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Home My WebLink About2007-06-05 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Tuesday, June 05, 2007 • Long time community activist and Town official Dana Hennigar passed away last week. Condolences to his family. • Bids have been opened by the Massachusetts Highway Department on the Downtown Improvement Project. There were 3 bidders, and the low bidder was within the cost estimates from the engineer. Town Engineer George Zambouras is seeking information from the MHD on the award and order to proceed process. • Franklin Street sidewalks will be under construction right after the end of school, weather permitting. • The following road construction projects should begin within the next couple of weeks, pending a decision by Keyspan with respect to gas installation: Wells Rd., Hampshire Rd., Lawrence Rd., Locust St. Wentworth Rd. • Water Resources Commission approval of the Town's full MWRA buy-in is expected on July 12; with MWRA Advisory Board approval in September, and MWRA Board approval in October • West Street curb and sidewalks are done - loam will be done this spring and seeding done in the fall. • Water, Sewer, and Storm Water bills will go out next week. • The property owner on 15 Timothy Place has removed the fence, pool deck, and other encumbrances from the right of way of Timothy Place. As the Board of Selectmen will recall there was a settlement of litigation that required this work to be done by June 1, 2007, and it was done. • The Recreation Committee. is holding a public hearing on June 13 on the proposed reconstruction of the tennis courts on Bancroft Avenue. • You have correspondence from Walpole in your packet (8bl) re 40B regulations. • I provided testimony today to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy regarding the proposed Verizon legislation which would strip local government in Massachusetts from any role in cable TV franchising. • The Reading Lions Club invites you to participate in the Fourth Annual Reading Friends and Family Day. Save the Date - Saturday, June 30, 2007 BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDAS June 12, 2007 Report - CAB (Andrew Herlihy) Town Accountant Quarterly meeting Appointments (All but CPDC?) Appoint Town Counsel June 26, 20071;. 8:00 8:15 3 Appointments - CPDC Final Report - ad hoc Downtown Parking Committee Hearing ( Water, Sewer, Storm Water rates Hearing Policy on waiver of hours of retail sales Traffic Rules and Regulations - Indiana Avenue North of Hearing California Road Hearing No Parking anytime - Fox Run Lane Cul-de-sac Budget Transfers July 10, 2007 ~ Highlights Planning and Permits Coordination Hearing ( Parking Regulations - Fox Run Lane 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 1 .Tuly 24 2047 Discuss Charter and Town Accountant regulations Review Goals 7:25 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 6:30 7:30 -/G Page 1 of 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Zambouras, George Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 11:06 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter; Halloran, Michelle; Cormier, Jim; Reilly, Chris; McIntire, Ted Subject: RE: Main Street Here are the actual Bid results: Three bids were received as follows: J. Marchese & Sons, Inc. $5,490,864.86 AR Belli/AR Equipment Corp $5,822,871.79 ET&L Corp. $7,677,069.00 The office estimate for the project was $5,610,986.00 I asked MHD if they have an anticipated award date, when I get an answer I'll let you know George From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:44 AM To: Halloran, Michelle; Jim Cormier; Peter Hechenbleikner; Reilly, Chris; Ted McIntire; Zambouras, George Subject: FW: Main Street From: Zambouras, George Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:05 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Main Street Pete Bids were opened! No official word form MHD, but spoke to a contractor that I new was bidding and they were the apparent low bidder at 5.5M - J. Marchese & Sons There were only three bidders J. Marchese & Sons, Belli and ETL George b 6/3/2007 June 9, 2007 a day to remember 9:00 am a place to reflect Performing Arts Center a reason for hope Testimony before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy S 1975 and H 3385 June 5, 2007 Peter I. Hechenbleikner Town Manager, Reading Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on this issue. The right of communities in Massachusetts to negotiate and execute local cable TV franchises clearly is an important, concern as you can see by the attendance here today. Cable TV and local PEG access programming are vital to our democracy in Massachusetts, and enhance the volunteer spirit that we are so proud of. Reading is in a unique position to be able to comment on the length of time it takes to negotiate a Cable TV franchise, a situation that these bills seeks to "correct". We were the first community represented by counsel to negotiate and execute a cable TV franchise with Verizon. The total elapsed time from the date that the Town advertised to solicit bids to the date that the Town and Verizon executed the contract was just over 10 months: The time from when Verizon submitted their proposal to the date of the approved contract was under 6 months. We welcome Verizon's entry into the Cable TV market in Reading, and we enjoy the competition that they have brought to our community. As the first community in Massachusetts, and one of the first in the nation to go through this process, there was a large learning curve on Verizon's part. We do note, however, that it was really Verizon's inexperience in Cable TV franchising generally and- in Massachusetts in particular, that leads to a greater than optimal time frame for negotiation of some of the earlier franchise agreements. For example, we spent hours over several weeks discussing and negotiating over the issue of Verizon insistence on using a different definition of Cable System than 'the definition in the Federal statute. We finally agreed to alternate language, and we understand that Verizon now no longer insists on this different definition. I will submit with this testimony a copy of the chronology of the Cable TV licensing Process for your information. Negotiation of these franchises locally leads to considerable added value to the citizens of the cities and towns of our Commonwealth. For example, as part of our franchise negotiation, Reading has required Verizon to offer PEG access programs as video-on-demand if it is offered anywhere in the US. This is not a requirement that came from anyplace where there is state-wide franchising - it came from a small Town in Massachusetts, in order to meet our local needs. Trying to determine in 2007 what the state of technology and the needs of the citizens of the communities in this Commonwealth will be for the next 10 years is difficult, but this is part of the local cable TV franchising process. What Verizon is proposing through these bills will have the effect of freezing what a cable TV franchise looks like for the entire state for a very long time. This would be like trying to diagnose and prescribe medical treatment in 2007 for a disease that would occur in 2017 - you could do it but it wouldn't be good for the patient or the doctor. Again, thank you for your patience in hearing these comments, and ultimately we appreciate your support. of continuing local franchising authority for Cable TV in Massachusetts. -ro Town of Reading - Verizon New England, Inc. Cable Television License Application Chronoloav of Cable Licensing Process February 1, 2005: Verizon representatives meet with Town of Reading Board of Selectmen to discuss Verizon's interest in obtaining a cable license in Reading. The Board of Selectmen unanimously vote to initiate the cable licensing process. February 3, 2005: The Town sends letters to the Cable Division of the Department of Telecommunications and Energy requesting waivers and giving notice of the Town's initiation of the cable licensing process. February 16, 2005: The Cable Division issues waivers to the Town. March 18, 2005: The Town places advertisement soliciting cable television license applications. April 15, 2005: Verizon submits a cable television license application. July 12, 2005: The Town issues an Issuing Authority Report. August 9, 2005: Verizon submits proposed cable license to the Town. August 2005 - November 2005: The Town issues extensions for Verizon to submit an amended application. August 2005 - December 2005: Verizon and the Town meet 15 times for negotiation sessions on: August 11, August 30, September 8, September 23, September 30, November 22, November 28, November 29, December 5, December 7, December 9, December 13, December 15, December 16, and December 19. December 5, 2005: Verizon submits IAR response (amended application) to the Town. December 5, 2005: The Town places public notice for December 19 public hearing. December 9, 2005: Verizon submits proposed final license to the Town. December 19, 2005: Board of Selectmen holds a public hearing. January 2006: Verizon and Town meet for additional negotiation sessions on: January 6, January 19, January 23, and January 24. January 25, 2006: Board of Selectmen holds continued hearing and awards final franchise. S Page 1 of 1 Hechenblefter, Peter From: Denise Baker [dbaker@mma.org] Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:52 AM To: Denise Baker Subject: MMA Leadership Academy Dear MMMA Member, You recently received an invitation to the kick-off event of the MMA Leadership Academy, to be held June 13 at 8 a.m. at Northeastern University featuring Governor Deval Patrick. I encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear Governor Patrick's insights on leadership, from his diverse background in both the private and public sector. This free event is open to all managers, selectmen, and councillors. Please click on this link to view the details of this event. You can register online or you can just reply to me that you would like to attend. htt n://www.mma.ora/indeX.nhD? option=com events&task=view detail&agid=164&vear=2007&month=06&dav=13&Itemid=47 If you have any questions, please contact me. I look forward to seeing you on the 13th. If you have already registered, you will receive an email confirmation with directions shortly. Denise Baker MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator One Winthrop Square Boston, MA 02110 617-426-7272 ext.105 617-695-1314 (fax) www:mma.orQ V- 6/5/2007 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Fax: (781) 942-5441 Website: www:ci.reading.ma.us June 5, 2007 Ben Tafoya, Chairman Board of Selectmen 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Mr. Tafoya, PUBLIC WORKS (181) 942-9077 The Engineering Division has reviewed the request to widen the driveway at 221 West Street and have determined the following: 1. The existing driveway width is 23 feet and the proposed expansion would result in a driveway width in excess of the Town's 24 foot maximum driveway width at the property line. 2. We recommend that the expansion be limited to a maximum of 24 feet (at the property line) and that the driveway apron be centered within the limits of the driveway. This will enable full use of the portion of the driveway within private property. 3. The applicant should provide a plan of the proposed driveway improvements, as approved by the Board of Selectman, to the Engineering Division. 4. All work within the Town of Reading's property will require a street opening permit by a licensed drain layer. Sincerely, George J. Zambouras, P.E. Town Engineer Cc: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager C.\ Documents and Settings\phechenbleikner.TOWN\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKIAB\221West-driveway.doc ?V JUN _S AM IQ1* 59 APPLICATION FOJR, APPOINN'TMENT Name: C 7 {S~' ( l C~ ~r (Last) (Firs Address: 3 t% Cc cc/u-. G" - Occupation: ~-vv, ~dcc ; SeC . # of years in Reading: '7- Are you a registered voter in Reading? t1-2S e-mail address: Place a number next to your preferred position(s) (up to four choices) with #1 being your first. priority. (Attach a resume if 'available.) _Animal Control Appeals Committee _Aquatics Advisory Board Audit Committee Board of Appeals _Board of Cemetery Trustees Board of Health Board of Registrars `Bylaw Committee Celebration Committee Cities for Climate Protection Commissioner of Trust Funds 'Community Planning & Development Comm. Conservation Commission Constable 'Contributory Retirement Board Council on Aging _Cultural Council _Custodian of Soldiers' & Sailors' Graves _Economic Development Committee _Finance Committee _Historical Commission Housing Authority _Human Relations Advisory Committee Land Bank Committee ~MBTA Advisory Committee _Metropolitan Area Planning Council Mystic Valley Elder Services _Recreation Committee _RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee Town Forest Committee `Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee West Street Historic District Commission ~Other r.. L2.Tr4 G9-e4c6u.1 A.as~ef- AK Ca~(a+i~L, 2 Please outline relevant experience for the position(s) sought: (,v rn ~C ~r n~cmid~~r l'~e e. ~•-e~.7~?~, ~~cn, ~-<< A m a-.4 e X' pad` )-eo ca r- ~ /C v 1/vlaec~ iai'', 11r,17 TO BOARDS/COMMITTEES/COAD41SSIONS Date: J-""- (Middlee) PCea Tel. (Home) Tel. (Work)67/77- 31/0 (Is this number listed?)ems