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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 16, 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, Selectman Ben Tafoya, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Lou Cimaglia, Bill Brown, Bob Smith, Adele Blunt, Rick Schaffer, Mike McManey, Donna Barnes, Christopher Vaccaro, Andrew Herlihy, Leslie Haley, Janice Jones. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— Selectman Ben Tafoya asked for an update on the recent storm. The Town Manager noted that Reading is at the headwater of the river system. One street, Haverhill Street, was closed for one day. Eight manholes surcharged because the flow downstream was so great. There were 40 sewer backups reported and most of those were caught quickly. The DPW pumped out backyards. The Fire Department helped pump out basements by highest priority. The DPW worked straight through Saturday and Sunday. The Water Treatment Plant is sandbagged. The Reading Memorial High School was closed because water got into the electrical building in the old part of the High School. Selectman Tafoya asked if anyone had to leave their home. The Town Manager indicated that one person had a fire and had to leave. Another elderly person's pump broke and she had to go to her sister's house because of the water in the basement. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Police Department's Open House is this Saturday. Chairman Camille :Anthony noted that Bruce from the Mission of Deeds is having a problem with parking at his location. She asked for an update on the initiative against substance abuse. The Town Manager noted that he met with Pat Schettini and Elaine Webb, Camille Anthony and Town Counsel. Town Counsel advises that the program be a private, non-profit organization. He will do an outline of what needs to be done. Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the information for Town Meeting regarding the MWRA. The Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee is holding an informational meeting on June 1, 2006 at the Senior Center, and will invite Town Meeting Members and MWRA representatives. Selectman Ben Tafoya requested that the water and sewer rate sheets be clarified. Chairman Camille Anthony requested that we show the cost of running the Water Treatment , Plant, and also requested an update on Memorial Park, Timothy Place and Greenhouse Acres. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Mgy 16,2006—Page 2 Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: 0 ISO report and rating(8A) 0 Storm and storm damage 0 DPW Water Awards 0 RHA LIP application for property next to 75 Pleasant Street has been filed.with DHCD, and is available to the community for public comment. (8M1) 0 Cable TV—and proposed changes at a State and Federal level. (8V) 0 Route 128/193 Meeting—June 7th Water and Sewer + Franklin Street 4 Sewer Inflow/Infiltration + Auburn Street water line 4 High Street waterline + Trench gatching on West from Wescroft to County Streets and Roads Arcadia . Arcadia Avenue, Edgemont Avenue + Deering Street,Middlesex Avenue ♦ Green Street—Main to High(laid out— 4 Harriman Avenue(under construction) construction in a week) ♦ Bancroft Avenue—Hartshorn Street to Morton 4 Cumberland Road Field (under construction) ♦ Hillcrest Road 4 Maple Ridge ♦ Juniper Circle + Cape Cod Avenue, Bancroft Avenue (Lowell to Middlesex) ♦ Longwood Road 4 Locust Street ♦ California Road + West Street—Willow to Wilmington line. Curb and Sidewalk: + Franklin Street—Fox Run Lane to William 4 Minot Street at Main + Library exit dr-ivew 4 Bir-oh Meadow Drive at John Gafver- eliminate eul-de-s-ae 4 ;;tet-Street Lengweed Read to Enos 4 John Street—Salem Street to Walkers Brook Drive • Ipswich River Clean-up—Announcement is in your packet. • Applicants are needed for the Town's newly formed Economic Development Committee — there is one applicant for five positions. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — National Police Memorial Week — Police Chief Jim Cormier was present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to proclaim the week of May 14—May 20, 2006 as National Police Memorial Week was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May16,2006—Page 3 Proclamation—V.F.W. Poppy eek— A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to proclaim the week of May 21-27,2006 as V.F.W. Poppy Week was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Personnel and Appointments RMLD Citizens Advisory Board—The Board interviewed Andrew Herlihy for a position on the RMLD Citizens Advisory Board. Tafoya moved and Goldy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the RMLD Citizens Advisory Board with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Andrew Herlihy. Mr. Herlihy received three votes and was appointed. Economic Development Committee—Rescheduled for May 23,2006. Discussion/Action Items Highlights—Veterans' Agent—Veterans' Agent Lou Cimaglia was present. He noted that there are 536,000 veterans in Massachusetts and approximately 1300 in Reading. He processes applications for indigent veterans, applications for education, tax exempt forms for disabled veterans, helps with finding housing, etc. He has enrolled over 50 Reading veterans at the V.A. facility. Close the Warrant— Special Town Meeting on June 12, 2006—The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. He noted that Article 3 is to amend the Capital Improvements Program for the MWRA buy-in. Article 4 is for approval to purchase 100% of the Town's water from the MWRA. Article 5 is a Home Rule Petition to shorten the process for legislative approval for 100%buy-in to the MWRA. Article 6-is to amend the FY 2007 Budget to either approve money to update the environmental impact for MWRA buy-in, or to move forward with the design of a Water Treatment Plant. Selectman Ben Tafoya had concerns regarding combining both items in Article 6. The Town Manager indicated that he would add a new article to see what sum the Town will authorize to build a new Water Treatment Plant. The Town Manager noted that Article 8 is for the acquisition of land on Main Street. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to close the Warrant consisting of eight Articles for a Special Town Meeting on June 12, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, Reading was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Approve Purchase and Sales'Agreement—Dividence Meadows - The Town Manager noted that this property is at the end of Kiernan Road. Town Meeting authorized up to $40,000 and we received a grant for $16,000. We are purchasing 10 acres of land for the remaining cost of $31,000 that includes closing costs. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 16, 2006—Page 4 A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Purchase and Sales Agreement between the Town of Reading and Hillcrest Realty, Inc. for the purchase by the Town of Property known as Dividence Meadows, Reading, Massachusetts, being part of the property -particularly described in Book 8624, Page 411 in the Middlesex South Registrof Deeds being 10.41 acres of undeveloped land was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Town Counsel Performance Review — The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen had agreed to do an annual review of Town Counsel services. He also noted that the form used in the past was in the packet and if the Board had no changes, he will distribute it to staff and Boards, Committees and Commissions now. After the feedback is received, then two Selectmen and the Town Manager will do the review with Town Counsel. Chairman Camille Anthony designated Selectmen Ben Tafoya and Stephen Goldy to do the review. The deadline date for reviews to be returned to the Town Manager is June 15, 2006. Establishing a Downtown Parking Task Force The Town Manager reviewed the draft policy establishing an ad hoc Downtown Parking Task Force. He noted that it will be composed of seven members. The purpose of the committee is to develop a work plan and schedule, become familiar with the Master Plan and zoning, review past studies that have been done and evaluate alternatives. The Town Manager also noted that there is the issue of type of parking—surface or structure. He will wait for the result of the survey that Julie Thurlow is doing before scheduling a Selectmen's hearing. Ms. Thurlow noted that the surveys.will be reviewed next Thursday. The Town Manager noted that he will set up a meeting with the merchants for that Friday. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if businesses are open on the evening, and the Town Manager noted that he would add to the mission to look at if the hours of the business have an effect on the parking. A resident from 14 Bancroft Avenue asked if there was a tool to evaluate how long turnover is, and Police Chief Jim Cormier indicated that there was not. Rick Schaffer noted that the mission is not asking the Task Force to look at how the parking affects the private neighborhoods. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that was why the composition of the Task Force includes two residents of the neighborhood. He suggested adding to the mission evaluating the current situation and alternative parking plans and evaluate the impact on Downtown. Leslie Haley from the Hitching Post noted that she is open until 8:00 p.m. and it is very quiet— the business isn't there. Janice Jones asked if there was any sense of what is going in that building, and the Town Manager noted that the owner talked about mixed use but there are no definite plans. Establishment of Priority Objectives and Work Program — The Town Manager reviewed the 15 highest priority objectives and work programs. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 16, 2006—Page 5 Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the housing plan needs discussion and needs to be a priority. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that four objectives are regarding building maintenance. She asked how these would be accomplished when building maintenance is under the auspice of the schools. The Town Manager noted that he has been working with the School Department and is making good progress Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Master Plan needs to be looked at, and designate if the Selectmen or which department will be responsible. The Town Manager noted that he has added the Master Plan to the Action Status Report. He also noted that the Board of Selectmen need to prioritize the number of Boards, Committees and Commissions that are being established. Sign Deeds — Habitat for Humanity — The Town Manager noted that this is for two lots on Governor's Drive, They received LIP approval and DHCD approval. Improvements to the drainage system has been done. Granite curbing will be installed on both sides and sidewalks on small portion of the street. The estimated cost is $75,000 and Habitat for Humanity will pay in two parts—one part at the closing and the remainder 90 days later. The work will be completed within nine months. The pads will be poured immediately. They will contract out for electrical and plumbing. The Selectmen have already approved this project - they just need to sign the deeds. Approval of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the Minutes of April 18, 2006, as amended,was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the Minutes of April 25, 2006 was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to go into Executive Session for the purpose of litigation and land acquisition, not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all three members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, ecretar