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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Seleetmen Ale'eting November 14, 2006 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 7:04 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 (arrived at 8:00 p.m.), Police Chief Jim Cormier, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant.Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Jim DiNardo, Camille Pipitene, Pat Driscoll, Peter Stroman,Ernest Bay, Holly Turner, Lois Bell, Jody Avtges, George Carson, Lynn O'Brien, Robert Levy Jr., Cathy Capozza, Douglas Birch, Carolyn Whiting, Michelle Halloran, David Gentile, Dave Billard, Bob Colorusso, Bob Nordstrand, Leslie McGonagle, Mike Linnane, Julie Thurlow, Bill Cowie, Leanne Trauger, Kim Hubbard,Peter Simms. Reports..and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports.and Comments—Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she will be meeting with the Trust Fund Commissioners. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he had.Office Hours this evening. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he participated in the Town's Veteran's Day event. He also attended Town Meeting last evening. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he attended a Nurse Advocacy Meeting tonight. He also noted that one of the members is legally blind and spoke highly of the new voting machines. He noted that people on Grove Street are questioning whether the stop sign is legal. Town.Manalzer's,Report The Town Manager gave the following.report: ® The "Change a Light— Change the World" Campaign encourages residents to pledge to change at least one incandescent light bulb in their home to a Compact Fluorescent Light. These lights use 75% less energy and last for much longer. The quality of light is excellent. To pledge, go to www.rmld.org. We have indicated that in this community between now and the end of November, we can get at least 500 households to make and meet that pledge. LED lighting for holiday lights - we now have $600 for the $800 cost. If we receive additional donations,we will put those donations towards more lights. The new Community Events sign is installed and in use. We will have one more sandwich board sign on the Common for the Chamber of Commerce tree lighting—this was a timing issue with the new sign. Board of Selectmen,Meeting—November 14,2006—Page 2 * Adopt-A-Family Program is under way. If you are interested in participating as a donor or recipient, contact Sue Reardon at 942-6660. 0 The Veteran's Day celebration was outstanding. Lou Cimaglia did a great job with his committee in organizing it. a Town Meeting last evening was a terrific celebration of the new Auditorium at the new RMHS. Thanks and congratulations to the Superintendent of Schools, the School Committee and the staff and students. 0 Flu Clinics: Tuesday,November 14, 2006 Coolidge Middle School 5:00 p.m. —7:00 p.m. For adult Reading residents Thursday,November 16, 2006 Parker Middle School 5:00 p.m. —7:00 p.m. For adult Reading residents Monday,November 20, 2006 Barrows Elementary School 3:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m. For Reading residents 65 and older 0 Election November 7th— 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. —at 55 Walkers Brook Drive. We thank Nordic Properties for their assistance in providing the venue. Next Election will be back at the Field House in April. 0 Status - Gazebo Circle area drainage improvements. a We need three members on the Animal Control Appeals Committee — if there are none forthcoming, I'd like to suggest a"volunteer" from the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health, and I would consider being on the committee. The preference would be to get citizens who are not members of B/C/C or staff, but we do need to get these positions filled. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the walk at Imagination Station. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he and staff met with Leathers. They will have a report next week. Many areas have safety issues. It is the largest playground of its type. It also is not ADA compliant. Personnel and Appointments Recognition — Firefighter Paramedic David Gentile — Fire Chief Greg Bums introduced David. Gentile. He reviewed David's credentials, and noted that he was Reading's first Fire Fighter to become a certified paramedic at the Town's expense. David thanked everyone.for supporting the Advanced Life Support(ALS), and thanked the Town for paying for his education. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Tax Classification — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Assessor Dave Billard, and Board of Assessor Members Bob Colorusso and Bob Nordstand were present. Bob Nordstrand reviewed the classes of property. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14,2006=Page 3 Mr. Billard noted that the total value of the Town is $3,785,159,436. The total levy amount is $45,686,874 which equals a tax rate of $12.07. He also noted that when there is a lower percentage of commercial and industrial property, the savings passed onto the residents is relatively low. Mr. Billard reviewed the open space discount and noted that there is no classified open space in Town. The residential exemption is for a high percentage of seasonal or rentals. The commercial exemption is for companies with 10 or fewer employees and assessed value of under $1 million—this.would effect 33 commercial properties in Reading. Bob Nordstrand noted that the Town is getting to the point where they might want to consider shifting the rate. The Selectmen might want to form a cominittee to study this. Leslie McGonagle noted that the tax rate should stay the same. Mike Linnane, President of the Chamber of Commerce, noted that small businesses would be against the change. Julie Thurlow, President of the Reading Co-Op Bank, noted that there has been significant progress in getting businesses in Town. She feels that it would be counter productive to change the tax rate. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the residential taxes have increased more than the commercial. Residents might want a small commercial shift to help alleviate homeowners. The consensus of the Board was to move ahead with a study including more information on other communities who have this and find out their experience. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthonyto close the hearing on setting the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2007 was approved by.a vote 45-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adopt a residential factor of 1 for.Fiscal Year 2007 was approved.by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to not grant an open space discount for Fiscal year 2007 was approved by a.vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy sceonded by Anthony to not grant a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2007 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to not grant a commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2007 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Revisit Downtown Parking Program—Police Chief Jim Cormier was present. Chief Cormier noted that the transition has been slow. All leased spots are leased. Most of the uld signs are installed. He also noted that Sanborn Street between Woburn and Haven Streets sho Board of Selectmen.Meeting—November 14, 2006—Page 4 be changed to one side, no parking. Also, Linden Street between Haven and Woburn Streets should go back to one side, no parking. He recommends Washington Street between Briarwood Condos and Woburn Street be changed to one side parking. The two hour parking everywhere else is in place, and he has received very few complaints. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that Washington Street is very narrow. She asked if the Police were looking at any others, and Chief Cormier noted that they are watching Mt. Vernon Street. Phil Pacino, Trustee of the Briarwood Condominiums, noted that the 40 residents at Briarwood have a difficult time getting in and out because vehicles are parked on the corners. Lynn O'Brien on Washington Street noted that there is a resident parking sign only two feet from the corner so that is misleading. Bill Cowie of 110 Van Norden Road noted that parking at the train Depot is.getting worse. There is a problem getting a parking space after the 7:05 a.m. train. Lois Bell on Washington Street noted that the recycling truck could not get around the corner because there were vehicles parked on the corners. She also noted that the 29 leased spaces are empty every lunch time. Carolyn Whiting of 17 Chestnut Road noted that commuters don't have a place to park. She also noted that reducing parking doesn't help the global warming situation. Julie Thurlow noted that the two hour parking forces employees into the neighborhoods. The Downtown Parking Task Force is taking a look at that issue. A resident of 52 Washington Street noted that commuters are also parking on the sidewalk area forcing school children into the street. She also has concerns if an emergency vehicle could get down.the street. A resident of 30 Azalea Circle asked if there has been any positive outcome from the change in the parking regulations. Peter Simms, owner of Simms' Jewelers, noted that customers can find a place to park and that is a positive outcome. Chief Cormier noted that there is also a place for. employees to park. The Town Manager noted that the two hour parking allows people to run all their errands and to standardize the signs. Selectman Camille Anthony asked how many commuter spaces were eliminated, and the Town Manager noted that 50 were eliminated. Jim DiNardo of 129 High Street noted that the Depot spaces on Vine Street are not being used. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this lot be monitored for use. The Town Manager indicated that he will take this back to the Parking, Traffic & Transportation Task Force and reschedule this for mid-December. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14,2006—Page 5 Review Parking Regulations on High Street—The Town Manager noted that the northbound side has sidewalks and should be no parking. The southbound side has no sidewalks and people are parking on the tree lawn. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the construction schedule. The Town Manager noted that we will be milling and paving but there are no sidewalks in the plan. Jim DiNardo noted that High Street is too narrow for pedestrians walking in the street. He is in favor of no parking and would really like to have sidewalks. He also noted that there are commercial vehicles traveling up and down High Street all the time. The consensus of the Board was to leave the regulations as is—no parking. Hearing—Parking Regulations—Washington Street between Prescott and Woburn Streets —The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that Washington Street from Woburn to Prescott Streets has become commuter parking on both sides, and people are parking too close to the intersection. He proposes permit parking on one side and no parking 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the other side. Kiln Hubbard requested special permit parking. Lois Bell noted that SUV's park across her driveway blocking access. Pat Driscoll of 105 Washington Street noted that she couldn't get down Washington Street several times. There is also a problem from Prescott Street up to Sunnyside. She also noted that three cars park in front of her house and she can't get out of her driveway. She noted that if parking is not allowed, the problem will go away. Phil Pacino noted that he supports a special parking placard. He also noted that the merchant spots are empty most of the time. Lynn O'Brien suggest a special permit parking or allow four or five hour parking. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked Chief Cormier if there was a large increase in parking stickers when the regulations changed, and Chief Cormier indicated that he did not track that but could find out. The Town Manager noted that he will take this to the PTTTF and report back to the Board on December 5, 2006. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that there is a good case for no parking on one side but the residents don't want that. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazofi to close the hearing on parking regulations on Washington Street was approved by a vote of 5-04. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14,2006—Page_6 Hearing—Amending Traffic Regulations—Stop Regulations on County Road at Lothrop Road— The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the PTTTF recommends a stop sign on County Road at Lothrop Road. There are e-mails and letters in the packet supporting this. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to close the,hearing on stop regulations on County Road at Lothrop Road was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motiow by,GOO 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 6, Section 6.12 the following: Street Location County Road at Lothrop.Road—Eastbound drivers County Road at Westciroft Road—Westbound drivers Was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — .Amending Traffic Regulations — Prohibiting Parking of Trailers Without Mode of Transport Attached—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this regulation will prohibit a trailer on the street unless a car or truck is attached to it. He also noted this is in response to a concern that a resident had about a boat being parked on the street all Summer_it was a safety issue. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked how this will effect landscapers, and Chief Cormier noted that municipal vehicles will be exempt and he can grant a short exemption for landscapers, etc. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on prohibiting parking of trailers without anode of transport attached was approved.by a vote of 5=0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rule.- and ulesand Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by adding.Section 5.17—Parking of Trailers was approved by a vote.of 5-0-0. Follow-Up Addison-Wesley/Pearson Site Process — The Town Manager noted that the Town could use the charette process or the civic engagement. Either process is expensive — approximately $50,000470,000. He also noted that the danger is in crafting a Zoning By-Law that doesn't work for the developer. He suggests discussing with the property owner what the community wants, and then he can get someone and then craft a zoning article. Local firms can do the charette and they have expertise in traffic and real estate market. The price does not include crafting a Zoning By-Law. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14, 2006—Page 7 Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked about a civic engagement. The Town Manager noted that we could use a local firm and have almost the same process. They would reach out to the community and do surveys by e-mail. He would have to find a firm willing to work within the timeframe. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked if the Town Manager has talked with Pearson, and the Town Manager indicated that he has and they are willing to consider being a participant. The Town Manager suggested making an instructional motion at Town Meeting for the funding, and then have an RFP on the street in about 10 days. Approval of.Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of October 17, 2006 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 (Selectman Richard Schubert had left the room). A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of October 21, 2006 was approved by a vote of 40-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes.of October 30, 2006 was approved.by a vote.of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthouy to adjourn the meeting of November 14, 2006 at 11:30 p.m.was approved by.a vote.of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, cretary