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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 17, 2006 I 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 7:30 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, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Nick.Safina, Michelle Hopkinson, Angela Binda, Jeffrey Everson, Tom Laughlin, Catherine Gleason, Jay Lenox, Neil Sullivan, Cromwell Schubarth, Richard and Jean Roketenetz, Leah Williams, Joe D'.Alessio, Charlie Russo, Art Hayden, Mary Ellen O'Neill, David Tuttle, Dennis Collins, Theresa Petrillo, Jack Russell, Al Garbarino, Russ Graham, Linda Phillips, Joseph Finegan, Charles Robinson, George Hines, Elaine Webb, Pete Dahl, Lisa Gibbs,David Michaud, Carl McFadden, Andrew Grimes,Ron Powell, Scott Dunlop. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments '— Selectman Stephen Goldy reminded the community of the Wood End School Community Build Day for the playground this weekend. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen will be having their "Board Walk" on October 21, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.beginning at Sturgis Park. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli requested that the Nurse Advocacy be put on the first agenda in December. They will be asking for money. He noted that the Imagination Station'audit will be on November 4, 2006. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that "Your Community Connection" has been mailed and a Holiday Guide is included. Discussion/Action Items Review Next Steps—Addison-Wesley— Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that this discussion will be on the potential next steps for the Addison-Wesley site. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Board has received e-mails indicating that there is lack of leadership in the community, that the Town needs to work together, and the Board needs to act in the best interest of the community. He also noted that the Selectmen are the community leaders. There is an issue with zoning and the Selectmen need to return civility to the community. He feels that it is essential to go through a process to allow the community to heal. He noted that the Board of Selectmen voted against the 320,000 square feet of retail. i Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 17,2006—Page 2 The final decision concerns zoning and that is a Town Meeting decision. He suggests that CPDC lead the charge with the property owner and local advocacy groups for the zoning changes. He would like to propose a Special Town Meeting in February. Selectman Camille Anthony asked who would be the initiator, and Selectman Schubert suggested that the Selectmen instruct CPDC to do community outreach with the property owner and the community. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli suggested giving CPDC the AWWG document so they could use that as a guideline for rezoning. There was discussion among the Board regarding a design charette. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the charette would include the developer who is making the proposal. The Town Manager noted that it would involve the property owner but not the developer making the proposal. He also noted that we are not responding to a developer's proposal, and that we will need to hire an independent outside professional in that field. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that it would not be in the Town's best interest to have just the one proposal from the developer. The community needs to be able to respond with their own image. After the charette design, then it goes to CPDC for more community input to craft a zoning article. The Town Manager noted that there is talk about a Special Town Meeting in January or February regarding affordable housing. He knows that CPDC is very busy so he would recommend having a Special Town Meeting for zoning later than that time. There was discussion among the Board regarding the tin-ling of the Special Town Meeting and whether to have it before or after the Local Election. A.motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to follow the steps to pursue a design charette with an independent consultant, then have the Community Planning and Development Commission craft a zoning article for a SpecialTown Meeting in February or March.was approved by a.vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager indicated that he will check with CPDC as to the best time to have the Special Town Meeting. Joint Finance Committee/School Committee — Article 10 Subsequent Town Meeting — RMHS Additional Funding — School Committee Chairman Elaine Webb and Members Lisa Gibbs, 'David Michaud, Pete Dahl and Carl McFadden were present along with Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, Scott Dunlop, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Finance Committee Members Chuck Robinson, George Hines, Andrew Grimes and Ron Powell. The Town Manager noted that the School Committee is still in session but the Finance Committee has adjourned, and there is not a majority of the.Finance Committee present. Elaine Webb noted that they are getting ready to deliver the finished RMHS to the community. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 17, 2006—Page 3 Scott Dunlop noted that there is an increase in the project contingency. He noted that the standard contingency is 8%. For new buildings, it is 5% and for renovations it is 10%. For the RMHS project $3,559,000 is the standard contingency. Mr. Dunlop reviewed the expended change orders and noted that the problematic areas remaining include asbestos removal, culvert and unplanned drainage, and unforeseen structural deficiencies. Elaine Webb noted that the School Committee approved an additional $1.35 million that is 2% of the project budget. She also noted that the new project cap is $57,069,381, and the additional $1.35 million qualifies for reimbursement because it is below the cap. .The School Committee is asking the Board of Selectmen to approve the submission of Form DE-2 to the Division of Local Services. Finance Committee Chairman Andrew Grimes noted that the Finance Committee recommends applying for the $1.532 million because putting in for the full amount will make sure that everything is covered,plus it is 60%reimbursable. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked what happens to the money if we don't spend all of it. Elaine Webb indicated that would be an opportunity to get something we are missing; i.e., tecluiology. The Town Manager noted that the authorized expenditure is $55,444,000. It is up to the School Committee to determine how it is spent. If they don't spend all of it, then it goes back to the community. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked if anyone gave an argument as to why we shouldn't do this. Pete Dahl noted that some members wanted to stay with the $1.35 million because that was the amount recommended. He feels that we should go to the taxpayers for what we really need. Elaine Webb noted that there is a process for making the application and we can only apply once. Linda Phillips noted that$850,000 has already been added to,the contingency. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to approve the submission of Form DE-2 "Determination of Borrowing covered by Debt Exclusion" to the Director of the Division of Local Services in the amount of $1,532,000 was approved by a vote. of 4-1-0, with Goldy opposed. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoll to adiourn the ineeting of October 17, 2006 at 10:45.p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, 4e't�