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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 18,2005 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 Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Joseph Duffy, Selectman James Bonazoli, Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Tracy Ellen Sopchak, Bruce Cerullo, Steve Chapman, 'Ron D'Addario, Ray Porter, Steve Goldy, Gina Snyder, Stephanie Anderberg. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the perambulation of the Town boundaries was postponed due to rain. It has been rescheduled for next Saturday. The Nurse Advocacy Task Force will be meeting on November 8, 2005. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that an abutter to Sanborn Lane dropped some material off to him regarding signage for no trucks and State regulations concerning the authority the Board of Selectmen have in setting speed, etc.* He asked the Town Manager if he has met with the neighbors yet, and the Town Manager indicated that he is waiting to hear from them. He also noted that he has concerns regarding the plowing. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that the Town plowed last year when it was filled with gravel; and asked why not this year. The Town Manager indicated that DPW has concerns regarding safety. The trench needs to be filled in with hot top. He will not put his employees or contractors in danger. He also noted that we cannot sweep the street with the trench either because loose gravel can pop out and damage the equipment. Public Comment—Bill Brown referred to the letter from Town Counsel regarding the enterprise fees. Town Counsel indicates that the homeowner has the option to reduce the amount of impervious surface. If he was to do that, Bill Brown would have to tear his house down, and he suggests that the Town contact the Attorney General for an opinion. The Town Manager noted that he spoke to Town Counsel and it was very clear that this is a fee, but he will try to get the Attorney General's opinion. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he saw an enterprise fund in Vermont that was assessed as a betterment. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the storm water management is a federal mandate. Selectman James Bonazoli asked if there was any penalty to not being the first town to do this. The Town Manager indicated that we could wait for someone else to do this and pay the legal fees but it is not sensible to sit back and wait. It needs to be done and funded somehow. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 18,2005—Page 2 Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that the federal regulations want us to identify the revenue source. Bill Brown noted that street sweeping is under the tax rate right now. If that moves, then the taxes need to be reduced. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ We have gotten proposals to replace the American Flag on the Common. The flag came down in a severe windstorm, and we need a steeplejack to replace it. The community response was excellent. ♦ We have received an updated Historical inventory from the Historical Commission. ♦ We have received two donations for the playground at Memorial Park. These donations combined with Town funds will allow us to move forward with this project, hopefully to be completed this Fall. ♦ In the draft State Supplemental Budget is an additional $325,000 funding for Franklin Street sidewalks, and$200,000 in matching funds for recreation improvements. The Town has long sought the position of a School Resource Officer, and the School Committee recently voted to support such a position at the Subsequent Town Meeting. ♦ Verizon Wireless Store is holding a ribbon cutting at their new store on Walkers Brook Drive on Thursday at 1:30. ♦ Reading's application for the MWRA supplemental water buy-in is scheduled for action on October 20th at the MWRA Advisory Board, and then on November for the MWRA Board. o The RPD will be running an Auto Glass Etching Program to deter auto theft —.DPW Garage on October 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ♦ The Annual Halloween Parade is October 23rd. Household Hazardous Waste Collection— Wakefield High, October 29th, 8:36 a.m. to 12:00 noon. o Overnight parking ban starts November 1st. ♦ The Police Department is making a Reverse 911 call to the community regarding car breaks. + There was a South Main Street utility pole down across part of Main Street yesterday morning. There was a fall response from all Town Departments and the issue was*resolved before rush hour. ♦ "Farmers Market," Tuesday at Rotary Square through October, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. ♦ Road reconstruction on Berkley, Gleason and Greenwood—hopefully beginning next week. Personnel and Appointments Board of Registrars—The applicant withdrew their application. Climate Protection Task Force — The Board interviewed Tracy Ellen Sopchak for a position on the Climate Protection Task Force. Bonazoli moved and Duffy seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Ad Hoe Cities for Climate Protection Committee with a term expiring November 30, 2005: Tracy Ellen Sopchak. Ms. Sopchak received three votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting;—October 18, 2005—Page 3 Cultural Council — Since Elizabeth Whitelam was recently interviewed by the Board, it was not necessary for her to be present this evening. Duffy moved and Bonazoli seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30, 2007: Elizabeth Whitelam. Ms. Whitelam received three votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Report on the Hospital Development Committee Bruce Cerullo, Chairman of the Hospital Development Committee, was present. He noted that the Hospital Trust was established when three donors donated money totaling approximately $115,000 to the Town to build a hospital. The amount of the trust has since grown to approximately $4 million. In the meantime, the interest from the trust income may be used to defray medical 'hospital service elsewhere for needy citizens of Reading. In 1988, the Hospital Trust Commissioners decided to go to the court with a cy pres. to establish Reading Response for transportation, lifeline, home care, etc. to be funded by the hospital trust. The mission of the Hospital Development Committee is to review the feasibility of the development of a hospital or like facility/service to be funded by the Hospital Trust. Mr. Cerullo noted that a hospital is not feasible, and the committee recommends that the Town rule out other bricks and mortar because there is no need and/or no economic viability. The Town is surrounded by excellent health care already. The Town Manager noted that the Committee did a survey and sent it out to the surrounding medical facilities. The result of that survey is that there is no need for bricks and mortar. Mr. Cerullo noted that the next decision is whether to offer the programs and services to all or just the needy. The Committee suggests doing a formal needs assessment. The Board agreed with the no bricks or mortar. The consensus of the Board was to offer the programs and services to the needy. Selectman James Bonazoli agrees with offering to the needy but to a certain level. He noted that there are gray areas that are difficult and should be addressed. Mr. Cerullo noted that the gray area is the working poor who don't qualify for Medicare, etc. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked how much a needs assessment would cost. Mr. Cerullo noted that a focused assessment would be $25,000 - $50,000, and a broad assessment would be $50,000.- $100,000. He feels that we could spend$25,000 or less and get good information. The Town Manager noted that he advocates for a focused needs assessment and suggests doing one every five years. Mr. Cerullo noted that the Committee has expired. The Selectmen need to redefine the mission of the Committee and extend the term. Board of Selectmen Meeting;—October 18, 2005—Page 4 Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he wants to spend more time on the broad versus the focused assessment and to look at the gray areas of the needy. A_motion by Bonazoli seconded by Duffy to extend the term of the Hospital Development Committee and reappoint all members until December 31, 2005 was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Report on I-93 Containment— Town Engineer Joe Delaney and Consultant Steve Chapman from Fay, Spofford and Thorndike were present. Joe Delaney noted that this relates back to the gas spill on I-93 in 1992. The purpose of the study was to quantify the risk associated with hazmat spills on this highway, and to identify appropriate mitigation measures to help protect Reading's water supply. Steve Chapman noted that they looked at crash and spill statistics on Route 93 north to Concord Street. Between 1987-2005, I-93 had an average spill rate of five gallons or more equaling 1.3 spills per mile. The type of spills are predominately petroleum 90% - 95% of the time. The statistics indicate that there will be two hazmat spills every 10 years, and there is a 2.6% chance it could be more than 300 gallons. This is a high risk area of I-93 that is in the Ipswich River Watershed. A half inch of run off capture is a goal, and a 10,000 gallon spill would need to be captured. Mr. Chapman noted that there are five possible solutions: ♦ Alternative #1 would be a detention basin at the upland area. The surface storage basin would need an 18 foot ditch to work. It would also have to be 100 feet across and 200 feet long, and would require property taking in Wilmington. e Alternative #2 would be a toe of slope detention basin with swale and berm. This would work the entire embankment of I-93 and an impervious liner would have to be installed. This plan puts all the runoff into the river. ♦ Alternative #3 has underground containment chambers with a hydrocarbon sensor. The tank would hold a 10,000 spill with a '/2 inch of runoff. This is not a proven technology -- it is a concept. The structures are quite large and requires deep excavation. ♦ Alternative #4 is a consolidated conduit that is a 48" pipe in diameter. It has overflow capability and outlet control ability at the down end. The untreated runoff would be discharged into the river. ♦ Alternative #5 is a stormceptor system that has a vortex concentrator that pulls out solids such as oil and gas. It does provide a 10,000 gallon capacity and is a proven system. It is currently used at private installations. Costs for the alternates ranged from $300,000 to $600,000, and this does not include bringing power to the site or telemetry. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 18,2005—Page 5 Joe Delaney noted that they met with Mass Highway and they were impressed and agreed to review the report. They liked Option 2b — the toe slope because it is easy to maintain. The Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee reviewed it and liked Option 2b. They eliminated Option I because of the land takings and size of construction. Option 3 is unproven. Joe Delaney noted that they will take this report to the Conservation Commission, Police and Fire Departments. They will also meet with the Town of Wilmington and then come back to the Board of Selectmen. The issue of how to do this, who will maintain it, and who will pay still are unanswered. He suggested that at the minimum, the Town would probably design and maintain it. He hopes to bring this back to the Board of Selectmen mid-Winter. Report — Cities for Climate Change Task Force — Cities for Climate Change Task Force Members Ron D'Addario, Ray Porter, Stephanie Anderberg, Steve Goldy, Tracy Sopchak and Gina Snyder were present. Gina Snyder noted that the Task Force has met eight times. The Cities for Climate Protection Program is a five step process — conduct local emissions inventory, adopt a reduction target, identify actions, implement action plan policies and actions, and quantify and report benefits created. She noted that a questionnaire was done regarding the program and the results show that it is a good organization with no pressure and each town works at their own pace. Ron D'Addario noted that Medford saved $7000 by using solar panels,Newton saved$79,000 in lighting, Salem saved $22,000, and Brockton installed solar panels in one area to supply power to 120 homes. He recommends joining the program. The Board of Selectmen would have to adopt a resolution, establish a permanent committee, and implement a five step plan. He asked the Selectmen to lower their thermostats I degree in the Winter and raise it 1 degree in the Summer, drive 2 mph less, and replace three bulbs with energy saving bulbs. The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to decide whether or not to join. They would then need to hold a hearing to establish a policy setting up the committee, find funding of$600 to join, there is no staff capacity to take on this committee, and a Proclamation would have to be done. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if we can do some of these things without joining. The Town Manager noted that we could look at other communities and-ask RMLD to fund. Tracy Sopchak noted that the organization provides an established program, training, software, etc. Selectman James Bonazoli noted that he would like to see alternatives where the Town doesn't hold up the costs. iHe agrees with the program but is concerned regarding budget'restraints and long-term financial impact. The Town Manager noted that he will put this on an Agenda in November for the resolution and establishing the committee with a promise to work with three other communities — perhaps Keyspan will fund. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 18,2005—Page 6 Liquor License Pledge of License/Pledge of Stock — Busa's Reading Liquors — The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen granted a transfer from Reading Liquors to Busa's Reading Liquors. The Pledge of License is to be used as collateral for financing. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if the licenses were pledged on their other stores. The Attorney for Busa's indicated that they are for a total of$300,000 between all of the stores. The Town Manager asked if it was for working capital, and the attorney indicated that it was. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Duffy to approve the Pledge of License and Pledge of Stock for Busa's Reading Liquors, Inc. d/b/a Busa's Reading Liquors at 345 Main Street was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Duffy to adiourn the meeting of October 18, 2005 a 9:51 p.m.was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, 2�'Iretary