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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 6, 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,Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectmen James Bonazoli and Ben Tafoya, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Representative Patrick Natale, Bill Toppi, Bill Brown, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Karen Herrick, Scott Miller,Attorney Michael Rubin, Peggy Roberts, Bill Pike,Tim O'Connor. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he hosted the first Selectmen's "Office Hour" this evening. He feels that this is a good effort to maintain communications. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Nurse Advocacy Task Force is meeting every other Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. He met with Jordan's on August 24th regarding trucking, lighting and signage. There was a problem with trucks making deliveries at 4:00 a.m., and they will change that to after 6:00 a.m. Jordan's wants lighting with three foot candles and some companies recommend two foot candles. The Town will be hiring a lighting consultant. The lights are shut off in the parking lot after the last movie—the latest movie ends at 12:30 a.m. The facade lights are shut off when the store closes at 10:30 p.m. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked if Jordan's was interested in the lighting recommendations. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that they are but they also have concerns regarding insurance liability. The Town Manager noted that some movies will get out later than 12:30. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked why they start so late. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that they are required by film makers to show a certain number of times per day. Chairman Camille Anthony..noted that she thought the PUD restricted the hours of movies. The Town Manager noted that he will check this out. Selectman Joseph Duffy suggested getting the RMLD involved in the light consulting. Selectman Ben Tafoya questioned whether the exterior lighting of Jordan's was within the regulations of the State. The Town Manager noted that he will have the consultant take a look at this. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 6, 2005—Page 2 Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Health Insurance Task Force met, and the recommendation is to hire a consultant because it is a big appropriation for health insurance. It's a complicated area, so it is appropriate to seek help. The Town Manager noted that the Health Insurance Consultant will be paid out of the Health Insurance appropriation and he hopes that it will pay for itself. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she attended the Board of Assessor's Meeting. She also met with the Herrick's regarding a propane tank article for Town Meeting. Public Comment—Representative Patrick Natale was present. He noted that he received e-mails regarding Addison-Wesley. He also noted that if there is anything that he can do, just let him know. He had received complaints regarding the lights at Jordan's. He noted that there are three health insurance proposals on the Governor's table. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the problem is the amount of money charged by the State for uncompensated care. Representative Natale noted that the problem is that people who don't have insurance are going to the hospitals and emergency rooms. Bill Toppi of 14C Carnation Circle requested that Carnation Circle be included in the lighting consulting study. Scott Miller of 61)Carnation Circle noted that there is a law regulating lighting. He feels that the lighting on Jordan's facade is way out of compliance. He suggested that movies can be started I earlier in the morning. ' I Town Manager's Report I The Town Manager gave the following report: o New flags in Downtown are installed, thanks to the Reading Fire Department and Fire Alarm operator Peter Vincent. ♦ Today was the first day of school in Reading, and Town staff have worked with the School Department on a couple of thorny issues. All in all, things seemed to work well, given the large turnout of parents taking their elementary school students to school for the first day. Things will settle down. All drivers need to be reminded to drive cautiously in the school zones. o RMHS —New access and parking issues related to the school construction. ♦ Wood End School—First year as a neighborhood school. Joshua Eaton School—Summer Avenue construction. o I have received a status report on Memorial Park, and much of it was reported in the Globe this weekend. I have authorized an additional $1000 to continue and, hopefully, complete the search for heirs. e The Board has received the new Monthly Reports from Town staff. Any feedback? ♦ Water restrictions — Attached is a status report on enforcement from the Police Department. Also attached is a record of water use since the restrictions went into place on August 12th. o Site walk— September 10th, 9:00 a.m. o Board of Selectmen's Forum, September 13th, 7:30 p.m. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 6, 2005—Page 3 ♦ The Board of Selectmen has asked that we preview future agendas, and get material to the Board longer ahead of time than the weekend before the meeting at which the issue is to be addressed. Highlights — Fire Department — Fire Chief Greg Burns was present. He reviewed the major functions of the Fire Department including fire suppression, fire prevention, EMS assistance, emergency management and homeland security. He noted that the future issues of the Department include Department command structure and the capital equipment program. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the command structure.change will cost money, and the Town Manager indicated that it will, and that will be presented at budget time. Personnel and Appointments Human Relations Advisory Committee—Bob Silva was unable to be present for an interview. Tafova moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Human Relations Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2007: Robert Silva. Mr. Silva received five votes and was appointed: RMLD Citizen Advisory Board—The Board interviewed Mary Ellen O'Neill for one position on the RMLD Citizen Advisory Board. Tafova moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the RMLD Citizen Advisory Board with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Mary Ellen O'Neill. Ms. O'Neill received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Transfer of Package Store License—Reading Liquors—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Attorney Michael Rubin was present representing the Busa family. He noted that they are buying the business to upgrade the real estate. They have stores in Burlington and Lexington. He also noted that they may have to come back in the future for a Pledge of License. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if the store policy compares with the Town's policy, and Attorney Rubin indicated that it does. Vice Chairman Schubert asked how often Mr. Busa will be at this store, and it was noted that approximately 20 hours per week. Mr. Fenton will be managing the rest of the time. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the transfer of the Package Store all alcoholic license to Busa's Reading Liquors, Inc. d/b/a/ Busa's Reading Liquors at 345 Main Street in Reading was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the transfer of the Package Store all alcoholic license to Busa's Reading Liquors, Inc. d/b/a/ Busa's Reading Liquors at 345 Main Street in Reading, subiect to the following conditions: Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 6, 2005—Page 4 ♦ All aspects of the liquor policies of the Town of Reading shall be followed. e All bylaws, rules and regulations of the Town of Reading shall be followed,including but not limited to the sign sections of the Zoning By-Laws, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—John Street Neighborhood Traffic Regulations—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this hearing is to deal with the landfill neighborhood issues. The request is for a four way stop at Green and Elliot Streets, a four way stop at Pleasant and Eaton Streets, and a four way stop at Village and Green Streets. He also noted that the visibility at Green and John Streets is poor so we will install a new type of sign. Peggy Roberts of 85 John Street asked where the curbing will be. The Town Manager noted that it will be from Salem to Pleasant Streets on the right hand side then crossover to the other side. Ms. Roberts asked if a person has hot top where the sidewalk would go,then will it be taken out. The Town Manager indicated that it will but the Town will work with the homeowners. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on John Street neighborhood traffic 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: Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs the following: Green Street eastbound and westbound at Elliot Street Pleasant Street eastbound and westbound at Eaton Street Village Street northbound and southbound at Green Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Stop Intersection—George at Curtis Street—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the development is complete and a resident is requesting the stop sign,. A resident of George Street noted that he is not against stop signs but he would rather see the stop sign on Curtis Street. Bill Pike of 13 George Street noted that people -fly down Curtis Street thinking it goes to Stoneham. He feels that the sign should be on Curtis Street but he is not against a stop sign on George Street, Tim O'Connor of 96 Curtis Street thought the stop sign was approved in zoning. He noted that traveling south on Curtis Street is a key issue. There are constant U-turns around 15 times per day, and he supports a stop sign on Curtis Street. Board of Selectmen Meeting;—September 6, 2005 —Page 5 Chairman Camille Anthony suggested maybe a "Not a Thru Way" sign or Dead End sign, or a stop sign at both George and Curtis Streets. The Town Manager indicated that he will discuss this with staff. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to continue the hearing for the stop intersection on Georme Street at Curtis Street to September 20, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Parking Regulations-Zachga Lane—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the concern is that traffic will clog Zachary Lane if parking on both sides. He suggests no parking during certain hours on the east side of Zachary Lane. Karen Herrick of 9 Dividence Road noted that she agrees with the recommendation. A resident from 11 Zachary Lane indicated that he feels this is an unnecessary inconvenience for a short amount of time. He suggests waiting until there is a problem. He noted that they don't have a problem, so why try to fix it. He doesn't want a sign in front of his house. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there are e-mails in the packet from people stating that they don't need this at this time. Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested tabling the issue until the overall review in October. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing for no parking on Zachary Lane was apuroved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing—Board of Selectmen Policies, Sections 5 and 6 — The Town Manager noted that what was the Human Services Policies is now the Community Services Policies. He reviewed the changes to the policies. He also noted that the Rules and Regulations Relating to Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation Areas will be moved to the DPW section. The Town Manager noted that the LIP regulations are working fine, and he recommends no changes. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that in the 6`l'bullet under 5.2.3,there should be a definition of limited dividend. The Town Manager noted that is mentioned in 5.2.9, and Chairman Anthony noted that it is not the same wording and it doesn't say limited dividend. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested,under Section 5.2.4 Review Fees,to add lighting review. She noted that Section 5.2.6#1 is actually the lead in sentence and should not be numbered. Chairman Camille Anthony asked who pays the CHAPA fees. The Town Manager indicated that he would check and make sure it is added to the policy. Board of Selectmen Meeting-September 6, 2005—Page 6 The Town Manager went on to review Article 6 Personnel. He noted that he is removing the closing of municipal offices section of the policy. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that under 6.1.1 — Goals, there should be a list of goals and review of goals at three and six months. The Town Manager noted that he will revise both Article 5 and Article 6 and bring it back to the Board of Selectmen. Preview Subsequent Town Meeting — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that Bill Brown was present. Mr. Brown noted that changes need to be made to comply with the Charter changes. He will send it to the Bylaw Committee for their review. He also noted that Article 11 is the sale of the land across from the High School. The Town Manager noted that the School Department will have to vote to turn over the care,custody and control to the Board of Selectmen. Karen Herrick was present. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she met with Ben Tafoya and Ms. Herrick regarding propane tanks. Ms. Herrick noted that she upgraded her furnace from oil to propane. She was told that she needed approval to put the tank underground. She discovered that she is in the Aquifer Protection District, and underground propane tanks are not allowed. She is proposing two change's to Section 4.8 to exclude propane products. The Town Manager noted that CPDC will be having a workshop and will review this. Town Counsel indicated that it looks okay. He has met with staff and they have no objection. The Conservation Administrator with checking with the Conservation Commission. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested getting something in writing from DEP stating that it is not hazardous to the aquifer district. The Town Manager noted that Article 19 is zoning for Pearson. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that they are not ready to talk about zoning, and suggested that Article be taken off the Warrant. The Town Manager noted that he is still waiting for the traffic study. The Town Manager noted that the next article is to rezone Sanborn Street to commercial. He also noted that the area is mostly zoned commercial, and CPDC is looking at rezoning on September 12, 2005. The Town Manager noted that CPDC asked the Board of Selectmen to approve mixed use. They want parking. The Town Manager noted that Article 14 is to deal with door to door solicitors. It is modeled after Wakefield's bylaw because the Attorney General has already approved it. Chairman Camille Anthony and Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that a public hearing would have to be held first. They suggested taking the Article off the warrant. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 6, 2005 —Page 7 Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that this will make Reading a "gated community" and would like more discussion. The Town Manager indicated that he will put this on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The Town Manager also indicated that there is an.Article for the land swap on George Street, an Article to authorize debt for water main projects, and an Article for establishing a Storm Water Management Enterprise Fund. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked about the Enterprise Fund being a fee and whether it falls under Proposition 2'/2. Approval of Minutes A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to approve the Minutes of August 30, 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to adiourn the meeting of September 6, 2005 at 11:00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Sgcreta7y