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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 27, 2009 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena, Police Chief James Cormier, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Highway Supervisor Mike deBrigard, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Safety Officer Mike Lee and the following list of interested parties: Tom Ryan, Bill Brown, Naomi Kaufinan, Everett and Virginia Blodgett, Courtney Croteau, Gina Snyder, Ann Ward, Jim Steinberg, Donnan Barney, Adele Blunt, Paul and Karen Millett, Bruce MacKenzie, Rick Shaffer, Ann Morgan, Consultant Jason Schreiber. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she attended the MMA Annual Trade Show and a meeting of the Economic Development Committee. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that he attended a reception that Friends of Reading Recreation held for sponsors and volunteers. He also clarified a comment that he made at the last liquor policy hearing regarding empty store fronts. Public Comment —Tom Ryan of 87 Dana Road indicated that he is very unhappy with the way the Town is plowing the sidewalks and depositing snow onto his private property. He feels that the Bylaws need to be addressed. Paul and Karen Millett of 25 Fairview Avenue noted that the egress to Joshua Eaton is not clear, and children are trying to hurdle four foot snowbanks. They feel that it is a safety issue. Discussion/Action Items Traffic Issues — Review Suggested Routes to School — Police Chief James Cormier, Safety Officer Mike Lee and Courtney Croteau from Mass Rides were present. Ms. Croteau noted that the Safe Routes to School Program focuses on safety, education, enforcement and engineering. She also noted that the Parker Middle School assessment is being done within a one mile radius, and all of the schools are being signed up. Chief Cormier noted that he and the Safety Officer act as the liaison for the Town. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27, 2009—Page 2 Selectman Camille Anthony asked if anything is being done regarding traffic calming. Ms. Croteau indicated that is left to individual communities. Selectman Anthony noted that traffic calming should be a statewide effort. Chairman Stephen'Goldy asked if the routes will be published and it was noted that they will. Elementary School Issues — Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the Board has received complaints regarding drop off and pick up at schools. He also noted that people are blocking driveways, parking too close to the intersections and parking on crosswalks. The consensus was to send a letter to the parents letting them know that complaints have been received and enforcement will be stepped up. Chief Cormier noted that some schools are implementing the placard program. Ann Ward of 14 Bancroft Avenue noted that she walked in patrols when she was young. Jim Steinberg noted that he lives near a school and the afternoons and nights are the worst. He also noted that teachers have parked in front of his driveway for four hours. Sidewalk Plowing/Construction — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she met with staff regarding sidewalk plowing. The Town Manager reviewed the recommendations on sidewalk plowing. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the recommendations eliminate one mile and adds two more miles. Everett Blodgett of 99 Prescott Street noted that if the Town plows one side of the street, the north side gets more sun. He also noted that the west side is better than the east side. Karen Millett noted that communication should be sent to private plows regarding snow banks. She also noted that the crosswalk on Fairview Avenue cannot be used because of the snow bank. Public Works Director Ted McIntire indicated that Public Works will remove the snow bank once but then it is up to the residents to open it up. Ann Morgan noted that the Depot area going down Woburn Street has no egress to the sidewalk because of the snow banks. Gina Snyder suggested starting a program for residents to continue shoveling or snow blowing the sidewalks on their streets past their own homes. Main Street at Hopkins—George Zambouras noted that there have been 26 accidents in that area since 2006— 14 at the intersection and 12 near Calareso's. Chief Cormier noted that the State approved a right turn only in 1992, and the Selectmen approved a right turn only in 1996. The Town Manager noted that this intersection should be signalized but, in the meantime, we'll try the right turn only. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27, 2009—Page 3 Interim Uses of Brande Court Parking Lot — The Town Manager noted that the parking lot is empty since the Atlantic Food Mart closed and it should be regulated parking. The only concern is that it is difficult to take back regulations once they are in place. After much discussion, the Board decided to consider blue sticker parking for that lot and will schedule a hearing for this. Parking Consultant Presentation — Consultant Jason Schreiber was present to review the draft final report. He noted that there is a lot of vacant land. A survey was done and it was noted that the average stay in Downtown is two to three hours, and the 85a'percentile is two to seven hours. Mr. Schreiber recommended expanding the employee permit program. He noted that the program sells out quickly but the spaces are underutilized. He recommends selling permits for 130% 150% of the spaces. He noted that only 75% of the employees Downtown knew the program exists. He also noted that Sanborn Street, Woburn Street and Ash Street are good places to expand the program. He suggested taking the additional revenues from the parking permits and use it for Downtown improvements; i.e.,banners,new signs, etc. Mr. Schreiber suggested adjusting the time limits because when the time limit shuts off, the parking increases in front of and in back of CVS. He recommends extending the two hour limit to 10:00 p.m. and the three hour in back to 10:00 p.m. He also suggested expanding the enforcement hours by at least 15 hours, improve the parking signage, create incentives for sharing of private parking, remove zoning restrictions, create management entity, offer lease purchase of private lots, initiate a new commuter permit program, expand bicycle facilities, install bus shelters and look at valet parking if necessary. He noted that reverse angle parking on High Street would increase parking spaces and calm traffic. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that he would also like to look at the number of parking spots at apartment complexes. Town Manager's Goals — The Town Manager noted that these are community goals that have been drafted by the Department Heads for. the Selectmen's review. The Selectmen can add and/or delete to this list. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that some of the items are action items, not goals. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that customer service initiatives need to be followed through. Selectman Camille Anthony requested that timeframes be added to the goals. Discuss Customer Satisfaction Survey — Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the survey is available on cards and on the website. The summary is the information from both. He suggests reviewing the summary on a monthly basis. 9C Cuts to State Aid — Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Town Manager and Superintendent identified a significant amount to hold back. He suggests holding the line with those even if cuts are lesser because it will make the next budget easier in FYI 0. He suggests sending a letter to the School Department asking to hold the money. Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 27, 2009—Page 4 The Town Manager noted that the Town and Schools held back $900,000 and will continue to hold back. The Assistant Town Manager noted that 70% of the excise tax came in on target and the rest of the revenues look good. Approval of Sale of Debt — The Assistant Town Manager noted that he sold debt at a 1.63% interest rate. The money is for the financial systems and decommissioning of the Water Treatment Plant. The amount is $1,550,000 for four years. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading,Massachusetts (the "Town"), certify that at a meeting of the Board held January 27, 2009, of which meeting all members of the Board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appears upon the official record of the Board in my custody: Move: that the sale of the $1,550,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2009 Bonds of the Town dated February 1, 2009 (the "Bonds"), to First Southwest Company at the price of$1,572,844 and accrued interest is hereby approved and confirmed. The Bonds shall be payable on February 1st of the years and in the principal amounts and bear interest at the respective rates, as follows: ' i Year Amount InterestRate 2010 $425,000 2.00°o / 2011 4259000 2.00 2012 425,000 2.00 2013 275,000 2.00 That in :connection with the.marketing and sale of .the Bonds, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated January 20, 2009, and a final Official Statement dated January 27, 2009, (the "Official Statement"), each in such form as may be approved by. the Town Treasurer, be and. hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted. That the consent to the financial advisor bidding for the Bonds, as executed prior to the bidding for the Bonds, is hereby confirmed. That the Town Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are, authorized to execute and deliver a continuing disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC Rule 15c2-12 in such form as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the Bonds, as applicable, for the benefit of the holders of the Bonds from time to time. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 27 2009—Page 5 That each member of the Board of Selectmen the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be and hereby are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the forelZoing votes. I further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that notice statim the place, date and time of the meeting was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in the office of the Town Clerk or on the principal official bulletin board of the Town at least 48 hours, including Saturdays but not Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the Bonds were taken in Executive Session, and that the official record of the meeting was made available to the public promptly and remains available to the public, all in accordance with G L c.39, s 23B, as amended, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to adiourn the meeting of January 27, 2009 at 10.33 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. espectfully submitted, j Secretary i