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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes 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 4a', 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. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 7, 2006—Page 2 Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Town needs to know what is viable up front. I 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. 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 — The Board interviewed Harry Simmons for a position on the Board of Registrars. Tafova moved. and Bonazoli seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of Registrars with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Harry M. 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. Ballantyue. Mr. Ballantyne 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. 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 Balleritoni 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 1100 year stonn 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. Board of Selectmen Meeting_—March 7,2006—Page5 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 roofiine 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. 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 Bonazoll 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 Bonazoll to approve the minutes of February 15, 2006, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of March 7, 2006 a 10:30 p.m.was approved,by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, ol Secretary