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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 30,2006 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 Stephen Goldy, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya, Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Marcia Dresser,Mr. and Mrs. Robert Takash. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there was an article in the Boston Business Journal regarding the challenges of developers. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he spoke at the Charles Lawn Cemetery on Memorial Day. Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the parking study that the Chamber conducted. The Town Manager noted that the general consensus is to move forward with the two hour parking. He will schedule a hearing. There are approximately 1200 people who work Downtown. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked for an update on the Downtown project. The Town Manager noted that the final review by the State is June 24, 2006, then the project goes out to bid for 30 days, then the bid is awarded and the project gets started. The State will pay for the benches, etc, from the Common to Haven Street, The Reading Municipal Light Department will do the street lighting for the whole project. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she wants to do a fundraiser to improve Haven Street. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that Bill Brown suggested taking the current use of Memorial Park to Probate instead of a cy pres. She suggested asking Town Counsel about that. She also noted that Bill Brown also suggested taking down a grove of trees at Birch Meadow and make it a ball field. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee has invited Town Meeting to their meeting on June 1 st to receive feedback and suggestions regarding the MWRA buy-in. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Appreciation — Thomas Conley Boy Scout Troop 704 - A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Eagle Scout Thomas Conley was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she will attend the ceremony. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 30,2006—Page 2 Personnel and Appointments Nurse Advocacy Task Force — The Board interviewed Marcia Dresser for one position on the Nurse Advocacy Task Force. Bonazoli moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the ad hoc Nurse Advocacy Task Force: Marcia N. Dresser. Ms. Dresser received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Policy on Fraud—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the policy was written by the Town Accountant with input from Department Heads, the RMLD, the Superintendent of Schools and then reviewed by Town Counsel. The Town Manager noted that he anticipates that the Board of Selectmen will adopt, and then the School Committee and Reading Municipal Light Board will adopt. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Department Heads spent a lot of time on this policy. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked about a procedure to protect the whistle blower. The Town Manager noted that the whistle blower statute applies—it can be done confidentially and even off site. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that during the investigation proponent, we need to make sure the investigation.follows due process. The Town Manager noted that the Police Department knows due process. Selectman James Bonazoli asked if the Town Accountant is the subject, would the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen be notified because the Selectmen hire the Town Accountant. There was discussion among the Board regarding who gets notified, when and under what circumstances. There was also discussion about whether a form should be used to report fraud. The Town Manager noted that he would handle issues like an employee getting paid for time not worked. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested that the definition of fraud be tightened up. The Town Manager will go back and revise the definition, look at the issue of written or verbal reports,the reporting procedure to the Board of Selectmen,make sure investigation is done using due process and indicate that if the amount of fraud is above a certain dollar amount, then it will be reported to the Audit Committee and Board of Selectmen. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to continue the hearing on the policy on fraud on June 13, 2006 at 7: 30 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — FY 2007 Classification and Compensation Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts was present. Ms. Roberts noted that there are 112 non union employees. There are 67 job titles, four of them are changing grades and two positions are being added. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 30,2006—Page 3 Ms. Roberts noted that a Pay and Classification Study was done in FY 2005. Six positions moved up one grade. Three positions needed to be moved two grades, and that is done over a two year period. There are also two new positions being added - the License and Permit Coordinator starting at Grade 10 and the Police Business Administrator starting at Grade 13. The job titles that are changing are Technology Coordinator to Technology Administrator, GIS Technician to GIS Coordinator,and Network Support Technician to Technology Coordinator. Ms. Roberts noted that the FY 2007 Compensation Plan has a 2% cost of living allowance built into it. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the FY 2007 Classification and Compensation Plan was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to approve the FY 2007 Classification and Compensation Plan as presented was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Driveway Variance— 111 Forest Street—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the request is for a variance for two driveways. The property owner Robert Takash was present. The owner built a second driveway without permission, and the second driveway is not being used. Mr. Takash noted that he didn't know about the rules and regulations. His daughter just got her license and he got a fourth car in the driveway. His son will be leaving home in 1 — 1 '/z years so this would be temporary until November of 2007. Mrs. Takash noted that her mother moved to Reading recently, and she's always stopping by which adds another car to the driveway. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked when the driveway was put in and if there were any sidewalks. Mr. Takash noted that he installed the driveway on May 11, 2006 and there are no sidewalks on his side of the street. Vice.Chairman Richard Schubert asked if there have been any complaints regarding this issue. The Town Manager noted that there have been about five hearings in the past 20 years and those are usually regarding circular driveways. Vice Chairman Schubert noted that 134 Forest Street was denied access, and the Town Manager noted that the YMCA had wetland issues. Chairman Camille Anthony asked the reason for having this policy, and the Town Manager noted that it was to prevent people from paving the whole front of their property -- that affects the parking on the street, aesthetics, etc. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he didn't even know the policy existed. It is difficult to move cars out on a busy street. The driveway is gravel,not paved. Mr. Takash noted that he would be willing to sign something stating that he would take the driveway out by a certain time or pay a fine. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 30, 2006—Page 4 A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the driveway variance at 111 Forest Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy to approve the variance for a second driveway at 111 Forest Street subiect to the condition that it remains gravel and is removed by November 1, 2007 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Consideration of Entertainment License—680 Main Street—Applicant withdrew request. Review Progress on Goals —The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen developed a Mission Statement and Goals. He had reviewed the action items with the Board of Selectmen and he is coming back with the top 15 work items. The Town Manager reviewed the top 15 work items and the name of the person responsible. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if this is for calendar year or fiscal year. The Town Manager indicated that it is for the calendar year. The Town Manager noted that he drafted Goal 5 regarding Quality of Life and reviewed the objectives that go with it. Follow Up — Town Meeting Instructional Motions — The Town Manager noted that there were five instructional motions from Town Meeting. 1. Dockser re: Oakland Road Property — Should schedule a joint meeting of the School Department and Board of Selectmen. 2. Mary Ellen O'Neill re: Bird Flu Presentation—The Town Manager noted that there were better venues to this than Town Meeting. He will work with the Health Administrator to do a program to be aired on RCTV. 3. Webb—Notice of Hearing for Storm Water Fee—The Town Manager noted that notices will be sent out. 4. D'Addario re: LEED BuildingDesign—The Town Manager noted that we cannot create our own building code but can encourage green areas. Selectman Stephen Goldy requested that a letter be sent to CPDC suggesting encouraging green space in new developments and when remodeling. 5. Brown re: Substance Abuse Initiative Coordinator — The Town Manager noted that the Town is looking at private non-profit. We are looking at other models such as contracts_ with EMARC, Riverside and other organizations. Master Plan Follow Up on Creation of Various Committees — CPA, Housing Partnership, Downtown Parking and Community Transit — The Town Manager noted that the Master Plan recommends the creation of several committees. The Selectmen have already created an Economic Development Committee and Downtown Parking Committee. The other three Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 30,2006—Page 5 committees*being recommended are the Community Preservation Act Committee, the Housing Partnership and a Community Transit Committee. The Town Manager noted that the CPA would be on a tight timeframe. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Community Transit could come under the Downtown Parking Committee. The Town Manager noted that it could also come under the Economic Development Committee. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the mission of each committee needs to be looked at. Selectman James Bonazoli had concerns regarding the number of committees and volunteer vacancies and staff time. The Town Manager noted that there is an issue with"Tolerance Road." There has been a request to name Route 28 from the Cape to Maine Tolerance Road. Pieces of Route 28 are already named and Mass Highway is researching this. The Town Manager asked if the Selectmen had any comments on the issue, and the consensus was there was no opinion. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the word tolerance is a negative word because it means you are putting up with something you don't like. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meeting of May 30, 2006 at 10:00 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, eecretary