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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board.of Selectmen Meeting November 25,2008 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 Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary James Bonazoli, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Youth Representative Sarah Mulroy, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Gwendolyn Noyes, Tina Ohlson. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that Good Hearts was named Mass. Retailer of Ahe Year. He thanked the Town Manager and staff for concluding Town Meeting in one evening. He discussed the upcoming Town Manager's Evaluation, and decided that he and Selectman Camille Anthony would pick items to be the basis for the Town Manager's review, and send it out to the Selectmen next week. They will also include the Summary from last year. Selectman James Bonazoli congratulated the RMHS Drama Club for a successful showing of Peter Pan. He also congratulated DPW in running a very well organized Compost Center. Chairman Stephen Goldy thanked Senator Richard Tisei and Representative Brad Jones for hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for seniors at the Hillview Country Club. He reminded residents that the Adopt-A-Family Program always needs donations or donors. Public Comment — Representatives from Oak Tree Development were present. The Town Manager noted that Town staff has been working with folks from the Oak Tree Development regarding the Atlantic property. Gwendolyn Noyes from Oak Tree Development noted that they have entered into an agreement with Arnold Rubin and they have plans for mixed use. They are looking at three commercial uses: Compact food store,bookstore and a cafe or restaurant. All of the parking will be under the building. The.Town Manager noted that there might need to be a Special Town Meeting in February for this project to move forward. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: s Financial Forum • Downtown project and alleyway Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 25, 2008—Page 2 • Atlantic closing—Proposed re-development • Curbside Leaf Collection this Fall.. Schedule: Normal collection day weeks of: • November- 17, • December 1 • Bare Meadow viewing platform • Flu Clinics— o December 4th-Parker Middle School - 5:00 p.m. —7:00 p.m. Dates and Events • November 30 —Tree lighting and other events beginning at 1:00. • December 4-7—"Shop the Block" • December 13 — Polar Express Assistant Town Manager's Report — Bob LeLacheur noted that almost all retirees have called regarding a letter they received concerning health insurance. He also noted that they do not need to respond to the letter. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Arbor Day — A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the Proclamation declaring April 25,2008-as-Arbor--Day was--approved--by-a_vote_of__4-0-0. (Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya had left the room.) Personnel and Appointments Conservation. Commission — The Board interviewed Tina Ohlson for one position on the Conservation Commission and one position on the Animal Control Appeals Committee. Bonazoli moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Conservation Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2011: Tina M. Ohlson Ms Ohlson received five votes and was appointed. Tafoya moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Animal Control Appeals Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2011: Tina M Ohlson Ms Ohlson received five votes arid.was appointed. North Suburban Planning Council — Bonazoli moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the North Suburban Planning Council with a term expiring June 30, 2010• George Katsoufis. Mr. Katsoufis received four votes and was appointed. (Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya had left the room.) Discussion/Action Items _Approval of Comcast License — The Town Manager noted that the Comcast contract expired November 24, 2008. The terms of the contract include a PEG access fee of 5% and a renewal fee of$115,000. The 1-Net has been superseded by the Wide Area Network so Comcast will pay the Town $170,000 for discontinuing it. The Town was not able to get the emergency override but we have other ways to notify residents; i.e., Reverse 911. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 25, 2008.—Page 3 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to approve the renewal of the Cable TV license, and a side agreement regarding I-Net buyout, between the Town of Reading, MA and Comcast of Massachusetts I, Inc for a term beginning November 24, 2008 and expirii November 23, 2018, subject to the execution of the license and side agreement by Comcast of Massachusetts I,Inc was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing Parks Rules and Regulations re: Prohibiting Dogs on Artificial Turf Fields — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that there is an issue of dogs on the artificial turf fields, and the owners are not cleaning up after them. He is proposing adding Rule 11 to the Selectmen's policy. He has talked with the Superintendent of Schools, and the School Committee will adopt the same policy. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the three fields are fenced, and the Town Manager noted that they are in various forms of degree. Selectman Anthony also asked what the fine is, and the Town Manager indicated that it is $20.00. Selectman Anthony suggested that the Town Manager get bids for fencing around the fields. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that he would rather see plans for fencing before going out to bid. Selectman Richard Schubert had concerns about fencing in the Parker Field,which functions as open space. He suggested increasing the fine. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to close'the hearing amending the Parks Rules and Regulations regarding prohibiting dogs on artificial turf fields was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to amend Section 4.14 of.the Board of Selectmen Policies by adding to Section 4.14.3 the following: Rule 11 No person shall permit a dog under their control to enter upon an artificial turf feld or within any fenced area that includes anv artificial turf field within the _Town of Reading Artificial turf fields include the RMHS stadium, Collins Field at Parker Middle School, and the so called Lacrosse Field also known as the practice field at RMHS. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. DPW Management Study Update—Public Works Director Ted McIntire was present. The Town Manager noted that he disagrees with the study recommendation that all payments be made to the Collector's Office. He also disagrees with moving the GIS position to Public Works. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 25, 2008—Page 4 Selectman James Bonazoli asked about the timeline of the planning and tracking software. Ted McIntire noted that he met with a vendor but it wasn't close to what we need so he will bring more vendors in and that will take about two to three months. The Town Manager noted that performance measurement is the methodology of what to measure and how to measure. The Assistant Town Manager noted that he wanted to look at performance measurement when we switched to MUNIS. He also noted that it is a lot of work and a lot of money and found it very disappointing. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested starting small; i.e., potholes—when alerted by citizen and when responded. The Town Manager reviewed the process for hiring a new DPW Director. He noted that funding has been provided for overlap. He recommends having input from the community, employees, Selectmen and business community as to what they are looking for in a new DPW Director. The Town Manager indicated that the position will be advertised the week of Januaryl, 2009. He plans on establishing a screening committee consisting of representatives from the Board of Selectmen(Selectmen Camille Anthony and James Bonazoli volunteered), Finance Committee, a DPW employee and a Department Head. He plans to have the screening and interviews completed by mid-February. Regarding succession planning, the Town Manager reviewed a chart of senior positions and the dates when they reach the maximum retirement benefit. He noted that staff is working with employees on career planning so that if an employee plans on applying for a position when it becomes available, they will already have the qualifications for that position. Regarding equipment maintenance, the recommendation is to outsource passenger vehicle maintenance as soon as possible. This includes Police cars, pick-up trucks and engineering vehicles. Ted McIntire invited the Selectmen to tour the DPW facility and the cemetery garage on Saturday, December 6th, in the morning. He also suggested applying for a grant to hire assistance in reviewing options for regionalization. Water—Use of Reserves—Legal Settlement—The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Town was awarded a large settlement for contamination of the water system. The settlement was for over $600,000 and it will go into the General Fund, and Town Meeting can vote the money into the Water Fund. If the money is put into the Water Fund, that fund will have $2.4 million. He also noted that the money could be used for balancing the debt to do capital projects. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested that two Selectmen meet with the Assistant Town Manager to go through different scenarios, and the Town Manager will come back to the Board with the Capital Improvements Plan. Renew Liquor Licenses—The Town Manager noted that there were no violations or problems in his inspections. He also noted that the licensees received the draft revised liquor policy, and will be attending a meeting on December 2nd at Town Hall. There was a"Cop in the Shop" Program this year in liquor stores. None of the licensees are accepting out of State ID's. He recommends that all of the licenses be approved. There was discussion among the Board as to why the Atlantic Food Mart license should be renewed when they are closing, and the Town Manager Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 25, 2008 —Page 5 indicated that the license needs to be renewed, and he will get advice from Town Counsel as to what the process is for a store that closes. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the All Alcoholic Club Liquor Licenses for: o Reading Overseas Veterans, Inc d/b/a Reading Overseas Veterans,575 Main Street ® Meadow Brook Golf Corp of Reading, Mass d/b/a Meadow Brook.Golf Club, 29_2 Grove Street Home Building Corp d/b/a Knights of Columbus, 11 Sanborn Street ® Reading Veterans' Association, Inc d/b/a American Legion Post 62,37Ash Street for a term expiring December 31, 2009 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massaehusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to approve the All Alcoholic Package Store Liquor Licenses for: ® Busa's Reading Liquors, Inc d/b/a Busa's Reading Liquors,345 Main Street ♦ _Athens Liquors,Inc d/b/a Square Liquors,11 High Street o Jai Vaishnodevi& Chirag,Inc d/b/a North Side Liquors, 150 Main Street ♦ Ramos, Inc d/b/a The Wine Shop of Reading, 676 Main Street s Atlantic'Food Mart, Inc. d/b/a Atlantic Food Mart, 30 Haven Street for a term expiring December 31, 2009 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the All Alcoholic Restaurant Liquor Licenses for: Mandarin Reading, Inc d/b/a Mandarin Reading Restaurant, 296 Salem Street ♦ Mecom, Inc d/b/a Caf6 Capri,355 Main Street o Emperor's Choice Restaurant, Inc d/b/a Emperor's Choice Restaurant, 530 Main Street e CAC Foods, Inc d/b/a Venetian Moon Restaurant, 680 Main Street Pepper Dining Inc d/b/a Chili's Grill& Bar, 70 Walkers Brook Drive e Brinkers Massachusetts Corp d/b/a Romano's Macaroni Grill, 48 Walkers Brook Drive o The Boland Group III, LLC d/b/a Fuddruckers, 50 Walkers Brook Drive Bertucci's Restaurant Corp d/b/a Bertucci's Italian Restaurant, 45 Walkers Brook Drive ♦ Rare Hospitality International, Inc d/b/a Longhorn Steak House, 39 Walkers Brook Drive Board of Selectmen Meeting-November 25, 2008—Page 6 for a term expiring December 31, 2009 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to approve the Wine and Malt Liquor Licenses for: • Colombo's Pizza & Cafe,2 Brande Court • Twin Seafood of Reading, Inc. d/b/a Twin Seafood, 591 Main Street for a term expiring December 31, 2009 subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed, and subject to a satisfactory inspection of the establishment by the Town Manager, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion — Selectmen General Topics — SG re: Regional Initiatives Recap from Financial Forum — Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that at the regional meeting, he stated that the Town will not get involved with the prevailing wage issue. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Town Manager and staff came forward with savings right away at the Financial Forum. Update—Downtown—Chairman Stephen Goldy asked about the possibility of outdoor dining in the Spring. The Town Manager noted that a process needs to be set in place because if alcohol is involved, the ABCC requires a separation. Chairman Stephen Goldy requested a draft calendar for next year with workshop meetings and a Saturday retreat with Department Heads. Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the goals need to be set early in the year. Chairman Stephen Goldy requested no Financial Forum in January. _A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to adjourn the meeting of November 25, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. espectfully submitted, ecretary