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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 1, 2005 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, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Highway Supervisor Mike deBrigard, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Patrick Fennelly, Margaret O'Sullivan, Rhonda Holt, Kristin Cota, Janice Jones, Jim Queeney, Dave Talbot, Jen Laconti, John Stoze, John Ward,Kevin Cignetti, Scott Miller,Tom Lemons. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Ad Hoc Health Insurance Task Force met last week and produced a report to Town Meeting. He will give a preview to the Board of Selectmen next week. He also noted that nobody came for the Office Hours. He noted that the raised manholes on Summer Avenue and West Street were very painful. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the situation on West Street and Summer Avenue was very confusing with cones, etc. He asked if there was any way to guide the contractor to completion. He also noted that there are telephone poles in front of Joshua Eaton. Selectman Joseph Duffy noted that the Light Department has been removing poles. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the RMLD took down their wires and the phone and cable is next. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she received a Reverse 911 call regarding overnight parking, and she also received a letter from the MMA.regarding health insurance. Public Comment— Bill Brown handed out a map that showed five lots. He noted that Lots 34 and 35 are now Lots 122 and 123. Glendale intersected with Goldspring and Hillside. The original lot numbers were at Chapman Park. He also noted that Oakland Road was Tower Road. In 1937, Town Meeting granted-the Board of Selectmen permission to sell. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: s The good news on smoking enforcement — The check on restaurants and other workplaces — Reading was in 100% compliance. The bad news - Three tobacco vendors sold cigarettes to minors the week of October 26th: Cumberland Farms, Brooks Pharmacy on Haven Street and for the second time this year, JK's Market on Main Street. o Reading's application for the MWRA supplemental water buy-in is scheduled for action on November 16th by the MWRA Board. o Overnight parking ban starts November 15` Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 1, 2005 —Page 2 * Middlesex County's Work Release Program: Fall clean-UP crew are scheduled to be available to the Housing Authority for two weeks beginning Monday, November 7th ending Thursday, November 18, 2005 (they will not be on site on Friday, November 11th). During this time, the crew will be, for the most part, at our elderly complex on Tanner Drive the second week of schedule. + We have received a check from Maplewood Development in the amount of $12,000 to develop a walking 'trail in the Track Road area so Article 12 on the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant can be acted upon. + Staff met with resident representatives of"original" Sanborn Lane, and we have agreement on how to proceed. + Construction progress report: * Summer Avenue (D&R) - Structures are being raised, loaming tree lawn areas, prep for final pouring of sidewalk areas. Paving scheduled for next week + Willow Street (D&R) - Remove and reset curbing, prep sidewalks for pouring, raising structures. Paving scheduled for next week. * Winthrop Avenue -Highway Division completed overlay. * Archstone — On-site water main construction ongoing, testing and disinfecting completed sections.. West and South Street paving scheduled for this Friday. , + Johnson Woods—On-site water main ongoing(need to complete loop to Enos Circle). + Maplewood Village-All water mains and services completed/tested. + West Street Water.Main -Main and services completed/tested, final nal patch ongoing, will discuss redoing some of the final patch ("wash boarding" effect in some sections). + Highway Division Overlays to complete - Sections of Wentworth Road, Lincoln Street, Fulton Street and Libby Avenue. + Berkeley Street/Gleason Road/Greenwood Road - (Brox)- Base course was completed today, next they will raise structures, install leveling course and top course. Paving next week + Memorial Park -' Cut down overgrowth adjacent to One Charles Street property. Playground purchased and installation expected by the end of the month. * Snow- First sanding operation of the season - Saturday, October 29th! Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Snow Plowing — Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Highway Supervisor Mike deBrigard were present. Ted McIntire noted that there are 101 miles of roads in Reading. We budgeted $324,700 for snow plowing but the average is $437,200. The Town has 64 plow units. Ted McIntire noted that Mike deBrigard makes the call on when to sand. He works closely with the Police Department. The decision to plow depends on how much predicted and the speed of the storm. There are 26 plow routes and three tandem routes in Town. The circles and dead ends are done by pick-up trucks. Sidewalk plowing includes 45 miles of schools and seven miles of businesses. The cost of sanding is $315/hour,plowing is $4750/hour, removal of snow is $1560/hour. An 8" storm costs $78,000. Ted McIntire noted that residents shouldn't shovel into the street or sidewalk, and vehicles that hinder snow removal will be ticketed and towed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 1, 2005—Page 3 Hearing= No parking, standing, stopping on north side of Melbourne between Summer and Buckingham—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that people are parking on the tree lawn, and parking needs to be restricted on one side or the other. The Chief recommends the north side to keep walkers on the same side as the Crossing Guards. There is an issue of hedges on the south side. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the bushes also create a blind spot. Margaret O'Sullivan of 78 Sunnyside Avenue noted that the residents feel very strongly about restricting the parking on the south side, andshe handed in a petition with 100 signatures. She also noted that the Crossing Guard is on the south side and people don't,drop off on Melbourne - they park. Rhonda Holt of 46 Fairview Avenue noted that snow is an issue. A Kensington Avenue resident noted that the bushes are an issue. Kristin Cota of 9 Cumberland Road noted that the neighbors on the south side take better care of the walkway. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing on no Parking/standing/stopping on the north side of Melbourne between Summer and Buckingham Drive was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to amend the Traffic Rules and Remulations adopted March 28, 1995, as amended, by adding to Appendix A the following regulation: "No stopping, standing or parking — South side of Melbourne Avenue between Summer Avenue and Buckingham Drive"was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing— Parking/Traffic Regulations — Bancroft Avenue-between Woburn and Mt. Vernon; four wg:y stop at Bancroft Avenue and Mt. Vernon — The Town Manager noted that this was related to the site walk. A resident of 28 Mt. Vernon Street indicated that she was opposed to a four way stop. The ,fumes will go into her home. She noted that there have not been many accidents. A four way stop gives the connotation of a busy neighborhood and could effect the price of her home. Janice Jones of 22 Mt. Vernon Street noted that no parking on one side of Bancroft is very helpful, and doesn't think a fouf way stop will be helpful. The problem is that people are parking on the comers. She suggested putting up signs for no parking to comer. Jim Queeney of 28 Mt. Vernon Street noted that a two way stop is fine. A four way stop will stall traffic and increase pollution. He also noted that signs are not needed regarding parking on the comer -- they should be towed or ticketed. He noted that making Chute Street a one way has increased the traffic on Bancroft. He is opposed to having Chute Street one way, and is in favor of no parking on the east side. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 1, 2005 —Page 4 Dave Talbot of 75 Linden Street noted that there are far more cars on Linden Street than on Chute or Bancroft Avenue. Jen Laconti of Bancroft Avenue indicated that a four way stop at Bancroft Avenue is not needed. John Stoze of 35 Bancroft Avenue noted that stopping on Bancroft Avenue on snow and ice is not a good idea. He will also have to listen to trucks starting and stopping at 6:00 a.m. John Ward of 14 Bancroft Avenue noted that his car got hit on Bancroft. He also noted that everyone is using it since Chute Street became one way. He noted that the stop sign on the corner of Mt. Vernon is on the left hand side of the street. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Bonazoli to continue the hearing to November 22, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Report of Lighting Consultant — Jordan's Tom Lemons from TLA Lighting Consultants was present. The Town Manager noted that the Town hired Mr. Lemons as a consultant, and he met with the Town Manager, Camille Anthony and James Bonazoli on site and did a site walk with residents. Mr. Lemons reviewed the definition of certain negative lighting terms. He noted that spill light falls outside the boundaries of the property for which the lighting installation is designed. Light trespass is unwanted light that enters a neighbors' property. Light pollution is light directed or reflected upward to the sky resulting in sky glow. Obtrusive light is all of the above with glare. Glare is the sensation produced by luminances that causes annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility. Mr. Lemons noted that it is impossible to get rid of everything. He stopped at Lakeview and Eaton Street, and realized that it is down low so you have to look up at the lights. He also noted that there are five problems: 1. If you can see the front lens, then there will be glare. 2. The facade at Jordan's is lit brighter than it should be. 3. The brighter facade washes out the movie sign. 4. The height of the building is above the horizon and will always be a problem. 5. The canopy lighting needs to be justified. Mr. Lemons noted that there are 33, 400 watt fixtures going up into the sky. The.energy code maximum is .25 watts per square foot, so the Jordan's lights are in excess of.50 watts per square foot per the State code. The parking lot and lights up the roadway were the only lights approved by the Town. The fixtures need to be tipped down to no more than a 60% angle. A visor should be added. If the. lights are tilted down, then Jordan's will lose lighting in the center of the parking lot, but more lighting can be added on concrete blocks. The marquee lights should be LED. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 1, 2005—Page 5 Mr. Lemons suggests that the Town talk to Jordan's and see if they are willing to do this. . He noted that to re-aim, tilt correctly and add visors to the lights going up the roadway would cost approximately $150 - $200 per light. The 27 fixtures in the parking lot are tilted too high and need to be tilted down and visors put on them. Some lights are not aimed as the "as built plan" shows, and is sending a beam of light into the neighborhood. Selectman James Bonazoli asked if he was suggesting bringing the lights down lower, and Mr. Lemons indicated that he was not. He noted that more lighting is needed in the parking lot. They don't have three candles now and tilting will make it worse. Chairman Camille Anthony asked how many additional lights were needed in the parking lot, and Mr. Lemons indicated about six to eight fixtures. Chairman Anthony asked about the cost, and Mr. Lemons noted that the pole and fixture is $1000 - $2000 plus the cost of the conduit and base. Mr. Lemons noted that Jordan's could save money by changing the type bulbs on the marquee. They are using the wrong fixture for the facade lighting. A 150 watt bulb could be used on the facade in order to meet the energy code, but they would need to change the ballast. Kevin Cignetti of 13 Smith Avenue noted that he doesn't want more lights in the parking lot, and asked if they could be installed at four feet high. Mr. Lemons indicated that they could but it won't achieve the lighting needed. He noted that if the present lights were tilted down with visors,then they wouldn't be seen from Smith and Carnation Circle. Scott Miller of 6D Carnation Circle asked if all of the perimeter lights could be eliminated and get the required number of foot candles. Mr. Lemons indicated that they could but they would have to add poles. Scott Miller asked what the Town plans to do regarding the violation of the facade lights. The Town Manager noted that the plans will be sent back for plan review. Mr.. Lemons noted that the code is not enforced in Massachusetts. The Town Manager noted that he will take the material and review it with Jordan's, and we will hire Mr. Lemons for more money. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the lighting is in no way what was brought before CPDC. The Town Manager noted that the original plan that went to CPDC would have been worse than what is there now if it was followed. Chairman Camille Anthony asked about Home Depot, and Mr. Lemons noted that they were okay. The Board directed the Town Manager to work with Jordan's and Dickinson to resolve the issues. Hearing Amendments to Board of Selectmen's Policies, Sections 5 and 6 and Affordable Housing Local Preference—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 1, 2005 —Page 6 The Town Manager reviewed the changes to Sections 5 and 6 of the Board of Selectmen Policies. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing amending the Board of Selectmen Policies Sections 5 and 6 including the Affordable Housing Local Preference was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to approve the amendments to the Board of Selectmen Policies Sections 5 and 6 including the Affordable Housing Local Preference was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Follow Up — Curtis/George Street — The Town Manager noted that he suggest putting a "not a through street" sign on the southwest corner of George and Curtis Street. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Duffy to adjourn the meeting of November 1, 2005 at 10:55 p.m. was approved by a-vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, a ary L'"