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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 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 7:00 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 and. Richard Schubert, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Water & Sewer.Supervisor Jim Richardson, Executive Director of Reading Housing Authority Lyn Whyte, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, and the following list of interested parties: David Williams. Reports,and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that it is only 15 days to the next hearing oil the Route 128/1-93 Interchange project. The meeting is on March 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the Woburn High School. He encourages all residents to attend. 'Selectman Camille Anthony mentioned that she read in the MAPC Bulletin that there is $180,000 available for planning for downtowns. She also noted that there is a landscape seminar on April 10th which would be a "How To" environmentally managing your landscapes. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that Friends of Reading Recreation are having a'Three on Three Basketball Tournament on March 18th. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli mentioned that he had Office Hours early this evening, and had met with Friends of Reading Tennis. He is also meeting with a committee to review the bids for the DPW study, and he will report on the progress at the end of the month. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Human Relations Advisory Committee is having a meeting on March 8th at the Reading Police Department regarding the METCO Program. Selectman Camille Anthony reminded the Board that the Community Preservation Art Study Committee is meeting Thursday night for an open meeting. They expect presentations by the Recreation Committee, CPDC, the Historical Commission and the Reading Housing Authority. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 6,2007—Page 2 To"Manalzer's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • State Aid—Governor's Budget(see memo from Representative Brad Jones). • Hunt Field scoreboard replacement(see e-mail in packet) - action requested. • Memorial Day speakers (see letter in packet). • Route 128/1-93 Hearing on March 21st. o AW/P Ch*arette at Senior Center on March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. • Adopt-an-Island Reception is on March 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. • Rabies Clinic is on March 31 st—last date for licensing dogs without a fine will be April 2nd. • Cultural Council Reception is on April 12th. • MMA Regional Update Meetings - closest is April 5th in Danvers; on April 10th, there will be a Healthy Garden Workshop sponsored by DEP as a grant to the Town. Everyone interested in improving the environmental quality of their lawn and garden should attend including, and especially,landscapers. • Diraniah settlement(Timothy Place). • Tom Ryan resigned from Town Meeting, the CPA Committee and the Board of Assessors. • 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 Town received a Fax last week stating that Woburn was under a boil order. Jim Richardson called me to investigate. I talked with Jay Corey from the City of Woburn and he informed me they were under a boil order due to contamination in one of their tanks. He stated that the tank was isolated from their system and they were in the process of chlorinating and sampling. There is no threat to the Town of Reading from this incident. It is isolated in the City of Woburn and not coming from the MWRA feed. • Town Meeting telecast—was not able to go live. • I have been asked to chair the MNQv1A Regional and Municipal Policy Committee. • Cable TV legislation. • We are making a grant.application to the SETB. It is a simple formula grant providing us with $6200 to be used toward the cost of sending a Dispatcher to an Academy. The actual cost of the training (OT backfill, travel, meals) comes to about$6700.00 with the difference being a local match. • The FY 2006 Audit has been submitted to the Board of Selectmen and the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be meeting shortly to review the audit and Management Letter. • REMINDER - Texas Hold'Em and raffles need licenses through the Town Clerk's Office. At the request of the Town Manager, the Board approved the following motion: On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the replacement of the scoreboard at Hunt Park with a new scoreboard at the existing location with Board of Selectmen Meeting March 6,2007 Page 3 the new scoreboard being no greaterthan2011 larger than the existing scoreboard. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. There was discussion about whether the 20" was square inches or length, and it was left to the Town Manager to approve the new scoreboard. It was suggested that'the Town Manager look at the possibility of "brownfields remediation" funding for the demolition of the Water Treatment Plant. The Board also asked for an update on the Pavement Management Plan. Discussion/Action items Highlights— Sewer Inflow and Infiltration—DPW Director Ted McIntire, Town Engineer George Zambouras and Water & Sewer Supervisor'Jim Richardson made a presentation on sewer inflow and infiltration. The presentation was extremely informative. Designation of Board of Selectmen Representatives on Development Advisory Team (DAT) for Addison-Wesley/Pearson - The* Board discussed the designation of Selectmen Representatives on the Development Advisory Team for the Addison-Wesley/Pear-son property. Selectman Camille Anthony felt that since this is a new initiative, there should be new representatives from the Board on this team. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli felt that he and Chairman Ben Tafoya have been through the process to date and have a good handle on the property. Chairman Ben Tafoya felt that any member of the Board of Selectmen could do,a fine job but noted that there is an aggressive time frame outlined by the developer, with not a lot of time available for the members of the DAT to come up to speed. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that traffic and access is one of the biggest concerns.. felt the same way. She was not sure that Vice Chairman James Bonazoli f Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that this issue was the concern for all parties. This project is a priority for the community. He felt that he brought some views to the table that other members of the Board would not. Selectman Steve Goldy felt that the Board needs to discuss what issues are critical and what they would like to see on the property. National Development states that'an. all retail development will not work. He is concerned about high density housing. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that we need a decision tonight because it is important for the Development Advisory Team to meet prior to the March 22nd. meeting. The participants on the Development Advisory Team need to be flexible, and the developer needs to be flexible with regard to a time line. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 6, 2007_Page 4 Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the time of availability is going to be important. His first thought is to have a balance of one person who was on the previous Addison- Wesley Working Group and one who was not. He feels that the developer is new and it would be good to have a new team. Dialogue with the Selectmen is important. All members of the Board of Selectmen need to be aware of the project, and how important it is going forward. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that everyone has the same goal in mind-which is to have as near.a unanimous consent on the development of the property as possible. This will take a thorough process. The representatives of the Development Advisory Team will not make decisions for the Board. The purpose is to guide the process. On motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy, the.following four names Were placed into nomination to be the Selectmen's Representatives on the Development Advisory Team: Ben Tafoya, James Bonazoli, Stephen Goldy.and Camille Anthony. On a roll call vote, Camille Anthony and Stephen Goldy each received three votes and willbe the Board of Selectmen's Representatives on the Development Advisory Team. Water Sewer and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee re: Follow Up on Water Issues - DPW Director Ted McIntire presented the Water, Sewer and Stormwater Advisory Committee's comments on five issues that were previously raised. 1. Grants for Demolition of Water Treatment Plant- They have not been able to find any grants for demolition of the Water Treatment Plant but there was a suggestion that we should see if any federal"brownfields" grants could be utilized. 2. Shifting water debt.to tax rate — Reviewing the option of placing the water and sewer debt on the tax rate has been reviewed with Winchester, which is one of the two communities that currently do that. 'After the budget is completed, the Town Manager has suggested having the Assistant Town Manager work on this project. 3. Alternatives for a tiered rate structure — The Water, Sewer and Stormwater Advisory Committee had previously brought to the Board of Selectmen the concept of tiered rates and the Board of Selectmen did not approve it. They were reluctant to spend the time on that process again. In addition, we do not have adequate software on our financial system to enable us to do a thorough job on this. The Board suggested this come back in approximately three years when the new financial software is in place, and that there is discussion with the Board prior to moving forward with an analysis on tiered water rates. Any tiered rates would need to be as simple as possible, and should continue to provide financial incentive for residents to save on water. Selectman Camille Anthony felt that perhaps a task force on this item would be appropriate including a member of the Board of Selectmen, the WSSWMAC and staff. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 6,2007—Page 5 Vice Chairman James-Bonazoli felt that we need to have a discussion on working with other Boards/Committees/Commissions regarding the respective roles on matters that are referred to them by the Board of Selectmen. One suggestion was to get all Boards/Committees/Commissions together at the beginning of the fiscal year to have a discussion. 4. More frequent billing - With regard to more frequent billing, this again requires the improvement of the financial software. This will be reviewed in three years when the new financial software is in place. 5. Daily water distribution system improvements - With regard to spreading out water distribution system improvements; this is reflected in the most recent Capital Improvements Program. Ted McIntire noted that we are progressing with the Water Resources Commission. On April 12th, there was a staff report to the Water Resources Commission, the intent which is to get the WRC to indicate that the application is complete so that the hearing process can move forward. We are working towards trying to complete this by June 30th. Progress..Report —Northern Area Greenway Committee — David Williams, Chairman of the Committee, along with other members of the Committee, made a very thorough and entertaining report on their progress to date. They have broken the area into several sectors with a focal point in each. This allows the planning, financial and project to move forward in phases. One of the challenges will be how a crossing of Route 28 is handled. The Board of Selectmen appreciated the presentation and asked whether or not a site visit could be done. We will try to arrange that for a Saturday or Sunday. The Town Manager suggested touching bases with the Reading Open Land,Trust, the Historical Commission (because the Old Mill site is directly affected by the possible development of the Greenway), the Cemetery Board (because one of the trail ends, directly connects to the Wood End Cemetery). Meet with the RHA re: Affordable Unit at Gazebo Circle — Executive Director Lyn Whyte discussed with the Board of Selectmen the potential need for using a portion of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund so that the Housing Authority could buy this unit. Most recently, they have been able to find a qualified buyer and a Purchase & Sales Agreement has been executed. Therefore, it appears unnecessary that the use of any portion of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund should be required. However, the Town. Manager suggested that the Board of Selectmen go on record as supporting such use in the event that it may become necessary. Ms. Whyte felt that there would be time if that becomes necessary to execute the necessary purchase. Any formal approval of the use of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund would, of course, require a joint meeting between the Reading Housing Authority and the Board of Selectmen. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 6, 2007—Page 6 On motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy, the Board voted to indicate they would support approval of use of up to $50,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund toward the purchase of a condominium at Gazebo Circle by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board had some discussion about how additional funds would go into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Review Goals - The Town Manager reviewed the list of 15 Goals as Priority Goals. The Board of Selectmen indicated that they seemed reasonable. The Town Manager will now flush out the goals and the specific action plan and give that back to the Selectmen for their information. Review Action Status Report — The Town Manager reviewed the Action Status Report and specifically focused on several areas where progress is being made. In general discussion, the Board discussed upcoming agendas and the presentation of the Capital Improvements Program at the Selectmen's next meeting. Selectman Camille Anthony asked for additional information regarding artificial fields. Approval of Minutes On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the Minutes of February 3, 2007, as amended, by a vote of 4-0-1,with Anthony abstaining. On motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert, the Board approved.the Minutes of February 6,2007, as amended,by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy, the Board approved the Minutes of February 13, 2007, as amended, by.a vote of 5-0-0. Executive Session On motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony, the Board approved the Executive Session Minutes of January 30, 2007 on a roll call vote with Schubert, Anthony, Tafoya and Goldy in favor and Bonazoli abstaining. On motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert, the Board approved the Executive Session Minutes of February 6, 2007 on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. On motion by Schubert, seconded by Bonazoli, the Board voted to adjourn the meeting of March 6, 2007 at 10:30.p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Se etary