HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-12 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
• Franklin Street sidewalks will be under construction right after the end of school, weather
permitting.
• The following road construction projects have begun: Wells Rd., Locust St. Wentworth Rd. In
addition, Hampshire Rd., and Lawrence Rd. will be under construction in a month or so after
Keyspan does some gas installation,
• West Street curb and sidewalks are done - loam will be done this spring and seeding done in
the fall.
• The Recreation Committee is holding a public hearing on June 13 on the proposed
reconstruction of the tennis courts on Bancroft Avenue.
• The Habitat for Humanity Greater Lowell is having a dedication on June 23 at 10 am of the 2
new homes on Governors Drive.
• The Human Relations Advisory Committee is having discussion at its Thursday, June 14
meeting on the "no Place for Hate" program and its potential applicability to Reading.
• The Reading Lions Club invites you to participate in the Fourth Annual Reading Friends and
Family Day. Save the Date - Saturday, June 30, 2007. The MMA is holding a Leadership
Institute at Northeastern on June 13t". The Board of Selectmen is invited to participate. .
• Hours of retail operation - Bylaw amendments passed - Rules and Regulations hearing on June
26.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDAS
June 26 2007.
Board of Selectmen Reorganization ( 7:15
Appointments - CPDC 7:25
Final Report - ad hoc Downtown Parking Committee 7:30
Hearing ( Water, Sewer, Storm Water rates 8:00
Hearing Policy on waiver of hours of retail sales 8:30
Traffic Rules and Regulations - Indiana Avenue North of
Hearing California Road 9:00
Hearing No Parking anytime - Fox Run Lane Cul-de-sac 9:30
Budget Transfers
July 10, MOT'.
Selectmen's Office I3uur -13cn Tafoya 6:30
Highlights Planning and Permits Coordination 7:30
9
Hearing Parking Regulations - Fox Run Lane
Discussion - Chapter 40 B - Walpole information
Gasoline Storage License 749 Main Street - Change of
Hearing Ownership
Sight Triangle bylaw
Discuss traffic speed and multi-way stops, and possible
standards for multi-way stops
Bancroft and Hartshorn multi-way stop
Review Action Status report
July 24, 2007
Discuss Charter and Town Accountant regulations
Report - CAB (Andrew Herlihy)
Review Goals
August 7,1007
Selectmen Oft ce Hours..- James Bouazoa`
Highlights Building Inspection
Review Action Status report
j _
7:45
O
MMA Action Alert #8: June 8, 2007 C. ~ (
All Local Officials and Community Leaders Please Attend:
A State House Rally with Gov. Patrick
on Thursday, June 21
Please Join the MMA and the Governor to Call for
Action on the Municipal Partnership Act
Please join Governor Deval Patrick and municipal officials from across
Massachusetts at a major event to call on the Legislature to act on the Municipal
Partnership Act. The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 at the
Grand Staircase inside the Main Floor (2nd) of the State House.
We urge you to attend and bring as many people from your community as you can.
to show strong support for the need to enact all parts of the Municipal Partnership Act.
Also, please set up morning or afternoon appointments on either side of the Rally to meet
with your Legislators to personally lobby them during your State House visit.
Please RSVP to let us know if you will be attending the 1:00 p.m. Rally by e-
mailing David Baier, the MMA's Legislative Director, at dbaier@mma.org by Thursday,
June 14.
Please check the M.VLA's website (www.mma.org) for any updates and information
on the State House Rally.
The MMA has posted our Municipal Partnership Action Kit on our website
(www.mma.org), which you can refer to for materials and fact sheets to present to your
legislators. Call the MMA's Legislative Division at 617-426-7272 for more details.
Thank you!
Massachusetts Municipal Association, One Winthrop Square; Boston, Massachusetts 02110; (617) 426-7272
Habitat Humaini of Greater dwell
ReaCDedication
On June 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Dowell Habitat
will dedicate the two completed houses in
Reading, MA.
Please Join us in welcoming the families to
their new homes at
26 and. 3 Governors r.
Governors r. is off t. 129 ear the
Registry o Motor vehicles.
Lowell Habitat
. 978-454-1046
Habitat For Humanity of Greater Lowell
Page 1 of 3
Hechenbleikner, Peter
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 1:40 PM
To: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Subject: RE: House Bill 3452 - Main Street
Sorry Fred - got the wrong name in my reply
Pete
From: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 1:39 PM
To: 'vanmagness@verizon.net'
Cc: Reading - Selectmen ,
Subject: RE: House Bill 3452 - Main Street
Fred
Thanks for your comments. The Board of Selectmen has received them and will consider them if appropriate at
their next meeting. I believe that doing something like you suggested for Reading and Stoneham is what the
sponsor is looking for - not to actually name the street and cause the disruption that you note.
Pete
From: Fred Van Magness [mailto:vanmagness@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 11:56 AM
To: Bradley.Jones@state.ma.us
Cc: Reading - Selectmen; Van Magness (State House)
Subject: House Bill 3452 - Main Street
Dear Brad,
I hope I have the correct house bill citation.... Bill 3452...to rename Main Street in Reading as Tolerance Rd. or
some other name. Apparently nothing is sacred in history (how long has this been named Main Street), and I find
it particularly disturbing that a Stoneham resident has this desire to rename something in Reading. There is
absolutely no connection between Tolerance and re-naming Main Street, other than Mr. Sansone's
suggestion. If Mr. Sansone is so intent on pursuing a new street name, maybe he should start with his own street
in Stoneham and stop meddling in Reading affairs. At the outset, I want to stress that I am personally an
advocate of equality and tolerance of all people ...but cannot support things that I believe are impractical.
I am writing to you to ask your strong support to speak eloquently against this bill should it progress to the daily
House voting/debate calendar. Please do not. loose sight of the fact that Main Street in Reading is probably the
most significant street name in Reading ...and any renaming has the broadest adverse impact to the most people
and businesses. Just consider how many times in a day or a week you cite a street name to someone: I offer the
following additional logical reasons why you need to vote in the negative:
• There are some 1500-1600 street numbers assigned in Reading. Renaming Main Street will result in at
least all of the following:
■ All postal mail will have to re-addressed if any new name is selected
■ All phone company records must be changed for directory assistance and other matters
6/11/2007
d
Page 2 of 3
■ All 911 data bases must be changed if there is any new name
■ Fire Mutual Aid must be notified that there is a new name and could lead to confusion in an
emergency situation l'
■ All residents and businesses will have to change every single contact, as if they were moving,
to reflect any new street name.
■ Every resident will need to get new drivers licenses / stickers from the Registry of Motor
Vehicles reflecting any new street name.
■ Every bill for utilities, credit cards, etc. will have to be changed
■ Bank records will have to all be changed
■ Every person who has personal checks with a street name will have to re-order checks with
the new name more extra cost for people.
■ Income Tax mailing records must be changed on both the Federal as well as State levels.
■ Every person employed / working must request address changes for W2 and other purposes
with their employers
■ All property insurance records must be changed to identify any new street name
■ Ever legal Deed for property will have been recorded with the wrong street names/references
■ All town data bases for voting lists, jury duty, etc. will need to be changed
■ In simple term, I would estimate each resident may have to change as many as 300-500
addresses... friends, relatives, contacts, Christmas Card lists, church records, etc......... and at
$0.41 cents per stamp, this cost just for postage may amount to over $120-200 dollars per
person. I would suggest that any mandated change by the legislature come with an offsetting
credit against state taxes in the amount of $250 (against taxes due) if you are a resident of
Main Street and this legislation prevails. Why should so many people be inconvenienced by
ONE person.
■ Then there are the businesses (over 100 !!!!)....they must change letterheads, return
envelopes, business cards, Yellow Page adds / addresses, mailing lists, business contacts,
business trade journals, business trade publications, delivery addresses, etc. etc.
■ Businesses (over 100) will need to re-order all checks with any new street name
■ Internet business adds must be changed to reflect any new street name...at added cost to
businesses
■ All Street signs just bought by the town per the last state mandate..also un-funded...must now
be replaced ...or do we just hang two signs and let people guess or choose at their
discretion ?
■ Direction signs on Rt 95 and Rt. 93 will need to be changed at extra cost to MASS
Highway...an organization already on the brink of disaster with too much to do and no money
to do it.
■ All automobile registrations must be changed to reflect any new street name or Excise Bills
will be mailed to the wrong addresses.
■ All town maps must be updated to show any new name
■ Google, Yahoo, etc. must be modified to reflect new street name in their on-line mapping and
street direction databases. Who will requests all of this to be done
■ We now have No. Main St., So. Main St, to give directional logic to addresses north or south
of the central common area (at least it helps the Fire Department to either turn left or right out
of the station) .....can you imagine the name being changed to Tolerance Road and then
having the northern part of it noted as No. Tolerance Road ...sounds like an oxymoron to
me
Brad, surely the Massachusetts Legislature has more important things to do...I hope than deal with such
disruptive items. I would also hope that the Reading Board of Selectmen will not support this attempt to rename
Main Street for all the reasons I have cited. As an alternative, you may consider having a SMALL simple bronze
plaque be made up and placed on State property at the Reading/Stoneham and No. Reading/Reading boundaries
saying simply that "This road, named MAIN STREET in Reading is dedicated to the principle of Tolerance and
Equality for all". But stop the idea of officially renaming it.
I look forward to your personal aggressive rebuttal of any attempt to rename this road "officially and your
6/11/2007
6
Page 3 of 3
continued ongoing efforts to lead the legislature to do things that benefit people-not adversely penalize them. I
will be happy to discuss this with you at any point, should you disagree with my position. Thanks for your
leadership and support!!!!
iSincerely,
Frederick Van Magness SR
243 Franklin St.,
Reading., MA 01867
tot)
6/11/2007
The Human Relations Advisory Committee is beginning
preliminary planning for Reading to become a No Place For-Bate
community. It is hoped that ADL will be able to send a
representativq~and Geoff Beckwith of the Mass. Municipal is
expected to be there. (ADL and Mass Municipal are co-founders
of this program.) We need wide cooperation from town groups
if this is to move forward.
The meeting is this Thursday, June 14, in the Police
Station Community Room at 7:30 p.m. We hope to see some of you
there.
Margaret Soli, chair
to/
PERSON AGGRIEVED
The applicant; an owner of adjoining property; an owner of property within the same
District area; an owner of property within 100 feet of said District area; and any legal
entity in which one of its purposes is the preservation of historic places, structures,
buildings or Districts.
PUBLIC WAY
This term shall include Public Ways, public streets, public parks, and public bodies of
water. The term "Public Way," however, shall not include a footpath, cart path or any
easement or right of way that does not constitute a Public Way or public street.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials other than a Building.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A Building not to be in existence for a period of more than two years. A Structure not to
be in existence for a period a of more than one year. The Commission may further limit
the time periods set forth herein as it deems appropriate.
5.18.3 District
The District shall consist of one or more District areas as listed in Section 5.18.13
(Appendices) of this bylaw.
5.18.4 Commission Composition and Aonointments
5.18.4.1 The District shall be overseen by a Commission consisting of five (5) members,
to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one member initially to be
appointed for one year, two for two years, and two for three years, and each
successive appointment to be made for three years.
5.18.4.2 The Commission shall include, if possible, one member from one or more
nominees solicited from the Reading Antiquarian Society, one member from
one or more nominees solicited from the chapter of the American Institute of
Architects covering Reading; one member from one or more nominees from
the Board of Realtors covering Reading; one or two property owners from the
District area; one member nominated by the Reading Historical Commission.
If within thirty days after submission of a written request for nominees to any
of the organizations herein named insufficient nominations have been made,
the Board of Selectmen may proceed to make appointments as it desires.
5.18.4.3 The Board of Selectmen may appoint up to four alternate members to the
Commission. In the case of the absence, inability to act or unwillingness to act
because of self-interest on the part of a regular member of the Commission, his
or her place shall be taken by an alternate member designated by the
Chairman. Said alternate members shall initially be appointed for terms of one
or two years, and for three year terms thereafter.
5.18.4.4 Each member :and alternate member shall continue to serve in office after the
expiration date of his or her term until a successor is duly appointed.
5.18.4.5 Meetings of the Commission shall be held at the call of the Chairman, at the
request of two members and in such other manner as the Commission shall
determine in its Rules and Regulations.
General Bylaws 64 Amended through February, 2006 ' 2/
5.18.4.6 Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
5.18.5
Commission Powers and Duties
5.18.5.1 The Commission shall exercise its powers in administering and regulating
the Construction and Alteration of any Structures or Buildings' within the
District as set forth under the procedures and criteria established in this
bylaw. In exercising its powers and duties hereunder, the Commission shall
pay due regard to the distinctive characteristics of each Building, Structure,
and District area.
5.18.5.2. The Commission may adopt, and from time to time amend, reasonable Rules
and Regulations not inconsistent With the provisions of this bylaw or Chapter
40C of the General Laws, setting forth such forms and procedures as it
deems desirable and necessary for the regulation of its affairs and conduct of
its business, including requirements for the contents and forms of
applications for Certificates, fees, hearing procedures and other matters. The
Commission shall file a copy of any rules and regulations with the office of
the Town Clerk.
5.18.5.3 The Commission, after a public hearing duly posted and advertised at least
fourteen days in advance in a conspicuous place in Town Hall and in a
newspaper of general circulation in Reading, shall adopt and from time to
time amend guidelines which set forth the designs and descriptions for
certain exterior architectural features which are, in general, suitable for the
issuance of a Certificate. No such design guidelines shall limit the right of an
applicant for a Certificate to present other designs to the Commission for
approval.
5.18.5.4 The Commission shall at the beginning of each fiscal year hold an
organizational meeting and elect a Chairman, a Vice Chairman and
Secretary, and file notice of such election with the office of the Town Clerk.
5.18.5.5 The Commission shall follow Town operating procedures for keeping its
resolutions, transactions, decisions and determinations.
5.18.5.6 The Commission shall undertake educational efforts to explain to the public
and property owners the merits and functions of a District, to the extent that
time and appropriations allow.
5.18.6
Alterations and Construction Prohibited Without a Certificate
5.18.6.1 Except as this bylaw provides, no Building or Structure or part thereof within
a District shall be Constructed or Altered in any way that affects the exterior
architectural features as visible from a Public Way, unless the Commission
shall first have issued a Certificate with respect to such Construction or
Alteration.
5.18.6.2 No building permit for Construction of a Building or Structure or for
Alteration of an exterior architectural feature within a District and no
demolition permit for removal of a Building or Structure within a District
shall be issued by the Town or any department thereof until a Certificate as
required under this bylaw has been issued by the Commission.
General Bylaws
65 Amended through February, 2006
0
Board of Selectmen Trackinq Loq for Current Issues/Projects
Date Issue/Proiect/ Identified Problem Resp. Select. Action Needed Follow-uD
Dept. Liaison Date
Traffic/Parkina Issues
Ash Street at RR Develop a process to acquire Town. Mgr. Anthony Meeting held on site 6-7- 06130/07
land and build new connection 07. Additional meeting to
directly between Ash and Main be scheduled.
Street, eliminating the grade Construction of gates
crossing could be done in 12
months.
Rt. 120/ 93 Meniterand-adveeate4er
Anthony-& -Beard of Meetan to 03134107-
interchange Reading-Interest-in-keeping-
Schubert do a site walk-with-ether-
any-improvements-te-the-
Task Force-mernbers-
interchange-te-a-lew4mpast4or-
ftem-Readtng on 4-14 07-
Reading
3127107. Parking Garage Develop the process and time-
Town
Tafoya Develop a schedule and 06/30/07
line to address the need for a
Engineer;
action plan. Getting
parking garage on the upper
Town
names of parking garage
parking lot
Manager
designers, in order to get
a price for feasibility
study.
6/12/2007
Board of Selectmen Trackina Loa for Current Issues/Projects
flooding has occurred in
awarded, with construction
neighborhood during severe
started In the spring.
storms
Funding from the bond and
the storm water enterprise
fund. Town Counsel has
filed the necessary legal
action to take the bond.
1/1/85 Downtown
Project is out to bid.
Engineer
Anthony
Project is out to bid, with
06130107
Improvements
bids taken May 30. The
Town's "non-participating
costs" of estimated
$650,000 was approved in
April 2007.
Town Counsel
LIP regulations may need to
Town
Tafoya
Review LIP regulations
09130107
review LIP
be updated per IG'
Counsel
and make
Regulations
suggestions
recommendations to the
Board of Selectmen
1/1/07 Inspector General's
IG's audit of 1375 Main street
Town
Schubert
Met with IG and Counsel.
08131/07
recommendations re
has generated
Counsel
Town Counsel to review
Affordable Housing
recommendations
whether additional legal
action Is warranted and
possible re 1375 Main
Street developer.
8/22/06 Develop a lighting
The Town needs to have
Planner
Bonazoll
Hire a consultant to
09130107
section of the Zoning
established standards and
and Town
develop a draft bylaw.
Bylaw
processes for reviewing site
Manager
Have had. discussion
lighting for new developments
with one consultant and
am expecting a proposal.
See attached article
Timethy-Place-
Preperty ewner-has-built-
Pollee,
base settled- all werl"e•
WNW
enereaehment-en•
imprevements4nio4e4BW-ef
Gensewatt
be-dene4r1-dunG4
right-ef-wey
the-private-street
on-&-
Counsel
6/12/2007 2
,s
Board of Selectmen Tracking Loa for Current Issues/Progects
Memorial Park Controversy over allowed Town
uses; Development of Master Counsel
Plan
Anthony AG meeting here in 06130107
Reading went very well -
see notes from meeting.
Recreation Administrator Is
setting up meeting with
neighborhood on park
plans. Will comeback to
BOS for formal hearing to
adopt park master plan.
Public Hearing was held;
Recreation has written
up the comments and Is
amending the plans;
Town Counsel has a
hearing before a judge
on June 28 re
"reasonable deviation"
petition.
9/26/06 Master plan for Birch There are some key decisions Recreation Goldy
Meadow site to be made on this site and we
need a master plan for the area
Develop-a-heusing- Understand-the-404"nd 40 S Tewn-
preduetlen-plan programs; and-utilizing4hem- Manner
and-ethere#eHs,-develop-a
housing-preduetien-plan-te-
ellminate-the-vulnerability-te-
unwanted-40B-prejeets:
6/12/2007 3
Tafeya
Develop a master plan for 04130/07
the property, including the
Imagination Station site.
We are developing maps
that show the entire site
Including the new school.
Board of Selectmen is
appointing a committee..
DHGB has reeelved and- 03134187-
we-should he Gk in a-
eeupie-ef-we . Flan-is
approved.
9
Board of Selectmen Trackina Loci for Current Issues/Projects
Date
Issue/Proiect/
Identified Problem
Res p.
Select.
Action Needed
Dept.
Liaison
1215106
Sight Triangles
Review and reconsider in light
Police
Anthony
CA to review tape of Town
of Town Meeting rejection of
Meeting and develop list of
proposed bylaw
Issues raised. Chief to
develop questionnaire to
Town Meeting members to
gauge acceptability of
bringing Issue back to
Town Meeting. Further
discussion at Board of
Selectmen scheduled for
July 10.
42119186
Bissusswhe1hew4a
Town-
6eldy
Devetepwrttten
address4oliow-up-
Manager
peiisy/presessSQ-and PH
from-citizens-emails
met draft emall-
respense developed-
Dra# Selectmen's pelley-
being-reviewed-with-
Town Counsel
3113/2007
Policy on fund-raising
The Town needs a'pollcy re
Town
Bonazoll
Develop draft policy
for public projects
whether to encourage, and
Manager•
how to direct private groups
who want to raise funds for
public orolects like narks
6/12/2007 4
Follow-up
Date
04/10107
06/30/07
J
00
Board of Selectmen Trackinq Loa for Current Issues/Projects
Date Issue/Project/
Identified Problem Resa.
Select. Action Needed Follow-up
Dept.
Liaison Date
Citizen Reauests
4/30/06 Drainage on Haverhill
ditch has silted up and is not DPW
Goidy work to be done this fall as 03131107
Street
free-flowing - backs up and
part of the storm water
affects neighbors property
management program.
Right of entry needed
from the Open Land
Trust and the property
owner
Storm water ponding in front of Town
10/12/06 Paul McKinnon driveway Engineer Anthony
WE do not recycle bottles and
5/15/07 Recycling in parks cans In parks - can we? DPW Director Bonazoli
6/12/2007 5
DPW will do some remedial
work this spring - See George
Zambouras letter 1-11-07.
Review our current
regulations and processes to
see If we can set up can and
bottle recycling in parks.
06/30/07
08/31/07
lg