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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 16, 2007 I 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 7:30 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, Selectman Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, DPW Director Ted. McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown,Joanne Smarrella, Steven Bell. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the gas affect on the Trees Program. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel had some concerns withthe contract and it is also a bid item. Selectman Anthony noted that she is working on the LIP Regulations, and the CPA Study Committee will give a presentation to Town Meeting. There will be an Addison-Wesley site visit with the abutters on November 3rd at 1:00 p.m. Selectman Ben 'Tafoya noted that he attended the CPDC Meeting regarding the Woburn Street burnt out building. There is a restaurant proposed to go in the first floor and offices in the second and third floors. A neighbor had concerns regarding parking and people walking through their property. Selectman Tafoya asked that the Town Manager or Town Planner get in touch with the proponent and work out the parking situation. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that at Longwood Field on Pearl Street, there is a No Parking sign near the fire lane sign. The sign underneath it is worn and the police could not read it. Chairman James Bonazoli noted.that a resident has asked the Selectmen to look into smoking regulations in public areas. The Town Manager noted that would come under the Board of Health regulations. Chairman Bonazoli also noted that he and the Town Manager attended the World Cafe. He noted that better lines of communication are needed with the public and with Boards, Committees and Commissions; i.e., CPDC working with the Economic Development Committee. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • YCC—Electronic. • Selectmen's Forum—RCTV, October 23rd, 7:00 p.m. • The Town has secured the release of the escrowed funds ($30,000 plus '/Z of the interest) for the Bear Hill drainage project. The project is complete. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 16,2007—Page 2 • The Town has received the draft revised FEMA Flood maps, and they are being reviewed by staff. • 6h Grade Essay Contest. • Joint Meeting with the School Committee on November 5th re: Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. • Re: Communication with the Board of Selectmen concerning emergencies, I am meeting with Selectman Public Safety Liaison Camille Anthony and Chiefs Greg Bums and Jim Cormier on Friday. • Repair work on the Library elevator.is done—awaiting inspection. • The remainder of the Reading's earmarks from the State Budget have been approved through the legislature's override of the Governor's budget vetoes. This includes $50,000 each for the Parking Feasibility Study for Downtown, stadium lights,tennis courts. • The reception for Ben Nichols last Saturday was a huge success. Thanks to Bill Brown for the idea, and Maureen Knight in The Community Services Office for arranging it. • Halloween Parade—Sunday, October 28th at the Coolidge Middle School. • I'd like to arrange for a site visit to the Birch Meadow tennis court area for the Board of Selectmen to look at a couple of needed tree removals. • Addison-Wesley/Pearson DAT Meeting, November 3rd from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. — on site if weather is permitting, otherwise at the Senior Center. • Franklin Street Sidewalk Dedication—October 27th at noon at Fox Run Lane. • Mattera Conservation Land Dedication— 148.1 Main Street— 1:00 on October 27th. • Street Sign lottery. • Flu Clinic dates— • November 7th—Killam School—65 and older—2:00—4:00 p.m. • November 13th—RMHS Cafeteria—5:00—7:00 p.m. • November 15th—Parker Middle School—5:00—7-00 p.m. • Town Meeting: Subsequent Town Meeting November 13th, Special Town Meeting December 10th. • Recreation Administrator John Feudo and I are meeting next Wednesday with-Memorial Park abutters to see if we can reach some kind'of agreement and consensus on the uses of Memorial Park so we can proceed with the Town's petition for a clarification of uses. • The State has appropriated money for 40R projects. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation National Business Women's Week — Joanne Smarrella, President of the Boston Chapter, was present to receive the Proclamation. A Motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to approve the Proclamation .for National Business Women's Week was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Savory Tastes Discussion re: Beer and Wine License—Proprietor Steven Bell was unable to be present due to a family emergency. The Town Manager noted that Savory Tastes has ceased doing business. They propose to continue to operate on a catering business. The business is up for sale. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 16, 2007—Pa-ge 3 Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that Mr. Bell has stated that the catering is on site. He asked if a full liquor license would have made a difference. The Town Manager noted that Mr. Bell had noted that it would have helped to have a full liquor license. He also noted that parking was not a problem. He had positive comments regarding the Town--it just wasn't the right fit. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Selectmen might want to revisit the bylaw of requiring 100 seats for a full liquor license. The Town Manager noted that might have to go back to the voters. Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested talking to the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Committee. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that she would rather have the Selectmen discussion before going to the Economic Development Committee because this isa. sensitive issue. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that Julie Thurlow indicated that the Town has a low vacancy rate. A lot of vacancies are intentional and up to the owner to decide who they want. Final Review — MWRA Agreement — Water Supply— DPW Director Ted McIntire and Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi were present. . The Town Manager noted that the staff memo to the MWRA Board is included in the packet. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the term is from October 17, 2007 to June 30, 2016. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if there was an entrance fee if we go beyond that date. Ted McIntire indicated that there is a formula for calculating that. Chairman James Bonazoli asked about the status of the emergency Water Treatment Plant. Ted McIntire noted that we will be building a disinfection system, and then the Water Treatment Plant will be torn down. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the Water SuPPLY Continuation Agreement between the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Town of Reading and authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement on the Town's behalf was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approve Final Memorial Park Plan — The Town Manager reviewed the revised plan for Memorial Park. He noted that there will,be parallel parking, no bituminous pathway and a guarantee of maintenance. He also noted that there is a letter from Friends of Reading Recreation indicating that they will provide enhancements and maintain. The Town needs conservation approvals. He and John Feudo are holding a meeting with abutters to discuss the deed restrictions. The Town Manager noted that they are looking at reclaimed asphalt for the path. It packs fairly hard and they will find out if it meets ADA requirements. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the material is a great alternative and less expensive too. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that the Appalachian Mountain Club also endorses it. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 16, 2007—Page 4 Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the lighting will be low lighting to benefit appearance and prevent vandalism. The Town Manager noted that there will probably be two to three lights along the major spine. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that his only concern is that the residents haven't seen the change yet and they need to react. The Town Manager noted that all of the issues from the previous hearing have been addressed. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the fmal Memorial Park plans as presented on October 16,2007 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Tafoya abstaining. Review Warrant—Subsequent Town Meeting—The Town Manager reviewed the Articles on the Town Meeting Warrant. The Assistant Town Manager reviewed Articles 3 and 4. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if the MMA could do the pay and class study. The Town Manager indicated that they cannot because this is not a survey, it is a study that is done once every 10 years. He noted that we have a hard time hiring people at the bottom level, and we need to know what to do with people on the top step. Chairman James Bonazoli asked how the Town benefits from spending$25.,000. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the loss of productivity alone is expensive especially with key people leaving. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy.to recommend the subject matter of Article 3 of the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to recommend the subiect matter of Article 4 of the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Assistant Town Manager reviewed Article 6. He noted that this Article asks Town Meeting to take money out of the cash reserves and put it into a stabilization fumd. He also noted that if wages increase 4% and expenses 2% along with health care at 12% and energy at.10%, then there will be a $1.4 million deficit next year. He noted that the Town will not be able to do 4% and 2%. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the 4%in wages should include benefits. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 6 of the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Town Manager noted that we are still waiting for as-built plans for Article 7 regarding Timothy Place. Article 8 is to rescind two items of debt, and Article 9 is to appropriate-money for the tennis courts. The Town Manager recommended holding on making a recommendation of these Articles until after the Finance Committee Meeting. The Town Manager noted that Article 10 is for a fire ladder truck. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to recommend the subject matter of Article 10 of the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 16 2007—.Page 5 The Town Manager reviewed Article 11. He noted that we are spending $30,000 per year on sidewalks and that is not sufficient. He is recommending $450,000/year on sidewalks and that would cost each household approximately $50/year. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that this made sense especially for trying to promote "walkable communities," but he feels that the problem is with timing and this needs more discussion. The Town Manager also noted that this is infrastructure that we will not receive funding from anywhere else. Selectman Ben Tafoya agreed and noted that if sidewalks increase the value of homes, then Town Meeting might pass this. The consensus of the Board was that Article 11 and Article 12 needs more discussion before voting on them. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article_14 of the 2007 Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discuss Traffic Issues — Stop Signs Multi-Way Stops — Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy noted that he and Selectman Camille Anthony met with Town Engineer George Zambouras and Police Chief Jim Cormier regarding procedures and process. Most of the issue is speed. The State speed limit is 30 mph. He is considering asking the Town Engineer to do an engineering study. The Town Manager noted that an engineering study measures site distance, data, etc. - then a policy can be created that will be the standard. The safe route to school is also being worked on. Review Action Status Report — The Town Manager reviewed the Action Status Report. He noted that we are pursuing gates at the Ash Street Railroad Crossing. He will remove the Downtown project since it is underway. He will remove the Inspector General's Report regarding 1375 Main Street. He indicated that he needs direction from the Board regarding the Oakland Road property. The consensus of the Board was to put this on a single item agenda. The Town Manager noted that he will remove the MWRA. He will keep the Memorial Park regarding the Attorney General's Report but will remove the master plan. The Board needs to determine what they want to do regarding Sight Triangles. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we should bring in the Reading Recycles Group regarding recycling at parks. The Town Manager noted that he will remove the flag at half staff item. A motion by Tafova seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of October 16, 2007_at 11.05 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respect y submitted, Se etary