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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 15, 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 7:02 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, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Board of Assessors members Frank Golden and Ralph Colorusso, Paul Bordieri, Jim Lordan, Tracy Sopchak, Ron D'Addario, Michelle Benson, Gina Snyder, Stephanie Anderberg, Connie Quackenbush. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Selectman Camille Anthony reminded residents that rain barrels can be purchased at the Department of Public Works. She noted that the snow plowing group needs to get together. She also noted that Sally Hoyt is being honored as an Unsung Heroine of 2008 for Reading at the State House. Selectman Ben Tafoya thanked everyone who participated in Earth Day. He received emails from residents on south Main Street regarding the cleanup of environmental sites there. The. Town Manager noted that he and Camille Anthony are meeting with the DEP on Friday regarding. these sites. He also noted that this area should probably be rezoned and design standards set. There was discussion among the Board regarding the sign bylaw, and the consensus was that this needs to be looked at to be more user friendly. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that Earth Day was terrific, and suggested battery recycling for next year. He participated in the Harlem.Rockets event, and attended a luncheon for Sally Hoyt in celebration of her 50 years of service on the National Professional Business Woman's Association. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Tennis Courts are under construction. • Bids have been taken for the artificial turf field at Parker Middle School. The bids are being evaluated but it appears that the bids are somewhat over the resources available. • Follow-up on three vacant properties—Selectman Camille Anthony is meeting with staff and DEP and MOBD on Friday Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 15,2008—Page 2 * Washington Park Planning Committee—Members needed. One Member appointed by the Recreation Committee One Member from the 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—Ben Tafoya 0 Update on the Downtown Improvement Project. ® The capacity of the Venetian Moon Restaurant has been set by the Building Inspector. The capacity is 64 on the upper level and-176 on the lower level including staff for a total of 240. There remains issues to be resolved by the Health Department. ® Earth Day last Saturday was a great success, and many thanks go to all who organized and participated in it, 0 GIC consultant Dates and Events April 22nd—Board of Selectmen Forum 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. Household Hazardous Waste Day—May 17th, Reading DPW Friends and Family Day—June 21 st Potential Special,Town Meeting—June 23rd or June 30th Assistant Town Mana ger's Report — Bob LeLacheur reviewed a report on the use of the Town website. Discussion/Action Items Water Bill Appeal — Bordieri — Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Paul Bordieri were present. Mr. Bordieri noted that he received a water bill for $643.00 for 36,000 gallons of water. He indicated that there is no reason why the water reading was so high and that two 70 year old people don't use that much water. He noted that he has a pump to get the water upstairs, and he thinks that it is causing a vacuum. Ted McIntire noted that the meter has been tested and it is accurate. Selectman Richard Schubert asked Mr. Bordieri if he had an in-ground sprinkler system, and Mr. Bordieri noted that he did but it has been disconnected since 2004. Selectman Schubert also asked if he has done an investigation into whether there are leaks, and Mr. Bordieri noted that he has not because the spike in the water bills are sporadic. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 15 2008—Page.,3 Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the Town had resources to go into the house and find out what is wrong. The Town Manager indicated that the Town does not. The Town is only responsible for getting water into the house. We do give residents information on how to find the problem. Ted McIntire noted that the Town has a company that will go in and do a water audit at no cost to the resident. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve an abatement that is equal to the average of Summer bills beginning with the last meter change in 2004 was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Tafoya opposed. The Board strongly urged Mr. Bordieri to take advantage of the free water audit to possibly find out what the problem is. _Application for a Circular Driveway— 16 Pearl Street—This agenda item was cancelled because the applicant withdrew his request. Hearing — Amend Pay/Classification Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Assessors Frank Golden and Ralph Colorusso were present. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Assessors did a search and found a candidate. They are requesting a change in Grade from 15 to 16. Selectman Richard Schubert asked how long this position has been in Grade 15, and it was noted that.it has been about 10'years. Chairman James Bonazoli asked if the Appraiser will be doing the appraising or if we.will go to outside consulting. Frank Golden noted that they will not be coming back asking for money f6r outside consulting. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on amending the.Pay and Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to approve the amendment to the FY 2008 Pay and Classification Plan moving the Appraiser position from a Grade 15 to a Grade 16 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Application fora Waiver of Curbs and Sidewalks - 84 Hanscom Avenue _ The Town Manager noted that this is a request for a waiver of curb and sidewalks at 84 Hanscom Avenue. He indicated that there is a memo from the Town Engineer on Pages 31 and 32 of the handout that does not recommend a waiver. Jim Lordan, owner of 84 Hanscom Avenue, noted that only four houses on that street have granite curb and sidewalk. He also noted that this will add $5,000-$6,000 to the cost of the project, and the Board had granted a waiver to a Van Nordan Road resident. He noted .that the Building Inspector approved a site plan without curb and sidewalks and indicated that if drainage was a concern, then he could do a Cape Cod berm. He also noted that he met with Engineering prior to building and they never mentioned curbs and sidewalks, they just told him that he would Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 15,2008—Page 4 have to replace the water line. He stated that the sidewalks came out of the blue four months after he started the project. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this is an opportunity to get sidewalks but he is willing to compromise with just curb. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the structure of the road and slope needs sidewalks and curbs. He suggests allowing a Cape Cod berm. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that CPDC's regulations were changed from Cape Cord berm to granite curb. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to grant,a waiver of the requirement pursuant to Section 4.5.2 of.the Board of Selectmen's Policies for the requirement,of the installation of sidewallcs along the frontage of the property known as 84 Hanscom Avenue was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board noted that the intent of this motion is to require granite curb. The Board also noted that this policy needs to be looked at in the very near future. Hearing — Policy on Consideration of Multi-Way Stop Intersections — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that Selectman Camille Anthony and Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy worked with staff to develop proposed regulations. He also noted that mapping of sidewalks have already been done. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if DPW was open to the idea of speed calming devices, and the Town Manager indicated that they are. Chairman James Bonazoli asked about speed table gridding, and Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the requests are near the schools. Chairman Bonazoli noted that there is a need for the Safe Routes to Schools Program to be put into place. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to close the hearing establishing a policy on consideration of multi-way stop intersections was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve Section 4.19 of the Board of Selectmen Policies "Consideration of Multi-way Stop Intersections," as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0: Consideration of Suburban Mobility Grant—Tracy Sopchak, Ron D'Addario, Michelle Benson, Gina Snyder and Stephanie Anderberg from the Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program were present. The Town Manager noted that the Town became aware of grants for communities to improve transit. Board'of Selectmen Meeting—April 15,2008—Page 5 Tracy Sopchak noted that the Suburban Mobility Grant could be used for an intra-town bus service. The grant is for $365,000 to be distributed over three years. This bus service would reduce parking demand and reduce emissions. A survey was done and shows that MBTA commuters, Downtown ,employees, students, seniors and unlicensed residents would use this service. The route would be a fixed route in the morning and at the end of the day to help alleviate Downtown parking, and it would be deviated during the mid-day. The shuttle could be rented for a cost of$60/hour with a driver. A Transportation Services Manager would have to be hired. The Town's share for the first year would be $35,000 if the Town raises $28,000 in fare revenue. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that most big developments are willing to contribute and even though Avalon is in Woburn,they are right on the border and we might want to include them. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that this is not high on his list to move forward. He also noted that there are already many demands on staff and Town resources. He doesn't see a need for this service, and noted that there wasn't a big enough need to support a taxi in Town. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that there are a lot of seniors who are not able to get around. He noted that seniors do want a taxi but unfortunately he feels that it will be a struggle to get Town Meeting to approve funding for the Suburban Mobility Grant. Ron D'Addario noted that the State feels that we are a good match. Connie Quackenbush noted that she worked with the kids in 8th grade to do the surveys at the train station. They were so excited about this service that they were at the train station at 5:00 a.m. doing surveys. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to support the application for a "Suburban Mobility" Grant to institute an intra-town bus service was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Tafoya opposed. Traffic Issues Red Light/Speed Cameras - The Town Manager noted that there is a bill pending before the State that.would allow cameras, and the Selectmen should decide whether this is something that they want to consider. Chairman James Bonazoli and Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy indicated that they are in favor of moving ahead with this. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he has issues with this, and would rather wait until the State makes a decision. He also noted that if the Town owns the cameras, then we have to defend it in court. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he is not comfortable with surveillance. His perspective is a loss of fieedom, and he feels that staff should focus on other things. The sense of the Board was to wait and see what happens and perhaps advocate for it. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 15, 2008—Page 6 Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of March 25, 2008, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Executive Session Minutes of March 25, 2008, as written, was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of April 15, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respesifull submitted, S6eetary