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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 9, 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 Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya, Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, John Dannemiller, Dave Lindbergh, Dominique Farrell, Eliot and Hilary Polk,Karen Herrick, George Perry, Gina Snyder, Stephen Crook, John Wood, Sue Berman,Andrew Buck,Andy Murphy, Will Finch, Gail Wood. Retorts and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Ad Hoc Health Insurance Committee has met twice. They are looking at numbers on how the Town spends money on insurance, and they are also developing an RFP. Chairman Camille Anthony asked that he share the information with the Selectmen when he gets it, and she was also interested on how we will deal with the handful of out of state retirees. Selectman Tafoya noted that the Selectmen met last night and conducted three interviews for the Town Accountant position. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that on Route 129 near 93, the road is depressed around the sewers and when the trucks drive over it, it is very noisy. She asked for an update on the status of the underground storage tanks. She noted that she met with Gill Rodriguez, and noted that the parking regulations in the Downtown area are not working. She requested a tour of the schools and Pat Schettini noted that will be arranged. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ Change in Manager—Reading Liquors. ♦ The Library air conditioning is back on line. ♦ Lt. Governor's briefing on Education — August 10, 10:00 to 11:30, Municipal Health* Care August 11, 11:30,Lowell City Hall. ♦ A Special Act has been signed by Lt. Governor Kerry Healy for the Interbasin Transfer so that Reading may buy MWRA water. I would propose that we move ahead will all approvals at the earliest-possible date in spite of the IRWA and Conservation Law Foundation appeal of the WRC approval. ♦ Jordan's trucking—report. ♦ Parking regulations in area of RMHS to accommodate construction. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 9, 2005—Page 2 ♦ There is correspondence in your packet of note as follows: • Letter from the Superintendent of Schools thanking the RFD for their response I for the hazardous materials incident. • Memo from E/HS Administrator re: Staff transition per consultant's report. • Memo from Bill Brown re: Sale of Town/School property on Oakland Road. Discussion/Action Items Hearin; - Wood End Area — Traffic Rules and Regulations — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the Wood End School is opening as a neighborhood school. A working group consisting of himself, 10-18 residents and School Department staff was formed. The consensus of the group is to maintain as many access areas as possible, and to add more parking on site -- this has been done. There are two major issues of sidewalks and traffic regulations and patterns. After school is open, everything will be re-evaluated. A flashing school zone sign with built in Speed Board has been ordered. The Town Manager noted that every street with access onto Franklin Street will have a stop sign to make drivers aware of the increase in pedestrians. There will be no parking, standing or stopping on Sunset Rock. No parking, standing or stopping certain times and days on Dividence Road, and the drop off will be on the incoming side and then exit out through Emerson Street. The Town Manager was going to suggest changes for Sunset Rock Lane and Roma Lane but the residents want it left alone. There is a gate on the end of Roma Lane and only DPW, the School Department and emergency vehicles will have access. Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini thanked the Town Manager and the working group for all their hard work. Sue Berman of 15 Lucy Drive asked if she can go all the way up to the school. Pat Schettini noted that Richard Davidson will send out a notice to parents showing the drop off points. Ms. Berman asked if the walking paths will be plowed, and the Town Manager.indicated that they will but they may not be done this season. Andrew Buck of 12 Zachary Lane suggested adding the wording emergency vehicles and residents to the signs. He noted that Dividence Road north side near Franklin Street is not plowed properly and is very narrow. He also noted that the snow plow route needs to be changed because Dividence Road is the last on the list. A Covey Hill Road resident suggested putting the map on the website. She also requested seeing the plan of the High School before work is done, and she would like to see the floor plan on the website. Pat Schettini indicated that he is happy to provide information but putting the floor plan on the website could be a security issue. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 9, 2005 —Page 3 Bill Brown noted that the pathways from Fox Run Lane and Dividence Road must be handicap accessible. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that Sunset Rock Lane access is ADA accessible. John Dannemiller of 54 Roma Lane noted that he would like to propose a change on Roma Lane. He wants to put the parking on the other side because people are parking and crossing the street just before the cul-de-sac. Karen Herrick of 9 Dividence Road asked if the sidewalks will be plowed, and the Town Manager indicated that they will. Andy Murphy of 3 Zachary Lane noted that Dividence Road is a bottleneck. He also noted that Emerson Road is in terrible shape, and asked if it will be repaved. The Town Manager noted that Emerson Road is a private way, and the Town is not allowed to do construction on a private way. The Selectmen held a meeting to talk about making it a public way but the residents want to wait until the end of October before making a decision. Mr. Murphy noted that the walkway at the end of Dividence Road needs to be paved because it becomes depressed when it is wet. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that parking on both sides of Emerson Road could be a problem. Pat Schettini noted that it is a problem and some nights they put out barricades when an event is going on. Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested that the Police monitor the whole area. He wants to speed up the installation of sidewalks. He also noted that one crosswalk on Franklin Street is not enough. The Town Manager noted that as soon as sidewalks are available, then crosswalks will be painted. He also noted that the Federal Transportation Act now has money and, hopefully, there will be grants next year for the Safe Routes to School Program. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on amending the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding to Appendix A-12—116.12 Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs:" s Zachary Lane at Dividence Road; ♦ Collins Avenue at Franklin Street; o Chapel Hill Drive at Franklin Street; o Terrace Park at Franklin Street; Kurchian Lane at Franklin Street; o Buckskin Drive at Franklin Street; ♦ Blueberry Lane at Franklin Street(both ends); William Road at Franklin Street; Pasture Road at Franklin Street; ♦ Susan Drive at Franklin Street; Van Norden Road at Franklin Street; Covey Bill Road at Franklin Street; ♦ Meadowbrook Lane at Franklin Street; ♦ Larch Lane at Franklin Street. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 9, 2005 —Page 4 No stopping, standing or parking both sides of Franklin Street 500 feet in both directions from Sunset Rock Lane. By adding to Appendix A-5b "Parking prohibited during certain hours on certain streets - No parking 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., (Monday through Friday), September 1 through June 30: ♦ Both sides of Dividence Road from Zachary Lane westerly to the end of Dividence Road; ♦ East side of Emerson Street for its entire length; West side of Fox Run Lane for its entire length. By adding to Appendix 15 "6.25.1 Do not enter 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m, to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, September 1 through June 30 (Emergency Vehicles Exempt): Emerson Road at Franklin Street. By adding Appendix to A-15a "Do Not Enter (except for residents (Emergency Vehicles Exempt): Dividence Road from Emerson Road westward. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Presentation — Water Treatment Plant— Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi and WSSWAC Members Steve Crook and John Wood were present. The Town Manager noted that Town Meeting approved the funding for a study and design of a new Water Treatment Plant. CDM was hired and the cost of a new versus remodeling was the same. An environmental study shows that blue spotted salamanders are a problem so a new site needs to be found. He wants to know how to proceed and to inform the Board that costs are higher than anticipated. Ted McIntire noted that the Town cannot meet proposed federal regulations for drinking water. The estimated cost previously was $12.8 million for the proposed warehouse facility that became enhanced. We hired an engineering company and got to the 60% design and the cost is up to $19.2 million. The initial proposed site would be difficult or impossible to permit, there would be extensive mitigation potential, and schedule delays and increase in cost. Ted McIntire noted that the existing site is a more expensive alternative because the plant would have to be completely demolished and removed, and we would need to buy MWP.A water for 2 '/Z years and there is staffing issues. The former compost area is a possibility but it is close,to the neighborhood and there could be noise, odor and aesthetic issues and also site drainage issues: Selectman Ben Tafoya asked how close to Foster Circle it is, and Ted McIntire noted that it was approximately 200 feet. Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the odors and it was noted.that ground water contains sulfides and can get odorous. It is treatable with a scrubber to remove odors. There would be a one time cost of$150,000 - $250,000 for the scrubber. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 9, 2005—Page 5 Ted McIntire noted that the existing compost area would be the easiest redesign and need less site work but we would have to relocate the compost area.and find a place for our construction debris. The cost of the options were discussed. The cost of Option 1 is $22.5 million, Option 2 is $26 million, Option 3 is $24.1 million and Option 4 is $22.5 million. Construction costs have increased dramatically. There is a 6% inflation from 2004 and contractors are bidding higher to avoid losing money on the cost increases. It will cost $1,6 million to replace the compost operation. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked if we would have to get rid of the old Water Treatment Plant, and Ted McIntire noted that it will be demolished to a certain level, then filled in. Ted McIntire noted that another option is to go to a full MWRA supply but it is prohibited by State law, and we would lose local control and lose redundancy. Andover has a full supply and are willing to share but it is prohibited by State law, there would have to be major infrastructure improvements, we would have to deal with three communities, we would have loss of local control, and it would be the longest implementation process. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if any of the options would leave open recreational space. Ted McIntire noted that all of them except for the existing. The Town Manager suggested a site visit on,September 10, 2005. Chairman Camille Anthony requested that staff make sure there are no Natural Heritage issues before the site visit. Discussion of Traffic Issues—Electronic Speed Enforcement, Downtown Parking—Police Chief Jim Cormier was present. The Town Manager noted that there is an issue of technology and traffic enforcement, specifically cameras for traffic signal enforcement. Chief Cormier noted that nobody in Massachusetts is using this yet. The Mass. Turnpike authority uses it in their fast lane. The system is monitored by the company who makes the equipment. Woburn District Court won't dismiss it without allowing the opportunity. There are language issues in the law that need to be addressed regarding the identification process. Chief Cormier noted that some states make the owners of the vehicles responsible. Chelsea and Fall River are installing cameras for surveillance purposes. Chief Cormier also noted that speed equals 1/3 of the traffic fatalities and we had one last year in Reading. The courts had suggested to Mass. Turnpike to money-fine multiple offenders, not first timers. Selectman Ben Tafoya indicated that he doubts it would be effective on speeding because cameras are limited if speeding. He would like to see a plan for traffic calming in the Town. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she is interested in the red light issue. If we are not going to ticket,why bother? Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 9 2005 —Page 6 Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he is reluctant to go to this -- he's not sure that it is warranted yet. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that we should take a further look at this with the increase of traffic on Walkers Brook Drive. The Town Manager noted that he will schedule a night for the Police Chief to come in and talk about tickets/warnings and traffic calming. The Town Manager noted .that the Downtown is at 100% design by mid-September. The Historical Commission has okayed it and we will go out to bid this Winter. There will be tree hearings for tree removals and two rights of entry are needed. Discussion on Water Restrictions—Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he looked at the river and it is at a low point. Water consumption is getting towards the high point. He is requesting a Stage 2 restrictions that allows hand held devices only for watering. He also noted that Ted McIntire put a message in the newspaper last week. The Town Manager noted that our water use was still below the trigger usage, but the Middleton gauge is well below the trigger due to lack of rainfall. The Town Manager noted that Stage 2 reduces outdoor water use by 50%. He also suggested that if the Selectmen go to a Stage 2, that it be kept in effect until October. Will Finch noted that the river is flowing backwards because the wells in Reading are drawing on the water. He also noted that there are beaver dams, and he suggests that we go to hand held watering. Gina Snyder of 11 Jadem Terrace noted that she came in support of Ben Tafoya. She also noted that if Reading does this and the river dries up, the Town will know that they did what they could to mitigate. Gail Wood noted that other communities have hand held watering anytime. She suggested reducing the number of hours for sprinklers. Ted McIntire asked what block of four hours the Selectmen wanted. Selectmen Ben Tafoya and James Bonazoli suggested 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. John Wood cautioned the Selectmen about the danger of setting a precedent, and he suggested one step at a time. Will Finch noted that there has already been a one week delay and that's justification for going to Stage 2. Board of Selectmen Meetiniz—August 9, 2005 —Page 7 Schubert moved and Tafova seconded to impose the Stage 2 water restrictions pursuant to the Water Conservation Program Section 4.9.2. adopted by the Board of Selectmen on 6- 28-05 to permit only hand held watering and that such restrictions shall remain in place until October 30, 2005 or until such earlier date as they may be modified. A motion by Tafova seconded by Bonazoli to amend the motion so that outdoor watering only be allowed from 6:00 a.m.to 8:00 a.m.and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.was approved by a vote of 3-2-0,with Bonazoli and Anthony opposed. The main motion as amended was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Town Manager noted that this will be implemented within seven days. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of July 12, 2005, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Duffy to approve the Minutes of July 26, 2005, as amended,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Duffy to approve the Executive Session Minutes of June 14, 2005 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all five members votinLF in the affirmative. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Executive Session Minutes of June 28, 2005 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meeting of August 9, 2005 at 11:10 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Oeett