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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 10, 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 Ti foga, Vice Chairman James Bonazoli, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Fire Chief Greg Bums, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Neil Cohen, Richard McDonald, Karen Herrick, Police Officer Mark Segalla, Sgt. Peter Garchinsky, Police Detective John McKenna, Head Dispatcher Vicky Avery, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Cecilia Lewis, Marlene Wolfe. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there will be a site visit of the Route 128/1-93 Interchange Project on Saturday, April 14th at 8:00 a.m. on Walnut Street, and then a site visit of the Northern Area Greenway at 10:00 a.m. beginning at 1481 Main Street. Selectman Richard Schubert thanked the voters for supporting him in his re-election. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that Steve Goldy was unable to be here this evening because his mother passed away. He also noted that the Reading Open Land Trust dedication had a great turnout. The adult soccer league is meeting on Sunday morning. Friends of Reading Recreation is holding a bike clinic on May 3,.2007. He was very disappointed that there was only a 12%turnout for the Local Election. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he attended the CPDC Meeting Iasi night. There is a Cultural Council Reception on Thursday, April 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center., Public Comment - Bill Brown noted that the Board of Cemetery Trustees will have their tour of the cemeteries at 5:30 p.m. on May 22nd. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ® The Town Manager noted that Ken Charest and his son Boy Scout Nate Charest were present for a badge requirement. ■ The Town now owns the land at 1481 Main Street. ■ A grant application for Substance Abuse prevention has been submitted. ■ Route 128/1-93 site walk on April 14th at 8:00 a.m. ■ Northern Area Greenway site walk on April 14th at 10:00 a.m. ■ AWP—DAT Meeting. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 10,2007—Page 2 ® Cultural Council Reception on April 12th—7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. N Reading Elder/Human Services Volunteer Reception on April 18th at 5:30 p.m. at the . Senior Center. N 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. ® An Earth Day Fair is planned for the RMLD Cafeteria on April 21st from 10:00 a.m.-'til 2:00 p.m. Several Town agencies will be participating. The evening before, two movies will be shown—"An Inconvenient Truth" and "Who Killed the Electric Car," The films and the Fair will be very interesting. • Reading's next street sign lottery drawing will be held on April 30, 2007. 0 The Reading Lions Club invites you to participate in the Fourth Annual Reading Friends and Family Day. Save the Date—Saturday, June 30,200.7. • RCTV has won several awards for "Reading at Large" and the Ipswich River presentation. • "Help Wanted" — the process is beginning to recruit volunteers for various Boards, Committees and Commissions of the Town. • The Town has been awarded the Tree City,USA Award. ® The Police Department is making Reverse 911 calls regarding car breaks. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Recognition — Eagle Scout Award — Connor Gildea — A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of Recognition for Eagle Scout Connor Gildea was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Proclamation — National Telecommunications Week — Police Chief Jim Cormier, Fire Chief Greg Bums, Sgt. Peter Garchinsky,- Police Officer Mark Segalla, Police Detective John McKenna and Head Dispatcher Vicky Avery were present. .A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Proclamation for National Telecommunications Week was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Tax Classification Committee — The Board interviewed Neil Cohen, Richard McDonald and Karen Herrick for two positions on the Tax Classification Committee. Schubert moved and Anthony seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Ad Hoc Tax Classification Advisory Committee with terms expiring December 31, 2007: Neil Cohen, Karen Gately Herrick and Richard McDonald. Each candidate received four votes and were appointed. Because of the quality of the candidates, the consensus of the Board was to appoint all three candidates even though only two members were needed. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Engineeripg — Director of Public Works Ted McIntire and the Town Engineer George Zarnbouras were present. George Zaraboutas gave a very thorough review of the duties and projects that the Engineering Division is working on. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 10,2007—Page 3 Review Pavement Management Plan Mr. Zambouras reviewed the list of roadway improvements. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked what the criteria is for curbing. The Town Manager noted that narrow streets typically need curbing. The curb helps to prevent water erosion. Selectman Richard Schubert- asked if the Engineering Division is prepared to oversee the Downtown project. Mr. Zarnbouras noted that Engineering is short one person but the State will have an Engineer to oversee the project. It would be helpful to have that position filled. Mr. Zambouras noted that the roadway projects will be starting in a couple of weeks. There is $415,000 slated for this Spring and $750,000 for the Fall. 125,000 - $30,000 will be used for crack sealing. There will be more preventative maintenance work this year. He reviewed the pavement plan and noted that it is used as a guide.* The Town Manager noted that PCI stands for Pavement Condition Index. To "reclaim"is to dig down to the dirt and totally rebuild. Hearing—Tree Removal Appeal — West Street — Selectman Richard Schubert read the hearing notice. The Town Mana&r noted that the citizens requested sidewalks on West Street. The Tree Warden held a hearing for removal of one oak tree at 530 West Street, one tree at 532 West Street and one maple tree at 532 West Street. Mary Ellen O'Neill of 125 Summer Avenue and Gina Snyder of 11 Jadem Terrace are appealing the decision. Mr. Zambouras noted that the sidewalk has to meet handicap standards. The sidewalk could fit behind the tree but they would have to excavate around 27" because of the slope. The excavation will probably kill the tree. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if they could go with a shallower amount of gravel, and Mr. Zambouras noted that the sidewalk won't last as long if they do that. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the sidewalk could vary in width for a short distance, and Mr. Zambouras noted that the ADA requirement is 36"but the Town goes wider so the sidewalk plow can plow—we try to get 5'. Mary.Ellen O'Neill noted that she was concerned-about losing the 44" oak tree. She also noted that there is no discussion about replacement, and that this is a substantial loss of three trees in a very short distance. She noted that this is not a priority street for sidewalks. Cecilia Lewis of 530 West Street noted that she has been there for 52 years. She also noted.that times change and there has been a lot of construction in that area of Town. Her doctor recommends that she walk but she can't because there are no sidewalks. She noted that-there are - a lot of young families in that neighborhood, and that there are other trees in that area so removal . will not have much affect on the environment. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 10, 2007—Page 4 Marlene Wolfe of 522 West Street noted that she would hate to see the tree come down but wants to have a sidewalk. She also noted that it would be nice to build the sidewalk and keep the . tree. The Town Manager noted that if the tree is left, it will die. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that a 44" tree is significant and he would rather see the construction minimized. Cecilia Lewis noted that the tree has been dropping limbs and she questions the health of the tree. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the tree removal on West Street was approved by a vote.of 4-0=0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to retain the 44" oak tree at 530 West Street and approve the removal of the 14" oak tree in front of 530 West Street and one 14" maple tree at 532 West Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager reviewed the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subiect matter of Article 5 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she would like a breakdown of insurance as to where the increase is coming from in the health insurance. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subiect matter of Article 7 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subiect matter of Article 8 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. _A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subiect matter of Article 9 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by.Ant hony to recommend the subject matter of Article 10 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 11 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 12 was approved by a vote of-4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 13 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 10,2007—Page 5 A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subject matter of Article 14 Was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to recommend the subject matter of Article 15 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 16 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by.Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 17 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 18 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A_motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 19 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 20 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 21 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he had concerns that the Town will end up incurring all the costs if the fundraising doesn't come through along with MSBA reimbursement. The Town Manager noted that he will not award the project until he is sure that we will have the money. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 22 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 23 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 24 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 25 failed by a vote of 0-4-0. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the.300 foot exemption does need to be looked at but not through this Article. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to recommend the subject matter of Article 26 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting-i­_April 10,2007—Page 6 Review Action Status Report — The Town Manager reviewed the Action Status Report. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he would like to see the Oakland Road property used as a Creative Arts Center. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of March 27, 2007 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to adiourn the meeting of Aprii 10, 2007 at 10:48 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Res ectfully submitted, A// Se retary