of people who care deeply about this community and the quality of life that we all experience here. Local organizations and groups work hard to create and fund programs, build resources, connect businesses and provide needed support to benefit the community - the playground groups, PTOs, Tennis Group, Cultural Connection, Substance Abuse Coalition, Friends of Reading Recreation, Garden Club, Rotary Club and the Friends of the Library are a few examples. Organizations like these and many others, formal and informal, in conjunction with local governance and permitting boards, make up the varied, patches that shape the community quilt we call Reading. How do we as a community want to grow and sustain Readina? You may be aware of what your organization, group or board wants, but what about the others? Where is there common ground and opportunity for collaboration? Did you ever have a conversation at the grocery store, playground, or golf course and wish that you could share that idea, or connect that conversation with someone else who cares about the same thing? We all have a shared responsibility for the shared prosperity our town can achieve. We'd like to invite you to help create an opportunity for a town-wide conversation about important topics that matter to us all, in a way that's comfortable, exciting and inclusive. We are looking for HOSTS to co-sponsor a World Cafe session in Reading this winter that will start a conversation to explore: What can Readina also be? The World Cafe is a process that makes it possible to hear from many people at the same time, as they discuss meaningful questions designed to build insights into shared values and the potential of our future. Using a small group format and multiple rounds, participants will experience the synergy from conversations of substance in a respectful and comfortable setting. The result is a better sense of what connects us to each other, where our greatest resources lie, and how our community "quilt" can be the key to planning for a sustainable and inclusive future. You've received this invitation as a representative of one of the many organizations in Reading. We would like you to consider becoming a member of Host Committee for this event. Host Committee members do 4 things: 1) Come to the informational meeting listed below 2) Help to publicize the World Cafe 0 conversation 3) Ask your constituents/members to participate in the conversation 4) Come to the Town-wide World Cafe session and help welcome participants To learn more, please attend an INFORMATIONAL MEETING about Reading's World cafe conversation. Location: READING SENIOR CENTER Date: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 TH, 2007 Time: 7 - 9pm Feel free to please pass this invitation along to another person or group who is just right for this meeting if you don't see them represented on the list! RSVP: Priscilla Hollenbeck - cilia hCcDcomcast.net - 781-944-7611 Thank you for your consideration! Lets Talk Reading Planning Group: Pat Schettini - oschettini(cDread ina.k12.ma.us Peter Hechenbleikner - phechenbleiknere.ci.read ina.ma.us Elaine Webb - elwsail41(cverizon.net Deb Gilburg - debailbura cDverizon.net Priscilla Hollenbeck - cillahncomcast.net Kerry Dunnell - dun nellsCcD.comcast.net Lisa Gibbs - lisatcc .samanthasharvest.ora See the World Cafe website for more general info about this exciting process: www.theworldcafe.com Reading Organizations & Contacts James Bonazoli, Board of Selectmen Lisa Gibbs, School Frank Driscoll, Veteran Service Deb Gilburg, Cultural Julianne Thurlow, Reading Coop Bank Susan Hubbard, Danvers / Committee Connection Savings Bank Elaine Webb, School Paul Feeley, Reading Nancy Lynn Swain, Committee Chronicle Substance Abuse Comm Andrew Grimes, Finance Monette Verrier, Bill Hecht, Conservation Committee Reading PEP Commission Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Cathy Driscoll, Boosters David Rall, Democratic Town Manager Comm. Pat Schettini, Phil Rushworth, RCTV Donna Corbitt, Democratic Superintendent Town Comm. Stan Quinlan, Reading Brant Ballantyne, CPDC Katie Kaminer, Friends of Teachers Assoc Reading Tennis Jennifer Hart, Creative Arts Melissa Russell, Lynne Freeman, Friends of Reading Advocate Reading Library Karyn Storti, Library President, RMHS Peter Simms, Downtown Trustees Student Council Steering Comm Mary Ellen O'Neill, Town Jeanette Koulouris, Liz Whitelam, Reading Mtng, RMLD Wood End PTO Cultural Council Bill Brown, Town Meeting Janet Barry, Barrows, Merel Abruzzese, Young PTO Women's League Peter Coumounduros, Town Karen Mungenest, John Brzezenski, Library Meeting Killiam PTO Foundation Rob Spadafora, Town Barbara Heinemann, Michelle Ferullo, Newcomers Meeting Parker PTO & Neighbors Russ Graham, Econ. Dev. Paula Perry, Coolidge Michael Giacaione, Chamber Comm PTO of Commerce Steve Notis, Reading Clergy Denise Wyer, RMHS Bruce Austin, Lions Club Assoc PTO Sally Hoyt, Silver Hair Priscilla Hollenbeck, Free Masons Legislature Eaton PTO Brad Jones, State Kerry Dunnell, Budget Joanne Simons, EMARC Representative Parent Richard Tisei, State Senator Jeannie Cappuccio; Kathryn Greenfield, Historical PAC Commission Pat Natalie, State Nichole O'Neil, RISE Kerri-Lee DeRusha, Birch Representative PTN Meadow PTO Fred Van Magness, Jr, Sheve Chuha, Rotary Jenna Snyder, Cities for Chief of Staff, Rep. Jones Club, Realtors Climate Protection Association cot 6 - } 61 Town of Reading Engineering Division ESTIMATED PROJECT CONSTRUCTION COSTS MEMORIAL PARK REHABILITATION 9/18/2007 Description Units Quantity Unit Price Est. Const. Cost Walkway (5 feet by 2,400 feet) M I I I Haul and Stack Existinq Loam CY 148 ( $ 14.00 $ 2,072.00 Earth Excavation CY 444 $ 25.00 $ 11,100.00 Gravel Borrow CY 444 $ 35.00 N $ 15,540.00 Fine Gradinq and Comoactinq of Gravel Base SY 1,333 $ 1.00 $ 1,333.00 Walkway Pavement (3.5" thickness) SY ( 1,333 $ 28.50 $ 37,990.50 Spray Tack Coat for Walkway Pavement SY N 1,333 $ 0.15 $ 199.95 Total Walkway Construction $ 68,235.45 Driveway / Parking Area Off of Salem Street I I M _ Earth Excavation CY 360 $ 25.00 $ 9,000.00 Gravel Borrow CY ( 270 N $ 35.00 $ 9,450.00 Fine Gradinq and ComDactlnq of Gravel Base Sy 810 $ 1.00 $ 810.00 Pavement for Drivewav / Parkinq Area (4" thickness) Sy 810 $ 32.50 $ 26,325.00 SDrav Tack Coat for Pavement M SY 810 $ 0.15 $ 121.50 Tota l Driveway I Parking Construction $ 45,706.50 Parking Areas Off of Harrison Street ( M Haul and Stack Existinq Loam CY 71 $ 14.00 $ 994.00 Earth Excavation CY 212 $ 25.00 $ 5,300.00 Gravel Borrow CY N 212 $ 35.00 $ 7,420.00 Fine Grading and Comoactinq of Gravel Base SY 635 $ 1.00 $ 635.00 Pavement for Parkina Areas (4" thickness) SY N 635 N $ 32.50 $ 20,637.50 Spray Tack Coat for Pavement SY 635 N $ N 0.15 $ 95.25 Total Parking Construction $ 35,081.75 Page 1 of 4 9/1812007 Town of Reading Engineering Division ESTIMATED PROJECT CONSTRUCTION COSTS MEMORIAL PARK REHABILITATION 9118/2007 Description Units Quantity Unit Price Est. Coast. Cost Rehab Tennis Courts M ( I I Remove and Reset Chain Link Fence (10' height) I LF 448 I s 28.00 1 $ 12,544.00 Pulverize Existing Pavement I Sy 1,600 $ 5.00 $ 8,000.00 Earth Excavation CY 534 $ 25.00 $ 13,350.00 Gravel Borrow CY 534 M $ 35.00 $ 18,690.00 Fine Grading and Comoactinq of Gravel Base SY 1,600 $ 1.00 $ 1,600.00 Pavement for Raving Surface (3.5" thickness) SY 1,600 $ 28.50 $ 45,600.00 SDrav Tack Coat for Pavement N SY 1,600 $ 0.15 $ 240.00 Tennis Court Colored Acrvlic Surface and StriDinq SY 1,600 $ 5.00 N $ 8,000.00 Remove and Reset Tennis Posts, Nets, and Access. EA 2 $ 1,300.00 $ 2,600.00 Remove and Dispose of Existing Bench EA ( 2 $ 500.00 $ 1,000.00 Bench, complete in place EA 2 $ 2,000.00 $ 4,000.00 Total Tennis Construction $ 115,624.00 Rehab Basketball Court M Remove and Reset Chain Link Fence (10' height) LF 182 $ 28.00 $ 5,096.00 Pulverize Existing Pavement SY 1,013 $ 5.00 $ 5,065.00 Earth Excavation CY 338 $ 25.00 $ 8,450.00 Gravel Borrow CY 338 N $ 35.00 $ 11,830.00 Fine Grading and ComDactinq of Gravel Base SY 1,013 $ 1.00 $ 1,013.00 Pavement for Raving Surface (3.5" thickness) I SY 1,013 N $ 28.50 $ 28,870.50 Spray Tack Coat for Pavement Sy 1,013 $ 0.15 $ 151.95 Basketball Court Colored Acrvlic Surface and Strioinq SY 1,013 $ 5.00 $ 5,065.00 Remove and Reset Basketball Hoot) Post EA 2 $ 500.00 N $ 1,000.00 Basketball Hoop Backboard EA 2 $ 500.00 $ 1,000.00 Remove and Dispose of Existing Bench EA 2 $ 500.00 $ 1,000.00 Bench, complete in place EA 2 $ 2,000.00 $ 4,000.00 Total Basketb all Construction $ 72,541.45 Page 2 of 4 P 9/18/2007 Town of Reading Engineering Division ESTIMATED PROJECT CONSTRUCTION COSTS MEMORIAL PARK REHABILITATION 9/18/2007 Description Units Quantity Unit Price Est. Const. Cost Volleyball Court (By F.O.R.R.) M I I I Haul and Stack Existing Loam CY ( 50 1, $ 14.00 ~ $ 700.00 Earth Excavation Cy N 100 Is 25.00 $ 2,500.00 Sand Volleyball Court and Eouipment LS 1 $ 14,000.00 M $ 14,000.00 Total Volleyball Construction $ 17,200.00 Bocce Courts (By F.O.R.R.) - Haul and Stack Existing Loam Cy 15 $ 14.00 $ 210.00 Stone Dust Bocce Courts (2), complete in place LS 1 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 Total Bocce Constru ction $ 1,410.00 Horseshoe Pits (By F.O.R.R.) I N Haul and Stack Existing Loam CY ( 2 $ 14.00 $ 28.00 Horseshoe Pits (2) with Sand and Accessories LS N 1 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Total Horseshoe Construction $ 2,028.00 Electrical Electrical Conduit LF 700 $ 25.00 N $ 17,500.00 Electrical Consultant LS 1 $ 10,000.00 $ 10,000.00 Lighting LS 1 $ 40,000.00 $ M 40,000.00 Total Electrical Const ruction $ 67,500.00 Skating Area I M M Haul and Stack Existing Loam CY 482 ( $ 14.00 $ 6,748.00 Earthwork (Cut and Fill) CY 3,500 $ 15.00 $ 52,500.00 Gravel Borrow CY 1,500 $ 35.00 $ 52,500.00 Fine Grading and Compacting of Skating Area SY 10,867 $ 1.00 $ 10,867.00 Page 3 of 4 9/18/200 Town of Reading Engineering Division ESTIMATED PROJECT CONSTRUCTION COSTS MEMORIAL PARK REHABILITATION 9/18/2007 Description Impervious Membrane for Skating Area Units Quantity Unit Price Est. Const. Cost LS 1 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 Total Skating Area Construction $ 152,615.00 Landscaping Tree Plantings Loam Seeding EA 25 $ 500.00 $ 12,500.00 CY 1,400 $ 31.00 $ 43,400.00 SY 18,900 $ 3.50 N $ M 66,150.00 Total Landscaping Construction $ Page 4 of 4 Engineering & Construction Sub-Total : $ To be done by FoRR $ net $ 10% Contingency: $ Total Project Cost: $ 122,050.00 699,992.15 (20,638.00) 679,354.15 67,935.42 747,289.57 I 9/18/2007 Page 1 of 1 Hechenblefter, Peter From: Jlbskitoursl @aol.com Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 3:24 PM To: Town Manager Subject: Memorial Park Comment from James L Breau re Memorial Park : In October of 1916,Mary E Temple. May Temple and Lucia (Temple) Crocker along with Frances Batchelder and Clara Pierce deeded a bit more than 11 acres of land bounded by Salem and Charles Streets in Reading as a public park... as a place for healthful rest, recreation and and amusement for people of all ages... But said land shall not be used as a playground for any games that are in their nature hazardous , or require fenced enclosures or tend to draw together crowds of people or interfere with the quiet enjoyment of those whose homes are in the immediate neighborhood, or what it will do thereto. I have been a resident of Reading residing at 1 Charles S . since 1976 a period of 31 years. I, along with my two children, have watched and participated in tennis matches, ice skating, cross country skiing and jogging and even shot a few baskets. I have been happy to see youngsters both male and female learn on this files the rudiments of basketball , skating, soccor, softball,frisbee tossing and recently fencing, along with children and adult entertainment at the bandstand. Over the years, I am delighted the our town residents have been able to avail themselves of such recreational pursuits. Now people jog; people practice soccor, basketball, football, baseball, softball and iceskate and play hockey. They jog and cross country ski and rollerblade and skate board. At present the needs of all 'have been met. Why thhn change the good thing, we already have? Why use monies can that can be utilized in a more beneficial manner, such as education, town repairs as well as efficient police and fire protection.And then teh further question arises as who will maintain the "new facilities" ? It has been said that "less is sometimes more." Good intentions created Imagination Station as well as the Arlington - Cambridge - Bedford - Lexington Bike Path. Now there is no more Imagaination Station and fights arise among the walkers, the bikers, the skaters and others along the Bikeway Path. Again, what we have is magnificient at Memorial Park. Why create probelms that need not be? An it might be well to remember the abutters on Charles St. , Harrison St. and Pearl St. are entitled to some peace and quiet as also mentioned in the will of the Temple Family. Sincerely Submitted by: James L Breau - 1 Charles St. - J, Reading MA 01867 See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homeone. 9/18/2007 Page 1 of 1 Hechenblelkner, Peter From: Molly Thornton [molly_thornton@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:39 PM To: Town Manager; Kowalski, Carol; Reading - Selectmen Subject: Request At a meeting of abutters to the Addison Wesley site we determined to ask our Reading government to discuss the following with the proposed developer: 1. In the presently proposed plan the "buffer zone" is a mere 25 feet. We now enjoy a band of mature trees and vegetation averaging at least 75 feet deep along the abutting edges of our properties. Since it appears that the proposed massive development will utilize almost all of its 23+ acres, our pastoral life style can severely be affected by it pushing up to 25 feet against us. Therefore we ask the buffer now in place remain to 75 feet deep. 2. The proposed plan now indicates automobile parking immediately against our properties at only 25 feet away. So that we don't end up with a large parking lot against us, we ask that all parking be held back 100 feet which is now the proposed building setback. 3. So that the impact on the neighborhood and its traffic is minimized, we ask to know the total number of housing units and be assured that it is a reasonable density. 4. In order to avoid any potential water problems, we ask that the development be engineered and equipped with adequate drainage systems. 5. We ask to be informed as to all of the proposed location dumpsters, loading docks, lighting and other service facilities. 6. We ask that the present "non buildable" area be preserved and free of walking paths or other recreational elements. Sincerely, Molly & Reese Thornton Albert Vigeant 291 South Street Catch up on fall's hot new shows on Yahoo! TV. Watch previews, get listings, and more! 9/18/2007 Reading Economic Development Committee Strategy Presented to the Reading Economic Development Committee Adam Baacke June 2007 Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development P Introduction & Purpose The Town of Reading, Massachusetts is a desirable suburban community, located at the junction of two of New England's busiest interstate highways. Reading and several of its neighboring towns have welcomed an increasingly affluent and well-educated residential population over the past several years. Recently, the town has been able to capitalize on the strength of this market and the convenience associated with its excellent highway access to attract several major retail developments to a redeveloped landfill site in the Walker's Brook Crossing area adjacent to Interstate 95/Route 128. Reading is also blessed with an active and attractive downtown. Downtown Reading maintains a comparatively, high level of retail occupancy and enjoys the anchoring presence of a highly successful community grocery store. Several institutional and office users, including the town government, a major post office, and multiple financial institutions, as well as a busy commuter rail station provide daytime activity throughout the downtown. A handful of new restaurants and specialty stores have increased evening activity downtown as well. A major capital improvement project in partnership with the Massachusetts Highway Department will soon transform Main Street. Despite these assets, Reading faces some challenges to economic development. The vast majority of land in Reading is zoned to prohibit business and industrial uses and most of the available commercially zoned land in Reading has been developed. These conditions result in a tax base that is dependent on residential property for nearly 95% of total valuation. Although unemployment rates are comparatively low, the limited local employment base is dominated by service and retail jobs, and only 30% of the jobs in Reading are held by Reading residents. Over 80% of Reading residents commute to other communities for employment. Unlike many residential suburbs, Reading has embraced a proactive approach to economic development. A new Economic Development Committee has been appointed and the Town Administration is genuinely engaged. Significant opportunities exist to enhance the downtown through additional development, including new mixed-use projects, stakeholder organization, and improved parking management. In addition to the Downtown, several vacant or underutilized properties, most notably the Addison-Wesley site on South Street, provide opportunities for additional economic development. This document is intended to help guide the work of the Economic Development Committee, as well as other key players, to help the Town of Reading protect their assets, and effectively capitalize on the available opportunities. It includes a discussion of economic development priorities for Reading as well as a prioritization of specific work plan activities with measures to evaluate success. Reading EDC Strategy -June 27, 2007 Economic Development Committee The 2005 Reading Master Plan recommended the creation of an Economic Development Committee (EDC) and in March 2oo6, the Board of Selectmen adopted a policy establishing such a committee to advise town officials on economic development. The five-member EDC is appointed by the Board of Selectmen and includes representatives from various key stakeholder groups including the Chamber of Commerce, utility companies, downtown Reading, and the School Department. The EDC's advisory responsibilities are particularly focused on the following areas: ➢ Develop an Economic Development Strategy consistent with the Master Plan and goals and objectives established periodically by the Board of Selectmen; ➢ Within the Economic Development Strategy, work with staff to obtain additional State and Federal economic development grants; ➢ Explore the need for and the legality of forming a "property-based" or "business-based" Business Improvement District(s) funded by assessments on all businesses within the individual districts; ➢ To the extent feasible, encourage commercial development and office leases of downtown space consistent with the traditional atmosphere of a New England Village Center; ➢ Advise the Board of Selectmen, Community Planning and Development Commission, and any other Town agency or official as appropriate, on matters related to economic development in the community; in order to achieve the above, review options to funding economic development activities in cooperation with other civic organizations. The EDC receives staff support from the Town Manager and the Town Planner in the Department of Community Services. However, staff resources are extremely limited and the recently-hired Town Planner is responsible for a broad range of activities, including providing staff support to multiple boards, committees, and commissions. The EDC also does not have a local budget appropriation. Any consultant assistance or project funding must be supported either with grant sources or future Town Meeting appropriations. Both of these funding sources will require demonstration of measurable success . Finally, the EDC enabling policy requires renewal in 2o12. As a result, the committee must be both self-reliant and capable of effectively and succinctly demonstrating their effectiveness in a comparatively short period of time. The current membership of the EDC appears to include an excellent balance of skills and experiences needed to successfully introduce a new group into a well- established community. Key assets for this purpose include deep and broad connections with the political, business, and residential constituencies in Town, breadth of education and work experiences, strong communication and technical skills, along with a willingness and ability to devote significant time and energy to the mission of the committee. Reading EDC Strategy -June 27, 2007 3 Economic Development Priorities Economic Development is a complex and broad concept with many potential definitions that encompasses several related but not always consistent priorities. The Reading Master Plan and the Economic Development Committee's mission reflect several of these priorities. A key tension often emerges within economic development programs between objectives and actions designed to maximize economic return to the community (through net tax revenues and employment) and those designed to enhance the quality of life in the community. Often developments that yield significant tax revenue, particularly in the short-term have the potential to have detrimental impacts on quality of life factors if they are not managed carefully. These impacts can include "cannibalizing" customers and sales from existing businesses elsewhere in the community, increased traffic congestion and utility service impacts, unattractive architecture and site designs, environmental impacts, and potentially unsustainable economic outcomes over the long-term. Based on a review of the Town of Reading's Master Plan and discussions with Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and members of the Economic Development Committee, Reading clearly recognizes this potential tension and has firmly placed maximizing the quality of the community in a sustainable manner ahead of merely achieving the maximum short-term economic return. As a result, the following were established as the overall priority goals for the activities of the Economic Development Committee. The priorities are listed in order of importance to the committee and the community. 1. Improve the quality of life for Reading residents by increasing the available retail, restaurants, and other amenities in town, particularly in the Downtown 2. Ensure the stability and success of existing businesses in Reading that contribute to the quality of life in the Town 3. Expand the commercial property tax base The following were identified as secondary goals for the activities of the EDC: q.. Create additional opportunities for Reading residents to work in town 5. Create additional employment opportunities in Reading Reading EDC Strategy -June 2.7, 2007 4 0 Current and Proposed Activities and Initiatives The following is a listing of some of the initiatives and activities that the Economic Development Committee is currently considering and/or may be appropriate. This list was generated during meetings with members of the EDC and the Town Manager in February and April 2007. Business Recruitment • Web site upgrade • Listing of available Real Estate • Buxton study • Marketing packet(s) • Technical assistance to businesses • DHCD-funded market study • Survey businesses and developers .Downtowni • Business Improvement District • Arts Organization -Arts Center • Main Street streetscape improvement project • Improve Main Street Alley Way • Lynch downtown redevelopment • Web site upgrade • Grant-writing • Buxton study • DHCD-funded market study • Technical assistance to businesses • Downtown Parking (including proposed garage study) • Downtown promotional events & activities • Downtown Steering Committee • Commuter rail depot area/connections • Recently-adopted mixed-use and residential uses/zoning • Banners, flower baskets, other streetscape enhancements • Extend Main Street improvements to other areas • Survey businesses and developers Other Cnmme_r_.cial Development 9pport uni ies • South Main Street redevelopment opportunities • Jacob Way - Addison Wesley property • Walkers Brook Area • Web site upgrade • Grant-writing • Marketing packet(s) • Buxton study • Improve quality of retail • Beautification of commercial developments • Participate at CPDC hearings B inPSt Sij_ port and Stabilization • Chamber of Commerce Meetings • Web site upgrade • Promote/organize South Main Street Business Association Reading EDC Strategy-June 27, 2007 5 • Grant-writing • Communication with existing businesses • Communication with property owners & brokers • Technical assistance to businesses Tax Classification Discussions Fconomic nPvPlopm nt COOa ittPP r)PvPhpment • Articles in local newspapers • Breakfast event to present Main Street improvement project & EDC • Web site upgrade • Develop an "elevator pitch" about ED( • Communication with existing businesses • Communication with property owners & brokers Reading EDC Strategy-June 27, 2007 6 Work Plan & Measures of Success As the list above demonstrates, the Economic Development Committee has energetically embraced a broad and diverse set of potential activities. As a new entity in the community, it is easy to be drawn in many different directions but important to focus energy on a more limited scope with the following specific objectives: ➢ Introduce the EDC and its mission; ➢ Establish the committee as a valuable resource; ➢ Demonstrate measurable success. The following section is an outline of a work-plan that will help the EDC achieve these objectives. Most of these tasks relate to both Downtown and Economic Development initiatives throughout the community. Each item listed below includes a description of the activity, a listing of specific actions for the committee, possible measures of accomplishment in terms of activity (did it get done?), outputs (how much was done?), and outcomes (did it work?) and a schedule. Website Enhancement The internet has become the primary gateway for the dissemination of information regarding economic development. In many cases, a community's or business's web presence now provides the "first impression" to potential investors, customers, developers, and others. This is particularly true among the better-educated and more-affluent demographics that increasingly constitute Reading's population. On the other hand, a poor website, one that is difficult to navigate or find, or one that does not provide a clear contact for additional information may also be the "last impression." As a result, it is essential that the website be attractive, welcoming, clear, and informative. It is also critical that the website clearing indicate a single point of contact for further inquiries. It is also important that the website present current information. The existing web presence for Economic Development in Reading is limited. It includes a reasonably helpful outline of the permits required for business development. It is part of a page of Town Planning information which also provides some general demographics and descriptive information and a substantial amount of additional permitting and regulatory information as well as application forms that would be helpful for visitors interested in development projects. It appears to most effectively cater to citizens interested in learning about development processes and projects or participating in hearings. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find and, because it is part of a fairly busy page it is a bit confusing to locate specific information. It also does not appear to have been designed with the two key economic development audiences in mind: ➢ Developers, entrepreneurs, and their representatives and agents A Customers and visitors to Reading The Town of Reading and the Economic Development Committee are currently working with Virtual Town Hall to develop a new website. This company has Reading EDC Strategy -June 27, 2007 designed many attractive and effective websites for similar communities in Massachusetts and elsewhere. The EDC should participate actively in this process to help ensure that economic development objectives are achieved by the new site. The following are some of the content and experience criteria that should be addressed as part of the redesign with respect to economic development. A good model of an economic development website for a smaller community in the area is Nashua, NH's site. A. The page a visitor finds first when searching for the Town of Reading on Google or other search engines should be visually attractive, should provide a brief but compelling description of the Town's assets, and should provide a clear and direct link to an economic development specific page. The economic development page should also be accessible from a list of options that emerges when a visitor follows links of "information for. businesses," "information for visitors," or "information for residents." A. The economic development homepage should have a brief "boosterish" description of why Reading is a great place that appeals to people interested in proposing a development, starting a business, looking for a commercial site, or just interested in shopping or visiting. Images of attractive streetscapes from the community, including residential areas would be an appropriate feature here. This page can also include a one sentence mission statement for the committee, whose primary benefit is to let visitors know that Reading is interested in promoting and assisting with economic development. This homepage should also name a specific contact person for inquires and provide email, telephone, and other contact information for them (this contact should be repeated on all economic development pages). Finally, this page should link to the following (preferably on separate pages so the homepage is not too busy): ➢ Community profile-This page will continue the theme of promoting the community's assets, but will also provide demographic and market information, and a listing (with links if available) of businesses in Reading. These links will be helpful for potential customers but also help those representing potential developers and entrepreneurs see that others have chosen to invest in Reading. This is a good place to add quotations and statements from business owners and property developers currently active in Reading, with the theme of "Why I chose Reading." ➢ Resources for Businesses -This is the page for permitting guides, applications, and regulations, listings of available sites (or a person to contact about sites), and assistance that is available for businesses (including both technical assistance and funding). ➢ News, Announcements, and Events-This page can include links to positive press on Reading, announcements of programs, events, promotions, and accomplishments by the EDC, the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown group(s), individual businesses, etc. Information on this page should make the visitor to the site more interested in learning more and following up with either a visit or at least a call or email to the contact person. Reading EDC Strategy-June 27, 2007 8 A. All information on the website should be current. It is better to avoid information that will expire like upcoming date-specific events if it is not feasible to regularly update the site. Outdated information conveys the impression that no one is really paying attention to economic development. A. While the main "portal" pages should be Reading specific, there is no harm in linking to external sources of information (from state agencies, the Chamber of Commerce, etc.) provided that the links stay active and accurate and the information is relevant to Reading. Specific Committee Activities: 1. Work with Virtual Town Hall and Town Officials to guide the creation of a site similar to what is described above. 1. Arrange for site content to be easily updated from any computer with internet access and designate and empower a committee member to maintain and enhance the site. 1. Document visitor activity on the existing site and track activity on the new site. 1. When communicating with economic development stakeholders, obtain feedback about the site, document use of the site, and seek content for the news, announcements, and events page. Accomplishment Measures 1. Implement new site (activity) 1. Increase visitation to site relative to existing site (output) 1. Increase visitation to site over time after implementation (output) 1. Draw new businesses and developments to Reading, particularly Downtown (outcome if website was visited during decision-making process) 1. Draw new customers to businesses in Reading , particularly Downtown (outcome if website was visited during decision-making process) Committee members should review this section and establish specific quantitative goals for these accomplishment measures. Timeline A schedule should be established by the EDC based on existing contract, Town goals, and the availability of time and other resources. Outreach Survev to Economic Development Stakeholders As a comparatively new committee, there are two key reasons for doing outreach to key stakeholders. First, it is a way to introduce the committee to the community. Many will probably not be aware that the committee has been established and is a potential resource and partner for them. Second, it is a chance to develop databases of information about economic development in the community and learn what is important to various stakeholders to help guide future efforts and activities of the committee. Key stakeholder groups for this exercise include: ➢ Business owners and managers ➢ Commercial property owners ➢ Developers ➢ Commercial real estate brokers Reading EDC Strategy -June 27, 2007 9 Customers and residents of Reading are also important stakeholders for economic development. However, it is more difficult for the committee to effectively survey this constituency due to its size and diversity. Additionally, a substantial amount of existing data is available from various sources that can contribute to descriptive conclusions about the habits, activities, and interests of these groups. The market study being conducted for Downtown Reading with the Department of Housing and Community Development, if similar to the one prepared for Hingham in June 2oo6 by OKM Associates, will help to do this. As a result, the committee should focus on the other stakeholder groups. Based on February and April conversations with members of the EDC, it appears that there are several projects which interest the committee that will require survey-based data collection from some or all of the constituent groups noted above. it would be valuable to combine these efforts into a single survey project that reaches all of the groups listed and also serves to introduce the committee to these groups and lay the groundwork for organization that will be required to support the potential establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID) and for other future economic development events and initiatives. For businesses, the survey should therefore include: ➢ Information about the nature and status of the business ➢ Plans for expansion, contraction, relocation, etc. ➢ Benefits of and concerns about doing business in,the Town ➢ Identification of benefits which would generate support for a Business Improvement District(group health care, collective marketing, financing parking, refuse collection/recycling, downtown maintenance & beautification, special events promotion, etc.) ➢ Level of interest in assisting with larger economic development efforts. ➢ Data collection associated with the DHCD-funded market analysis For property owners and brokers, the survey might include: ➢ Generating a list of available commercial property for sale and for lease ➢ information about the nature and status of properties ➢ Benefits of and concerns about doing business in the Town ➢ Identification of benefits which would generate support for a Business Improvement District(group health care, collective marketing, financing parking, refuse collection/recycling, downtown maintenance & beautification, special events promotion, etc.) ➢ Level of interest in assisting with larger economic development efforts For developers, the survey might include: ➢ Generating a list of available commercial property for sale and for lease ➢ Information about the nature and status of properties ➢ Benefits of and concerns about doing business in the Town ➢ Level of interest in assisting with larger economic development efforts ➢ Willingness to contribute to public parking garage construction in lieu of constructing privately-owned parking downtown. Lists of commercial property owners can be generated from Assessors' records. Lists of developers active in the community can be obtained from the Town Planner's office. Lists of businesses can be purchased from various information sources; Olympia, Inc. is one example. There are probably a comparatively small Reading EDC Strategy-June 27, 2007 10 (D6 number of commercial brokers active in the community, who can be readily identified. The market research consultants being hired for Downtown through DHCD will likely be able to provide additional advice on the design of a survey(s) for the intended purposes. Specific Committee Activities: 1. Develop lists of parties to survey from the sources above. 1. Prepare survey instruments. 1. Conduct telephone or door-to-door surveys as appropriate. 1. Compile databases of results as well as contacts for future projects. Accomplishment Measures 1. Conduct outreach surveys.to the identified economic development constituencies (activity) 1. Number of parties surveyed (output) 1. Identification of issues and priorities (outcome) 1. Organization of supporters for BID (outcome) 1. Assemble contacts for future EDC initiatives (outcome) 9. Generate list of available properties for development and occupancy (outcome) Committee members should review this section and establish specific quantitative goals for these accomplishment measures. Timeline A schedule should be established by the EDC' based on the availability of time and other resources. Other Marketing/Events In order to introduce the EDC to as many members of the community as possible and help cultivate networks of potential partners in economic development initiatives, the EDC may want to promote or participate in Various special events in Reading, particularly downtown. Special event participation may range from an EDC-sponsored breakfast event to a table at existing events including the Friends and Family Day in June and the December downtown holiday shopping event. In addition to participating in existing events, the EDC will also want to publish articles in local media highlighting its purpose, work plans, and welcoming communication and partnerships with various economic development constituencies. Similarly, the EDC may want to designate a spokesperson to speak to service organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, and other groups which may benefit from economic development partnerships and initiatives. Special events should be viewed primarily as opportunities to market the EDC and network and not necessarily as major economic development initiatives unto themselves. For downtown businesses special events can be valuable ways to introduce new potential customers, but are rarely good vehicles for creating stability and success for local downtown businesses. These businesses need to Reading EDC Strategy -June 2.7, 2007 ti~ cultivate steady and consistent trade rather than the sharp peaks and valleys that can come from special events. To take advantage of special event traffic peaks, businesses need to gamble on purchasing substantial inventory, which can prove costly and burdensome if they overestimate sales during the event and are left with extra product with insufficient customer traffic to sell it after the event. Alternatively, if they underestimate sales during the event, they can run out of inventory and present empty shelves at the very time when they are introducing themselves to large numbers of new potential customers. Specific Committee Activities: 1. Staff a table at the June and December downtown events. 1. Draft a sample article in the form of a press release introducing the EDC. 1. Submit the press release to local newspapers and other outlets. 1. Prepare a short presentation and speak to local service organizations, etc. Accomplishment Measures 1. Number of events attended (output) 1. Number of articles published (output) 1. Number of new partners joining economic development efforts in Reading (outcome) 1. Community awareness of and support for the EDC (outcome) Committee members should review this section and establish specific quantitative goals for these accomplishment measures. Timeline A schedule should be established by the EDC based on the availability of time and other resources. ParticiDation in Hearinos one of the charges established for the EDC in the original Board of Selectmen's vote, was to advise the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC). In keeping with this objective, committee members should request regular reports from the Town Planner as to proposed commercial and industrial projects in Reading as well as residential projects proposed for commercially- zoned sites. Depending on the volume of activity, the committee should designate a member to review each filing and identify projects which the EDC may wish to express an advisory opinion. The EDC. will want to evaluate the proposals against the economic development objectives and priorities outlined in the Master Plan, in their enabling policy from the Board of Selectmen, and those identified by the committee members. After evaluation, the EDC may want to draft an opinion letter to the CPDC or other reviewing body expressing support for and/or concerns about the project relative to these objectives. Possible review positions that could be valuable include: ➢ Advocating for projects which will enhance the quality of life for Reading residents, stimulate downtown revitalization, increase the commercial tax base, and/or create employment opportunities for Reading residents. Reading EDC Strategy -June 27, 2007 12 ➢ Encourage conditions on proposals which will help them achieve these goals if approved. ➢ Counter NIMBY sentiments at public hearings where a proposed project may have economic development benefit for the larger community but is perceived by immediate neighbors as a threat. ➢ Advocate against projects which propose to utilize commercial or industrial property in a manner which does not further the economic development goals of the Town of Reading. Similar procedures should also be developed to review and comment on proposed zoning amendments, licensing regulations, Board of Health regulations, and other by-laws which may impact economic development. Specific Committee Activities: 1. Work with the Town Planner to establish a procedure whereby the EDC is informed of pending development proposals related to economic development, perhaps through an email distribution of agendas. 1. Designate a member to review all such proposals and report back to the committee on those deemed significant. 1. Review significant project proposals and prepare opinion statements and testify at public hearings before the CPDC and other Boards and commissions as appropriate. Accomplishment Measures 1. Advise the CPDC and other Boards and Commissions on proposed development projects (activity) 1. Number of projects reviewed (output) 1. Number of quality projects approved with the support of the EDC (outcome) 1. Number of projects improved as a result of comment from the EDC (outcome) 1. Number of projects denied due to adverse impacts on economic development based in part on EDC comment (outcome) Committee members should review this section and establish specific quantitative goals for these accomplishment measures. Timeline 1-3 months - Establish a procedure for identifying and reviewing projects Ongoing - Review and advise on projects as appropriate Research & Self-Education To be successful and to be respected as an advisory committee, EDC members should strive for ongoing continuing education on relevant economic development topics. This is especially true for a newly formed committee. Members should seek reference materials, training programs, and conferences on appropriate topics. Additionally, members should identify communities in the region which have successfully implemented initiatives similar to those under consideration by the Town of Reading, conduct site visits, and interview key officials in those communities. Regular communication with State officials from DHCD, and other agencies within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development will also help committee members educate themselves Reading EDC Strategy -June 27, 2007 13 about key policies and programs, and increase awareness of and the likelihood of success in applying for various grant and technical assistance programs. These contacts may also help create communication channels which can introduce potentially beneficial economic development opportunities and projects to the Town of Reading. Topics for research and self-education may include: ➢ Business Improvement Districts ➢ Downtown Revitalization and Redevelopment Strategies ➢ Downtown parking strategies ➢ Commercial site design considerations ➢ Transit-oriented and mixed-use urban development ➢ Successful marketing and promotional events Specific Committee Activities: 1. Open and maintain email and telephone communication with appropriate state officials. i. Monitor websites, listservs, and other conduits of information about creative economic development initiatives and training opportunities. 3. Research and identify other communities that may be successful models Accomplishment Measures 1. Research and self-education (activity) i. Training participation by EDC members (output) 3. Contacts with officials from the state and other communities (output) 4. Greater credibility and success with all initiatives (outcome) 5. Greater access to funding and technical assistance (outcome) Committee members should review this section and establish specific quantitative goals for these accomplishment measures. Timeline Ongoing. Reading EDC Strategy-June 27, 2007 14 (Dq i icy WE _ 4 y TD "Y9 yi y~a f a' YAd~C 5 ~ ~ F 1 K i n• ri Reading Downtown Revitalization Observations Presented to the Reading Economic Development Committee Adam 6aacke June 2007 Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development D Introduction & Purpose Reading is blessed with an active and attractive downtown. Downtown Reading maintains a comparatively high level of retail occupancy and, enjoys the anchoring presence of a highly successful community grocery store. Several institutional and office users, including the town government, a major post office, and multiple financial institutions, as well as a busy commuter rail station provide daytime activity throughout the downtown. A handful of new restaurants and specialty stores have increased evening activity downtown as well. Not willing to merely accept these assets, Reading continues to take proactive steps to enhance and improve its downtown. A major capital improvement project in partnership with the Massachusetts Highway Department will soon transform Main Street. New mixed-use zoning has been adopted to encourage additional development and increase activity. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is assisting Reading with a market assessment report focused on Downtown. The Town Administration has been authorized to begin studying parking management options including consideration of the feasibility of constructing a new parking structure to serve Downtown. The zoos Master Plan for the Town of Reading listed "Improve Downtown" as the number one economic development goal. Consistent with the Master Plan, the newly appointed Economic Development Committee has identified the following as their top economic development objective: Improve the quality of life for Reading residents by increasing the available retail, restaurants, and other amenities in town, particularly in the Downtown Given the primacy of downtown revitalization for the Town of Reading and the Economic Development Committee, this document is intended to complement the broader Economic Development Strategy with more detailed discussion of opportunities and recommendations for Downtown Reading. Reading Downtown Observations-June i7, 2007 /1, D(;L Reading Master Plan The 2oo5 Reading Master Plan listed the following observations, goals, and objectives for the revitalization of Downtown Reading. Downtown Revitalization Reading's Downtown enjoys a low vacancy rate, significant public and private investment and a fairly diverse mix of commercial uses. However, the lack of parking is the major impediment to retail or mixed-use development. Also, mixed-use is currently prohibited by zoning by-law in the commercial areas. Improving the Downtown can be achieved primarily through good urban design. This includes improved streetscape, enhanced and enforced parking, more pleasing building facades, easier and safer pedestrian street crossing, and attraction of first rate restaurants and vibrant niche retailers. Goal 1 Improve Downtown Objectives: A. To enhance the economic development of Downtown, the CPDC will develop the appropriate mixed-use zoning changes and present them to Town Meeting for approval. 6. Complete the planed streetscape modifications developed over the last 8 years and which is currently on the MassHighway Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for fiscal year 2oo6 funding. This will provide additional parking, easier crossing of Main Street to improve access to the east side shops, provide improved traffic circulation for the Haven Street - Gould Street areas and generally beautify the Main Street area from the Common to Washington Street. C. Investigate multi-level structured parking facilities in the parking area behind CVS, perhaps in conjunction with medical, commercial and/or residential facilities. Other areas for potential open or structured parking should also be investigated for a multi-leveled structure, with some consideration for pedestrian, bicycle or alternative transportation. D. Encourage specific beautification projects such as faSade improvement, window flower boxes, artwork on graffiti-prone walls and alleys, and shrubs and plantings for screening where needed. These to be accomplished by shop owners, landlords, church groups, service clubs, youth groups, and other volunteer organizations with assistance from the Town where appropriate. E. Apply for grants from all appropriate State and Federal programs to extend the streetscape program to the Haven Street/High Street/Depot areas. ( D3 Reading Downtown Observations-June 2.7, 2.007 Observations On Friday, April zo, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and members of the Economic Development Committee accompanied me on a tour of Downtown Reading. It was a warm and sunny afternoon after a colder and wetter than normal April and this was school vacation week, ideal circumstances for people of all ages to enjoy a pedestrian-friendly downtown setting. This provided an excellent opportunity to observe strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement toward the goal of achiev.ing an active and vital downtown. The following observations stem from the tour.. Major Attractors Downtown commercial districts, like malls and other retail areas, are only successful if there is sufficient market activity to ensure financial success for the retailers. There are essentially two types of retail businesses, destination retailers and convenience or impulse retailers. Destination retailers include the anchor departments stores in most malls, supermarkets that anchor most strip centers, and restaurants and stores that offer products or services of a quality or type that is unique in the area. While trade areas for destination retailers vary, their customers will generally make a planned trip to the patronize that particular business. Impulse retailers, include convenience stores, gas, stations, fast food restaurants, pharmacies, and many of the smaller stores in most malls and shopping centers. These businesses provide products and services that are or are perceived to be available at similar levels of quality from many locations within a trade area. These businesses generally cannot depend on customers making a special trip to patronize a particular establishment. Instead, they must rely on convenience to the customer who is drawn to their location for some other reason. Many, including gas stations and urban chain coffee houses, rely on being located proximate to high traffic locations (highways or urban downtown street corners, respectively). Others rely on being located near destination retailers, as is common in most malls and shopping plazas. Still others rely on being located near major attractors that are not necessarily retailers, including tourist- oriented businesses near visitor attractions, insurance agents near motor vehicle registration offices, and sports bars near arenas. Most retailers that populate and form the street-level fabric of successful downtowns are not destination retailers. They are usually reliant on customers drawn by major attractors and destination retail anchors. As the downtowns become more and more successful, the pedestrian friendly environment itself becomes a major attractor as is seen in Portsmouth, NH and Newburyport, MA, for example. Currently Downtown Reading is not an attractor unto itself as the above-named communities are. However, Reading is blessed with several attractors including destination retailers which form an excellent foundation for revitalization. ➢ The Atlantic Supermarket appears to draw the most customers to Downtown Reading as a destination retailer and it has the potential to perform the same function that supermarkets play as anchors in strip shopping centers, boosting the sales of adjacent businesses. To successfully leverage the market as an anchor however, other businesses Reading Downtown observations-June 27, 2007 4 need to be located where they are visible and conveniently accessed from the entrance to the market. Unfortunately, since most customers appear to access the market from the parking lot behind, and few other businesses are visible from this lot, a significant amount of the potential trade benefit for other businesses may not be effectively captured. Signage in the parking lot with logos and names of other Downtown businesses, and the distribution of promotional fliers in grocery bags (with permission from the market) may be some simple short-term steps to increase the Downtown's ability to leverage grocery shoppers. ➢ The META rail station draws approximately eight hundred commuters daily to Downtown Reading by car and presumably on foot from nearby neighborhoods as well. Unfortunately, the train station is at the edge of Downtown, separated from the business areas and parking is spread out linearly along High Street. These factors mean that this potential population is not drawn toward businesses along Haven and Main Streets to the degree that might be desired. Textured crosswalks, bulb-outs, and other physical improvements to enhance pedestrian connection between the train station and the end of Haven Street may be-beneficial. ➢ The Post Office appears to draw a significant number of people to Downtown. This building is well-positioned to convey its visitors to other sites due to its location in the center of the downtown business district. Unfortunately, surface parking lots and office uses occupy many of the parcels immediately surrounding the post office, limiting the potential for post office users to be drawn to other businesses in Downtown. ➢ There are a series of smaller businesses along the west side of Main Street from Haven Street to the Town Hall that have developed some capacity to act as destinations at varying times of day due to unique offerings. These include the Venetian Moon Restaurant, The Wine Shop, Christopher's Restaurant, Goodhearts and Sense of Wonder. The Spine Collectively, these major attractors form a linear path beginning at Town Hall extending south along Main Street to include the square formed by the intersection with Haven Street, then west down Haven Street and terminating at the Commuter Rail Station. This forms a core spine which can constitute a foundation for the revitalization of downtown. Efforts to enhance the pedestrian experience and promote commercial activity in Downtown Reading will be most successful if they build on this existing foundation.. A compelling pedestrian experience in a downtown setting is driven by two important factors: activity and visual interest. Humans are inherently social animals. We are drawn to other people and to places that have been activated by the presence of others. We are also drawn to places where there are things to look at. As a result, most people are drawn to a downtown street lined with active uses and interesting things to look at, particularly along the sidewalks from three feet to eight feet above the ground. Not surprisingly, the best way to achieve this is to line the sidewalks with active retail uses, characterized by well-designed storefront window displays and outdoor and window seating for restaurants and cafes (nothing is more interesting to look at than other people). By contrast, surface parking lots, building walls without windows, etc. will detract from the pedestrian experience. U Reading Downtown Observations -June 27, zoo? As a result, it is very important that Reading work to energize the spine with more activity and visual interest. Some specific action steps that should be considered include: ➢ Redevelop the parking lots that front on Haven Street (a short-term interim step would be to improve the visual variety and interest to the landscaping along the sidewalks at these lots). Prioritize these developments to increase the continuity of the spine. ➢ Increasing the proportion of ground floor uses along the spine that are active in nature ➢ Allow parking along both sides of all streets in this area so that pedestrians on the sidewalk are protected from the moving traffic on the street by the parked cars. For this reason, delivery and drop-off zones should be limited (or eliminated) from the spine. ➢ Narrow pedestrian crossings along the spine, particularly at the intersection of Gould and Haven Streets, and provide textured or colored crosswalks. ➢ Improve the comfort and safety for pedestrians crossing High Street from the train station to Haven Street ➢ Widen sidewalks where possible and allow for sidewalk seating for restaurants and cafes. ➢ Encourage new developments to include residential uses on upper floors to increase the nighttime activity in the area ➢ Manage parking so that employees, residents, and other non-customers must walk along the sidewalks to travel from the parking to their destinations ➢ During the review process encourage new developments to increase the proportion of fenestration (windows) on sidewalk-facing ground floors ➢ Work with banks and institutional users to redevelop underutilized ground floor space in their buildings as cafes and other functions that are more engaging to downtown pedestrians. Wainwright Bank's new branch being built in Dorchester may be a good model. It would be desirable to apply these types of improvements to all areas of the Downtown. In some cases, this is possible. In others prioritization is important since revitalization typically proceeds incrementally. The revitalization process can be accelerated with proper management though. Studies by Boston-based Goody Clancy and others have observed that it takes looo households to support one block of urban main street business development. In more urban setting, these looo households come from dense housing in surrounding areas, typically within walking distance of the main street block. Several residential areas of Reading are very close and well- connected to Downtown by sidewalks. There area also existing residential properties in the downtown, including a multi-family apartment complex, and the new mixed-use zoning will wisely allow for new residential uses on upper floors of developments in the downtown: Collectively, these sources may generate looo households, but are unlikely to generate more than looo. Given that the Main Street/Haven Street spine represents at least three and possibly as many as five blocks, at least 3000 households. may be needed to support it. Reading households have higher incomes and greater purchasing power than those in the urban areas Goody / Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 Clancy studied and additional customers will drive to Downtown Reading from other areas. Nevertheless, the available market currently will not support the , commercialization of the entire Business 6 Zoning District in Downtown Reading right away. Instead, it can support either the infilling of a few core blocks completely or the spread of some additional commercial activity sparsely throughout the entire district. If the focus is placed on the spine outlined above first and that area is revitalized well, it will create the impression of a highly successful business district and provide a compelling experience for people who shop along these blocks. As these blocks succeed, their success will draw more people to the Downtown, expanding the market, and ultimately supporting the expansion of the vital commercial district well beyond what the local population could support as has been the case in Portsmouth, NH. If instead the existing market is dispersed throughout the district, the critical mass of activity that spurs future growth may never materialize. Site-Specific Observations r 1 0 Reading Downtown Observations-June i7, 2007 7 This new pharmacy is comparatively well-designed for a downtown setting. The building is built to the side walk, with an entrance and multiple display windows directly facing the sidewalk at elevations that work well for pedestrians. It could be improved if one could see into the store through more of the windows . 1 i r s. }r ,ctii f ft W Ft - In contrast, this building is designed for a more suburban setting. The parking area separates pedestrians on the sidewalk from the entrances to the ground floor businesses limiting visibility, interest, safety, and access. The architecture of the building also highlights the second floor and the structural system rather than the storefronts which should be the focus in a downtown setting. Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 8 This alley is primary vehicular entrance to the central parking area. To encourage usage and awareness of the parking area, it should be well-marked, attractive, and visible from the main streets. A well-designed entrance structure that incorporates the universal "P" parking sign could address these issues for limited cost. Plans have been filed to redevelop the fire-damaged building on the right. Reading Downtown Observations -June 27, 2007 9 y A I; :st~3 51 The Wine Shop and Venetian Moon of several excellent examples of the types of businesses that can thrive in a contemporary downtown setting. Downtowns may not always be competitive with strip shopping centers and malls for automotive convenience or well-marked familiar chain stores. However, unique and locally-owned business which emphasize quality products and high levels of customer service will draw customers to a downtown. Restaurants, bars, and service businesses which provide experience to the customer can both benefit from and strengthen the ambiance of a pedestrian-oriented downtown setting. Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 10 i 11 J a tires<• .*,~-rte:. lt~ a ~I G 1 6 3 P YYY S ~ 1 I ~ "iE cw~ 71~ z - % L tf M' - ~i p r_ t ' t glip This alley is the public pedestrian access between the public parking lot and Main Street. Such a connection should be welcoming and convey a sense of safety, comfort, and interest and be thought of as one would view a public sidewalk along Main Street. Trash facilities should obviously be relocated. Alternate paving materials and painting the adjacent building walls a consistent light color would be an improvement. Arches at both ends could help pedestrians recognize this as the connection to Main Street. More and more attractive lighting would substantially improve the sense of safety and overall appearance after dark. 1l Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 11 As discussed elsewhere in this report, Downtown Reading enjoys ample public parking and it is generally located in appropriate places, including parallel and angle parking on the main shopping streets and rear lots, like this one. The design challenge with rear parking lots is to present an attractive visual setting for the customer, while simultaneously providing for the loading and refuse facilities that are needed to allow businesses to function. In this case, landscaping within the parking lot and along the edges of the lot, could provide an alternate focus to distract from blank rear walls and service facilities. Reading Downtown Observations-June z7,2007 12 This building is an excellent historic example of a well-designed downtown building. Reading is fortunate that it anchors a very prominent corner. The scale and massing of this structure is ideal for downtown Reading. The storefronts are well-proportioned to support the pedestrian experience. Unfortunately, the bank dominates the majority of the storefronts, which limits the visual interest and variety for the pedestrian that might come from retail displays or cafe seating in a restaurant window. The crosswalks pose some challenges at this location and elsewhere in downtown Reading. Their length and lack of visual prominence suggests to both pedestrians and motorists that automobiles have the right-of-way, which is neither legally accurate nor desirable in a downtown setting. Narrowing the crossings with bulb-outs at street corners and use of alternate paving materials including pavers or colored cast-in-place concrete would be beneficial. These changes may be incorporated into the planned Main Street improvement project that MassHighway will be implementing. 13 Reading Downtown Observations -June 2.7, 2007 13 ~ ~ ~ 1 ~ i i•~i ~l~ ki J7 l~ l rf ..il 'mss r These institutional uses benefit downtown Reading by providing employment and daytime activity which provides customers for downtown businesses. However, their location and designs create a significant gap in the "Spine" that otherwise forms the core pedestrian experience. The buildings do not enliven the street. Ground floor windows are too small and do not provide interesting displays to passers-by. Deep setbacks, compounded by the elevation change create a "hole" in the streetscape in the lower photo. It will be difficult to retrofit these sites in the short-term, but development regulations and review processes should be used to ensure that these situations are not duplicated with new developments. 0 LP } it _3 Reading Downtown observations-June IT 2007 14 ~ "A l I ~g Y~t! 2h rfr ~ i. X One of the largest challenges to achieving a pedestrian-friendly and vibrant streetscape in downtown Reading are the surface parking lots that front directly on Haven Street. In the short-term property owners should be encouraged to significantly improve the variety and visual interest to the landscaping between the sidewalks and the lots. Over the longer-term, these sites provide potentially valuable locations for significant redevelopment which would increase the property value for the owner, tax revenues for the Town, and, most importantly, strengthen the vitality of the downtown. C1 Reading Downtown observations-June 27, 2007 1 15 }}~'~~r tr o ~'!!(ita it ~ : k t 4 ~ ~ I~ t _ C.- I'_ : ~ ill .ray _ c 'i ~L . 1 4~~ LILL This site is impressive for two reasons. First, the significant investment the owner is making in expanding and improving their property suggests that a strong market exists for commercial development in downtown Reading. Second, what appears to be an addition to an existing building, is transforming this property from an auto-oriented site design (a large building with deep setbacks) to a pedestrian-friendly downtown infill site design by bringing retail storefronts to the back of the sidewalk. Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 / r 6 16 This is another great example of a well-designed new building in downtown Reading. The scale and site design are well-suited to a town center. The use mix and locations of those uses within the building, as well as how they are expressed architecturally work very well. Parking is provided behind and under the building, effectively addressing a practical need without disrupting the streetscape. This project, which appears to be fully occupied, is further evidence that a market exists for good urban design in downtown Reading and suggests that the EDC's vision of a highly-desirable walkable downtown is achievable. Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 17 Parking Management The Master Plan and many other documents highlight a perceived shortage of parking as a detriment to downtown revitalization. As a result, there have been calls for studies of parking management downtown and exploration of the feasibility of constructing a new parking structure. Given the analysis of the market needed to support downtown above, and the stated desire for an improved downtown to become a quality of life amenity for all Reading residents, it is clear that parking will continue to be an important factor, as many downtown customers will need to drive to the downtown. However, it is also important to differentiate between issues that are perceived and those that are real and proscribe appropriate solutions accordingly. Proposed Parking Structure The concept of a proposed parking structure appears to stem from both a perceived lack of parking today and a fear that available parking will not be sufficient to support additional development activity particularly if residential uses are introduced. However, the construction of structured parking is very expensive, with per space costs ranging from ~15,ooo for a bare bones structure to well over ~2o,ooo depending on the complexity of the design, site constraints, and the size of the facility (smaller facilities generally cost more on a per space basis). The only state or federal grant funds that are generally available to support the construction of parking structures are usually tied to serving transit rather than economic development. Reading's proposed site is an existing surface parking lot located in the center of the block bound by Main Street, Haven Street, Sanborn Street, and Woburn Street. This parcel is approximately one half acre in size, which is probably too small to provide sufficient land for an external "speed ramp" and retain a sufficiently-sized parking floor plate. The site is also less than 12o feet wide, the optimum width for a parking structure with an integral ramp. This width allows for two standard bays of perpendicular parking with a two-way drive lane between them. One bay is ramped and the other is level to allow drivers to circulate. These site constraints mean that construction of a new multi-level garage would probably be fairly expensive relative to the number of spaces created, despite the fact that a mid-block site would require only minimal architectural cladding. The topography may allow for a single elevated parking deck, accessed from Woburn Street over a surface lot accessed from Haven Street, but that proposal may be constrained by its impacts on adjacent properties and the need to take or obtain easements to cross private property to access the structure. If a new parking structure is going to be both challenging to design and expensive to construct, the importance of evaluating the underlying assumptions behind the proposal. If funds are available for a feasibility study, I would strongly recommend that this study include an assessment of the demand for the facility and explore parking management alternatives in addition to looking at the design and finance issues associated with the proposed facility. Parking Demand and.Supply Since Downtown Reading is predominantly characterized by commercial uses and the residential uses in the district generally have off-street parking, demand for parking can reasonably be expected to peak during weekday afternoon business hours. During these periods, office and institutional buildings are nl~5 Reading Downtown Observations -June 27, 2007 is occupied, retail stores and restaurants are open, and commuter rail users who left their vehicles in the morning have not yet returned from Boston. The April Downtown tour discussed above occurred during this presumably peak parking demand period. However, photos taken during this tour show at least a dozen available spaces in the lot proposed for the garage, nearly as many available in the lot behind the Atlantic Market, and many on-street public spaces available along every street. In addition, several private parking lots serving non-residential uses were completely empty. The only location where demand appeared to meet or exceed available supply was at the train station. The fact that the existing parking appears to adequately meet.the existing demand does not specifically address the fear that additional development may upset this balance. A separate but related reason for considering structured parking is that if additional supply were introduced, it would be easier to convince private owners of property presently underutilized as surface parking to redevelop these sites. Further and more detailed analysis as part of an alternatives analysis component to the parking structure feasibility study discussed above should address these questions more thoroughly. However, given the fact that much of the added development may be in the form of residential uses, whose peak parking demand complements the peak office and commuter demand that exists. today, it is likely that the existing on and off-street public parking supply will be sufficient to support a substantial number of additional residential dwelling units even with no off-street parking requirements for those units. A large proportion of the privately-owned surface parking spaces were also available during the site tour. As a result it is likely that incentive-based parking management strategies which incorporate shared use may allow for the redevelopment of many of these lots with no significant impact on the parking availability in Downtown Reading generally and for retail and restaurant customers specifically. Various studies by the Institute of Transportation Engineers and others have demonstrated that in mixed-use areas that are not served by mass transit, the total actual parking demand, satisfied by both on-street and off-street parking, is generally between 1.5 and 2.5 spaces for every looo square feet of occupied development. At this standard, if Reading were to permit the development of new 3-story buildings, which maximized the lot coverage allowed by zoning on all of the undeveloped lots and surface parking lots along the spine outlined above, this would generate a new parking demand of iso spaces in addition to the approximately 5o spaces in existing lots that would be displaced by new construction. The mid-day aerial photograph of Downtown Reading that is on Google Earth, shows at least 189 empty on- and off-street parking spaces within one half block of this same spine area. Nearly all of the real parking demand associated with the full build-out of the spine could potentially be accommodated without constructing a single new parking space. The addition of creative incentive-based parking management strategies could essentially guarantee that all of the parking demand could be accommodated. Parking Management The transportation engineering firm Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates has been a leader in researching and promulgating parking management strategies Reading Downtown Observations-June i7, 2007 19 that are based on viewing parking as an economic commodity rather than merely as public infrastructure. Considering parking a commodity resource allows for the introduction of incentive-based parking management systems which have proven to be particularly effective in addressing real and perceived parking shortages in many downtowns while also reducing traffic.congestion and raising revenue for downtown maintenance and improvements. The key to this process is to create a set of regulations and financial incentives and penalties which result in market-driven maintenance of a io-15% vacancy rate in all public parking areas, particularly on-street, so customers recognize that there is always a space available. The revenue raised from the financial package can then be reinvested in improvements in the district that help with beautification and maintenance. Some strategies that have been used successfully in communities like Pasadena, CA, Bellevue, WA, Cambridge, MA, Redwood City, CA, Boulder, CO, and Arlington, VA, as well as in major cities are listed below. Because they are generally based on creating market-driven economic management of parking, they all are most effective in areas where there are no or minimal parking requirements in zoning, as is the case in Downtown Reading. ➢ Commercial Parking Benefit Districts where parking-related revenue streams are spent solely on improvements within the commercial district served by the regulated parking. Revenue can come from meters that are priced to maintain the appropriate vacancy rate and clearly signed to let parkers know how the revenue will be spent. Such signage may allow community pride and recognition of the benefits to offset frustration with paying for parking. ➢ Require landlords to unbundle parking from commercial leases by charging extra rent for each parking space rather than including a fixed number of spaces in the base rent. This allows tenants to make a market- based decision about how much parking to rent and use and landlords to make a market-based decision about how much parking to build. San Francisco does this for residential rental property as well. ➢ Require parking cash-out programs, where employers must calculate the value of free parking that is provided to employees and make a payment to those employees who do not use the free parking because they walk, bicycle, take public transportation, or carpool to work. ➢ Instead of posting parking time limits for public parking, institute metered pricing with rates set at the market-determined level that ensures 10-15% vacancy. This system is often coupled with a validation process that allows free short-term parking for customers of businesses. ➢ Encourage sharing of privately-owned off-street parking among multiple complementary uses. ➢ Create a Residential Parking Benefit District in the neighborhoods adjacent to facilities that generate high parking demand. In Reading, the commuter rail station may be an example. Under such a system, people using the facility are charged for the right to park in the impacted neighborhood's streets at a rate that is set to allow for the appropriate level of vacancy. Revenue from the charges (through meters or permits as appropriate) is then reinvested in the benefit district to improve streets and sidewalks, plant trees, or do other public improvements that the residents desire. Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 20 ➢ End winter on-street parking bans that apply to downtown. Alternate approaches including snow emergency parking restrictions and odd/even parking could effectively allow for snow removal without eliminating on- street parking as a valuable source of parking supply, especially for mixed- use development. These strategies may or may not be appropriate in Reading, but they and others like them should be explored as alternatives as part of any overall parking management strategy when reviewing the possibility of constructing a parking structure. Any proposed parking benefit district models would also need to be reviewed by Town Counsel to determine how they are allowed under Massachusetts General Law or if they would require a home rule petition. Reading Downtown Observations -June 2.7,2-007 ~l Business Improvement District The policy statement by the Board of Selectmen that created the Economic Development Committee specifically proposes the exploration of a Business Improvement District (BID) for Downtown Reading. There are many benefits to the BID model and in-many downtowns nationwide it has proven an effective means of promoting and improving commercial districts. BIDs are used to supplement general government services with additional programs that specifically benefit the BID area. Potential benefits include streetscape beautification programs, collective marketing, special event programming, refuse collection, maintenance programs, and economic development efforts. BID programming is financed through various means, the most common being a essentially a surcharge on property or business taxes, similar to the common area or condominium fees that are assessed in private shopping centers and malls to finance similar management, enhancement, and maintenance programs. Massachusetts allows for the creation of BIDS under M.G.L. Chapter 4oO. Unfortunately, this legislation has not been very effective due to the following clause in Section 4 Any property owner within the BID may, within thirty calendar days after such declaration of organization by the local municipal governing body, elect not to participate and not be subject to the BI D fee. This opt-out provision means that property owners may choose not to pay into the BID. Ostensibly the impact of this provision would be minimized by denying the BID benefits to those who choose not to participate, which may work for refuse collection programs or snow removal, but is hard to do when the BID wishes to fund physical improvements or area beautification. Once other property owners or businesses realize that one of their neighbors is not helping to pay for the hanging flower baskets that benefit everyone in the area, they too may choose not to participate, creating a cycle that undermines the funding structure for the BID. As a consequence, only three communities in Massachusetts have established BIDs with varying degrees of success. Despite this flaw in the BID legislation, the concept is a very valuable one that could benefit Downtown Reading greatly. As a first step in evaluating a BID, the Economic Development Committee should meet with and survey potential participants to gauge both the level of interest in the program and the likelihood that some parties would opt out. If there is support but several key parties would probably not participate, Reading would have two options. ➢ A home rule petition could be filed allowing Reading to establish a BID without the opt-out provision. This may have an uphill battle because it is essentially imposing a local option tax, which could get caught up in the politics associated with other local option tax proposals currently being debated in the Legislature. ➢ Alternatively, different revenue sources could be identified to fund similar programs as those which would be paid for under a statutory BID and the BID could be adopted as an organizational and management vehicle without the special assessment. Options include the parking benefit district models discussed above and a 501(c)3 model supported by tax deductible donations. Reading Downtown Observations-June 27, 2007 21