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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 6, 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 7:03 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 Richard Schubert; Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Manager Peter. Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finarice Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Ralph. Colorusso,Bob Nordstrand, Al and Andrea Garbarino, Cheryl Fay, Susan O'Leary. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he met with representatives from the Reading Municipal Light Department, the Finance Committee and Town Manager regarding the earnings distribution. It looks like this year's payment will be higher than last year. Vice Chairman James Bona zoli noted that the Reading Rotary is holding a "Taste of Reading" this weekend at the YMCA. The Friends of Reading Tennis are holding a fundraiser this Friday. He recommended that the last minute articles being placed on the Warrant should have more discussion. Chairman Ben Tafoya thanked staff and volunteers for the time that was.put into the budget meetings for the past three Saturdays. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ® Town Counsel filed the lawsuit today in the matter of Diranian (Timothy Place) and got a _ short order of notice for February 22nd. The Judge will hear her motion for a preliminary injunction at that time. • Chairman Ben Tafoya,Vice Chairman James Bonazoli, EDC Chairman Russ Graham and I met with representatives of National Development yesterday to talk about the process of moving forward with redevelopment of the Addison-Wesley/Pearson site. The developer indicated that he will be (and did last night) meeting to listen to the community informally. The developer also committed to work with the Town on a process that would work for the Town, the property owner and the developer. To give time to work on an outline of this process, I have put off discussion by the Board with the developer until February 27th. ® Boards/Committees/Commissions training including ethics training took place on January 31st with good attendance by staff and Board, Committee and Commission members. • We have received our Affordable Housing inventory from DHCD. When you adjust for j the change in Longwood from a 40B to the current development, the Town's Affordable Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 6,2007—Page 2 Housing status is as anticipated — approximately 7.5%. There is one unit left off the inventory, and I am working with the RHA to get it put on. • The Downtown Improvements Project bid date has been moved back to March 13th. • The Town Manager has received the Inspector General's report on the Sumner Cheney Condominiums. They found excessive profits and the developer owes the Town money. • The Town has been asked by Representative Brad Jones to identify earmarks for the FY 2008 Budget. He suggests money to help with the demolition of the Water Treatment Plant and structured parking for Downtown. • The Town Manager has accomplished everything the Board of Selectmen directed him to do with the FY 2008 Budget except for additional hours for the Public Health Inspector. He will try to find money for that. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee has adopted a policy on the Capital Improvements Plan. Discussion/Action Items Preview of Annual Town Meeting Warrant— The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. He noted that Article 1 is Elections, Article 2 is Reports, Article 3 is Instructional Motions, Article 4 amends the Capital Improvements Program for FY 2007-2011, Article 5 amends the FY 2007 Budget, Article 6 is payment of prior year's bills, Article 7 is approving FY 2008-2012 Capital Improvements Program, Article 8 is local acceptance of Senior Tax Worker overlay account, Article 9 is to authorize debt and appropriate fluids for highway, Article 10 is disposition of surplus property,Article 11 is to authorize revolving funds, Article 12 is approving FY 2008 Budget, Article 13 is Woodland Road street acceptance, Article 14 is transfer of appropriations for water interchange project, Article 15 is.to establish a fund for Medicare, Article 16 is debt authorization for Downtown Improvements Program, Article 17 is to authorize debt for the financial software and hardware, Article 18 is for a new fire truck, Article 19 is to authorize debt for tennis court improvements, Article 20 is to authorize debt for field improvements, Article 21 is to transfer care, custody and control of Library to the Selectmen, Article 22 is to amend the Zoning By-Laws to change the definition of frontage, Article 23 is to amend the Animal Control Bylaw,Article 24 is the Sight Triangle Bylaw,Article 25 is the Retirement Board local acceptance, and Article 26 is the removal of Town Meeting Members. Sign Purchase & Sales Agreement for.1481 Main Street - The Town Manager noted that Town Meeting authorized debt for the purchase of the property at 1481 Main Street. The Town received a $400,000 State grant and a donor donated $400,000 so the Town does not have to borrow for this. Town Counsel has negotiated the Purchase & Sales Agreement and the Selectmen need to sign it. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to approve the Purchase & Sales Agreement between the Town of Reading and Lucille DelPonte, Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Grace Mattera a/k/a Margaret M. Mattera for the purchase of the property at 1481 Main Street in Reading,Massachusetts was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 6, 2007—Pao 3 Hearing—Policy Establishing an Ad Hoc Tax Classification Study Committee— The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the last Tax Classification Study Committee from 12 — 14 years ago was too large. The Board of Assessors will serve as advisory. Membership may include representatives* from the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and CPDC. The term would expire December 31, 2007,-and a report to the Board of Selectmen by October 31, 2007. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli suggested having someone who is a business owner but not a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that he did not feel a Finance Committee member was necessary on this Committee because the Finance Committee's expertise is expenditures not revenue. The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee would have an interest in the overall financial picture. Assessor Ralph Colorusso suggested including a resident who is not a member of any Board, Committee or Commission. A motion by,Goldy seconded by Schubert to close the hearinIZ on the policy estabUshinI4 an ad hoe Tax Classification Committee was approved by a.yote of 4-0-0. A,motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to approve.the policy estabflshinjz an ad hoc Tax Classification Committee, as amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Request for 4—Way-.Stop . Walnut Street and Old Farm Road — The Town Manager noted that the Crossing'Guard at this location was moved due to lack of Crossing Guards, Police Chief Jim Cormier noted that there are already stop signs at Red Gate and Old Farm Road. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if any citations have been issued in that area, and Chief Cormier noted that he did not have that information but he will get it. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he and Chairman Ben Tafoya were there on Friday. The traffic was moving rapidly on Walnut Street. The crosswalk signs should be helpful. He also noted that there was a good volume of children on a cold day. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked if there was a Crossing Guard, would we still need a stop sign. Chief Cormier indicated that we would not because it does not meet the criteria for a stop sign. Cheryl Fay of 68 Old Farm Road noted that the children can-not be seen at Old Farm Road and Red Gate. Al Garbarino of 32 Old Farm Road noted that 30-32 children use that crosswalk daily. He requested that the Chief adjust his numbers. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 6,2007—Page 4 Andrea Garbarino of 32 Old Farm Road noted that a stop sign is needed there because people do not respect the crosswalk. Susan O'Leary noted that people can't respect the crosswalk when they can't see someone crossing due to an obstructed view. Selectman Richard Schubert asked when we will be deploying more Crossing Guards, and Chief Cormier indicated that is unknown. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked the Town Manager to schedule this for a hearing, and to monitor the new crosswalk signs. Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoll.to approve the Minutes of December 19, 2006, as amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A.motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoll to approve the Minutes of January 2, 2007, as amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoll,to. approve.the Minutes of January 9, 2007 was approved by a yote.of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli.to approve the Minutes of January 23, 2007 was approvedby a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by BonazoH seconded by Schubert to jo into.Executive Session for the purposes of discussing strategy regardinI4 labor negotiations, not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four inemb.ers Voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, ccretary