HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 29, 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 7:05 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 Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Ted
McIntire, DPW Business Administrator Jane Kinsella, Town Engineer George Zambouras,
Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Elder
Services Administrator Dawn Folopoulos,Nurse Advocate Dianne Luther, Paula Schena and the
following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Sharon Peterson, Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam,
Eric Hughes, Joan Hoyt, David Williams, Charles Donnelly Moran, Tom Gardiner, MRI
President Don Jutton, Mike Farrell,David Hanlon,Peter Castanino.
Reports and Comments.
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy thanked the
YMCA for being good neighbors and responding to the noise complaint so quickly.
Selectman Ben Tafoya thanked staff for the good job on Town Meeting. It was the first time in
over 100 years that the Annual Town Meeting was completed in one night. He noted that the
Selectmen need to have a discussion regarding repairing more roads. He would like to get the
statistics from Public Works showing the difference in cost between skim coat versus total
reclaim, and also what we spend on pothole repair. He also noted that he met with staff regarding
preparing to meet with the MWRA.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she and Selectman Ben Tafoya did a site visit on south
Main Street with DEP and two economic development groups from the State. She suggested that
the Selectmen walk the Downtown some Saturday.
Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that Addison-Wesley is marketing as office space, and
asked if the Town Manager has had any recent conversation with them. The Town Manager
noted that he has not spoken with them recently but is not surprised because they had indicated
they would market as office space for as long as possible.
Public Comment—Bill Brown noted that there is a problem with Colburn Road and where to put
the drainage so it can't be paved until that is.resolved.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
• I need to schedule a two to three hour training for the Board of Selectmen on "Model
Alcohol Policies and Best Practices." The Board of Selectmen has a list of possible dates,
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 29, 2008—Page 2
including taking a Tuesday evening on May 6th or 27th (the Selectmen are not currently
scheduled to meet on the 6th and their agenda for the 27th is pretty full), or doing a Saturday
morning.
• The Motiva gasoline service station on Walkers Brook Drive has had an additional "release"
and is doing an environmental analysis. I met with Town staff with the owner's
representatives and indicated that I would evaluate what recourse the Town has in terms of
their continued operation at that location given the number of spills and releases that have
occurred there over the years. Town Counsel is looking into this for me.
• The Reading Housing Authority has abandoned their plan to build four units of affordable
housing on Pleasant Street, and plans on putting the property up for sale.
• The Town Planner has put together an affordable housing inventory which the Planning
Division will then keep up to date.
• The Police Department has put together accident data for the intersection of Main and
Franklin Streets as requested by Representative Brad Jones.
• DHCD has approved the Town's 40R Zoning By-Law, and we are in the process of
requisitioning our first payment under this program. We will be recommending the
establishment of a separate stabilization fund for this money since we could owe it back to
the State if the project does not move forward.
• 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
• GIC Consultant
Dates and Events:
• 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.
• Vehicle Glass Etching—May 3rd at DPW- 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Cultural Council Reception—May 6th- 7:30 at Senior Center
• Household Hazardous Waste day—May 17th, Reading DPW
• RPD Open House ME 17th— 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Memorial Day—Mgy 26th
• Friends and Family Day—June 21 st
• Potential Special Town Meeting—June 16th or June 30th
The Assistant Town Manager noted that he received 102 email addresses for Town Meeting
Members. He heard comments that Town Meeting was one night because a lot of the information
was sent out by email in advance. He suggested that this practice might also be good for zoning
changes.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Certificate of Recognition — Unsung Heroine Sally Ho - A motion by Tafoya seconded by
Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Sally.Hoyt beingnominated as the
Unsung Heroine of 2008 for Reading was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting_April 29,2008—Page 3
Personnel&Appointments
Economic Development Committee—The Board interviewed Sharon Peterson for one Associate
position on the Economic Development Committee.
Tafoya moved and Goldy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
Associate position on the Economic Development Committee with a term expiring June 30,
2008• Sharon Peterson. Ms. Peterson received five votes and was appointed.
Human Relations Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam
for one Associate position on the Human Relations Advisory Committee.
Schubert moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
Associate position on the Economic Development Committee with a term expiring June 30,
2008• Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam. Ms. Gnanaratnam received rive votes and was
appointed.
Recreation Committee — The Board interviewed Eric Hughes for one Associate position on the
Recreation Committee.
Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one
Associate position on the Recreation Committee with-a term expiring June 30, 2008: Eric
Hughes Mr. Hughes received rive votes and was appointed.
Trails Committee—The Board interviewed Joan Hoyt, David Williams, Charles Donnelly Moran
and Tom Gardiner for four positions on the Trails Committee.
Tafoya moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two
positions on the Trails Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2010: Joan A. Hoyt, David
Williams, Charles Donnelly Moran and Thomas S. Gardiner. Ms. Hoyt and Mr. Williams
received five votes each and were appointed.
Tafoya moved and Goldy seconded•to place the following names into nomination for two
positions on the Trails Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2009: Charles Donnelly
Moran and Thomas S. Gardiner. Mr. Moran and Mr. Gardiner received rive votes each
and were appointed.
Discussion/Action Items.
Presentation — DPW Report— DPW Director Ted McIntire, DPW Business Administrator Jane
Kinsella;Town Engineer George Zambouras, Water Treatment Plant.Supervisor Peter Tassi and
Recreation Administrator John Feudo were present. MRI President Don Jutton, Mike Farrell,
David Hanlon and Peter Castanino were also present. The Town Manager noted that Municipal
Resources was hired to do the study.
Mr. Jutton noted that they took a peer review approach, and stated that Reading is by far the best
organization they have gone into. Their key finding is that it is efficient and well run. The
biggest deficit is fleet maintenance. There is also a lack of succession planning; a need for the
Board-of Selectmen Meeting=April 29, 2008—Page 4
compensation to be competitive, and a need to improve communication. He also noted that
Reading ranks near the top regionally with respect. Other findings include snow removal costs
are high, the budget allocation for road maintenance is lower than average, and the engineering
and cemetery staffing is higher than other communities.
Chairman James Bonazoli asked why the staffing is higher, and Mr. Jutton noted that a lot of
communities outsource.
Selectman Ben Tafoya asked about road maintenance costs. Mr. Jutton noted that the road
maintenance cost per mile is $11,500 and seven road miles per employee. Walpole spends
$9,500 per road mile on maintenance, and Wakefield spends $21,000 per road mile- on
maintenance.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there are a lot of variables and if other communities are
outsourcing, then those numbers need to be reworked. She asked for an explanation as to why
we have more cemetery workers, Mr. Jutton noted that they got the information from the State
website and.then called the communities.
Bill Brown noted that he takes exception to the statement that the Cemetery Department is
overstaffed. He also noted that Wakefield has four workers and only one cemetery. We still
have the same amount of workers that we did 19 years ago and we added a new cemetery.
Mr. Jutton noted that there is a lack of training and development and an aging workforce.
Employees want to advance but don't know what is needed. They recommend designating a
Community Relations Coordinator. In Administration,there needs to be more cross training, and
the Treasurer should be the central office for collecting money.
Mr. Jutton noted that Engineering should develop a five to seven year service demand plan, and
they need a liaison in the highway project area. He also noted that the lines of authority for the
GIS Coordinator are not clear.
Mr. Jutton noted that the Highway Department is more reactionary than he would like to see.
The Town should consider a pole barn for storage of sanding equipment. The fleet facility is the
biggest hit because the Town added police and fire without any additions to the facility. There
are unsafe work conditions. They recommend outsourcing Police and Fire maintenance or
improving the facility.
Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he is concerned because succession was not addressed
more.
Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that money was added to the budget for professional development.
The Town Manager noted that they need to start performance measurement, and Selectman
Camille Anthony noted that we need to look at the Water Department staffing.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 29,2008 —Page 5
The Town Manager indicated that he will meet with staff and develop a workplan to bring back
to the Board of Selectmen.
i
Review Nurse Advocacy Program — Elder Services Administrator Dawn Folopoulos and Nurse
Advocate Dianne Luther were present, and gave a very informative presentation on the Nurse
Advocate's activities to date.
Ms. Folopoulos noted that Ms. Luther has done six months of outreach and works 21 hours per
week. She has made 212 contacts to date. The Town Manager noted that for the first two
months,Dianne was also the Town's Public Health Nurse until that position was filled.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if there is any duplication of services with Reading Response.
Ms. Luther noted that there is no duplication — she does the coordination and they do the hands
on. Ms. Folopoulos also noted that Reading Response has income guidelines and the Nurse
Advocate does not.
Review of Curb/Sidewalk Policy—The Town Manager noted that there have been many appeals
of this policy recently.
Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he feels the policy is necessary, and perhaps the Town could
solicit contributions for a town-wide fund.
Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy asked when do contractors find out about the policy, and George
Zambouras noted when they apply for a driveway permit. The Town Manager noted that the
Building Inspector is informing applicants at the beginning of the permit process now.
Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he would like to see what opportunities were
available for an impact fee.
Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that he'likes.the idea of requiring curb and sidewalks, and
is also interested in an impact fee.
Chairman James Bonazoli indicated that he feels it doesn't make sense to require curbing unless
there is continuous curb.
Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there needs to be some sort of criteria/rationale if we
require curbs.
Discussion — Policy on Fundraising for Public Projects and Programs — The Town Manager
noted that the policy was previously handed out to the Selectmen. The issue is that people want
to make donations and there needs to be a process in place to make sure that it is for something
the Town wants.
The Board directed the Town Manager to schedule a hearing.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 29, 2008—Page 6
Approval of Minutes
A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to approve the Minutes of April 8, 2008 was
approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to approve the Executive Session Minutes of
April 8, 2008, as written, was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in
the affirmative.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to adiourn the meetinIz of April 29, 2008 at
10:21 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfally submitted,
ecretary