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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 25,2006 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 .7:00 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, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Town Counsel Ellen Callahan Doucette, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Michelle Hopkinson, Catherine Gleason, Robin Hamilton, Jim Cori,Tim O'Connor, Attorney Brad Latham, Mr. and Mrs. Patel. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that at the Selectmen's last meeting, the Board reviewed the report from the Addison-Wesley Working Group. They discussed traffic and square footage, and he apologized for not stepping up to the plate in recommending a certain amount of square footage. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that nobody could make a decision because there is no criteria to base it on. j Selectman Camille Anthony noted that last week's Globe NW had an article regarding the Town of Acton forming a committee to invite assets into their business districts. The article talks about windows in businesses, etc. She also noted that she can relate to this with the bare windows in Walgreen's, and she will share this article with the Board. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he is still waiting for the meeting with Jordan's and the neighborhood. He also noted that the sale of the property across from the RMHS needs to be added to a future agenda. Selectman Camille Anthony asked for an update on Timothy Place and Gazebo Circle. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the Action Status Report needs to be reviewed. He also noted that he will be attending the Governor Drive Groundbreaking for Habitat for Humanity. Public Comment - Bill Brown noted that there is nothing to discuss regarding the Oakland Road property—it is zoned S 15 which gives you 10 house lots. Just put the property on the market. Michelle Hopkinson of 21 Sherwood Road noted that the Addison-Wesley Working Group document was lacking criteria. She feels that it was a lost opportunity for the Board to indicate what size project they want. She requested that the Board of Selectmen reconsider the range of the square footage. Board of Selectmen Meeting-July 25, 2006—Page 2 Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Town Manager recommended that the Board send the report back to the working group and when it comes back to the Board of Selectmen, determine whether or not we want it. Michelle Hopkinson noted that 320,000 square feet is 50-60 stores. She also noted that the Town's Master Plan recommends no rezoning until the I-93/1-95 Interchange is complete. She asked if the over 55 housing could be considered. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Selectmen cannot get involved in that because it is private property. Assistant Town Manager's Report: The Assistant Town Manager gave the following report: ® RCTV: Verizon customers now have access to RCTV on Channels 31, 32 and 33. Thanks to Bill Connors.and Kevin Furilla. ® Construction Noise: Woburn Mayor Tom McLaughlin has scheduled a meeting of attorneys to discuss construction after 8:00 p.m. at the Avalon site on West Street. He understands the Town's concerns about excessive noise, and will let us know by early next week about the resolution. ® Play ounds: Birch Meadow Playground off Bancroft Avenue is scheduled for reconstruction in mid-September. The last piece. (the swing set) of the playground at Memorial Park is scheduled for late Summer. ® YCC: Thanks to Verizon for sponsoring the most recent edition of Your Community Connection that went out last Friday, and for Maureen Knight and all of the contributors. • Police Business Manager: 140 applications were received for this new position. A team consisting of Chief James Cormier, Lt. Mike Cloonan, Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts and myself narrowed this down to nine candidates for interview, and a short list of finalists will undergo a final round of interviews on Friday. ® Budget Process: FINCOM and representatives of all Town departments have met since late June to discuss the annual,budget process. Of particular note is a scheduled Financial Forum on October 4th at a location to be determined. Technology Activities: RMLD, Schools and Town staff joint meeting Vendors for web site redesign and peripheral functionality Vendors for financial platform Discussion/Action Items Follow-Up — Memorial Park — Town Counsel Ellen Callahan Doucette was present. She noted that the Memorial Park was deeded to the Town in 1917. She spoke with Attorney Rourke and the question is if we can get two heirs with residual property rights. Attorney Rourke contacted two insurance companies, and one title insurance company stated that all the neighbors should also sign off. Ellen Doucette indicated that she does not feel that this is the best way to proceed. She noted that the Town got the sign off for a swimming pool in 1990 but Attorney Rourke indicated that it wasn't legal so it was a good thing we didn't move forward with the swimming pool. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if it would be best to move forward to court, and Town Counsel indicated that it would be best to move forward. Board of Selectmen Meeting-July 25, 2006—Page 3. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to direct Town Counsel to take actions necessary to prepare a cy pres petition for Memorial Park was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Animal Control Fees—The Secretary read the hearing notice. There was discussion among the Board about how low the fees are. The Board requested additional information on what the Town costs are including health, Dog Officer, the number of kennels,the number of inspections. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he would like to see the late fees increased but keep the registration low. A resident noted that he licenses his dog every year on time, and he does not want to be punished because other people don't abide by the rules. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing establishinI the Animal Control Fees was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy to approve the Animal Control Fees per Section 5.6 of the General Bylaws as follows: License Fees $10.00 female/male spayed/neutered $20.00 female/male un-spayed/un-neutered $10.00 late fee for animals licensed after March 31st, plus $5.00 per month late fee for each month the animal is unlicensed after April 30th $150.00 for kennels with 4 to 9 doizs at the same address which sum includes the inspection fee $200.00 for kennels with 10 or more dogs which sum includes the inspection fee Fine $50.00 fine in addition to all other fees and late fees due if the animal is unlicensed as of June 1st was.approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Stop Intersection — Curtis at George Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Police Chief Jim Cormier noted that the residents requested a stop sign on Curtis Street, southbound at George Street. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if there is an issue when stop signs don't meet the State criteria, and Chief Cormier indicated that there could be. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he drove by the area and it naturally calls for a stop sign at that location. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 25,2006—Page 4 Tim O'Connor noted that the stop sign will force the people to stop and then they will be at an appropriate speed when they enter the development. 'He also presented the Board of Selectmen with a petition signed by 25 people who are in favor of the stop sign. Robin Hamilton noted that she is a proponent for both stop signs. Chief Cormier noted that stop signs should not be used to control speed. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that a combination of high speed and restricted view does warrant a stop sign. A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on the installation of a stop sign on Curtis Street at George Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert 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 Curtis Street George Street—southbound drivers was.approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Removal of Trees—Birch Meadow re: Artificial Field—The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Superintendent of Schools was notified that there is debris from a couple of trees on the artificial turf, and that is compromising the drainage system and the material. The trees should be removed. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the trees on both sides of the board were reqeusted to come down and also the small tree. He also noted that he is not in favor of removing the trees. There was a lot of discussion during the High School planning regarding removal of trees. The trees add to the setting and the trees are*healthy. He feels that it is important to preserve the tree line. He doesn't understand how the field condition is being compromised, and noted that some trees have already been lost due to the water main project. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli suggested planting a better specimen further back. Selectman.Camille Anthony noted that the artificial turf was a very expensive project, and she is concerned that the trees are compromising the drainage system. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the root system is compromising the field. The Schools weren't originally interested in getting rid of the trees but were told by an outside company that it will create problems down the road. The memo from Bob Keating indicates that the trees should have been taken down before the field was created. .Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the School Department took down hardly no trees to put in the field. Artificial turf is expensive. He feels that the trees should be removed to protect the field because the twigs can damage the turf. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 25, 2006—Page 5 Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that it is important to understand the issue..He would like the turf company and the Tree Warden to come in and explain. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the removal of up to three trees that abut the artificial turf at Birch Meadow was approved by a vote of 3-2=0, with Schubert and Tafoya opposed. A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy to instruct the Tree Department to replace the removed trees with "seasoned" trees at a ratio of.2:l —if they take down three, they need to plant six, at the closest safe distance from the fields as possible to preserve the tree line was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion on Potential Package Store License Transfer — Northside Liquors to JK Market on South Main Street — Attorney Brad Latham and Mr. and Mrs. Patel, the store owners of 212 Main Street were present. Attorney Latham noted that the Patel's relative possesses a package store liquor license on north Main Street which was burnt out. They wish to move the package store into JK's Market. They plan on continuing the grocery activity and obtain a liquor license in a portion of the store separated by a glass petition. There will be visual control, a scanning mechanism for age identification and an onsite Manager. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if there will be a register in the liquor area, and Mr. Patel indicated that there will not. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if he would consider one, and Mr. Patel indicated that he would if that is what the Selectmen want. He also noted that there will always be two employees in the store. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that JK's Market had previously applied for a liquor license, and the Selectmen did not approve the license because it would be mixed in with groceries and there was no petition. A lot of people were upset when the Board granted a liquor license to the Atlantic Market because there was too much advertising and children in the store. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that liquor problems have created considerable dialogue in the community. When a person goes into a liquor store, they are there for one thing. He will not support a combination use as presented. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he has�difficulty with the mixed use. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that this is precedent setting as well. He also noted that the Board denied Mobil on West Street. He does not want his children to see the advertising when they go in that store, and he does not take his children into a liquor store. Attorney Latham thanked the Board for their time. i Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 25 2006—Page 6 Master Development Plan—North Side Open Space Plan— The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Town Manager is recommending that the Board establish a committee to develop a plan for the north side open space. The Town is in the process of acquiring the property at 1471 Main Street that directly abuts the Bare Meadow conservation land, and the Town will eventually have additional land at the Water Treatment Plant. This is a significant amount of land and could be used for cross country skiing, trails,biking, etc. The Town Manager is recommending a committee consisting.of members from the Recreation Committee and Recreation Division, Conservation Commission and Conservation Division, Town Forest Committee, Department of Public Works, abutting and nearby residents, and recreation and sports groups in the community. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested having the committee consist of all citizens and have the other committees consult. The Assistant Town Manager noted that some of the committees need to have representation, and an organization such as REI could be used as a consultant. The Assistant Town Manager noted that we have already received an e-mail from Fred Alexander who is waiting to volunteer. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested adding "interested residents," and feels that we don't need a large number of people from committees or departments. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Conservation Commission should be part of the committee. He also suggested including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and nonprofits. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that staff should not be discounted if they are excited about this. The consensus of the Board was to move forward to draft a policy for formation of this committee. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested that the membership include seven"interested residents." Review Town Position on KENO—The Assistant Town Manager noted that someone in Town is inquiring about a license for KENO. If someone applies and the Town denies, then the Town loses a certain amount of lottery receipts equaling approximately $20,000425,000. He also noted that KENO is the most rapidly growing portion of the lottery, there are specific rules, and the Town cannot discriminate if the applicant meets the criteria. KENO is only allowed in restaurants with a liquor license. Once one license is granted, then all who apply and qualify will receive a license. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this would be selling the character of the Town and he is not interested. Selectman Stephen Goldy agreed with Selectman Richard Schubert. He noted that the Town has substance abuse problems and KENO could also become a problem. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 25, 2006—Page 7 Vice Chairman James Bonazoli agreed with Selectmen Schubert and Goldy. The Assistant Town Manager reminded the Board that if someone applies and the Selectmen deny, the Town will lose that percentage of KENO.amount. The consensus of the Board was that they are not interested. Selectman Stephen Goldy suggested that the Selectmen schedule their community walk for September 16, 2006 and that date was open for everyone. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoll to approve the Minutes of June 13, 2006 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of July 25, 2006 at 9:50 ,p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, eecrtaxy i