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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-25 Board of Selectmen PacketFAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager&i.reading.ma.us Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 rurj__Dy' I ffr TO: -Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleibmer DATE: January 21, 2005 RE: Request for Adding Cordials to Restaurant Beer and Wine Licenses TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 Please see the attached material from Steven Bell, proprietor at Savory Tastes. This is currently the only Beer and Wine Restaurant License that we have issued. If the Board is inclined to pursue this matter, it would require the same process as was used to initially secure the Beer and Wine Restaurant Licenses — i.e. Selectmen's approval, Town Meeting approval, special legislation, and a vote of the residents. PIH/ps lal I Page 1 of 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: savorytastescafe @comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 9:58 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Ammending current Liquor license to included Cordials Peter I. Hechenbleikner January 19,2005 Town Manager Peter, Per our conversation I am writing to you to have the Board of Selectmen open discussions on the town requesting approval of Beer, Wine and Cordial Licenses and adding them to the towns current list. As you already know Savory Tastes Cafe's size (less than 100 seats) limits us to having just our Beer and Wine License which up until now has been sufficient. Actually, S.T.C. has never wanted a full liquor license; it was never part of our business plan, but the addition of cordials to our current license would be an enhancement to our business. Our business plan has evolved to include a late night desserts option for our customers and several of the Reading residents who have come in have requested that we offer cordials as an option and accompaniment to their dessert and coffee. In addition to the late night dessert menu, including cordials on our drink menu would also improve and enhance the customers overall dining experience at Savory Tastes Cafe, potentially bringing more people into Reading Center to see what it has to offer. Also, being able to expand our current license would help us to better compete in the current Reading business market. Lastly, but certainly not the least important, this added option would drive more revenue to Savory Tastes Cafe and expand the tax base which we pay. At the January 25th Board of Selectmen meeting Savory Tastes Cafe will be represented by Janice A. Nearen -Bell, President of Savory Tastes Cafe; my partner and my wife. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Stephen O. Bell Savory Tastes Cafe /, a2,,- 1/19/2005 TovvN OF READIN 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Email: creilly@d.reading.ma.us Uri FM� � MT I Date: January 10, 2005 To: Peter Hechenbleikner CC: From: Chris Reilly, Town Planner RE: SMART GROWTH You have asked for a short brief on Chapter 40R and the establishment of smart. growth districts. I have organized my report based on your questions: What Smart Growth Is: The passage of Chapter 40R last summer is part of the legislative effort to endorse and implement Governor's Romney's Sustainable Development Principles. Broadly, Chapter 40R seeks to expand housing choice and affordability, by providing an incentive to municipalities to adopt smart growth overlay districts for the purpose of allowing and promoting multi-unit residential redevelopment in established, transit-oriented centers. Specifically, upon application to DHCD after adoption of a smart growth overlay district Chapter 40R provides an escalating State-subsidy directly to the municipality for incremental production of housing units. The intent is to create a strong incentive for communities to amend their zoning to establish an overlay district designed to encourage more concentrated development and increased housing production. Applicability to Reading: Chapter 40R is geared toward application in transit-oriented commercial nodes where redevelopment opportunities exist for mixed use-oriented housing production. Reading's downtown contains several of the elements Chapter 40R identifies as priorities, including a regional transportation network, underutilized uses, existing infrastructure and community facilities. C.\DOCUME-1\PBECHE-1\LOCALS-1\Temp\smartgrowth.doc Created on 01/06/05 3:65 PM ��I A smart growth overlay I district could be adopted for the Business B district that would achieve several objectives the BOS and CPDC have supported, including residential and mixed-uses in the downtown and additional resources for affordable housing efforts. While the term "Smart Growth" describes a,comprehensive approach to land use development, the expressed purpose of Chapter 40R is to induce conditions amenable to increased housing production. Therefore Chapter 40R. is not directly applicable to capital improvement planning, although the "zoning incentive payements" received for qualifying districts may be used for infrastructure and municipalities with approved smart growth districts may receive preferential consideration when applying for discretionary funds available through the EOEA, EOT and DHCD. The presence of a smart growth district overlay would therefore position Reading more favorably relative to other applicants for competitive programs geared toward capital projects like a parking deck. MPAC Review: The MPAC has identified zoning amendments to allow appropriate residential uses in the downtown as important housing and economic development goals in the master plan update. As part of short-term implementation goals associated with Master Plan objectives, the CPDC is reviewing possible zoning amendments to allow for residential uses with existing permitted uses in the downtown business district. The intent identified in the master plan update process is to preserve and enhance existing commercial storefronts while allowing for appropriate mixed- use development in underutilized, upper-story space. It is likely the CPDC will draft a mixed-use zoning amendment for the downtown business .district consistent with Chapter 40R for inclusion in the Annual Town Meeting this spring. I have kept them aware of existing concerns about the downtown parking shortage and initiatives to encourage alternative uses, such as the ad hoc hospital committee, and will take these into consideration as they deliberate any zoning amendments that are consistent with Smart Growth. Various model bylaws I have researched and compiled will be reviewed during the CPDC Zoning Workshop scheduled for January 10; 1 have suggested to the CPDC that they discuss the merits of each and then recommend a joint zoning workshop with the BOS on January 24 to get their input on a warrant article. CR Hechenblefter, Peter From: Sent: To: Subject: Amended as : C smartgrowth.do o Chris Reilly Reading Town Planner 16 Lowell Street MA 01867 fax 781-842-9071 Chris Monday, January 10, 2005 2:07 PM Hechenbleikner, Peter RE: Smart Growth Message ----- Fromm: Heuhenbhaknmr, Peter Sent: Friday, January O7.2OO5Q:1GAM To: Reilly, Chris Subject: RE: Smart Growth Chris Good report. Do you think as part of the housing initiative in downtown, that would qualify for smart growth designation, ��ond therefore some of the incentives. For example, if this was o smart growth area, could ve get a grant parking in downtown to increase the supply of parking? Do you want to amend your report to address these issues? Pete _Original Message — From: Reilly, Chris Sent: Thursday, ]anuaryN6,2UOG5:UZPM To; Hechenble\kner,Peter, Subject: I RE: Smart Growth ~< File: smartgrowth.doc zp Chris Reilly Reading Town Planner 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 fax: 781-942-9071 ----- Original Message ----- From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Thursday; January OG.2O052:44PM , To: Reilly, Chris Subject: Smart Growth 1 FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.mams Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleilmer DATE: January 21, 2005 RE: Follow Up — Joln1 Street Neighborhood Meeting TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 Attached please see notes put together by Joe Delaney, George Hines' memo dated 12/13/04 and emails that were received prior to and after the December 4 meeting. The Board needs to focus on how it wants to proceed with the items raised. It may be that splitting things into short tern and long tenn issues as George had suggested may be appropriate. Specifically, we have $100,000 in developer's money to spend on the neighborhood and would like to get whatever construction we are going to do started this Spring. PIH /ps John Street Neighborhood Meeting December 4, 2004 Traffic and Neighborhood Issues 1. A question was raised regarding the adequacy of the 300 -foot notification requirements for meetings. The concern was that with large projects, people do not know what is going on and that the notification requirements should be expanded. Also that boards and committees need to protect the public interest. 2. A new access road through to either Ash Street or Goodall Sanford Road should be investigated. 3. Truck traffic has been observed turning around in John Street and/or Lakeview Ave. 4. A general concern was expressed about cut through traffic and speeding in the neighborhood. 5. Traffic from Jordan's causes backups onto 128. 6. There used to be a stop sign at the bottom of the 128 ramp that is now a yield. 7. Car carriers at 128 Ford are unloading on Walkers Brook Drive forcing traffic to the left. 8. There is inadequate signage at the lane drop at General Way. 9. It was noted that the corner of Washington Street and Village Street is dangerous. 10. Saturday and Sunday traffic is the worst. 11. Residents have observed trucks cutting down Green St., Village St. and John St. 12. The timing of the light at Washington and Main Street does not allow enough green time for Washington Street westbound. 13. There was a complaint about trucks using Washington Street at night. 14. The speed limit should be lowered on Washington Street. 15. Traffic cuts through the neighborhood on Elliot St. and Village St. when Washington St. backs up. 16. The Town should use our traffic consultant to evaluate neighborhood issues and solutions. Icy 17. Do not enter signs on Elliot and Village Street was suggested. 18. Saturday cut through traffic from Salem to Walkers Brook Drive is a problem. 19. A right tam only coming out of General Way was suggested. 20. The traffic lights at the Home Depot provide too much green for the development and not enough for Walkers Brook Drive. 21. The Town should work towards a Washington Street bypass. 22. The Town needs to look at the broader picture rather than using a band-aid approach. 23. Another resident complained about lack of notification. 24. There is a lack of sidewalks in the neighborhood. 25. The Town needs to develop a master plan of the area. 26. Concerns were expressed about children's safety in the neighborhood. 27. A shuttle system should be provided from this area to the downtown and depot. 28. The Town should consider removing the Do Not Enter signs on Salem Street. 29. Pedestrian traffic needs to be taken into consideration. 30. Development is causing us to lose sight of the Town's character. 1�3` Town at` Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 1 1867-2685 To: Board of Selectmen G From: Georgge Hines Date: 12/13/04 Subject: Traffic Meeting Follow Up George V. Hines Selectman (781) 942 -9043 fax(781)942 -9070 Website: www.ci.reading.ma.us � 11, 1(0 After reviewing my notes from the Saturday traffic meeting I have compiled some actions I believe we should undertake to respond to the issues raised. I believe there are some immediate short term things we can do and some long term initiatives we can undertake. SHORT TERM 1. We should request the Town Manager have the Police Dept. prepare and present an effective, clear, measurable, written enforcement plan townwide with emphasis on reported trouble spots such as West St. (Truck exclusion) and Washington St. 2. Evaluate the immediate needs for crosswalks needed due to new developments and potential new school walking routes. This will also need long term action I will include in that section. 3. Request local companies to direct truck drivers to use main routes rather than local streets. (May require informational stops by Police Dept. to determine cooperation level). 4. Proactively pursue land acquisition options to improve roadway access such as Newcrossing to Ash St. and Newcrossing to the Danis/Boston Stove /General Tire property. 5. Move lane reduction sign located on the northbound side of Walkers Brook Drive back toward the highway to give drivers more notice of the roadway narrowing. 6. Check cycling of Jordans/Home Depot traffic signal. 7. Work with 128 sales to find solution to unloading of vehicles f car carrier trucks in traffic lane. Perhaps an arrangement with an abutting property owner. 8. Sign the curve on Washington St. to slow traffic down. 1. Develop a crosswalk program inventorying intersections and non intersection locations and identify locations needing crosswalks. The program should include marking heavily used crosswalks with signs indicating state law requiring stopping for pedestrians. l�� 2. Develop a policy on public notification that requires notice of greater than 300 feet depending on size and impact of project. 3. Conduct a traffic study of Elliot/GreenNillage /John St area to determine effective means to discourage cut through traffic and slow traffic down. I hope the Board is willing to take an aggressive role as road commissioners and community leaders.to help correct some of the concerns our citizens have expressed. Cc: P. Hechenbleikner 1�� Page 1 of 2 Gas '4Y Hechenbleikner, Peter �e 4 From: garyandnat.baker @comcast.net j Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 8:30 PM To: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us Subject: traffic issues hearing 12/4 Mr Hechenbleikner, I am pleased to hear that there will be a hearing addressing the residents concerns about the traffic conditions on Salem Street and others in town. As a former resident of Salem Street, and currently residing on Evergreen Road, I'd like to forward a few concerns I had noted at my previous address. 1) Speed limits and signage. It seems odd to me that Salem Street has 2 different speed limits posted, 35 MPH headed towards town and 30 MPH headed towards the rotary. This creates a sense of confusion to motorists and should be standardized, ideally at the lower limit to encourage slower speeds. Further, there is only 1 sign in each direction and each is partially obscured by trees making readability difficult at best. Might I suggest a consistent speed limit of 30 MPH with additional signage placed along the roadway in full view of motorists? I would also suggest regular speed enforcement as a matter of public safety. 2) Crosswalks and safety. Having lived at the corner of Salem and Pearl and a view of the crosswalk from my kitchen table, I feel confident in stating that cross walk etiquette by motorists is quite poor. Motorists frequently disregard public safety laws and simple courtesy of not allowing pedestrians to cross, sometimes at great lengths of time. I, personally, have been forced to wait for more than a dozen cars and trucks to pass before I was allowed to cross safely. In fact, I have even seen town police, state police, Mass Highway, MBTA, USPS, and numerous private business vehicles pass through the crosswalk without stopping for me and my children. I would suggest the following for consideration in making this less of an issue: 1) some form of public education about the cross walk laws in the state, 2) periodic enforcement of these laws to reinforce them, 3) some form of a traffic signal which will stop traffic in all directions to allow safe passage. 3) Trucks on Salem Street. There has been an increase in the number and speed of trucks traveling on Salem St. They are loud, dangerous, and more often than not, show a lack of courtesy to the residents of the road. Outside of the convenience of cutting through the neighborhood to reach Rt 128, I see little reason for trucks to travel this road. They have easy access to Rt 128 off of Main Street (a commercial district) and can also reach Rt 93 either from 128 or off Concord St in N Reading. Their travel on Salem Street is particularly troublesome in the middle of the night as they tend to travel at high rates of speed and thus amplifying the noise that they make with their engines revving and brakes engaging as they come around the bend at Salem and Pearl, making sleep difficult at times. I would suggest that the town consider a truck exclusion on Salem (and Lowell too), minimally between the hours of 7PM and 7AM, and ideally around the clock in efforts to make the roads and sidewalks a safer and quieter place. I realize that this may be rash, but the town/area offers access to both major highways without having to go through residential areas (Rt 95 off of Main Street and Rt 93 off Concord St in N Reading). Thank you for the opportunity to share my opinions about traffic in the area and only wish I had done so earlier. If you wish to discuss these thoughts further, please do not hesitate to reply to this message or call me at 781.942.1204. 12/2/2004 Page 1 of 2 Hechenbleikner, Peter e 4 From: garyandnat.baker @comcast.net f Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 8:30 PM To: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us Subject: traffic issues hearing 12/4 Mr Hechenbleikner, I am pleased to hear that there will be a hearing addressing the residents concerns about the traffic conditions on Salem Street and others in town. As a former resident of Salem Street, and currently residing on Evergreen Road, I'd like to forward a few concerns I had noted at my previous address. 1) Speed limits and signage. It seems odd to me that Salem Street has 2 different speed limits posted, 35 MPH headed towards town and 30 MPH headed towards the rotary. This creates a sense of confusion to motorists and should be standardized, ideally at the lower limit to encourage slower speeds. Further, there is only 1 sign in each direction and each is partially obscured by trees making readability difficult at best. Might I suggest a consistent speed limit of 30 MPH with additional signage placed along the roadway in full view of motorists? I would also suggest regular speed enforcement as a matter of public safety. 2) Crosswalks and safety. Having lived at the corner of Salem and Pearl and a view of the crosswalk from my kitchen table, I feel confident in stating that cross walk etiquette by motorists is quite poor. Motorists frequently disregard public safety laws and simple courtesy of not allowing pedestrians to cross, sometimes at great lengths of time. I, personally, have been forced to wait for more than a dozen cars and trucks to pass before I was allowed to cross safely. In fact, I have even seen town police, state police, Mass Highway, MBTA, USPS, and numerous private business vehicles pass through the crosswalk without stopping for me and my children. I would suggest the following for consideration in making this less of an issue: 1) some form of public education about the cross walk laws in the state, 2) periodic enforcement of these laws to reinforce them, 3) some form of a traffic signal which will stop traffic in all directions to allow safe passage. 3) Trucks on Salem Street. There has been an increase in the number and speed of trucks traveling on Salem St. They are loud, dangerous, and more often than not, show a lack of courtesy to the residents of the road. Outside of the convenience of cutting through the neighborhood to reach Rt 128, I see little reason for trucks to travel this road. They have easy access to Rt 128 off of Main Street (a commercial district) and can also reach Rt 93 either from 128 or off Concord St in N Reading. Their travel on Salem Street is particularly troublesome in the middle of the night as they tend to travel at high rates of speed and thus amplifying the noise that they make with their engines revving and brakes engaging as they come around the bend at Salem and Pearl, making sleep difficult at times. I would suggest that the town consider a truck exclusion on Salem (and Lowell too), minimally between the hours of 7PM and 7AM, and ideally around the clock in efforts to make the roads and sidewalks a safer and quieter place. I realize that this may be rash, but the town/area offers access to both major highways without having to go through residential areas (Rt 95 off of Main Street and Rt 93 off Concord St in N Reading). Thank you for the opportunity to share my opinions about traffic in the area and only wish I had done so earlier. If you wish to discuss these thoughts further, please do not hesitate to reply to this message or call me at 781.942.1204. 12/2/2004 Page I of 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Paul Piraino [mpiraino@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 10:38 AM To: selectmen @ci. reading. ma. us; townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us Subject: Comment on the traffic situation due to "HomeDepot-Jordans" I feel that the neighborhood discord over the "Home Depot-J ord a ns" can be resolved by assuring that the traffic will not become so bad as to cause people to consider leaving their homes and moving out of the neighborhood. As it has been for many years, the neighborhood is a cut-through for morning and evening traffic whenever Rte 128 backs up. Now conditions are becoming unbearable, with increased traffic and resulting noise and pollution. I think that if the traffic could be calmed down and trucks could be eliminated, say, from midnight to 6:00 A.M., then most of the discord and frustration shown by the neighbors would be resolved. Speaking for myself, I have lived at this same address since 1966, and now I am sadly contemplating moving, due to these things which I mentioned. However, if the traffic and noise were reduced to some level of normalcy, I would be grateful. There is no doubt that the present conditions are lowering our property values and yet most of our taxes on this part of Washington St were increased by over 15% this coming fiscal year. This seems somewhat unfair. However, if you could solve this traffic dilemma, I would gladly pay the price of living in this great town. Thank you for whatever you may do to solve this thorny problem. Yours truly, Marie and Paul Piraino 216 Washington Street G �� 12/13/2004 Page ln[l Hechenblefter, Peter From: Richard A. Rizzo .com Sent Friday, December 03.2OD42:24PIVI To: town man ager@ci. reading. ma. us subject: traffic issues As a hone owner em deeply concerned about the seriously worsening traffic situation on Washington St. A neighborhood street is rapidly becoming a highway. Backing out of my driveway is becoming a hazard. One way traffic on the street moving easterly from Main St. and road from Walkers Brook Drive to Main St. &Ayh St. should have major positive consideration. Sincerely, Richard A. Rizzo 179 Washington St. l2/l3/2O04 � ----------- READING NEIGHBORHOOD MAP Legend '7-- Town Boundary Railroad Roads Bridge Paved Unpaved Parcels ..... ..... . .... . �jd Buildings ........... . Sidewalks Driveway Retaining Wall oo— Wall Path 000P P9 Trail Fence x x ® ® Hedge C� Trees Streams Open water Wetlands Map by: Town of Reading Map date: Data are for planning purposes only. 0 205 410 820 mmmmmmmmmc======= Ft GARY S.BRACKETT ELAINE M. LUCAS JOAN E. LANGSAM M. YVONNE GONZALEZ* JAMES T. MASTERALEXIS STEVEN C. FLETCHER ** ELLEN.CALLAHAN DOUCETTE DONNA GORSHEL COHEN a'Also Admitted in CT * *Also Admitted in ME and CO BRACKETT & LUCAS COUNSELORS AT LAW 19 CEDAR STREET WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01609 508- 799 -9739 Fax 508- 799 -9799 E -Mail: bandlOopcplusol.net MEMORANDUM V3(-)5- WINCHESTER OFFICE 165 WASHINGTON STREET WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01890 781- 729 -1500 Fax 781- 729 -5444 E -Mail: LangsamJn@aol.com Please respond to the Winchester office 9 TO: Peter Hechenbleilu7er, Town Manager cm Jane Fiore, Health Services Administrator rn f FROM: Joan Langsam, Town Counsel NO DATE: December 8, 2004 N SUBJECT. °Smolun Bein Permitted g g :in'Clubs You have requested advice as to whether the Town of Reading, through its Board of Selectmen, may prohibit smoking in private clubs. Mass. Gen. Laws c. 270, §22 was recently amended by the legislature, effective July 5, 2004. The amended section 22 is much more restrictive than the previous law as to where smoking may be allowed. It virtually prohibits smoking in all public places. Section 22 (a) of Chapter 270 defines a "Membership association" as a "not- for - profit entity that has been established for charitable, philanthropic, civic, social, benevolent, educational, religious, athletic, recreation or similar purposes..." The definition continues to include an association of a fiaternal nature, a chapter 180 corporation, an established religious place of worship, or a veterans' organization. An entity is not to be considered a "membership association" unless membership is required for not less than 90 days. Such requirement does not apply to a religious establishment. Paragraph (c)(2)(i) of Section 22 provides that smoking p Ua be permitted on premises occupied by a membership association if the premises are owned or leased for more than 90 consecutive days and if the premises are not located in a public building. However smoking is not permitted in the membership association's premises if it is open to the public, occupied by a non- member who is not an invited guest, or if the premises are rented fiom the association for /, 1 4- compensation. Smoking is permitted if the space is restricted to members and their invited guests and the employees of the association. Chapter 270, §220) allows the implementation of additional restrictions on smoking by any political subdivision of the commonwealth such as a municipality. Accordingly, a municipality may be more restrictive. As our local smoking regulations permit smoking in clubs, an amendment would have to be adopted in order to prohibit smoking in the private clubs. Local Boards of Health have the authority to impose reasonable regulations concerning health issues. The Board of Selectman cannot impose conditions that would contradict our own bylaws and regulations. Nor can they use the liquor licensing process to avoid such regulations. Please advise if you have additional questions or concerns relating to this issue. FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us Town of Reading • Lowell Reading, t MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen I FROM: Peter I. Hechenblerlcner , DATE: January 21, 2005 RE: Follow Up — Memorial Park Recommendations TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 Attached are the recommendations of the Memorial Park Use Conunittee. The challenge now is to take these recommendations, and pert them in some form that can be implemented. I have heard from a resident that there may be some heirs to the original donors. This would be an important part of the process. PIH /ps Memorial Park Memorial Park is land which was donated to be "maintained as a Public Park for passive recreation and as a place for healthful rest, and amusement for people of all ages. Activities at Memorial Park shall not interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the immediate neighborhood. Rules and Regulations: 1. The deed from the donors specified that no organized games of football, baseball, soccer and kindred games or any games. that are in their nature hazardous, are permitted. 2. Alcoholic Beverages are not permitted on any public property.. 3. All groups must dispose of their own.trash. 4. Pet owners must remove animal waste. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. 5. Fire Arms, Destructive Weapons, Slingshots, Bow and Arrows, and Fire Works are prohibited. 6. Fires and Cooking Grills prohibited except by special permit. 7. Golfing/ Practice prohibited. 8. Unauthorized vehicles prohibited from driving/ parking on any non- designated roadway or parking lot. 9. These regulations shall be enforced by the Reading Police Department, who shall cause the immediate termination of any activity that violates these rules and regulations. 10. No organized activities of any kind or activities requiring a permit shall be, allowed before noon on Sunday. 11. Park is open 8:00 a.m.'until sunset. Is 15 It is difficult to understand the INTENT of the donors given the words of the deed and the heavy use of the park during the lifetime of the donors. However taking into consideration the heavy use of the Park- for Community events and the often stated purpose of "healthful play for children" here are our recommendations. 1. Community events as determined by the Recreation Committee under the general supervision of the Park Commissioners. 2. Practices by League teams as permitted by the Recreation Committee. 3. An open unassigned space as determined by the Recreation Committee. 91 / 1 Scheduled league games between inter-town and in- town teams that would require the fencing or lining of the field. READING NEIGHBORHOOD MAP j Town Boundary 1 Railroad Roads Bridge Paved Unpaved Parcels Buildings .... . ..... Sidewalks Driveway Retaining Wall 00000 Wall '19-14 Path' aaanaa Trail x x Fence Hedge Trees Streams Open w, Wetland Map by: Town of Reading Map date: Data are for planning purposes only. 440 =3 Ft FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us Town e.d g Lowell i ei Reading, MA 01867-2681 MEMORANDUM TO: -Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleik ner DATE: January 21, 2005 RE: Train Whistle Blowing TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 As the Board is aware, the Federal Railroad Administration has put together regulations requiring whistle blowing at all grade, crossings. Through the MMA and the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy, Reading has joined other communities in petitioning for "quite zones" on a grandfathered basis. This week staff met with DTE representatives. DTE has come out and inspected all grade crossings. Five of the six pose no problem. However, Ash Street is an unprotected grade crossing and we had a recent accident there. Based on the above, we will have to annually request from the Federal Railroad Administration the ability to retain the pre - existing quiet zone. We will have five years to show progress in addressing any deficiencies we have (specifically the Ash Street location). On an annual basis we will have to renew the request. Even once we address and resolve the Ash Street situation, we will still have to file on an annual basis. The filing requires us to recalculate our rating. As the Board is aware, we are trying to work towards elimination of the Ash Street grade crossing entirely. This may involve some land acquisition. Additionally, we will need to do some interim safety measures at the Ash Street grade crossing to show that we are malting good progress. We are looking at what those safety measures might be and will be coming back to the Board of Selectmen at some date in the not too distant fiiture for approval of those. PIH /ps 0 Massachusetts M11A Interlocal Insurance Association U_' t DATE: January 8, 2005 TO: MRA Members FROM: Stanley J. Corcoran Executive Vice President L, I c 1� vj 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111 -1383 (617) 426 -7272 or (800) 374 -4405 Facsimile (617) 426 -9546 W — RE: Declaration of dividends and Participation Credits for Workers' Compensation and Property and Liability participants' MIIA is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of the MIIA Property and Casualty Group, Inc. has declared $500,000 in Dividends and $1,500,000 in Participation Credits for a total of $2.0 million for participants in MIIA's workers' compensation and property and casualty programs. A facsimile check showing the dividend amount credited to you is enclosed. We will credit your account with the dividend which will show on your fourth quarter invoice. If you would prefer to receive an actual check in this amount, please request this in writing before February 1". (If you have questions on this process, please contact Greg McGrath at 1- 800 - 374 -4405 ext. 256.) MRA introduced the Participation Credit last year to recognize the continued commitment of many of our members and to recognize the administrative savings to the program from these loyal members. The Participation Credit will be applied as credit to your Property & Liability and Workers' Compensation premiums on policies effective July 1, 2005 to July 2006. These credits apply only to members who remain in the program for the 2006 fiscal year. Facsimile checks showing the Participation Credits applicable to you are also enclosed. You may wish to publicize this award, depending on the size of the dividend and Participation Credits. If so, we have a sample press release available for your use, which is also available through our website at www.eNMA.org. Congratulations on your awards. And thank you for your part in maintaining the excellent safety records which allow us to provide these savings to our members. An Interlocal Service of the Massachusetts Municipal Association g,fll PRESSRELEASE MIIA Declares $2.0 Million Dividend and Participation Credit MIIA Property and Casualty Group declared $500,000 in Dividends and $1,500,000 in Participation Credits for a total of $2.0 million for participants in MIIA's workers' compensation and property & liability programs. The [NAME OF MEMBER] is a member of the [MIIA workers' compensation program and/or the MIIA property and liability program] and has received a total credit in the amount of [AMOUNT OF VID DIEND, AND PARTICIPATION CREDIT]: Total dividends returned to MHA members now exceed $16 million! The dividend distribution of $500,000 confirms MIIA's underlying philosophy that municipalities and other public entities, through a cooperative effort, can reduce and control workers' compensation insurance costs. MIIA is distributing this dividend to eligible members immediately. MIIA introduced the. Participation Credit last year to recognize the continued commitment of many of our members and to recognize the administrative savings to the program from these loyal members. The Participation Credit will be applied to reduce insurance premiums on policies effective July 1, 2005 for members who remain in the programs for the 2006 fiscal year. These credits and dividends, combined with discounted rates, offer members substantial savings. In addition, MIIA has continued its MIIA Rewards program, a program that enables MIIA members to earn even more credits against future insurance costs by performing certain loss control activities. As part of this program, MIIA distributes loss control Tool Kits that assist its members in managing their risk. This year, MIIA added another tool to its Kit — "Property Protection." The dividend and credit announcement was made during the MIIA's annual business meeting on January 8`". More than 400 public officials attended the annual business meeting and luncheon, which is held during the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual meeting. MIIA (which stands for the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association) is the private, non -profit insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Municipal insurance is MIIA's only business. MIIA insures over 350 cities, towns, and other public entities in Massachusetts. �a)- r�. Ms. Cheryl Johnson Reading Town Clerk Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Ms. Johnson, January 5" 2005 Longwood Place at Reading, located at 75 Pearl Street in Reading contains 18 housing units reserved for moderate and low- income individuals. The Reading Selectmen, the Reading Housing Authority and the principals of Longwood Place at Reading signed an agreement on May 23, 1995 to rent half of those low- income units to qualifying Reading residents. This letter shall certify that as of January 1- ten (10) of those units are rented to Reading residents. Very T y Fra Pet Executive Director Cc: Reading Housing Authority William Casper, Longwood Place at Reading z : w c-, 0' '�z t 75 Pearl Street • Reading, Massachusetts 01867 • 781 -944 -9200 Fax: 781- 942 -3833 • TTY: 1- 800 - 439 -2370 JOHN P. COFLESKY, PRESIDENT RICHARD R. BROWN, VICE PRESIDENT PAUL E. CESAN, TREASURER DAVID P. CORTESE, SECRETARY Dear Local Official, ate rafirr Asslaria ion of sfia-C 1giPt REPRESENTING SERGEANTS AND TROOPERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE E3 550 WORCESTER ROAD - FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01702 -5305 - TEL. 508 620 -8985 • �AX 508 620 -7668 O 3 kL I am writing to you on behalf of the State Police .Association of -Massachusetts, the union representing approximately 2000 troopers and sergeants of the Massachusetts state Police. We are very concerned about the regionalization trend among many local police departments. Some local agencies have been subscribing to law enforcement councils (LECs). These groups are largely a product of the recent upswing in homeland security grant monies, and portray themselves as regional police agencies, that are designed to "fill the gaps" in law enforcement presence in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, they are based on a premise built on exaggeration and falsehoods. As you should know, the MSP exists to pro. vide many varied law enforcement services to each and every municipality in the.state; including STOP (i,:e:, SWAT) team, hostage negotiators, AirWing, K -9, Acci den t'Re ,onstruction, and many others. These specialty units world in conjunction with and do not replace local police management at any given scene, and have always been available at no charge to any city or town requesting their services. When towns subscribe to the LECs, they are duplicating services that are already paid for by your local taxpayers. It makes no sense to spend large amounts of local tax dollars budgeted for local law enforcementon groups that merely exist to take local officers out of their given city or town. w hen your police officers participate in. the LEC activity, they leave your community. You then pay overtime to officers to replace the LEC participants or you experience a reduction in public safety coverage for the citizens of your community. The end result of this scenario results in fewer local police officers on the streets, higher local taxes for unnecessary duplication of services, and vastly increased liability costs for officers who will become involved in situations that result in litigation. Many,local leaders would have difficulty justifying the enormous expenditure to defend the municipality from a civil suit, for an action that did not even, occur in the community. Add to that the precarious uncertainties of having officers respond far outside their legal Iurisdiction in private vehicles, and you have a real recipe for legal ,and financial disaster. A c, [ ( OUR PURPOSE IS PROGRESS OUR GOAL IS EXCELLENCE 74 We urge you to examine this issue closely; determine the true and total cost of local dollars spent on these groups, and seek to find out why others are trying to duplicate services already provided at no charge at the state level. If you have any questions, or need any further information, we would be pleased to provide it. Please contact us at any time. Sincerely, V J Cofles ky President David Cortese Secretary January 18, 3005 Brenda Jones Massachusetts Cultural Council Dear Brenda, I hope doing this by email is not too informal for the process of endorsing a nomination for the LCC Leadership Awards. Allison DaSilva, chairman of Reading's Cultural Council, has nominated State Representative Bradley Jones for the category of "Outstanding Legislator", a nomination that I am very happy to endorse. Brad Jones is an outstanding legislator on many fronts. He is very visible, and available to the entire community on issues that affect the Town of Reading and it's residents. Brad is a 24/7 legislator. In addition to his perfect attendance at all sessions of the legislature, he is a supporter of cultural activities in Reading, and is often, seen attending and supporting such activities, frequently with his wife and young daughter. He has provided certificates, at a number of activities, including the presentation last year of the Cultural Recognition Award in Reading. As a legislator he has supported funding for the local cultural councils as part of the state budget, even when times were financially difficult. Brad Jones truly exemplifies the best in legislative support for the arts and cultural affairs, and on behalf of the Town of Reading I am happy to endorse him for this award. Sincerely, Peter I. Hechenbleik-ner Town Manager LCC Leadership Circle Awards Nomination Form OUTSTANDING LEGISLATOR (STATEWIDE) Nominee: —The Honorable Bradley Jones Title (if applicable) —Representative Contact Information Rep.BradleyJones@,hou.state.ma.us 617-722-2100 In 250 words or less, please describe below why this nominee is deserving of the award. Please consider the following: Has the legislator attended and /or participated in LCC-funded events? Vocal in support of communihj arts and the LCC program Responsive to LCC when assistance sought As the Massachusetts State Representative for Reading, Bradley Jones has been very supportive of and responsive to the Reading Cultural Council. He attended the RCC Cultural Recognition Award ceremony last August in Memorial Park, Reading. Bradley Jones participated in the ceremony, with Senator Richard Tisei, to read the certificate and present it personally to Rusty Palumbo, the 2004 RCC Cultural Recognition Award recipient. Each year, Representative Jones' office has been helpful and considerate in providing an official certificate from the state to present to the award winner, in working with the RCC to develop press releases and expressed a sincere interest in the cultural vitality of Reading. He has attended community celebrations at the Reading Library and is always available to his constituency to listen to issues and ideas. On several occasions, as Chair of the RCC, I have been pleased to meet him at a local event and taken the opportunity to discuss RCC business. Representative Jones always welcomes the RCC information and he and his staff have shown genuine encouragement of the arts in Reading. For this reason I am pleased to have the opportunity to nominate The Honorable Bradley Jones for the LCC Leadership Award. 2. Please attach up to three endorsements (other than yours) of this candidate. You may include letters and any other supporting materials. a�� (Due to the shortness of time, I am unable to attach endorsements. I will contact the following people and request that they send emails under separate cover. Please feel free to contact them directly to follow up on this procedure.) Karyn Storti, Trustee, Reading Public Library; Chair, Substance Abuse Prevention Committee email: k—storti@yahoo.com Eugene Nigro, Reading Symphony Orchestra, etc. email: youyou54@aol.com Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, Reading, MA. email: phechenbleikner@ci.reading.ma.us I Hechenblefter, Peter From: adasilva [dasilva4@comcast.net] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 8:49 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Reading Cultural Council Peter, Similar to the Mass Cultural Council Award which you were a recipient of last year, the RCC has nominated Representative Bradley Jones for the LCC Leadership Circle Award thi*s.year. Attached is a copy of the nomination form which *I submitted. The form requests three endorsements. Due to the quick deadline, I'was unable to contact you sooner. If you wish to participate in this nomination process, please send an email with a short paragraph endorsing Brad Jones as deserving of this award, to Brenda Jones at the Massachusetts Cultural Council email: Brenda.Jones@art.state.ma.us If you do not wish to participate, I will understand. I apologize for the brief time frame and wish I could have called you personally to explain the request, however Al and I are traveling for a 3 week visit to Asia and there is no time, but I feel Brad Jones deserves to be nominated and I am pleased to initiate the process before I leave. As you can see from the nomination form, I have emailed a similar request to Karyn Storti and Gene Nigro. thanks, Allison Allison DaSilva Chair Reading Cultural Council in: t. R, To., Town Manager and Selectman From; Marianne M. Downing Re, Addison Wesley site; Meeting TONTUITT at 7pm, Bldg E Marianne Downing, 13 Heather Drive Reading, MA 01867 Fax: 781-9429071 Date- 1/18/2005 Pages: 2 including cover L � � pQ� CC- 0 For Review rl Please Com'ment 0 Please Reply 11 Please Recycle see attached,. I attempted to email this to select rncn@cLread*-m.a'Lus, but your I does not appear to be working. V ' f III • • ... • • • • • • • • • Page I of Marianne M. Downing From: mariannedowning@comcast.net Sent., Tuesday, January 18, 200511:22 AM To: selectmen&i.reading.ma.us Cc: cnj4@aol,com Subject: Addison Wesley Property - A Developer has scheduled meeting TONIGHT 7pm on site, to discuss "propos@l-, Dear Selectman: Happy New Year to all! I hope at least some of you ]rave a moment to read this message. I'm sending this email to make you aware (if you are not already) of a meeting being held TONIGHT at the Addison Wesley CaT.npus, at 7PM, in the Addison Wesley.Building E (where we voted in the Presidential elections). This meeting relates to the developer's proposal for the Addison Wesley site. I just learned of this meeting yesterday. Although this is late notice and may be too late to avoid conflicts in your schedules, ,I hope that on.e or tn would be able to attend this meeting, or at least would be able to ensure that som orcofyou e representative Of, the town of Reading could attend, BACKGROUND: I received a flyer i.p, my mailbox, yesterday that appears . pears to be from a fellow Reading neighbor, alerting me to this z. According to the flyer,, a formal notification of the meeting was sent to some people in the neighborhood, but not all. As I live within a few tenths Of a mile Of the campus, but received no formal notification to alert the town, as well, as perhaps You, too Were not notified. �, I thought it important The flyer states that "Pearson Education, has agreed to sell the Addison Wesley campus to W/S Developin Associates of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts - a shopping center developer," I do not want to jump ent about what is proposed, but, based on, the developer's website (h . to conclusions !qqVV 1q111 it appears that about 95% of its properties are, in fact, shopping centers. on .nearby Redstone Shopping Center in Ston,ehaill, which C PtwertY they own or have developed includes the em Presently has much mmse—d, capacity (e.g., several longnt—erm pbLretail o�jablislmontLs like the f former CWT site, former Ground Round building, etc.). .ormer Ames site, t1le f am sure the Selecttuan appreciate the residents' concerns about still another shopping center directly abutting a dense residential area, especially given the traffic and light Pollution, issues going on at the Shopping center now being developed at the landfill. Other concerns exist given the severe.traffic issues that developed 1st fall near the Addison site during the elections. It is difficult to perceive how the surrounding streets would support the heavy, 7- day-a-week traffic levels associated with a shopping center (as compared to the lower levels associated with an office building or hotel). 1-lope to see some of you there, Best r r - ards, e,41 Marianne Downing � 1.3 Heather Drive Reading, MA 01867 781-944-3447 (home) 781-401-9988 x22 (work) 1/18/2005 91)1- 1, t,/ C� NEWS RELEASE FOR EVENAEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: January 18, 2005 Jack Hoey 617-743-4760 john.p.hoey@verizon.com Verizon's New High-Fiber 'Diet' for 19 Eastern Massachusetts Communities: Blazing-Fast Data, Crystal Clear Voice and Video Capability Verizon Building Its Industry-Leading Fiber-to-the-Premises Network; Company's Transformational Technology to Benefit Residential and Business Customers, Boost Economic Development BOSTON — Verizon is bringing to 19 communities in Middlesex and Essex Counties one of the most significant advancements in telecommunications technology in the past .100 years. The company today announced it is building a fiber-optic network that will deliver faster data speeds, crystal clear voice, and also has the capability to offer a fall suite of video services to residence and business customers in Andover, Bedford, Belmont, Boxford, Burlington, Holliston, Hopkinton, Lexington, Lincoln, Lynnfield, North Reading, Natick, Newton, Reading, Sherborn, Topsfield, West Newbury, Winchester, and Woburn. a * / T. Verizon's all -fiber system is capable of carrying a. competitive choice to the existing cable television providers. The company will seek a franchise agreement from the local authority before offering a cable -TV -type service in a selected community. efforts. Reading Town Manger Peter I. Hechenbleikner welcomed Verizon's FTTP "We're excited that Verizon has selected Reading for early implementation of its all -fiber network," said Hechenbleikner. "This investment will improve existing services and offer additional services to Reading businesses and residents. "In the current climate of fast -paced changes, it is important that this community have the latest available technology infrastructure so that we stay competitively strong. We look forward to working with Verizon to expand. the uses of this technology to benefit the entire town." Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island said, "This is a once -in -a- lifetime transformation of the communications network in these communities." Known as fiber -to -the- premises, or FTTP, the fiber -optic network uses hair -thin I trands of fiber and optical electronics to directly link homes and businesses to Verizon's network. The new network replaces the traditional copper -wire connections and will unleash a range of advanced communication services. "We are building the communications network of the future to provide customers unmatched network reliability, incredible speed and exciting new options for voice, data and video. connections," said Cupelo. "Our FTTP project will help stimulate economic development and enhance our region as a great place to live and do business." ;�l )___ 'I- Although the use of fiber optics is common for long-distance and inter-city communications throughout the telecommunications industry, Verizon is one of the first major telecom companies to begin using it to directly connect homes and businesses to the network on a widespread scale. Verizon began building its FTTP network last year in parts of California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The company today also announced plans to construct its FTTP network in parts of Rhode Island. To help build the network across the country, Verizon will hire between 3,000 and 5,000 new employees by the end of this year, including hundreds in Massachusetts. Fiber offers tremendous advantages to network operators in addition to new and superior services for customers. For example, fiber offers reliable service in stretches of wet weather that can affect copper-based networks. "Verizon's fully fiber-optic network is technically superior to other communication platforms because it offers faster data speeds than those currently available, as well as voice and video capability," said Cheryl Mongell, Verizon market area president for New England. "Our fiber engineering creates a network that requires less day-to-day maintenance, and allows faster repairs." Customer reaction to Verizon's new fiber-based Internet access service called FiOS (FYE'-ose) has been very positive, with broadband subscribers more than doubling in the company's inaugural FiOS market of Keller, Texas, just outside Dallas/Fort Worth. Verizon will notify customers when FiOS is available locally. "FiOS has been an extraordinary hit with our first customers. People are literally lining up to get what they know is a fantastic service at an excellent price," said Mongell. "The need for speed and ability to take advantage of bandwidth - intensive applications remain a top priority for all computer users." There are three tiers of Verizon FiOS Internet Service for consumers: • 5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 2 Mbps upstream. Suited for Internet surfing and basic computer functions. $34.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $39.95 a month stand- alone. • 15 Mbps downstream and 2 Mbps upstream. Appealing to families that have multiple computers and various needs such as media downloads and the ability to access or share large files. $44.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $49.95 a month stand- alone. • 30 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream. Designed for communications- intensive power users with significant bandwidth needs such as telecommuters or work -at -home households and avid online gamers. $199.95 a month. The FTTP initiative represents a natural extension of the more than 10 million miles of fiber -optic cable Verizon already has in place and extends the high capacity, speed and quality of fiber directly to the customer's doorstep. When customers want more capacity, higher speeds or future video services, Verizon will be able to provide them instantly through the use of FTTP technology., Verizon's digital subscriber line (DSL) service will remain the company's most widely available form of high -speed Internet access for the foreseeable future while the company ramps up FTTP deployment. The company offers DSL on a widespread basis in Massachusetts. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. With a diverse work force of approximately 208,000, Verizon has four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband, nationwide long- distance and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information. Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.yeriz6n.com VERMON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts and other informaiion are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com /news. ��s :MITT ROMNEY GOVERNOR KERRY HEALEY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNIFER DAVIS CAREY SECRETARY L Ic �./ %� . ��lz�?��l7�/LG�C�GGfL G��GGa.�.�G�G /Ga/G9c°L��.� C��°GGG�GU,° �,,�Gt°. Gz�C�GC�I` �j,�G� &OOW 9%61��e' 'WC'XJt6W' A" 6'29-leu Phone (617) 727-7750 Fax (617) 727-9368 TTY/TTD 1-800-872-0166 Council on Aging Formula Grant -- Fiscal Year 2005 Richard Cardillo, Act. Director Reading Elder Services 16 Lowell St. Reading, MA 01867-2684 Amount of Award: $23,,311.00 Effective Period of this Award: July 1,, 2004 - June 30,, 2005 State Appropriation Account: 9110-9002 This grant award shall be used to continue the coordinator of volunteers position and provide for professional association membership. This grant is subject to the Additional Terms and Conditions as well as the Standard Contract. In order to ensure prompt payment of grant funds, please submit any required material to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, 1 Ashburton Place, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108-1518, ATT: COA Program Manager, no later than February 7, 2005. Jennifer Davis Carey January 10, 2005 (Secretary of Elder Affairs) (5 ture) (Date) L c �f Hechenblefter, Peter From: Frey, Bob (MHD) (Bob. Frey@state.ma.us] Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:08 AM To: Corey, John; Marquis, Rick; Schubert, Rick; Anthony, Camille; Barnes, Jonathan; Bruen, Darlene; Casey, Paul; Curran, John; DiBlasi, Joe; Donovan, Carol; Everson, Jeff; Festa, Mike; Gallagher, Jim; Gallerani, Michael; Grover, Robert; Hamblin, Eileen; Havern, Robert; Jones, Bradley; Judge, George; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art; Leiner, Craig; Lintner, Elizabeth; Meaney, Paul; Medelros, Paul; Molter, Andrew; Smith, Susan; Sodano, Paul; Stinson, Richard; Sullivan, Dan; Tarallo, Ed; Tisei, Richard; Webster, Bill; Woelfel, Steve Cc: Beaudoin, Carla; Blaustein, Joan; Burggraff, Mary; Callan, Melissa; Christello, Tricia; Cooke, Don; Dame, Chris; DiZoglio, ' Dennis; Draisen, Mark; Dwyer, Margaret; Edwards, Adriel; Florino, Ron; Frey-, Bob; Grzegorzewski, Josh; Hechenbleikner, Peter; Lucas, Barbara; Mauriello, Lauren; McKinnon, Anne; Mcvann, John; Miller, Kenneth; O'Rourke, Carmen; Purdy, Jim; Schwartz, Bill; Stein, Kathy; Van Magness, Frederick Subject: Next 93/95 ITF Meeting Greetings Task Force Members: Hope you all enjoyed the holiday season. The next meeting of the 1-93/1-95 Interchange Task Force will be: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Banquet Room (basement level) Stoneham Town Hall 35 Central Street Stoneham, MA 02180 Directions from 1-93: Take Exit 36 (Montvale Ave.) into Stoneham. Travel about 14 mile+ on Montvale, then turn RIGHT onto Main Street (Route 28 South), then an immediate LEFT onto Pleasant. Take next RIGHT onto Central. Town Hall is a few blocks down on the left. At this meeting, we will cover: the preliminary noise measurement results, more on the evaluation criteria, and progress updates on miscellaneous items. An agenda and review documents will follow tomorrow or Friday. Summaries of last month's meetings (ITF and the data subcommittee) have been posted to the study website (www.9395info.com on the 19th in Stoneham. Thanks, - Bob <http://www.9395info.com> ). See you Bob. Frey Manager of Statewide Planning Office of Transportation Planning Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation (617) 973-7449 bob.frey@state.ma.us 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:13 AM To: Keenan, Cindy Subject: RE: MEMORANDUM The Board of Selectmen has established Ambulance Fees to be changed . administratively annually to reflect changes as.established by Medicare. Therefore you may change the fees as noted with no further action by the Board. Pete - - - -- Original Message----- From: Keenan, Cindy Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:31 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: MEMORANDUM 1 b / 96-5 9--,k TO: FROM: DATE: RE: Chief Gregory J. Bums Cindy Keenan January 10, 2005 Ambulance Inflation Factor for CY 2005 Attached please find the 2005 Ambulance Inflation Factor as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Therefore the ambulance charges for Calendar Year 2005 should be adjusted as listed below: For BLS Services: Base $412.80 Mileage 15.03 Oxygen 61.92 Defibrillation 132.68 C-Spine 134.88 Epi-Pen 140.28 Ex. Attendant 134.88 For ALS Services: Base $852.22 Mileage 28.92 Oxygen 102.26 IV 181.80 Defibrillation 199.36 Airway 204.54 Please advise. :cmk cc: Bill Connors, Technology Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Beth Klepeis, Treasurer/Collector Page Iofl �� � �� � Y� � ~,�- HechenbUelkneK, Peter Fromm: Goheno.Paula Sent: Tumaday, January 1B,20U58:51AM To: HechenNeihner, Peter; Schubert, Rick work Subject: FW: memo Peter and Rick, I'm sending this to you because I don't know if you received this two weeks ago. Fromm: Linda Engelson [nnaUto: .k13.rna.us Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 20059x44AM To: Schena,Paula Subject: memo Paula, Please forward to Peter and Rick Schubert. Thanks, Linda 1/4/2O05 Superintendent Schettini, Members of the Board ofSelectmen PeteHeohenb|eikner Though past the point of being factored into your decision, an additional point. Another important reason to consider parking on the inbound (to the school) travel lane is so that people can pull directly into the first available parking spot. Now that parking is on the outbound side, drivers will have to pull in front of the last car parked and then back into the next available parking space. Imagine the potential for interference with cars in the travel lane and also the potential for injury to a small child that is not visible while backing up. My Sincere Regards, Elaine Webb School Committee ` 9,1 - l/18/205 WIN Hechenbleikner, Peter b/ C I 6� Page I of I From: McCabe, George [George.McCabe@mail.house.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 9:16 AM To: Amesbury-David Hildt; Andrew Maylor; Bedford-Richard Reed; Beverly-Thomas Crean; Boxford- Alan Benson; Burlington-Robert Mercier; Danvers-Wayne P. Marquis; Essex-Brendhan Zubricki; Gloucester-John Bell; Hamilton-Candace Wheeler; Ipswich-George Howe; Lynnfield-Bill Gustus (E- mail); Lyn nfield -Joseph Maney; Manchester-Rosemary Cashman; Marblehead-Anthony Sasso; Middleton-Ira Singer; Nahant-Michael P. Manning; Newburyport-Alan P. Lavender; Newbury- Richard Joy; North Andover-Mark Reese; North Reading- Thomas Younger; Peabody-Michael Bonfanti; Hechenbleikner, Peter; Rowley-Aftilio Paglia; Salem-Stanley Usovicz; Salisbury-Timothy McInerney; Swampscott-Carole Shutzer; Wakefield-Thomas Butler; West Newbury-Marge Peterson; Wilmington-Michael Caira Subject: FYI Tierney Spearheads Effort for First Responder Funding in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget: Over 50 Colleagues Co-sign Bipartisan Letter to President Bush "We must honor our local first responders with the resources they need to keep our communities safe" Congressman John F. Tierney (D-Salem) was joined by over 50 of his House of Representatives colleagues, who collectively represent hundreds of police and fire departments located throughout the country, in sending a bipartisan letter to President Bush calling for a significant increase in his FY06 Budget for the hiring of first responders. "Our federal budget is a statement of our national values," said Tierney. "If we value those who combat crime, fight fires, and unfailingly respond to terror threats and other emergencies, then we must honor our local first responders with the resources they need to keep our communities safe." "I am pleased that over 50 of my House colleagues joined me in this effort urging President Bush to heed the call of those police officers, fire fighters, and other front-line defenders of the homeland and include in his Fiscal Year 2006 budget increased resources for first responder personnel needs," Tierney concluded. Below is a copy of the bipartisan letter: January 10, 2005 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: 1/18/2005 Hechenblelkner*, Peter From: Tassi, Peter Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 8:13 AM To: Peter He'chenbleikner (phechenbleikner@ci. read ing.ma. us) Subject: FW: Reading DWSRF proposal H - McCurdy, Steven (DEP).vcl Peter, FYI. Call me if you have any qpesti6ns. Peter Peter Tassi, Supervisor Louanis Water Treatment Plant 60 Strout Avenue Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781.942.9199 Fax: 781.942.9197 --- =-Original Message---- - From: McCurdy, Steven (DEP) [mailto:Steven.Mccurdy@state.ma.us] Sent: Friday,. January 14, 2005 2:21 PM To: Tassi, Peter Cc: Mahin, Thomas (DEP); Brander, Kevin (DEP) Subject: Reading DWSRF proposal Peter Tassi, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Mr. Tassi: This email confirms that DEP Division of Municipal Services has revised upward, the score of the drinking water project proposed by the Town the new water treatment facility. DMS discovered a calculation.error had been programmed into our rating system and we have subsequently corrected the problem. We apologize for the error. As a result of the increase in score, the District will find its project listed on the final Intended Use Plan, when DEP publishes that document in February/March of 2005. Listing on the IUP denotes that the project has been selected for.financing through the State Revolving Fund program. SRF provides 20 interest loans for eligible capital projects. Please watch the mail for additional information that DEP will send you regarding the SRF financing program. DEP holds meetings with all of its new borrowers each year to walk them through the various steps needed to bring the project financing to a successful closing. I hope that you and members of the project management team that will oversee the project for the Town will be able to attend. Regards, Steve McCurdy, Director, Division of Municipal Services for intra/interagency deliberations- I/C .6f -k- Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Hechenbleikner, Peter Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 4:51 PM To: 'Diemer, Christopher'; Reilly, Chris Cc: Silva, Bob Subject: RE: Addison Wesley Campus / W/S Development Mr. Diemer Thanks for your email. The process used in Reading in considering any change like this, and it was used in Reading when the Pearson property was rezoned a few years ago to permit higher density and taller office buildings and a hotel, is to work with the neighborhood. For the most recent re-zoning, that is exactly what took place. It worked well to determine an appropriate balance between neighborhood issues and property owners rights: Unfortunately, there is no market for uses for which the property is zoned, and the owner is exploring alternative uses. After the neighborhood meeting, there will be additional process with the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) in consideration of any changes. Finally, this process will go to Town Meeting for any required changes in zoning. Parenthetically, several years ago we did some origin/destination studies of traffic during peak times oft South street. What we found then was that about 700 of the traffic did not enter and exit South Street at Main and West - in other words ords it was internal to Reading. I don't know whether this has changed, but if not, then the traffic issues may be more internal to Reading; than external cut-through traffic. I will ask the Police Department to review the conformance with the stop sign, and whether there is anything we need to do to improve visibility. There is certainly no excuse for anyone running a stop sign -*at anytime. We committed, when we put ' the signs up, to doing an initial enforcement to make sure that the "regulars" knew it was there. If we need to periodically do that, we will, within our staff limits. What time of day does this seem to be happening most? - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Diemer, Christopher [mailto:diemerc@hmc.harvard.edu] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 12:23 PM To: Reilly, Chris Cc: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Addison Wesley Campus / WIS Development Dear Mr. Reilly My name is Christopher Diemer and I and my wife reside at 267 South Street in Reading. We are on the corner of South and Curtis streets. I am writing regarding the letter we received in the mail yesterday for A meeting to be held January 18th, 2005 at the former Addison Wesley campus. As I am fairly new to Reading I wanted to understand the process that currently seems to be starting on the redevelopment of the site. When we moved into our home we understood the proximity to the office complex, and probably in the back of our minds new the implications down the road that it 10� could be used as such again. I am however concerned with its development into a large retail complex. I gain this from the fact that this is the core business and history of W/S Development. I would ask if there is•a distinction of zoning regulations between large retail complexes and primarily daytime utilized office complexes, and if such distinctions currently exist at this particular site? In other words can this site be used for any type of business, or just offices as it had been previously used as? Understanding that they have yet to publicly propose anything for the sight, I would want to make it very clear that South Street can not handle much more traffic than it already has, particularly at rush hour, mornings and evenings. The road is very narrow and curvy with blind spots, and is obviously mainly used as a cut through for people by-passing the 93/128 interchange at high rates of speed. Currently we are also dealing with large.amounts of truck traffic 6 days a week given the ridiculously out of place development at the end of Curtis Street. That should really go a long way towards making the neighborhood more livable and walkable for the single family homes occupied in large part by younger families with children. I attended the past meetings on the speed issue and the stops signs have, I believe helped slow some people down, when they in fact do stop for it. understand it is fairly new and drivers that cut through there may not be aware of its presence yet. I however would estimate 2 out of every 10 cars drive through at 40 mph still, without stopping at all. This is coming from the house whose living room looks directly out onto the intersection, so know first hand. The initial police presence helped but that seems to have waned over the last several weeks. The main reason for writing is to try and convey to you and the leadership of Reading that this neighborhood is in pretty precarious spot. Any development at Addison needs to take that into consideration and protect the charm of this area, a key part of why we chose to raise our family in Reading. If I wanted to live in an area saturated with strip malls, I could have chosen other more industrial towns. Part of what makes Reading a good place to live is it's small town feel versus neighboring Woburn and Stoneham. I feel we are moving away from this to a town dominated by large housing developments and strip malls. I hope we can at least be sensible in the way we move forward. I wish I could say I look forward to the meeting with W/S Development, but I must say that I and my neighbors are afraid for what is about to commence. Thank you, Christopher Diemer 267 South Street 2 Page I of I Hechenblelkner, Peter From: PSmargon@ymcaboston.org Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 1`35 PM To: rdavidson@reading.k12.ma.us; jdoherty@reading.k12.ma.us Cc: patschettini@aol.com; cmcfadden@ftmc.net; elwebb@comcast.net; Hechenbleikner, Peter; DBerry@ymcabos * ton.org: JFahey@ymcab6ston.org; dwitkus@ymcaboston.org; laure11957@attbi.com; macemma@aftbi.com; JMoro@ymcaboston.org Subject: Coolidge and Birch Meadow Parking im Richard Davidson and I talked this afternoon to develop a plan to reduce the backlash of parents being refused access to the YMCA parking lot during drop off time. We will be starting a trial program on Tuesday the 18th that will allow school parents to park at the back of the YMCA lot from 7:00 AM until 8:20 AM. We have 44 spots at the back and farside of the YMCA that parents will be able to use while dropping their children off. The parking spots at the front of the YMCA will be off -limits. We'll see how this works and how it impacts people coming in to use the YMCA. I will drop off a diagram that indicates the parking spots. If you have any questions either email me or contact me at the number below. Thanks, Pete A. Peter "Pete" Smargon Burbank YMCA 36 Arthur B. Lord Drive Reading, MA 01867 781-944-9622 ext 231 psmargon@ymcaboston.org 1/18/2005 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Diemer, Christopher [diemerc@hmc.harvard.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 9:09 AM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Cc: 'selectmen@ci.reading.ma.us' Subject: FW: Addison Wesley Campus / W/S Development Peter I went to the meeting last night and looked at the proposal for the sight. I have to say that 1 was absolutely terrified and blown away with the scope of the development plans. They are basically proposing that a mall be squeezed in there with 40-50 stores, utilizing almost every inch of the property for buildings or parking, eliminating all green spaces, and building right up to people's back yards. It is so out of place and will basically destroy that neighborhood as we know it. They tried to establish that the previously approved traffic changes would be adequate for a retail operation... this is a preposterous assumption given the nature of traffic at a primarily Monday - Friday, 9-5 business, versus a retail establishment which goes seven days a week, well into the night. There is no way South Street can accommodate that type of traffic. It can't handle the traffic it has now, albeit it local or from people outside the town. I look at the traffic associated with the Burlington and North Shore Malls and cringe at the thought of what could lie ahead. Reading is not that type of community, and I hope the e town realizes the benefit it receives in more tax revenue will be at the cost of an entire neighborhood. I would pay double the taxes I do now before I would have that thing built there. I am really afraid for what lies ahead and.I am going to work like anything from a personal standpoint to make sure it is not built as proposed last night. I hope the leadership of the town realizes how out of place that type of business is for that property, and helps ensure we have smarter and more well thought out development on the property. Thank you, Chris Diemer 267 South Street Reading, MA - - - -- Original Message----- From: Diemer, Christopher Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 5: To: 'Hechenbleikner, Peter' Subject: RE: Addison Wesley Campus Peter 13 PM / WIS Development �l�Q�x Thanks for your response. I understand the ongoing issues with the development, knowing there needs to be a balance. I am really just hoping that our street does not become a thoroughfare for mall type traffic. The houses are very close together, and the road as it exists, does not support significant car or foot traffic. I think what appears to be a very busy overwhelmed 'road now could become much worse. I wish I could say I am- going in with an open mind, but given the scope of other developments in the town recently, I fear something.too large for the area could be put forth. My point for writing was simply to state my viewpoint as a resident of the neighborhood. I think I was a little on edge when I first heard of the development because we had been having big Lynch dump trunks rattling our house for several weeks now related to the Curtis Street development. As for the stop sign, it seems to be pretty consistent. I would say during the day, more people ignore or roll right through. In the morning and evening traffic is heavier so people don't have the opportunity to just go through, as other traffic is stopping, etc. Also I see more commercial vehicles during the day, when I am home, that may not be as familiar with the road, the speed limits, or the signs; Unfortunately, when the police were there, they don't have anywhere to conceal themselves, and as a result people see them and stop. As soon as they leave we see people start to roll on through again*. I understand the problem is not just people passing through, but neighbors also. I don't know if people are actually being ticketed but that may be the only way people get the message to slow down. Thanks Chris Diemer - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Hechenbleikner, Peter [ mailto:phechenbleikner@ci.reading.ma.us] Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 4:51 PM To: Diemer, Christopher; Reilly, Chris Cc: Silva, Bob Subject: RE: Addison Wesley Campus / W/S Development Mr. Diemer Thanks for your email. The process used in Reading in considering any change like this, and it was used in Reading when the Pearson property was rezoned a few years ago to permit higher density and taller office buildings and a hotel, is to work with the neighborhood. For the most recent re- zoning, that is exactly what took place. It worked well to determine an appropriate balance between neighborhood issues and property owners rights. Unfortunately, there is no market for uses for which the property is 2 zoned, and the owner is exploring alternative uses. After the neighborhood meeting, there will be additional process with the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) in consideration of any changes. Finally, this process will go to Town Meeting for any required changes in zoning. Parenthetically, several years ago we did some origin/destination studies of traffic during peak.times on South street. What we found then was that about 700 of the traffic did not enter and exit South Street at Main and West - in other words it was internal to Reading. I don't know whether this has changed, but if not, then the traffic issues may be more internal to Reading, than external cut-through traffic. I will ask the Police Department to review the conformance with the stop sign, and whether there is anything we need to do to improve visibility. There is certainly no excuse for anyone running a stop sign - at anytime. We committed, when we put the signs up, to doing an initial enforcement to make sure that the "regulars" knew it was there. If we need to periodically do that, we will, within our staff limits. What time of day does this seem to be happening most? - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Diemer, Christopher [mailto:diemerc@hmc.harvard.edu] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 12:23 PM To: Reilly, Chris Cc: Hechenbleikner, Peter Subject: Addison Wesley Campus / W/S Development Dear Mr. Reilly My name is Christopher Diemer and I and my wife reside at 267 South Street in Reading. We are on the corner of South and Curtis streets. I am writing regarding the letter we received in the mail yesterday for a meeting to be held January 18th, 2005 at the former Addison Wesley campus. As I am fairly new to Reading I wanted to understand the process that currently seems to be starting on the redevelopment of the site. When we moved into our home we understood the proximity to the office complex, and probably in the back of our minds new the implications down the road that it could be used as such again. I am however concerned with its development into a large retail complex. I gain this from the fact that this is the core business and history of W/S Development. I would ask if there is a distinction of zoning regulations between large retail complexes and primarily daytime utilized office complexes, and if such distinctions currently exist at this particular site? In other words can this site be used for any type of business, or just offices as it had been previously used as? Understanding that they have yet to publicly propose anything for the sight, 3 9- I would want to make it very clear that South Street can not handle much more traffic than it already has, particularly at rush hour, mornings and evenings. The road is very narrow and curvy with blind spots; and is obviously mainly use ' d as a*cut through for people by-passing the 93/128 interchange at high rates of speed. Currently we are also dealing with large amounts of truck traffic 6 days a week given the ridiculously out of place development at the end of.Curtis Street. That should really go a long way towards making the neighborhood more livable and walkable for the single family homes occupied in large part by younger families with children.. I attended the past meetings on the speed issue and the stops signs have, I believe helped slow some. people down, when they in fact do stop for it. understand it is fairly new and drivers that cut through there may not be aware of its presence yet. I however would estimate 2 out of every 10 cars drive through at 40 mph still, without stopping at all. This is coming from the house whose living room looks directly out onto the intersection, so I know first hand.. The initial police presence helped but that seems to have waned over the last several weeks. The main reason for writing is to try and convey to you and the leadership of Reading that this neighborhood is in pretty precarious spot. Any development at Addison needs to take that into consideration and protect the charm of this area, a key part of why we chose to raise our family in Reading. If I wanted to live in an area saturated with strip malls, I could have chosen other more industrial towns. Part of what makes Reading a good place to live is it's small town feel versus neighboring Woburn and Stoneham. I feel we are moving away from this to a town dominated by large housing developments and strip malls. I hope we can at least be sensible in the way we.move. forward. I wish I could say I look forward to the meeting with W/S Development, but I must say that I and my neighbors are afraid for what is about to commence. Thank you, Christopher Diemer 267 South Street Christopher Diemer Harvard Management Company, Inc. 600 Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA 02210-2203 --------------------------- -------- * ------------------- diemerc@hmc.harvard.edu Tel: (617) 720-6624 Fax: (617) 878-6624 10 Q C go-5 Schena, Paula From: Frederick Van Magness [venmagness@comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 10:21 PM To: Rick — Schubert (E-mail); George Hines (E-mail); Camille Anthony (E-mail); Gail Wood (E-mail) Cc; Andrew Herlihy (E-mail); Ellen Kearns (E-mail); Phillip B. Pacino (E-mail); Robert Soli (E- mail); Hechenbleikner, Peter; Vin Cameron (E-mail); Roger Lessard (E-mail); Roger Stevenin (E-mail); Arthur J. Carakatsarie (E-mail); Paula O'Leary (E-mail); Schena, Paula; Van Magness (Home-243) (E-mail); Foley, Richard Subject: RMLD Accountant Position... follow up to Van Magness 12/,8/2004 request Accounting lanager Position Gu. Paula O'Leary/Paula Schena .... Please pr . ovide a hard copy to Mr. Norton(CAB) and Mr. Duffy(Reading•BOS) as well as include in.public information folders and Board meeting agenda books. Please note: the following is my individual and independent work and should not be taken to reflect on any prior discussion or positions, formal or informal, by the members of the RMLD Citizens Advisory Board. Recall my email of December 8, 2004 requesting the Board of Selectmen(BOS) meet with the RMLD Board of Commissoners(RMLB) concerning the reporting relationship of the RMLD Accountant/Business Manager. At tonight's (1/19/2005) RMLB meeting, the RMLD Accountant position was on the age nda. Without any discussion, I am pleased to report that the General Manager informed the RMLB that he has resolved the situation by making the decision that the amalgamated RMLD Accountant/Business Manager will be hired by the RMLB, report solid line to the board, and report dotted line to the General Manager for day to day operations. I commend Mr. Cameron for his personal leadership in this area via his unilateral action to reach a workable solution under difficult circumstances. Therefore, assuming there are no changes to the above, I ask that no further action be taken on my December 8th, 2004 request at this time by the Reading BOS. In a related matter, I also reviewed the DRAFT position content documents for the RMLD Accountant/Business Manager as provided by the department. I took it upon myself to submit in writing a number of suggested changes that will strengthen the overall position responsibilities and avoid potential future ambiguities. I have asked that the General Manager and the RMLB carefully review and consider my suggested revisions for inclusion in the final documents. I have attached a.ccpy for your records and information. Fred Frederick Van Magness 0 a �-