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Home My WebLink About2007-06-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 12, 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 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary 'Stephen Goldy, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert (arrived at 7:55 p.m.), Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director. Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Sally Hoyt, Shannon Fratto, Gary Gresh, Joan Boegel, Gina Snyder, Ray Porter, Steve Oston, Brian Snell, Charles McDonald,Mark Cardono, Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Susan Patterson,Karen Herrick. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the Shade Tree Trust. The Town Manager noted that the Shade Tree Trust is a company that looks at streets With gas service and if the trees are dying, then the gas company will pay to replace them. The company keeps 40% and the Town would get 60%. Selectman Anthony noted that she heard from a resident on Franklin Street who does not like the stop sign at Grove and Franklin Streets. He wants to know where Franklin Street is on the paving schedule. The Town Manager indicated that we will have an electronic copy of the pavement plan sent out to the Selectmen. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that Friends of Reading Recreation will have a Kids Fun Run at Birch Meadow at 11:30 a.m. on Friends and Family Day. He also noted that there is a public hearing tomorrow night regarding the tennis courts. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he attended the RMHS Dedication on Saturday. He also noted that the National History Day finalists are in Washington, D.C. right now. There was a meeting of the Tax Classification Task Force last night. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if they are looking at a split rate for business/residential, if they can separate the large chains from the small local shops. Chairman Tafoya noted that the tax applies to the property,not the store. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Franklin Street sidewalks will be under construction right after the end of school, weather permitting. • The following road construction projects have begun: Wells Road, Locust Street and Wentworth Road. In addition, Hampshire Road and Lawrence Road will be under construction in a month or so after Keyspan does some gas installation, • West Street curb and sidewalks are done—Loam will be done this Spring and seeding done in the Fall. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 12, 2007—Page 2 • The Recreation Committee is holding a public hearing on June 13th on the proposed reconstruction of the tennis courts on Bancroft Avenue. • The Habitat for Humanity Greater Lowell is having a dedication on June 23rd at 10:00 a.m. of the two new homes on Governors Drive. • The Human Relations Advisory Committee is having discussion at its Thursday, June 14th meeting on the"No Place for Hate"Program and its potential applicability to Reading. • 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 MMA is holding a Leadership Institute at Northeastern on June 13th. The Board of Selectmen is invited to participate. • Hours of Retail Operation—Bylaw amendments passed—Rules and Regulations hearing on June 26th, Discussion/Action Items Resolution in Support of Municipal Partnership Act—It was decided to postpone this until there is a full Board. Town.Accountant Quarterly Meeting—Town Accountant Gail LaPointe was present. She noted that the majority of her time is being spent on six areas of technology. These include the WAN, security and data center, inspection and finance software, digital document storage, implementation and training, hardware, and project management and workflow. They are discussing payment terms at this time. Appoint Town Counsel — The Town Manager noted that he has evaluations from some Boards, Committees and Commissions. He will send a reminder. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to reappoint the firm of Brackett & Lucas to the position of Town Counsel for a term expiring June 30, 2008 was approved by a vote of 3-0- '0. Personnel and Appointments Aquatics Advisory Board—There were no applicants. Ad Hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee—The Board interviewed Shannon Fratto and Gary Gresh. Goldy moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for nine positions on the ad hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee with terms expiring December 31, 2007: Chris Caruso, Ben Ream, Shannon Fratto, Gary Gresh and James Bonazoli. Each applicant received four votes and were appointed. Board of Appeals — Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2010: John Jarema. Mr. Jarema received four votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 12,2007—Page 3 Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Peter Tedesco. Mr.Tedesco received four votes and was appointed. Board of Health — Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of Health with a term expiring June 30, 2010: David Singer. Mr.Singer received three votes and was appointed. Cities for Climate Protection Committee—The Board interviewed Joan Boegel, Gina Snyder and Ray Porter., Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2010: Michelle Benson and Gina Snyder. Each applicant received four votes and were appointed. Goldy moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for three Associate positions on the Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2008• Dan'Blodgett, Joan Boegel and Ray Porter. Each applicant received four votes iand were appointed. Conservation Commission — Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Conservation .Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2010: Mark Wetzel and Annika Scanlon. Each applicant received three votes and were appointed. Council on Agin- The Board interviewed Sally Hoyt, Steve Oston, Brian Snell and Charles McDonald. Due to:a potential conflict of interest, the Board decided to hold up on appointing Brian Snell. Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the following names into nomination for three positions on the Council on Aging with*terms expiring June 30, 2010: Carole Scrima, Sally Hoyt and Steven Oston. Each applicant received four votes and were appointed. Schubert moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Council on AginjZ with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Charles McDonald. Mr. McDonald received four votes and was appointed. Economic Development Committee — Chairman Ben Tafoya recused himself from voting because his wife is a candidate for reappointment. Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Economic Development Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2010: Leslie McGonagle and Meehan Young-Tafoya. Each applicant received three votes and were appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting,—June 12, 2007—Page 4 Historical Commission — Mark Cardono, Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Susan Patterson and Karen Herrick were present. Goldy moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2010: Mark Cardono and Sharlene Reynolds Santo. Each applicant received-four votes and were appointed. Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the followinIZ names into nomination for two Associate positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2005: Susan Patterson and Karen Herrick. Each applicant received four votes and were appointed North Suburban Planning Council — The Town Manager noted that he will talk with staff regarding the alternate position because the meetings are during the day. Anthony moved Goldy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the MA.PC's North Suburban Planning Council with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Ben Tafoya. Mr. Tafoya received three votes and was appointed. West Street Historic District Commission — Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the West Street Historic District Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Susan Patterson. Ms. Patterson received four votes and was appointed. Review Action Status Re-ort — The Town Manager briefly reviewed the updated Action Status Report. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of June 12, 2007 at 9:35 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully bmitted Secretary