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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 10, 2009 t 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 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Secretary James Bonazoli, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Police Chief James Cormier, Fire Chief Greg Bums, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Nadmi Kaufinan, Tom Quintal,Fred Van Magness, Karen Herrick, Police Officers Justin Martel and John Edson, Fire Fighters Steven Binari, Jr. and Nicholas Metcalf, George Rio, Kara Fratto, Robert Ferrari,Kathy Greenfield. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman James Bonazoli indicated that the DPW Director Committee concluded their work. They received 65 resumes and conducted 12 interviews. He met with Walkable Reading and they are planning an educational effort during the week of Arbor Day. He noted that Sarah Mulroy is out sick but asks that everyone support the Laramie Project that is being produced by the RMHS Drama Club. Sarah is working with Selectman James Bonazoli and Chairman Stephen Goldy on the intergenerational program at the Senior Center. She requested that the Selectmen do a Proclamation for Rachel Marolda who will be donating a check to Children's Hospital for$10,000. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that he attended a Birch Meadow Safety Committee Meeting. He also noted that there was an email under Public Comment from the resident at 295 Avon Street regarding the burned out Tux property on Main Street. The Town Manager noted that there is an application before the ZBA' for that property. Chairman Goldy noted that he attended a meeting at the State House re: regionalization. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that when possibilities get closer,he would like to see the items. Public Comment — Bill Brown suggested that Imagination Station be rebuilt on the Oakland Road property. He also noted that the Tux building was approved by the ZBA the other night. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Spring leaf collection is cancelled'due to FY 2009 Budget constraints. • The Compost Center will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays beginning in April, again due to budget constraints. • I have laid off the Assistant Building Inspector due to budget constraints and lack of work. • RFD will not respond to car lockouts unless a child is inside—due to budget constraints. { • Walkable Reading—"Spring Spruce-Up"is being planned for April 25th through May 2nd. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 10, 2009—Page 2 • The date of the Community Organizations Seminar is March 19, 2009 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room,Town Hall. The Health Division has sent out the invitations. • DPW Director hiring process. • Meeting on March 9th re: Zoning amendment—Smart Growth. • Town Election — April 7th. Only Precincts 1 and 4 have at least the eight people running for the eight seats in each precinct. If anyone is planning to run as a write-in for Town Meeting, please notify the Town Clerk's Office so that we can add their names to the tally sheets. This makes it easier for poll workers at the end of the night when tallying. • Town Meeting—April 27th. • New businesses in Reading o Ristorante Pavarotti o Swiss Baker o Wayside Bazaar site—Restaurant coming soon o Portion of Eastern Bank site—Meat and Poultry Shop o Salem Five Bank • A 2BR affordable housing Unit at Sumner Cheney Place is available—cost is $234,200. • We understand from the MBTA that they have done some work on the Ash Street grade crossing protection, and that it is the first priority project to be completed this year. • Next Board of Selectmen - Office Hours at 6:30 p.m. on . o April 14th—James Bonazoli The Assistant Town Manager noted that last year at this time, 2600 demand notices were sent out. This year, only 2000 have been sent out. He also noted that March 18th is the last day to register to vote, and the Town Clerk's Office will be open until 8:00 p.m. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Recognition — RCTV's 10th Anniversary — A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition in honor of RCTV's 10th Anniversary was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Badge Pinning — Police Officers — Chief James Cormier introduced the Police Department's newest Officers Justin Martel and John Edson. The Board congratulated the Police Officers. Badge Pinning=Fire Fighters— Chief Greg Burns introduced the Fire Department's newest Fire Fighters Steven Binari, Jr. and Nicholas A. Metcalf. The Board congratulated the Fire Fighters. Appointments — Economic Development Committee — The.Board interviewed George Rio and Kara Fratto for two positions on the Economic Development Committee. It was noted that John Russell was a regular full member requesting to be appointed as an Associate due to time constraints. Bonazoli moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for one position on the Economic Development Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2009: Kara Fratto and George Rio. Mr. Rio received four votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 10, 2009—Page 3 Bonazoli moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two Associate positions on the Economic Development Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2009: Kara Fratto and John Russell. Each applicant received four votes and were appointed. Telecommunications and Technology_Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Robert Ferrari for one position on the TTAC. Bonazoli moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Robert Ferrari. Mr. Ferrari received four votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant — Annual Town Meeting — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. He noted that Article 10 is to transfer$125,000 to design the building to replace the cemetery building. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the Cemetery Board voted to put this on the Warrant. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested looking at the debt schedule. Bill Brown noted that the money is being requested out of the Sale of Real Estate Fund. The Town Manager noted that it is not realistic to design a building when it's not going to get built until 2013. We're not even sure if the building will be there or down at the DPW Garage. i Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the design is too far ahead. She suggested putting this on the November Warrant. The Town Manager noted that Article 11 is to authorize revolving funds, and one has been added for the Mattera Cabin. Article 12 is to establish a stabilization fund for sick leave buyback and vacation time buyback. Article 13 is to transfer MTBE money into the Water Enterprise Fund. Article 14 is.the 2010 Budget. Article 15 provides for the borrowing of Town finances for performance contracting. Article 17 makes'a violation to smoke, ingest or otherwise use or consume marijuana on public property. Articles 18 and 19 are zoning articles. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to close the Warrant consisting of 20 Articles for the Annual Town Meeting to take place on April 27, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 10, 2009—Page 4 Discussion re: Historical Demolition Delay—Inventory of Properties—Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the demolition delay bylaw allows for a 12 month delay for the Historical Commission to find another use for the property. Historical Commission Chairman Kathy Greenfield noted that anyone can fill out a form and submit it to the State and get on the inventory. She also noted that the Commission tied the bylaw to the inventory and no vote is required. The Town Manager noted that the new demolition bylaw does not tie to the inventory. Selectman Richard Schubert asked what is the criteria for adding a house to the inventory, and Kathy Greenfield indicated that she knows of none. Selectman James Bonazoli asked what is the Historical Commission's criteria to add something to the list, and Kathy Greenfield indicated that they haven't added anything to the list. She noted that the list goes back to 1925 but homes that are 50 years old are eligible but have not been added. Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if the Historical Commission decides to add homes to the inventory, will they hold public hearings. Kathy Greenfield indicated that they are not required to hold a hearing. Chairman Goldy noted that if any of the Downtown properties are added, then the Selectmen want to be notified. Draft Code of Conduct — The Town Manager noted that this is extremely successful in other communities. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that this ties in well with the training they did for Boards, Committees and Commissions. The Town Manager noted that he will send this out to the Committees asking for comments and then schedule a hearing. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that other communities set up subcommittees to do interviews before the meeting, and then make a recommendation to the Board for appointments. He also noted that this allows for a more in-depth interview. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested that Chairman Stephen Goldy find out how that community functions. Discussion of Fees — Community Access — The Town Manager noted that the Board had discussed unbundling the Community Access Program. Residents sometimes complain that they don't use the Compost Center. He also noted that we can't really tell if people are buying stickers for the parking or the Compost Center. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that Public Works keeps statistics on how many use the Compost Center. Fred Van Magness of 243 Franklin Street noted that if the Town increases the parking fee, then people will park in the neighborhoods. He feels that $25.00 encourages recycling and noted that when fees start to increase, then people leave their leaves all over the place. He feels that what we are doing now works and should not be changed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 10, 2009—Page 5 Selectman Camille Anthony suggested waiting for the new DPW Director to come on board. Chairman Stephen Goldy indicated that he liked bundling and suggested raising the fee $5.00 and then we gain $18,000. Fred Van Magness cautioned the Selectmen on imposing a fee that's more than the cost because then it could be considered a tax. He suggests doing a check box on the application to indicate what the sticker is being used for. He noted that the Town needs to keep the same hours at the Compost Center. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he supports collecting data. Selectman James Bonazoli asked how much it costs to run the Compost Center. He noted that if we are closing early, then we are not getting enough money. The consensus of the Board was to gather more information and to look at unbundling. The Town Manager will develop a schedule for the decision-making process. Discuss Board of Selectmen/Department Head Retreat - The Town Manager expressed an interest in holding a Department Head/Board of Selectmen Retreat in June of this year. He has secured the services of a local resident at no charge. Board members had diverse opinions on a retreat—there was not a lot of enthusiasm for it. The Town Manager was asked what the goals of the retreat would be, and noted that he would like some discussion about the roles and responsibilities of the Board and staff, and further discussion on interaction of staff with the Board. He also noted that the Department Heads are in favor of holding a retreat. The Assistant Town Manager noted that retreats have been a valuable strategic planning tool, and cited the Department Head retreat at which the need for a focus on technology was developed, and that discussion resulted in the technology changes and improvements that are being implemented today. Without the retreat, that would probably not have happened. There was no follow-up suggested. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of March 10, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary