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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 22, 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, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Karen Bell, William Carrick, Tim Kelly, Margaret Havey, Jacqueline Steele, Bill Winter, Bill Dalton, Susan Taylor. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectmen Camille Anthony noted that she e- mailed Bob Frey at Mass Highway that October 25, 2006 would be a good meeting date for the public input session. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that traffic is a big issue with the Addison-Wesley project. The developer resubmitted a plan with the same square footage. He feels that it is too big and he does not support the project. He also noted that CPDC held a hearing in the Spring regarding this zoning article, and the majority of Town Meeting Members who were at the hearing did not support the zoning change. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that Friends of Reading Recreation are having a Town Forest cross country race on September 24, 2006. He attended Representative Tierney's Forum on energy conservation, and Reading was very well represented at this meeting. He also noted that the Addison-Wesley property is valuable to the Town but the developer needs to incorporate Smart Growth. He noted that there are 10 principles and he would like to see five of them in this project including: Concentration, fairness, expand housing opportunities, transportation choices and to plan regionally. The I-93 project and Downtown project need to be incorporated. He is in favor of retail if it is the right proposal. He does not want another Archstone. He noted that the working group worked very hard, and the developer did not address any of the recommendations. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that there was a minor accident at Grove and Forest Streets and asked about the status of the stop sign. The next Nurse Advocacy meeting is on September 6th. He met with Dickinson, the Town Manager, our lighting consultant and the neighbors at Jordan's regarding the lighting. Progress has been made but it is not complete. Three lights need shields and then it will be done. The facade lighting meets the codes. He also noted that he will not change the comments he made regarding the Addison-Wesley project, and he is very disappointed. ' _ i Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2006—Page 2 Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that he met with Jonathan Davis from the MBTA regarding the billboards. The MBTA has multi-year contracts for advertising. The billboards help make up for lost revenue and there could be more. He also noted that he has drafted a letter to the State Representatives. He feels that it is unfair to ask our merchants to make sacrifices, and then the MBTA comes in and does what they want and plan to move forward with more. He noted that the August 23rd Addison-Wesley Working Group meeting has been rescheduled to September 7th due to a lack of quorum. He also noted that he sympathizes with his colleagues' emotions because a lot of work did go into the recommendations. Public Comment — Karen Bell of 24 Susan Drive noted that she is in favor of the project. She feels that the seniors will love it, and she hopes the Board will bring it back. Town Manager's Report The Town.Manager gave the following report: • The Addison-Wesley Working Group (AWWG)met August 9th 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. The meeting scheduled for tomorrow, August 23rd, has been cancelled. We are trying to re-schedule for September 7th. • Volunteers are needed. • Town Manager's testimony at DTE re: Verizon's petition to change the process for cable TV franchises. • The Downtown Parking Task Force met for the second meeting on August 14th. Their most immediate task is to identify shared parking opportunities, identify possible locations where there is available day time parking, and identify possible users of that parking. • Depot advertising — Met with the CFO last week. Letter will go to State Senator and Representatives. • Housing Forum—September 281h • Board of Selectmen "Walk and Talk" in the Birch Meadow Area.on September 16"' • Utility bills including the first installment of the annual Storm Water Enterprise Fund bill will go out on September 8Ih. • Sidewalk Construction: • Franklin Street • Remainder of • Wood End School • Wood End (William Road Franklin Street— —Dividence Road School-Fox to Fox Run working on to school— Run Lane to Lane) mostly agreement with ConsCom on school— done— MHD—some this August 31 st— ConsCom on easements this Fall, some next Construction this August 31 st— week, con- Spring. Will be Fall Construction struction 2 +/- installing curb on next Spring weeks portions of from SRL to William Road Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2006—Page 3 • John Street— Minot Street at • Governors Drive • South Street— Salem Street to Main—developer —Habitat for Whitehall Lane Green—Done. contribution— Humanity to West Street— Looking for Done contribution— ConsCom funding for east side done— August 31 st— Green to Village west side construction Streets awaiting funding this Fall and completion of construction— next Spring • West Street— Enos Circle to Catherine Avenue—cost estimate $100,000 • Road Construction: • Berkley Street— • Gleason Road— • Greenwood Road • Deering Street Done Done —Done (Lowell Street to Middlesex) - Done • Green Street • Harriman Avenue • Arcadia Avenue— • Edgrnont (Main Street to Done this week Avenue—this High)—Done week • Maple Ridge • Middlesex • Cumberland Road • Cape Cod Road—2-4 Avenue—this this Fall Avenue—this weeks Fall Fall • Eaton Street— • West Street • Deering Street • Hillcrest Road— this Fall (Willow Street to (Dudley Street to reconstruction Wilmington Line) Middlesex)this this Fall this Fall— Fall depending on sidewalk • Nichols Road— • Fielding Road— • Gilmore Avenue— • Wenda Street. — Done by DPW Done by DPW Done by DPW Done by DPW • Report re: Main Street northbound at Birch Meadow Drive—left turn signal request. Personnel and Appointments Council on Agin —The Board interviewed Margaret Havey for one position on the Council on Aging. Anthony moved and Bonazoli seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2009: Margaret Havey. Ms. Havey received five votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2006—Page 4 Cultural Council — The Board interviewed Jacqueline Steele for one position on the Cultural Council. Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Jacqueline Steele. Ms. Steele received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Parking Regulations on Pearl Street between Belmont and Thorndike Streets — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that he has received e-mails regarding the parking at the soccer field. There are three proposals: (1)prohibit parking for the telephone pole at#75 and#91, (2)prohibit parking from Longwood Road up to Belmont Street and (3) no parking in the fire lane. There will be no restrictions on the west side. Chief Jim Cormier noted that he recommends starting with this and see if that works. He also noted that the fire lane gets blocked constantly. He noted that Safety Officer Michelle Halloran spoke with the neighbors and she feels that this proposal will work. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we also need to deal with the soccer people. The Town Manager noted that we will require the soccer teams to have a gap between their games. Bill Winter, a resident at the corner of Pearl Street and Charles, noted that people block his driveway and there is a problem with site distance. Bill Dalton of 91 Pearl Street showed pictures to the Board. He noted that parking is a problem and the plan will alleviate the problem on his end. Susan Taylor of 76 Pearl Street indicated that she would like the parking to stay on the field side. She doesn't want the parking to move to the other side of the street. Selectman Richard Schubert suggested that John Feudo send a memo to the teams with the rules and regulations. Selectman Stephen Goldy indicated that eliminating the parking could create a spillover and the Board should revisit this in November. Chief Cormier noted that he doesn't want to over regulate in front of people's homes unless necessary. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on the parking regulations on Pearl Street between Belmont and Thorndike Streets was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2006—Page S_ A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted March 28, 1995 by adding to Article 5, Section 5.3, the following regulation(s): "PARKING PROHIBITED ON CERTAIN STREETS NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER" Street Location Northbound Pearl Street. At the telephone pole located at the property line of#75 and #91 Northbound Pearl Street At the telephone pole located north of#57 Pearl Street was approved by a vote of.5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted March 28, 1995 by addinIZ to Article 5, Section 5.3,the following: "PARKING PROHIBITED ON CERTAIN STREETS NO PARKING" Street Location Northbound Pearl Street At the Fire Lane located at the northerly portion of the property at #75 Pearl Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Establishing Fee for Solicitors—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that a bylaw was passed at Town Meeting regarding solicitors. Now a fee needs to be established. Chief Cormier recommends $25.00 per person to cover the background check and the photo ID, and noted that they get about 35-45 groups per year. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked for the definition of solicitor because Comcast is going door to door doing surveys. Chief Cormier noted that if they ask you to purchase something, then they are selling. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on establishing a fee for solicitors was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to establish a fee for a Certificate of Registration for solicitors pursuant to Section 5.5.9.3.1 of the General Bylaws in the amount of $25.00 per person was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Status Report on the Initiative Against Substance Abuse— The Town Manager noted that Town Meeting made a motion to form a group to help fight substance abuse in the community. A private, non-profit corporation has been formed. This will need leadership from the community. The first meeting of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse was on August 16, 2006. The membership includes representatives from the Selectmen, Schools, Police, Health, Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2006—Page 6 Recreation, etc. There will be a standing committee and additional committees. Three officers were elected so that the paperwork could be filed — the Town Manager, Pat Schettini and Jim Cormier (only temporary). The Town Manager noted that he intends to stay on the Board as Town Manager. They propose to apply for a grant by September 24, 2006. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that this organization will definitely be community based and standing committees will do most of the work. The committees will have goals and report yearly. The Town Manager noted that Bill Carrick was present and has been very active in the process. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked about the status of the School Resource Officer, and Chief Cormier noted they are in the process of getting someone on board. Approval in Concept for use of Affordable Housing Trust Funds for RHA Project on Pleasant Street — The Town Manager noted that the Affordable Housing Trust Fund has a little over $300,000 in it. Developers make contributions into the fund for affordable housing. The Reading Housing Authority is working on a four unit development on Pleasant Street. In order for them to move forward, the Board needs to show support for the Reading Housing Authority to use the funds. A vote of a joint meeting of the Housing Authority and Board of Selectmen will be needed before it becomes final. Housing Authority Member Tim Kelley noted that the Housing Authority met with Town staff earlier this Summer and everyone is on the same level. They are now at the State level of approval, and they will need the maximum amount from the Trust Fund because they don't have enough funding as it is. They will be at least $250,000 short. Tim Kelley noted that they are waiting for the LIP approval letter from DHCD but they need financing in place in order to get that approval letter. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that this is the intention of the Trust Fund. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if any money has been taken out of this fund yet, and the Town Manager noted that none has been taken out. A joint vote of the Housing Authority and Board of Selectmen is needed. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that the Board needs the financials before voting. The Town Manager noted that the Board will have the financials when they vote. This is just a statement of support. Selectman Anthony asked how the trust fund will be replenished, and the Town Manager noted through mitigation efforts from developers or the Community Preservation Act. There is also a mixed use rider for Downtown. Selectman Anthony also asked if the financials were in the LIP Application, and Tim Kelley indicated that they were. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to support the Reading Housing Authority's use of up to $300,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the four unit affordable Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2006—Page 7 housing proiect to be located on Pleasant Street between 75 Pleasant and the Senior Center pursuant to the LIP Application, including financial proformas previously approved by the Board of Selectmen,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Action Status Report—The Town Manager noted that the Town will be taking the bond on Gazebo Circle. He also noted that Town Engineer George Zambouras was present to explain the drainage problem. Mr. Zambouras noted that he did a site survey. The detention basin does not have an overflow pipe. Anything above a two year storm overflows. The basins are undersized and the water bypasses the basins altogether and floods out the residents. He proposes to extend the drain line. Also, the upper end of the basin is on a slope and not used so he suggests making it a two level basin. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the proposed modifications will take it from 13 cubic feet to 29 cubic feet, and Mr. Zambouras indicated that it will. She asked when it will overflow, and Mr. Zambouras noted slightly before a 100 year storm level. She also asked about the property that is getting flooded, and Mr. Zambouras noted that property is in a "bowl" and will always take on water. She asked if there was any way to make the basin to 37.6 cubic feet, and Mr. Zambouras noted that the basin is close to the buildings but a large berm could be built at their backdoor—but that would be expensive. Mr. Zambouras noted that if there is ledge there, it will be expensive. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if basins generally work, and Mr. Zambouras noted that normally they most never get to capacity. Selectman Camille Anthony asked who was responsible for getting as built plans. Mr. Zambouras indicated that the developer is responsible. The Town Manager noted that between the Conservation Commission and Engineering, the Town will verify that a plan is a good design and accurate. Mr. Zambouras noted that the Town requires as built plans on all subdivisions and can require interim as builts. The Town Manager continued the review of the Action Status Report as follows: Downtown Traffic Study — There is no money available to do this and asked if the Board of Selectmen want to ask for $10,000 to $20,000 for this study. The Board decided to wait until after the Downtown project is complete before having this done. Pitman Bike Path—The Town does not have the resources to do this, and it needs a full design. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested trading this for something else in the State budget. Downtown Improvements — This is at 100% design and we are getting ready for bidding. We are looking at a Spring start. Imagination Station—The Board can look at this during their"Walk and Talk" on September 16, 2006. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22 2006—Page 8 I-93 Containment— This has been sent to the Ipswich River Watershed Association and will be taken off the list. Barrows School Parking— The Town Manager has given the Superintendent the cost of making the court into parking. The cost is approximately $50,000. The new parking regulations are working. He will confirm with the School Department if they want to move ahead. Timothy Place — This is a private way the resident has encroached on. The Building Inspector fined the property owner today for encroaching on the private way. The fine is $300.00. After 21 days,the Town will file a criminal complaint. Oakland Road Property—Nothing has been done. There is a lack of resources and neighborhood outreach needs to be done. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that this is zoned residential and we should just put it out for auction and sell it. Selectman Stephen Goldy agreed. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that the Board should spend a little time with the people in the neighborhood. This will be added to the"Walk and Talk" agenda on September 16, 2006. Petroleum Bylaw — The Fire Department is working on a spreadsheet and will have the information soon. Stop Signs —This will be taken off the list. Lost Dogs on Weekends—This will be taken off the list. Chairman Ben Tafoya requested that a lighting bylaw be added to the list. Housing Production Plan — There is a Forum on housing on September 28, 2006. The plan should be ready for approval in October. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of July 25, 2006, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to adjourn the meeting of August 22, 2006 at 10:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, ecrete