Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 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 7:25 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Vice Chairman James $onazoli, Secretary Stephen Goldy, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Counsel Ellen Doucette, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Ralph Colorusso, Bob Nordstrand, Marilyn Hossman, Joan Kingston, Francis Golden, Krista Skinner, Julie Thurlow, Bill Thompson, Police Officers Robert MacHugh, Erik Drauschke, Mark Segalla, Matthew Edson, Derek Holmes, Kyle Garchinsky, John McKenna, Lieutenant Dick Robbins, Donna Taylor Moore. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the Selectmen needed to be at TIP Day, and the Town Manager indicated that they did not because the Town Engineer and our Consultant will be there to advocate for West Street. Selectman Schubert noted that he attended the Interchange Meeting. He reminded residents that they need to advocate for minimal impact. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested that the Task Force meet on site with the residents. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he attended the CPDC Workshop last night on the zoning article, and he doesn't think that the article is worth supporting. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that this is not a problem that zoning is going to solve. He noted that the Town needs to look at a parking structure. The Town Manager noted that the Town Engineer is looking for a consultant, the State Representatives are looking for earmarks, there is the cost of a feasibility study, the Peer-to-Peer that the Town is working with has expertise with parking structures. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested having the petitioners in at their next meeting is the plan.. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she met with the Addison-Wesley Advisory Task Force. She and Selectman Steve Goldy met with the Police Chief regarding stop signs. The Chief had informed them that he and the Town Engineer are professionally liable if they don't inform the Board of Selectmen that certain things don't meet State regulations. They will do speed counts to define the problem and then.come up with a plan. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he met with Selectman Camille Anthony, Police Chief Jim Cormier and Health Administrator Jane Fiore regarding the hours of operation. He also noted that the Board needs to develop a policy and guidelines. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27, 2007—Page 2 Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he has concerns regarding the Addison-Wesley number of acres per quadrant. He also noted that density is an issue depending on the uses, and feels that density should be written into the Zoning By-Laws. He indicated the need for useable open space. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she did mention walking trails at the Task Force Meeting. Selectman Steve Goldy noted that the traffic needs to be compared to the current use and the underlying zoning,not the past proposal. Town Manal4er's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Memorial Day speakers (see letter in packet). ® Route 128/I93 Hearing on March 21st. • AWP Forum- Senior Center on March 22nd—7:00 p.m. • Adopt-An-Island Reception at Senior Center on March 27th at 7:00 p.m. • Rabies Clinic on March 31 st—last date for licensing dogs without a fine will be April 2nd. • MMA Regional Update Meetings -closest is April 5th in Danvers • Article 25 Public Hearing on Downtown parking is scheduled for Senior Center Great Room on Monday April 9a'at 7:30 p.m. The zoning workshop was held on March 26th. • 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. ® Cultural Council Reception on April 12th. • There will be a Public Hearing in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall on April 23rd at 3.00 p.m. on Reading's application to purchase all of its water from the MWRA. a 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. • The Town has received a $6,000+ grant for dispatcher training. Andrew Scribner, Police Business Manager,was responsible for securing this grant. • The Town has received a grant. in the amount of $50,000 for developing the "Smart Growth" planning and zoning for Downtown Reading. The initial application was filed on the Town's behalf by former Town Planner Chris.Reilly. • The Town has received a $1000 "Peer to Peer" grant to work with the Economic Development Committee. • The Town has received a grant in the amount of up to $6100 for bike racks in a variety of locations, including Town Hall, Library,Police Station, RMLD. • Depot Area Parking — Please be courteous to property owners — don't block driveways. The Police will enforce. • The Annual Coolidge Middle School Spelling Bee has been cancelled because of scheduling difficulties. Hopefully,it will be back next year. The Town Manager noted that the Board needed to approve No Parking on Arthur B. Lord Drive and Summer Avenue. A hearing is not necessary for these regulations. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27,2007—Page 3 A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted-by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by adding to Article 5, Section 5.3, the following rej4ulations: "Parking Prohibited On Certain Streets No Parking Any Time" Street Location Arthur B.Lord Drive Between signs at entrance/exit of Birch Meadow School traffic circle Summer Avenue Westerly side from Oak Street southbound up to first "cut out" Summer Avenue Westerly side from the fire lane driveway northbound up to first"cut out" was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Board of Assessors —The Town Manager noted that this vacancy is on an elected Board and it will be filled by a combined vote of the Board of Assessors and Board of Selectmen. Assessors Bob Nordstrand.and Ralph Colorusso were present. Candidate Francis Golden was interviewed by the Board of Assessors and-the Board of-Selectmen. Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of Assessors with a term expiring April 8, 2008: Francis Golden. Mr. Golden received seven votes from-the Board of Selectmen and Board of Assessors, acting as a "committee of the whole," and was:appointed. Tax Classification Study.Committee_The Town Manager noted that this committee needs to be formed. Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the following names into nomination for three positions on the Ad Hoc Tax Classification Advisory Committee: Ben Tafoya (BOS), Ken Rossetti (Chamber of Commerce) and Leslie McGonagle (Economic Development Committee) Each candidate-received five votes and were appointed. Discussion/Action Items Police Badge Pinning—Police Chief Jim Cormier introduced the Town's newest Police Officers Robert MacHugh and Erik Drauschke, and their mothers pinned on their badges. The Board congratulated Police Officers,MacHugh and Drauschke. Presentation of Police Accreditation Re-Certification — Chief Jim Cormier, Lt. Dick Robbins, Officers Mark Segalla, Matthew Edson, Derek Holmes, Kyle Garchinsky and John McKenna were present. Also present was Donna Taylor Moore from the Mass. State Accreditation Commission. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27,2007—Page 4 Chief Cormier noted that this is a voluntary program where the Town looks at policies and procedures. Lt.Dick Robbins worked on this project. Lt. Robbins noted that he took this project on and it consists of 151 standards. He also noted that it went before the Commission on February 1, 2007, and the Reading Police Department was recertified. Chief Cormier noted that the Reading Police Department is the ninth department to achieve certification on best business practices. He also noted that his is a department wide effort. Review Inspector General's Letter and Audit re: Affordable. Housing — The Town Manager noted that the Inspector General reviewed the Chapter 40B developers profits for 1375 Main Street, and he suggests that the developer owes the Town money. Town Counsel Ellen Doucette noted that the Inspector General states that the Town is owed $490,000. She also noted that the Town had already entered into a settlement for$17,796. Selectman Camille Anthony asked whey we didn't use the inflated land value, and the Town Manager noted that the regulations were not in place at the time so we couldn't hold them to the land value. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked what is in place to audit/monitor Archstone, and Town Counsel indicated that those are rentals and they get audited every year. Town Counsel noted that 3 Sumner Cheney has a discount rate but it doesn't drop the price low .enough to be affordable. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked how we can prevent losing affordable housing. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel Elaine Lucas wrote a memo indicating that as long as the property does not conform to zoning,then it has to be affordable. Town Counsel Ellen Doucette noted that anything recently permitted should.be in perpetuity. She also noted that someone should research the ones who are not in perpetuity. The Board noted that this is a significant amount of money, and requested that the Inspector General come in to discuss his findings-. Review Draft Petroleum Regulations—The Town Manager noted that the bylaw was passed two years ago. He reviewed the draft regulations, and noted that he will schedule a hearing next month. Selectman Camille Anthony notedthat on Page 2, the last paragraph regarding the Town receiving M_WRA water-needs to be reworded. Hearing — Establishment of Parking Regulations on Sanborn Between Woburn and Lowell Streets—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 27,2007—Page 5 The Town Manager noted that the Congregational Church is requesting regulations on Sanborn Street. They are requesting two hour parking for the Church and Creative Arts. The Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force thinks that this is reasonable on the right hand side of Sanborn Street for about nine spaces. He also noted that there were emails regarding this issue in tonight's handout. Marilyn Hossman of 30 Bancroft Street noted that she was speaking for the Congregational Church. She also noted that commuters start Barking.there at 7:00 a.m. and they walk to the train. Most of the church activity starts at 10:00 a.m., and it is almost impossible to get a parking space. They have elderly people who can't walk a long distance. She also noted that some people sit in the handicap spots while waiting for their children. Krista Skinner of 62 Sanborn Street noted that merchants park in front of her house and block her driveway. She also noted that the traffic keeps getting pushed into other neighborhoods. She suggested lining the parking spots. Julie Thurlow,President of the Reading Co-Operative Bank, noted that her employees park there and they suggest lining the spaces. Bill Thompson of 36 Woburn Street is against any regulations that will increase people parking in his lot and having to be towed. A resident from 196 Prescott Street-noted that he was representing the Congregational Church and in favor of two hour parking. A. motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing establishing parkin regulations on Sanborn Street was approved by a vote of.5-0-0. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested holding off on a decision until after the Reading,Co-Operative Bank's parking lot is built, and the remainder of the Selectmen agreed to wait. Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by.Anthony to approve the Minutes of March 6, 2007 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to approve the Minutes of March 13, 2007 was approved by a vote of.5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy to adjourn the meeting of March 27, 2007 at 10:25 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, r ` S'cretary