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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 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:OO p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy,Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary .James Bonazoli, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard. Schubert, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Will Finch, John Coote, Scott Doyle, Kathy Greenfield, Roberta Sullivan, Virginia Adams; Sharlene Reynolds-Santo, Karen Herrick, Angela Binda, Michelle Benson, Eric Strong, Diane Walker, Anne Joyce, Kate and Keith Ronan, Chuck DeCoste, Attorney Michael Rubin, Daniel Busa, Fire Fighters David Ferreira and Christopher Germain. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert passed out copies of a newspaper article regarding Nestle selling bottled water. He suggested sending a letter that we don't want big companies bottling water in Massachusetts and sending it out of State. Selectman Camille Anthony also suggested sending the letter to the MWRA. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he was shocked to see the article in the Chronicle about the Town sending out an RFP for the property at 1481 Main Street when the Selectmen haven't discussed the uses for the property. Chairman Stephen Goldy directed the Assistant Town Manager to put this on the next Selectmen's agenda for discussion. Chairman Stephen Goldy reminded the Board of the site walk on Gould Street and Birch Meadow Drive on July 9th, and asked the Selectmen to be prepared to follow up on the Action Status Report at their meeting on August 5, 2008. He noted that there was an email to the Board regarding not doing a flat stormwater fee for a single family, and Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he will respond to this email. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Recognition — Retiring Volunteers with Five or More Years of Service within the Town of Reading — Will Finch and John Coote were present to receive their Certificates of Recognition. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate_ of Recognition for Susan Miller serving nine years on the Board of Appeals was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting.—July 8, 2008—Page 2 A motion by Bonazoli seconded .by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Ronald O'Connell serving 12 years on the Board of Cemetery Trustees was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to approve the Certificate of Recognition for William Ogden Finch serving 10 years on the Conservation Commission was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Jamie T. Maughan serving five years on the Conservation Commission was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony. to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Edwina Kasper serving 10 years on the Council on Aging was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Ruth Goldberg serving six years on the Council on Aging was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve. the Certificate of Recognition for Anne W. Hooker serving six years on the Cultural Council was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Karyn S. Storti serving six years on the Cultural Council was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to approve the Certificate of Recognition for John A. Coote serving seven years on the Reading Housing Authority was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Jack Downing serving 11 years on the Recreation Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel&Appointments Badge Pinning — Fire Fighters and New Paramedic — Fire Chief Greg Burns introduced Scott Dole, the Town's newest paramedic. He noted that Scott's father, Phil Dole, initiated the EMS program in Reading. Chief Burns then proceeded with the badge pinning of Fire Fighters David J. Ferreira and Christopher F. Germain. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Historical Commission — Historical Commission Chairman Kathy Greenfield and members Roberta Sullivan, Virginia Adams, Sharlene Reynolds-Santos, Karen Herrick and Angela Binda were present. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 8 2008—Page 3 Kathy Greenfield updated the Board on the Commission's duties and accomplishments over the past year. Chairman Stephen Goldy asked how a house gets on the Town's historic inventory list, and Kathy Greenfield indicated that it was by a vote of the Commission. Selectman Camille Anthony asked at what age does a house become historical, and Kathy Greenfield indicated that it was 50 years but there is nothing on the inventory past 1925. The Assistant Town Manager noted that there is a document needs assessment going on that would benefit the Historical Commission. Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection 1-2-3 Pledge — Michelle Benson, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Cities for Climate Protection Program, was present and noted that energy use is dropping. She handed out bags and .collected pledges. Continued Birch Meadow Drive Parking Regulations — The Assistant Town Manager noted that the hearing was previously scheduled for a night that a school event was going on. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the Birch Meadow School Safety Committee requested a sidewalk. The Parking, Traffic and,Transportation Task Force reviewed and met at the school. The Town will be installing a new sidewalk on Birch Meadow Drive down to Arthur B. Lord Drive where there are crosswalks. The PTTTF does not feel that an additional crosswalk is necessary but will establish a no parking area in.front of the back.emergency entrance for a distance of 80 feet. He also noted that this is not a safe location for a crosswalk. Police Chief Jim Cormier noted that there are Crossing Guards at that school in the morning and afternoon, and he doesn't want to encourage people to cross in an area that is not meant to be crossed. Eric Strong, the new Principal at the Birch Meadow School, noted that if the Town is making no parking,then people will funnel there. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that people are crossing everywhere at this location, and she feels that an additional crosswalk should be put in. . Diane Walker of 57 Highland Street noted that the YMCA takes the parking spaces on Arthur B. Lord Drive, and people will be walking to that location with a new sidewalk. She feels that it is unrealistic to think that people will walk 40 cars to a crosswalk. Anne Joyce of 23 Cape Cod Avenue noted that it is an additional 400 feet to walk to the Crossing Guard. She also noted that only unattended children go the crosswalk with the Crossing Guard. Board of Selectmen Meeting=July 8, 2008—Page 4 Selectman Richard Schubert noted that painting stripes on the ground does not assure that someone will stop. Chairman Stephen Goldy suggested having further discussion on the crosswalk at another time. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on parking regulations on Birch Meadow Drive was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by adding to Article 5, Section 5.3, the following: Street Location Regulation Birch Meadow Drive 40 feet to either side of No Parking, Standing center line of emergency or Stopping access road The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Appeal of Curb and Sidewalk Requirement — Ronan — Kate and Keith Ronan were present. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the lot is a corner lot with 390 foot frontage, and has a sidewalk and curbing at the intersection. He also noted that the sidewalk is damaged, and the owner is planning on replacing the entire sidewalk. According to the Board's policy, he will have to install 290 feet of granite curbing. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if any other houses in the neighborhood have curbing, and Mr. Ronan indicated no - only at the radius of the intersecting road. Mr. Ronan noted that this is not a new subdivision. The ranch down the street was not required to put in curbing. He also noted that he will replace the sidewalk but curbing was not in the budget. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that she has no problem with granting a waiver because there is no curbing on the rest of the street. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Bylaw needs to be enforced. He also noted that the Bylaw states that bituminous is acceptable in some areas, and suggested that he do a Cape Cod berm. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that this is extending curbing, and he doesn't see any reason to grant a waiver. Board of Selectmen Meeting—.July 8, 2008—Page 5. Chuck DeCoste, a West Street resident, noted that this is a hardship for a young couple to have them install curbing along 390 feet of frontage. He also noted that the original intent of the Bylaw had to do with drainage and aesthetics, .and granite curbing could create a drainage problem. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he supports the policy. Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that he has a problem with the policy. Selectman James Bonazoli made a motion to allow a 36 foot driveway opening but the motion was not seconded. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to Erant a waiver of Section 4.5.1 — Installation Construction and Reconstruction of Curbs and Sidewalks of the Board of. Selectmen's Policies for 53 Tamarack Road failed by a vote of .with Schubert, Bonazoli and Tafoya opposed. Update -Downtown—This was rescheduled for the next meeting. Filing of Grant Application for Acquisition of Land — Ipswich River Greenway — The Assistant Town Manager reviewed the information on the parcels. He noted that three independent appraisals were done. The three parcels total approximately 11.50 acres for a total cost of$302,500 and the grant is for$172,000. Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if these people are interested in s.elling, and the Assistant Town Manager indicated that they are interested. Selectman James Bonazoli suggested selling the Oakland Road property to pay for this but the Assistant Town Manager noted that there is enough money in the Sale of Real Estate Fund. Liaison AssigMent — Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that he did not make a lot of changes to what was requested. He also noted that Selectmen James Bonazoli and Camille Anthony will share the Economic Development Committee. Busa's Liquor License Suspension Appeal — Selectman James Bonazoli recused himself from the meeting because he was not at the first meeting on this issue. Attorney Michael Rubin noted that Daniel Busa runs six stores in the area, and he has since changed the policy to only accept two forms of ID. He also noted that 'statute provides for an appeal and he is asking for a stay until after August 6, 2008. He also noted that if the Board does not allow the stay, then they are taking away the right to an appeal. The Assistant Town Manager noted that Town Counsel indicates that if the Board does not allow the stay, then they have the option of going to Superior Court. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 8 2008—Page 6 Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the ABCC can overturn the closure, and Chairman Stephen Goldy indicated that they could if the ruling was not legitimate. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to stay the two day license suspension for Busa's Reading Liquors scheduled to begin on July 14, 2008 pending the results of Busa's appeal before the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission on August 6, 2008 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of May 13,2008 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Anthony to approve the Executive Session Minutes of May 13, 2008 as written was approved on a roll ca❑ vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of July 8, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary