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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-31 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 31, 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 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Joseph Duffy and Selectmen James Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya. Also present were Police Chief James Cormier, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Pat Fennelly, Sgt. David Clark, Attorney Brad Latham, Anna Colonano, Diane Pinheiro,Paula Koppel. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Report and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Memorial Day events were terrific. There was a great crowd, wonderful weather and excellent speeches. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Recreation Committee has a Board opening. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee has two openings. Concerns were raised by Longfellow Road/Park View Road about traffic when the High School opens. Selectman Joseph Duffy noted that the Reading Municipal Light Department is 111 years old. They provide $1.9 million to the Town of Reading. There is a CAB opening. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we were supposed to have a Task Force regarding the distribution by the Light Department. The Adopt-An-Island Reception was excellent. There were 101 islands adopted. The Board received a petition for Louanis Drive. She also noted that we automatically have petitions on the Agenda(the Town Manager noted that it would probably be preferable to have it on the Agenda with the staff recommendation and this is the intent). Vice Chairman Anthony asked about the Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director position, and the Town Manager noted that he is finalizing the job description and will have a schedule put together for advertising and filling that position by the end of August. He asked for an additional Selectman to be involved in the process, and Vice Chairman Anthony agreed to serve. The Pearson traffic meeting needs to be scheduled—it is scheduled for June 13th. This is a joint workshop with the Community Planning & Development Commission. The progress on the downtown plan needs to be conveyed to the Downtown Steering Committee and a meeting schedule once the 100% design is completed. We should send a letter to Avellino Well thanking them for doing the work in the front of the property. Chairman Richard Schubert asked if the downtown project was on the Transportation Improvement Program. The Town Manager noted that it was. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 3112005—Page 2 Town Manager's Report _ The Town Manager gave the following report: The Town Manager reiterated the process for the Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director. ® He reminded residents that we would not be picking up trees and brush. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked what the process was in making that determination. The Town Manager noted that we do not have the staff to do it and the Compost Center is open. o The Town Manager noted that the possible Trust Fund has been meeting actively. He also commended those involved in the Memorial Day celebration. Personnel &Appointments Badge Pinning=Sergeant David Clark - The Police Chief presided over the ceremonial badge pinning for the new Police Sergeant David Clark. Sergeant Clark's family and friends were in attendance. Discussion/Action Items Presentation on Imagination Station Improvements — Recreation Administrator John Feudo and Recreation Committee Member Pat Fennelly made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen. They reviewed different options and costs. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony expressed concern about using the artificial timber product regarding heat generated by it. Chairman Richard Schubert asked if the current Imagination Station was dangerous. John Feudo commented that it was not — it is inspected monthly and repairs were made. John Feudo noted that the proposal would be to replace the contact surfaces with the artificial timber material, replace several items in the playground including hardware, and redo the playground fill. It is anticipated that the existing infrastructure which includes telephone polls is adequate. These improvements would meet ADA requirements for accessibility to play components. There was discussion about the surface material. Additional fill would not be required — this material has been compacted significantly. The preferable material would be the rubberized material but it is expensive. If you were going to use that, you would put sand underneath and then put the poured in place rubber on top. The Board expressed concern that doing Imagination Station work would effect the replacement program for the other smaller playgrounds around the community. The Town Manager noted that the Capital Improvements Program addresses the 11 playgrounds within the community. It does not address Imagination Station. The Board asked for a list of the playground replacement schedule in accordance with the Capital Improvements Program. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked what the time frame would be for doing improvements. John Feudo thought that it could be done in four stages with approximately six months per stage. Each "stage" would take three to five working days. Hopefully, the project would be completed in about two years. The useful life of the project is extended to the guaranteed useful life of the artificial timber material—50 years. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 31, 2005 —Page 3 Selectman James Bonazoli asked if there were any conflicts with the school projects, and it was noted that this should not conflict in any way. Chairman Richard Schubert felt that this should be done through fund raising. The next steps would be to develop a final estimate and then do fundraising. The consensus of the Board would be as follows: 1. Determine that the artificial timber material would not be problematic in terms of heat retention. 2. Develop a final estimate which would use the composite with replacement material on all the contact surfaces, and the bark mulch material for cushioning (with an alternative of going to the rubber surface material that funding allows). 3. Develop a fundraising strategy hopefully using many of the people who were involved in the initial Imagination Station project. 4. Stage implementation with as little disruption to the playground as possible. On another matter, Chairman Richard Schubert asked for the schedule of removal of the fence section at Morton Field. The Town Manager raised the issue of the Board's approval of the last phase of the Hunt Park improvements which would be a four foot black chain link fence. The Board felt that this was consistent with their prior approval and had no objection to proceeding as long as all conservation issues are addressed. On motion by Bonazoli seconded by Duffy, the Board approved the plan for fencing and benches at the Hunt Park playground by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—No Parking on Walkers Brook Drive—The secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that Walkers Brook Drive that extends from the Wakefield line to Lakeview Avenue has been improved, and is not designed for parking. It was noted that there were several items of correspondence from 128 Sales Inc. and there was no objection to the proposed regulations. There was no public comment. On motion by Anthony seconded by Duffy, the Board voted to close the hearing on "No Parking, Standing or Stopping— Walkers Brook Drive both sides, from Lakeview Avenue to the Wakefield Town Line" by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Duffy, the Board approved an amendment to the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations as follows—Add "No Parking, Standing or Stopping—Walkers Brook Drive both sides, from Lakeview Avenue to the Wakefield Town Line" by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 31 2005—Page 4 Hearing—Hamden Yard and Parker Street Parking Regulations—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager made a presentation that showed the layout of the proposed parking.lot. He went through the proposed parking regulations which would amend Section 5.9 —No All Night Parking relative to Parker Street and Hamden Yard, and to delete Appendix A-9b. To amend Section 5.14 relative to the Hamden Yard lot. Add Appendix A-2b to allow 60 minute parking in the Harden Yard parking lot. Attorney Brad Latham spoke on behalf of Walgreen's and the Danvers Savings Bank. They would prefer 30 minute parking but would live with the one hour parking in the Hamden Yard parking lot. They were concerned about enforcement of overnight parking. He noted that two independent studies of overnight parking indicated that there is adequate overnight parking available in the Parker Street lot. The Town Manager noted that the Hamden Yard lot was going from 23 parking spaces now to 28 parking spaces plus eight reserved by Walgreen's. Selectman James Bonazoli asked if we do enforcement on weekends and the Town Manager noted that the Parking Enforcement Officer works random hours, and the Police Department also does parking enforcement. Chairman Richard Schubert asked about the construction impact on the parking lot. Attorney Latham noted that they were going to be staging the construction so that it would not effect the existing lot other than when the transition is made from the existing to the new lot. Attorney Latham noted that there is one tenant in the building who has occupancy which ends in August. They anticipate being into construction in August. Selectman James Bonazoli asked why we shouldn't go to 30 minutes for the parking lot. The Town Manager noted that the anticipation is that people will park in the lot and shop at more than just one facility—Walgreen's. Anna Colonano of 38/40 Pleasant Street which abuts the project indicated that she uses the Hamden Yard lot for her tenants. She has a four family home. They park overnight in the Hamden Yard lot. The Town Manager noted that they will be able to park in the Parker Street lot. She hadn't realized that and was fine with the proposal. Diane Pinheiro of 279 Haven Street spoke in favor of regulations greater than one hour. One hour does not allow people to eat Downtown, or shop at more than one location. Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there is a balance that needed to be struck. Attorney Latham noted that the regulations can be evaluated in six months to a year. He also noted that the average stay at Walgreen's is five to eight minutes. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 31, 2005—Page 5 Tony Devito of 140 John Street spoke. He noted that the Senior Center is in the proximity of this lot, and one hour is too short for meetings that may take place in the Senior Center. He noted that Walgreen's can make their eight parking spaces 30 minutes if they want to, and that Hamden Street could be 30 minute parking. He also noted that when he shops downtown, if the CVC lot is filled he has to go down to the Depot area to park. He suggests an evaluation after three months. On motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to close the hearing on the Harnden Yard and Parker Street Parking Regulations by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board voted to approve an amendment to the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations for the Harnden Yard and Parker Street Parking Regulations dated May 31, 2005, and effective upon the filing of the deed to transfer land from Walgreen's to the Town of Reading,by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Establish a Health Insurance Task Force—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager reviewed the draft policy on establishing a Health Insurance Task Force. The Board felt that nine members was too large, and reduced it to one member each from the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee and Insurance Advisory Committee thereby making it a five member committee. He also noted that the Task Force should make a preliminary report to the Town Manager on September 1" regarding the specific specifications for the health insurance, and would make a final report no later than December 31, 2005 as that date may be extended by the Board of Selectmen. On motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya, the Board voted to close the hearing on a Policy Establishing a Health Insurance Task Force by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony, the Board voted to approve a Policy Establishing a Health Insurance Task Force dated May 31,2005 by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Easement Agreement — Walgreen's - The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed agreement between McGriff Reading LLC and the Town of Reading relative to the Hamden Yard parking lot. On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the execution of an Agreement between McGriff Reading LLC and the Town of Reading relative to the construction of modifications to the Harnden Yard parking lot, and the deeding of additional lands to the Town of Reading following the construction of such a lot as detailed in a seven item agreement presented to the Board of Selectmen dated May 31, 2005 by a vote of 5-0-0. Review of Instructional Motions from Town Meeting — The Board of Selectmen reviewed two instructional motions from Town Meeting — one related to providing Nurse Advocacy for frail elders, and one related to Cities for Climate Protection. Board of Selectmen Meeting=May 31, 2005—Page 6 Paula Koppel was present to discuss the Nurse Advocacy Program. The Town Manager raised two questions with regard to that matter — one question was whether a member of the Community Parish Nursing should be on the committee, and one suggesting that the staff should not be on the committee. There was a discussion including members of the Board and Ms. Koppel. The sense was that Community Parish Nursing should not have a member on the committee, and that the policy should be fairly explicit as to the charge of the committee. Specific concerns would be who needs the Nurse Advocacy Program and who is currently providing the services. From that information, a gap analysis should be conducted. The Board approved going forward with establishing a committee for the Cities for Climate Protection Program. The Town Manager expressed concern about staff support for such a group, and the sense was that this may be a committee that operates without staff support. The Board asked that when we have a discussion of shade trees, that part of that discussion include what is the homeowner's responsibility. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen approved the Minutes of May 4,2005, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Bonazoli seconded by Duffy, the Board of Selectmen approved the Minutes of May 9, 2005, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen approved the Minutes of May 10,2005, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of strategy with respect to litigation and labor negotiations not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote, all five members voted in the affirmative and the Board adjourned the Open Session at 10:50 p.m. by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, retary