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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 23, 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 Senior. Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectman James Bonazoli, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Diana LaVancher, Dick Nazzaro, Fred Sawin, Scott Miller, Sue Adrian, Karen Dailer, Bonnie Ope, Alison Simcox, William and Lorraine Toppi, Charles and Eileen Collins, George and Sandra Burns. Discussion/Action Items Walkers Brook CrossingIssues - The Town Manager reviewed the current status of changes to the operation at Walkers Brook Crossing, specifically referencing his letter of March 8, 2005. Selectman James Bonazoli asked if we knew what the theater hours were. The Town Manager noted that he would check these with Jordan's. Diana LaVancher of 3 Smith Avenue noted that the operation of the lights pursuant to the March 8, 2005 letter seem to be good. She had been approached by Ed Shaw from Dickinson Development about landscaping on her property. She felt that it was not just her yard but the others on Smith Avenue that also needed planting. The developer indicated that he was not willing to open up that option of landscaping properties all over Reading. She felt that the Town needs an ordinance regarding lighting. She was interested in the "bigger picture" for the Town. The Town wants development but not strip development and with that expertise, the Town could have additional problems like this. There is a bigger project anticipated. Dick Nazzaro of 13A Carnation Circle spoke from the Green House Condos. He's been involved with this issue from the beginning. The biggest problem was the change in type of lighting, and a lot has changed and improved. The lighting has been redirected. Safety lights have been shut off. They had anticipated that this would be more computerized. The noise has abated. The new fencing has been installed and the slats are a big improvement. Trees have been replaced. They would like to continue the slats in the fence in the area where the landscaping is to provide for temporary protection until the landscaping takes over. There are also three lights that they would like to have redirected. In addition, the lights on the building are not going off as they are supposed to. Fred Sawiri from 28D Carnation Circle spoke. He is a Trustee at Green House Acres. The brightness at Jordan's and Home Depot is a concern. Can the wattage of the lights be reduced? Can the lights on the building be directed down as much as possible? The Town Manager noted that the lights on the building are actually mounted low on the building and directed upwards. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 23, 2005—Page 2 Can the existing fence with slats on it be moved so that the wind will not be as much an issue? Does the lighting meet standards? Scott Miller of 6D Carnation Circle spoke. He felt that there was no consistency when the lights go off. He asked whether the Town could rescind the permit for the business. A movie theater, according to Mr. Miller, was an accessory use and therefore not entitled to be exempt from the 12:00 midnight closing of business. Bill Toppi from 14C Carnation Circle indicated that they now have to pull their shades down and, therefore, don't know if the lights are on until 1:30 or 3:30. They would like to be able to leave their shades up and be wakened by the sun in the morning. He felt that Jordan's could change the starting times of the movies. Scott Miller indicated that those responsible for the permitting should be here — the Town Planner and the Town Engineer. Is there a reason why they are not here? He felt that there were significant changes in the lighting plan. The solution is to put more lighting fixtures in. You would expect the Town to come back with more data. Answers would not take much money. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the down side to what Mr. Miller is proposing is that this is a capped landfill and the problem with breaching the cap. We don't know what additional lighting fixtures would mean and who would pay for it. Scott Miller noted that if they are driving piles to the extent that they did, then they certainly have money to do additional work. Chairman Richard Schubert asked if we did a study on the lighting, and the Town Manager indicated that we did not—it's not clear that if we did a study, the owner or developer would be willing to implement it. George Burns from 8A Carnation Circle indicated that he misunderstood the capping process. Scott Miller asked if there was any analysis of how and whether the developer meets all of the standards of their approval. He feels that nuisance codes might apply to the situation. He noted that there are 11 poles at the Home Depot and 10 poles at Jordan's. The developer brought in Mr. Gould, a lighting expert, who changed the plan. The Town Planner and Building Inspector "bought the changes to the plan." Sue Adrian of Wakefield asked who approved the plan and who approved the lighting plan? Who approved the sign regulations? Karen Dailer of Wakefield asked for a change in wattage for the spot lights. She presented photos of the site from the lake. In response to a previous comment of no oversight, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that this was not a fast project. There were lots of public discussion and input and the approval process was very public. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 23, 2005 —Page 3 Chairman Richard Schubert asked whether Ms. Dailer felt that the lighting had been reduced. She indicated not that she has noticed. Bonnie Ope from Wakefield spoke. She felt that there may have been some tiny reduction in brightness. The current situation is unacceptable. The lights are on all day. The "hood" that projects out from the Route 128 side of Jordan's is a problem. Without this hood,there would be a reduction in the glare. She asked what the Board felt is the next step in dealing with the companies involved. Chairman Richard Schubert felt that they would relay the concerns to the developer and the owner and try to get some action. The Board can encourage and request but they can't require. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony felt that we should meet with the parties involved. People have talked about some suggestions. She's not sure that will happen. Bonnie Ope requested a quarterly meeting and suggested using the website to keep people up to date. Alison Simcox presented pictures of the building without the canopy. She suggested that Jordan's ought to be required to remove the canopy. She felt that the parking lot lights were an issue too. She asked about Home Depot's "shoe box" lights. She would want to see an independent consultant brought in. She presented a petition with 180 signatures — she casually got those signatures without much effort. i Vice Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that we would talk with Dickinson and Jordan's and Home Depot and try to work with them. Two members of the Board of Selectmen will take this on. On motion by Anthony seconded by Duffy, the Board of Selectmen voted to adiourn the meeting of June 23, 2005 at 9:30 p.m.by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, �Secretary