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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 22,2007 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 7:03 p.m. in the.Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben' Tafoya, Vice Chairman James Bonazoli; Secretary Stephen Goldy, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown,Frank Driscoll,George Perry, Ronald Stortz, John Greichen. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Interchange Task Force met and the draft report is available to review and comment. .He also noted that there are two items in the letter the Selectmen drafted that he would like to change. He suggested changing the 4th bullet under B. Highway Components to Proceed with the project to modify the Washington Street ramp as shown in Alternate H3 or delete the sentence all together. He also suggested deleting Section C. Interchange Design Alternatives or modifying it. - The consensus of the Board was to keep the 4th bullet under Section B but not to reference Alternate H3 and to keep Section C. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli congratulated the Coolidge Science Team for taking 10th place in the Nationals. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the ad hoc Tax Classification Committee met. The goal is to have a report by September 30, 2007. He reminded residents that the dedication of the Reading Memorial High School is on June 9,2007 at 9:00 a.m. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Advisory Team met with National Development today. They will meet again next week and they will present a slide show. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that they also did a site visit.at Archstone, and the next step will be a joint meeting with CPDC for a presentation before July 1, 2007. Selectman Anthony also noted that National Development wants to know if there are any severe problems when they come before us. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that the High School has a monument to veterans and plaques in the school. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: 128/I93 Task Force Meeting from May 16th - follow-up. 7 s Community Meeting on May 17th at the Senior Center at 7:30 p.m. regarding the new plans for Memorial Park. This was an excellent meeting with lots of very positive Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 22, 2007—Page 2 feedback. We will evaluate the comments, make changes to the plans, and get them back to the Board of Selectmen along with meeting summary for the Board to adopt the plan. • West Street curb and sidewalks are under construction and are almost completed. • Included with this evening's packet of information is the projected road improvement program for the remainder of FY 2007 funds,plus projected FY 2008, 2009 and 2010. The additional cost of hot-top because of volatility ofoil prices is reflected as well as the policy of placing granite curbing on streets with a slope of greater than 5%, in order to protect the road from being undermined by run-off. ® Approval has been granted to Stop & Shop to work later hours tonight and on the 24th due to concrete pours. Notice has been delivered to abutters. ® The March 2007 National Development PowerPoint presentation is now available by a link through the Town's website. ® Street lists are available for the public in the Town Clerk's Office for a cost of$15.00, ® I understand from reliable sources at the State House that "earmarks" are unlikely to be included in the State Budget this year, but that a separate capital appropriation is likely which may include a number of earmarks for communities. . • The Reading Lions Club invites you to participate in the Fourth Annual Reading Friends and Family Day. Save the Date—Saturday, June 30, 2007 The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee is meeting in around three weeks. The Selectmen should let him know if they have any comments on the budget. Personnel& Appointments Town Forest Committee.- Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30,2010: Beniamin E.Nichols. Mr.Nichols received five votes and was appointed. Goldy moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two Associate positions.on the Town 'Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30, 200$: Thomas W. Connery and Joan Hoyt. Each candidate received five votes and were appointed. Water, Sewer. and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee — The Town Manager noted that there were no candidates and the Committee is down to three members. He suggested that the Selectmen consider revising the membership to three members. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that they have a quorum problem and are looking forward to goal setting for the future. The Town Manager also noted that he will bring the Committee in and the Selectmen can update the policy. Board of Cemetery Trustees—The Board interviewed Ronald Stortz. Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on*the Board of Cemetery Trustees with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Ronald Stortz. Mr. Stortz received five votes and was appointed. Recreation Committee—The Board interviewed Frank Driscoll. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 22, 2007—Page 3 Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following names into nomination for three positions on the Recreation Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2010: Catherine Kaminer and Francis Driscoll Each candidate received five votes and were appointed. The Board postponed appointing the Associates until they found out if either were interested in a full membership. Aquatics Advisory Board—There were no candidates. Discussion/Action Items . Approve Change in Plan Emperor's Choice Restaurant — The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen's Liquor Policy requires a change in plan to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. They have added a sushi bar for a total of 141 seats. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the change in plans for Emperor's Choice Restaurant, 530 Main Street as presented on May 22, 2007 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — 2008 Classification and Compensation Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts was present. Ms. Roberts noted that the Nurse Advocate has been classified in the Grade 12 and the Staff Planner in Grade 11. There are draft job descriptions in the packet. The FY 2008 Compensation Plan is a 2%increase over FY 2007. 'Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if the Staff Planner position was compared with North Andover and Danvers, and Ms. Roberts indicated that they were and they are similar. Selectman Goldy also asked if we can recruit and hire at that Grade. The Town Manager indicated that we won't know until we try. Selectman Goldy noted that if the Staff Planner replaced the Town Planner, it would be a big jump. The Town Manager indicated that is not necessarily the progression. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that a 4% increase in wages every year is unsustainable. The Town Manager noted that the Town needs to do a Pay and Class study. The last time a study was done was in 1998 by an outside firm. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked how the Pay and Class Plan helps solve the yearly 4% increase, and suggested that we do increases the private sector way. The Town Manager noted that the only-problem is salaries for municipal employees are public record and in private sector they are not. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on approving the FY 2008 Classification and Compensation Plan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the FY 2008 Classification and i Compensation Plan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting-May 22, 2007—Page 4 Hearing — Policy Establishing an ad hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee — The Town Manager noted that Vice Chairman James Bonazoli distributed a draft policy at the last Selectmen's meeting. He suggests increasing the membership to nine members and include a School Representative. The Town Manager reviewed the map and indicated that it includes the Higgins' property and the tax title property. The Assistant Town Manager asked if the field behind the Coolidge Middle School was included, and the Town Manager indicated that it was not but that was up to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Richard Schubert suggested taking out the tax title property and adding Coolidge Middle School. The Town Manager suggested extending the preliminary report date to the end of September. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about a policy on fences and trees, etc. The Town Manager noted that the Master Plan will include that, and the Selectman Representative on this committee will play an important role. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee wants the Capital Plan before Fall Town Meeting. There was discussion among the Board regarding whether or not to have the committee look at financing. It was noted that the Master Plan is a vision and not a construction plan. It was decided to add "community vision" to the policy and not to have the committee get involved with financing. It was also decided to take out the tax title property and add the Coolidge Middle School. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing establishing the policy for an ad hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. _A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the policy establishing an ad hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee, as amended,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Technology and Telecommunications Advisory Committee Discussion—TTAC Chairman John Greichen was present. Mr. Greichen noted that RCTV met the mid-year goals and are on track for the full year goals. TTAC did a survey to get independent consensus of service reliability and customer service of the video services in town. He also noted that there was over a 50%response rate. Comcast has 74% of the customers, satellite has 2% and Verizon has 19%. Verizon leads in excellent ratings. The Town Manager noted that the last quarterly payment from Verizon was $14,000 for a total of$76,000. Comcast pays $100,000/yearly. Mr. Greichen noted that TTAC will continue oversight of RCTV and be involved in the Comcast negotiations. The Town Manager suggested that TTAC come to a Department Head Meeting to brainstorm. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Mgy 22, 2007—Page.5 Discuss Hours of Retail Operation—Regulations—The Town Manager noted that the regulations are to provide guidance on how waivers will be handled. They will be dealt with on a case by case basis. The initial applicationwill require a hearing and notice to abutters. The term of the license will expire on December 31st and will be renewed yearly. The license will be revoked upon receipt of complaints after a hearing. Approval will be granted for businesses with commercial or industrial zoning districts only. The approval is for the entire business. Retail use must be the principle use. There must be written approval of the owner of the building and have a minimal effect on the neighborhood. Food code sanitation protocols must be followed. Use of outdoor speakers and drive thru's will be limited. Rubbish collection, recycling and parking lot cleaning and deliveries will be after 7:00 a.m. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she will compare this with her notes from the meeting with the Police Chief. The Town Manager noted that once the policy is set, then he will send it out to businesses and schedule a hearing. Review Cable TV Legislatio — The Town Manager noted that he has drafted, a resolution and letter to the State Representatives, There is a hearing on June 5th at the State House that will eliminate local government's role in Cable TV franchising. It took Verizon nine months to agree to a contract due to lack of kn6wledge. He proposes opposing the legislation because it sets up new rules for the big new kid on the block who wants to cherry pick cities and certain sections of cities. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve a"Resolution of the Reading Board of Selectmen Urging the Massachusetts Legislature to Reject Efforts by Telecommunications Companies to Eliminate Municipal Control of Cable Franchising Authority" was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Accept Chapter 29, Section 64D — Social Security vs. Deferred Comp — The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to accept Chapter 29, Section 64D, and then authorize the Town Manager to sign. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to accept Chapter 29, Section 64D — Social Security vs. Deferred Compensation, and approve the resolution designating ICMA-RC as the deferred compensation plan and trust was approved by a vote of 54-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to approve the Minutes of May 1, 2007 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1,with Goldy abstaining. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adiourn the, meeting of May 22, 2007 at 9:50 p.m.was approved by a vote.of 5-0-0. Res fully submitted, ecretary