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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 20, 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 7:02 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, Selectmen Camille .Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Police Business Administrator Andrew Scribner,*Police Consultant Jim Jordan, Lt. Michael Cloonan, Lt. Richard Robbins, Lt. David Stamatis, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Chuck Robinson, David Greenfield, Paul Feely, Barry Berman, Tom White, George Hines, Matt Wilson, Elaine Webb, Irene Collins, Mike Giacalone, Deb Gilburg, Kerry Dunnell, Scott Weiss,Ted Tye, John Connery, Alan Kludier. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the DPW -Gar-age-needs-to-be-screened_off_from the new development in the area. Selectman Ben'Tafoya thanked the staff for their help with Town Meeting. Vice Chairman Stephen Goldy asked if a courtesy sign could be put up on West Street at Willow to remind motorists to use their signal at Arcadia. He noted that he has been working with Elder Services regarding the ABC's of elder care. He is looking at doing an information session in the Spring. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Birch Meadow Committee has been meeting and are, interested in attending the site visit of the tennis courts. He also noted that the Venetian Moon Restaurant has conditions on their liquor license regarding work that is yet to be completed, He requested that the Venetian Moon be present at the next Selectmen's Meeting for their liquor license renewal. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • The Annual Reading Police Christmas Party for kids will be held at Austin Prep on December 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. • Garden Club.Memory Tree Ceremony is on December 2nd at 4:00 p.m. at the Reading Public Library. • Special Town Meeting is on December 10th. • The Executive Director of the Reading Housing Authority has informed me that there is an affordable. unit with an attached garage at Gazebo Circle that has come on the market. Anyone interested in this unit can contact the Housing Authority Office. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20, 2007—Page 2 • Compost Center last day of operation is on December 2nd. • Compost Center is open for X-Mas trees—January 12, 2008. • Kudos for Sharon Thomas, Marie Ammer and Sue Reardon of Elder/Human Services, and Arthur Menezes and Jon Reed of the DPW for once again bearing the cold this past Wednesday to collect Thanksgiving baskets from generous Readingites and distributing them to families in need. They exemplify the holiday spirit. • Make-up flu clinic will be set up and advertised. Credit for running a very successful flu clinic goes to the Health Services Administrator Larry Ramdin, acting PH Nurse Diane Luther, Community Services Clerk Darlene Foley, and the prep. work from the retired Health Services Administrator Jane Fiore and former PH Nurse Trish Faulkner. The Assistant Town Manager noted that 1% of the revenues have been certified as new growth. Discussion/Action Items Town Accountant Quarterly Meeting—Town Accountant Gail LaPointe was present and gave an update on her activities since her last report. Ms. LaPointe noted that the new financial platform will use a purchase order system. This will give Department Heads better control over purchasing. Chairman James Bonazoli asked about centralized purchasing, and Ms. LaPointe indicated that larger communities use centralized purchasing but our departments do not do much bulk ordering, but the office supplies are centralized.The_T--own_Manager_noted-that_DP_W bids_fuel_with_other—comrnunities,_and we purchase a lot from the State Contract. Ms. LaPointe also noted that the School Department goes out to bid with other communities for bulk supplies. I Chamber of Commerce re: Tree Li ting=-Irene Collins and Mike Giacalone from the Chamber of Commerce were present. The Town Manager noted that the Town is making the transition to LED lights. Any new lights purchased will be LED. Ms. Collins reviewed the events planned for the Lighting Festival, and noted that this is the 17th year of the Lighting Festival and the Chamber of Commerce pays for the lights. Presentation on "World Cafe" — Deb Gilburg and Kerry Dunnell were present to represent the World Cafe. Ms. Gilburg noted that the World Cafe is a conversation process where large groups of people breakdown in small groups. This is open to everyone and the benefit is to get data from the public. This process helps organizations to collaborate and bring people together in the community. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that substance abuse and traffic are big issues. Ms. Gilburg noted that the question has to be important to the people. At the last World Cafe, the discussion was about how important the Downtown was as a place for people to gather—parking was never mentioned. Board of Selectmen Meetiniz—November 20 2007—Page 3 Ms. Gilburg noted that she can be reached at readingworldcafe(a,yahaoo.com. Review of Traffic Study and Fiscal Impact Addison-Wesley/Pearson—Scott Weiss,Ted Tye and John Connery were present. The Town Manager noted that a Fiscal Impact Analysis and Traffic Study were done on the Addison-Wesley project. There is a Special Town Meeting on December 10, 2007 for zoning amendments. Fiscal Impact Scott Weiss noted that there is a positive financial impact on the Town. John Connery noted that the development will consist of mixed use — commercial, apartment development, town houses and senior. assisted living facilities. The apartments and townhouses will be one and two bedrooms and are a family oriented product. The net fiscal benefit to the Town will be $399,000. The annual.gross revenue will be$1,059,000, and the cost will be $660,000. Mr. Connery noted that he figured a per pupil cost that is higher than net school spending because there is no capital cost included. He also noted that the regional average is 1.4 children per unit and he used 1.35. The school amount includes teacher's salary of$70,000, added a bus route, SPED, supplies, books. He spoke with police and fire and added another 100 trips to the assisted living facility. Mr. Connery noted that the total assessed evaluation will be $80 million when fully developed versus the $17 million of what it is assessed at now. The short term benefits will be $650,000 in permit fees, and $956,000 40R payments from the Commonwealth of which $350,000 will be received upon adoption of the 40R overlay. The remainder will come when the building permits are issued. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the Department of Public Works, and Mr. Connery noted that a small amount was added for trash pick up at the townhouses. He also noted that he added 2.50 FTE at$70,000 each for the Police and Fire Departments. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked about the educational cost per pupil. Mr. Connery noted that $293,000 divided by 29 students equals $10,000 per pupil. School Committee Member Elaine Webb noted that the number is not the same as the net school spending number because the neighborhood schools are at capacity so the children would have to be bussed to a school that has room. Finance Committee Member Tom White asked for historical data from other towns. Mr. Connery noted that the apartments/condos and commercial developments are relatively stable. Finance Committee Member George Hines noted that the biggest hit to the Town are the three bedrooms, and he suggested negotiating it out of the agreement. Finance Committee Member Barry Berman noted that the assessed $450,000 for townhouses is slightly higher than realistic. Mr. Connery noted that he reduced it $50 to $250 per square foot Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20,2007—Page 4 sales,value. Mr. Berman noted that there has already been increased police activity with the other developments in Town, and Mr. Connery noted that he already assigned a higher safety and DPW costs than other developments.. Mr. Berman asked if there were any capital inclusions, and Mr. Connery noted that this development does not add to capital — there is no need for an additional ambulance or schools, etc. Finance Committee Member Matt Wilson asked about an increase on utilities. Mr. Connery noted that there will be no overload on water or utilities. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the developer may have to make some upgrades to the 'sewer system in order for the project to be possible. A motion by Grimes seconded by Greenfield to a(tiourn the Finance Committee Meeting at 9:30 p.m.was approved by a vote of 6-0-0. Traffic Stud Alan Kludier from VHB reviewed the traffic study. He noted that a number of intersections were studied. He proposes widening South Street at Main Street and re-align South Street/Jacob Way. He also suggests adjusting the traffic signal operations and providing pedestrian connectivity to and through the site. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if realignment was necessary* and Mr. Kludier noted that he would like to "T" off South Street or Jacob Way. Ted Tye noted that is the Town's decision to make. Mr. Zambouras suggested taking the plan that will eliminate the most cut-through traffic. Chairman James Bonazoli asked about the Main Street improvements that were previously proposed, and Mr. Zambouras noted that our peer review is looking at this. Vote to Consolidate the Presidential Primary Election with the Town Election—Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the State has moved the Presidential Primary to February 5, 2008 and if the Town moves the Local Election to that date,We will save$10,000. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he had concerns regarding moving the Local Election to February because we could miss possible new candidates. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Town Clerk notified Town Meeting last week, and will re-notify at the Special Town Meeting on December 10, 2007, A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve consolidating the Local Election with the Presidential Primary which, depending on the action of the State legislature, will be tither February 5, 2008 or March 4, 2008 was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Schubert opposed. Presentation of Police Department Strategic Plan — Police Chief James Cormier, Lt. Michael Cloonan, Lt. Richard Robbins, Lt. David Stamatis, Police Business Administrator Andrew Scribner and Consultant Jim Jordan were present. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 20, 2007—Page 5 Chief Cormier noted that consultant Jim Jordan was hired to help develop a strategic plan for dealing with upcoming retirements. Mr. Jordan noted that traffic and substance abuse are the biggest concerns in the community, and that is something that the Board of Selectmen and Police need to- discuss. He strongly recommends a GEO Base strategy to policing. Chief Cormier noted that the Town is divided into sectors. He will work with the Police Officers to see if they want to dedicate their time to a certain section or be more community based. Mr. Jordan noted that the Chief is developing his lead staff into leadership. He also noted that the department needs to increase in strength to keep up with growth but the number of Police Officers is a policy decision. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if we are meeting the direction of other Police Departments, and Mr. Jordan indicated that our department has a lot of energy, is open minded and there is a healthy relationship between the Town and the Police Department. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the Minutes of October 17, 2007 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1,with Goldy abstaining. A motion by Tafova seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of October 30, 2007 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1,with Goldy abstaining. A motion by Tafova seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of November 3, 2007 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1,with Bonazoli abstaining. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of labor negotiations and approval of minutes, not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary