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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 8,2006 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, Selectman Camille Anthony, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Thomas Ryan, William Griset Jr., Angela Binda, George B. Perry, Allison DaSilva, Joan Hoyt,Wilbar Hoxie, Art Triglione. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she had Office Hours tonight. Torn Quintal and his wife came in to talk about Downtown parking and the zoning change. The ad hoe Downtown Parking Task Force is interested in the Selectmen's position on the zoning change. .The Task Force also wants to know if the ZBA knows about the Task Force and their mission. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Route 128/93 is on the next agenda, and she would prefer that be m6ved to September so that she, Selectman Richard Schubert and George Katsoufis can prepare for it. The Town Manager indicated that the Town Engineer should be involved. Selectman Anthony also noted that the Trust Fund Commissioners granted the Reading Response contract to Hallmark Health and this is a change. She suggested that the Nurse Advocacy Task Force contact them. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Nurse Advocacy Task Force is meeting on September 13th, and they would like Camille Anthony and the Town Manager to be present to discuss financial procedures. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he was shocked to see in the newspaper that the Charles Lawn Cemetery was defaced. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that a subcommittee of the CPDC has met .regarding the Master Plan and they are putting together a housing plan. Public Comment—Tom Ryan noted that many flyers are sent out of Town Hall, the Schools and the Library with misspellings and this should not be tolerated. He requested that the next time we change the signs at Town Hall that they be corrected. Angela Binda of 10 Orchard Park Drive noted that the Addison Wesley Working Group Report should have included the Master Plan. She noted that different land uses generate different amounts of traffic. A 20% reduction in retail does not give you a 20% reduction in traffic. Office versus retail is greatly different. She referred to a July 13 letter from Paul Maillet in Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 8 2006—Page 2 Wrentham. He notes that the Town's profit from their mall equals about $72 per person but it seems like a negative$72 because of the traffic and loss of community character. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • The Habitat for Humanity Ground Breaking took place Saturday. They .are going to request the ability to work on some Sundays to build one of the homes that has a sponsor, and a 16 week delivery schedule. ® The Town has met its first deadline on the MWRA buy-in - Filing a MEPA Notice of Project Change. ® The Addison-Wesley Working Group (AWWG) is meeting tomorrow night to hear a presentation by WS Weiner Development group on their response to the AWWG's Vision Statement. The Board continues to receive correspondence on this matter. One letter from Molly Thornton is in your packet this evening. She expresses concern that the Town Manager is "on the fence" and the Town Planner is "in favor" of the development. Let me assure you that both the Town Manager and the Town Planner are neither in favor or opposed to this project — we are both doing our jobs which are to process this proposal to its conclusion, and then to move forward with whatever decision the community makes. ® The Downtown Parking Task Force second meeting is scheduled for August 14th. The Co-Op Bank is hosting a separate by invitation neighborhood meeting regarding the parcel of land they purchased on Sanborn Street. • RCTV and Creative Arts for Kids will be making a presentation to the Board of Selectmen on September 12th about a concept for joint space in the community. ® Street signs sale. • Depot advertising — Setting up a meeting with the COO — hopefully within the next week or so. ® Housing Forum—September 28tH ® Board of Selectmen"Walk and Talk" in the Birch Meadow Area September 16th Personnel and Appointments Certificates of Appreciation for Volunteers who Served Five or More Years — George Perry, Allison Sloan DaSilva and Wilbar Hoxie were present to receive their Certificates. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificates of Appreciation to the following volunteers who are retiring from their volunteer positions with the Town of Reading: ® Dottye Foxon for serving 17 years on the Council on Aging. v Richard Anderson for serving seven years on the Council on Aging ® Alison Sloan DaSilva for serving six years on the Cultural Council. a Wilbar Hoxie for serving 13 years on the Historical Commission. ® George B. Perry, II for serving 24 years on the Land Bank Committee ® Mary Becker for serving five years on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 8 2006—Page 3 Animal Control Appeals Committee — The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel Ellen Doucette has indicated that a paid employee is not the same as a volunteer so a Board member may be appointed to this Committee. This committee needs to be appointed quickly because a case is pending. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to appoint the following persons to an interim term on the Animal Control Appeals Committee for terms expiring on October 1, 2006: David Singer and James Bonazoli was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Recreation — Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Recreation Administrator John Feudo were present. John Feudo noted that the Recreation Division has three full-time employees. They have just completed a 40 page guide for the Fall that will go to every household in Town. They run over 120 programs each year. Their goal is to keep the children safe and for them to have fun, and he reviewed the programs that they offer. Selectman Stephen Goldy indicated that he would like to see what more we can do to focus on the above Middle School age group. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we need more Middle School and High School programs. John Feudo noted that they have looked into this and the response from that age group is that they are already busy and looking for down time. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the status of Imagination Station. The Town Manager noted that the Recreation Committee is meeting tomorrow night, and will then make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The sense is to demolish and rebuild in the same location. Close Warrant for the State Primary Election—The Town Manager noted this is the Warrant for the September 19, 2006 Primary. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to close the Warrant.for the State. Primary Election to take place on September 19, 2006 at 55 Walkers.Brook Drive was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Decision on Polling Location— September and November 2006 Elections —The Town Manager noted that the Town needs a polling location until the High School is ready. TASC'is amenable to us using their site. He did a site visit and it is more than satisfactory at least for the Primary Election. A second location might be needed for the November Election. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked whey we don't split up into precincts. The Town Manager noted that it is easier for customer service to have a single polling location. He also noted that notices will be sent out to residents tomorrow informing them of the new polling location. Hearing 2 Hour Parking and 30 Minute Parking on north side of Chapin Avenue within 200 feet of Main Street—The Secretary read the hearing notice. i Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 8 2006—Page 4 The Town Manager noted that the PTTTF approves this. The original plan was for two hour parking. The owner of the property on the corner, Art Triglione, indicates that his customers are picking up batteries and other heavy auto parts so he is asking for two 30 minute parking spaces. The spaces are unusual because they allow parking that blocks his garage and employee parking. The walkway will be patched for a smooth transition. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked if it will be a problem after 5:00 p.m., and Mr. Triglione indicated that it will not. A resident for 25 Chapin Avenue noted that there are many parking problems on that street. A resident for 28 Chapin Avenue noted that Chapin Avenue is basically employee parking all day from the cleaners, Polanski Tree Service and the Chronicle. Mr. Triglione noted that he is also the founder of Mission of Deeds and he never expected it to grow so big. He is looking for another location to give some relief in the parking situation. A Chapin Avenue resident noted that if the street is narrowed, there will be problems with cars getting through. Selectman Stephen Goldy suggested monitoring the changes and revisiting this in November. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on parking regulations on Chapin Avenue was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to approve the parking regulations on the north side of Chapin Avenue as follows: ® 20 feet from the intersection of Main Street—No parking; ® 3 parallel parking spaces—2 hour parking, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through. Saturday; • 2__parallel parking spaces — 30 minute parking, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday Through Saturday; • Remainder of the north side of Chapin Avenue—No-parking any time. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Establishing Ad Hoc Committee to Plan for North Side Greenway — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this is a hearing to establish a policy creating a committee to plan for the north side greenway. He suggests a seven member committee including residents, staff from Conservation, Recreation,Town Planner and Town Counsel as needed. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested having a subcommittee that looks at fiuldraising and also Master Plan development. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 8, 2006—Page 5 The Assistant Town Manager noted that if the membership was increased to nine members,there i will probably be enough volunteers to fill the slots. The Town Manager noted that the Community Preservation Act would help with financing. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested making it a nine member committee with the financing group within the committee. The Town Manager suggested establishing a finance subcommittee to review and develop a financial mechanism to implement the plans. SelectmanCamille Anthony suggested having someone from the Recreation Committee serve as a member. Selectman Stephen Goldy suggested that the committee also develop ways to develop community interest and outreach. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearinI establishing a policy for the Ad Hoc Task Force for Planning the Northern Area Greenway was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the policy establishing the Ad Hoc Task Force for Planning the Northern Area Greenway dated 8-8-06 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Follow Up on Board of Selectmen Issues Including Animal Fees — The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen requested information on other community fees - ours are higher than most. There is also an e-mail from Animal Control Officer Ron Burns noting that there is no cost to the Public Safety Department for licensing. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that Health Administrator Jane Fiore indicated that inspections take 21/2 to 4 hours, and that does not cover all the costs of service. She also noted that one kennel was visited 13 times, and Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that was over a time span of seven years. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that we are at the average or even higher, and we should leave the fees where they are. Approval of Landscaping Plan — 178 Main Street — The Town Manager noted that when Exxon/Mobil came before the Board for a change in the fuel storage license, the Board of Selectmen required a landscaping plan. The plan before the Board tonight is the plan from 1991 but the former owner didn't carry through with it. The CPDC is requiring that they come into conformance with the 1991 plan before any building permits or sign permits are issued. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if CPDC looked at the plan from today's perspective, and the Town Manager indicated that they 'have. The Board had concerns regarding monoculture of trees, too much mulch, etc., and the Town Manager noted that the trees will be planted per the Tree Warden's specifications and he will also determine the best ground cover. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 8,2006—Page 6 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to agree that the landscaping plan for 178 Main Street as presented is subiect to CPDC approval per their site plan waiver and meets the Board of Selectmen requirement in issuing the gasoline and motor vehicle fuel storage license. All landscaping is subject to completion prior to other_ construction on the site. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of June 27, 2006 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of July 11, 2006 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of July 31, 2006 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to adiourn the meeting of August 8, 2006 at 9:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, /ecretary