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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 19, 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 7:05 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, Selectman, Camille Anthony, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Recreation Administrator 'John Feudo, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur/Finanae Director, Paula Schena and the following list of interested patties: Bill Brown, Thomas Ryan, Attorney Mark Gallant, Dave Talbot, Danielle Robinson, George Katgoufis. Reports and.Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments —Vice Chairinaii James Bonazoli rioted that he has received phone calls regarding being able to buy a cup of coffee before 6:00 a.m., and he asked if a bylaw change is needed. The Town Manager noted that the bylaw has a provision for the Selectmen to grant a waiver in the interest of public safety, health and welfare. He cautioned the Selectmen to be careful how and when to grant a waiver because virtually all commercial property abuts residential. He also noted that the Town did receive complaints regarding the Dunkin' Donuts on Washington Street receiving deliveries at 4:00 a.m. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli thanked Phil Rushworth and Jennifer Hart for inviting him to their Cultural Connection Meeting. He noted that the Cultural Connection is looking for space. They have asked him to sit on an advisory committee. He also noted that Cross Street residents are looking for easier access from Cross Street across to Main Street. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she and Stephen Goldy attended the Cheerleader Reception on Sunday. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Citizens' Police Academy.is accepting applications. He also announced that he will be running for re-election in the Spring. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that Selectman Richard Schubert lost his sister-in-law Kate Fleming who was a victim of flooding in Seattle, Washington and he expressed his condolences. He also noted that he spoke with Selectman Schubert who asked him to announce that he will be running for re-election. Chairman Tafoya attended a CPDC Zoning Workshop. There will be hearings on January 8th regarding the parking overlay district, Johnson Woods development, and a request by Tambone to change zoning. He also attended a MAPC Meeting. He noted that the Board received correspondence from the City of Melrose regarding 9C — water and sewer rate relief. Reading's sewer cost will increase $170,000 if the cut is not overturned. The Town Manager indicated that he will draft.a letter to the Governor Elect Deval Patrick regarding 9C cuts'. Board of Selectmen.Meeting—December,19,2006'—Page 2 Public Comment—Tom Ryan noted that the handicap parking spot in front of the Post Office has a one hour parking sign and that is illegal. Handicapped people are exempt from parking violations. The Town Manager noted that the sign is old and will be taken down. Bill Brown noted that the Community Preservation Act Study Committee has a Finance Committee Member serving on it, and Finance Committee Members are not allowed to serve on other committees. The Town Manager noted that the previous counsel indicated that it was okay as long as it is not a standing committee. He will take this matter to Town Meeting for clarification. Dave Talbot noted that the 16 Sanborn Street rezoning is not just limited to 16 Sanborn Street. He asked how many properties are effected, and Chairman Ben Tafoya noted technically many but realistically next to none due certain conditions. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested that CPDC have a color coded map to see the impact. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli'noted that Town Meeting will vote on the overlay district and then 1.6 Sanborn Street. Town Manager's,Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ® Town Planner Chris Reilly has resigned effective the end of December. ® The West/South Street traffic signal was damaged by curb installation. The Town . Engineer is arranging to have it repaired ASAP. ® The MWRA water interconnection vault on Border Road at West Street will be under .construction after the first of the year. ® Friends and Family Day—June 30, 2007. • Curbside Holiday Tree Collection—Week of January 8-12, 2007; Compost Center is open for trees on Saturday, January 13th. ® The Christian Science Church on Lowell Street next to Town Hall is no longer being used. It could be an interesting site for an arts center in Reading, and I am exploring this option with representatives of the Arts Connection. ® The Board of Selectmen has received electronically their proposed 2007 meeting calendar. Discussion/Action Items Review Action Status Report—The Town Manager noted that he added the Employee Merchant Parking to the report. Gazebo Circle is out to bid and will be under construction in the Spring. The bid date for the Downtown improvements is January 31, 2007. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli recommended taking off the Addison-Wesley traffic presentation. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the federal government is looking at two flyovers instead of depressions for the Route 128/93 project. She suggests meeting with the other communities. Adopt Housing PI George Katsoufis was present. Board of SelectmenMeeting—December 19,2006.—Page 3 The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to approve the draft housing plan and then pass it on to DHCD. He also noted that the purpose is to develop a proactive plan for increasing affordable housing. The Town needs to produce 66 units/year. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that there are short-term and long-term issues. He spoke with James Bond who bought the MF Charles building, and he noted that the critical issue is parking. Hearing—24.Hour Pen-nit, Reading Shell Station, 87 Walkers Brook Drive—The Town Manager noted that this is. an annual event. Attorney Mark Gallant indicated that he was representing Motiva. He noted that the permit has been issued for the past 16-17 years. The Station is in the industrial district with no residential abutters, the gas and bathrooms are available 24 hour a day. They provide gas cans and a list of towing companies. They recently received the order of conditions to reconstruct the canopy. Danielle Robinson noted that this has been a Mass. DEP site for 10 years. All wells except one are below clean up level. The April test was high and Motiva fixed the loose gasket on the tank top. She also noted that the company is putting up a fence for litter control. The Conservation Commission is asking them to do work on property they don't own. She noted that-the Station will be closed when the canopy is installed, and she will notify the Town Manager when that happens. A motion.by Goldy seconded by,9-onazoll to close the hearing on.the 24 hour permit for 87 Walkers Brook Drivewas approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy..seconded by Anthony to:approve an application.for 24 hour sales b Motiva Enterprises, LLC d/b/a.Reading Shell,Station at 87 Walkers Brook Drive. . The Board of Selectmen finds that,in accordance with Section 5.10.1 of the.Geneiral,Bylaws: + It is in .the interest of.the public, health, safety and welfare to permit such operation; and + There is.no detrimental effect of such operation on the Town or.the immediately abutting neighbors, The approval of this applicationjs snbiect to the following conditions: 1, This approval expires at midnight,.Deeember.31, 2007; 2. All sijM. s shall conform to the,Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Reading, 3. T&.gasofine service station shall,.in fact be open,24 hours a day, seven days a week;' 4. The operator will ensure that there is a supply of gasoline available at the station during all hours that the station is op= 5. The operator WiRprovide.gas.cans.for_motorists who run out of gasoline on the.road; 6. The.operator. will prepare and post a.list of local,towing and repair shops that are open 24 hours.a day.for those who need it; 7. Restroom facilities shall be open 24 hours.a day, seven days a week. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 19,2006 Page.4 Follow Up Imagination Station— The Town Manager noted that.Leathers' short report is in the packet. He also noted that there is an issue with keeping the area secure. The Selectmen need to decide what to do; i.e., demolish, design, etc. He would like to see the first phase of reconstruction done in 2007. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he wants to see a'master plan for the whole Birch Meadow area. He also noted that Imagination Station caters to a certain age group. He would like to add onto it for the older age groups. He suggests perhaps.a skate park, teen center or hockey rink. Recreation Administrator John Feudo noted that we need to do a survey to see what the community wants. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the maintenance at Wood End, and John Feudo noted that there won't be much the first five years—the biggest concern is vandalism. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Recreation Committee recommends demolishing Imagination Station. They are also looking for money for tennis courts. He feels that there is a lot of money being spent on the toddler age group, and he feels that the Town should be doing something for the older age group. John Feudo noted that if he had his choice, he would choose tennis courts because that services all age groups. He also noted that the Recreation Committee recommends demolishing Imagination Station and replacing it with a recreation facility. The Town Manager noted that he met with Friends of Reading Recreation who are developing a master plan for Memorial Park. He feels that they. could help with visioning of the Birch Meadow area. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the plaques, sips and art work need to be dismounted and ..stored. A. motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoll to approve the demolition of Imagination Station, with,the Preservation off-site of certain artifacts including plaques; signs and "art work;" and that the Town Manager.is directed to.1proceed with a design process for layout and construction,of. a.new Imagination Station at that site; and that the capital planning process include development of new Imagination Station on that site was approved by a vote of 4-0w0. Review Information on the Tax Classification Stud .— The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen requested*information on different levels of tax classification. The report of the Findings of the 1993 Tax Classification Task Force is included in the packet. He suggests putting together a policy and charge and bring it back to the Selectmen for a hearing. Options for "No Parking Here to Comer" ,signs at Washington and Woburn Streets and Washington and Prescott Streets — The Town Manager noted that the map shows the Police Chief's recommendations for both sides of both ends of Washington Street. He will schedule this for a public hearing. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 19,2006—Page 5 Sign Release.of Easement—Joseph Way— Selectman Stephen Goldy recused himself from this agenda item. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to approve the release of easement on Joseph Way. A motion by.Bonazoli.seconded by Anthony to approve, as authorized by Town Meeting under. Article 12 of the 2006 Subsequent. Town Meetinjz, the release of a 20' drainage easement that runs over, under.and upon 37 Joseph Way in Readiniz and as shown as a 20' drainage easement.on .a plan of land entitled "Reading Manor in Reading, Mass. for Hillcrest. Realty, Inc., dated March 15, 1954, Dana F. Perkins & Sons, Inc., C.E. and Surveyors, which.plan is recorded .with the Middlesex. South Registry of Deeds in Book 8281, Pase.201, said.easement.to be abandoned as.shown on"Plan of Land iii Reading, MA Sh6wing.Eawment Abandonment," prepared by Middlesex Survey Inc. Land Surveyors of 131.Park Street, North Reading, AIA 01864 dated September 20, 2006 was approved.by a vote of 3-0-1,with Goldy abstaining. Licenses —The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen delegated him to approve licenses. He is approving 44 Common Victualler Licenses, Four Automatic Amusement Devices Licenses, 15 Entertaim-nent Licenses, five Live Entertainment Licenses, nine Class I, II and III Motor Vehicle Licenses, one Livery License and one Laundromat License. All applications are reviewed by the Health Division,the Building Inspector,the Police Department and the Tax Collector. Approval of.Minutes A motion by Anthony.seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of.November 28, 2006 was approved by a vote of 470.0. A motion.by Goldy.seconded by Anthony.to adjourn the meeting of December 19, 2006 at 10;00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Iry I