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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 20, 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, Town Planner Chris Reilly, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur,Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bob Brown, Jack Downing, Gina Snyder, Sally Hoyt, Tim Kelly, Marcel Dubois, John Carpenter, Charles McDonald, George Katsoufis, John Sasso, Virginia Adams, Janet Allen, Pete Smargon, Jack Russell, Ron Daddario, John Surrette. The Town Manager announced that Bob LeLacheur has been hired as our new Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director. He will develop the budget this year, evaluate a full MWRA buy-in versus building a new Water Treatment Plant, and he will staff the Hospital Development Task Force and manage the Finance Department. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments —Vice Chairman Richard Schubert welcomed Bob LeLacheur. He noted that the Selectmen's Office Hours should be part of the Selectmen's reports. Bob Brown suggested incorporating a bylaw requiring projects to meet certain standards regarding water conservation; i.e., zero landscaping for new developments. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he attended a meeting of the Cultural Council. This is application season and anyone interested in applying for a grant should contact Allison DaSilva. These are small grants. The Council did mention that for some reason they don't get requests from the High School but they do from other schools. Selectman Joseph Duffy congratulated Bob LeLacheur on his appointment. He noted that the new football field is terrific. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she attended a Board of Health Meeting and a Council on Aging Meeting. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he met with the Recreation Department and they are looking for a replacement of Mary Ellen's position on the Aquatics Board. He also met with the Town Manager, Pat Schettini and John Feudo regarding the fields and budget. He attended a meeting of the Nurse Advocacy Task Force, and Bob LeLacheur needs to be replaced by the Finance Committee. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 20, 2005—Page 2 Public Comment — Jack Downing of 91 Whittier Road had a complaint about late night deliveries of material and construction vehicles from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. at the High School project. He complained to the School Department and nothing was done. He has called the Police at least 30 times and was told that no municipal ticket books had been issued. He also noted that the construction company is running unregistered vehicles over the roads. The Town Manager noted that we don't have a bylaw that restricts hours of construction, but he will talk with the Police Chief. He will get a full report back to the Board of Selectmen. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ I'd like to introduce Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Robert LeLacheur. e The Board had a suggestion at its Forum that the Memorial Park deed restrictions may have expired after 50 years as is the case in private transactions. Town Counsel has replied that this is not the case. o The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen is asked to sign amendments to correct deed riders for three of the transactions at the Maplewood Village development. The Board of Selectmen has an up-to-date chart of water use to date, and the chart also tracks rain events. We will prepare this as part of the Monthly Reports from now on. ♦ I have resigned my membership on MIIA Board of Directors. I have done this so there is no perception of any conflict as the Town of Reading bids its Health Insurance this Fall. This was an unpaid position, and I believe my membership has been beneficial to both the MIIA Program and the Town over the past several years. ♦ Town employees including the entirety of the DPW, Police, Fire and RMLD, as well as selected positions within the remainder of Town Government, have been going through Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training related to security. This is being done by Lt. Rick Nelson of the Reading Fire Department under the command of Chief Burns. ♦ The Town has received a grant from the Underground Storage Tank Program in the amount of$10,125 for the removal of the oil tank at RMHS. We will get those funds directed to the school project. Chief Burns has processed the paperwork for this project and we got the maximum we were able to receive. ♦ The Board of Selectmen conducted site walks on September 10th of the Chute Street neighborhood, and of potential sites for a new Water Treatment Plant site. Follow-up on each will be scheduled for the Board of Selectmen as soon as adequate follow-up by staff can be achieved. Additional input has been received and is in the Board of Selectmen's reading material. ♦ The Board of Selectmen's Forum was held on September 13th, 7:30 p.m., and there were nine calls. A summary has been produced for the Board. ♦ I have conducted a"Sole Source Procurement" for phone service for Town and School phone systems. The Board of Selectmen has the material on this matter attached. This is necessary in order to get caller ID available on Town phones. There is only one company operating in Reading that can provide that service. ♦ The Police Department is moving a Crossing Guard form Main and Franklin to Emerson and Franklin. We will continue to monitor the need for Crossing Guards at various positions in the community. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 20,2005—Page 3 ♦ We are investigating the possibility of a cell site at the Library. The first issue is the feasibility and impact on library space, and whether the Library feels that would be worthwhile balanced against the income that would be generated. ♦ Flu Clinics: - • Wednesday,November 2, 2005, Killam School, 2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. (for residents 65 and older) • Monday,November 14,2005, Coolidge Middle School, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. • Wednesday,November 16, 2005, Parker Middle School, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ♦ 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. Discussion/Action Items Master Plan Presentation — Town Planner Chris Reilly, George Katsoufis, John Sasso, Virginia Adams, Janet Allen, Pete Smargon,Jack Russell and Tim Kelly were present. Chris Reilly noted that the Master Plan was adopted in 1991. The State requires an update every 10-15 years. George Katsoufis reviewed the make up of the Master Plan Advisory Committee. He noted that the Vision Statement includes: Sense of community, provide and maintain natural resources and open space, housing for diversity, business friendly atmosphere, regional highway.and transit connections,-safety and access of open/natural spaces, excellent school system. Mr. Katsoufis noted that the character and identity of the community is important. We need to protect the Town's historical village patter and guide development to blend in. Huge mansions being inserted in neighborhoods that are smaller feels like an alien process. He noted that we need to explore organizational and funding options for housing. The Town needs to encourage buildings with the Town's character and identity, and to introduce a mixed use development in Downtown area around the Depot. Mr. Katsoufis noted that the Town should establish an Economic Development Commission to pursue grants and zoning options to encourage streetscape improvements along Main Street. He also noted that south Main Street is not compatible with the rest of Main Street. Mr. Katsoufis also noted that preservation of our natural and cultural resources is important. Examples of this would be to preserve the Town Forest, protection regional watersheds, protect well fields and water recharge areas, and to maintain and add to the Town's inventory of historical and architecturally significant buildings. Open space and recreation is also important and there is a need to create path systems connecting schools, open space and neighborhoods. There is also a need to acquire more land for playing fields, family picnic areas, etc. The Community Preservation Act should be reconsidered, and new sources of recreation funding should be developed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 20,2005—Page 4 Mr. Katsoufis indicated that the committee would like to see the Town's 10 Year Capital Plan tied to the Master Plan somehow. Transportation is also important including developing a Town-wide parking plan and providing and maintaining sidewalks. Housing is the dominant land use element in Reading and connection of housing to other uses; i.e., commercial, open space and transportation should be considered. The next steps are to survey the community; present to Boards, Committees, staff and civic organizations; present the plan to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting and then for CPDC to officially adopt the Master Plan. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert commended the group for their hard work. He noted that he likes what he sees in the draft plan, and feels that the Board of Selectmen should use this as a guide. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that there is a breakdown of Board of Selectmen actions in the packet. The Economic Development Commission is proactive. The mixed use bylaw is being looked at. Planning to meet the affordable housing and preserving the small town feel of Reading is important. The Community Preservation Act would help to acquire more open space. The Town Manager noted that he recommends that the 10 Year Capital Plan not be part of the Master Plan—we need flexibility. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the 10 Year Capital Plan is not funded when times are tough. She indicated that the Master Plan should state funding as an objective. Bob LeLacheur suggested that the Master Plan be presented to the Finance Committee. Ron Daddario and Gina Snyder from the Climate Protection Committee indicated that they were pleased with the mixed use, bike paths, recreation areas, and shuttle bus transportation because these items fall into the same category that their committee is working on. Mr. Daddario noted that their objective if to reduce pollution and reduce energy uses. He also noted that houses are getting larger but not families. Town Planner Chris Reilly noted that the deadline for the survey will be until Town Meeting. He requested that the questionnaire be circulated with the Town Meeting Warrant. Sally Hoyt of 221 West Street recommends: prohibiting placing of tall structures close to the road. She feels that the style and appearance of future structures need to keep with the character of the neighborhood. She also feels that officials should conduct site visits. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if setbacks are enforced in 4013's, and the Town Manager noted that the Spence Farms project meets all zoning requirements. In response to the comment that the Town should have been more proactive in securing the Spence Farm property, Chairman Anthony noted that a committee was formed about 10 years ago to buy Spence Farms and Johnson Farms but the Town didn't have the money to buy it. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 20, 2005—Page 5 Review Proposed Legislation Governing Cable TV—RCTV Board of Directors President Marcel Dubois, John Surrette,John Carpenter and Charles McDonald were present. The Town Manager noted that there is movement on the Federal level to change the law to take away local control of local cable businesses. Senate Bill 1504 would make changes to local cable climate. Marcel Dubois noted that there is concern that there is no language to build on what RCTV has now. The Bill does not address capital money. The Town Manager noted that the issues are operating revenues, capital grants, and I-Net connections to Town buildings. He also noted that 5%will cover some things but not capital and the I-Net needs to be maintained. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the memo in the packet indicates that there are three Bills before the Senate and suggested including all three in the Resolution. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to.approve the Resolution in opposition to U.S. Senate Bill 1504,3146 and 1349 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Office Hours — Scheduling of Participants — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she will do October; Selectman Ben Tafoya will do November; Selectman James Bonazoli will do December; Selectman Joseph Duffy will do January and Vice Chairman Richard Schubert will do February. A motion by Schubert seconded by Duffy to go into Executive Session for the purpose of litigation not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, i:Secretary