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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 27, 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 Counsel Joan Langsam, Assistant Town Manager Robert LeLacheur, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Stacy Bertocchi. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Joseph Duffy read his letter of resignation from the Board effective April 3, 2006. He noted that he attended a meeting of the Reading Municipal Light Board and their rates are 51% lower than Edison. He also noted that the RMLD will be adding a fuel charge. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee does not have enough members to exist as a committee. He asked if the committee should be disbanded. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he knows someone who is interested in volunteering and might be interested in this committee. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested inviting two members of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee to talk with the Board. Selectman Joseph Duffy noted that many people do not recycle and this should be encouraged. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he would like to see the current recycling numbers. He also noted that he attended the CPDC Meeting last evening. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she attended a meeting of the Audit Committee at the Light Department. Melanson and Heath did a good job on the audit. She also noted that if residents want to get rid of:junk mail, there is a form in DPW that can be filled out. She noted that there is a flyer in the Atlantic Market titled Preparing for Disaster, and it indicates that a person can go without food but cannot go without water. She visited the Mission of Deeds and was informed that $79.00 will buy a new mattress. They'have outgrown their facility and are looking for a bigger place. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Assistant Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The annual Fire Department Open House is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2005. ♦ We have hired a consultant to work with us on the lighting at Jordan's parking lot to see if there is any viable way of reducing the remaining glare. There have been noticeable improvements at the site but we hope to make it even better. Jordan's has agreed to work with us on this matter. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 27, 2005 —Page 2 A retirement party for Director of Facilities John Thiffault will be held at the new RMHS Cafeteria on October 1 lth from 3:30—6:00 p.m. ♦ We have hired a consultant to help us out on the Health Insurance bidding process in order to ensure that we receive the most competitive rates available to the Town. Reading is certainly not alone as health care inflation concerns seem to be back in the news. ♦ There has been an outstanding turnout of employees for a wellness program called "Heart Ventures," that is being offered free of charge to the Town. About 75 folks have signed up for the program. Tonight, the Board is receiving a copy of the Local Water Resources Management Plan. Discussion of this item is scheduled for next Tuesday. Selectman Ben Tafoya requested that an update on the health insurance process be put on a Board of Selectmen's Agenda before Town Meeting. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert mentioned that there was an e-mail regarding detours from West Street to Pine Ridge. He asked what the process is for determining the best detour route. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the resident mentioned that notification would have been nice. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Knights of Columbus — Representatives from the Knights of Columbus were present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Duffy seconded by Tafoya to proclaim October 6 — 9, 2005 to be Knights of Columbus Weekend for the Physically and Mentally Challenged Children was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Council on Aging—The Board of Selectmen interviewed Stacy Bertocchi for one position on the Council on Aging. Schubert moved and Bonazoli seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2008: Stacy Bertocchi. Ms.Bertocchi received five votes and was appointed. Advisory Council Against the Misuse and Abuse of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that this vacancy is for a student representative. Joseph St. John was not able to be present. Schubert moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Advisory Council Against the Misuse and Abuse of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs with a term expiring June 30, 2006: Joseph St. John. Mr. St. John received five votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 27, 2005—Page 3 Discussion/Action Items Close Subsequent Town Meeting Warr — Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur reviewed the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant. He noted that Articles 1 through 5 are the traditional Articles. Article 6 is for authorizing a rubbish contact for greater than three years. Article 7 is to establish a Storm Water Management Enterprise Fund. Town Counsel Joan Langsain noted that she spoke with the Department of Revenue, and they have no problem with it being set up as a utility and there are no Proposition 2'/Z implications. The billing can be done through the water bills as long as it is a separate line item. Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that the School Committee put Article 9 on the Warrant for funding for the culvert. Articles 10 and 11 are water main projects. Article 12 appropriates contributions from developers. Article 13 is for the sale of land on Oakland Road. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the School Committee has not voted on this yet. Rob Spadafora has concerns regarding giving up this land before the High School is done. Assistant T'own Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that Article 14 is for a land swap on George Street. Article 15 is to purchase land on Kieran Road. Articles 16, 17 and 18 are to amend the General Bylaws. Article 19 is to change a Zoning By-Law regarding storing propane tanks underground. Article 20 is a zoning amendment regarding mixed use. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that CPDC met last night and made some minor changes. They approved the language and they want to move forward with this. Selectman Tafoya also noted that there seems to be conflicting language regarding size. The average is 750 square feet. The mixed use is for office/retail and then housing on the second floor. He noted that there is some flexibility to the developer if it is used for affordable housing. Town Counsel Joan Langsam noted there are concerns regarding the lack of flexibility because it could hurt the development and she would like to see more tweaking. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Article on the changing of scope for business B zoning was also discussed. The owner of the house that had the fire was present last evening. Her house was nonconforming to begin with. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there was also a residential parcel on Linden Street that will be included. Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that Article 22 is a petition to change the Zoning Board of Appeals to a five member board. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to close the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant consisting of 22 Articles to take place on November 14, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Memorial Hiah School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, was approved by a vote o 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 27, 2005 —Page 4 Approval of Minutes A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the Minutes of August 16, 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of August 23, 2005, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of September 10, 2005 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Chairman Camille Anthony asked the Board what they needed for the 75 Pleasant Street meeting. Selectman Ben Tafoya indicated that he wanted to know if there is an agreement between the Housing Authority and the Historical Commission. Chairman Anthony noted that the issue is the Housing Authority states that it is too expensive to rehab the building the way-the Historical Commission wants them to. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that there is also an issue of location. Chairman Camille Anthony requested that both the Housing Authority and the Historical Commission be present at the meeting. She also requested that there be a report on all construction activity in the Town at every meeting. A motion by Duffy seconded by Bonazoli to adiourn the meeting of September 27, 2005 at 8:37 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, �eietary /