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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 7, 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 7:35 p.m.* in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and Ben Tafoya, Tax Collector Beth Klepeis, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: George Perry, Kathy Greenfield, Dorothy Casolaro, Susan Patterson, Michael Gray, Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan, Sarah Hilgendorff List, George Doucette, Karen Gately Herrick, Linda Tuttle, Neil Sullivan, Michael McIntyre, Steve Sadwick, Elizabeth Whitelam, David Zeek, Bill Hecht, Barbara Stewart, Paul Dustin, Susan Miller, Karen Flammia, Ron D'Addario, Gina Snyder, John Gall, John Wood,Richard Moore. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he attended the Forum for New Officials at the Department of Revenue. He also noted that it was unclear as to who the liaison is to the Master Plan Advisory Committee and Richard Schubert noted that Ben was the liaison. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: 0 Railroad horn blowing — The horns will .continue to blow until June 24, 2005. Camille Anthony noted that the Town needs a process and timeline for upgrading that crossing. b Meeting re: Jordan's—June 23rd at Senior Center. ♦ Joint workshop re: Pearson (Addison-Wesley) on Monday, June 13th at Parker Middle School at 8:00 p.m. concerning Traffic study. o Re-paving Woburn Street. o Construction projects: • West Street water line • Franklin Street water line • Summer Avenue • Willow Street • Various other street paving projects Selectmen's Forum 6/21/05. o Reading Friends and Family Day will take place on Saturday, June 25th right outside of Town Hall and the Upper Common. If you or your department would like to participate with an information table or program, please contact John Feudo at Ext. 074 or email him at jfeudo@ci.reading.ma.us. There is currently over 30 different groups and organizations involved. Should be a fun day for all involved! Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7,2005—Page 2 The Town Manager noted that there is a revised license application on Page 7 of tonight's handout for Reading Liquors. The majority of the Board of Directors need to be residents of Massachusetts. Adam Berger was present and noted that he will be the sole Director. I A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen recognize and approve the revised Form A for transfer of Reading Liquors as indicated on the form that is in toniLrht's handout was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Land Bank Committee—The Town Manager noted that Ben Nichols is a Charter member. He is 97 years old and feels that he cannot fulfill another three years. Land Bank Committee Member George Perry noted that the Committee will be looking for at least two people. Someone who is a paralegal, attorney or real estate appraiser would be good. The Town Manager noted that a technology background would be helpful too. West Street Historic District Commission —The Board interviewed Kathy Greenfield, Dorothy Casolaro; Susan Patterson and Michael Gray for positions on the West Street Historic District Commission. Anthony moved and Duffy seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the West Street Historic District Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2008: Dorothy Casolaro, Kathryn Greenfield, Susan Patterson and Michael Gray. Ms. Casolaro and Ms. Greenfield received four votes each and were appointed. Anthony moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the West Street Historic District Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2007: Susan Patterson and Michael Gray. Ms. Patterson and Mr. Gray received four votes each and were appointed. Historical Commission — The Board interviewed Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan, Kathy Greenfield, Sarah Hilgendorff List, George Doucette, Karen Gately Herrick, Linda Tuttle and Sue Patterson for positions on the Historical Commission. Anthony moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2008: Virginia Adams and Roberta Sullivan. Ms. Adams and Ms. Sullivan received two votes each and were appointed. Anthony moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following names into nomination for five Associate positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2006: Kathy Greenfield, Sarah Hilgendorff List, George Doucette, Karen Gately Herrick, Linda Tuttle and Sue Patterson. Ms. Greenfield, Ms. Hilgendorff List, Ms. Herrick, Ms. Tuttle and Ms. Patterson received four votes each and were appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7, 2005 —Page 3 Community Planning and Development Commission — The Board interviewed Neil Sullivan, Michael McIntyre, Steve Sadwick, Elizabeth Whitelam and David Zeek for positions on the Community Planning and Development Commission. Michael McIntyre indicated that he was interested in the Water and Sewer Committee and was withdrawing from all others that he applied for. Anthony moved and Duffy seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Community Planning and Development Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2008: Neil Sullivan, John Sasso, Steven Sadwick, Elizabeth Whitelam and David Zeek. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Sasso received four votes each and were appointed. Metropolitan Area Planning Council — The Board interviewed Steven Sadwick and David Zeek. David Zeek indicated that daytime meetings were a problem for him. The Board made no appointment to the MAPC at this time. Conservation Commission—The Board interviewed Bill Hecht and Barbara Stewart for positions on the Conservation Commission. William Finch was unable to be present. Anthony moved and Duffy seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Conservation Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2008: William Hecht and William Ogden Finch. Mr. Hecht and Mr. Finch received four votes each and were appointed. Zoning Board of Appeals—The Board interviewed Paul Dustin and Susan Miller for positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Anthony moved and Tafoya seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Susan Miller. Ms. Miller received four votes and was appointed. Anthony moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Paul Dustin. Mr.Dustin received four votes and was appointed. Housing Authority — The Board interviewed Karen Flammia for one position on the Housing Authority. Anthony moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Housing Authority with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Karen Flammia. Ms. Flammia received four votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Review Tax Taking Process - Tax Collector Beth Klepeis was present. She noted that the entire process of the real estate tax collection is laid out by the Mass. General Laws. She reviewed the process and noted that the property owner has one year after foreclosure to pay the back taxes Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7, 2005—Page 4 and get the foreclosure undone. The Town has one case pending now that is a situation where the paraplegic passed away and the wife is very ill. She wants to sell the house, pay the taxes and vacate the decree. Beth Klepeis noted that tax possessions that don't get deeded back are under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. She also noted that Moody's states that our collections are very good. She also indicated foreclosures are usually due to illness, divorce or business problems and she has always been willing to work with the property owners to pay the back taxes. Hearing — Establish Ad Hoc Committee on Nurse Advocacy for Frail Elders — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this is a result of an instructional motion from Town Meeting. The committee will consist of nine members. The purpose of the committee is to develop a work plan,become familiar with the nurse advocate program, and determine the need for it in Town. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing establishing an Ad Hoc Committee on Nurse Advocacy for Frail Elders was approved by a vote of 4-0=0. A motion by Anthonv seconded by Duffy to approve the policy establishing the Ad Hoc Committee on Nurse Advocacy for Frail Elders dated 6/7/05, as amended, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Establish Ad Hoc Committee on Cities for Climate Protection — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Ron D'Addario, who made the Instructional Motion at Town Meeting, was present. He noted that he teaches at Winchester High School, and the Energy Day that he attended there enlightened him to this idea. Gina Synder noted that c'limate changes are a big issue, and she thinks it's a great idea. She suggests having an educator on the committee. A motion by Anthony seconded by Duffy to close the hearing establishing the Ad Hoc Committee on Cities for Climate Protection was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthonv seconded by Duffy to approve the policy establishing the Ad Hoc Committee on Cities for Climate Protection dated 6/7/05, as amended, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Potential Additional Water Conservation Options—Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, Consultant John Gall, WSSWMAC members John Wood and Richard Moore were present. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen asked staff to look at additional water conservation measures. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 7,2005—Page 5 Ted McIntire noted that the WSSWMAC discussed a number of options. They feel that it is easier to mirror what the Water Resources Commission is recommending. If the stream flow is below the threshold for three days,then restrictions can be looked at. Stage 1 is what we use now. Stage 2 will reduce the number of hours by four hours. Stage 3 would reduce the hours and require only hand-held devices. Stage 4 will be a ban. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the restrictions are triggered by numbers and are taken out of the realm of the Board of Selectmen. Ted McIntire noted that if we are below the threshold, it will be brought to the attention of the Board of Selectmen and look at a 10 day forecast. The Town Manager noted that if we get close to any threshold, the Board can impose restrictions before the next threshold. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked if we have the capability today to measure correctly. Ted McIntire noted that we can measure finished water. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that in order to get to Stage 4, we have to have a few bad months. The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen have the flexibility to institute right away by skipping Stage 2 and go to Stages 3 or 4. Gina Snyder asked if there was any way to do monitoring in the Town Forest. The Town Manager asked if the gauges in the Town Forest are correlated with the gauges in Middleton. John Gall noted that he doesn't know how they correlate with Middleton. The Town Manager suggested that the stream team can correlate and document. Gail Wood cautioned the Selectmen regarding restrictions. She indicated that the river is not a reservoir, and our wells are very deep in the ground. We are not taking surface water -- we are taking well water. The Town Manager noted that he will schedule this for a hearing on June 28, 2005. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Duffy to approve the Minutes of May 17, 2005 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0; A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to adiourn the meeting of June 7, 2005 at 11:10 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Se -ehr'tary