Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 2,2007 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 Ben Tafoya, Vice Chairman James Bonazoli, Secretary Stephen Goldy, Selectman Camille Anthony, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Andrea Garbarino, Stanley and Edward Kantorosinski, Ernie Bay, Phil Pacino, Richard Surrette, Janette Suzette; Joyce Buckley, Attorney James Juliano, Attorney Steven Cicatelli, Attorney Andrew Upton, Bao Ngoc Huynh. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison.Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she had Office Hours this evening, and she had four neighbors from the Old Farm Road area come in. They will speak under public comment. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Reading Recreation brochure is done. Chairman Ben Tofaya noted that CPDC will be holding hearings regarding the Special Town Meeting Warrant including parking overlay, and request for map change for Tambone and Johnson Woods. A subcommittee is meeting tomorrow night to refine the language. There has been discussion on acceleration of Johnson Woods, and the Town is pushing for an increase in the number of affordable housing units if they move their schedule up three years. Public Comment — Andrea Garbarino noted that her neighborhood was notified today that the Crossing Guard position is being eliminated from the Old Farm Road part of Town. She also noted that the School did not notify her and that is a safety issue. The Town Manager noted that there is a shortage of Crossing Guards. The higher priority in that location is at Franklin Street so they are moving that Crossing Guard there but he has since quit. He will talk with Police Chief Cormier later tonight when he is here. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted he would like an update of the Crossing Guards. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Waste to Energy grant close-out—Additional $14,000 to Town of Reading. • Curbside Holiday Tree Collection—Week of January 8-12, 2007; Compost Center is open for trees on Saturday, January 13th. • MMA Annual Meeting Friday and Saturday—January 12th and 13th. 9 BCC training January 31St Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 2,2007—Page 2 Regarding the January 16th meeting on goals, the Town Manager will prepare a draft set of goals. He thinks a Retreat is a good idea but will need planning. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he would like to take some time on January 16th to talk about long-term goals. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that 15 goals are too many. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Bagel World Request to Operate Beginning at 5:30 a.m. a Variance from Section 5.10 of the General Bylaws—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that 10-12 years ago, the Town adopted a bylaw restricting hours of sales. That issue came about when a business wanted to be open 24 hours per day, seven days per week but it abutted residential property. The Town recently received a complaint about a business getting deliveries around 2:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m. The Police enforced and then found other businesses opening before 6:00 a.m. The Town does have one 24 hour store that abuts the highway. Bagel World owner Stanley Kantorosinski and his son Edward were present. Stanley Kantorosinski noted that he has been opening at 5:00 a.m. since 1998 and he has never had any complaints. All of his deliveries are after 9:00 a.m. He is requesting to open at 5:30 a.m. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Health recommends no additional hours until Bagel World meets minimum standard conditions. He also noted that in order to grant a waiver, the Board needs to prove that they are providing a service for the public health, safety or welfare of the Town. He noted that there will soon be three additional residences behind Bagel World. He suggests that the Selectmen close the hearing, and then highly advertise the issue on whether or not to change the bylaw. A motion by Goldyy seconded by Anthony to close the hearing.for Bagel World's request to operate bel4inning at 5:30 a.m. was.approvedby a.vote of 4-0-0. Hearing—West Street Mobil Request to Operate Beginning at 5:00 a.m. a Variance from Section 5.10 of the General Bylaws—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this property is a drive through and gas station. A neighbor to the gas station noted that it is a busy place but it is quiet. The owner of the property noted that the Town should consider this request, or people will go elsewhere and the Town will lose business. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoll to close the hearing for West Street Mobil's request to operate beginning,at 5:00 a.m. was approved by a vote of.4-0-0. Hearing—No Parking.—Both sides of Washington Street 50 South of Woburn Street and 50 feet North of Prescott Street—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 2-2007—Page 3 The Town Manager noted that this is a follow up from a petition. The concern is to expand the no parking on comer from 20 feet to 50 feet. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that 50 feet on both sides of the street still doesn't eliminate the bottleneck on the rest of the street. Police Chief Jill Cormier noted that this will allow easier access. Ernie Bay of 142 Woburn Street noted that moving back 50 feet will take away two 24 hour parking spaces from residents. He would like only one side moved to 50 feet. He also noted that the signs have already been moved back from 20 feet to 71 feet. He feels that the problem is related to the Selectmen taking away 50 commuter spaces. He suggests that the Town ask people to go to the Woburn Station. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Selectmen did try to encourage people to go to Anderson Station in Woburn by not selling commuters stickers.. A,motion.by.Goldy.seconded Anthonyby' _ to close the hearing.on.no parking on both. ides of Washington Street 50 feet south of Woburn Street and 50 feet north of Prescott,Street Was approved by a vote of 4"0-0. A motion by Anthony.seconded by Goldy to,amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by.adding to Article 5, Section 5.3: PARIONG.PROHIEBITE' WON CERTAIN STREETS NO PARKING ANY TIME 50 FEET FROM INTERSECTION Street Location Washington Street Both.sides of street- 50 feet south of Woburn Street Washington Street Both sides of street- 50 feet north of Prescott Street was.approved.by.a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — No Parking on the West Side of Washington ,Street from Woburn Street to .the Briarwood Condos—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the request is to restrict parking on the west side of Washington Street. There is a letter from the Briarwood Condo Association in favor of no parking. Phil Pacino, President of the Briarwood Condo Association, noted that he had concerns regarding access for emergency vehicles and snow removal. Richard Surrette of 7 Washington Street indicated that this is a good idea. He noted that it is difficult to get in and out of Bnarwood in the Winter. Janette Surrette of 13 Washington Street noted that the cars completely block the Woburn Street intersection when the train comes. Board of Selectmen Meeting-January 2, 2007—Page 4 Joyce Buckley of 139/141 Woburn Street had concerns for the safety of the children walking to Parker Middle School. She noted that the fire trucks and trash trucks cannot get down the street. A motion by..Golly seconded.by Anthony to. close the hearing on no parking on the west side of Washington Street from.Woburn Street to the exit driveway of Briarwood Condos was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A.motion by Goldy seconded.by Anthony to:amend the.Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding.to Article 5, Section 5.3: PARKING PROHIBITED.ON_CERTAIN STREETS NO PARKING ANY TIME Street Location Washington Street On the Westerly side from Woburn Street to the exit driveway at.Briarwood Condos was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Request for Waiver of Driveway Opening Regulations.to allow two Driveway Openings on John,Street—43 Salem Street—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town has restrictions on the number of driveways. This property is in violation because it has one extra driveway. The property owner has the option of combining two driveways or appealing to the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that there is an e-mail in tonight's handout from Gerard and Mary Beth McDonald who have concerns about the project but no concerns regarding the driveways. Attorney James Juliano noted that every plan was submitted to the Engineering and Planning Divisions. The plan was signed off on and has not changed. The Conservation Commission has signed off on the plans. The owner thought everything was in compliance. The current curb cut was pre-existing. The Town Manager noted that there is no record of a road permit. He would prefer to get the curb cut further back from the intersection. Attorney Steven Cicatelli noted that Mr. Lynch did not move forward without getting permits or paying fees. He also noted that Mr. High helped him design the plan. He noted that if they put in a 24 foot opening, then they would have to put in a complete walkway and that would increase the amount of impervious surface. The Town Manager recommended that the owner provide for improvement to the radius. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the a waiver of the driveway opening regulations.at 43 Salem Street'was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting,—January 2, 2007—Page 5 A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to .approve the request for a waiver of the driveway opening regulations to allow two driveway openings on John Street as well as a driveway on Salem Street for the property located at 43 Salem Street subject to completion prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, and that the deed establishing a.25 foot radius at the corner of John Street and Salem Street and a bond be posted guaranteeing the work was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing - Change of Manager for Romano's Macaroni. Grill — Attorney Andrew Upton representing Macaroni Grill and Bao Ngoc Huynh were present. Mr. Huynh noted that he was made General Manager two months ago and he has managed other. restaurants. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if he has had 'TIPS training, and Mr. Huynh indicated that he had TIPS training. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Change of Manager for..Romano's Macaroni Grillfrom Michael Ross to Bao Ngoc I3uynh was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Preview Special Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. He noted that Article 3 was to amend the Capital Improvements Program; Article 4 is to amend .the FY 2007 Budget; Article 5 is to authorize debt for the Downtown Improvements project. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli requested that the Nurse Advocate be included in amending the budget. Article 6 is to.amend the Zoning By-Laws regarding Sanborn. Street parking; Article 7 is to amend the Zoning map; Article 8 is zoning for the Tambone property; Article 9 is to amend the Zoning map; Article 10 is to amend zoning for Johnson Farm;Article 11 is to amend zoning for PRD cluster; Article 12 is to amend the General Bylaws to allow Finance Committee Members to serve as voting members on subcommittees. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of November 14, 2006, as amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by .Anthony to approve the Minutes of December.5, 2006, as amended, was,approved by.a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of December 12, 2006 was approved by a vote.of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to adjourn the meeting of January 2, 2007 at 10:05 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, 42tary