Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 8, 2008 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 7:08 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy, Secretary Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Acting Police Chief Mike Cloonan, Fire Chief Greg Burns, RCASA Director Erica McNamara, DPW Director Ted McIntire,Head Dispatcher Vicki Avery, Paula Schena. Executive Session A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with regard to litigation to come back into Open Session at approximately 7:30 p.m.was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:55 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the Board received a letter from Representative Brad Jones regarding the request for a left hand turn on Main Street at Franklin Street, and he stated that he would be willing to attend any meetings on this. He also noted that he had Office Hours at the Senior Center. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he attended the Legislative Breakfast in Stoneham, and one of the topics was the telecommunications loophole and taxing poles and wires. He also noted that the MMA is cautioning towns from under funding the Quinn Bill, etc. He noted that the Board of Health looked at the issue of cigarette smoking at entrances of buildings. There is an issue of enforcement and whether the Town would enforce the actual smokers, the business or property owner of the building. The Town Manager noted that this is not as much of an issue now as it was before. Selectman Tafoya also noted that the CPDC and Zoning Board of Appeals had a joint meeting to help improve communications. They noted that the Signage Bylaw needs some work. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Economic Development Committee would like to be more involved. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she had Office Hours this evening, and a resident came in regarding the Community Access Stickers and the issue of the registration must match the name on the license. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Economic Development Committee and Recreation Committee have individuals waiting to be appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 8, 2008—Page 2 Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • April Fools—"Save the Dummy" o Tennis Courts are under construction. • Follow-up on three vacant properties • Washington Park Planning Committee One Member appointed by the Recreation Committee One Member from Friends of Reading Recreation Three Residents at Large who do not fulfill any other requirements of the other categories One Member representing Reading Babe Ruth Baseball One Member of the Police.Department One Member of RCASA One Member of the Board of Selectmen—Selectman Ben Tafoya indicated that he will serve on this Committee. • I would like to plan on doing an update on the Downtown Improvement Project monthly at the last Board of Selectmen Meeting of the month. • At the owner's request, the Building Inspector is reviewing the capacity of the Venetian Moon Restaurant. The Board of Selectmen cannot restrict the capacity through the liquor license. The Health Division has direct interest and involvement in setting the capacity because of bathroom and grease trap restrictions. I will let the Board of Selectmen.know what the revised capacity is when it is set. • World Cafe follow-up—copy of email to participants. • Policy on furidraising for public projects and programs. • FY 2009 Budget • GIC Consultant Dates and Events: • Earth Day—April 12th • Board of Selectmen Forum-April 22nd • Town Meeting—April 28th • Reading Recreation will hold its Summer Sign-up Day on Saturday, May 3rd at Coolidge Middle School from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This will kick off registration for Reading Recreation Summer Camp and Super Sports. All other programming may be registered for as soon as the Sumner edition of the Recreation Magazine hits homes. This is expected to happen around the first of April. • Friends and Family Day—June 21 st Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — National Telecommunication Week — Acting Police Chief Mike Cloonan, Fire Chief Greg Burns and Head Dispatcher Vicki Avery were present. Acting Chief Cloonan noted that there were over 27,000 calls for service in Reading in 2007. Chief Burns noted that the Dispatchers are a vital link as the first contact in an emergency. Board of Selectmen Meeting, April 8, 2008—Page 3 A_ motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to proclaim April 13 — 19, 2008 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Reading was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District — Maura Looney was unable to attend due to sickness so this will be rescheduled. Review Substance Abuse Efforts — RCASA - RCASA Director Erica McNamara was present. Ms. McNamara gave an overview of the coalition and events to date. Chairman James Bonazoli asked if youths really want to be involved, and Ms. McNamara indicated that they do. Approximately 20 youths attended the Town Hall event. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the Police Department keeps statistics regarding underage drinking, and Acting Chief Mike Cloonan noted that each individual officer deals with it their own way. The Board thanked Ms. McNamara for the presentation and update of events. Appeal on Water Bill—Bordieri—This will be rescheduled for the Selectmen's next meeting due to the Selectmen running late. Discussion—MWRA Water Storage—DPW Director Ted McIntire reviewed the charts showing the inventory of storage tanks and basis for tank volume. He noted that Reading uses 3 million gallons per day (MGPD), and has useable storage of 1.2 MGPD and two tanks. Stoneham uses 4.9 MGPD and has no tanks or storage. The Town Manager suggested that two Selectmen work with staff and meet with the MWRA and State Representatives, and then report back to the Board. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the MWRA indicated that they were filing an environmental impact notice in March, and the Town needs to communicate our concerns to the MWRA and tell them not to move ahead. Selectmen Richard Schubert and Ben Tafoya volunteered to serve on the working group. Hearing—"Keno-to-Go"—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Mass. Lottery is proposing "Keno-to-Go" where the customer will buy the ticket and take it home to check on the computer versus sitting at tables in stores watching a television screen. He also noted that Reading had previously opted out of Keno. The Lottery Commission gave the Town an extension until April 15, 2008 to decide whether or not to opt out of"Keno-to-Go." The Lottery will not allow wireless access or computer screens. Chairman James Bonazoli asked about revenues, and the Town Manager indicated that the Lottery did not get back to him on revenues. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 8, 2008—Page 4 Selectman Richard Schubert asked who enforces, and the Town Manager indicated that the Lottery does. They visit each agent at least once every two weeks. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if this will open the door to Keno, and the Town Manager indicated that it was his understanding that it will not. The owner of Reading Quick Stop indicated that the game plays every four minutes. The intent is to have the customer play 15-20 games on one ticket, and then go home and check when they come back. He indicated that this game is not much different than Mass Cash or Megabucks. He noted that if the Town does not allow it, the customers will go to other towns. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if Lottery Agents get a percentage of winnings, and the Reading Quick Stop owner indicated that they get 5%. Vice Chairman Stephen.Goldy noted that he is opposed to Keno, and asked business owners to partner with the Town to keep the character of the Town. His biggest concern is gambling. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on "Keno-to-Go" was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen does not obiect to "Keno-to-Go" as described by the Lottery Commission wase approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Annual Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Town Meeting Warrant. The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee approved $75,000 in free cash to the schools to replace money spent on a water bill, and also money to the municipal side for Sunday Library hours and curbside leaf collection. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that a statement needs to be made that the Finance Committee budget is not fiscally responsible. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this is not the time to reinstate services that were cut. The budget projections are not enough to support them. A motion by TafoY seconded by Anthony to support the subject matter of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the 2008 Annual Town Meeting was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Goldy to support the subject matter of Article 13 of the 2008 Annual Town Meeting was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Refinancing of School Debt—The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Town issued new debt for the fire truck, demolition of the Water Treatment Plant and tennis courts. The Town received $7.1 million.in reimbursement from the SBA. This will reduce debt service in FY 2009 by $1 million. Board of Selectmen Meeting=April 8,2008—Page 5 A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy that under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 21A, of the General Laws, and any other enabling authority, there is hereby authorized the issuance and sale of a $2,450,000 General Obligation Refunding Bond dated.April 10, 2008 (the "Refunding Bond") of the Town for the purpose of current refunding a portion of the Town's $9,680,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 1996 Bonds dated July 1 1996 maturing in the years 2008 through 2014 inclusive, and a portion of its $5,930,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 1997 Bonds dated August 15, 1991 maturing in the years 2008 throueh 2017,.inclusive (collectively the "Refunded Bonds") and, in addition, to finance costs of issuance of the Refunding Bond and the redemption premium and any interest due on the Refunded Bonds; And it is Further Voted: That the sale of the $4,535,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2008 Bonds dated April 10, 2008 (the "Bond") to Bank of America, N.A. at the price of par is hereby approved and confirmed. The Bond shall bear interest at the rate of 3.05 percent per annum and shall be payable on July 1st of the years and in the principal installments as follows: Year Amount Year Amount 2008 $620,000 2013 $380,000 -- 2009 380,000 "2009 585,000 2014 360,000 2010 555,000 2015 350,000 2011 530,000 2016 340,000 2012 505,000 2017 310,000 And it is Further Voted: To confirm and approve the provisions of the Bond Purchase Agreement between the Town of Reading and Bank of American, N.A. dated March 31, 2008 relating to the negotiated sale of the Bond. And it is Further Voted: 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 foregoing votes was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to adiourn the meeting of April 8, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Aecretaryy