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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-11 Board of Selectmen Packet2006 MEETING DATES BOARD OF SELECTMEN 3, 2006 Board Seleetmen Meeting januar-y of january 9, 2006 Board of Seleetmen Aleetin > 2006 Board of Seleetmen Meeting,- january > Meeting,- Conferenee Roo januar-y 24, 2006 Board of Seleetmen Aleetin january 25, 2006 Board of Seleetmen Meeting Ver-izon Meeting Poliee Station Febr-ua�!y 7, 2006 Board of Seleetmen Meetin February 21, 2006 Board of Seleetmen Aleeting February 28, 2006 Board of Seleetmen '-f-ee-fiffig Alar- u- r,2006 u aurd of S ele .amen r4ur-eh13, 2006 joint Z Workshop shop w4t ruL4+ Alar-eh 14,2006 BOS For-it r , r Meeting Alai-eh 28,2006 D af!d e� i I GG+ � @ZA leeting_ ►a l. au IslaUU ueee ido 4,- 2006 LoealEleedon XeMeedftm April 11, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting April 17, 2006 Patriots Day Holiday April 18, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24, 2006 Town Meeting April 25, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting April 27, 2006 Town Meeting May 1, 2006 May 4, 2006 May 9, 2006 May 23, 2006 May 29, 2006 May 30, 2006 Town Meeting Town Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Memorial Day Holiday Board of Selectmen Meeting June 6, 2006 BOS Forum June 13, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting June 20, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting June 27, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting July 4, 2006 Fourth of July Holiday July 11, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting July 25, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting August 8, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting August 22, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting September 4, 2006 Labor Day Holiday September 5, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting September 12, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting September 19, 2006 Election Day — No Meetings September 26, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting — Warrant Closes October 3, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting October 9, 2006 Columbus Day Holiday October 17, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting October 24, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting November 7, 2006 November 10, 2006 November 13, 2006 November. 14, 2006 November 16, 2006 November 20, 2006 November 21, 2006 November 23, 2006 November 27, 2006 December 5, 2006 December 12, 2006 December 19, 2006 December 25, 2006 Election Day — No Meetings Veterans Day Holiday Town Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Town Meeting Town Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Thanksgiving Holiday Town Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Board of Selectmen Meeting Christmas Holiday OF r. Town of Reading 16 Lowell'Street 63s'INCORQ0 Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: towrimanager&l.reading.ma.us TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: April 7, 2006 : Agenda —April 11, 2006 TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 1. Swearing in of new Selectmen;. Reorganization — With Joe Duffy leaving the Board of Selectmen and Stephen Goldy.'s election, Joe's liaison appointments and position with the Board need to be replaced. Joe was Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and one of the Board members. need to be appointed to this position, Additionally, Joe was, liaison to the Department of Public Safety and Reading Municipal Light Department and these liaison assignments need to be re- assigned. 2. Proclamation —. Telecommunications Week — The highlights presentation will be on the Dispatch function in the Department of Public Safety (Dispatchers are also known as Telecommunications Dispatchers). Additionally, the Board, has before it a proclamation on Telecommunications Week to recognize the work done by our Dispatchers. 3. Reappointment of Town Accountant — Pursuant to Section 6-5 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, a copy of which is attached, the Board needs to appoint a Town Accountant for a, period of one year expiring on March 31, 2007. 4. Sandy Trainor and others from Community Parish Nursing will make a presentation to the Board on the Neighbor Caring About Neighbor Program. With Sandy Trainor's retirement .'effective July 1, 2006, this program will cease operation on July J, 2006, unless the Town picks up the function in some manner. 5. Report on Implementation of Supplemental Water from the MWRA — Ted McIntire will make a presentation on our May-1, 2006 implementation of the purchase of supplemental water from the MWRA for summertime use. I solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as a Selectmen, according to the best of my ability and understanding, agreeably to the Constitution and the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the By-laws of the Town of Reading. So Help me God. / a 2,,,, - OF ,� k- Town.of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: April 7, 2006 RE: Agenda —April 11, 2006 TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 Swearing in of new Selectmen;, Reorganization — With Joe Duffy leaving the Board of Selectmen and Stephen Goldy.'s election, Joe's liaison appointments and position with the Board need to be replaced. Joe was Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and one of the Board members need to. be appointed ointed to. this position. Additionally, Joe was liaison to the Department of Public Safety and Reading Municipal Light Department and these liaison assignments need to be re-assigned. I 2. Proclamation — Telecommunications Week — The highlights presentation will be on the Dispatch functi ' on in the Department of Public Safety (Dispatchers are also known as Telecommunications Dispatchers). Additionally, the Board. has before it a proclamation on Telecommunications Week to recognize the work done by our Dispatchers. 3. Reappointment of Town Accountant — Pursuant to Section 6-5 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, a copy of which is attached, the Board needs to appoint a Town Accountant for a' period of one year expiring on March 31, 2007. 4. Sandy Trainor and others from Community Parish Nursing will make a presentation to the Board on the Neighbor eighbor Caring About Neighbor Program. With Sandy Trainor's retirement effective July 1, 2006, this program will cease operation on July 1, 2006, unless the Town picks up the function in some manner. 5. Report on Implementation of Supplemental Water from the MWRA — Ted McIntire will make a presentation on our May- 1, 2006 implementation of the purchase of supplemental water from the MWRA for summertime use. PROCLAMATION NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK.. WHEREAS: Emergencies can occur at anytime that require police, fire or.emergency medical services; and WHEREAS: When an emergency occurs, the prompt response of Police Officers, Fire Fighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and WHEREAS: The safety of our Police Officers and Fire Fighters is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who, telephone the Reading Police -Fire Communications Center; and WHEREAS: Public Safety Dispatchers are the first and most critical contact our.: citizens have with emergency services; and WHEREAS: Public Safety Dispatchers are the single vital link for our Police. Officers and Fire Fighters by monitoring their activities by radio; providing them information and insuring their safety; and WHEREAS: Public Safety Dispatchers of the Reading Police Department have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires. and treatment of patients; and WHEREAS: Each Dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and pro- fessionalism during the performance of their job in the past yeas.. NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts.: do hereby proclaim the week of April 9 -April 15, 2006 as National. Public Safety Telecommunications Week in honor of the;men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our Town, :and citizens safe. THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Camille W. Anthony, Chairman Richard W. Schubert, Vice Chairman Stephen A. Goldy James E. Bonazoli Ben Tafoya '/Z/ . OP RFq 4� Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street S`9j7NCOR40 Reading, MA 01867 -2685 FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: April 7, 2006 RE: Agenda— April 11, 2006 TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 1. Swearing in of new Selectmen;. Reorganization — With Joe Duffy leaving the Board of Selectmen and Stephen Goldy...s election, Joe's liaison appointments and position with the Board need to be replaced. Joe was Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and one of the Board members need to- be appointed to this position. Additionally, Joe was liaison to the Department of Public Safety and Reading Municipal Light Department and these liaison assignments need to be re- assigned. 2. Proclamation — Telecommunications Week — The highlights presentation will be on the Dispatch function in the Department of Public Safety (Dispatchers are also known as Telecommunications Dispatchers). Additionally, the Board. has before it a proclamation on Telecommunications Week to recognize the work done by our Dispatchers. 3. Reappointment of Town Accountant — Pursuant to Section 6 -5 of the Reading Home Rule . Charter, a copy of which is attached, the Board needs to appoint a Town Accountant for a ' period of one year expiring on March 31, 2007, 4: Sandy Trainor and others from Community Parish Nursing will make a presentation to the Board on the Neighbor Caring About Neighbor Program. With Sandy Trainor's retirement effective July 1, 2006, this program will cease operation on July 1, 2006, unless the Town picks up the function in some manner. 5. Report on Implementation of Supplemental Water from the MWRA - Ted McIntire will make a presentation on our May 1, 2006 implementation of the purchase of supplemental water from the MWRA for summertime use. Section 6 -5: Town Accountant Appointment, Oualification. Term of Office — There shall be a Town Accountant, appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Accountant shall be qualified in accordance with State law, and shall have at least three (3) years prior full time accounting experience. The Town Accountant shall devote his entire time to the performance of his duties and the supervision of the employees of his department. The Town Accountant shall be appointed in March of every year for a one (1) year term to ran from the first day of the following April and shall serve until the qualification of his successor. The Town Accountant may be removed by the Board of Selectmen for cause and the vacancy filled by them in the same manner as an original appointment for'the remainder of the unexpired term. [Amended November 15, 2004 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 20051 Powers and Duties — The Town Accountant shall be subject to the supervision of the Town Manager. He shall have, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon Town Accountants by General Laws, the following powers and duties: (a) He shall prescribe the methods of installation and exercise supervision of all accounting records of the several Town officers and agencies. However, any change in the system of accounts shall first be discussed with the Town Manager and the Town agencies affected. (b) He shall establish standard practices relating to all accounting matters and procedures and the coordination of systems throughout the Town, including clerical and office methods, records, reports and procedures as they relate to accounting matters. He shall prepare and issue rules, regulations and instructions relating thereto that, when approved by the Town Manager, shall be binding upon all Town agencies and employees. (c) He shall draw all Warrants upon the Town Treasurer for the payment of bills, drafts and orders chargeable to the several appropriations and other, accounts. (d) Prior to submitting any Warrant to the Town Manager, he shall examine and approve as not being fraudulent, unlawful or excessive, all bills, drafts and orders covered thereby. In connection with any such examinations, he may make inspection as to the quality, quantity and condition of any materials, supplies or equipment delivered to or received by any Town officer or agency. If, upon examination, it appears to the Town Accountant that any such bill, draft or order is fraudulent, unlawful or excessive, he shall immediately file with the Town Manager and Town Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee a written report of his findings. (e) He shall be responsible for a continuous audit of all accounts and records of the Town wherever located.. Reading Horne Rule Charter 21 With all revisions through April, 2005 Vacanev — If the Town Accountant is unable to perform his duties because of disability or absence, or if the office is vacant because of resignation, dismissal or death, the Board of Selectmen may appoint a temporary Town Accountant to hold such office and exercise the powers and .perform the duties until the Town Accountant who was disabled or absent resumes his duties, or until another Town Accountant is duly appointed. Said temporary appointment. shall be in writing, signed by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk. Section 6-6: Town Treasurer - Collector Appointment, Oualifications, Term of Office — There shall be a Town Treasurer - Collector, appointed by the Town Manager for a term of one year. The Town Treasurer - Collector shall be qualified in accordance with State law. The Town Treasurer - Collector shall devote his entire time to the performance of his duties and the supervision of the employees of his department. [Amended November 15, 2004 (Article 16) and approved by vote of the Town on April 5, 2005] The Town Treasurer- Collector shall be appointed in March of every year for a one (1) year term to run from the first day of the following April and until the qualification of his successor. The Town Treasurer- Collector may be removed by the Town Manager for cause, and the vacancy filled by him in the same manner as an original appointment, for the remainder of the unexpired term. Powers and Duties — The Town Treasurer - Collector shall be subject to the supervision of the Town Manager. He shall have, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon Town Treasurers and Town Collectors, by General Laws, the following powers and duties: (a) The Town Treasurer- Collector shall supervise and be responsible for the collection and receipt of all sums and accounts due, owing or paid to the Town including taxes and fees, and shall act as the Town Collector of Taxes. (b) The Town Treasurer- Collector shall report to the Town Manager at such times as he may direct or as he may deem appropriate, but at least semi- annually,. as to all uncollected claims or accounts due or owing to the Town. Such reports shall include the Town Treasurer- Collector's recommendations as to whether suit should be instituted on behalf of the Town for the establishment or collection of any claim or account for the benefit of the Town. (c) The'Town Treasurer - Collector shall supervise and.be responsible for the prompt deposit, safekeeping and management of all monies. collected or received by the Town. (d) The Town Treasurer- Collector shall be the custodian of all funds, monies, securities or other things of value which are or have, been given, bequeathed or deposited in trust with the Town for any purpose, including the preservation, care, improvement or embellishment of any of the Reading Home Rule Charter 22 With all revisions through April, 2005 OF Rgq�'� 4 Town of Reading `moo0 16 Lowell Street 63s INC�RQ�4Fy Reading, MA 01867 -2685 FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: April 7, 2006 RE: Agenda — April 11, 2006 TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 1. Swearing in of new Selectmen;. Reorganization — With Joe Duffy leaving the Board of Selectmen and Stephen Goldy.'s election, Joe's liaison appointments and position with the Board need to be replaced. Joe was Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and one of the Board members need to- be appointed to this position. Additionally, Joe was liaison to the Department of Public Safety and Reading Municipal Light Department and these liaison assignments need to be re- assigned. 2. Proclamation — Telecommunications Week — The highlights presentation will be on the Dispatch function in the Department of Public Safety (Dispatchers are also known as Telecommunications Dispatchers). Additionally, the Board. has before it a proclamation on Telecommunications Week to recognize the work done by our Dispatchers. 3. Reappointment of Town Accountant — Pursuant to Section 6 -5 of the Reading Home Rule . Charter, a copy of which is attached, the Board needs to appoint a Town Accountant for a period of one year expiring on March 31, 2007. 4. Sandy Trainor and others from . Community Parish Nursing will make a presentation to the Board on the Neighbor Caring About Neighbor Program. With Sandy Trainor's retirement effective July 1, 2006, this program will cease operation on July 1, 2006, unless the Town picks up the function in some manner. 5. Report on Implementation of Supplemental Water from the MWRA — Ted McIntire will make a presentation on our May 1, 2006 implementation of the purchase of supplemental water from the MWRA for summertime use. /f C/) - IN ��TION Because, a community is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens Because, the very young need cared for and the very frail need cared about Because, as a community, we care about the health and safety of all of our citizens Because, we value an individuals' right to have choices (be empowered) over how to live one's life Because, our community of individuals, businesses, organizations, and town government need to work together for the common good We as Reading taxpayers support® Reading 'Town government in authorizing $50,000 of local taxpayer money to support Reading's "Neighbor Caring about Neighbor" program in order to Support the frail to stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to our community ® Provide nurse neighbor advocacy when our frail neighbors become ill Provide social support through the personal relationship that results when o "neighbors care about neighbors" Name Address 1. 2. 3. 4. (Please use reverse side for additional signatures) Return signed resolution no later than February 17"' to: Community Parish Nursing, 35 Scotland Road, Reading, MA 01867 ZM111 Neighbor Caring About Neighbor Community Action Pian,Decision Tree Resolution Support for Resolution Organizations and Individuals Significant Support CPN Closes 7/1/06 CPN reorganizes as Neighbor Caring for Neighbor 7/1/06 q03. Report: Department of Elder Service Date Submitted: July 27, 2005 Month Medical Advocacy Support Nursing Hours Social Support Volunteer Hours Home Maintenance Support Volunteer Hours 2004 Jul Y 41 86 49 August 42 96 149 September 55 110.5 14.5 October 53 101.5 11.5 November 64 99 11.5 December 50 109 17 2005 January 46 118 40 -February 91 110.5 45 March 80 120 33 April 68 129.5 15 May 90 160 9 June 91 126 19 / kf� / C� Agency Name: Community Parish Nursing Vendor Code: VC 0000121050 Contract# 03675Communi Parish Program: Community Parish Nursing Month of Service: December 2005 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS INVOICE SUBMISSION FORM 6��4- *Billed Amount should eauai the amount indicated on the cost reimbursement invoice sheet. I hereby certify under the pains and penalties of perjury that those costs being submitted for reimbursement have been Incurred by this agency. Authorized Signature DESIGNATED HOME CARE REPRESENTATIVE OF ADMINSITRATION AND FINANCE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS COST REIMBURSEMENT STANDARD INVOICE CONTRACTOR: Community Parish Nursing PROGRAM: Community Parish Nursing CONTACT PERSON: Sandra Trainor INVOICE NO: 6 BILLING PERIOD: FROM: 1- Dec -05 TO: 31- Dec -05 011ie PAGE 001 t j Timothy P. Cahill TREASURER AND RECErVT,,R GENERAL q,j EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/0 /06 CHECK NUMBER. : 367 CHECK AMOUNT : $62300-00 Electronic funds transfer (EFT) is the preferred method of payment for all payees doing business with the Commonwealth. You can sign up through the department you do business with or visit https : / /massfinance.state.ma.us. Click on VendorWeb and follow the instructions. This web site is also a resource you can use for all your payment information. E .. LD — COMM PARI%H A�06 PRC ELD02280600000000086845 617-727-7750 6,300.00 c P U'O' One Ashburton lac DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS fy 06 contra& i 1 $6,300-00 OF V Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street 9.1 0 Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: towrimanager&l. read i ng.ma. us MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: April 7, 2006 RE: Agenda — April 11, 2006 TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 1. Swearing in' of new Selectmen;. Reorganization — With Joe Duffy leaving the Board of Selectmen and Stephen Goldy.'s election, Joe's liaison appointments and position with the Board need to be replaced. Joe was Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and one of the Board members need :to, be appointed to this position. Additionally, Joe was liaison to the Department of Public Safety and Reading Municipal Light Department and these liaison assignments. need to be re-assigned. 2. Proclamation — Tel ecommunications Week — The highlights presentation will be on the Dispatch function in the Department of Public Safety (Dispatchers are also known as Telecommunications Dispatchers). Additionally, the Board, has bef6re it a proclamation on Telecommunications Week to recognize the work done by our Dispatchers. 3. Reappointment of Town Accountant — Pursuant to Section 6-5 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, a copy of which is attached, the Board needs to appoint a Town Accountant for a, period of one year expiring on March 31, 2007. 4., Sandy Trainor and others from Community Parish Nursing will make a presentation to the Board on the Neighbor eighbor Caring About Neighbor Program., With Sandy Trainor's retirement effective July 1, 2006, this program will cease operation on July 1, 2006, unless' the Town picks up the function in some manner. 5. Report on Implementation of Supplemental Water from the MWRA — Ted McIntire will make a presentation on our May 1, 2006 implementation of the purchase of supplemental water from the MWRA for summertime use. 0 Purchase • as `�� ,., Water from 1 "ti Project Descri*pti*on — 2.0 million gallons per day (mgd) on average — 3.5 mgd maximum — All supplied from Town wells in the Ipswich basin • Starting in this year (May): 1 mgd from Ipswich basin (Louanis — Purchase remainder from MWRA (avg. 1.2 mgd) Annually between May I — October. 31 Water System Changes 9 MWRA Connection is at Woburn/Reading Linif Washington and Road — Control valve installation — Electrical and instrumentation equipment installation Ah W Pattern of • in the distribution system 6 MI, ARM • ,�, 9 0 �Mb I, • Caused by change, in direction of flow in the pipes — Sediments may be disturbed —.Primarily iron/rust • Water is safe for drinking and bathing, but may be unpalatable • Avoid doing laundry until it clears up • Running the COLD water for several minutes may help - • Town will be conducting proactive flushing as well as spot flushing of the water pipes 9 Should clear up in 48 hours Water Quality The Town and MWRA are required • • • state all, and federal standards for water quality — Testing is done in accordance with all standards — Results are published in the annual Consumer ON M Hardness/ Mineral Content il UnEDUA Surface Water (Reservoir) WIM Slightly warmer VPZI,m Town of ka (Wells) N •i- - 70 deg. Water Quality (,,.,tinu,d) 0 Previous issues with thelaste and odor of the R1, water ' been addressed Marlborough — Spot Pond Reservoir is no longer used — New state-of-the-art treatment facility in ozone • Improves taste and clarity • Meets tougher state and federal standards — Noticeable improvement. in the taste of the 01, When Will this Happen? Target date. is May 11• Actual activation -p final construction = Piping and equipment being installed at the MWRA service at Woburn /Reading line 9 Check for updates — www.ci.reading.ma.us — Daily Times Chronicle, Reading Advocate, RCTV 22 9 Comparison of Water Supply Options Town of Reading Results of "Open House" on March 28, 2006 Treatment Plant MWRA Water Supply • Vulnerability Low /moderate (treatable) .Low • Redundancy Yes ;Ipswich & MWRA No — Ipswich water would be available for emergency 23 only boil order) Impact on local Reduced peak withdrawal No negativeimpacts.�full environmental through supplemental 1VIWRA use would MWRA summer use eliminate use'of 18 Ipswich River watershed as, a' .Water su ly b .:Reading. Water Rights • Ipswich River Retain existing rights : Give up rights to Ipswich (registration maybe reduced. River Basin except for to current usage) emergency usage 4/6/2006 1 1/6( 1 Ability/Time to implement X-1.0 8 Local Control 5 Mechanism to fix local environmental problem in the Ipswich basin 5 Restrictions ® Suminer • Winter 3 Federal/State Regs. Taste Hardness (Mineral content) IN Operating Cost 2 Need for local water reserve fund: 2 Water Source • Summer • Winter Funded by Reading water rate payers to the extent others are not responsible or identified Ongoing odd/even plan; more extensive restrictions are required in local drought situation (May-Oct) Ongoing odd/even plan Meets standards (personal preference) Old Plant - hard/very hard (higher mineral content, forms less soap suds/lather); New Plant - moderately hard (moderate mineral content, forms somewhat more soap suds/lather) Ipswich River Basin & supplemental from MWRA Only Ipswich River Basin 4/6/2006 2 Uncertain — 2.5 years (approval process) ,On' oing pd&even p an ;more. :possible in regional ` drough - t 'situat16ii. Ongoing odd/even, plan Meets standards ersonai,,' preference) ,.,,.,,. Extremely soft (less minerals, forms more soap suds/lather) Higher to soften unpredictable and locally uncontrollable MWRA operating costs I Alternative land use 11 Compost site use I Recreation use of old lagoon area may be possible Possible impact depending upon where the plant is built 1 1 26* . 1 13 1 * If one removes Water Division staff and WSSWNIAC who signed in and "voted", the number is 22 for the WTP 4/6/2006 4E3 I Page 1 of 1 CJs ql) lP(Iz) Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Kerry Mackin [kerrymackin@verizon.net] Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 7:47 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: letter to Selectmen Attachments, Letter to Selectmen March 2006.doc Hi Peter, Here is the letter I promised, which I hope can go into the Selectmens' packets today if possible. Let me know. if any questions. thanks, Kerry 3/31/2006 zM March 31, 2006 Camille Anthony, Chairwoman Reading Board of Selectmen Town Hall Reading, MA 01867 Dear Chairwoman Anthony and Members of the Board, IRWA recognizes how important and challenging the decision about Reading's future water supply is for the Town, and we appreciate the huge effort that has gone into the evaluation of the town's water supply alternatives. IRWA is eager to work constructively with the Town, in any way we can, to help implement a solution to shut off the Town's wells completely. While shutting of the wells during low -flow periods would address our concerns, we recognize that the revised estimates for the water treatment plant make this option more costly, and therefore we support the full purchase of MWRA water. Reducing pumping to 1 million gallons a day in summer will not be sufficient to stop pumping the river dry, unfortunately. IRWA will continue to do everything in our power to prevent the damage caused to the river by Reading's wells, as it directly conflicts with our mission. We sincerely hope to work constructively with Reading so the town can cease the damaging use of its wells, and the respective aims of the town and IRWA can be aligned, instead of opposed. I would like to present some additional information for your consideration: 1) DEP issued final decisions in the first three water withdrawal appeals cases on Monday. These decisions require much more stringent water conservation requirements, including flow - triggered restrictions allowing hand -held watering only, and a water bank in Topsfield if certain growth indices are triggered. The decision also explicitly rejects the towns' claim that their registration rights are "unfettered," stating that: "... [R]egistered' withdrawals are not beyond the scope of Departmental authority. Particularly where safe yield appears to be compromised... the Department has not only the authority but the obligation to act... [T]he Department is anticipating including conditions on registrations..." (Final Decision in the Matters of Hamilton, Topsfield and Wenham, March 27, 2006) 2) You have previously expressed concern that if Reading spends money to restore flows to r the Ipswich River, downstream communities might pump more water out of the river. You may be interested to learn that just last week, Danvers and Middleton settled their water management appeals cases by agreeing to shut off their wells during low flow periods (less than 0.42 cubic feet per second per square mile), and to only use the wells every other day during moderate flows. They also agreed to abide by flow - triggered restrictions on outdoor water use, requiring hand -held hoses only during low -flow periods and a total ban on outdoor use during severe low -flow periods. In addition, they will implement a "water usage mitigation program," requiring high water efficiency toilets, showerheads, washing machines and dishwashers (more efficient than required under the current plumbing code), and will charge an impact fee to developers to fund improved water conservation throughout the towns. Middleton also agreed to regulate private wells according to the same restrictions as apply to other residents, and has passed a bylaw requiring these restrictions. 3) I am very concerned that Reading's decision may be based in part on misinformation that the river would go dry even if there were no withdrawals. According to all scientific inforination currently available, this is incorrect. Modeling by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) showed that the river would not go dry at Reach 8 in Reading (nor downstream) if the wells were shut off. I just received the following statement from Phil Zarriello of USGS, who developed the Ipswich River hydrological model: This statement reflects the findings reported in the first two model reports (WRIR 00 -4029 & OFR 01-483): One of the main purposes of developing the USGS hydrological model of the Ipswich River was to evaluate the question of whether the river's extreme low -flow and no -flow events were naturally occurring. To address this question, the model was first calibrated so that simulated flows closely replicated actual (observed) flows. Then, I evaluated a number of scenarios, including a "no withdrawal" scenario and several scenarios simulating water withdrawals made by the communities and private water withdrawers along the river. The model found that under the "no withdrawal" scenario, no part of the mainstem of the Ipswich River would go dry, but under the scenario simulating groundwater withdrawals, the river has zero flow (dry conditions). At Reach 8, which includes the Reading wells, the zero flow conditions occur more than 10% of the time under the scenario simulating withdrawals, but flow is perennial under the "no withdrawal" scenario. Based on the hydrological model, the Ipswich River is a perennially flowing river that would not go dry without the effects of water withdrawals. 4) Peter Tassi was present at a meeting of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Ipswich River Basin Team, during which DEP presented the results of their modeling of "Reach 8" where Reading's wells are located. The minutes of that meeting state that: A "natural" condition scenario was run where no water was being withdrawn either by groundwater wells or surface water diversions, but with 1991 land use. This resulted in water flow at Reach 8. When water withdrawals were activated the model predicted no water at Reach 8 for 15% of the time." (EOEA Basin Team Minutes, 8/2/2000; emphasis added.) 5) The graphs presented by DEP at that meeting are shown below. As you can see, the curves depicting the "no withdrawal" scenario never fall to zero (the bottom line of the graph). However, with pumping, the graph does fall to zero for extended. Even with a 50% reduction in the use of the wells, the modeling shows that the flows fall to zero more than 5% of the time. 6) IRWA believes that the level of uncertainty and risk pertaining to continued use of Reading's wells far exceeds any uncertainties of the MWRA option, which is a water supply system that enjoys major public oversight, investment and cost - sharing. IRWA is also part of a coalition of environmental organizations that is taking the highly unusual step of supporting rate relief for MWRA. IRWA is willing to help the Town seek financial relief of the MWRA buy -in costs, if that would result in shutting the wells off completely. 7) A coalition of organizations and individuals is forming to ensure that the Ipswich River will no longer be damaged by water withdrawals. I believe you have already received letters from Massachusetts Audubon Society (the largest landowner along the Ipswich River), Essex County Greenbelt Association (another landowner with hundreds of acres of riverfront property), Trout Unlimited, and several private landowners and conservation commissions. These individuals and organizations are genuinely concerned that their rights and interests are adversely affected by the impacts of Reading's water withdrawals. 8) Federal officials who visited the river adjacent to Reading's wells last September were very concerned about the extreme ecological destruction that they witnessed, and expressed concern that this damage may threaten river chanriel restoration initiatives and potential funding to restore the river to health. We end by expressing our heartfelt hope that we can work constructively with the Town of Reading to achieve a safe and sustainable water supply for the town, without damaging the Ipswich River. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, or further discuss how to achieve this with you. Thank you so much for your consideration. Sh-icerely, 4/7 %%f G%- Kerry Mackin Executive Director X31 These graphs (produced by DEP using the USGS hydrological model) show that the green line depicting no demand (that is, no pumping the wells) never falls to zero, but the scenario of Reading buying .6 mgd from MWRA continues to result in zero flow. 21 MWRA Tally Sheet of Phone Calls and Correspondence Name For MWRA Build New WTP Everett Blod et YES Virginia Blod et YES Ms. Durell YES Webb YES Snyder YES IRWA YES Giunta YES Gill YES Finch YES Van Magness YES Mass Audubon YES Ehl YES MacDougall YES Middleton ConsCom YES Eastern Water Project YES H lan YES Raciti YES Total 11 6 I% m February 28, 2006 Elaine L. Webb. 309 Pearl Street To: Reading Board of Selectmen Town Manager, Pete * r Hechenbleikner Assistant Town Manager, Robert LeLacheur Re: Water Treatment Plant Decisions for the Town of Reading Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Firstly, I would like to apologize for my lateness in sharing my perspective With you on this Weighty decision'that I know you are struggling with. I believe that our Town's journey I on this decision has already been a long one. My own participation began with the tour of the water treatment facility that was offered to Town Meeting members almost two years ago. My own thinking on this decision has oscillated over this time period as external factors have changed. Some of these factors are; water conservation, status of the Ipswich, volatility in the MWRA rates, the impact. of the salamanders, possible impacts to our compost, and the projected financial impact. I At this juncture, I believe that a decision to abandon our own water source would bankrupt future generations in Reading in order to feel less financial pain in the present. We must recognize that our own plant in our own town is an anomaly in our country that.we must prize., The list below highlights several' important reasons to maintain our commitment to our water source. • Avoid being held captive to the certainty of MWRA continual rate escalation at levels we've not seen in Reading. Our own plant in conjunction with our summer supplemental MWRA purchase provides an important redundant supply AND allows us to protect our local water source during peak usage. • Reading has taken a strong proactive stand on conservation and protection of the Ipswich. We have wanted to be a community leading change in how we use this precious resource. Reading needs to stay vested in the Ipswich River community and continue that role. �Nts The location of the new plant must be optimized for the long term and it must continue to enable the operation of Reading's composting area. The compost area provides considerable benefits to our community that can absolutely not be provided with curbside pick up. Many people initially thought that if we went 100% to MWRA that we would be able to "water our lawns whenever we want". We know that it not true even with our supplemental purchase. As citizens, we must make the, hard decisions that are required to protect the environment for future generations. Maintaining our Town's water supply will engender conservation ability and awareness that we would not have if we purchase all our water from MWRA. Equally as important, it will allow us to maintain control over the costs, supply, and quality of our water. I appreciate your tireless work on this critical issue facing our town. Respectfully, Eraine L. We56 -Oouf -E. WeLb- Elaine L. Webb Douglass E. Webb 309 Pearl Street 4-1 C as Schena, Paula From: Bp or Gina [bogina03@earthlink.net] Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2006 7:16 PM TO: Reading - Selectmen; Hech6ribleikn'er, Peter Cc: LeLacheuri Bob; tmcintyre @ci.reading.ma.us Subject: On the topic of MWRA buy-ih February 18, 2006 Selectmen & Town Manager Reading Town Hall 1.6 Lowell Street Reading MA .01867 Dear Selectmen and Town Manager:- As you know, I have been participating in the decision making process I regarding what the town should do to address water supply issues. As a long-time and founding *member of the Re4ding.-North Reading Ipswich Rivet Stream Team, one of my goals has been to protect the river. I have*given a-lot of thought to whether I should w r : ite I .ano as I do, not know the time frame for-discussions and decisions, and I am going to be on vacation, I have decided to send this letter with my thoughts at this time. I recognize that this is'i"'a complicated decision that the town needs to make. Howe'vet, as stated by our DPW in'the December meeting after the presentation by the MWRA, there is currently no emergency as the Town is in.no danger of not . meeting the latest,standards for water quality. I believe that it is neither in the•best interests of the town nor in the best interests of the river to fully' buy into the MWRA,•water supply. I say this in terms of looking very far ahead, and I believe that if the river is not a water supply, it will not be protected long term. All one needs to do is look at what has happened on the North Reading side of the river, and while that type of development may be unlikely, who is to say what pressures will be on the town fifty or a hundred years from now. Since I have lived here, I have seen the wetland resources in the town slowly eaten away. Additionally, the town should not forget the value of controlling the resources within the town. Water rights are pred-ictled,to be a major issue by the end of this century. I also have spoken with water resource experts and from what they have said, I don't believe the cast estimates of what the MWRA water supply will cost are complete. Finally, since we do have the luxury of.not having an issue of non-compliance looming.over•us, thle option of building the water plant on the existing site by Utilizing a design that incorporates as much of the existing structure as possible shm%J&,be evaluated. I support taking a step back and reconsidering the entire scenario. Sincerely, Gina Snyder 11 Jadem Terrace Reading cc: Asst. Town Manager DPW Director x(19 March 6, 2006 Board of Selectmen Town Hall Reading, MA Dear Chairman and Members of the Board, t /( tv S The Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) is writing to express our support for the proposed purchase of Reading's future water supply from MWRA, and to offer to assist the Town in implementing a water supply alternative which will protect the Ipswich River by ceasing the use of the town's wells, while ensuring the safety and sustainability of water for Reading's residents and businesses. IRWA has worked for more than a decade to address the extreme environmental degradation that occurs to the Ipswich River as a result of water withdrawals. Nowhere is that damage more severe and more chronic than adjacent to the Reading wells. The adverse impacts of Reading's Ipswich River wells have been thoroughly investigated and documented, and affect the river not only in Reading, but throughout its course downstream. IRWA believes that the dewatering of the river runs counter to a number of laws that protect rivers and associated wetlands, and may also infringe upon rights of Massachusetts citizens, riparian (riverfront) landowners, and communities downstream. IRWA recognizes how challenging this' situation is. We are aware that the increased cost of building the new treatment plant has changed the alternatives analysis. We are concerned that the town may decide to continue to use the wells, despite the damage that they cause. In fact, the likelihood is that town would increase use of the wells and decrease the MWRA purchase, in order to justify and afford the expenditures on the treatment plant. We urge the Town not to take this path. Not only will this approach continue to degrade the Ipswich River ecosystem, but the town will continue to face management burdens and financial and regulatory risks. Use of the wells could be further restricted or prohibited in the future, because of the ecological degradation they cause. Quite conceivably, this could result in Reading having to pay to build the new water treatment plant, yet having to forgo its use from May through October or during low -flow periods. Nor are the risks and. issues strictly limited to the question of future authorization to use the wells. The town's water supply remains vulnerable to contamination from a variety of actual and ,/- potential sources, and the siting of the new water treatment plant near rare species habitat and sensitive wetlands represents an additional threat to environmental quality. As has already been \kS1 demonstrated by the escalation in costs of the water treatment plant, the future costs of continued use of the town's wells is at best uncertain, and may well be higher than currently projected,. when all the concerns, and costs to address them, are fully accounted for. While MWRA water is also subject to cost increases, these costs are subject to very detailed forecasting and are shared among many communities. The state treasury has also, at times, absorbed some of these costs. We are aware that concerns have been raised that ceasing use of the Ipswich wells may not be allowed, due to the requirement that "viable sources" of water must be exhausted prior to approval of an interbasin transfer. We reiterate our prior comments that the Ipswich River wells are not a viable source in low -flow periods because of the environmental damage they cause. However, we note that the viability definition also incorporates an economic analysis by which the wells would not be considered viable if they are not a *cost- effective source. We are also aware of concerns that, if the Ipswich River is no longer used as Reading's water supply, protection of the river would suffer. Tresumably this refers to the protection of riparian land, not the river itself, because the in fact is that the use of the wells destroys the river now, rather than protects it. If the wells are no longer used, the town can still protect this riparian land as a public asset for open space, recreation and ecological protection. As you know, IRWA originally supported the alternative of Reading purchasing sufficient water from the MWRA to cease using the Ipswich River wells during the May through October period, but to retain the use of the wells the rest of the year. However, we recognize that the economics of the situation have changed, with the cost of building a new treatment plant escalating sharply, so that the use of the local wells while purchasing sufficient water from the MWRA to meet all the town's summer demand may be cost- prohibitive. Based on this change in the economics of the partial use option, we have concluded that the best alternative to ensure the safety and sustainability of the town's water supply, while protecting the river, is to completely cease the use of the wells. IRWA stands ready to assist the Town of Reading in whatever way we can to assure a safe and sustainable water supply for Reading, while protecting the Ipswich River. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, KZW7 Kerry Mackin Executive Director cc: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager L� eop 1 5 - LOU&I Local Governments for Sustainability March 6, 2005 Michelle Benson Town of Reading 230 Ash Street Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Dear Ms. Benson, ICLEI is pleased to welcome the Town of Reading as a full member of ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability. The Town of Reading is'now part of an international network that consists of 1'65 US counties, towns, and cities and more than 600 local governments around the world. Attached is a resolution for the Town of Reading to adopt regarding participating in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and working within ICLEI's milestone process to fight global warming. ICLEI program staff will contact.you and provide the CCP Toolkit and software along with technical and policy assistance to identify and implement actions that reduce global warming pollution, reduce traffic congestion, improve local air quality, and increase the energy efficiency of Town operations. In your role as staff liaison to ICLEI and the Cities for Climate Protection program, you will receive ICLEI information designed solely for staff officials. ICLEI will help you and your colleagues from other ICLEI CCP communities keep abreast of each other's programs and progress in climate protection efforts. ICLEI will also update you on grant opportunities, new publications and resources, upcoming workshop's, and climate- related policies relevant to local elected officials, such as resolutions coming before NLC. Town Manager Hechenbleikner has been identified to coordinate. interaction between your jurisdiction and ICLEI CCP as the liaison representing elected officials. Together you will keep the Town of Reading connected to ICLEI and the community as you work to fight global warming. Thank you for your payment of the Town's annual membership dues, which'are payable every year on January 1. We're looking forward to working with the Town of Reading. Please contact me at (510) 844 -0699 with comments or questions. Welcome to ICLEI and Cities for Climate Protection. Start using your membership today! Sincerely, Susan Ode Outreach Officer ICLEI -USA ICLEI U.S.A., Inc. 436.14th Street, Suile 1520 Oakland, California 94612, U.S.A. Phone: +1- 510/844 -0699 Fax: +1- 5101844.0698 Email: iclei_usa@iclei.org U.S. Regional Capacity Centers Northeast Mobile: +1. 617/820 -8038 Phone: +1- 617/635.3853 Fax: +1- 617/635 -3435 Western States Mobile: . +1- 9701416.7942 Phone: +1- 970/232.4273 Washington, DC Phone: +1- 510 - 332 -4988 World Secretariat Toronto, Canada International Training Centre Freiburg, Germany Africa Secretariat Johannesburg, South Africa East Asia Japan Office: Tokyo, Japan Korea Office :Seoul, Korea European Secretariat Freiburg, Germany Latin America and Caribbean Secretariat Rio de Janeiro, Braiii North America Canada Office: Toronto, Canada U.S.A. Office: Oakland, U.S.A. Oceania Secretariat Melbourne, Australia Southeast Asia Secretariat Manila, Philippines South Asia Secretariat New Delhi, India Project Offices China Indonesia Mexico Page 1 of 1 L (ccr Hechenblelkner, Peter From: ' Dorothy Giuhta [dhgiunta @gis.net] Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 20061 :01 PM To: Town Manager Subject: MWRA Having been a resident of Arlington, Ma. one of the pluses of moving to Reading was that you were NOT on the MWRA system. It is extremely costly and no matter how much you conserve your costs continue to rise. I would hope for all your residents pockets. to do what- ever you can NOT to be a part of it. It may in the long run be better to own your own then not be able to control the costs of an outsider. TM 1/11/2006 Page 1 of 1 Hechenblelkner, Peter From: John & Natalie Gill [fisigill @comcast.net] Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 7:36 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter; Town Manager Subject: MWRA water Hello Peter, 1 just received "Your Community Connection" newsletter in the mail and read the Water Supply Update. would like to voice my full support for Reading to provide all town water from the MWRA instead of using the Ipswich River. The water from the Ipswich River is yellow and smells badly; I am hoping for a vast improvement go that my children can grow up drinking high quality water. In all honesty, the poor drinking water is the one true negative in Reading's quality of life index. Currently, we have to use three water filters to make our tap water acceptable to drink — a whole house filter as the water comes into the house, a filter on the water /ice maker line that feeds the refrigerator, and a filter within the refrigerator itself. Before we moved to Reading nine years ago, we lived in Melrose which has MWRA water and it tasted fine. It was such a shock to move to Reading and find that the water is sub -par. Please do whatever it takes to switch over to MWRA water. Thanks, Natalie Gill 12 Francis Drive Reading, MA 01867 781 - 944 -7420 1/9/2006 Hechenblefter, Peter From: willfinch@juno.com Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 1:09 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: MWRA buy in To the Board of Selectman, I would like to thank the Town.Hall staff for organizing the meeting with DEP concerning the town's purchase of MWRA water. It was a good exchange of information, and all parties benefited. I am glad I had the chance to attend. One point which I failed to make at the meeting concerns the fact, As I see it, is that at times of low flow the pumping of the wells has an adverse impact on Reading wetlands, which is clearly a violation of the Wetlands Protection Act as administered by DEP Wetlands Division. Of course I realize that the town has permits to withdraw water granted from a different department of DEP.I am not sure what DEP's position is on this contradiction. If Reading was successful in purchasing all of our water from the MWRA, Reading would come into compliance with Massachusetts wetland laws. Also, speaking as a citizen as well as a Conservation Commission member, a dilemma which has concerned me for some time would be eliminated, by the town coming into such compliance. I am speaking for myself, not for the Commission as a whole. Thank you for wrestling with this difficult issue. Sincerely, Will Finch L`C�il 1 Page l0f2 Schena, Paula From: Fred Van Magness net] Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 12:47 PM To: �Reodng - Gelentmnn Cc: Sohana. Paula; Heohenbleikner,Peter; woudengr@netzanznei Subject: Water Treatment Options Now that I have had a chance to absorb the details from the BOS meeting of Nov. 29, 2005, 1 have a few comments that I would like you to consider. Any decision by the BOS tn abandon the current in-house treatment ofpotable water is, in my opinion, unconscimLblp. Isn't anything sacred in Reading any more??? I cannot believe that there is even sustained discussion within the BOS about going 100% MWRA. There are too many risks, not the least of which is the inferior water quality of MWRA vs. current Reading in-house oversight/process, for the BOS to subject Reading residents to a 100% MWRA decision. Our Reading forefathers left all of us a legacy of pure, clean, reliable water. Forgetebouiregietnaboninouao.Thenehanoprucederdfovraducbono/e|iminabunoVn|eaayouvo|untahk/ give them up. Don't be spooked by the Ipswich River Watershed folks. The town already acquiesced byawitohi a portion of our load to MWRA at significant future cost to residents. Forget about looking for real incremental cost differences that will drive you to any one. decision. As Mr. LeLacheur's fine analysis has pointed out, cost won't be. a final det6rminant. Move on to "build" options. Ao for "buik" options, yourhretohniceshou|dbetobuUdondhenurnantmatertneobmuntaitaandbuy water from MWRA on a short term duration basis during construction. Yes, there is some up front cost of demolition, but incrementally, you will be demolishing the plant in some manner anyway. There are many advantages,- including not disrupting the existing compost center and avoiding "Not in my back yard" issues with Foster Circle, etc. The second choice should be the "]LC" compost site. A-movetothis location or building on the current site will preserve yet another precious (to many) resource in the town, namely the existing compost center. Either ofthese choices also avoids a future Prop 21/2pyerhde issue tuoover{heooa of curb-side pick-up.Readin (town side at least) doesn't have a successful tnacknaoordon overrides. Either of these choices also avoids further burdening residents who will have to pay extra money out-of-pocket for bags to put leaves/grass in should you' move to curbside pickup. And what would residents do with the mountain of brush that ends up at Strout Ave. should the.Compost Center disappear? If you want to look.at being environmentally friendly with any decision, then keeping a workable recycling program seems to be a wise choice. The last and certainly.the most UNDESIRABLE choice from my perspective would be to use the existing compost site. This could be the most costly option to residents. Ao| see the process, i believe the BOS can make oda�aion now. Yes, hiaoome�n�ea desirable hz check out the U data.Buttheprooeoeyouanaembarknguponvibhn you, more data than you can handle, the data will be wildly variable, and will delay the decision process as you get into one rework loop after another trying to find an answer. | have seen prior BOS dwell over issues like this in the past and not take the leadership to move on. This board can move forward quickly and decisively if you choose. You have good data now. Financially, there isn't a solid answer that drives one option or another. But there iscost risk if you go with 100% MWRA. When did a State governmental agency ever keep costs under control ?? Ask yourselves the question ... If we go with 100% MWRA, is the BOS willing to step up and say that any cost increases above the 7% used in the study will be absorbed by the town operating budget over the 35 years ??? Of course the aoswarioa strong NO|||So why subject residents to the risk ?? Seems to me that you need to have a short discussion, move the 100% MWRA option off the table and not waste any more time with K. Even your Water and Sewer Advisors say to forget K4VVRA. Nobody | hear from says this is ~_ even worthy of discussion, so why are you prolonging the discussion?? Why not listen to your advisors or, if their input is not valued enough to make a decision, then dismiss the group. as not needed. 3/l3/2006 Mass Audubon Prot" dv, Natwe- f 1,4",s�etts ?IDS PAIR 15 All 10. 23 March 13, 2006 Camille Anthony, Chairman Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Chairman Anthony and Members of the Board: As you know, Mass Audubon has been concerned for many years regarding the impacts of Reading's wells on the Ipswich River and our sanctuary. We are writing to support the proposed purchase of Reading's water supply from the MWRA, so that the town can discontinue the use of its Ipswich River Watershed wells. The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is Mass Audubon's largest sanctuary and is located in the Towns ofTopsfield, Hamilton and Wenham. Eight miles of the Ipswich River meander through the woods and meadows of this 2,272 -acre sanctuary north of Boston. The floodplain forest consists of silver maple and occasional river birch and open meadows of reed canary grass and rare sedges line its course. The Great Wenham Swamp, the 'largest wetland on the North Shore, is part of the sanctuary and provides habitat for rare birds such as the American Bittern, rails, and pied - billed grebe. The ecological and recreational values of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary are impacted by the Ipswich River's severe low -flow problems. The river's fisheries are especially impacted, resulting in the loss of flow- dependent fish species including fallfish and brook trout. Water quality is also impaired; dissolved oxygen, which is critical to healthy aquatic .ecosystems and water quality, plummets in summer low -flow periods. Recreational values suffer from low -flows that make the river inaccessible or impassable for canoes and kayaks; in fact, last summer Mass Audubon had to cancel a number of programs because there was insufficient water in the river. The aesthetic values of the river are also seriously compromised during low -flow periods. The United States Geological Survey's modeling of water supply alternatives shows that water withdrawals by Reading and others diminishes summer flows by an order of magnitude (i.e. one - tenth of what they would be naturally). Even a 50% reduction in withdrawals, similar to what Reading originally proposed, will have only marginal benefits to the river. Ceasing use of the wells,. either seasonally, during low -flow periods, or year- round, will make a significant difference toward restoring healthy water levels. 208 South Great Road � Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 , tel 781.259.9500 • fax 781.259.8899 , www.massaudubon.org Mass Audubon recognizes that Reading has proposed to purchase some water from MWRA to supplement its supply in summer, but this purchase is not sufficient to allow the Town to stop using the wells during low -flow periods. We urge the Town to take action now toward allowing the wells to be shut down completely during the May through October period, and year -round if necessary, to avoid further damage to the Ipswich River. Thank you for your consideration. cc: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager U Page 1 of 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: RCTV CBB [cbb @rctv.org] Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:11 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Cc: Schena, Paula Subject: Fwd: Water treatment'plant vs. MWRA for March 14th discussion (questions) Begin forwarded message: From: "Janet Ehl" <ianehl _- comcast.net> Date: March 13, 2006 10:52:30 PM EST To: <forunn rctv.org> Subject: Water treatment plant vs. MWRA for March 14th discussion (questions) Hi Thanks for the opportunity to ask some questions about this topic. My questions and comments are as follows: 1.) My understanding is that a state law currently exists which states something to the effect,of "if a town has a currently viable water supply (which Reading does) then the town has to utilize that source" - do you know if this law currently exists and if so is Reading receiving some exemption from it? 2.) The MWRA recently completed a new water treatment plant - would this be the one providing Reading its' water supply? Related to this - I would imagine the MWRA would like more customers to, in essence, pay for this plant - what expectation on fee increases does the MWRA predict over the next 5 -10 years? 3.) My last concerns may be more of comments than questions but I would like to hear your opinions on this: If the town of Reading moves to the MWRA instead of building a new water treatment plant - I would see this as a move of no return - I can't imagine a scenario where we could move back- I am sure the resistance by Ipswich River commission or related groups would be great and the future costs too high. Building a new water treatment plant seems safer, more in the control of the town, probably less expensive when you get beyond the first 10 -20 years, and if an emergency happens we have MWRA back -up. Maybe a much safer move than being part of a water supply that feeds many communities if we want to even discuss the risk of terrorism. Thanks for your time and thoughts. Janet Ehl Franklin Street ma 3/14/2006 C �� Hechen'bleikoer, Peter From:. James MacDougall -[campmeeting@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 6:41.AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Ipswich River Flow Ms. Camille Anthony, Chairwoman Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Chairwoman Anthony and Members of the Board, As a riverfront landowner downstream of the Town of Reading's wells, I am writing to express my support for the proposal, currently under consideration by the Selectmen, to stop the use of Reading's water supply wells in favor of purchasing all Reading's water from the MWRA..- This alternative would provide the only assurance that the town could meet its future water supply needs without further damaging the Ipswich River..I The impact of Reading's wells on the Ipswich River is.,Ehe most extreme of any community in the watershed,.and has been documented over a period..of,decade's and investigated comprehensively by the United States Geological Survey and others.. There is no doubt that the wells literally pump the river dry, resulting in my inability to legally access my property which is by the river and the.only access is by canoe. Without water in the channel, I must walk the riverbed in the summer to access my property. The river bed is owned by my neighbors and it is at their good graces that I can walk over their land. If they sell to someone who is 1•ess understanding, you will have effectively prohibited me from accessing my land. Please keep water in the river all year long. Respectfully, James S. MacDougall Topsfield, MA %'T. etva wt %wwud�n 195 NORTH MAIN STREET MIDDLETON, MASSACHUSETTS 01949 (978) 777 -1869 FAX (978) 774 -0718 Camille Anthony Chair, Reading Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Dear Chairwoman Anthony, C P t� -� V-1 W4� bu I , )\/ March 16, 2006 We hear through the Ipswich River tributary network that your board has the daunting responsibility of voting,to buy MWRA water or not. We are writing as interested downriver observers who are convinced after reading the USGS study report* that . anything done upriver, and here, to reduce withdrawals would greatly help the river, tributaries, and floodplains /wetlands maintain more productive wildlife habitat, be esthetically more pleasing, provide cleaner water for us all, and enhance opportunities for passive recreation. At times of summer low and no flows here parts of our eight miles ot,�, river are not navigatable even by canoe. Imagine how the lower water affects creatures °y depending on the cooler temperatures and resulting higher oxygen concentrations of flowing water. In our booming town those population has doubled in just two decades K5 need all the help we can get in protecting the wetlands that so depend on more natural annual flows. Attached are a couple photographs taken last At when the Reading/North ., Reading wells combined with drought had the ground water down so low there was no . flow only puddles in the deeper spots where it peeped above the water table. The photographer and brother, our agent, walked for a mile or so on dry channel bed searching for the lost river. We are equally responsible down here with our excessive consumption of 74 gallons per day per person. Our town as of last year has rules that restrict outside water use here from May 1 to September 31. These apply to both private well and public sources. You by voting to buy MRWA water have the opportunity to do even more than our rules for our heavily exploited river. With the Rivers Protection Act and recent more local rules by basin towns we may again see our children playing in the river along with riverine fish needing flow. Wouldn't it be nice if our grandchildren could someday experience the alewife, shad, salmon, and sturgeon spawning runs of Native American and early Colonial years? � .�r�, Respectful , M Dennis Milotzky, Ann Delmarsh, Fred ack Nat ague ameron, Lyn Wilkins Middleton Conservation Commission * USGS - A Precipitation - Runoff Model for Analysis of the Effects of Water Withdrawals on Stream flow, Ipswich River Basin, Massachusetts by Phillip J. Zarriello and Kernell G. Ries, III, 2000 �klg vm r 365 Kirt Mayland, Esq. Director of the Eastern Water Project r 43 Reservoir Road Lakeville, CT 06039 kmayland@tu.org TROUT (860) 435 -2073 UNLIMITED March 20, 2006 Via E -Mail . Mr. Camille W. Anthony Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867 selectmen@ci.reading.ma.us Re: Purchase of MRWA Water To Mr. Anthony and the Board of Selectmen: This letter regards the potential purchase by the town of Reading of water from the Massachusetts Regional Water Authority (the "MRWA "). I am writing as the Director of the Eastern Water Project on behalf of Trout Unlimited ( "TU ") and its Massachusetts Council. TU is a national not - for - profit organization whose mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. The Massachusetts Council represents TU members and chapters in the state on issues of statewide concern. TU has approximately 150,000 volunteers in 450 chapters nationwide and close to 3,600 volunteers in 12 chapters in Massachusetts, including close to 1000 in or near the Ipswich River watershed area. As you know, due primarily to excessive water withdrawals and overdevelopment, the Ipswich River frequently runs dry during summer months. Due to these frequent low -and no -flow episodes, the fishery on the Ipswich River has been severely degraded, and at times, such as this past summer, completely extirpated in. sections. The excessive withdrawals on low - gradient river have also resulted in unnatural ponded conditions on the river, reducing riffles and essential riverine habitat, and reducing and altering the river's fish and macroinvertebrate community. Nowhere on the river is the damage more apparent, severe and chronic than the stretch immediately adjacent to the town of Reading's groundwater wells. The wells also cause significant impacts to the river (and riparian landowners' enjoyment of such) miles downstream of the town's wells. The hydrological connection of Reading's wells to the Trout Unlimited: America's Leading ColdwaterFisheries Conservation Organization Washington, D.C. Headquarters: 1500 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 -2404 (703) 522 - 0200• Fax: (703) 284 -9400 - http: / /www.tu.org /trout/ - kmayland ®tu.org flow in the river, and the adverse impacts the wells cause, have been the subject of many investigations and scientific studies, and at, this point in time are a foregone conclusion. TU understands that the town of Reading is currently faced with a difficult economic and environmental decision to either purchase all of its water from the MRWA (and shutting off its Ipswich wells), or to construct a costly new water treatment plant and continuing to operate its wells. Normally, as you well know, towns are encouraged to keep water local and to live within their water budgets. However, the Ipswich River is severely overallocated, and relieving the river from Reading's impact alone, outweighs the benefits, in this instance, of keeping water local. In light of all the above, TU strongly encourages the town to choose the option of purchasing all of its water from the MRWA and shutting off its wells. Doing so would perinanently, directly and immediately improve the health of the Ipswich River and its fishery. Choosing the option of MRWA water, along with continuing to look at water conservation measures, would help transform the town of Reading from a poster child of water mismanagement to a model of environmental stewardship. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Sincerely, Kirt Mayland cc: Leon Szeptycki Eastern Conservation Director & General Counsel Gene Chague President of the MA/RI Council Peter Hechenbleikner. Reading Town Manager townmanagergci.reading ma.us Hechenbletkner Peter From: Garyl-1 [gehylan58@earthlink.netl Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:25 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Reading Water Supply concerns Hello, my name is Gary Hylan of 12 Boyce St., Reading. I am very much in favor of keeping the Ipswich River Basin as our primary source of drinking water and supplimenting with MWRA water. The reasons I favor this plan over going completely, to the MWRA source is: 1) Control of the source. 2) My.father lives in Wakefield, which is a MWRA supplied town and his water bill is very high compared to What we are paying in Reading. 3) 1 fear the loss' of the Ipswich River basin as an optional source.. According to the article in the March 15 Chronicle the town can't change their mind and go back to using the b * asin after switching to the MWRA. 4) 1 don't the take or leave. it attitude of the MWRA. Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion. Regards Gary Hylan t 1 . k 0 zM Pagel of 2 Schena, Paula. From: Phil Rushworth [phil @rctv.org] Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 10:58 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Cc: Schena, Paula Subject: Fwd: Questions for Water Program Question for Selectmen forum Begin forwarded message: From: "Peg" <peg@110.net> Date: March 13, 2006 7:48:50 PM EST To: <forum rctv.org> .Subject: Questions for Water Program Thanks for allowing input on the water situation in Reading. I will start with a few questions, then add my comments. These questions relate to emergency preparedness 1. What would the impact be on either system if a prolonged power outage occurred?. Is either system system more vulnerable to a power outage or shortage? 2. Are there situations in which water could not be provided to the town? 3. Are there any plans in place for back -up teams to cover water distribution and systems maintenance in the event the regulars are not available to do their jobs (e.g. due to regional disaster, illness, quarantine, etc. ?) The next questions relate to fluorine in the water supply. 1. Many experts around the world say adding fluorine'the water supply is potentially dangerous to individuals. Most of Europe has banned the practice, and there has been considerable debate across the u.s. and also in Massachusetts in recent months. For example, see: httn: / /www.fluoridealert.ora/ Has or will reading address this issue? qE31 3/14/2006 Page 2 of 2 In my opinion, local control over town water supplies could be beneficial to the community. While availing the town to mwra water supplies would address certain issues, it would substantially decrease reading's control over it's own water supply. I think that control over the town's water supply is important if we want to seriously reconsider the value of fluoridation of our drinking water. Because the mwra, floridates its water, our continued reliance on the mwra would constrain our ability to seriously debate this important issue. I have started to seriously question the value of floridation. While i am aware that reading has floridated its municipal water for many decades, the time may be ripe to directly address the issue. In effect, fluoridation is a process of medicating the water supply, which in the age of fluoride toothpaste is arguably not necessary. And it is not without its risks.. Recent studies conducted by harvard university show that fluoride in drinking water increases the risks for certain cancer in young boys. As a mother of a young boy, it is my opinion that the issue demands a thorough analysis. 2. Would it be possible to raise the question of water flouridation by ballot initiative, or at town meeting? I would be in favor of using MWRA water if they leave the decision to fluorinate the water on a local level. Thank you. Peg Raciti 26 Barbara Lane 7MM 3/14/2006 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: McIntire, Ted Sent: Tuesday, Mairch 07, 2006 10:43 AM. To: Hechenbleikner, Peter; LeLacheur, Bob Subject: RE: Water'Treatment Plant See comments in document, following each question. Ted - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 4:59 PM To: LeLacheur, Bob; McIntire, Ted Subject: FW: Water Treatment Plant ----- Original Message---- - From: Steve Crampe [mailto:scrampe@qmsofma.com] Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 3:57 PM To: Town Manager Subject: Water Treatment Plant Peter, I was watching the discussion 'on the '$24 Million dollar water treatment plant the other night. I heard POS and CONS from both sides. Questions How many other communities draw water from the, Ipswich? - 13 How stable are their treatment plants? - Unknown Can Reading partner with the other, communities to create our own little water resource association? - The Town is considering purchasing 100% MWRA * water as an alternative to constructing a new water treatment plant. The Town had also considered purchasing water from the Town of Andover, but the MWRA option was more feasible in regards to cons tructabi lity and implementability. If this is possible, What are the POS and'CONS? Steve Crampe 12 Putnam Road Reading, MA 1 t Page lofI . �, HechenbleikneK,Peter, From: Ellen Doucette [ecdouoefte@hnockeftlu000.00n] Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 4:03 PM To; Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Re: Land Protection Peter, Clearly, the land around the water treatment plant is protected by Article 97 which'applies to water resource protection and water supplies (taken or. purchased by the town under c.45, sec.1 9) In order to change it to another protected use, it is my understanding that the-town must still comply with Article 97. While this may not make sense, my research indicates that a change from one protected use to another has been called a "disposition" for.purposes of Article 97. 1 will check this out further and get back to you with a definite answer. Nm ----- Original Message ----- '`--` Hechenbleikner, Pete To: ecdoucettea-brackettlucas.com Sent: Friday, March 17'2OO54:28PM Subject: Land Protection ' Ellen ` | understand that Joan ks leaving BQL and you inherit Reeding. Congratulations. | look forward tn working with you in more matters than wm have |nthe We are considering discontinuing the use of our Water Treatment Plant and buying a||ofourvveberhnmthe MWRA. We dwn quite a bit of land around the plant, and are interested in having it continue to be preserved for recreation and open space uses. I know the water land is protected under Article 97 — is this true even if we don't continue to use it for water purposes. |e there some way that vve can ensure it's continued preservation? Designate itooapark? Thanks for your thoughts. Pete Vr3q U 6. Review Town Meeting Warrant — I will be asking the Board of Selectmen to take positions on the various Warrant Articles. The Finance Committee is meeting on April 12 to finalize its recommendations on some of the Warrant Articles. 7. Approve Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes — We have taken bids for Bond Anticipation Notes for projects, including the MWRA buy-in. We got an extremely good rate for the MWRA buy-in Bond Anticipation Notes. 8. The Unions have approved the health insurance agreement expiring May 31, 2007. The Board needs to approve the. agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign it. I•ITI on R 6. Review Town Meeting Warrant — I will be asking - the Board of Selectmen to take positions on the various Warrant Articles, The Finance Committee is meeting on April 12 to finalize its recommendations on some of the Warrant Articles. 7.. Approve Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes — We have taken bids for Bond Anticipation Notes for projects, including the MWRA buy-in. We got an extremely good rate for- the MWRA buy-in Bond Anticipation Notes. 8. The Unions have approved the health insurance agreement expiring May 31, 2007. The Board needs to approve the, agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign it. PHVPS qq) t Page I of I Hedhenbleikner, Peter From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Thursday, April 06, 200611:38 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Debt sale complete We have borrowed $3.18 million for the MWRA supplemental buy-in & an extra $500k of water-main money today, at a net cost of 3.59% to 9/19/06. Eastern Bank bought our bonds. Interestingly, AAA-rated Brookline borrowed today at 3.60% to 7/31/06. 4/6/2006 Motion for BANs Moved: That all action taken by the Town Treasurer in advertising for public sale of the $3,680,000 Bond Anticipation Note of the Town, authorized pursuant to Chapter 44, Sections 8(3), 8(5) and 8(6) of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended and supplemented by votes of the Town, be and hereby is ratified, confirmed, approved, and adopted; That the Note shall be dated as of April 18, 2006 and mature on September 19, 2006; That the Note shall be issued by means of a book-entry system; That U.S. Bank National Association, in Boston, Massachusetts shall act as Transfer Agent, and Paying Agent; That the Note shall bear interest payable at maturity and is hereby ,sold and awarded as follows: Purchaser Note No. Amount Interest Rate Premium Eastern Bank $3,680,000 3.594% nic $10,125.72 That the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to prepare and deliver a Material Events Disclosure Certificate and the Note to the aforesaid purchaser or purchasers or order against payment in full of the agreed purchase price. �fg3 . . 6. Review Town Meeting Warrant — I will be asking the Board of Selectmen to take positions on the various Warrant Articles. The Finance Committee is meeting. on April 12 to finalize its recommendations on some of the Warrant Articles. 7, Approve Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes — We have taken bids for Bond Anticipation Notes for projects, including the MWRA buy-in. We got an extremely good rate for the MWRA buy-in Bond Anticipation Notes. 8. The Unions have approved the health insurance agreement expiring May 31, 2007. The Board needs to approve the. agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign it. PHVPS TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS Health Insurance Agreement June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007 The following is the understanding of the terms of agreement on the issue of health insurance for the employees and retirees of the Town of Reading. 1. Effective June 1, 2006, the Town of Reading will provide through MIIA to its active and retired employees, the Blue Cross/Blue Shield "Blue Care Elect Preferred" PPO product, the "HMO Blue" HMO product, Medex III Medicare supplement, and Medicare HMO Blue for a period of one year, subject to renewal. 2. Effective June 1, 2006, the Town will pay 70% of the cost of the above insurance plans. If neither the Town nor the coalition bargaining committee submits a written request for negotiations prior to March 1, 2007, the 70/30 split will remain in force. If either party submits a timely written request, negotiations on cost .sharing after May 31, 2007 will begin no later than March 7, 2007. If negotiations are not successful by April 1, 2007, and that date may be extended by mutual agreement, then both parties would agree to mediation. During the mediation the current negotiated 70/30 split will remain in effect. This time table may be modified by mutual agreement of the Town and the coalition bargaining committee. 3 The Public Employees Bargaining Committee, made up of representatives of each of the Town's Bargaining Units and a retiree appointed by the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association, will continue to meet periodically during the term of this agreement. The committee will monitor health insurance claims and other data provided by the insurer with a focus on current trends and all other items that may affect premiums. These meetings will be open to any active employee(s) and retiree(s), and a non -union representative appointed by the Town Manager will also be included in such meetings. Such non -union representative does not confer any rights upon the appointee beyond any other non - Coalition Bargaining Committee member. 4 The Town will allow retirees to re -enter the insurance program on an open enrollment basis every 24 months, starting with even years, thereafter at the open enrollment period, and provided that the retirement date is within .10 years of the open enrollment effective date. A retiree and /or his/her family may exercise this right only once. If a retiree opts to take Town coverage under this paragraph and then drops the coverage he or she will not be permitted to re- enroll. The Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen agree to request a health insurance budget for each year in an amount not less than the rate required to cover currently insured employees and retirees, at the rate specified in this agreement. If additional State Aid becomes available to the Town over and above the prior years levels of State Aid, and such funds are available on a non restricted basis, at the request of qJ v' the coalition bargaining unit the Town agrees to reopen negotiations on the percentage of Town contribution to the health insurance program. The Town will consider as part of that negotiating process, the use of a- portion of the increased Aid for health insurance purposes not to exceed the percentage of that increase that the current health insurance expense item represents of the total budget. In the event that this paragraph applies, it is subject to Town Meeting approval. 6 This agreement shall become effective upon ratification by the Public Employees Bargaining Committee and by the Board of Selectmen. This settlement shall be effective June 1, 2006 and shall remain in full force until May 31, 2007 unless the provisions of Paragraph 2 are instituted as to renegotiation and /or mediation. q-,,f3 %. Board of Selectmen Meeting February 21, 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 Camille Anthony, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Safety Officer Michelle Halloran, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, John Dannemiller, Al Garbarino, Caroline Boviar, Mike McManus, Fran Spadafora, Paul Duffy, Gill Rodriquez. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he has been attending the CPDC Meetings regarding Stop & Shop. He also noted that the Health Insurance Committee is meeting on Thursday evening. Selectman James Bonazoli thanked the Advocate and Chronicle for printing the survey regarding nurse advocates. He hopes to have a report for Town Meeting.. They are looking at what the Town offers and what seniors need, and are also looking at costs. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Board received a letter from Valerie Ross commending the Reading Fire Department for their efforts in putting out the fire on Woburn Street, and in assisting them in getting their computers and files. Public Comment - Al Garbarino, Town Meeting Member, noted that he has concerns regarding the proposed mall development for his children's safety and the increase in traffic. He noted that he will have to reconsider whether his children walk to school. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • The Police Department is transitioning, with the two new vehicles being purchased this year, to a "Black and White" pattern for the vehicles. One of the major reasons is improved visibility of the vehicles. • Preliminary estimate of the storm last weekend is $130,000: • Sanding/Salting: 3:00 a.m. — 5:00 a.m. • Plowing: 5:00 a.m. —11:00 p.m. • Sanding/Salting: 11:00 p.m. - ongoing. • School pickup —Monday Square pickup -Monday starting at 10:00 p.m. • The Library has been awarded an Equal Access Libraries grant, a professional development program of Libraries for the Future in partnership with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The purpose of Sat ( Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 21, 2006 — Page 2 the grant is to enhance service to older adults through lifelong learning programs. The grant will provide four days of training for two librarians and funding for two programs. Congratulations to Nancy Aberman for an outstanding application! • Verizon is offering Cable TV service as of 2- 15 -06. • Verizon interconnect for PEG programming, it could be 120 days before the Selectmen meetings, etc. are shown due to the installation of equipment. • Rubbish and recycling working group — February 23rd • Zoning Enforcement. • Rain Barrel rebates. • The place to be is Reading Library on Saturday, March 4th. The Library will be celebrating their 5th Annual Open House which is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Library. There will be something for everyone squeezed in between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. that day including Children's Theater, Dance Revolution for. teens, door prizes, music, refreshments and more! As part of Open House Week, there will be a variety of computer classes offered and a program featuring best - selling author Anita Diamant. Drop by or call the Library for more info. • Two bridges are out of service due to the need for repairs in the Track Road area. One is out on Track Road and one on Harvest Road. • I wanted the Board of Selectmen to know that I am signing the drainage access agreement between the Town of Reading and ASN READING LLC, as detailed in the documents attached to Brian Blaesser's letter dated February 3, 2005, and as approved by the Town Engineer and Town Counsel. • We received five bids on the health insurance. MIIA was the low bidder with a 4.9% increase for 15 months. • The Board received a letter and petition from Pearson to change the Zoning By -Law. The Board of Selectmen needs to refer it to CPDC. CPDC has 65 days to review. This will be on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. A motion by Duffy seconded by Bonazoli to refer the proposed zoning amendment to the Community Planning -and Development Commission for a hearing was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. The Town Manager noted that the Board needs to approve the Executive Order regarding NIMS. A motion by Duffy seconded by Bonazoli to endorse the Executive Order designating the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the' Town of Reading's incident management standard was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. • The Town Manager gave an update in the Initiative Against Substance Abuse. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that George Hines came to the last Selectmen's Meeting regarding the group being organized. The Town Manager noted that the group talked about it and decided to continue as is for now. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — Chute Street Parking — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Police Chief Jim Cormier and Safety Officer Michelle Halloran were present. . Board of Selectmen Meeting — Febru@U 21, 2006 — Page 3 The Town Manager noted that there are multiple parking regulations on the westerly side of Chute Street and no parking on the easterly side. Chief Cormier noted that the westerly side starts off resident parking, then changes to one hour parking, and then changes to two hour parking. He recommends resident parking from Mt. Vernon to #42 Chute Street, and two hour parking from #42 to Woburn Street. Caroline Boviar of 42 Chute Street noted that she has concerns regarding all day resident parking. She feels that it is too much like a municipal lot. She prefers the two hour parking. John Dannemiller of 54 Roma Lane suggested making the regulations the same all the way down the street so that it will be less confusing. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafova to close the hearing regarding parkins on Chute Street was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafova to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by adding to Article 5, Section 5.3, the following regulation(s): 112 Hour Parking" — Chute Street— West Side from #42 to Woburn Street "Resident Parking Only" — Chute Street — West Side from Mt. Vernon Street to #42 Chute Street was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. Hearing — No Parking Standing StWing_on Roma Lane and Sunset Rock Lane Cul -de -Sac — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Safety Officer recommends no parking anytime in the cul -de- sacs. Chairman Camille Anthony questioned the no stopping, and the Town Manager noted that the children should be dropped off before the cul -de -sac in the designated areas. John Dannemiller indicated that it should not be more restrictive than it already is. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the school agreed with this, and the Town Manager noted that both the Superintendent and Principal are okay with this. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing regarding no parking, standing or stopping in the cul -de -sacs on Roma Lane and Sunset Rock Lane was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995 by adding to Article 5, Section 5.31 the.following regulation(s): 5a' 3 Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 21, 2006 — Page 4 "No Parking, Stopping or Standing" — Roma Lane - Cul -de -sac "No Parking, Stopping or Standing" — Sunset Rock Lane — Cul -de -sac was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. Traffic — Police Chief Jim Cormier noted that there are four types of citations: A written warning that has no action, and a civil, criminal or arrest that requires some type of action. He reviewed a five year analysis of citations, and noted that 2005 had the highest civil /court violations, and the Police Department was down six Officers that year. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if ruining a red light was civil or arrest. Chief Cormier noted that it could be either a ticket or if the person getting stopped for running a red light has a suspended license, driving under the influence, etc., then they would be arrested. Chairman Camille Anthony asked what the number one reason is for pulling someone over, and Chief Cormier noted that it was for speeding. Chairman Anthony noted that if people knew they would get a fine instead of a warning, then they would slow down. Chief Cormier noted that fines have a greater impact but Officers try to balance the severity versus the fine. He also noted that the Officers use laptops to see the drivers history, and they .take that information into. account. He noted that the Officers are attuned to the Selectmen's concerns and they try to stay attuned to their neighbors and community needs. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she will ask no more about written warnings Chief Cormier noted that they use the SARA. model of community policing. They use traffic counters to get the volume, time of day and speed of the vehicles. This allows them to pinpoint enforcement. They use the speed board, unmanned car and aggressive enforcement with documentation. Chief Cormier noted that all schools have traffic issues, and Safety Officer Michelle Halloran is meeting with school Principals to focus on problems. Downtown Parking — The Town Manager reviewed the Goals of the Downtown plan. He is proposing to make Brandy Court parking lot two hour parking 'instead of three, make Haven Street consistent with one hour parking, make High Street two hour parking, and create employee parking on High Street, north of Woburn Street. He noted that we need regulations in front of Town Hall and the plan will be to have two hour parking. He also noted that people move their cars around in the municipal lot, and we need to make it clear that the two hours is for that lot, not in that space. He suggests keeping the 30 minutes parking in the middle of Haven Street where the Post Office and banks are. Mike McManus from Mark Hall noted that there are three rental parallel spaces behind Haven Junction, and that one more space could fit in there and it could be rented out. He also noted that his company invested thousands of dollars in this area and ended up with one space out of three that were being rented. He indicated that he has a doctor who is willing to rent space if he can get an additional parking space. He noted that High Street spaces are underutilized. sou Board of Selectmen Meetings February 21 2006 — Page 5 The owner of Juliana's Nail Salon was present. She noted that she has a lot of elderly customers, and the two hour parking is too far away. She is requesting two hour parking in front of her salon. The owner of the Computer Depot indicated that he is located in the same area of the nail salon and is also requesting two hour parking. He noted that the municipal lots are too far away for customers to walk with a computer. He requested that if they can't get more spaces, could they get more time? Fran Spadafora asked about having two hour parking on Main Street, and the Town Manager noted that it is one hour now and will remain one hour. Ms. Spadafora indicated that one hour is not much time to shop. Paul Duffy, Manager of the Atlantic Market, noted that the Parking Officer does a great job. He is looking to have the head -on parking on Haven Street increased from one hour to two hours, and also two hours in the rear parking lot. He asked if they could get enforcement on the weekends once the Haven Junction is fully functioning. Gill Rodriquez noted that there are rumors that the bank on the corner of Main and Haven Street may have condos on top. He asked if the Town will give them parking. The Town Manager noted that they are looking to create additional parking. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the merchants in the Main to Haven Street area want two hour parking. The Town Manager noted that there are some merchants who are not here this evening who feel one hour parking is critical. The Board directed the Town Manager to put this back on the agenda in one month. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested discussing this with CPDC. Discussion re: Acquisition of Main Street Property The Town Manager noted that the heirs of the property at 1481 Main Street are interested in selling to the Town. They are asking $1.2 million. The assessed value is $776,800. The Town Manager noted that if we did a capital exclusion, it would be a one time payment of $150 for the residents. The Town would apply for a grant to pay between 50% and 70% of the total cost. The Town Manager reviewed the timing, and noted that we would have to have a commitment to purchase in order to apply for the grant. The Town Manager noted that we can put this on for $1.2 million for debt for approximately two years. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she wants to know the different ways to fund. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he wants to explore with the School Committee the sale of the land across from the High School. He feels that we will lose money if we continue to sit on it. Set Town Manager's Salary for FY07 — The Town Manager noted that there is a 2% increase in the Town Manager's salary for FY07. CAI Board of Selectmen Meeting= February 21, 2006 — Page 6 A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to increase the Town Manager's salary 3% for FY07 was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to adjourn the meeting of February 21, 2006 at 10:25 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary sQ�. Board of Selectmen Meeting February, 28, 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 Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectman Ben Tafoya, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Peter Lattanzi, Karen Herrick, David Tuttle, Rich Morse, Stephen Crook, John and Gail Wood, Will Finch, John Sasso, Attorney Brad Latham, Jim Boland, Elaine Webb. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Initiative Against Substance Abuse Ad Hoc Committee is looking at what other communities are doing. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that the Board of Selectmen own the property, on Oakland Road and don't need to go back to Town Meeting. They can get it surveyed and then auction it. He also noted that the prices are dropping and the Selectmen need to act quickly. Peter Lattanzi of 15 Ash Hill Road and a member of the Reading Care Group noted that 40-60 stores are being planned for the Addison - Wesley project. He also noted that the Town asked the developer to present something smaller in scale but they said it was not economically feasible. He noted that it is okay to say "no" there is only one way in. John Sasso, Chairman of the Community Planning and Development Commission, was present. He updated the Board on the Master Plan and compliance /enforcement issues. He noted that progress is being made on site plan review, signs, special permits, etc., but they need tracking of issues. He requested that the Board of Selectmen appoint associate members to CPDC to help out with the workload. He also noted that the Community Services Department needs an active Department Head who can help in setting priorities. He noted that the Commission is not against bonding but they want to be involved in the process. The Master Plan also needs to be reviewed to identify specific individuals and what needs to be accomplished. The Town Manager noted that he will put CPDC on the March 7, 2006 Board of Selectmen Agenda to discuss these items. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ,-� 1�, /. Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 28 2006 — Page 2 • Is the Board interested in attending a CPDC Meeting on March 13th to discuss. a request by ' the developer of Johnson Woods to "release" the back portion of the property earlier than the seven year time frame provided in the Zoning By -Laws. • The next Board of Selectmen's Forum is March 14th • I have signed the agreement with the MSBA on reimbursement for the RMHS project. Town Accountant Gail LaPointe deserves a lot of credit for getting this groundbreaking document put together and executed. This will ensure that the Town does not need to sell any additional debt on this project, and that we get reimbursed on an ongoing basis by the MSBA. • Reminder - Nurse Advocacy survey needs to be turned in ASAP. • The next 128/93 Meeting is March 15a'. • 8 Walkers Brook Drive - We have ordered Cumberland Farms to remove the underground gasoline tanks from the ground. The station has been closed for over six months and since the tanks are of single wall construction, they are classified by the Fire Prevention Code as abandoned and must be removed. Today the work should begin. • 85 Main Street - We have noticed over the last couple of weeks that this station has not been pumping fuel. The Fire Prevention Code classifies a station as "Temporarily Out of Service" when they are not adding or removing products. The code requires several steps to be followed including all products to be removed from the tank. These tanks are of double wall construction, and they may remain in the ground for two years. We are working with Cumberland Farms to see the tanks are closed properly. • I am in the process of hiring a consultant engineer to replace Town Engineer Joe Delaney who has left to work for the State DER This will be on an interim as needed basis .until we hire a new Town Engineer. • The Board needs to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the Public Employee Bargaining Committee. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Reading and the Public Employee Bargaining Committee was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. The Assistant Town Manager noted that there was a chart on Page 32 of the handout regarding financing options for 1481 Main Street. He also noted that a capital exclusion would be a one time payment of $150. Five year borrowing from the State would be $34.16 per year, and regular borrowing for five years would be $33.06 per year. The Town Manager noted that we could get 60% from the State Self Help Program. We need to bring this to Town Meeting, put it on the ballot, and then file for the grant. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if regular borrowing needed voter approval, and the Town Manager indicated that it did not. He noted that he prepared a proposed Article for tonight. The payments wouldn't go into effect until FY08 but we need Town Meeting authorization. He suggests putting it on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. If Town Meeting approves it, then negotiate the Purchase and Sales Agreement, and then file the grant application. S�z Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 28, 2006 — Page 3 Discussion/Action Items Review Action Status Report — The Town Manager noted that he should have a policy on details by the end of next month. Ash Street at Main is ongoing and has an action date of 2010. The PTTTF is looking at the three way stop at Grove Street. Regarding Gazebo Circle, he has a proposal . to do the drainage study on his desk. The money has to be accessed jointly but the work will be easy - we just need to make sure that we are correcting the problem. Chairman Camille Anthony asked for an update on Jordan's. lighting. The Town Manager noted that he should have the code compliance report in a couple of weeks. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that Gill Rodriquez invited the Board of Selectmen and staff to a working group meeting regarding parking, and he will follow up. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there is no tree lawn in front of the Archstone project. Close Warrant — Annual Town Meeting — The Town Manager noted that the two school Articles have been taken off the Warrant, and he took off the Permit Coordinator because it has nine pages of State law that goes with it. The Town Manager noted that Article 18 is the authorization of debt for the Main Street property, and it has a debt exclusion written into it. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if it could be written so it doesn't have to be a debt exclusion, and, the Town Manager suggested leaving it as written and the debt can be left out in the Motion. The Town Manager noted that this property will be used for passive recreation in the name of conservation. I I � I . 0; . .. The Town Manager noted that a d ' ate certain will have to be established for Article 26 - the. zoning for Addison-Wesley. He will talk with the Town Moderator about this. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to close the Warrant consisting of 27 Articles for the Annual Town Meeting to take place on APrU 24, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Accept Easements — Tambone and -American Legio — The Town Manager noted that this is related to the Downtown hnprovement project. These affidavits certify that we have the right of way. Both the American Legion and Tambone have consented. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to accept the easement known as Parcel SW-2-T from the Reading Post of the American Legion of Massachusetts #62 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to accept the easement known as Parcel SW-I-T from the Haven Realty Trust was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 28 2006 — Page 4 Consideration of Amusement Devices — Fuddruckers — The Town Manager noted that when Fuddruckers came for their liquor license, they also asked for amusement devices. The request is for 11 videos. There is a letter from the Chief of Police who. makes some recommendations. The only place in Reading that has amusement devices is in private clubs. He suggests the Board discuss this issue in concept before scheduling a hearing. Attorney Brad Latham and Jim Boland were present. Attorney Latham noted that the request is for 11 amusement devices. He also noted that the applicant is of good character, he maintains good order, and there is no impact to the neighborhood because it is inside an existing development. He created a new plan with none of the games in the restroom area per the recommendation by the Chief of Police. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she had concerns regarding the exit door and having little children there with no supervision. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there is one Fuddruckers with no games, and asked if it makes or breaks the business. Jim Boland noted that it does not make or break the business but it is a key component to profitability for the restaurant. Vice Chairman Schubert noted that this is a community issue and other places of business will also want this. He has concerns about controlling and monitoring the games. The Town Manager noted that the floor plan for the liquor license shows the doors at different locations, and he's not sure if it is accurate. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked how wide the aisle is that leads to the restroom, and Jim Boland estimated that it is about 51 ". Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he is not inclined to change the direction of the path the Town has previously taken. Attorney Latham asked if reducing the number of amusement devices would make a difference, and Vice Chairman Schubert noted that it would still open the door for other business owners, and they would have the argument that we already allow them. The consensus of the Board was not to move forward with a hearing. Review of Water Supply Options — The Town Manager noted that the MWRA had previously made a presentation regarding purchasing all of the Town's water from the MWRA. A group of Town staff and officials met with DEP. The Board of Selectmen need to determine what their next steps will be. The Town Manager reviewed the following facts: 1. The DEP does not object to the Town considering full MWRA buy -in. 2. The Town will need ITA approval. 3. The Town would have to keep a few wells. operational, and then give up the rest of the wells and probably would never get them back. 4. Contamination is an issue. Board of Selectmen Meeting February 28 2006 — Page 5 5. The Town's water registration could be reduced in 2008 to, the current level of average daily use. 6. The Town would have to prove the case of not having a viable water source. 7. The Town will always have water use restrictions. 8. The Town would need a project change from MEPA. 9. The Town will have to deal with comments from the Ipswich River Basin as well as the donor basin. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that when she met with DEP, she asked them what their long - range plan is for the Ipswich River, and they indicated that they do not have one. John Wood noted that permit water is water used over the amount of registration water, and Reading has never used permitted water. DPW Director Ted McIntire noted that every community has registration based on the numbers in the 1980's The Town Manager noted that for the communities who filed in the 80's, their registration was based on current use. Anything over that, they needed a permit from the DEP. If a community did not file for registration in the 80's, then they had to file for a permit. The DEP has the right to modify amounts on permits. Mr. Wood noted that regarding vulnerability, AGFA has not been resolved but technology exists to treat contaminants. The Town Manager noted that we have had a gasoline spill, there have been issues with the Sterling, GE and AGFA sites, and North Reading does not have sewers. Mr. Wood noted that quality is not a concern with our current treatment. He also noted that quantity is not a problem in the Winter — the only problem is during the Summer and that has been addressed. The MWRA costs are unpredictable. Ted McIntire noted that he believes the WRC will make a big push for restrictions. Elaine Webb noted that Town Meeting supported a very strong conservation program, and the Town's policy could still be in place if we buy full MWRA. She also noted that she has discussed this with neighbors and there are a lot of factors including MWRA rates, impact on the Compost Center, long -term cost (our wells are gold and if we give them up, we will never get them back). She suggests building. a new Water Treatment Plant and using the MWRA in the Summertime. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there was a cost to keeping the wells for an emergency, and the Town Manager noted that there is the cost of staffing, testing, etc. Mr. Wood noted that an open source of water is also vulnerable. He also noted that the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee is not going full MWRA. Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 28 2006 — Page 6 Gail Wood noted that if the Town goes to a boil order, then the whole system needs to be disinfected after that. 'Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he has heard enough to make a decision. He is in favor of keeping our own water supply. He doesn't want to give up access to our water supply, and he doesn't want to lose control of the cost of water. He also feels that if the Town goes full MWRA, then it will lose the incentive to protect the Ipswich River and lose the incentive for conservation. He feels multiple sources of water are in the best interest of the Town. He indicated that the Town may have to give up withdrawal from the Ipswich River some day but not now. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he is going in the other direction. He feels that the Board needs time to discuss all issues. He is confident that residents. will continue to protect the river because the river will be more useable. He also has concerns about the construction project cost of building a new Water Treatment Plant. Selectman Joseph Duffy asked if the current Water Treatment Plant is useable for the next five years. Ted McIntire noted that it is if we put money into maintaining it. Selectman Duffy noted that he is in favor of building a new Water Treatment Plant and partial MWRA in the Summertime. He feels that a dual source is good. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if we abandon the wells, how would the land be designated if not used as a water supply. The Town Manager noted that it is Article 97 land, and needs a 2/3 vote of the legislator for approval. It was decided that this topic needs discussion with the full Board. The Town Manager noted that a decision needs to be made by the end of March, and suggested scheduling this for discussion on March 21St, and then a public informational session on March 28th. Review of Modified Mission Statement and Goals — The Town Manager noted that Bob LeLacheur suggested modifying the Mission Statement. Mr. LeLachuer noted that no changes have been made to the values. He merged six goals into four. He also noted that the goals helped.out in the budget process. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the budget process needs to be written, and the process needs to be clearly defined. She also noted that under Public Safety, the Town needs to get information out to the residents on what to do in an emergency. The Town Manager noted that the residents need to know where to get information when an emergency is happening. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that under Planning, we need to look at how the Town approaches affordable housing. He also suggested reconstituting the-housing partnership. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested establishing a written process for permitting under the Planning section. l / n Board of Selectmen Meeting — February 28 2006 — Page 7 The Town Manager noted that he will report quarterly to the Board on the goals. Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that she would like to know how each department is accomplishing the objective. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert to approve the Minutes of January 17, 2006, _ as amended, was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to approve the Minutes of January 21,_2006 was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to approve the Minutes of January 24, 2006 was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to approve the Minutes of January 28, 2006 was _A approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to approve the Minutes of February 7, 2006 was approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Duffy to go into Executive Session for the purpose of labor negotiations, not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll can vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary 5-"� 7 Board of Selectmen Meeting March 7, 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 Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectmen James - Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya, Elder/Human Services Administrator Dawn Folopoulos, Housing Authority. Executive .Director Lyn Whyte, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Public Works Business Administrator John Sousa, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Bob Frazier, Marianne Downing, Michelle Hopkinson, Bill Quinlan, Harry Simmons, Brant Ballantyne, Clayton Jones, Marie Ammer, Sharon Thomas, Pat Boyd, Karen Flammia, Mary Connors, Tim Kelly, Architect Richard Fenuccio, Engineer Peter Ballentoni, Bill Bogaert, Bemadetta Cassetta, Virginia Adams, Linda Kees. Reports and Comments Selectmen Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he received an e- mail from Paul Mallett regarding putting up a temporary sign to indicate that there is a school cross walk. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he received a letter from a West Street resident. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that Chief Cormier already responded to them. Selectman Bonazoli also noted that the Nurse Advocacy Task Force are compiling surveys, and he hopes to do a final report to the Board of Selectmen in May. They are also looking at different options for funding. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the RCTV Annual Membership Meeting is on March 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church. She also noted that the Town Election is on April 4t', and some precincts have vacancies with nobody running — people can write their name in on the ballot. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that he wrote two letters to the Board of Selectmen. One is regarding storm water management and the goal is to have a flat fee. He feels that it must be proportional. He also noted that new Town Meeting Members cannot vote at the Precinct meetings until they are sworn in. He noted that a lot of towns don't require swearing in. He asked what is a quorum, and the Town Manager noted that 13 of the 16 members is a quorum. Bob Frazier, Vice President of Development for Weiner Associates, distributed a letter to the Selectmen. He noted that they deferred last year's Town Meeting to work on traffic issues, and they will be on the last night of the Annual Town Meeting. He also noted that the neighbors have asked them to scale down the project, to make it mixed use, etc., and he suggests establishing a working group to make it a better project for the community. �G � Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 7, 2006 — Page 2 Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Town needs to know what is viable up front. The Town Manager noted that he hasn't talked to the Town Moderator yet about which night of Town Meeting this Article will be taken up. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the current proposal is a long way from what the Town wants. Whether a working group will get us where we want to be is another question. Perhaps an evening of discussion will help. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that a working group could be beneficial. The Town Manager indicated -that he would schedule a meeting. Marianne Downing noted that she was recently reviewing the Route 95/I -93 study and noted that Option 10 eliminates access to I -93 southbound. She asked where will the traffic go. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that there has been no endorsement by the Route 128/I -93 Task Force and nothing has been decided. She also noted that there will be a public presentation made in Stoneham on April 5, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. regarding the Route 128/I -93 Interchange Transportation Study. Michelle Hopkinson noted that she had concerns regarding the interchange options. She also noted that they can mitigate traffic off of South Street but will end up in the other neighborhoods, and they want to put physical barriers on Walnut and South Street and they are scenic roads. She noted that the number of big trucks travelling in that area will be increased by this project. She asked how Town Meeting Members will be able to ask questions, and the Town Manager noted that Town Meeting will be the forum. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • CPDC Meeting on March 13th to discuss a request by the developer of Johnson Woods to "release" the back portion of the property earlier than the seven year time frame provided in the Zoning By -Laws. • Paula has developed a "running calendar" for the year for you — does this help the Board in planning its schedule? • Water supply chart has been distributed to the Board of Selectmen this evening. It will go on the website, be advertised in the media, and will be the subject of the next Board of Selectmen's Forum on March 14th. • We have received final approval of the closure of the landfill site. This is a big milestone for the community. • On March 12th, there will be a welcoming home ceremony at Taunton HS hosted by the Massachusetts National Guard to welcome home troops including the 272 Chemical Company from Camp Curtis Guild in Reading. • The TASC building in Reading has been sold to Nordic Properties. We will be having discussion with them as to their plans for the property. • I received a check today from Verizon for $245,000 for the I -net construction. • 8 Walkers Brook Drive — The Fire Department has ordered Cumberland Farms to remove the underground gasoline tanks from the ground. �5 Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 7, 2006 — Page 3 Proclamations /Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — American Red Cross — Bill Quinlan from the Red Cross was present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Duffy seconded by Tafova to proclaim March 2006 as Red Cross Month was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Personnel and Appointments Board of Registrars trars — The Board interviewed Harry Simmons for a position on the Board of Registrars. for Simmons Mr. Simmons received five votes and was appointed. CPDC Associate — The Board interviewed Brant Ballantyne for one Associate position on the CPDC. Bonazoli moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Community Planning and Development Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2006• Brant F Ballan"e Mr. Ballanbme received five votes and was appointed. Historical Commission Associate — The Board interviewed Clayton Jones for an Associate position on the Historical Commission. Tafova moved and Bonazoli seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Historical Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2006: Clayton Jones Mr. Jones received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Elder /Human Services Division — Elder /Human Services Administrator Dawn Folopoulos, Social .Worker Marie Ammer, Senior Center Coordinator Sharon Thomas and Van Driver Pat Boyd were present. Dawn Folopoulos reviewed the services that the Elder Services Division offers. She noted that 18.6% of Reading residents are over the age of 60 today. The census predicts that there will be a 37% increase from 2006 — 2020. She also noted that the Meals on Wheels delivery has been turned over to Mystic Valley Elder Services as recommended in the Consultant's report. A full time staff person has been hired to be at the Senior Center. A drop in space has been created at the Senior Center and they are getting mixed results with that. S �3' Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 7, 2006 — Page 4 Hearing — 75 Pleasant Street LIP — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Housing Authority Executive Director Lyn Whyte, Housing Authority Chairman Karen Flammia, Members Mary Connors and Tim Kelly, Architect Richard Fenuccio and Engineer Peter Ballentoni were present. The Town Manager noted that the Reading Housing Authority is the applicant. This includes a land swap and the Housing Authority will build four units in the front. This will also require use of the Housing Trust Fund. Lyn Whyte noted that they are not out to bid yet, and they have concerns regarding costs but won't have an exact figure until they go out to bid. Richard Fenuccio noted that this is a development of four units in a 5400 square foot building. They will be three bedrooms, two story buildings with a modular initiative. The parking spaces in the parking lot will increase from 28 spaces, to. 31 spaces with eight dedicated to the units. They will need waivers on the front and side setbacks. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the elevation changes but there is no retaining wall. Mr. Fenuccio.noted that there will be grading from front to back. Vice Chairman Schubert noted that the DRT notes mention the roof connector. Mr. Fenuccio noted that he will talk with Chris Reilly about breaking it up. Vice Chairman Schubert asked if there was a plowing agreement. The Town Manager noted that .there is no sense in the Housing Authority plowing a few spaces so the Town will work out an agreement for DPW to plow. The Town Manager noted that a number of parking spaces are being lost. Ms. Whyte noted that initially there were going to be the same number of spaces but that depended on the other house coming down. She also noted that the Housing Authority has 12 spots across the street and only three are being used so perhaps something can be worked out. Bill Bogaert of 91 Pleasant Street asked about the setback lines and the height of the building. Mr. Fenuccio noted that there is 10.6 feet between the house and walkway to the Senior Center, and the other side is approximately 23 feet. The building is 28 feet at the highest point. Mr. Bogaert asked how close the back abutters are to the back lot. Mr. Fenuccio noted approximately five feet and there will be shade trees. Mr. Bogaert asked if there were any plans for the existing house, and it was noted that no decision has been made -- the Housing Authority is still working with the Historical Commission. Bernadetta Cassetta, abutter to the property, had concerns regarding drainage. She indicated that she has a dry basement now and would like to keep it that way. She would like to see some trees around five feet back from the property line. The Town Manager noted that arborvitae can be used. Ms. Cassetta requested a 100 year storm report for this property. Abutter Linda Kees asked what the back of the building will look like. She suggested that the Town consider changing the opening and rearranging of the parking lot. SG Q I Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 7, 2006 — Page 5 Virginia Adams, Historical Commission Member, asked if the Historical Commission can review the architectural shingles for the roof line as it evolves. Ms. Whyte noted that when the plans are evolved, they will be available to anybody. Ms. Kees had concerns regarding drainage. The Town Manager asked if she gets runoff now, and she indicated that she gets puddles in the Springtime. The Town Manager asked if a new driveway at 75 Pleasant Street was part of this project, and Ms. Whyte noted that the existing driveways will be repaved. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the LIP application for 75 Pleasant Street was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert that the Board. of Selectmen approve a LIP application for four units of low income housing to be built between the Senior Center and 75 Pleasant Street as proposed by the Reading Housing Authority; that the Board of Selectmen approves the use of portions of the Housing Trust Fund; and that the Board of Selectmen approves the land swap between the Town and the Reading Housing Authority to accomplish the development of the units as proposed; subject to development and review of the final documentation to achieve all of the above by Town Counsel, and subject to the following conditions: 1 Agreement regarding parking spaces of not less than 25 spaces between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; 2 Maximize landscaping and/or fencing on the Reading Housing Authority side and the abutters on the south side; 3. Resolve all drainage issues that can be resolved; 4 Investigate breaking up of. the roofline with architectural features; 5. The retaining wall will be visually pleasing; 6. Address all of the DRT comments; 7. Investigate reversing the flow of traffic in the parking lot. was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Report on Solid Waste Bidding — Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Public Works Business Administrator John Sousa were present. The Town Manager noted that the Town is going out to bid on solid waste. John Sousa noted that the duration option will be five years. Currently, we have a three year with a two year and one year renewal options. He also noted that there is a spike in diesel fuel cost so there needs to be a fuel adjustment clause or companies will bid high to cover the costs of fuel. We will also get an alternate cost for compactors that condo's use, and we will also ask for, a bid alternate for curbside collection and single stream recycling. He noted that they plan on advertising the RFP on March 20, 2006, hold a pre -bid meeting on March 23, 2006, and have the bid opening on April 5, 2006. Sys Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 7, 2006 — Page 6 Hearing — Establish Economic Development Committee — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted this is a proposed policy for a five member committee to advise the Board of Selectmen, CPDC and Town Manager. The Selectmen suggested not requiring a representative of the School Department, and suggested adding expertise such as business management, construction and someone with training expertise to the mix. The consensus of the Selectmen was that this committee needs to be proactive and not wait for something to happen. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the policy establishing the Economic Development Committee, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the minutes of February 15, 2006, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5 -0 -0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert to adiourn the meeting of March 7, 2006 at 10.30 p.m. was approved'by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary Board of Selectmen Meeting March 21, 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 Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert (arrived at 7:55 p.m.), Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectman Ben Tafoya, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, Assistant Town Manager 'Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Kerry Mackin, Steve Lewis, Will Finch, Tom Laughlin, Jay Lenox, John and Gail Wood, Steven Johnson, Elaine Webb, Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he attended a meeting last Friday with merchants regarding the Downtown parking, and the consensus was to raise the parking to two hours. He attended a meeting with Dickinson and Stop & Shop regarding the location of the building on the site. The Addison- Wesley Working Group is Meeting Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. He also noted that there was a briefing at the MMA meeting warning cities and towns about increased revenue from the State. There was also concern regarding gaming in the State and its affect on the lottery. Verizon asked for an administrative ruling for a cable franchise from the State. Indiana and Texas have already granted statewide franchising. He expressed his sympathy for the children killed in the recent car accident, and Chairman Camille Anthony responded by having a moment of silence. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Local Election is in two weeks. She read a letter from Selectman. James Bonazoli regarding the Nurse Advocacy. The Town Manager noted that Community Parish Nursing is not doing Nurse Advocacy anymore. They are working on Neighbor Helping Neighbor. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that Town Meeting Members are needed. Tom Laughlin noted that he had concerns regarding the Addison - Wesley project. He also noted that the traffic will double, the roadway will be widened from four to seven lanes, and neighborhood cut through traffic has not been addressed. He feels that they should coordinate their study with the one that the State is doing. He noted that the Burlington development is not New England architecture, and it has lots of signs on it. Jay Lenox noted that there was an article in the Boston Globe on March 16th. He suggests that Town Meeting vote this down and start a process that is appropriate. sdlI Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 21, 2006 — Page 2 Chairman Camille Anthony noted that Weiner stated that the State is okay with this but she spoke with Bob Frey from Mass Highway and he hasn't even looked at the plan yet. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • There is an Election on April 4, 2006. • Dog licensing needs to be done by April lst. • There has been a change in the lead Town Counsel for the Town. Joan Langsam has left the firm, and Ellen Doucette will take over as lead Counsel. Proclamations /Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Appreciation — Reading Garden Club — A motion by Duffy seconded by Tafoya to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for the Reading Garden Club was approved by a vote of 3 -0 -0. Proclamation Arbor Day — A motion by Duffy seconded by Tafoya to approve the Proclamation for Arbor Day on April 28, 2006 was approved by a vote of 3 -0 -0. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that this was Joseph Duffy's last meeting and she presented him with a Summer Avenue street sign. Discussion/Action Items Town Accountant — General Discussion — Town Accountant Gail LaPointe was present. She noted that she prepared all of the budget worksheets, and that was a good project to become familiar with the department budgets. She did a revenue projection, a tax recap sheet. She also noted that she spent a lot of time on the MSBA audits, and they got the Wood End audit done quickly so the Town would not have to borrow again. The Parker Middle School and Coolidge Middle School audits are being worked on. The High School project was a hybrid for MSBA. The Town borrowed $35 million and MSBA gave us the last $20 million so we don't have to borrow anymore money on the project. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked about the status of the FY 2006 Budget. Ms. LaPointe noted that a quarterly report is done and we are generally in good shape. Response to Management Letter — The Town Manager noted that the Management Letter was received in the Fall, and he will respond to the Audit Committee. Ms. LaPointe noted for internal controls, duties have been segregated, and all of the departments are in compliance with the Town's policy. and procedure for deposits. Procurement procedures require the departments to keep all the paperwork. Chapter 90 requests need to be timely. The Engineering Division will do this three times per year. The kindergarten controls have improved. The secretaries are doing the billing, and the money goes to the central office. Checks are stamped "for deposit only" as soon as they come in. s� 21-- Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 21, 2006 - Page 3 The Fire Department has a write off program for the ambulance billing. Four notices are sent out over six months. After six months, it is turned over to a collection agency. The overlay reserve account is used by the Assessors to abate taxes. The athletic case receipt controls need to be improved, and the School Department is developing policies and procedures for this. The Town Accountant is developing a fraud prevention policy that will include steps for employees who suspect fraud. The School Department needs to develop procedures for the school lunch programs and cash registers. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she feels gate receipts should be required at sporting events. Ms. LaPointe indicated that you have to weigh the cost of implementing with how much is being brought in. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked how employees are trained, and Ms. LaPointe noted that new employees are trained one on one. Discussion —Water Supply — Public Works Director Ted McIntire, WSSWMAC Members John Wood and Gail Wood, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi and Steven Johnson from the Mass. DEP were present. The Town Manager noted that next Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Board of Selectmen will hold an open house at the Library to get input from the public on the important issues related to water, and their preference on building a new Water Treatment Plant or purchasing all water from the MWRA. The Town Manager reviewed a chart showing the MWRA water rates for other communities. He noted that Reading's is a little bit lower but comparable to each other. Steve Johnson from the Mass. DEP Waste Site Clean Up Program noted that there is groundwater contamination in the North Reading and Wilmington areas. There is also the AGFA program with solvents but AGFA has done a lot of work on the source area so the solvents are at low amounts. He also noted that AGFA has spent millions of dollars and have reduced the contamination by 95% by cutting off the source. The condition of all sites are far better than five years ago. He noted that the Mass Highway Depot is also a source of contamination but is treatable with conventional treating methods. Mr. Johnson noted that North Reading does not have sewers, and most truck stops have had spills. He also noted that the number of water supplies that are contaminated are doing down — people are finding it makes business sense to not contaminate your property. sd3 Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 21, 2006 — Page 4 Elaine Webb noted that the MWRA has water supply contamination issues too. Mr. Johnson noted that the MWRA system is so large that it's not an issue. Peter Tassi noted that the amounts of contamination at the above - mentioned sites are barely detectable by the time it gets to the Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Johnson noted that Olan is a super fund site but is unlikely to effect Reading. Will Finch noted that even if the Town stops pumping the wells, the river will still dry up. He indicated that on August 9, 2005, the river was flowing backwards. On August 20, 2005, there was no flow and the pools dried up for 50 days. He also noted that if we had stopped pumping, it would have dried up for only five days. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the river goes dry in any other part of the river, and Will Finch noted that it does pretty much until you get to Ipswich. The Assistant Town Manager noted that we won't have to run 1 mgpd with the new Water Treatment Plant — we can be flexible. Elaine Webb urged the Selectmen to keep our own wells. Gail Wood noted that she is upset that the Ipswich River Watershed Association has not done anything to protect the river from contamination. Process for Consideration of Sale of Lane — Oakland Road — The Town Manager noted that the last Fall Warrant Article regarding land across from the High School was tabled because of the construction activity at the High School. He also noted that there are a lot of issues to address before being sold. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested talking with the School Committee after Town Meeting. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there needs to be neighborhood participation. Final 2006 Goals and Work Plan — The Town Manager noted that the Mission Statement has been modified and the goals were reviewed with the Selectmen. Elaine Webb noted that education should be part of the Board's Mission Statement. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen doesn't have control over the schools — this is a document for Town Government only. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the goals do not include the Library, recreational goals or elder services. Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested adding a fifth category for these. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that elder affairs needs to be a work item this year with the nurse advocacy work that is being done. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to prioritize what they want done, not necessarily to set a timeline. He suggests that the Selectmen circle the top 10 work programs. sdy Board of Selectmen Meeting — March 21, 2006 — Page 5 Selectman Ben Tafoya requested that the Town Manager give the Board a list of what has to be done. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that Section 1 — 1.9 should read ......work with Walkers Brook Drive developer "in a manner appropriate to the community." Consideration of a Bandstand - The Town Manager noted that many years ago, there was a committee to build a bandstand on the Common or Memorial Park. The Board of Selectmen did not approve it. He also noted that now that we are ready to embark on the Downtown project, he would like to look at putting a bandstand in front of Town Hall on top of the wall. There was previously a bandstand there. The Town Manager noted that there was a letter in the packet dated 1997 from Virginia Adams who suggests putting the bandstand at Memorial Park. Virginia Adams noted that the Common is the heart of the community: Guidelines were developed in 1990. She feels that it is important to protect this area, and a bandstand will be a visual distraction. Roberta Sullivan noted that this big structure will take away from the National Register. The Town manager noted that times change and the Town does have events on the Common. He noted that Wakefield, Stoneham and North Reading all have bandstands on the Common. Will Finch noted that on Community Day, the band was out in the sun all day and he felt bad for them. He recommends consulting with the band to make sure what we want suits their needs. He thinks a bandstand is a good idea. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the Historical Commission is in charge of the Common, and the Town Manager indicated that they are not, he is. There are guidelines for the Common and he will make a copy of the guidelines for the Board. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that it is the ultimate goal to make Downtown more vibrant. There are variations of bandstands. He feels that we need a strategic plan and vision for the Common. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of labor negotiations, not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary sus LIZ _e oS' C �-JC-D A,, a mil ' g. ors.. _ . Timothy- P Cahill Chairman, State Treasurer March 10, 2006 Ms. Nancy Heffernan Treasurer Town of Reading 16 Lowell St. Reading, MA 01867 RE: Project #C20023807 - The Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School Dear Ms. Heffernan: Katherine P. Craven Executive Director On February 22, 2006, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (Authority) Board of Directors (Board) met to consider and vote on the Town's appeal of the audit results for the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School (Project #C20023807). The Town appealed $4,952 of construction costs which were not considered eligible for reimbursement by the Authority in the draft audit report sent to the Town. The Authority disallowed these costs primarily due to the lack of supporting documentation. The Project Management Sub - committee of the Board met to discuss this appeal on February 9, 2006. Based on the additional documentation provided by the Town, on February 22, 2006, the Board voted by a vote of six to zero (one member not present) to reimburse the Town for the Authority's share (66 %) of these costs ($3,268). As a result, the Authority increased the Town's grant by $3,268 (66% grant rate multiplied by $4,952 of additional eligible costs). Now that the appeal process has been exhausted, this letter will serve as notice to you of the final audit results and final grant payment for Project #C20023807, the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School, from the Massachusetts School Building Authority in accordance with chapter 208 of the Acts of 2004, as authorized by the Board of the Authority. The results of the audit are included in the attached report. The Department of Education began funding the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School Project in Fiscal Year 2002 at a reimbursement rate of 66 %. The following is a summary of the audit findings, the details of which are included in the attached report: Construction: Original Estimate $9,000,000 Final Construction Cost Submitted $9,098,104 Eligible MSBA Construction Costs $9,026,245 Interest: Original Estimate $7,425,000 Final Interest Cost Submitted $5,460,813 Eligible MSBA Interest $5,460,813 TOTAL ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS: $14,487,058 TOTAL GRANT FROM MSBA: $9,561,458 3 Center Plaza, Suite 430 ® Boston, MA 02108 ® Phone: 617- 720 -4466 • Fax: 617 -720 -5260 eQS�-73 sc The Authority considers that the audit results are final and are not subject to further review or adjustment unless the Town refunds the debt issued to finance this project. If there is a decrease in the amount of interest payable related to this project due to a refunding, the Authority will recalculate the grant pursuant to Chapter 70B, Section 19. Please notify Joanna Aalto if you have plans to do such a refunding. In Fiscal Year 2003 through 2006, the Town received $2,162,680 in grant funds for the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School. The remainder of the total grant will be paid in 16 equal annual installments of $462,424 beginning Fiscal Year 2007 through Fiscal Year 2022 in order to match the Town's bond payments related to this project. These payments, which total $9,556,038, represent 100% of your grant and are based on the Authority's share (66 %) of the final eligible audited construction costs of $9,026,245 and final eligible audited interest costs of $5,460,813. We are pleased to provide you with this grant amount. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Joanna Aalto, Director of Audit Policy, if you have any questions at (617) 720 -4466. Very truly yours, e4� p. Cn.. /sue c Katherine P. Craven cc: Senator Richard R. Tisei (State House, Room 313 -C) Representative Patrick Natale (State House, Room 167) Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr. (State House, Room 124) Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Mr. Richard Schubert, Chair, Board of Selectmen Mr. Charles Robinson, Audit Committee Chair Ms. Gail LaPointe, Town Accountant Mr. Patrick Schettini, Superintendent of Schools Mr. James R. Johnson, Department of Revenue Attachment Mas,sac6setts 4 t> Timothy P Cahiff Chairman, State Treasurer March 10, 2006 Ms. Nancy Heffernan Treasurer Town of Reading 16 Lowell St. Reading, MA 01867 2W HAR 23 AM 10: 52 RE: Project #C19983601- The Parker Middle School Dear Ms. Heffernan: Katherine P. Craven Executive Director On February 22, 2006, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (Authority) Board of Directors (Board) met to consider and vote on the Town's appeal of the audit results for the Parker Middle School (Project #W20004103). The Town appealed $22,723 of construction costs which were not considered eligible for reimbursement by the Authority in the draft audit report sent to the Town. The Authority disallowed these costs primarily due to the lack of supporting documentation. The Project Management Sub- committee of the Board.met to discuss this appeal on February 9, 2006. Based on the additional documentation provided by the Town, on February 22, 2006, the Board voted by a vote of six to zero (one member not present) to reimburse the Town for the Authority's share (66 %) of these costs ($22,723). As a result, the Authority increased the Town's grant by $14,997 (66% grant rate multiplied by $22,723 of additional eligible costs). Now that the appeal process has been exhausted, this letter will serve as notice to you of the final audit results and final grant payment for Project #C19983601, the Parker Middle School, from the Massachusetts School Building Authority in accordance with chapter 208 of the Acts of 2004, as authorized by the Board .of the Authority. The results of the audit are included in the attached report. The Department of Education began funding the Parker Middle School Project in Fiscal Year 1998 at a reimbursement rate of 66 %. The following is a summary of the audit findings, the details of which are included in the attached report: Construction: Original Estimate $13,928,324 Final Construction Cost Submitted $13,193,716 Eligible MSBA Construction Costs $13,043,636 Interest: Original Estimate $9,700,000 Final Interest Cost Submitted $7,527,966 Eligible MSBA Interest $7,437,848 TOTAL ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS: $20,481,484 TOTAL GRANT FROM MSBA: $13,517,779 I 3 Center Plaza, Suite 430 ® Boston, MA 02108 ® Phone: 617 - 720 -4466 • Fax: 617- 720 -5260 The audit results are final and not subject to further review or adjustment by the Authority unless the Town refunds the debt issued to finance this project. If there is a decrease in the amount of interest payable related to this project due to refunding, the Authority will recalculate the grant pursuant to Chapter 70B, Section 19. Please notify Joanna Aalto if you have plans to do such a refunding. In Fiscal Year 1998 through 2006, the Town received $6,222,286 in grant funds for the Parker Middle School. The remainder of the total grant will be paid in 12 equal annual installments of $607,308 beginning Fiscal Year 2007 in order to match the Town's bond payments related to this project. These payments, which total $13,517,779, represent 100% of your grant and are based on the Authority's share (66 %) of the final eligible audited construction costs of $13,043,636 and final eligible audited interest costs of $7,437,848. We are pleased to provide you with this grant amount. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Joanna Aalto, Director of Audit Policy, if you have any questions at (617) 720 -4466. Very truly yours, p (A /X -c Katherine P. Craven cc: Senator Richard R. Tisei (State House, Room 313 -C) Representative Patrick Natale (State House, Room 167) Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr. (State House, Room 124) Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Mr. Richard Schubert, Chair, Board of Selectmen Mr. Charles Robinson, Audit Committee Chair Ms. Gail LaPointe, Town Accountant Mr. Patrick Schettini, Superintendent of Schools Mr. James R. Johnson, Department of Revenue Attachment �z- IZ/Ib/ZVU* PHI UU:IU FAX 617 722 2390 HOUSE GOP LEADER'S Revenue Divislon of Local December 7, 2005 OFF 14(1 6V C. pill @001 �V — I Q L, �(i " ti The Honorable Bradley A. Jones, Jr. House Minority Leader State House, Room 124 Re: Stormwater Management Fee Boston, MA 02133-1054 Our File'No. 2005-455 Dear Representative Jones: Your letter to Larry Modestow of our Rulings and Regulations- Bureau has been forwarded to me for response. You asked whether a stormwater I management charge proposed in the town of Reading would be a fee. Generally speaking, storm or. surface drainage has long been considered part of the municipal sewerage system, (see G.L. c. 83 §§1 and 5; c. 44 §7(1)), the expenses of which may be defrayed by special assessments (betterments) and user charges (fees). - Storrnwate= drainage facilities benefit property owners by preventing flooding of their parcels and of public ways giving access to their parcels, and by helping to protect public and private water supplies from contamination clue to flooding. These benefits are analogous to the benefits of a sanitary sewer system, and there1bre, there seems to be no reason why the town could not impose user charges to defray system operating, maintenance and capital costs. It ' could also probably recover construction costs to improve drainage or create separate surface sewer,, facilities through betterments assessed against all current and potential beneficiaries of the infrastructure. G.L. c. 83 § §14 and 15. If there were doubts abou't the ability of Reading or other municipalities to charge user fees for stormwater facilities, it seems to us that the legislature resolved them by the recent amendments to G.L. c. 83 §16, which authorizes sewer user fees. See *c. 149 §§139-140 of the Acts of 2004. As amended, the statute now also expressly authorizes municipalities to charge user fees for stormwater facilities. We cannot say definitively, but to the extent the proposed charges are consistent with G.L. c. 83 §16, they would appear-to be fees. We hope this information proves helpful. Very truly ours, Kathleen Colleafy, Chief Property Tax Bureau KC /CH post Office Box 9.569, Boston, MA 02114-9569, Tek 617 626.230Q Fax 617-626-2330 $6,17 Board of Selectmen Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 W MAR 21 , Ale 11: W Dear. Selectmen, . I ,am writing to' you.* ou as I am a resident of Reading and l am in strongly �in favor of the retail ,project` being proposed for* the Add Wesley site:" I moved to the -Town of Reading approximately three' years ago from' Newton, "Massachusetts. A ` recent Letter -to the 'Editor froiim a, fellow Reading Resident; caught my attention and I felt that I had to write this letter in reply. In a letter printed in the March 16`h Reading Advocate, a gentleman spoke of how he grew up in Danvers, Massachusetts and how he felt that Danvers became overdeveloped due to the development of the Liberty Tree Mall and other projects. He further states that the town's school system, property values, and quality of life have all diminished due to such development. This is a sentiment that I find preposterous and far from the truth. As. l ,previously mentioned., I moved to Reading from Newton, Massachusetts, a city which shows that commercial development and residential neighbors can not only coexist, but they can thrive together. Within the City of Newton, Massachusetts there is over 1,000,000 square feet of retail space, including two malls and a variety of other retail developments. These malls did not take away from the vibrancy of the city and the quality of life of its residents, rather they added to the diversity of the city, and they helped it to become the thriving community that it is today. Let's look at some facts: For ".the second year in a `row, Newton h'as.. been" named the "safest "City in America" by an independent Kansas City .based. research and publishing firm (based on objective 'FBI Crime Data). Thus it appears that the 1;000;000 square feet of retail space iff the city of Newton has not lead;to a deluge of crime. Newton has a great school system that is deemed by many to be the best in the state. According to research done by Boston Magazine (September 2005), the City of Newton had 6 of the state's top 10 elementary schools and 14 of the top 100. Reading had one elementary school in the top 100, the Barrow's school, at number 87. Real Estate Taxes: The residential tax rate for the City of Newton is $9.36 per $1,000 of home value. The residential tax rate for the Town of Reading is $12.57 per $1,000 of home value, a tax rate approximately 35% higher than that of the City of Newton. Home Va!Ues: housing prices in the town of Newton continue to go through the roof. I really like living in the Town of Reading and I only point out these comparable facts to show that commercial development and a nice residential lifestyle can not only peacefully coexist, but they can thrive together. As others have acknowledged before me, the Addison Wesley site is a large commercial property (25 +/- acres), and due to its location and visibility it is going to get developed into a large commercial project. I believe that the retail project currently being proposed is a quality development that will be a vibrant addition to the town and which will help to defray our residential real estate taxes for years to come. Sim -t-^- i�-�-�/ Dan Daley~ U 508 Gazebo Circle Reading, MA 01867 Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner The Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867 Dear Mr. Hechenbleikner, 2% %AR 22 AH N: 04' I am writing to you regarding the numerous recent letters that I have seen both in favor of and against the proposed retail development at the Addison Wesley site. I have been a resident of the Town of Reading for over 36 years and I am totally in favor of this project. I believe that this is a quality project that will bring some much needed retailers to our town, as well as significant ongoing tax revenue. The opponents to the project keep stating that traffic from the project will be a huge problem, but I don't agree. I have read the traffic reports from both the developer's traffic engineer and the town's traffic engineer, both of which state that the proposed roadway improvements will handle any additional traffic and may even make that part of Main Street a safer intersection. People are squawking about the addition of a few turning lanes, an addition that I feel makes sense and that will only extend for a distance of 10 to 15 yards or so. I live near the new Jordan's /Home Depot development and there have been no traffic problems over here. With the correct planning, additional traffic can and does work efficiently. Additionally, °opponents to the project have been saying that 40B is only a threat by the developers and not a reality, another point with which I strongly disagree. 40B projects are going up all over the state (including the monstrosity at the former Spence Farm), and there is no reason to believe that one wouldn't be built at the Addison Wesley site. According to the town's own website, including the Spence Farm Development, we currently have 656 units of affordable housing out of a total of 9,106 housing units, resulting in an affordable housing percentage of only 7.2 %. These 656 units leave us 255 units short of the 10% affordable housing ratio and that is why we do have to look at another 40B project as reality. Numbers don't lie. As I previously stated, I am totally in favor of the proposed retail project at the Addison Wesley site. I believe that this project will bring some exciting new retailers and restaurants to our town along with a variety of much eeded jobs and some sorely needed commercial tax revenue. Sincerely, / Richard J. Colella 18 Smith Avenue Reading, MA 01867 &,I C /(ga 2LV� t�"'R 29 AN q. 34 March 28, 2006 Board of Selectmen Town of Reading Town Hall Reading, MA 01867 To the Board: I recently read that the Board is again considering construction of a bandstand on the town green. I hope this does not happen. The area is too small for another structure. It would only detract from the openness that sets off our pretty Town Hall so nicely. I think it is very important to maintain the tranquility of this valuable area. Unfortunately it is now being littered constantly with tacky signs advertising and promoting this and that. I would also hope this would end as there are plenty of other avenues for that sort of thing. We have a little gem in the center of our busy little town. Please don't let it get ruined. Sincerely, Jan Goriansky 36 Temple Street Reading, MA 01867 vl 2W APR ®5 Pik 3* 4' 125 Summer Ave. Reading, MA 01867 April 5, 2006 's Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Camille Anthony, Chairman, Board of Selectmen Town of Reading Reading, MA 01867 po�ti Dear Peter and Camille, Due to my election yesterday to the Board of the Reading Municipal Light Department, I tender my resignation as the Board of Selectmen representative on the Citizens Advisory Board of the RMLD. Thank you. Cc: Vincent Cameron, General Manager, RMLD Roger Lessard, Chairman, CAB Sincerely, 1) L� Mary Ellen O'Neill 1 MARK J. FAVALORO, P.G. MATTHEW M. MAcKOUL, OF GOUNSELt WILLIAM F. GROWLEY, OF GOUNSEL tALSO ADMITTED IN GALIFORNIA John Sasso, Chairman FAVALOHO & ASSOCIATES PARK PLAGE EAST 348 PARK STREET, SUITE 202 NORTH READING, MA 01864 April 5, 2006 Community Planning and Development Commission Reading Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Re: Article 26 — Addison Wesley Rezoning Dear Chairman Sasso and Commissioners: t /C &'I TELEPHONES: (978) 004 -1000 (781) 944 -2729 FAGSIMILE: (978) 004 -3953 iV t N V3 In fiu-therance of prior representations relative to the above - referenced Article by WS Development Associates LLC and its representatives ( "WS "), please accept this letter as written confirmation that WS will immediately move to table Article 26 once same is brought forward for consideration at the upcoming Town Meeting. Accordingly, it would be our request and suggestion that your continued public hearing on this matter be closed on April 10, 2006, with a vote by the Commission to recommend to Town Meeting to table the Article. As you are likely aware, WS will be presenting a modified plan on April 12, 2006, to the working group assembled by the Selectmen, which plan is intended to lead to a revised Zoning Article for consideration at a future Town Meeting session, the date of which is to be determined. We are confident that through collaborative efforts we will arrive at the submission of a proposal and article that will be acceptable and beneficial to the Town, the neighborhood, and the proponent. We look forward to discussing this matter further with you and the Commission at your April 10t" meeting. Very truly yours, FAVALORO & ASSOCIATES B/A/ BARK J. F�AVAORO MJF /mh ` cc: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Chris Reilly, Town Planner Client L' C 905 March 31, 2006 Public Works 20Y APR m4 AM 10: 4 Town of Reading 16 Lowell St. Reading MA. 01867 To whom it concerns, I respond to a mailing shown me today, called Your Community Connection, on the town's choice of new street signs: The subject was stirred at an event in town this evening. The conversation of our gathering ranged, from "Who ( i.e. with know -how) would use that color for street signs ?!" to "It took such gall to do such a thing!" I think these busy residents feel exasperated, and stuck. (I'm just home, visiting. ) They all have their jobs to tend to. Their families preoccupy them. They are with no time to be involved in the job you, the town leaders, are assigned to. But, let us say "Whoever would take upon themselves this deed of major impact, affecting all -- a Re- Do of the Image of a Hometown! -- meant well, and just made a colossal mistake." Since it involves a field that is part of the business I'm in--I work with architects and designers - -I can offer this much that's basic to aesthetics of environment: Any hue of color in a residential community that jars harmony is not in accordance with "the Doctrine of Taste." It disserves the dignity that any neighborhood of homes warrants. For examples of good taste, what have towns like Winchester and Weston and Wellesley (and Woburn) chosen? "I hear tell" that, for their new signs, their color - choice is an appropriate green. Reading's choice is so inappropriate - -don't make it a "like it or lump if' deed. Please! You mention receiving "compliments." "From whom ?" is the relevance. We're unalike in what describes us. Specific talent is the exception, not the rule. But, the rule of responsibility assures, it's the criteria of the qualified -in- charge that must prevail. So you goofed. Big. We all goof. But, one hopes you are subject to reason , and reconsider going forward with these tacky signs: to have this affect the character of Reading, because some person or persons, over - reached .themselves is a travesty . Sincerely, Lee Elsessar Washington. D. C. 20007 Rescue Reading f rom TMS hi tti ng you i n the eye everywhere. � ?ON t /C (Sa March 28, 2006 Board of Selectmen Town of Reading Town Hall Reading, MA 01867 To the Board: I recently read that the Board is again considering construction of a bandstand on the town green. I hope this does not happen. The area is too small for another structure. It would only detract from the openness that sets off our pretty Town Hall so nicely. I think it is very important to maintain the tranquility of this valuable area. Unfortunately it is now being littered constantly with tacky signs advertising and promoting this and that. I would also hope this would end as there are plenty of other avenues for that sort of thing. We have a little gem in the center of our busy little town. Please don't let it get ruined. Sincerely, jav Jan Goriansky 36 Temple Street Reading, MA 01867 MITT ROMNEY GOVERNOR KERRY HEALEY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR C, �c5 , f \ JVL. ,_ COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS �` ` %A Dear Feter I. tl'eci;enbleikcer; OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR F, � 1 • N - #.kt State House; Room 360, Boston MA 02133 2ffl6 NR 31 AN 0 18 (617) 727 -3600 FAX (617) 727 -5291 March 30, 2006 We are pleased to inform you that we are releasing the $120 million apportionment for the FY2007 Chapter 90 local transportation aid —.an important part of the Commonwealth's capital spending program. In further support of this program, I filed a bill in. July 2005 requesting authorization for an additional $100 million in Chapter 90 spending for FY2006. This bill is still pending, however the House and Senate versions have reduced the appropriation to $55 million. If there are surplus funds at the end of this fiscal year, it is our intention to file a supplemental budget request.for additional funding to repair local 'roads and bridges through the Chapter 90 program for FY2007.' This early notification of theTY2007 allotment will once- again'perinit y6ur community to accelerate the implementation of the most important local infrastructure projects. The T6wn of Reading's specific Chapter'90 apportiomiient is $368,516. We look forward to continu. ing t' ssist your local officials in the successful -long -term implementation of the Chapter 90 program. We know how important this local aid capital funding is to each of the 351 communities in the Commonwealth. Similar to last year's process, the FY2007 Contract Package and procedural guidelines are available on the new MassHighway Web site (http: / /www.state.ma.us /mhd), as well as in the local MassHighway district offices throughout the state. We are also pleased to be able to provide on the same Web site, the Chapter 90 executed contracts once they have been returned to the Massachusetts Highway Department and signed by all necessary parties. It is important that the state works with cities,'and towns to advance our shared.0, jective of focusing limited financial 'resources on ears +.Ing transk�nrcatiGU..:nfr :st tictiire. i he �'ha)af�i Qt?, fi ^rli??;g provided to communities to maintain the.local transp .ortatiob:'infrastructure. is completely. consMeht with. our Fix it First initiative. This program makes an anntial investment of targeted maintenance funding, helping us avoid substantial infrastructure costs in the future. Please feel free to contact Catherine Paquette at (61'7) 973 -7564 with any questions you may have regarding the Chapter 90 program. We look forward to continuing to help with your local transportation needs. Sincerely, Stephen A Gol Berkeley Street �r V Reading, eading, Ma 01867 April 3, 2006 William Hecht, Chairman Reading Conservation Commission Dear Bill: Please accept this letter as notification of my resignation from the Reading Conservation Commission effective April 4, 2006. 1 am resigning so that l may serve as a member of the Reading Board of Selectmen. I learned a great deal in my time as a Conservation Commissioner. I thank you, the commission and Fran for being patient as I worked through my learning curve. 1 enjoyed my time on the commission. 1 look forward to working with you and the commission in the future. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Stephen A. Goldy cc: Hechenbleikner, P. Fink, F. Schena, P. w =rVM MITT ROMNEY Governor KERRY HEALEY Lieutenant Governor April 4, 2006 Peter Hechenbleikner Town Manager Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Mr. Hechenbleikner: COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL .AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ONE WINTER STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108 617- 292 -5500 C tc & s C . t c p c.w. STEPHEN R. PRITCHARD Secretary ROBERT W. GOLLEDGE, Jr. Commissioner lam' cs. 1 Congratulations! Your community has been awarded an FY2006 Diesel Retrofit Climate Protection Grant. Reading will receive retrofits for 4 vehicles valued at approximately $5,000. Attached is the requisite contracting paperwork for this grant.. Please sign the enclosed Grant Agreement and Retrofit Specification Form and return by April 14, 2006 to: Tina Klein MassDEP 1 Winter Street, 10 °i floor Boston, MA 02108. The signatory must be an individual with the authority to accept state grants. Once fully executed by MassDEP, one copy will be returned to you for your files. If you have any questions about this paperwork or the grant, please do not hesitate to call Amy Roth at (617) 292 -5634. Sincerely, Gl Cooper Deputy Division Director, Consumer Programs This information is available in alternate format. Call Donald M. Gomes, ADA Coordinator al 617. 556.1057. TDD Service - 1 -800 207 MassDEP on the World Wide Web :, http: / /www.mass.gov /dep �� Printed on Recycled Paper MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FY06 GRANT AGREEMENT DIESEL VEHICLE RETROFIT EQUIPMENT Description: MassDEP will purchase the awarded Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (hereinafter "the equipment ") from vendor(s) on state contract, on behalf of the grantee municipality (hereinafter "Grantee "). Prior to purchasing the equipment, the Grantee and MassDEP shall determine the specific vehicles that will be retrofitted with the granted equipment. The equipment will be used to retrofit existing on -road diesel vehicles that are owned and operated by the grantee. Vendor will install the equipment on the selected vehicle(s), at a location convenient to the Grantee Installation of the equipment will be coordinated by MassDEP, the Grantee, and the vendor. Terms and Conditions: 1. Vendor will provide training to Grantee's employees on the maintenance of the diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs). 2. The Grantee is responsible for properly maintaining the equipment over its useful life. 3. The Grantee agrees that the equipment shall remain on the vehicle on which it was installed for the DOC's useful life. 4. Should the Grantee need to retire a retrofitted vehicle sooner than 3 years from the equipment installation date, the Grantee will notify MassDEP to make arrangements to transfer the equipment to another vehicle if equipment is determined by the Vendor to be in working order. 5. Grantee will complete an annual evaluation form, provided by MassDEP, regarding performance of equipment. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantee hereby accepts the above terms and conditions: FOR THE GRANTEE: Name (please print) Signature Municipality /Regional Group Name Date FOR THE DEPARTMENT: Name (please print) Signature Date ge%- FY 2006 MassDEP Diesel Retrofit Specification Form Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Your municipality has been awarded a MassDEP Diesel Retrofit Grant. Below is a list of vehicles that MassDEP is interested in retrofitting with a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). For MassDEP to fulfill your grant, we will need additional information about your vehicles. Please fill in the information requested below for each vehicle, listed and return this form at your earliest convenience, and no later than Friday, April 14, 2006. Thank you for your assistance. COMMUNITY NAME Reading NAME OF PERSON COMPLETING FORM Springfield has been awarded DOCs for four vehicles. Please fill out the following information for all five vehicles listed, as some new vehicles may already be outfitted with this technology. VEHICLE MUFFLER ID# MODEL# (VIN #) ENGINE ENGINE ENGINE SIZE MAEE HORSEPOWER (Cubic in. or MAKE/ MODEL International 4700 YEAR 2003 DESCRIPTION Bucket Truck — Electrical Line Construction and Maintenance VEHICLE MAKE/ MODEL Chevrolet YEAR, 2000 DESCRIPTION _ Bucket Truck — Electrical Line Construction and Maintenance ✓TAKE / MODEL Sterling, Acterra GEAR 2001 ESCRIPTZOhI I Bucket Truck — Electrical Line Construction and TbMnintPnaneP EKE/ IvIODEl Sterling, Acterra AR 2001 SCRIE?TION : Electrical Line Construction and Maintenance MAKE/ MODEL !: Chevrolet C 7500 YEAR Bucket Truck — Electrical DESCRIPTION ' Line Construction and Maintenance � If you feel your municipality has other vehicles that would be more suitaoie ror the mstanatton or a i,v%_ picase wmact I uia n auu, Please return this form to Tina Klein no later than April 14, 2006: Mail — Tina Klein, MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108 E- mail — tina.klein @state.ma.us c Tel: 617- 292 -5704 Fax: 617- 292 -5778 OF Town of Reading co q 1-6 Lowe I I'Street 8. co Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager&i.reading.ma.us April 4, 2006 Eastern Bank .International Operations One Eastern Place EP3-0.3 195 Market Street Lynn, MA 01901 41C ig Z).S- TOWN MANA61:11' (781) 942-9043 Re: Eastern Bank Standby No. 5833 Dated October 1.9, 2004 Applicant: Walkers Brook Crossing LLC Beneficiary: The Town of Reading, Massachusetts, aMunicipal.Corijoration - - Gentlemen: Enclosed is the original of the subject Standby, as well as any arnendiftents-;-if any; ,thereto;:Thi& letter will serve as our authorization to cancel the subject standby.,: Furtlien-nore, we rescind all our rights as Beneficiary under "Eastern Bank Standby No...--5 83.3,: as. well as acknowledge that Eastern Bank Standby No. 5833 'Is.-no longer ;.ccihsidered,.an.obli&tibd,�.*.*; in any form, of Eastern Bank to the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, a Municipdt *.C- 'Orpordtidft.li in re Al Peter I. Town Manager PIH/ps attachments ��1 = Fidelity National Title Ron INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK November 3, 2004 Town Manager Town of Reading Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Patricia A. Jandrue Assistant Vice President PJANDRUE(UNF.COM By UPS Next Day Air Re: Walker's Brook Crossing, LLC and Letter of Credit to the Town of Reading as to The Crossing at Walkers Brook, Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA Our File No. 01-0030MA Dear Sir/Madam: Enclosed please find the original Letter of Credit with respect to the above referenced transaction. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely yours, Patricia A. Jandrue PAJ/ms Enclosure 133 FEDERAL STREET, BOSTON, MA 02110 TELEPHONE: (617) 350-8828 • NATIONWIDE: (800) 882-1266 • FAX: (617) 350-8826 2 r Date: October 19, 2004 Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit No. 5833 Beneficiary: The Town of Reading, Massachusetts, A Municipal Corporation c/o Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Gentlemen: At the request of Walkers Brook Crossing LLC, 1266 Furnace Brook Parkway, Suite 104, Room WBC, Quincy, MA 02169 (herein sometimes called the "Applicant "), Eastern Bank (herein sometimes called the "Issuing Bank ") hereby issues this Irrevocable Letter of Credit in the amount of USD $2,250,000.00 (Two million two hundred fifty thousand and 00 /100 US Dollars) to and in the favor of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, a Municipal Corporation (herein sometimes called the "Beneficiary ") acting by and through its Board of Selectmen with a principal office at Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. The Letter of Credit shall become effective on, the date shown above and shall expire on June 30, 2005 (herein sometimes called the "Expiration Date "). It is a condition of this Letter of Credit that it shall be deemed automatically extended without amendment from the present expiration date of June 30, 2005 to a final expiration date of February 6, 2006, unless at least 30 days prior to June 30, 2005 we shall notify you by registered mail or courier mail that we elect not to consider this letter of credit renewed for any such additional period. Upon presentation of one or more demand draft(s) (in the form attached hereto as Appendix "A ") and with the blanks filled in, .signed by the beneficiary and delivered from time to time by Hand or Mail at the office of the Issuing Bank at 195 Market Street, Lynn, MA 01901, Attn: Global and Cash Management Services. The Issuing Bank hereby agrees to honor. and shall.pay to the beneficiary in accordance with each demand draft unless or ti ntil either (A) a cumulative total of US Two million two hundred fifty thousand has been paid to the beneficiary under this letter of credit or (B) prior to the delivery of the demand draft, this letter of credit has expired by the arrival of the expiration date. K.NGCMS\Forms\LTTRNEAD. D0C Operations Center • 195 Market St. • Floor 3 Lynn, MA 01901 -0491 Connecting All Departments (781) 599 -2100 • Liierriet Address http:llmviir easternbarik.com We engage with you that drafts drawn under and in conformity with the terms of this letter of credit will be duly honored on presentation if presented on or before the expiration date, and we shall effect such payment within three business days following the date of our receipt of such complying documents. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which Commercial Banks in Boston, Massachusetts are not authorized or required to close and a day on which payments can be effected on the Fed Wire System. The original letter, of credit no. 5833 and all subsequent amendments(s), if any, must accompany the documents required under this credit. Partial, drawings are allowed. Demand draft(s) shall be executed on behalf of the beneficiary by three of the beneficiary's Board of Selectmen. The issuing bank may conclusively rely upon a letter executed and sealed by the Town Clerk of the Beneficiary, which the letter identifies by name the individuals who constitute the Board of Selectmen, it being expressly understood that Eastern Bank bears no responsibility for verifying the authenticity of the signatures appearing on any document presented hereunder. An initial letter from the Town Clerk is attached as Appendix "B" and is effective and satisfies this requirement until the issuing bank receives a replacement letter under the seal from the Town Clerk in the same format which replacement letter identifies changes in the persons who are serving as Selectmen. This letter of credit is a binding obligation of the Issuing Bank, independent of the acts, omissions or circumstances of the applicant. The -issuing Bank shall honor each demand draft made in conformity with the terms of this letter of credit without inquiry or recognition of any claim by the applicant. Except so far as otherwise expressly stated herein, this Standby is subject to the "International Standby Practices (ISP 98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication 590." Sincerely, EASTERN BANK P r oni on� s International Banking Officer Appendix endix 'W' To Letter of Credit No. 5833 To: Eastern Bank Subject: Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit No. The Town of Reading, Massachusetts, A Municipal Corporation hereby demands that Bank pay to the order of Town of Reading, Massachusetts, A Municipal Corporation the sum of US Dollars US $ under the above Letter of Credit. Date: Being a majority of its Board of Selectmen AAWalkers Brook Crossing to Town of Reading.doc Town of Reading, Massachusetts, A Municipal Corporation BY: Print Name: BY: Print Name: BY: Print Name: � �5' ' Appendix "B" To Letter of Credit No. 5833 10/15/04 FRI 17:10 FAX 7810447070 L,APBM 7 aUM I AMOND lot Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 FAX: (781) 842 -8070 Wobsito: WWW.ci.raadin0.ma.us TOWN CLERK (781) 942 -9050 October 15, 2004 To Whom It May Concern: I hereby certify.that the following individuals are current members of the Board of Selectmen: IMe Board 0i•S:ekru" = yiJ•:i Richard W. Schubert, Chairman 119 Whahrop Ave. (01) Mar.'07. Camille W. Anthony, V. Chr. 26 Orchard Park Drive (94) Mar.106 George V. Hines 35 Grand Street (90) Mar.105 Gail F. Wood, Secretary 213.Pleasant St. (01) Mar.'05 `. Joseph G. Daff y 460 Summer Ave. (04) Mar.'07 Town A true copy. Attest: A: \Walkers Brook Crossing to Town of Reading.doc Timothy P Cahill MIS APR —3 PH Q. 38 Katherine P. Craven Chairman, State Treasurer Executive Director March 30, 2006 Ms. Nancy Heffernan Treasurer Town of Reading 16 Lowell St. Reading, MA 01867 RE: Updated March 30, 2006 — Project #020023807 - The Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School Dear Ms. Heffernan: On February 22, 2006, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (Authority) Board of Directors (Board) met to consider and vote on the Town's appeal of the audit results for the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School (Project #C20023 807). The Town appealed $4,952 of construction costs which were not considered eligible for reimbursement by the Authority in the draft audit report sent to the Town. The Authority disallowed these costs primarily due to the lack of supporting documentation. The Project Management Sub - committee of the Board met to discuss this appeal on February 9, 2006. Based on the additional documentation provided by the Town, on February 22, 2006, the Board voted by a vote of six to zero (one member not present) to reimburse the Town for the Authority's share (66 %) of these costs ($3,268). As a result, the Authority increased the Town's grant by $3,268 (66% grant rate multiplied by $4,952 of additional eligible costs). Now that the appeal process has been exhausted, this letter will serve as notice to you of the final audit results and final grant payment for Project #020023807, the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School, from the Massachusetts School Building Authority in accordance with chapter 208 of the Acts of 2004, as authorized by the Board of the Authority. The results of the audit are included in the attached report. The Department of Education began funding the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School Project in Fiscal Year 2002 at a reimbursement rate of 66 %. The following is a summary of the audit findings, the details of which are included in the attached report: Construction: Original Estimate $9,000,000 Final Construction Cost Submitted $9,098,104 Eligible MSBA Construction Costs $9,026,245 Interest: Original Estimate $7,425,000 Final Interest Cost Submitted $5,460,813 Eligible MSBA Interest $5,460,813 TOTAL ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS: $14,487,058 TOTAL GRANT FROM MSBA *: $9,561,458 TOTAL GRANT PAYMENTS FROM MSBA *: $9,556,038 *Please note that in Fiscal Year 2004, the legislature cut I% of the annual payment to each community due to a legislative funding decrease. The Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School project had $5,420 cut from their annual payment ` in FY 2004. 3 Center Plaza, Suite 430 - Boston, MA 02108 - Phone: 617- 720 -4466 - Fax: 617- 720 -5260 73 The Authority considers that the audit results are final and are not subject to further review or adjustment unless the Town refunds the debt issued to finance this project. If there is a decrease in the amount of interest payable related to this project due to a refunding, the Authority will recalculate the grant pursuant to Chapter 70B, Section 19. Please notify Joanna Aalto if you have plans to do such a refunding. In Fiscal Year 2003 through 2006, the Town received $2,162,680 in grant funds for the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School. The remainder of the total grant will be paid in 16 equal annual installments of $462,085 beginning Fiscal Year 2007 through Fiscal Year 2022 in order to match the Town's bond payments related to this project. These payments, which total $9,556,038, represent 100% of your grant and are based on the Authority's share (66 %) of the final eligible audited construction costs of $9,026,245 and final eligible audited interest costs of $5,460,813. We are pleased to provide you with this grant amount. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Joanna Aalto, Director of Audit Policy, if you have any questions at (617) 720 -4466. Very truly yours, (a!erine P. Craven cc: Senator Richard R. Tisei (State House, Room 313 -C) Representative Patrick Natale (State House, Room 167) Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr. (State House, Room 124) Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Mr. Richard Schubert, Chair, Board of Selectmen Mr. Charles Robinson, Audit Committee Chair Ms. Gail LaPointe, Town Accountant Mr. Patrick Schettini, Superintendent of Schools Mr. James R. Johnson, Department of Revenue Attachment Of Mitt Romney Governor Kerry Healey Lieutenant Governor Robert C. Haas Secretary THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 400 Worcester Road Framingham, AU 01702-15399 Tel: 508-820-2000 Fax: 508-820-2030 Website: www.mass.gov/mema March 27, 2006 A. David Rodham, Chair Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee City Hall 562 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176 RE: Certification of the Mystic REPC . I I Dear Chairman dham: "C' uc &f Cristine McCombs Director rj co On behalf of the Massachusetts State Emergency Response - Commissi on.(SERC), I would like to congratulate the Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee (REPC) for -achieving Full Certification. The SERC approved your I application at its meeting.on March 14, 2006. Yoti can be. at you and the members of the Mystic REPC have proud of the hard work and accomplishment that made to achieve this level of certification, The Mystic REPC is certified as a Full REPC for three years from this date. The REPC is eligible for technical assistance in developing exercises and updating your plan, and may attend regional and national conferences . related to this program. By March 16, 2009 the Mystic REPC is e quiapply for re-certific,ationto the* SERC. Listed below are recommendations and suggstions the SERC has for the Mystic REPC to work on during the next three years: Continue training all emergency responders and other personnel who may be involved with a hazardous materials event to the appropriate level. • Review the hazardous materials emergency plan for the Mystic REPC annually. • Develop and conduct an exercise of the hazardous materials emergency plan, including a critique and after action review, on an annual basis. • Annually update hazardous materials profiles for each community plan after the Tier II, reporting deadline of March 15t. The SERC is committed to helping your REPC succeed and continue moving forward in this program. Several new resources are available to . help the EPC in its responsibilities: • Electronic Filing of Tier II information from industry • Computer software for planning and emergency response (CAMEOfm, ALOHA, MARPLOT) • Federal Guide for Hazardous Materials Training for Public Sector Employees • Federal Guidance for Reviewing Hazardous Materials Emergency Plans (NRT-.;l) Massachusetts SERC Website www.mass-gov/mema Once again, on behalf of the Massachusetts SERC, congratulations and thank you for the tremendous work and commitment the Mystic REPChas made to this program. The SERC, looks forward to working with you in the future. If you have any questions or require assistance, please . feel free to contact Jeffrey Trask, SERC Coordinator, at (508) 820-2053. rely., Cristine McCombs, Chair Massachusetts State Emergency Response Commission CC: Chief Municipal Officers, Mystic REPC Communities Christine Packard, MEMA Preparedness Branch Chief Kevin T. Tully, MEMA Region. 1 Manager James Encalada, MEMA Region I Local Coordinator -jj \L 2 N OFRfi90 .01 Town of Reading f 16 Lowell Street Reading, NIA 01867 -2683 639. IN'COR4��P Fax: (781) 942 -5441 Website: www.ci.reading.ma.us To: Peter. I. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager From: Ryan A. Percival, Asst. Civil Engineer CC: Edward D. McIntire Jr., Director of Public Works Date: 3/27/2006 Re: Franklin Terrace Sewer Extension Public Hearing G ( C. PUBLIC WORKS (781) 942 -9077 At 7:00 P.M. on March 24, 2006, a public hearing was held in the Lower Level Conference Room of the Reading Town Hall. This hearing was held in response to the petition for sewer main extension on Franklin Terrace. Those in attendance were as follows: Stephen J. Geraghty of 480 Franklin Street, Warren R. Poor, Jr. of 1 Franklin Terrace, Joseph C. Harrington, Jr. of 12 Franklin Terrace, Edward D. McIntire, Jr., Director of Public Works, and myself, Ryan Percival, Asst. Civil Engineer. The Engineering Division discussed the proposed extension and the betterments being assessed. Two of the four abutters are currently connected to the Town sewer system; therefore those residents will not be assessed. The two properties assessed were 1 and 12 Franklin Terrace, both of which are currently on private septic. The total cost for both residents was estimated to be $13,242.50 which will be financed over 10 years. State law regarding the assessment of betterments allows discretion in the way costs are allocated to abutters. While our usual method of assessment is by frontage, it appeared that one resident would bear a much greater burden if they were assessed in this manner. Therefore, we assessed both properties equally because each property would receive . the same benefit. The interest rate will still need to be voted on by the Board of Selectmen. In past projects the lowest interest rate applied was 2 %, the minimum required by State Law in 1998. Each resident in attendance at the meeting was given a form that outlined the cost to each household and a sheet asking whether the household was in favor of the project, opposed to the project or non - committal to the project. As of this date three (3) out of four (4) of the abutters returned the forms to the Town, and the vote was three (3) in favor. Of the three forms returned, both of the abutters being assessed responded in favor. On the basis of the response to the hearing, I am recommending that this petition be approved. FRANKLIN TER. SEWER CONSTRUCTION Description Units Quantity Unit Price Est. Cost Total Construction Signage, SF 64 $ 15.00 $ 960.00 $ 960.00 8" SDR 35 Poi yvin yl Chloride (PVC) LF 270 $ 135.00 $36,450.00 $ 37,410.00 4" SDR 35 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) LF 52 $ 55.00 $ 2,860.00 $ 40,270.00 4" Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Chimney VF 3 $ 115.00 $ 345M $ 40,615.00 8" x.4'! Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) WYE EA 2 $ 100.00 $ 200.00 $ 40,815.00 Manhole Ind. Frame and Cover Set VF 9 $ 500.00 $ 4,500.00 $ 45,315.00 Calcium Chloride LB 450 $ 1.50 $ 675.00 $ 45,990.00 Rock Excavation and Disposal CY 40 $ 100.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 49,990.00 Gravel Borrow CY 15 $ 20.00 $ 300.00 $ 50,290.00 Additional Gravel Borrow CY 10 $ 20.00 $ 200.00 $ 50,490.00 Additional Crushed Stone Cy 10 $ 25.00 $ 250.00 $ 50,740.00 Loam & Seed Sy 223 $ 13.50 $ 3,010.50 $ 53,750.50 Temporary trench pavement LF 270 $ 6.00 $ 1,620.00 $ 55,370.50 Binder course ( 2" TON 47 $ 110.00 $ 5,170.00 $ 60,540.50 To course (2" ) TON 47 $ 110-00 $ 5,170.00 $ 65,710.50 Bituminous- Concrete Berm LF 20 $ 10.00 $ 200.00 $ 65,910.50 Emulsified Asphalt ( spray tack coat) GAL 21 $ 5.00 $ 105-00 $ 66,015.50 Traffic Control LS 1 $ 6,500.00, $ 6,500.00 $ 72,515.50 Sub-Total: $ 72,515.50 10% CONT. $ 7,251.55 Total: $ 79,767.05 SAY $ 80,000.00 yen FRANKLIN TERRACE SEWER EXTENSION ESTIMATED ASSESSMENT ESTIMATED ADDRESS PLAT LOT OWNER ASSESSMENT 1 Franklin Terrace 153 12 Warren R. Poor $ 13,242.50 12 Franklin Terrace 153 12A Joseph C. Harrington Jr. $ 13,242.50 FRANKLIN TERRACE SEWER MAIN EXTENSION NAME k2 ADDRESS Check one of the following: IN FAVOR •••*1W NON-COMMITTAL Please return this form within 7 days after the Public Hearing 3/23/06 Signature DateY -3 t4f �Q r , I • NAME ADDRESS 12- Check one of the following: IN FAVOR •i[•6 _r NON-COMMITTAL Please return this form within 7 days after tho Public Hearing 3/23/06 Signature. U Date 3 z 3 0 6 N FRANKLIN TERRACE SEWER MAIN EXTENSION NAME STE-UtLJ 6C-1 A- 6-01Y ADDRESS P�SQ -Fi?A-,,jl-OLiO Check one of the following: N 101 • • Please return this form within 7 days after the Public Hearing 3/23/06 Signature 17Z� Date N .0-- L I(& .,,e � `.- Please Join Us for a Presentation on the Future of Metro Boston: Trends Extended to 2030 Monday, April 24, 2006, 8:00 - 9:30 AM Burlington Town Hall The Metropolitan Area Planning Council invites you to a special briefing on MetroFuture, a regional initiative to develop a plan to guide the region's growth through 2030. Some of you attended visioning sessions held in 2005, and many of you will be newcomers to MetroFuture. We seek your involvement and feedback to help make sure the MetroFuture plan reflects your goals and aspirations. At this briefing, the MetroFuture team will present findings from the project's five study areas to show what the region will look like if we continue our current pattern of growth and development. Our research findings in the following key areas will be aired for you to examine, followed by .a discussion of the findings' implications for the future of the region: C People and Communities involves the programs and services..that support cormnunities. • Buildings and Landscapes includes future patterns of development in Metro Boston. • Air, Water, and Wildlife covers the natural resources and sustainability of the region. • Getting Around encompasses the ways we travel around the region. • Prosperity includes the region's businesses and institutions, and the regional economy. Kindly RSVP to Steve Daly at sdaly@mapc.org, (617)451 -2770 x 2047 or Rachel Mercier at rmercier@mapc.org, (617) 451 -2770 x 2046. We will assist with any information you require about this briefing. For.more.information about. the project, visit.www.MetroFuture.org :. Dear Friend: I would like to urge to attend the special presentation by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on Monday, April 24, at Sam in Burlington. The MetroFuture project, an initiative of MAPC, will present findings about what the metro Boston region is likely to look like in 2030 if we continue to develop as we are today. I think you will find the presentation will help to answer a lot of questions about the Boston region -- answers that will influence your daily work: * Where and how will our population live and work? * How are the finances of city and town governments likely to change in the upcoming decades? * How prepared will our young people be for the jobs of the future? * How much new housing will be needed, where is it likely to be built, and for whom? * How will the growing stress on our water resources influence development? ,*How will the dramatic increase in the elderly population affect Greater Boston? I know that all of you are extremely busy with local issues, but sometimes larger regional _trends really do influence our work. We are eager to help you to understand these trends, and to plan for the future. In fact, your participation is an important part of the process that will help to define what can be done to make our region a better place to live, work, and play. We look forward to your participation and do not hesitate to contact Steve Daly (sdaly@mapc.org) or Rachel Mercier (rmercier@mapc.org) if you have any additional questions about this-meeting. Regards, V� Marc D. Draisen Executive Director MAPC S . Nv w t�- ti Monthly Hours $ Month Monthl Monthly Hours Cumulative Available Monthly Monthly Cumulative Available Hours Hours Used vs +/- Remainder $ $ Cost Remainder Allocated Used Allocated of 112 year Allocated Used Year July 76.7 28.2 (48.50) (48.50) 432 $10,350 $3,525 $3,525 $120,675 August 76.7 45.3 (31.40) (79.90) 386.7 $10,350 $5,663 $9,188 $115,013 September 76.7 52.2 (24.50) (104.40) 334.5 $10,350 $6,777 $15,965 $108,236 October 76.7 48.9 (27.80) (132.20) 285.6 $10,350 $6,113 $22,078 $102,123 November 76.7 36.7 (40.00) (172.20) 248.9 $10,350 $4,687 $26,765 $97,436 December 76.7 34.7 (42.00) (214.20) 214.2 $10,350 $4,338 $31,103 $93,098 460.2 246 (214.20) $62,100 $31,103 $31,103 $93,098 January 76.7 43.3 (33.40) (247.60) 674.4 $10,350 $5,413 $36,516 $87,685 February 76.7 30.8 (45.90) (293.50) 643.6 $10,350 $3,850 $40,366 $83,835 March 76.7 (76.70) (370.20) 643.6 $10,350 $40,366 $83,835 April 76.7 (76.70) (446.90) 643.6 $10,350 $40,366 $83,835 May 76.7 (76.70) (523.60) 643.6 $10,350 $40,366 $83,835 June 76.7 (76.70) (600.30) 643.6 $10,350 $40,366 $83,835 Subtotal 460.2 74.1 $62,100 $9,263 Total 920.4 320.1 -600.3 $124,200 $40,366 $83,835 w t�- ti b ( cb) S Hechen.bleikner, Peter From: peter.t.bowman@verizon.com C Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 4:31 PM Subject: Verizon filed I)TE proposal to speed video choice. Attachments: . DTERelease.DOC DTERelease.D OC (66 KB) I am pleased to inform you that Verizon has taken a major step toward bxinging Massachusetts consumers more competition and choice for their video services. Today we filed a proposal with the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy that, if accepted, will accelerate cable competition and bring consumers more choices for video services. The proposal calls for a shorter and more certain time frame for new entrants to obtain local 'franchises .to offer video services. Recognizing that significant changes have occurred in video technology, setting a time limit on the municipal licensing process will encourage more players in the marketplace -- resulting in more choices for consumers at better prices. In Massachusetts, we know that 87 percent of consumers favor more competition and choice for video services.. Around the country, where Verizon's FiOS TV competes with cable, consumers have experienced lower prices, better product packages and improved customer service. In fact, in the cities and towns where Verizon competes with cable, prices have been reduced and consumers receive better services. Already, Verizon has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Massachusetts transforming its traditional telecommunications network into the next generation fiber optic network. This technology, known as Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), provides customers with unmatched reliability, incredible speed and exciting new options for video, data and voice connections. For example, FiOS TV offers near-unlimited capacity and is unmatched in picture clarity and sound. We offer more high-definition programming than any competitor at better prices than available in the market today. Our proposal is consistent with recent moves by policy makers to improve Massachusetts, overall business climate as it focuses on opening the cable market to new competitors faster. today's filing only changes the time limit for acting on competitive franchises. It would not change other aspects of the franchise process. We are simply proposing a predictable "start-to-finish" process that would bring video choice to Massachusetts consumers and communities. Verizon is currently in active discussions with municipal officials.in nearly 40 Massachusetts municipalities, and is dedicated to finalizing as many licensing agreements as possible. Our proposal before the DTE creates a timeline for the competitive franchise process that allows us to bring FiOS TV to Massachusetts households sooner rather than later. The faster consumers have choice for video service, the sooner they will reap the benefits of real competition. As we move through this process, we will keep you posted of our progress. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call. (See attached file: DTERelease.DOC) 1 ��1 so FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2006 Media contacts: Cliff Lee 617-743-4760 clifford.p.lee@verizon.com John Bonomo 212- 395 -7756 john.j.bonomo@verizon.com Verizon Proposes Measure to Speed Video Choice for Massachusetts Consumers BOSTON — A proposal to speed up the process for giving consumers in Massachusetts a real alternative to cable television was introduced today by Verizon. Iii a filing with the state Department of Telecommunications and Energy (I)TE), Verizon called for a shorter and more certain time frame for obtaining local franchises to offer video services. The filing is a limited step that would affect only the timing of local franchise decisions and does not address other aspects of the franchise process. "Consumers in Massachusetts are saying they want a choice when it comes to video services," said Donna Cupelo, Verizon president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, "and studies show that, competition brings enormous benefits including lower prices and better S J�v Verizon News Release, page 2 service. Bay State residents should be given every opportunity to take advantage of the choices competitive markets bring, sooner rather than later." Today's filing would require a franchise decision to be made within a fixed period of time but would not otherwise change the role of local governments in negotiating and awarding franchises to competitive video service providers. "The time has come to update regulations that were created when there was one monopoly cable provider," Cupelo said. "The existing process discourages competition and protects the incumbent cable companies. This proposal recognizes the presence of new competitors like Verizon in the marketplace, and it offers a simpler, quicker franchise approval process. "The world has changed," she said. "It's time for Massachusetts residents to realize the benefits of cable competition." Studies show the introduction of competition, such as Verizon's FiOS TV, in cable markets results in significant price reductions and improvements in customer service and packages of video, voice and high -speed Internet services. A 2004 study by the Government Accountability Office found that where wireline cable competition exists, a monopoly provider's prices are on average approximately 15 percent lower. Customer service also improves. h1 areas where Verizon has introduced its FiOS TV, including New York, Texas, Florida, Virginia and Massachusetts, several other studies found incumbent cable providers have responded with reduced prices. Verizon began deploying its FTTP (fiber -to- the - premises) technology in Massachusetts nearly two years ago and, to date, has obtained video franchises in two communities — Woburn 9 �3*. Verizon News Release, page 3 and Reading. Verizon is currently in negotiations with nearly 40 other communities in Massachusetts to obtain additional franchises. Delivered over Verizon's FTTP network, FiOS TV is designed to be a formidable competitor to cable and satellite. The FTTP network, the largest of its kind in the country, is currently being deployed in more than half the states where the company offers landline communications services, including more than 50 Massachusetts communities. The network brings the power and capacity of fiber optics directly into people's homes and has industry - leading quality and reliability. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high - definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. It also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps as well as high - quality voice services. Verizon Conununications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly -owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit wwrw.verizon.con?. VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at wwiv.verizon.com /news. To receive news releases by e -mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases. ��a c Hechenblefter, Peter From: Frey, Bob [Bob.Frey@EOT.state.ma.us] Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 5:01 PM To: Frey, Bob (EOT); Corey, John; Schubert, Rick; Anthony, Camille; Barnes, Jonathan; Bruen, Darlene; Casey, Paul; Clarke, Dennis; Cosgrove, Joe; DiBlasi, Joe; Durrant, Ian; Everson, Jeff; Festa, Mike; Gallagher, Jim; Grover, Robert; Grzegorzewski, Josh; Hamblin, Eileen; Havern, Robert; Jones, Bradley; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art; Leiner, Craig; McLaughlin, Tom; Meaney, Paul; Medeiros, Paul; Molter, Andrew; Natale, Patrick; Rogers, Maureen A.; Smith, Suzanne; Sodano, Paul; Stinson, Richard; Sullivan, Dan; Tarallo, Ed; Tisei, Richard; Webster, Bill Cc: Blaustein, Joan; Callan, Melissa (Rep Mike Festa); Christello, Tricia (Mass Motor TA); Cooke, Don; DiZoglio, Dennis; Draisen, Mark (MAPC); Edwards, Adriel; Florino, Ron; Town Manager; Lindstrom, Mike (Sen Richard Tisei); Lucas, Barbara (MAPC); Lutz, Elaine; McKinnon, Anne; McLaughlin, Thomas; Mcvann, John; Medeiros, Paul (work); O'Rourke, Carmen (Rep Paul Casey); Pap, Mary (Rep Brad Jones); Purdy, Jim; Pyke, Keri; Reilly, Chris; Schwartz, Bill; Stein, Kathy; Tafoya, Ben; Van Magness, Frederick (Rep Brad Jones); Wood, Gail Subject: RE: 93/95 ITF public mtg final draft documents Attachments: Flyer�_9395March16.pdf; 9395—News.pdf "M im Flyer — 9395Marc 9395 — News.pdf 16.pdf (744 KB). (888 KB) Hello everyone, At our task force meeting last night, we reviewed two promotional documents for the upcoming April 5th public meeting, a flyer and a newsletter. Several of you provided helpful comments that we have incorporated into the revised versions attached: <<Flyer_9395Marchl6.pdf>> <<9395_News.pdf>> Those of us at the meeting generally agreed that these were in good shape, especially once the suggested changes were made. The major change was making a more clear distinction between the three public meetings and what information each one is intended to cover. As we said at the meeting, if you have any more comments for us to consider PLEASE REPLY TO ME (phone or e-mail) BY NOON TOMORROW, FRIDAY 3/17. Our apologies for the short notice, but we need to get these finalized and to the printers this weekend. Next week I will send final copies for some of you to distribute further as we discussed. Stay tuned for more details... Thanks, Bob Bob Frey Manager of Statewide Planning Office of Transportation Planning Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation (617) 973-7449 bob.frey@eot.state.ma.us ��1 "r1111MV of 1. r. a soft 0% W% m00% pft 90% 94% A.J A if E U -6 U1 I UUY TI'di Urta"i , St This public meeting will give an update on the new study underway to examine problems.at the 1-93/1-95 Interchange (Exit 37) in Reading, Stoneham, and Woburn and recommend ways to improve traffic flow and safety. This public meeting, the first of three, will focus on the planning process and what has been done to date. The second public meeting will describe and seek input on alternatives under consideration. The third public meeting will present proposed recommendations for improvements at the interchange. n "Open House" at 6 p.m. - Exhibits of existing and future conditions, study goals, process, and progress to date. m Presentation and question/answer period at 7 p.m., followed by time after to review exhibits. DIRECTIDNS TO STONEHAM TOWN HALL From 1-93, take Exit 313 (Montvale Ave.) into Stoneham. Travel about 1/2 mile an Montvale Ave., then turn RIGHT onto Main St. (Rte. 28 South), then an immediate LEFT onto Pleasant St. Take next RIGHT onto Central St. Town Hall is a few blocks down an the left. m �'e` =" ,� lit �.. , MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION n:c Louis Berger Group,2tc. H •t HUDS Visit the study Web site at www.9395info.com and /or contact: Bob Frey Planning Project Manager (617) 973 -7449 Jim Purdy LBG Project Manager (781) 444 -3330 ext.335 Next steps • Options that meet the goals and obicc- tives will be combined with transit and TDM options to make three alternatives. These alternatives will receive more detailed scrutiny, including an assessment of local traffic, noise, and visual impacts. There will be a second public meet ng describing these alternatives probably in Junc 2006. • Proposed recommendations will be draftedwith the assistance and input from the Task Force These recommendations will be presented at a public meeting next Fall. A Final Report that summarizes the planning study findings and recommenda- tions will also be published in the fall. Recommendations from this planning study will be fed into the future environmental study and the regional transportation planning /funding process. 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange Transportation Study S Planning Study Recommendations Environmental Study / Preliminary Design Background Funding Process MPO Transportation ',.. Improvement Program '.. Final Design Implementation Strategies /Services/ Construction's. In September 2002, MassHighway suspended a previous design feasibility study for this interchange, and Planning was directed to lead a revised effort with an advisory task force. At public meetings for this previous study (in 2001 and 2002), concern was expressed over right -of -way issues. For that study, the alternatives proposed (including ramp Flyovers) that best improved traffic flow and safety would have required the most property takings. In the initial Task Force meetings, Planning outlined the revised study process and established the role of the Task Force. Planning and theTask Force worked together to develop a scope of work for the study. In early 2004, after a thorough and systematic consultant selection process with substantial Task Force input, LBG was selected to conduct the study. March 2006 & The 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange 1-93/1-95 Interchange ransportation The Office of Transportation Planning (Planning) is currently working with an advisory task force to conduct a study that will evaluate and address transportation issues with the I- 93/I -95 Interchange in the Towns of Reading, Stoneham, and the City, of Woburn. This interchange is the busiest in the state, connecting two interstates, and processing over 375,000 vehicles on an aver- age weekday: It was built in 1972 and has experienced a steady increase in traffic over the years. Now the outmoded design with substandard geometries severely degrades traffic operations through the interchange, contributing to heavy congestion and many accidents. The primary goals of this planning study ate to examine and recommend ways to improve traffic flow and safety at the interchange while minimizing impacts in surrounding communities. A full range of alternatives, including interchange improvements and non - highway options, are being developed and analyzed as the study progresses. A rec- ommended plan of future transportation improvements (short - term and long -term) based on the alternatives analysis and community input, will be the end product of this study. The upcoming public informational meeting Over the past two years, Planning has met "regularly with the 1- 93/I -95 Interchange Task Force (ITF), which includes federal and state agencies, legislators, local elected officials, community members, and interested organizations. Community groups on the Task Force include THAG ITH- Community Highway Action Group) and PRESERVE (Protect Residential Environments with Sensible Engineering and Residents' VoicL-s). Previous efforts by NiassHighway related to this interchange generated substantial public interest and had led to the formation of these two community groups. The ITF was created to provide a better forum for community involvement and input into the study. Planning retained the services of a consultant -the Louis Berger Group g-BG)- to conduct this study, which officially began in September 2004 and runs through the November 2006. 1.9311.95 Interchange Transportation Study March 2006 DRAFT I- 93 1I- 95lntcrchange looking wruhwat from Reading rowan* Woburn, Stoneham to the left. A general public meeting will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2006, from 6-9 p.m. at the Stoneham Town Hall Auditorium. This will be the first in a series of three public meetings. It will be an "open house" format that will include exhibits and presentations of existing and future conditions, as well as the study goals, process, and progress to date. A general summa- ry presentation will take place at 7 p.m., with the time before and after devoted to the various exhibits. The second public meeting will focus on alternatives being considered, while the third pub- lic meeting will present proposed recommendations. There will continue to be substantial opportunity for Task Force and pub- lic input throughout the study. March 2006 What is the problem? A major component of this study has been a eomprchensivc examination of existing conditions and issues. Conducted with significant input from the Task Force, this provided a thorough under- standing of the interchange and the surrounding area. Problem spots have been pinpointed. The hope is that through this effort, better solutions will be developed and the end product will achieve the "biggest bang for the buck ". In the process, any potential highway changes that may be needed will have been fully justified. This ongoing, detailed data collection and analysis effort can be grouped into three main categories. A synopsis of the results discovered so far is listed below: CONGEsnON AND TRAaFic OprmmoNs 375,000 vehicles per weekday; busiest in the State • Failing levels of service (LOS) for tamps • Qucuing, reduced speeds and mobility • Spillover onto local roadways,, congestion locally as well. Traffic backups begin in the Northeast loop (fairground) and that cascade around the interrhange. 1- 9311 -95 Interchange Transportation Study SAtrty • High crash ranking. consistently high level of accidents (avg. 150 /year) High crash rate (accounts for high volume) • Significant proportion of crashes occurring at specific areas within the interchange GLDMHrmcs • Substandard geometry measured against current standards (tight curves) • Several problematic vehicle conflict areas (short weaves, merges) • Proximity of other interchanges In particular, the avmve area on Route 128 southbound —where traffic is entering from I -93 northbound and exiting to I -93 southbound — ausm the northeast quad- rant loop ramp to back up. This queue cascades to the southeast quadrant loop ramp and eventually dogs the entire inter- change. A study of accidents using crash reports from 2002 and 2003 pinpointed accident locations, and many occur in these weave areas and also in the weave areas between the two adjacent inter- changes along Route 128, which are closely spaced. Contributing to the prob- lem, especially . in the evening, is the lane -drop from four to three lanes on the northbound side of Route 128. According to population and employ- ment projections, and future land uses in the region, travel through this area is expected to increase 'approximately 20'% by 2025. Vehicles are already bypassing the interchange on local streets, and these diversions arc expected to increase even more as travel demand grows. In keeping with EOT's policy of an open process, the entire data collection and analysis effort has been fully documented and posted to the study \Veb site, www9395infa -com. It is also expected that any potential highway solution will be combined with a number of transit and transportation demand management initiatives — described in more detail blow —in order to limit the growth of traffic congestion. Some of these efforts are already underway. What are the goals? The overarching goal of the study is to seek well- supported recommendations that help solve the problems while incorporating community concerns. Developed in cooperation with the Task Force, the following are the more specific primary goals and objectives of the study: • Improve traffic flow • Improve safety • Avoid takings • Maintain local access • Minimize noise and visual impacts • Must be do -able (cost, constructability, environmental) Anderson Regional Transportation Center has unused capacity to reduce auto trips. March 2006 2004 Average Weekday Traffic Volumes at the 1- 9311 -95 Interchange 377,500 Total Vehicles Entering and Exiting What else can be done? A number of non - highway, solutions are being developed to address the growing congestion in the vicinity. Transit and. Transportation Demand Management (ZDn is a combination of strategies and actions whose goal is to encourage travelers to use alternatives to driving alone. TDM may include encour- aging the use of public transit, public /private buses, van/ carpools, bicycles and walking; promoting the use of alternative work hours; telecommuting; parking management and financial incentives; providing commuter information; and marketing alternatives to single - occupant vehicles. 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange Transportation Study The Executive Office of Transportation promotes TDM through iMassRIDES, the statewide travel options program that provides free assistance to commuters, employers, students . and other traveler markets. A representative from MassRIDES is on the Task Force and is working directly with employers and commuters in the area to promote carpooling, vnpooling, and use of transit Visit the 1%fassRIDES \Veb site, wwwcommutc.com The Executive Office of Transportation is also working with the !=A to expand Park & Ride options. March 2006 Page I of I t Hechenbleikner, Peter From: ijb [ilenejb@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 12:50 AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: AM property once again, I am writing to you, urging you to reject the zoning change for the A/W property. By now, you are most cognizant of all the reasons to reject retailing on this property. Reading itself is at stake here. Please do the right thing for the town and its inhabitants and turn down the zoning change. Thank you. Ilene J. Bornstein 80 Haystack Rd. 3/22/2006 Page lofl ^ � ' «=~ � �� ��echenbl«�kneK, Peter / �r ��~~ From: Ellen Doucette [ecdoucefte@�nachaftluoao.con] up .�� ���U� Sent: K8 Monday, oruh2O.2UOO4�3PM ' ^ To; Hechenblelkner, Peter Subject: Re: Land Protection Peter, Clearly, the land around the water treatment plant is protected by Article 97 which applies to water resource protection and water supplies (taken orpurchased by the town underb.45, seG.19) In orderto change itto another protected use, it is my understanding that the town must still comply with Article 97. While this may not make sense, my research indicates that a change from one protected use to another has been called a "disposition" for purposes of Article 97. 1 will check this out further and get back to you with a definite answer. Ellen Original Message From: Hechenbleikner, Peter To: ecdoucette(o-)brackettlucas.com Sent: Friday, March 17.20084:2QPM Subject: Land Protection Ellen | understand that Joan ka leaving B&L and you inherit Reading. Congratulations. | look forward to working with you in matters than have in the We are considering discontinuing the u ' se of our Water Treatment Plant and buying all of our water from the K8VVRA. VVe own quite a bit of land around the plant, and are interested )n having it continue tobe preserved for recreation and open space uses. | know the water land ie protected under Article 97—in this true even if we don't continue to use it for water purposes. |s there some way that vve can ensure it's continued preservation? Designate iteenpark? Thanks for your thoughts. Pete 6 / cled Hechenble1krier, Peter From: James MacDougall -[campmeeting@comcast.pet] Sent: Thursday, March 23, 9006 6:41.AM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Ipswich River Flow Ms. Camille Anthony, Chairwoman Board of Selectmen Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 018.67 Dear Chairwoman Anthony and Members of the Board, As a riverfront landowner downstream of the Town of Reading's wells, I am writing to express my support for the proposal, currently under consideration by the Selectmen, to stop the use of Reading's*water supply wells in favor of purchasing all Reading's water from the MWRA. This alternative would provide the only assurance that the town could meet its future water supply needs without further damaging the Ipswich River. The impact of Reading's wells on the Ipswich River is,the most extreme of any community in the watershed,.and has been documented over a period..,.of decades and investigated comprehensively by the United States Geological Survey and others. There is no doubt that the wells literally pump the river dry, resulting in my inability to legally access my property which is by the river and the.only access is by canoe. Without water in the channel, I must walk the riverbed in the summer to access my property. The river bed is owned by my neighbors and it is at their good graces that I can walk over their land. If they sell to someone who is less understanding, you will have effectively prohibited me from accessing my land. Please keep water in the river all year long. Respectfully, James S. MacDougall Topsfield, MA 1 FYI HecheNbleikner, Peter Page I of I From: McCabe, George . .houoe.goW Sent March 23'2UOG1:33PM To: Amesbury-William FroatBedford-KevnW1acCaf�o;Bevedv;Boxfo�-PeterPerk�e;Budinoton- Pau|Th `au�;Danvers- annasTutko;DeveCo|oman;DavidPanr;Easnx-James Gloucester-Barry K4oKoy Grovo|and-John Clement; Hamilton-Philip Stevens; Ipswich-Henry Michalski; Lynnfield-Paul Romano; Manchester-Andrew Paskalis; Merrimac-Ralph Spencer; Middleton-David Leary; Nahant-Williarn Waters; Newbury-David W. Foley; Newburyport-Stephen J. Cutter; North Andover-William Dolan; North Reading-Edward O'Brien; Peabody-Steven Pasdon; Burns, Greg; Rowley-James Broderick; Salem-Dave Cody; Saugus-Walter Newbury; Swampscott- Lawrence Galante; Topsfield-Ronald Giovanacci; Wenham-Cal Perkins; Amesbury-Michael Cronin; Bedford-James Hicks; Beverly-John Cassola; Burlington-William Soda; Cindy Chase; Danvers-Neil Ouellette; Gloucester-James Marr; Groveland-Ronald Weeks; Hamilton-Walter Cullen; Ipswich Chief Surp; Kenneth Walsh; Lynn-John Suslak; Manchester-Ronald Ramos; Marblehead-James Carney; Middleton-Paul Armitage; Nevvbu rt-Torn Mowon1;Newbury-Roger Merry; North Andover-Richard Stanley; Peabody-Robert Champagne; Silva, Bob; Robert St. Pierre; Rockport- John McCarthy; Salisbury-Lawrence Streeter; Swam ocott-Ronald K8udignn'TopoMe|dDan[>'Ghao; Wilmington-Bernard Nally; Amesbury-David Hildt; Andrew Maylor; Bedford-Richard Reed; Beverly- Thomas Crean; Boxford-Alan Benson; Burlington-Robert Mercier; Danvers-Wayne P. Marquis; Essex-Bre'ndhan Zubricki; Gloucester-John Bell; Ham i Iton -Candace Wheeler; Ipswich-R. Markel; Lynnfield-Bill Gustus (E-mail); Lyn nfield -Joseph Maney; Manchester-Rosemary Cashman; Marblehead-Anthony Sasso; Middleton-Ira Singer; Nohont-W1ichae|P. Manning; Navvburypon*\mn P. Lavender; Newbury-Richard Joy;NorthAndovepK4orhReeee;NorthFleoding-ThonneoYounger; Peabody-Michael Bonfanti; Town Manager; Salem-Stanley Usovicz; Salisbury-Timothy McInerney; Swampscott-Carole Shutzer; Wakefield-Thomas Butler; West Newbury-Marge Peterson; Wilmington-Michael Caira Subject: FYI The CongPeoomaO has added his name boa letter urging increased funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and EmeronncyResponse Firefighters (GAFER) program and Assistance to Firefighters Grant Prognannai�Fiscal Year -OUl Although these two programs are each authorized ot approximately $1 billion per year, the President's fiscal year 2007 budget requests only $293 million for the Fire Grant Program and has eliminated the SAFER program. This letter is unanimously supported by the fire service community, including: Congressional Fire Services Institute International Association of Fire Fighters National Volunteer Fire Council International Association of Fire Chiefs The Congressman signed a similar letter in FY-06. Additionally, Congressman Tierney spearheaded an effort to send a bipartisan letter to President Bush calling for a significant increase in his FY-06 Budget for the hiring of first responders.. This letter urged the Administration to provide increases in funding for COPS Hiring as well as SAFER Grant programs in the Fiscal Year 2006 budget 3/28/20A6 � � (egm Hechenbleikner, Peter From: tunacat@comcast.net Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 1:58 PM To: Planning; Town Manager; Reading - Selectmen Subject: CPDC Public hearing To: John Sasso, Chair, CPDC Members, CPDC Chris Reilly, Town Planner Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Camille Anthony, Chair, BOS Members, BOS I am writing to request information on the parameters of the discussion that will be allowed at the.CPDC Public Hearing on March 27, 2006, on the warrant petition submitted by W/S Development for a "Lifestyle Center." It is my understanding that the public hearing will be a review of zoning by-laws textual amendments. Will discussion be limited to this proposal? I watched the March 13 CPDC meeting on RCTV, and at the end of the meeting there was discussion on 40B housing and the possibility that 40B housing could be built on the Addison/Wesley-Pearson property if the proposed lifestyle center/mall is not built. I believe that it was mentioned that this topic would more than likely be brought up at the meeting on March 27. While I do think that a serious discussion of 40B housing in town is something that is necessary, it does not seem that this meeting would be the appropriate place for such a discussion. If this proposed amendment is defeated at Town Meeting, ' then a discussion of all possible uses for this land is warranted. However, there is only one proposed plan for the land right now, rezoning for "lifestyle center", and it needs to be examined and then approved or defeated on its own merits. Have guidelines been established on what will be allowed to be discussed at the meeting? Thank you for your consideration regarding this matter. Sincerely, Angela Binda Town Meeting member, precinct 5 1 Page 1 of 1 t C 96 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Fink, Fran Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 5:36 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Cc: Roberta Sullivan (RoRinc60 @aol.com); Virginia Adams Subject: 420 Franklin Nelson farm Attachments: 420 Franklin prelim plan 3- 06.doc Hi Peter, Virginia, and Roberta, Today's mail included a letter dated March 7 from Wendell Nelson and Shirley Day, addressed to you, BOS, Historic Comm. and Cons Comm. The envelope was post - marked March 23, from Shirley Day. (She also included a copy of the letter dated 9/10/05 to the BOS.) I don't know whether the other copies were mailed on March 7. I wanted to let you know what we have been doing since last November 17, as follows: • Mrs. Day filed a building permit application in January to demolish the house. • I sent her a letter saying she needed a permit for the demolition from Cons Com because the house is in the Buffer Zone. • The Historic Commission opened a public hearing on the demolition in January that Will Finch and I attended. Will and I provided information about the wetland delineation and the development possibilities that were available. The Historic Comm. asked Mrs. Day to pursue permitting with.the Cons Com and continued the hearing. • Both Bill Bergeron and a local developer carne in and briefly discussed site plan options with me. • On March 10 we received a letter from Brad Latham requesting time on the March 22 agenda for a preliminary discussion about possible development scenarios. He attached three site plans with differing lot layouts, all to construct one additional house and driveway. I alerted Virginia and Roberta by e -mail, and prepared a memo commenting on the plans (attached). I sent copies of the memo to Brad, Mrs. Day, the Cons Com, and the Historic Comm. before the meeting. • The Commission devoted the first half hour of the March 22 meeting to the discussion of various options. Brad was there, along with Virginia Adams and. Roberta Sullivan from the HC, but not Mrs. Day or any potential developer. The Commission made it clear at the beginning that they could not make any binding decisions outside of a formal .permit review process, but they also made clear that there are designs available that will meet both zoning and wetland requirements, and that they are willing to entertain some requests for waivers, especially in consideration of the historical value of the existing house. I am wondering whether any of the other recipients of the March 7 letter have responded. Will and I did not attend the second HC hearing. I am wondering how we can get the owners to file a permit application so that we can issue an official decision that says they can make two lots and keep the house. If any of you have any good ideas, please let me Rnow. Thanks, Fran 1 3/27/2006 Mr. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Camille Anthony, Chair Town Board of Selectmen Virginia M. Adam, Chair Historical Commission Francis Fink, Administrator Conservation Commission Town Hall 17 Lowell Street Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: March 7, 2006 2W MAR 24 AN 10. 35 This letter was prepared for those who carry out Town business in the best interest of the residents of the Town of Reading. I am addressing you since decisions made by the Town has brought us to a crossroads regarding the loss of a 1711 historic homestead. My sister and I are deeply troubled by the pending destruction of this home from both our family history and the history of the home as related to the Town. We would like to keep the home as it is but decisions by the Town administration have made it impossible to still. sell the home and surrounding 1.5 acres since our Dad died in 2004 and keep the house intact. The home has been widely advertised and there has been little response except for demolishing the home. I had previously sent the attached letter to the Town which outlines much of the background regarding this problem. Please read this letter for details and the accompanying report and lot drawings for supporting information. I personally resided in Reading for the first 24 years of my life and my family has resided at 420 Franklin Street for over 150 years. I realize that this has no bearing on decisions based on laws and ordinances under which Reading operates but it does provide a level of credibility to the family member's knowledge of the use and character of the land at 420 Franklin Street prior to the change in the grading of Anne Hooper's lot. As mentioned in my previous letter, the land in question historically had not had a problem with standing water or wet land characteristics. The last survey made for plating the land currently owned by Anne Hooper showed a "farm pond" based on the grade established by the storm drain from Pasture Road and located on Anne's land. There was no farm pond in that location at that time. On these plans a drain outlet was shown at the proposed end of the storm drain from Pasture Road that would drain the remaining property at 420 Franklin Street. However this was abandoned presumably on request of the Town to continue the storm drain to the natural lowland to the north. This left the Nelson property at risk for impaired drainage which was not perceived as a problem by my parents (Fred and Ellen Nelson). Thirty years of this problem has allowed the soil to take on wetland characteristics and be condemned by the Conservation Commission for further construction of home sites. In addition the "wetland" must can not be mown and thus vyill be left to grow brush, weeds and other plants and become an `eyesore' for the neighborhood. In dry years this will develop into a fire hazard in the middle of a subdivision. My sister and I have exhausted all possible options for building on the property and allowing the homestead to remain. We have met with the Conservation Commission director but she was unwilling to allow any concessions except to increase the size of the land allotted to wetland. We have responded to the Historical Commission by having an engineer review options for the use of the land for a potential home site and make proposals. None of the proposals will work without waivers from both the Town engineers and the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Fink commented to the engineer that wavers were not needed. The. only viable house lot requires wavers and a change in my sister's lot. Both are unacceptable. In addition, the house would be perched in back corner of the property which detracts from the layout and appeal of the neighborhood. It is a shame that it comes down to trading the existence of a recently generated "postage stamp" piece of wet land for a 1711 home. No one wins from this decision from either a historic, aesthetic, monetary or significant conservation stand point. The Town Selectman and Commission members are the only people who can change this situation by removing the wet land designation from the land at 420 Franklin Street. Without this change in wet land designation at this time, my sister and I have no recourse but to sell the home and property this month for removal of the home and construction of new residences that will compliment the neighborhood. Sincerely, Wendell Nelson, DVM, PHD. 5537 N. CR. 9 Fort Collins, CO. 80524 Shirley E. Hay 410 Franklin Street Reading, MA 01867 �63 . WS MAR 24 AN 10: 35 Mr. George Hines, Chairman September 10, 2005 Town of Reading Board of Selectmen Town Hall 17 Lowell Street Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Dear Mr. Hines: I am writing to you in search of a sympathetic ear to a problem that my sister and I have with the Reading Conservation Commission. My Dad, Fred Nelson; had worked with tie Selectmen on many occasions during his 102 years of residency in Reading as a contractor and farmer. He and his mother were born in the homestead at 420 Franklin Street and the farm had been owned by the family for over 150 years. My Dad subdivided most of the farm by the mid 1970's and after his death in 2003, my sister, Shirley Day, and I have inherited the remaining 1.5 acres and homestead. The home is listed as a historic building (built in 1711). We had sold the property in February to a contractor who would put two homes on the property and retain the historic home as the third residence on the condition that he could get the, town's: approval. The Conservation Commi sion determined that asegment,of the property across, the two new home lots was wetland. With the large- amount of snow, and rain this _spring there was a retention of water about 4 to 6 inches in depth, the soil conformed to "hydric soil type " 'and there were a few species. of small wetland plants present. The size of the wetland was about 80 feet wide and about 200 feet long, there was no evidence that it supported wetland animal species and only supported a few (not considered a significant portion of the vegetation) wetland plants. Before 1975, the field did not retain water but was a natural water drainage route for the surrounding high ground but grading of the last house lot just to the east of the homestead resulted in a shallow depression in the natural drainage path. I have enclosed a panoramic photo that my sister took in August of this year and it shows the areas that moisture is present (green grass) after all the dry weather. The green areas show where water is drains from Pasture Road (A) and other high ground (which has dry grass now). The dry grass is evident where Ms. Hooper's land was graded back towards the field (B) from her driveway and the drainage easement. The middle of the darker green area is the wet land and this enters Ms. Hooper's land where raised beds for roses (C) and a swimming pool (D) were built. This is where the obstruction to the drainage water is located. Ms. Hooper's home is in the center of the photo (E). My sister's home is off the photo to the left and the homestead is off the photo to the right. The result of the action by the Commission is a half million dollar financial loss;to my sister and me with no significant enhancement to the wetland conservation or protection. This has created financial hardship especially for my sister who lost her husband several. �aa� years ago. I know that a piece of the property is legally wetland by the Reading Commission's definition but not by the State of Massachusetts' definition of wetland. The impact on the property value is certainly huge compared to the property's very small role in the support of the large areas of wetland in the area. I understand the complexities of jurisdiction of government groups and the sensitivities of individuals to any encroachment by others. I also understand that the Board of Selectmen has no legal power over the Reading Conservation Commission but my sister and I need someone to help with this problem. There is no viable legal recourse for us but hopefully there is some sense of fairness in the Commission. I know that Ms. Fink was the main person to condemn the property and was the dominate force in the decision. My sister told me that a friend thought that Will Finch, a member of the Conservation Commission, may be more sympathetic. His phone number is 781- 944 -1289. I am very grateful for you taking the time to read the following information and hope that you can be of help to US. Substance of the Request The purpose of this letter is to request that the Town of Reading Board of Selectmen do an informal review of a decision by the Reading Conservation Commission concerning the property at 420 Franklin Street in Reading. The Commission decided to designate a portion of this property as fresh water wetland without considering that the "vernal pool" was the result of grading of the property when the houses along Pasture Road were constructed in the early 1970's. This was a man made depression in the natural drainage path of water from the surrounding high ground that developed wetland characteristics during the past 25 years. Historically, this portion of the Parker/Hutchinson/Nelson farm has been used to raise crops for over 250 years. The land has been used for various vegetable and hay crops until about 1975 and this required that the land be free of water from time of land preparation through the growing season. Before Franklin Street was established in the 1700's, the drainage area extended from the northwest east across the current path of Franklin Street and south of the homestead to the lowland to the east without obstruction or retention. This "lowland" is a true fresh water wetland (bog or swamp) of many acres that extends from Blueberry Lane east to Main Street. Currently, the topography of the land (high ground on three sides) causes water to drain into the designated wetland area in this 1.5 acre plot on its way to the lowland to the east. (See appendix) The "hump" created in the drainage path causes water to accumulate to a depth of 4 to 6 inches which then drains through the subsurface pathway to the east. The homestead and surrounding 1.5 acres has remained unchanged during the past 20 — 25 years since Pasture Road was put in by my father Fred W. Nelson and Ann Hooper's house was built on the next property to the east of the homestead. The grading of Ms. Hooper's lot to put in raised rose beds and a swimming pool and to divert water from her driveway, and grading for the drainage tile easement from the south side of Pasture Road resulted in a slight obstruction in the water drainage pathway through this 1.5 acre plot . 2 resulting in a "man made vernal pool ". The pooled water has created a soil type that is compatible with wetland soil. The Commission report cited the presence of hydric soil type but failed to identify the presence of any specific wetland animals. Ms. Fink mentioned the existence of wetland botanicals but failed to produce any evidence that these existed as a significant portion of the vegetation population. Elizabeth Wallis, an outside botanist, was able to identify a small number of small wetland botanicals in the wetland area. No evidence was found that vertebrate or invertebrate animal species used this land for food, breeding or over wintering. Although fresh water wetland was found to exist on the property at 420 Franklin Street, this was the result of minor alteration of the land surface during previous construction. Thus the "depression or pocket" in the land surface was man made and has nothing to do with the preservation of natural occurring fresh water wetlands needed to support wetland plant and animal life. Any further construction on the property would still have to allow the movement of water through this area to the wetland to the east. The significance of this wetland, that is less than a third of an acre, in the role of the preservation of wetland plants and animals is extremely small in magnitude in comparison with the size of the wetland just to the east of the property. Its role is miniscule at best yet the commission's ruling has made the value of this land decrease more than 50% (over $500,000) and difficult to sell. I present this letter as a request for a review of the Commission's action that designated a portion of the property at 420 Franklin Street in Reading Massachusetts as wetland. In addition, I request that this decision be reversed so that the land can be used by the current owners and future owners as allowed by Reading land use rules. The current decision by the Commission, if it stands, is a frivolous use of power and has created a major loss of value to the property without any significant gain to the conservation and preservation of wetland plant or animal species. Please reply to me or to my sister Mrs. Shirley Day, 410 Franklin Street, Reading MA. — 781- 642 -6462. Thank you very much for your help. Sincerely yours, A. Wendell Nelson DVM 5537 N. CR 9 Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 970 -484 -1124 wnelson@colostate.edu. a Appendix You may ask why I am familiar with the water drainage in the area of the homestead at 420 Franklin Street. I grew up on the homestead from the time I was 6 years old when it was a 28 acre farm and family residence. I explored every inch of the farm, the bog to the east, the pond on the west side of Franklin Street (on Stinky Davis's farm) and on to the town forest. I walked, skated or rode horses throughout this area. I played and swam in the farm pond to the northeast of the current homestead 1.5 acre plot, caught frogs and turtles in this pond (not in the field), caught vertebrates and invertebrate animal species for "show and tell" at school from. the pond drainage stream that drained east to the bog, and walked the bog looking for treasures and high bush blueberries. I later years, I helped my Dad with the crops he raised in this field. I do not need an engineer to tell me where the water was and was not since I explored and played in most of it. There was not a "water retention pool" in the field where the Conservation Commission designated a wetland. This pool was man made. Y y t 1, 4 b Lei �i - ( 1 L.�tf � t F•y. '� 1 4t �>4t ��, _ .klt rt w1• �T y uC� FS � 1 y IA•� _'t� ,• 1 t � i A Ae } r 6 "ci :r A S S 'ri + 1i ' L 4 L� Y 4qq tj iT4 3 �rcrct � rf /� �i. 1 4 ' n i E�7 Lf �'•-1 i k � , 4 f S -rjLr 3 t1 T 93/95 planning for public meeting HechenblefteK, Peter Page I of 2 ����� � � ��J���� o�� From: Frey, Bob [Bob. Frey@ EOT.state.ma.us] Sent: Fdday, March 24.2UOG4:25PM To; Camille; Barnes, Jonathan; Bruen, Darlene; Caooy, Paul; Clarke, Dennis; Cosgrove, Joe; DiBlasi, Joe; Durrant, lan; Everson, Jeff; Festa, Mike; Gallagher, Jim; Grover, Robert; Grzegorzewski, Josh; Hamblin, Eileen; Havern, Robert; Jones, Bradley; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art; Leiner, Craig; McLaughlin, Tom; Meaney, Paul; Medeiros, Paul; Motter, Andrew; Natale, Patrick; Rogers, Maureen A.; Smith, Suzanne; Stinson, Richard; Sullivan, Dan; Tarallo, Ed; Tisei, Richard; Webster, Bill Cc: B|ouataki Joan; Callan, Melissa (Rep Mike Feato ); Christello, Tricia (Mass Motor TA) Cooke, Don; DiSarcina, Tony; DiZoglio, Dennis; Draisen, Mark; Edwards, Adriel; Florino, Ron; Frey, Bob; Harwood, Tracey (Mayor McLaughlin); Town Manager; Lindstrom, Mike (SenRichard Tisei); Lucas, Barbara; Lutz, Elaine; McKinnon, Anne; McLaughlin, Thomas; Mcvann, John; Medeiros, Paul (work); iUe�Kenneth; CYRourke.Curn�en (Rep Paul Coae Pa K�n (Rep Brad Jonem);P nd Jim; . Kor Reilly, Chris; Schwartz, Bill; Stein, Kathy; Tafoye. Ben; Van Magness, Frederick (Rep Brad Joneo); Wood, Gail Subject: B3/05 planning for public meeting Hello Again Task Force Members: This ison update ofour preparation for the 4/5 public meeting. We have made good progress in working out many of the logistical details. In regards to some unresolved questions concerning our overall "message" to the public, I have attached a sample of revised slides from the presentation, with changes made based on concerns expressed at the 3/15|TFmeeting. Please note the following about the slides and/or the presentation in general: ° Presentation io much shorter * VVe explain this planning study ka first step ofa larger process ° We spell out a process that carries forward only the good components and screens out the bad " We list only GENERAL components in terms of ideas that we are considering * We do NOT list any location-specific components for this first public meeting * We stress: open public process, avoid takings, and nothing has been decided yet Note that some of the "busier" slides below will be stepped (revealing only parts at a'time) in order to lead the audience through clearly: The volume information is now easier to read as well (but that slide was too big to send) Hopefully this information will help everyone better understand the message and content for this first public meeting, especially those of you who will need to explain this in your various board meetings next week. Thank you to all who have and will ba getting the word out on this meeting. Let nxo know if you have questions. 3/27/2006 The Planning Study Is the First Ste� Environmental Study (Preliminary Design) lmplementaion (Services, Construction) Develop 2 or 3 Preliminary Alternatives Test and Evaluate Alternatives (Combine Components) (Full Range of Criteria) • Add lanes to Handle On /Off Moves ( "C -D" Roads) • Extend Existing Lanes (Remove Lane Drop) • Replace Loop Ramp(s) (Direct Connection Fly- over /Fly- under) • Lengthen Weave /Merge Areas (Shift Entry /Exit Points of Ramps) c� • Increase Transit Service /Use (Bus, Train, Shuttles) • Promote Ridesharing . (Carpools, Vanpools) • Traveler Information (Incident Alerts, Construction Delays) • Local and Regional Land Use (Zoning, Development Review) Package of Recommendations C IJ LI Agreed on Evaluation Criteria Collected new data Data has.hellped confirm the problems and causes Agreed to consider both highway- and non - highway components Recently started looking specific components — no decisions yet. 1. Review Tonight's Meeting with the ITF. 2. Finish screening for all Components. 3. Combine into Alternatives and test, including noise, visual and local traffic. Public meeting #2 4. Develop Draft Recommendations. Public meeting #3 I MIMS late fall 2006 943 "Izk� 1-93/1-95: Flyer and Newsletter for Public Meeting Hechenblelkner, Peter Page 1 of I From: Frey Bob []ob.Frey@EOT.otade.mo.uo] Sent: Friduy, March 24.2UOG113PM To: Corey, John; Schubert, Rick; Anthony,, Camille; Barnes, Jonathan; Bruen' Darlene; Casey, Paul; Clarke, Dennis; Cosgrove, Joe; DiBlasi, Joe; Durrant, Ian; Everson, Jeff; Festa,'Mike; Gallagher, Jim; Grover, Robert; Grzegorzewski, Josh; Hamblin, E]|een'Hovern Robert; McLaughlin, Jones, Bradley; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art; Leiner, Craig; .. Tom; .......y. Paul; ..~~..~~' Paul; .._--.' Andrew; ..-__.Patrick; Rogers, Maureen A.; Smith' Suzanne; Stinnon, Richard; Sullivan, Oon| TaraUo, Ed;Tisei. Richard; Webster, Bill Cc: Bhauote|n. Joan; Callan, Melissa (Rep Mike Feoto) ChristeUo.Thcia (Mass Motor T)\);Cooke, Don; DiSarcina, Tony; DiZoglio, Dennis; Draisen, Mark; Edwards, Adriel; Florino, Ron; Frey, Bob; Harwood, Tracey (Mayor cLau hUn\'TovvnW1anager;Undetnorn'K8ike(SemRichpvd Tisei);Luoae.Berbara|LVtz,Boine;yWoKinnon'Anne;[WcLaugh|in'Thonloa;K4ovonn'John; Medeiros, Paul (work); Miller, Kenneth; [YRourke. Carmen (Rep Pap, Mary (Rep Brad Jonea); Purdy, Jim; Pyke, Ker Reilly, Chris; Schwartz, Bill; Stein, Kathy; Tafova'Ben; Van Magness, Frederick (Rep Brad Wood, Gail ' Subject: |-03/|-85: Flyer and Newsletter for Public Meeting Importance: High Attachmnmntn:Pub|ioMeetingFlya[_Q305.pdf N odf Greetings Task Force Members, As promised, here are final electronic copies of the flyer and newsletter, covering our April 5 public meeting: <<PublicMeetin FI er � These same files are also available onthe www.9395info.com web site at the top of the documents page. Please distribute these via e-mail as you see fit (all pages are standard size). NOTE: Printed copies (1,000 total) in the larger 11 X 17 "fold-over" format are being delivered to those of you who requested them. This is available electronically oawell -pleose contact me ifynu may need to print out additional copies in this format (there are special printing considerations). Otherwise, the above files should be fine for all electronic orprint distribution. Bob Frey Manager of Statewide Planning Office m Transportation Planning Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation (617) 973-7449 3/%7/2UU6 oc/ I 4 awft Transportation titudy This public. meeting will give an update on the new study underway to examine problems at the 1-93/1-95 Interchange (Exit 37) in Reading, Stoneham, and Woburn and recommend ways to improve traffic flow and safety. This public meeting, the first of three, will focus on the planning process and what has been done to date. The second public meeting will describe and seek input on alternatives under consideration. The third public meeting will present proposed recommendations for improvements at the interchange. a "Open House" at 6 p.m. - Exhibits of existing and future conditions, study goals, process, and progress to date. m Presentation and question/answer period at 7 p.m., followed by time after to review exhibits. M =�� Eno 2, 1 MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION Light Refreshments Served N, 51---'- �Z� 5 J., 1 Aft P_ �°.r�� %k 71, J DIRECTIONS TO STONEHAM TOWN HALL From 1.93, take Exit 36 (Montvale Ave.) into Stoneham. Travel about 1/2 mile on Montvale Ave., then turn RIGHT onto Main St, (Rte. 28 South), then an immediate LEFT onto Pleasant St. Take next RIGHT onto Central St. Town Hall is a few blocks down an the left. b •. 'j T own Ha 16 35 Cen-t-ral Street bit-oneham r t O] ' • l The 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange The Office of Transportation Planning (Planning) is currently working with an advisory task force to conduct a study that will evaluate and address transportation issues with the I- 93/I -95 Interchange in the 'Towns of Reading, Stoneham, and the City of Woburn. This interchange is the busiest in the state, connecting two interstates, and processing over 375,000 vehicles on an aver- age weekday. It was built in 1972 and has experienced a steady increase in traffic over the years. Now the outmoded design with substandard geometries severely degrades traffic operations through the interchange, contributing to heavy congestion and many accidents. The primary goals of this planning study are to examine and recommend ways to improve traffic flow and safety. at the interchange while minimizing impacts in surrounding communities. A full range of alternatives, including interchange improvements and non - highway options, are being developed and analyzed as the study progresses. A rec- ommended plan of future transportation improvements (short - term and long - term) based on the alternatives analysis and community input, will be the end product of this study. The upcoming public informational meeting Over the past two years, Planning has met regularly with the I- 93/I -95 Interchange Task Force (ITF), which includes federal and state agencies, legislators, local elected officials, conununity members, and interested organizations. Community groups on the Task Force include THAG (Fri- Community Highway Action Group) and PRESERVE (Protect Residential Environments with Sensible Engineering and Residents' VoicEs). Previous efforts by MassHighway related to this interchange, generated substantial public interest and had led to the formation of these two community groups. The ITF was created to provide a better forum for community involvement and input into the study. Planning retained the services of a consultant—the Louis Berger Group (LBG)- to conduct this study, which officially began in September 2004 and runs through the November 2006. •; �:. Wait I- 9311 -95 Interchange looking southwest from Reading toaoards Woburn; Stoneham to the left. A general public meeting will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2006, from 6-9 p.m. at the Stoneham Town Hall Auditorium.. This will be the first in a series of three public meetings. It will be an "open house" format that will include exhibits and presentations of existing and future conditions, as well as the study goals, process, and progress to date. A general summa- ry presentation will take place at 7 p.m., with the time before and after devoted to the various exhibits. The second public meeting will focus on alternatives being considered, while the third pub- lic meeting will present proposed recommendations. There will continue to be substantial opportunity for Task Force and pub- lic input throughout the study. . 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange Transportation Study March 2-1106 3 T What is the problem? A major component of this study has been a comprehensive examination of existing conditions and issues. Conducted with significant input from the Task Force, this provided a thorough under- standing of the interchange and the surrounding area. Problem spots have been pinpointed. The hope is that through this effort, better solutions will be developed and the end product will achieve the "biggest bang for the buck." In the process, any potential highway changes that may be needed will have been fully justified. This ongoing, detailed data collection and analysis effort can be grouped into three main categories. A synopsis of the results discovered so far is listed below: CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS • . 375,000 vehicles per weekday; busiest in the State • Failing levels of service (LOS) for ramps • Queuing, reduced speeds and mobility • Spillover onto local roadways, congestion locally as well. Tiaf}"zc bac %ups begin in the Northeast loop (foreground) and then cascade around the interchange. 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange Transportation Study SAFETY • High crash ranking. consistently high level of accidents (avg. 150 /year) • High crash rate (accounts for high volume) • Significant proportion of crashes occurring at specific areas within the interchange GEOMETRICS • Substandard geometry measured against current standards (tight curves) • Several problematic vehicle conflict areas (short weaves, merges) • Proximity of other interchanges In particular, the weave area on Route 128 southbound —where traffic is entering from I -93 northbound and exiting to I -93 southbound — causes the northeast quad- rant loop ramp to back up. This queue cascades to the southeast quadrant loop ramp and eventually clogs the entire inter- change. A study of accidents using crash reports from 2002 and 2003 pinpointed accident locations, and many occur in these weave areas and also in the weave areas between the two adjacent inter- changes along Route 128, which are closely spaced. Contributing to the prob- lem, especially in the evening, is the lane -drop from four to three lanes on the northbound side of Route 128. According to population and employ- ment projections, and future land uses in the region, travel through tivs area is expected to increase approximately 20% by 2025. Vehicles are already bypassing the interchange on local streets, and these diversions are expected to increase even more as travel demand grows. In keeping with EOT's policy of an open process, the entire data collection and analysis effort has been fully documented and posted to the study Web site, www.9395info.com. It is also expected that any potential highway solution will be combined with a number of transit and transportation demand management initiatives— described in more detail below —in order to limit the growth of traffic congestion. Some of these efforts are already underway. What are the goals? The overarching goal of the study is to seek well- supported recommendations that help solve the problems while incorporating community concerns. Developed in cooperation with the Task Force, the following are the more specific primary goals and objectives of the study: • Improve traffic flow • Improve safety • Avoid takings • Maintain local access • Minimize noise and visual impacts • Must be do -able (cost, constructability, environmental) Anderson Regional Transportation Center has un:aed capacity to reduce auto trips. urn 2004 Average Weekday Traffic Volumes 10 at the -93/1.95 Interchange ' ` - 1 ` ,,R. 377,500 Total Vehicles Entering and Exiting 1-93/1-95 Interchange Transportation Study What else can be done? 9 =. neharn A number of non-highway solutions are being developed to address the growing congestion in the vicinity. Transit and Transportation Demand Management (TDT\'l) is a combination of strategies and actions whose goal is to encourage travelers to use alternatives to driving alone. TDM may include: encouraging the use of public transit, public/private buses, van/carpools, bicycles and walking; promoting the use of alternative work hours; telecommuting; parking management and Financial incentives; providing commuter information; and marketing alternatives to single-occupant vehicles. The Executive Office of Transportation promotes TDNI through MassRIDES, the statewide travel options program that provides free assistance to commuters, employers, students and other traveler markets. A representative from MassRIDES is on the Task Force and is working directly with employers and commuters in the area to promote carpooling, vanpooling, and use of transit. Visit the site, www.commute.com or call us at 1.888.4COMMUTE (426-6688) The Executive Office of Transportation is also working with the MBTA to expand Park & Ride options. Q ME Visit the study Web site at www.9395info.com and /or contact: Bob Frey Planning Project Manager (617) 973 -7449 Jim Purdy LBG Project Manager (781) 444 -3330 ext. 335 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange Transportation Study In September 2002, MassHighway suspended a previous design feasibility study for this interchange, and Planning was directed to lead a revised effort with an advisory task force. At public meetings for this previous study (in 2001 and 2002); concern was expressed over right -of -way issues. For that study, the alternatives proposed (including ramp flyovers) that best improved traffic flow and safety would have required the most property takings. In the initial. Task Force meetings, Planning outlined the revised study process and established the role of the Task Force. Planning and the Task Force worked together to develop a scope of work for the study. In early 2004, after a thorough and systematic consultant selection process with substantial Task Force input, LBG was selected to conduct the study. March 2006 Next steps • Options that meet the goals and objet- Planning Study Y 5V tives will be combined with transit and TDIVI options to make three alternatives. Recommendations I { These alternatives will receive more detailed scrutiny, including an assessment of local traffic, noise, and visual impacts. There will be a second public meeting Environmental Study/ describing these alternatives probably in Preliminary Design MASSACHUSETTS June 2006. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION Proposed recommendations will be drafted with the assistance and input from the Task Force. These recommendations Funding Process HIGHWAY will be presented at a public meeting next MPOTransportotion fall. A Final Report that summarizes the Improvement Program planning study findings and recommenda- tions will also be published in the fall. a4`a Recommendations from this planning Y,u _ study will be fed into the future Design Des Final g environmental study and the regional it Luis Eafg or rOUP iw transportation planning/ funding process. wftRD Implementation EIN • N Strategies /Services/ 5 5 0 E s Construction Visit the study Web site at www.9395info.com and /or contact: Bob Frey Planning Project Manager (617) 973 -7449 Jim Purdy LBG Project Manager (781) 444 -3330 ext. 335 1- 93/1 -95 Interchange Transportation Study In September 2002, MassHighway suspended a previous design feasibility study for this interchange, and Planning was directed to lead a revised effort with an advisory task force. At public meetings for this previous study (in 2001 and 2002); concern was expressed over right -of -way issues. For that study, the alternatives proposed (including ramp flyovers) that best improved traffic flow and safety would have required the most property takings. In the initial. Task Force meetings, Planning outlined the revised study process and established the role of the Task Force. Planning and the Task Force worked together to develop a scope of work for the study. In early 2004, after a thorough and systematic consultant selection process with substantial Task Force input, LBG was selected to conduct the study. March 2006 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Sheila Clarke [smwclarke @comcast.net] Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 11:08 AM To: Town Manager Subject: Park Square At Reading Good morning, Page 1 of .l t/ (-&� I am writing in regards to the proposed "Life Style" center, Park Square At Reading. I have recently reviewed the developers website www.parksquareatreading com and strongly believe this is a positive use of the Addison Wesley site. I grew up in Reading. I moved back to Reading once I got married, because this is the type of town in which I wanted my children to grow up and attend school. Therefore, I have a vested interest in how this town expands. Believe me, it is going to expand. The question now becomes, how do we want it to expand? The Addison Wesley site is going to be sold. Regardless. This is the reality. I, for one, believe the developer has completely grasped the "feel" of our community in the aesthetics of this project. It is upscale and quaint — much how I would describe Reading. It would be designed, built, leased, and managed by one local company. This isn't a hit and run proposal. This company wants to be involved in our community. I believe they have taken the bordering neighborhood into consideration, by devising a traffic pattern that does not allow a cut through to the site via South Street. The town even hired it's own outside traffic expert to review the proposed traffic improvements. This report clearly stated the proposal was not only sufficient, but an improvement to the existing intersection of Main/South Streets. If we do not allow this project to go through, what will? In all reality, it will not be another office park. Have you driven Route 128 and seen the number. of "For Lease" signs? Will it be housing? Do we really want another complex like the one being built on West Street? Do you get a quaint feeling when you drive by that? Are we prepared to. re- district our schools again? Are we prepared to build another school? I am not. I want to endorse a project that will provide over $1 million in real estate tax revenue. Therefore, I am more than willing to work with the developer of this existing proposal. I am confident that with understanding and cooperation, both from the residents and developer, this could be a very positive move toward Reading's future. Sheila Clarke Resident - Haverhill Street i 1► � I 3/27/2006 Page 1 of 1 6 ( C ((S'O 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: cam bishop [camero7 @verizon.net] Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 2:41 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Park Square At Reading Dear Selectmen: This is to strongly support the proposed Park Square at Reading development. We believe that the adverse impact to the town will be small in proportion to the considerable benefits. The proposed development is an upscale addition to the town and my wife and We believe that it will bring considerable tax revenues to the town. We expect to shop there and believe we will find it a great convenience since some of the proposed stores. require us to travel now. Since there appears to be a large need for additional tax dollars in the town, We can not understand the opposition to it. We have supported some of you in your election campaigns pledging to have the best interests of Reading. We expect that you will fulfill those promises in this situation. We also can not understand the refusal to seat Pete Dahl on the committee. We trust this was an oversight and will be remedied immediately. Thank you for your consideration Cameron Bishop Mary Hollingsworth 517 West St. Reading, MA 01867 -2244 %P P , 3/31/2006 Hechenbleikner, Peter Page 1 of 1 I From: LeLacheur, Bob Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 2:09 PM To: Burns, Greg; Cormier, Jim; Hechenbleikner, Peter; LeLacheur, Bob; McIntire, Ted; Schettini, Pat; Urell, Ruth; Vinnie Cameron (vcameron @rmld.com) Cc: Heffernan, Nancy; LaPointe, Gail Subject: Ratings agencies Both Moody's and Standard &.Poors affirmed our existing ratings ahead of some short -term water debt that we are selling on Thursday. - Standard & Poor's affirmed the AA bond rating and assigned an SP1+ to the Short -term Notes. - Moody's Investors Service called to report that the committee assigned a MIG1 rating to the Short -term Notes and affirmed the Al long -term rating with a positive outlook. Moody's indicated that they would review the Town further for an upgrade to the 'AA' level after free cash is certified, expected to be early Fall of 2006. Both ratings agencies were very impressed with the extensive financial planning by the Town, and worked their way past the large increases in FY2007 projected budget expenses after some detailed conversation. Thanks go out to both Town Accountant Gail LaPointe and Treasurer /Collector Nancy Heffernan for their roles in shining such a positive light on the Town, at a time when many of our neighboring communities are encountering financial difficulties. :.. Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr., CFA Assistant Town Manager /Finance Director Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2683 (781) 942 -6636 (781) 942 -9037 fax blelacheur@ci. -re ading.ma. us i 1 4/5/2006 Page 1 of I Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Peter V Cerbone [pvc08@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 8:23 PM To: Reading - Selectmen Subject: Park Square development Hello, I'm writing to you to express my interest in the new development proposed for our town known as the Park Square at Reading. I strongly believe that this with be a positive addition to the town of Reading, as long as the concerns raised by many of our citizens and neighbors can be resolved. Many valid points were presented last week, but they shouldn't stand in the way of betterments and growth for our town. Because this is a prime location I am very concerned about the alternative that will present themselves if Park Square does not happen. Thank you for your time and tireless effort to improve our community. Respectfully, Peter Cerbone L 4/5/2006 Page I of 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Kate Oben.edettol @verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 8:11 PM To: Town Manager Subject: Park Square Dear Peter, As members of this town for over 29 years, we are in favor of the building of Park Square. We also feel that your Working Group that was requested by the developer WS is not a fair representation of both sides. The RRRead Supporters deserve the same amount of representatives as the CARE Group. Thank you, Joe & Kate Benedetto 5 Lindsay Lane, Reading 4/5/2006 Page lofl L/C���� � Hechenbleikner, Peter From: info@rrred.org Sent Friday, March 31.2OOOS:57 AM To: Town Manager Co: sdigiovanni@verizon.net Subject: Reading Residents |n Support of Park Square cdReading Attachments:. RRREDnames-Revised-No Phone #s.doc Dear Mr. HeCh8Dtde|kOer, I am writing to you as I am chairman ofRRRED (Reading Residents for Responsible Economic [}ave|oprnend. Our group is strongly in favor of the retail project being proposed at the Addison Wesley site. VVa were formed just over a week ago, and vve have already collected signatures of over 340 Reading residents from all over the town who are part ofthe "silent majority" that is strongly in favor of this project. We wanted to h}[VVand to you our "initial" supporter list so that you can see the widespread support that this project has throughout the Town ofReading. You can call rneat(781)944-9997 with any questions. SusanDi(S|ovanni 34 Chute Street Reading, MA 01867 w � March 30, 2006 As Residents of Reading, we support the development of Park Square at Reading. This Development will provide over $1,100,000.00 in annual real estate tax revenue to support our schools, police, fire, and other town services. This project will have no negative impact on our schools, and will not require redistricting or the construction of any more school buildings. Park Square at Reading will provide approximately 1,000 new jobs and a convenient, high quality, outdoor shopping and dining experience for Reading residents. We urge our town government to work with the developer to move this project forward. We have signed this petition in order to show our support for Park Square at Reading as Reading Residents for Responsible Economic Development. This petition may be submitted to town boards, newspapers, and others in order to show our support. First Name Last Name Street Address Joseph Abbondanza 4 Thomas Drive Gary Abrams 23 Thomas Drive Christine Ambrose, 197 Wakefield Street Eileen Ames 26 Lynn Village John Amoroso 17 Willard Road Deborah Amoroso 17 Willard Road Virginia Anderson 15 Colonial Drive Richard Anderson 15 Colonial Drive Harold Andrews 342 Pearl Street Jill Andrews 342 Pearl Street Bruce Austin 18 Fairchild Drive Barbara Austin 18 Fairchild Drive Cauleen Autery 64 Ashley Place Damian Autery 64 Ashley Place Patti Barletta 30 Eaton Street Cynthia Barry 9 Barbara Lane Kevin Barry 9 Barbara Lane Mark Barry 9 Barbara Lane William Bartley 218 Pleasant Street Beth Battye 23 Pond View Lane W. Battye 23 Pond View Lane Jay Benedetto 5 Lindsay Lane Joseph Benedetto 5 Lindsay Lane Kate Benedetto 5 Lindsay Lane Liz Benedetto 5 Lindsay Lane Anders Bjarngard 12 Willard Ilard Road Beth Boucher 23 Lynn Village David Boucher 23 Lynn Village Robert Bowen 26 John Carver Road ,CY,r Peter Bramante 172 Haverhill Street Peter E. Branch 633 Summer Ave Donna Brennan 13 Willard Road Abbie Bridge 465 Lowell Street Jen Brophy 18 Thomas Drive Larry Brophy 18 Thomas Drive Ruth Brophy 18 Thomas Drive Anna Bruce 29 Eaton Street Maureen Burn 43 Bainbridge Larry Byron 326 Pearl Street Daniel Campbell 84 Dana Road Mary Ellen Campbell 84 Dana Road Damase Caouette 11 Field Pond Road Judith A. Carpentier 83 Fairchild Drive Rhonda Cerbone 57 Lilah Lane Peter Cerbone 57 Lilah Lane Michael Chapin 15 Boyce Street Kevin P. Cignetti 13 Smith Ave Philip Clarke 536 Haverhill Street Sheila Clarke 536 Haverhill Street Richard Colella 18 Smith Ave Beth Colella 19 Smith Ave Richard Colella, Jr. 19 Smith Ave Beverly Connelly 23 Vine Street Cara Connelly 40 Lynn Village Way Tom Connelly 40 Lynn Village Way Mark Connolly 37 Roma Lane Donna Corbett 11 Mark Avenue Lorraine Coughlin 615 Summer Ave Joseph Coughlin 615 Summer Ave Sue Croft 27 Linnea Lane Deborah Curtis 32 Baker Road Matthew Cusolito 16 Lilah Lane Dan Daley 508 Gazebo Circle Jill Daley 508 Gazebo Circle Harvey J. Dahl 16 Tennyson John Davie 105 Fairchild Drive Janet Dee 24 Linnea Lane Richard Deroo 15 Wells Road Theresa Deroo 15 Wells Road Christine Dipietro 23 Sanborn Lane Carol J. Doherty 37 Dana Road Deborah L. Donovan 633 Summer Ave Catherine Durant 40 Pondview Lane Marc Eggimann 18 Wells Road Cyril Ehrlich 55 Linnea Lane �3 Alexander Epstein 76 Dana Road Natalia Epstein 76 Dana Road Dan Faucon 23 Shady Hill Lane Tony Ferreira 77 Lilah Lane Theresa Flammia 32 Sanborn Lane George Foley 4 Smith Ave Karen Freedman 8 Verde Circle Carlos Frias 49 Linnea Lane Anthony Fuedo 15 Sanborn Lane Rose Fuedo 15 Sanborn Lane Angela Gardner 896 Main Street Dave Gaudreautt 111 Lilah Lane Nicole Gaudreautt 111 Lilah Lane Kristin Gerhartz: 98 Sanborn Lane Marie Gianquitto 19 Shady Hill Lane Bill ' Glanquitto 19 Shady Hill Lane Allen Gigler 34 Putnam Road Corin Gigler 34 Putnam Road Cynthia Gims 168 Sanborn Lane Marc Gims 168 Sanborn Lane Frank -Golden 5 Wells Road Linda Goodernote 11 Willard Road Laurie Goodwin 11 Reading Terrace Jeffrey Goodwin 11 Reading Terrace Linda D. Griset 68 Sanborn Lane Claude Grosso 15 Thomas Drive Elaine Grosso 15 Thomas Drive William Gullifa 11 Verde Circle Daniel Gutierrez 121 Haverhill Street Deborah Gutierrez 121 Haverhill Street Kathy Guyott 23 Briarwood Ave Andrew C. Harlan 69 Arcadia Charlotte Harlan 69 Arcadia George S. Harlan 69 Arcadia Ann Hartford 31 Lilah Lane Kathy Hatherly 9 Smith Ave Jennifer Hillery 593 Summer Ave Carol Hughes 72 Van Norden Road Dave Hunter 51 Ashley Place Jill lacoviello 51 Lilah Lane Joe lacoviello 51 Lilah Lane Albert James 183 Sanborn Lane Paul Joyal 33 Ashley Place James Keigley 3 Pilgrim Road Deborah Keith 224 Pleasant Street Scott Klein 10 Barbara Lane Ann Klein 10 Barbara Lane Carol J. Kline 12 Hunt Street Jeffrey A. Kline 12 Hunt Street Karen Lamhut 33 Lindsay Lane Jerold Lamhut 33 Lindsay Lane Robert Lane 128 Fairchild Drive Donna J. Larson 45 Brook Danielle D. Larson 45 Brook Paul Lawrence 19 Linnea Lane Val Lawrence 19 Linnea Lane Nancy Leary 23 Jessica Circle Art Leary 23 Jessica Circle Anne LeBlanc 43 Fairchild Drive William LeBlanc 43 Fairchild Drive Quen Lee 174 Sanborn Lane Wendy Liston 20 Jessica Circle James Liston 20 Jessica Circle John Lozzi 39 Autumn Lane Patricia Lozzi 39 Autumn Lane Jim Lynch 39 Lilah Lane John Lyons 86 Van Norden Barbara E.. MacDonald 9 Bear Hill Road Gerald. MacDonald 9 Bear Hill ROad Terence MacDonald 190 Main Street Matthew MacKoul 83 Fairchild Drive James E. Mallon 623 Summer Ave Cora E. Mallon 623 Summer Ave Daniel Mariani 65 Fairchild Drive Sheila Mavropoulos 58 Linnea Lane Tina Mazzarino 20 Colburn Road Steve McCrory 17 Smith Ave Susan McHardy 50 Orange Street William McHardy 50 Orange Street Rosemary A. Melley 619 Summer Ave Anne Mello 28 Davis Lane, Lana Melnik 355 Pearl Street Marie Monagle 23 Willard Road Virginia Moore 293 Pearl Street George E. Moore 293 Pearl Street Stephen Murphy 94 Dana Lane Claire Nawoichyk 223 Pearl Street Maureen Nuttall 4 Lilah Lane Nancy Ortiz 148 Eastway Bob O'Shaughnessy 20 Irving Karen O'Shea 218 Pleasant Street Stephen Ottaviano 14 Colonial Salvina Perrina 47 Roma Drive Natalie Petrillo 99 Fairchild Drive Tony Petrillo 99 Fairchild Drive Lisa Phelan 85 Lilah Lane Kristen Pluntze 93 Fairchild Drive Jim Pluntze 93 Fairchild Drive John Polimeno 637 Summer Ave Tom Porter 197 Wakefield Street Richard Powalisz .22 Smith Ave Joe Prew 39 Lindsay Lane Susan Prew 39 Lindsay Lane Peg Raciti 26 Barbara Lane Eric Raciti 26 Barbara Lane David Rail 11 Mark Avenue Nancy J. L. Reid 45 Linnea Lane Norman Reith 349 Pearl Street Linda Reith 349 Pearl Street Phillip Robichaud 16 Scout Hill Lane Denise Rosenstein 191 Woburn Street Tom Rosenstein 191 Woburn Street Dawn Ryan 23 Eaton Street Phyllis M. Sachar 42 Summer Ave. Glenn Sachar 42 Summer Ave. Lyn Wall Schmidt 11 Pondview Lane Marty Schmidt 11 Pondview Lane Diane Shah 37 Sanborn Lane Karen Silva 59 Fairchild Drive Kate Silva 14 Fielding Road John Silva 59 Fairchild Drive Susan Silva 41 Locust Street Cindy Silvey 31 Thomas Drive Ed 'Silvey 31 Thomas Drive Kevin Simard 104 Lilah Lane Linda Simard 104 Lilah Lane Michael Slezak 149 Prospect Street Bruce Smith 14 Reading Terrace Kathleen Smith 14 Reading Terrace Joan D. Spence 14 Bunker Ave Ernest G. Spence 14 Bunker Ave Gael Phillips Spence 222 Grove Street Erin Squeglia 30 Meadow Brook Lane Pete Squeglia 30 Meadow Brook Lane John P. Stapleton 627 Summer Ave Helen T. Stapleton 627 Summer Ave Thomas Stohr 11 Davis Lane Helene Stohr 11 Davis Lane r�' Cathy Stone 52 Lilah Lane Jim Stone 52 Lilah Lane Ron Strandberg 100 Sanborn Lane Brian D. Sullivan 26 Jessica Circle Teresa Sullivan 26 Jessica Circle Amy Sweeney 23 Shady Hill Lane Gail Tassi 59 Linnea Lane Stacey Thomson 15 Lindsay Lane Karen VanLoon 11 Forest Glen Road Bill VanLoon 11 Forest Glen Road Mary. Williams 82 Mineral Street John Williams 82 Mineral Street Monty Wilson 27 Dana Road Allison Wronski 182 Sanborn Lane Richard Wronski 182 Sanborn Lane Anthony Zagami 65 Lilah Lane Christina Zagami 65 Lilah Lane Gregory Zager 41-Dana Road Cathy Zeek 163 Pearl Street David A. Zeek 163 Pearl Street Katherine Zosherafatain 90 Lilah Lane Y� . Next 93/95 ITF Meeting: 4/12 Hechenblelkner, Peter Page I of 2 t / C zc� From: Frey Bob UEOT\[BobFrev@EOT.stote.ma.ua] Sent: April 06, 2006 1:25PM To: Corey, John, Schubert, Rick; Anthony, Camille; Barnes, Jonathan; Bruen. Darlene; Casey, Paul; Clarke, Dennis; Cosgrove, Joe; DiBlasi, Joe; Durrant, Ian; Everson, Jeff; Festa, Mike; Gallagher, Jim; Grover, Robert; Grzegorzewski, Josh; Hamblin, Eileen; Havern, Robert; Jones, Bradley; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art; Leiner, Craig; , McLaughlin, Tom; Meaney, Paul; Medeiros, Paul; Motter, Andrew; Natale, Patrick; Rogers, Maureen A.; Smith, Suzanne; Stinson, Richard; Sullivan, Dan; Tarallo, Ed; Tisei, Richard; Webster, Bill Cc: Bhauotekn, Joan; CaUan, Melissa Cooke, DiSarcina, Tony; DiZoglio, Dennis; Draisen, Mark; Edwards, Adriel; Florino, Ron; Frey, Bob; Harwood, Tracey (Mayor McLaughlin); Town Manager,- Lindstrom, Mike (Sen Richard .—_'._---- Barbara; Lutz, Elaine; Martel, Justin (Rep McLaughlin, Thomas; Mcvann, John; Medeiros, Paul (work); Miller, Kenneth; O'Rourke, Carmen (Rep Paul ----'''� (Rep Brad -_-`. Purdy, _..--, Reilly, . Schwartz, Bill; Stein, Kathy; Tofovo' Ben; Van Magness, Frederick (Rep Brad Jonea);Wood, Gail Subject: Next A3/96ITF Meeting: 4/12 Attachments: ITF 2006 04-12 meeting agenda.doc Greetings Task Force Members: First of all, thank you to everyone who attended and participated in last night's public meeting —we had over 100 people. Based onmy conversations with many of you, vve all felt it was a good, successful meeting that accomplished our goals of: informing the public about our open process, stressing a fresh start from the previous study, and setting the stage for developing detailed alternatives. Perhaps most importantly, | think we demonstrated that we are all working together to come upwith solutions. Our commitment to this approach will carry over well in future public meetings 1 8o back tu our regular business: The next meeting of the |-83/-S5 Interchange Task Force will be: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 Banquet. Room level) Stoneham Town Hall 35 Central Street Stoneham, MAU2180 The agenda is attached: v , � See you next Wednesday the 13thhnStoneham. � 4/6/2OU6