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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 27, 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 7:05 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Director of Facilities Joe Huggins, School Department Human Resources and Finance Administrator Mary Delai, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Barbara Meade, Colleen Seferian, Christine Brungardt, Ted Tye, Scott Weiss, William and Linda Griffin, Al and Andrea Garbarino, Jack O'Leary. Reports and Comments Selectmen Liaison Reports and Comments — There were no reports and comments from the Selectmen. Public Comment—Board of Health Members Barbara Meade and Colleen Seferian were present. Ms. Meade noted that the Health Division is very much in need for an increase in Inspector's hours. The Town Manager noted that the budget that is before the Finance Committee has an increase in the Inspection hours. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Selectmen will keep a close eye on this. Highlights.—Building Maintenance—Director of Facilities Joe Huggins and School Department Human Resources and Finance Administrator Mary Delai were present. Ms. Delai noted that the major focus has been preventive maintenance,maintenance direct work order system, and energy conservation program. She also noted that 1400 work orders have been completed since July 2006. Mr. Huggins noted that he is responsible for 15 buildings, and he reviewed the work that has been done since July of last year. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if he is able to maintain the buildings with the budget, and Mr. Huggins noted that they contracted out the main maintenance programs. He also noted that they could use some more trades people and more money in the capital plan when available. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we need a window washing program. Discussion/Action Items Process —.National Development— Ted Tye and Scott Weiss from National Development were present. Board of Selectmen Meeting—.February 27,2007—Page 2 The Town Manager noted that National Development have developed an outline for proceeding with the development of the site. National Development will hold a public input session on March 22, 2007. They suggest establishing a Development Advisory Team including members of the Board of Selectmen, CPDC, the Economic Development.Committee, the Town Manager and the Town Planner. In April/May, they will look at plans/concepts and develop an:overlay district. Another public input session will be in mid-May. They will continue onto the preliininary permitting phase and hold an additional public input session in June. They will request a Special Town Meeting in June or September. Selectman Camille Anthony asked how they would market the current zoning on these deadlines, and Ted Tye indicated that he will market both but there is no market for office. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if there is a sense of breakpoint, and Ted Tye noted that typically when they request an overlay, that is what they end up using. He also noted that people are tired of the process and he doesn't want to waste people's time. He noted that traffic studies will be done but not ,by March 22, 2007. Selectman Schubert noted that it would be helpful to have a timetable at the March 22nd meeting. Selectman Camille Anthony reminded National Development that .traffic and neighborhood impact were two major issues with the previous proposal. Update Woodland Street — The Town Manager noted that there was a memo from Town Engineer George Zambouras regarding Woodland Street. One abutter is opposed, three are in favor and two have not responded. The consensus of the Board was to keep the Article.on the Warrant until all of the abutters have responded. A letter will be sent indicating that their response is needed by April 23,2007. Close the Warrant for the Annual Town.Meeting — The Town Manager noted that the Warrant consists of 28 Articles. ■ Article 8 allows the Senior Tax Work Program to be charged to the overlay. ® Article 12 rescinds Section 4.3.4 of the General Bylaws requiring the publication of a valuation list every 10 years. ■. Article 16 will increase the death benefit for surviving children of an employee who dies accidentally. ® Article 18 is for the Downtown Improvements Program. Article 19 is for financial software and hardware. ■ Article 20 is for a new fire engine. ■ Article 21 is for funding for tennis court improvements. The Town Manager noted that only three tennis courts out of six are viable. This will be filed under the RMHS project and get reimbursed. ■ Article 22 is for funding for field improvements. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she has a problem with Article 22 regarding the artificial fields. She asked how many we really need. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this is time sensitive because it is a State grant deadline. The Town Manager noted that the grant is $200,000 which is 1/3 the cost. Selectman Anthony noted that she wants to know what we won't be doing if we do this. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested getting information from other towns who have had experience with artificial turf. Selectman Anthony suggested keeping this Article on Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 27, 2007—Page 3 the Warrant but would like to study this before Town Meeting. She requested the debt authorization for FY 2008. ■ Article 23 is for sewers on Sunnyside Avenue. ■ Article 24 defines frontage. ■ Article 25 is a petition Article regarding Downtown parking regulations. ■ Article 26 is for Sight Triangles. ■ Article 27 amends the Animal Control Bylaw by removing Section 5.6.2.2.3. ■ Article 28 is for removal of Town Meeting Members. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested removing the Article on Sight Triangles. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to close the Warrant consisting of 27 Articles forthe Annual Town.Meeting to take place, on,April 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading,Massachusetts was approved by a vote of.3"04 Hearing—West Street School Zone—Montessori School—Selectman Camille Anthony read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Planning Commission recommends that the Selectmen approve a school zone for this area. Police Chief Jim Cormier noted that this falls under the guidelines of 100 feet in each direction from the property lines. S.electman Richard Schubert asked who will pay for the electronic sign, and the Town Manager indicated that the school will have to pay for the sign. William and Linda Griffin, owners of the Montessori School, were present. Mr. Griffin indicated that he doesn't feel the school benefits from the school zone because there are no crosswalks. The children are dropped off on site at the door. The school is also fenced in except for the two driveways. He indicated that the neighbors on West Street feel that West Street is dangerous and they want to slow the vehicles down.but he feels that it is not fair for the school to bear the cost. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that this is not our school, and the Town should not bear the cost. Selectman Richard.Schubert noted that parents will be entering and exiting from the site, and this will lessen the amount of accidents. He also noted that the electronic signs are What the Town has set as a standard with new schools. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the site distance, and Chief Cormier noted that the school is on a bend and the 85% speed is 45 mph. He also noted that it is advantageous to slow down the traffic because that area is being populated with 80 children. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he is uncomfortable with putting the cost of$6,000412,000 on the school. Board of.Selectmen.Meeting—February 27,.2007—Page 4 Chief Cormier noted that the police will do enforcement and monitor closely in the beginning. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the cost of Police staff to enforce has an impact on the community. He also noted that the school could do fundraising for the sign. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert.to close the hearing on the West Street School Zone for the Montessori School was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to approve the School Zone consisting of electronic devices on West Street for the Montessori School, said school zone consisting of a distance of 100 feet from the north and.south.boundaries of the school property, and said school zone to go into effect upon the issuance of a Certificate.of Occupancy for the school and all costs to be borne by the.applicant was.approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Hearing— Stop Sign— Walnut Street at Old Farm Road — Selectman Camille Anthony read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that there was a memo from Town Engineer George Zarnbouras and e- mails pro and con on the stop sign. Chief Cormier noted that the Crossing Guard at this location was reassigned to another location. He has one Crossing Guard returning to work on March 12th and he has two locations to fill. He also rioted that three tickets were issued at that location in 2006, two tickets in 2005 and a number of tickets in 2004 which is why the stop sign was installed. There is no history of accidents and the criteria does not meet the guidelines for a four way stop. Andrea Garbarino noted that there was an accident on September 21st when the car ended up on the sidewalk. There was also an accident in 1999 and another accident on Walnut Street when a child was struck by a car. She also noted that a stop sign is a minor solution but warranted. Jack O'Leary of 28 Haystack Road noted that he has four children who use that intersection. He took pictures and there are trees and a wall that obstruct the view of the street sign at 100 feet back and a vehicle needs 240 feet to stop. He is in support of a permanent stop sign. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if people will be able to see the stop sign, and the Town Manager noted that we can install two signs or a stop ahead sign. Al Garbarino noted that on Old Farm Road, the children have to go into the street to see if a car is coming. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to close the hearing for a stop sign on Walnut Street at Old Farm Road was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to amend the Town of Reading Traffic.Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by.adding to Article 6, Section 6.12 the following: Board of Selectmen.Meeting—February 27,2007-Page 5 Street Location Regulation Walnut Street At Old Farm Road.-Westbound Drivers Stop Walnut Street At Red Gate Lane—Eastbound Drivers Stop was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Standards for Street Width and Parking Regulations—This will be rescheduled. Report on Manner of Measurement of Distances from Corners —The Town Manager noted that there was a memo from Town Engineer George Zambouras. The Town measures from the right of way line that is about 8 feet back from the curb. Vine Street — One Way With Parking - The Town Manager noted that Selectman Camille Anthony had previously suggested making Vine Street one way. The width of the pavement is a little narrow for additional parking but we could do minor construction and make it work. The sidewalk would have to be replaced. We could get about 20 cars parked there. The consensus of the Board was to not reconfigure that area right now, and to wait until,the traffic study is done in that area. Report on Use of Rented Parking on High Street — Chief Cormier noted that the Parking Enforcement Officer has been monitoring the High Street leased spots. He reports that there is an average of 20 unfilled spaces on a regular basis. Nine are available and have not been renewed, and the others are being filled for 2 Haven Street. There is also one space available in the Senior Center lot. Chairman Ben Tafoya recommended turning the nine spaces immediately into commuter spots because he is receiving e-mails on a daily basis from* the Washington Street people. He recommended that the Town Manager speak with the owner of 2 Haven Street in getting the rest. of the spaces used. Selectman Richard Schubert agreed with Chairman Ben Tafoya and also suggested looking at the pricing. The Town Manager indicated that he will put pricing on the agenda in July. A motion by Anthony,seconded by Schubert to move nine parking spaces from employee parking to commuter parking on High Street was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Downtown Parking...— Establishment of Regulations on Sanborn between Woburn and Lowell Streets — The Town Manager noted that the First Congregational Church is requesting regulations on Sanborn Street because employee parking is taking up spaces for the church and Creative Arts. They are requesting two hour parking on the Woburn Street end of Sanborn Street. Chief Cormier indicated that we could put nine, two hour spots on the easterly side. The Town Manager suggests regulating the whole street. Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that this could cause unintended consequences, and he suggested that the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force look at it and come back to the Board. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 27,2007—Page 6 Children Signs—Chief Cormier noted that he does not recommend the Children at Play sips and recommends removing any old ones. The reason being that there are children in. every neighborhood and the Town would have to put a sign on every street and then it becomes meaningless. Only very defined areas such as school zones, crosswalks and playgrounds should have sips. Haverhill Street Speed Zone Stud — The Town Manager noted that he received a letter from Mass Highway on the Haverhill Street speed zone. They recommend no change in the speed limit. Reminder— BOS Proposed Standards for Multi-Way Stops—The Town Manager reminded the Board that they need to do this. Bancroft Avenue and Hartshorn Street Multi-Way Stop — The Town Manager reminded the Board that they wanted to look at this. Follow Up — Route 128/193 Position — Selectman Richard Schubert reviewed the H3-OS map. He noted that the Town needs as many Reading residents at the public session on March 23, 2007. He also noted that the Town needs alternate transportation options to help get people out of their cars, and indicated that they are narrowing down to this scenario. He noted that there are a lot of creative solutions;i.e., fly under,fly over, sound barriers, etc. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adiourxi the meeting of February 27, 2007 at 1.1:00 p.m: was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, S/creotary