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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 25, 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 Stephen Goldy, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Paul Dynan, Dan and Joan Cotter, Angela Binda, Scott Fillmore, Adele Blunt, Julianne McKenny, Rick Shaffer, Curtis and Donnan Barnes, Paul Feely from Chronicle, Tom Loughlin, Paul Missert, Russell Graham, Sheila Clarke, Leslie McGonagle, Chris Vaccaro,Mary Ellen O'Neill, Christy DeNarto, Ann Moore, Julie Thurlow. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that there was a RMLB Meeting last week but he was unable to attend. He received a letter from the RMLB regarding the Town's annual payment, and it will increase 3.3% based on the CPI. He met with Fire Chief Greg Burns and the Town Manager. There is a new Fire Fighter starting this week. Also, the Insurance Service Office raised our rating from Class 4 to Class 3 which is very good news. Public Comment— Paul Dynan of 44 Indian Tree Lane noted that he supports Reading Care and is opposed to the Mall, and had concerns regarding the newspaper article on the Town ballot -- it is a myth that recommending candidates by e-mail is illegal. He noted that many cities and towns post sample ballots on their website. He also noted that Jay Lenox gave the Town Clerk copies of the e-mails before the Election. He indicated that #13 of the Mass. Bill of Rights allows people to take sample ballots in the booth when voting. There was no violation of the Election laws, and he feels that this was an attack on the character of Mr. Lenox and Reading Care. Chairman Camille Anthony asked Paul Feely from the Chronicle if he had any comments, and Mr. Feely reviewed the process he went through in getting his information. Chairman Anthony recommended that the group meet with Paul Feely to resolve any issues that are remaining. Tom Loughlin of 24 Oak Street indicated that he is disappointed in the way the working group is going, and noted that the committee is changing shape and not progressing. Paul Missert of 97 Red Gate Lane noted that this is.a public and community interest versus a private interest. He accused the RRRed Group of being paid by the Weiner Company. Selectman James Bonazoli apologized to Mr. Lenox for any misconceptions regarding the ballots. He noted that the people he knows on the Red Group are not receiving money. He supports the RRRed Group and is not receiving compensation. He also noted that the next meeting of the working group is on May 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 25, 2006—Page 2 Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that there needs to be a process in place to get to a consensus and then work on the details. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested everyone should bring a list of criteria and work from there. Mr. Loughlin noted that there are a number of myths regarding people being for or against the Town. He feels as though 40B should be discussed. Personnel and Appointments Economic Development Committee—The Board interviewed Russell Graham'and Sheila Clarke, and noted that Leslie McGonagle has been recommended as the Chamber of Commerce representative. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Economic Development Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2007: Leslie McGonagle. Ms. McGonagle received four votes and was appointed. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Economic Development Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2008: Russell Graham and Sheila Clarke. Each' applicant received four- votes and were appointed. Recreation Committee—The applicant was not present. Discussion/Action Items Temporary Use Permit — Memorial Park — The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen approved a temporary use permit and Sunday morning permitting last year. Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the status of the heirs, and the Town Manager noted that he needs to check with Town Counsel. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the following use of Memorial Park for team practices: Spring—No more than four teams per time slot; no more than 66 kids per time slot; no more than two time slots per evening, separated by not less than 30 minutes; Summer —No more than four teams per time slot; no more than 66 kids per time slot; no more than two time slots per evening, separated by not less than 30 minutes, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to continue for 2006 the temporary policy of permitting Sunday morning youth sport practices for the Spring season, with no activity beginning at the field prior to 9:00 a.m., subject to approval of permits by the Recreation Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April Dril 25, 2006—Pan 3 Follow Downtown Parkin —The Town Manager noted that he and Selectman Ben Tafoya met with the Chamber of Commerce and merchants, and they gave general direction and guidelines.. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the merchants universally favor two hour parking. There is some concern by some that there is no Saturday enforcement. Employee parking is a problem and it needs to be increased. The Town Manager noted that the parking area on High Street, north of Woburn, is currently non-resident sticker parking. The consensus of the merchants is not to sell non-resident parking stickers anymore because there is alternative parking for non-residents at the Anderson Center. This will give us back 30-35 additional spaces. He suggests making the other side of High Street rental parking for employees and merchants for$30/month. The Town Manager noted that all of the one hour, two hour and 30 minutes parking will become two hour parking. He suggests designating employee discount stickers for parts of Haven Street, Woburn Street and Pleasant Street. There will also be two hour parking in front of Town Hall and the Old South Church. He will look at Chute Street to see if there can be parking on both sides of the street. There will be no parking on both sides of Green Street, all day parking on Chapin Avenue, and permit parking on Middle Street. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if they looked at truck routes and heavy vehicle exclusions. The Town Manager noted that process will take longer, and a traffic study has not been funded yet. The Town Manager noted that he will make some corrections to the map, modify the Traffic Rules and Regulations, and hold public hearings. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the merchants need to be notified ahead of time, and the Town Manager suggested meeting with the group again. Chairman Camille Anthony asked how many employees there are Downtown. Julie Thurlow noted that she is doing a survey of Downtown in order to determine how many are being displaced. Ms. McGonagle suggested making CVS a multi-layer parking lot, and the Town Manager noted that is something the Parking Committee will look into. Chris Vaccaro had concerns about large developments coming in an'd taking over all of the parking spaces. The Town Manager noted that if property owners work together, they could get more than each could individually. Rick Shaffer noted that if that block was redistricted to Business B, then developers could have come in and put up big businesses and made the parking worse. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 25, 2006—Page 4 Mary Ellen O'Neill had concerns about the parking regulations on the east side of Main Street near the future Quizno's and fish store. Police Chief Jim Cormier noted that merchants do not want tailored parking regulations because businesses change. Christy DeNarto, a resident of Cross Street, noted that if we take away the non-resident parking, then they will go to Dudley Street and get free parking there. The Town Manager suggested dealing with these regulation changes first and then see what happens. Ann Moore, a resident of Bancroft Avenue, asked if the Lowell trains run as often as the Reading trains. She asked if trees could be planted at the Depot parking lot, and noted that there are billboards at the Depot. The Town Manager noted that trees were planted at the Depot but they died because of the huge amount of salt that the MBIA uses on the platform. Rick Shaffer asked if the signage can be regulated, and the Town Manager noted that the MBTA is on State land and we cannot regulate it. Mary Ellen O'Neill asked about the possible residential development in Downtown. The Town Manager noted that the Town would be looking for a partnership with the developer regarding parking. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Master Plan suggests a shuttle bus. The Town Manager noted that it was discussed but there is no location, and there would be a cost to run the shuttle bus. The Town Manager noted that he will draft a policy for the working group, post the vacancies, interview and then appoint. Traffic Issues —Detours — Police Chief James Cormier was present. The Town Manager noted that this is a follow up on the detour last Summer that didn't work out well. Chief Cormier noted that he has drafted a written policy regarding detours. He meets monthly with the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force, and is informed in advance of highway projects. He also noted that they try not to detour unless it is necessary. If DPW advises that the job can get done quicker if the road is detoured, then they will set up a detour. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked about notification. Chief Cormier indicated that they use the press, cable, Reverse 911, and DPW also does leafleting when planning a project. Chairman Camille Anthony asked about slowing vehicles down, and Chief Cormier noted that sector cars monitor the areas. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen requested information on Grove Street, and the number of visits to the Compost Center along with the accident history. He also noted that there have been nine accidents in the past five years. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 25, 2006—Page 5 There was discussion about making a three way stop at Forest and Grove Streets. The Town Manager will schedule a public hearing for a three way stop. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if a process has been developed*for lost dogs on weekends. Chief Cormier noted that there is no budget to house dogs. If the dog is registered, then they can track down the owner. Officers are not trained to handle animals, and the cruisers are not equipped to handle animals. They do have a draft policy for dealing with animals that create a public safety issue around traffic, schools, etc. Chairman Camille Anthony asked what other communities do, and Chief Cormier noted that some have full-time Animal Control Officers. Master Plan Review — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that CPDC wants to know who is responsible for certain items on the Master Plan. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Selectmen need to look it over and.set priorities. He has concerns that they are recommending adding committees but there are no volunteers. Chairman Anthony noted that communication should be taken out of the Master Plan. The Chairman directed the Board to e-mail their highest priority items to the Town Manager. Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of April 11, 2006, as amended,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meeting of April 25, 2006 at 10:20 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, S cretary i I