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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes 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 Board of Selectmen Meeting—FebruM 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 23ra • 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 zoninlz amendment to the Community Planning and Development Commission for a hearing was approved, by a vote of 4-04. • 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 carne 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_February 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 Parkins 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 Stopping 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 5.3,the following regulation(s): Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 21,2006—Page 4 "No Parking, Stopping or Standing"—Roma Lane—Cul-de-sac "No Parking, Stoppiniz 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 running 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. Board of Selectmen Meeting—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 thatwe 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. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 21, 2006—Page 6 A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to increase the Town Manager's salary 3% for FY07 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. i A motion by Tafoya 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, 2y/ ecr t