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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 13, 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 7:00 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 (arrived at 7:45 p.m.) and Richard Schubert, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Tom Quintal, Adele Blunt, Elaine Webb, Steve Sadwick, Rick Shaffer, Edward Rivers, Robert Tucker,Kevin Allarant, Stephen Crook,Nancy Kearney, Bob Tucker, Gil Rodrigues, Jack Russell, George Katsoufis, Julie Thurlow, Dave Talbot. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he attended a meeting of the Interchange Task Force. The next public input session is March 21 st at the Woburn High School. He strongly suggested that Reading residents attend and advocate for certain issues. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that Friends of Reading Tennis held their fundraiser on Friday. On Sunday, there will be a Skate to Late at Casten Field from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Hot chocolate and bagels will be served. On March 18th, there will be an adult three on three basketball tournament. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Hallmark Development on Walkers Brook Drive—no methadone clinic. • The Main Street Improvement Project is being excluded from the upcoming transportation bond bill. This is good news as any project within the-bill would get delayed until it passed and most likely lose the bulk or all of this year's construction.season. So, hopefully, the State doesn't change their mind and the March 13th date will remain firm. • Easement acceptance and releases for 98 Hartshorn Street to be signed. A motion by Goldy seconded bey Schubert to approve the Abandonment of Easement and Acceptance of Easement related to the property at 98 Hartshorn Street pursuant to Article 16 of the May 1, 2006 Town Meeting was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. • Texas Hold'eim and raffles need licenses through the Town Clerk's Office. • Rabies Clinic March 31st—last date for licensing dogs without a fine will be April 2na Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 13, 2007—Page 2 o Town Manager sent to Representative Brad Jones a list of"earmarks" that Reading would like to see in the FY 2008 State Budget. The main item is assistance with the cost of demolition of the old Water Treatment Plant. The Assistant Town Manager noted that he is hoping to have a meeting on April 11th or April 18th to do an overview of the financial system that will show a preview of reports that will be available. Discussion/Action Items Town Accountant Quarterly Meeting — Town Accountant Gail LaPointe noted that the audit is complete and will be presented to the Audit Committee. She has been providing coverage for the Retirement Board Secretary who is out on maternity leave. She is working on getting the schools on the same purchase order system and looking at a consultant to help implement the financial platforms. She perforins internal audits of procurement purchases and grant eligibility every now and then with DPW and the RMLD. She has also presented the fraud policy to employees. Hearing — Pay/Classification Plan for Community Services Director/Town Planner — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts noted that two towns — Danvers and North Andover have similar set ups. The Town Manager noted that the position is advertised, and a screening committee has been established. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Assistant Town Planner will be critical to this position. He also noted that under.445, some familiarity with the Mass. Laws would be helpful. The ability to communicate effectively is also important. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Economic Development Committee is missing from the organizational chart. Steve Sadwick of 138 Prospect Street noted that he is the MAPC representative for the Town of Reading. He is also the Planning Director for the Town of Tewksbury: . He supports this reorganization and is offering to help in any way he can. He suggested that the Town advertise with the Mass. Chapter of Local Planners. Elaine Webb noted that she had concerns that the schools may be laying off and reducing staff in FY 2008, yet the Town is adding staff. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this will give the Town the ability to perform duties in a proactive way. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the School Committee added any new positions, and Elaine Webb indicated that they did not. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee allocated the resources in the Municipal Budget, and staff figured out how to do this without asking for more money. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 13,2007—Page 3 A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on the Pay/Classification Plan for Community Services Director/Town Planner was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazolito approve the Pay/Classification for the Community Services Director/Town Planner as a Grade 18 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing.—Woodland Road Street Acceptance—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen stopped at Woodland Road when they did their boardwalk. Some neighbors had discussed making Woodland Road a public way to have the Town bring it up to standards. Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the Town can make a betterment to cover the cost of improvements. The cost would be passed along to the abutting property owners based on frontage. Corner lots only pay one quarter of the costs. He also noted that improvements would include a 30' wide road with granite curbing, new drainage at the bottom of the street, no sidewalks and no turn around. The cost will be approximately$94,000 due to the drainage. The corner lots would pay $5,000 and the other lots would pay$13,000- $27,000. The cost is based on hiring contractors and the cost cannot exceed the estimate. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if the Town would be setting a precedent by not putting in sidewalks, and George Zambouras noted that it would not because it is a dead end street and the sidewalks would go to nowhere. Ed Rivers of 11 Woodland Street asked about the Town's overnight parking restrictions. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the drainage will address the current conditions/concerns and ifblasting.will be needed. George Zambouras indicated that the current conditions/concerns will be addressed. There is no visible ledge but there are boulders that will need to be removed. Nancy Kearney of 91 John Carver Road noted that this is not a betterment that she would support. She also noted that she will lose additional parking, and she has concerns regarding excavation and drainage problems. Bob Tucker of 12 Woodland Street noted that he originally asked for a 20' pavement with no curbs and now the scope has expanded. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that when the Town takes a street,then it is responsible for drainage, etc. If the Town doesn't put in curbs, then there will be more drainage problems and the Town will be held liable. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked if there was anyone in favor of this, and Ed Rivers and Bob Tucker indicated that they were. The Town Manager suggested that the Selectmen close the hearing and send out a questionnaire to the property owners before closing the Warrant. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 13, 2007—Page 4 A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on Woodland Road street acceptance was approved by a.vote.of 5-0-0. Review Special Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. He noted that Article 5 is to rezone 16 Sanborn Street to Business B and mixed-use zoning. This will affect only that one lot. Article 6 is the parking overlay and this could apply to other properties. Article 7 applies it to Lots 21 and 21 a. CPDC voted 2-2-0 not in favor of Articles 6 and 7. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that Article 5 is appropriate but perception is the issue. He suggests taking all three Articles off the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting and putting Article 5 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. This will give adequate time for CPDC and public discussion. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested keeping Article 5 and getting rid of Articles 6 and 7. The Town Manager reminded the Board that they cannot take an Article off the Warrant but they can refer to Committee. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he prefers to wait until the Spring Town Meeting to do Article 5. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he likes Article 5. He also noted that parking is an issue Downtown and this Article will help everybody. He feels that employees should not have to walk a long way to work. He is in favor of Article 5 at any Town Meeting. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked if there were timing issues. The Town Manager noted that the fire was in March 2005 so the Reading Co-Operative Bank has until March 2007 to do something with the property. He noted that the bank has applied to build a three family home because they can't hold the property forever. There is no mechanism to extend the deadline. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to recommend the subiect matter of Article 3 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to.recommend the subject matter.of Article 4 was approved by a vote of 5-0=0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to recommend.the subiect matter of Article 5 was approved by a vote of 3-2-0,with Schubert and Goldy opposed. A-motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy.to recommend the subject matter of Article 6 failed by a vote of 2-3-0,with Anthony, Schubert and Goldy opposed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 13 2007—Page 5 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to recommend the subiect matter of Article 7 failed by a vote of 2-3-0,with Anthony, Schubert and Goldy opposed. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 8 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subject matter of Article 9 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. _A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subject matter of Article 10. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 11 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 12 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that Johnson Woods asked that the timeframe to build be waived, and that is why Article 10 is on the Warrant. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that since the closing of the Warrant, Ted Moore decided that he didn't want to go with an increase in the number of affordable housing so he asked that the Article be tabled. CPDC voted to table Article 10. Report —,Downtown Parking Task Force — Task Force Members Gil Rodrigues, Jack Russell, George Katsoufis, Julie Thurlow,Dave Talbot and Tom Quintal were present. Gil Rodrigues noted that surveys were done. The surveys show that there is a shortage of 280 spaces for employees, and a shortage of 120 customer spaces. The Task Force recommends that the Board of Selectmen seek professional help in seeking structured parking. Jack Russell noted that several people like some ideas more than others but structured parking is number 1. Other avenues that they are looking at include shared employee parking, shared public parking, satellite parking that is employer funded, public shuttle buses, parking zoning changes, and commuter parking. Recommendations on these issues will be made in June. The Town Manager noted that the Task Force has quantified the need. He will have staff take a look at structured parking. George Katsoufis noted that Woburn is using earmarked monies for structured parking. Rick Schaffer asked about peak usage, and George Katsoufis noted that 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays and Saturday mornings are the peak times. Review Action Status Report — The Town Manager reviewed the changes to the Action Status Report to date. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 13,2007_Page 6 ® The Town Manager noted that the contract is ready for Gazebo Circle, and Town Counsel has filed the necessary paperwork. ® Town Counsel will be issuing a letter regarding the Inspector General's recommendation on affordable housing. ® The fine has been paid on Timothy Place, but there has been no corrective action. Town Counsel has filed in court for relief. The property owner has requested a meeting to talk about a financial settlement but the Town Manager indicated that is not what the Board of Selectmen wants. ® The Assistant Attorney General came out and toured Memorial Park. She was impressed and will try to put this through as soon as possible. ® The Housing Plan is at DHCD. ® Camille Anthony will type up notes on the sight triangle bylaw. Approval of.Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of January.20, 2007 was approved by.a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of January 27, 2007 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of January 30, 2007 was approved by a vote of 4-0-1,with Bonazoli abstaininjZ. A motion by Goldy seconded Anthony to adjourn the meeting of February 13, 2007 at 10:40 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, ecretary