HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 23, 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 7:30 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,
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Paul Dodge,
Paul Feely (Chronicle), Michael .Allard, Mac McEntyre (Advocate), Kevin Allardi, Robert
Beddia, W. J. Hanson, Marlene Wolfe, Arthur Sordillo, Ken Flint, Sherry Hernan, Gloria
Manherz,Tony D'Arezzo.
Discussion/Action Items
Discuss Possible Amendment to Bylaw — Hours_of Operation for Retail — The Town Manager
reviewed his memo of January 23, 2007 on Hours of Retail Sales. He also reviewed a map that
showed the location of 30 facilities licensed by the Board of Health to sell coffee.
Vice Chairman James Bonazoli reviewed his proposed options for changing the bylaw to allow
coffee establishments to be open at 5:00 a.m.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked about drive-thrus, and whether they would be permitted.
Selectman Richard Schubert thought that we should take the issue to Town Meeting. He prefers
Option 1 with some of the elements of the Option 2 language. He felt that there should be a
process; and that there should be annual review and approval.
Chairman Ben Tafoya preferred the second option because it gives the Board the option of
allowing places to open earlier, and allows the Board to measure the impact. Much of the review
can be done by staff such as is done for the liquor licenses.
Selectman Stephen Goldy preferred the same option.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked where the grid for Option 1 came from, and Vice Chairman
Bonazoli indicated that he did an internet search, and he believed that this is the Chicopee model.
Selectman Anthony asked what the process would be for moving forward with this, and
Chairman Tafoya noted that there are some'options here but we need to look at what we are
trying to accomplish.
The Town Manager felt that the best course of action may be to change the bylaw minimally to
allow the Board some options for giving annual permits.for public convenience (as opposed to
the*strict public health, safety and welfare provisions currently in the bylaw) and then do an
annual process. He stated that many of these establishments directly abut residences and there
could be some concerns. The Board of Selectmen could then develop rules and regulations based
Board of Selectmen Meeting January 23,2007—Page 2
upon which applications they would consider. There would be a hearing on the adoption of the
rules and regulations. Part of the rules and regulations maybe a requirement that there be a
hearing when consideration is being given initially for any waiver from the 6:00.a.m. opening,
and notice to attendees could be included.
Marlene Wolfe of 522 West Street asked what the process was and the above comments of the
Town Manager were reiterated. The Town Manager noted that if this is approved by Town
Meeting, it would have to be approved by the Attorney General's Office and this could require
up to 90 days.
The Board agreed to the process as outlined by the Town Manager, and Town Counsel will be
asked to draft the bylaw for inclusion on the February 26, 2007 Special Town Meeting Warrant.
On motion,by Goldy seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn the
meeting of January 23, 2007 at 8:50 p.m. by a vote of.5-!0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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