Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting j January 3, 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, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Planner Chris Reilly, Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Gina Snyder, Patty Chinetti, Michelle Benson, Ron D'Addario, Tracy Sopchak, Stephanie Anderberg, John Sasso, Neil Sullivan, Jonathan.Barnes, Dick Howard, Susan DeMatteo. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Historical Commission is working hard on the proposed bylaw and that will be on the January 24th Agenda. He also noted that he received an e-mail regarding a crosswalk on Summer Avenue at Fairview. - The Town Manager noted that when the plans for Summer Avenue were done up, the abutter asked that the crosswalk be eliminated. The PTTTF recommends keeping the crosswalk because a lot of children use that route to walk to school. The Town Manager will follow up with the Principal at Joshua Eaton. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Nurse Advisory Committee met and are creating a survey. He asked who would tabulate the survey, and Chairman Camille Anthony noted that most committees do the tabulation themselves. Selectman Bonazoli. also noted that there has been a third accident on Grove Street at Forest Street, and he suggests 'changing the speed limit or snaking it a three way stop. The Town Manager noted that he will take this suggestion up with the PTTTF. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if the issue regarding the postings at the Atlantic Market had been resolved. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the SAPAC requested that he and she be at their January 19th meeting. Arnold Rubin has taken down the postings and sent some to Chairman Anthony for her feedback. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she received a phone call from Gloria Hulse wondering when the sign was going up. Police Chief Cormier noted that the weather plays a factor. Chairman Anthony also noted that the State should take a position on the Addison-Wesley project and someone should contact Mass Highway. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 3, 2006—Page 2 Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ Another successful Adopt-a-Family Program took place this year thanks to everyone's help.. I This year, we had a total of 90 donor groups. A group can be anything from a single person to a grammar school and anything in between such as Lion's Club, Gymnastics Academy, church groups, fraternal organizations, town government departments, etc. There were 85 'groups' that participated in the Christmas dinner and gift giving piece of the program. We had 58 recipient families which included 120 children. I'm happy to say that each and every child received gifts at Christmas. This was due in large part to the generosity of many people, and I believe this is the most children we have ever had in the program. ♦ The Wood End School audit is complete and reimbursement has been made in time to avoid us re-issuing the BAN for the school. ♦ State Treasurer Tim Cahill will be in Reading on January 10th to make a check presentation for the Wood End School, and also a partial progress payment for the Reading Memorial High School. ♦ Health Insurance bids were due back today - January 3rd. The bids will be evaluated by the consultant and with the Task Force. We will be transitioning from a March 1 st renewal date to a June 1 st renewal date. ♦ There will be a Seminar on: Open Meeting Law, Holding an Error Free Hearing, Public Records Law and Loss Prevention on January 18, 2006 - 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. Please keep this date free and try not to plan other Board/Committee Meetings for this date. This seminar will be open for all Town employees and Board/Committee members. ♦ .The "Initiative Against Substance Abuse"kick-off meeting will be this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Parker Middle School Cafeteria. ♦ The Town Manager met with Camille Anthony, James Bonazoli, Tom Lemons and Ed Shaw today at the landfill regarding the lighting. The developer will look at changing the lighting that will yield beneficial results. They will use 400 watt shoebox lighting instead of 1000 watts and they are also looking at shielding. ♦ RCTV will begin televising ZBA, CPDC and Conservation Meetings this month. Also, ceiling microphones have been installed in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. The Assistant Town Manager noted that as of today, Reading will pay no more on the High School project. MSBA will pay. We saved approximately $500,000 in interest cost for FY07. The MSBA broke all of their molds to help us. The Wood End is totally done and there is only $1 million left to pay. Barrows is coming to an end. The Town will be receiving$6.8 million on Tuesday and another$16 million over the next six months. Personnel and Appointments Nurse Advocacy Task Force — The Board interviewed Patty Chinetti for one position on the Nurse Advocacy Task Force. Schubert moved and Bonazoli seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Nurse Advocacy Task Force with a term expiring May 1, 2006: Pattv Chinetti. Ms. Chinetti received five votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 3, 2006—Page 3 Cities for Climate Change Committee — The Board interviewed Michelle Benson, Ron D'Addario, Gina Snyder, Tracy Sopchak and Stephanie Anderberg for five positions on the Advisory Committee on the "Cities for Climate Protection"Program. Bonazoli moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Advisory Committee on the "Cities for Climate Protection" Program with a term expiring June 30, 2006: Ronald D'Addario. Mr. D'Addario received five votes and was appointed. _Bonazoli moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Advisory Committee on the "Cities for Climate Protection" Program with terms expiring June 30, 2007: Michelle Benson and Gina Snyder. Each applicant received five votes and were appointed. Bonazoli moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Advisory Committee on the "Cities for Climate Protection" Program with terms expiring June 30, 2008: Tracy Ellen Sopchak and Stephanie Anderberg. Each applicant received five votes and were appointed. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Police — Police Chief Jim Cormier was present. He noted that the Police Department has three functions — Police, Central Dispatch and Animal Control. There are 39 sworn Officers, eight full-time Dispatchers and two Clerks. Chief Cormier reviewed the crime statistics from 2004 to 2005. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if the Police have seen an increase in crime since the landfill development has opened, and Chief Cormier noted that they have. Chief Cormier also noted that the Dispatch Center has been updated this year, and he reviewed the programs in which the Department is involved. Discussion with CPDC—Town Planner Chris Reilly, CPDC Chairman John Sasso and Members Neil Sullivan, Jonathan Barnes, Dick Howard and Susan DeMatteo were present. John Sasso noted that CPDC met 22 times last year and 21 times for the Master Plan. The Commission is looking for guidance from the Selectmen regarding Addison-Wesley. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he doesn't think the current proposal is right for the site, and he doesn't want to see people wasting time on something they don't want. -Chairman Camille Anthony noted that as Road Commissioners, the Board of Selectmen can deny but we need to let them know up front so we don't waste people's time. Chairman Anthony also noted that she will call someone from Mass Highway District 4 and see if they will come out and see what they think of the plan. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 3, 2006—Page 4 Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that some kind of development will go in on this property, and CPDC is struggling with what role they play in developing zoning. Dick Howard noted that if the Board of Selectmen are against the project, then that will tell them how much effort to put into it. John Sasso noted that there was a question on the Master Plan survey regarding what people want in the Addison-Wesley property, and also noted that people do not want 400 retail spaces, they don't want a 40B—they want more diversity. Jonathan Barnes noted that if there is a sense that the project is not well suited, then that needs to be made clear with the developer. He suggests envisioning what we might want and try to market. Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested going back to the Master Plan vision for the Town. The Town Manager noted that the meeting on January 17,2006 will focus on the traffic study. Chairman Camille Anthony asked CPDC what needs to be dealt with regarding enforcement, and John Sasso indicated that CPDC doesn't have any enforcement powers. Town Counsel Joan Langsam noted that conditions for a subdivision are enforced by the Building Inspector and then ZBA. Dick Howard noted that the only enforcement CPDC has is to pull a bond. He also noted that Jimbo's was issued a Certificate of Occupancy when the Dunkin' Donuts sign is still up. It was a condition that the sign be taken down. Town Planner Chris Reilly noted that he has no compliance authority. The Town Manager recommended that the Town Planner should sign off that the CPDC requirements have been met before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that there is no reason why CPDC should be creating conditions if they are not being enforced. Selectman Ben Tafoya indicated that a process needs to be worked out, and there needs to be communication to the Building Inspector. The Town Manager noted that if we wait until the Certificate of Occupancy stage, then we've gone too far past the process. He also noted that the Town Planner needs to get the plans up front before it goes to the Building Inspector. John Sasso noted that they are looking at three articles for Town Meeting. The Historic Bylaw needs more work on the wording to allow the splitting of a lot for a historical building or to move a historical building to a nonconforming lot. Dick Howard noted that a goal is to provide more affordable housing and they are looking at allowing accessory apartments in the Depot area. He also noted that they are looking at the cluster bylaw that puts four houses in one corner of the property and leaves the rest of the lot as open space. They are proposing a map change as a vehicle to get more affordable housing. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 3, 2006—Page 5. Chairman Camille Anthony asked how much land does she need to put four homes? Dick Howard indicated 60,000 square feet. Town Counsel noted that "Smart Growth" leaves more open space. John Sasso indicated that the Selectmen need to follow up with CPDC in February or March regarding the Master Plan. Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that it will be put on the March 7, 2006 Agenda. Hearing—Proposed Bylaw Requiring Registration of Solicitors — The Town Manager reviewed the draft bylaw to require registration of door to door solicitors. It is modeled after Wakefield's. It will require registering with the Chief of Police, identification, a fee, no approval for convicts, procedures for revocation, establishment of hours and also provides for violations. Selectman Ben Tafoya referenced soliciting for religious or charity reasons and asked if a charity hires a solicitor, then what happens. Town Counsel noted that it would still be considered a charity; i.e., it states solely for religious charity. The Assistant Town Manager asked if a person can ask what percentage goes to the charity. Town Counsel indicated that they could but that's arbitrary. Selectman Tafoya asked if there is a penalty for violating, and the Town Manager noted up to $300 per day. A motion by Schubert seconded by.Tafoya to close the hearinLy on the proposed bylaw requirinI4 registration of solicitors was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board directed the Town Manager to put this on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Hearing — Proposed Bylaw Regulating Hours of Construction — The Town Manager noted that the Town does not have a bylaw regulating hours of construction. If we make it a bylaw, it would be easier for the Police to enforce. He also noted that if we regulate the hours of construction,then it affects everybody. The Town Manager asked if the Board wants to move forward with the bylaw. Town Counsel indicated that they could do a noise ordinance but that it is difficult. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked if there could be a provision to let a homeowner get a waiver, and the Town Manager indicated that will not work. The Assistant Town Manager suggested setting up enforcement on frequency with a warning first and then a fine. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing on the proposed bylaw regulating hours of construction was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The consensus of the Board was to do more research and see what other towns are doing. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 3, 2006—Page 6 Proposed Animal Control Bylaw—The Town Manager noted that the most recently revised draft is in tonight's handout. He also noted that the Police Chief, Town Counsel and Health Administrator have reviewed this draft. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the. Town should not allow a vicious dog to leave the Town. Town Counsel indicated that the Advisory Committee makes that a condition. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on the proposed animal control bylaw was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The consensus of the Board was to move forward and put this on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Approval of Sale of BAN's — The Town Manager noted that the Board needed to approve the sale of BANS. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli that all action taken by the Town Treasurer in advertising for public sale of the $7,408,000 Bond Anticipation Note of the Town, authorized pursuant to Chapter 44, Sections 7 and 16 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 January 5, 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 $7,408,000 3.347% nic $60,264.49 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 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of November 22, 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of November 29, 2005, as amended,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to adjourn the meeting of January 3, 2006' at 11:02 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, 4r6 ary