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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-11 Board of Selectmen PacketTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager&l.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM DATE: January 7, 2005 TO: Board of Selectmen \ FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleil mer - RE: Change in Policy - Master Plan Advisory Committee TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 Please see the attached e-mail fiom Chris Reilly, a copy of the Minutes of the last meeting of the Master Plan Advisory Committee, and a rnarlced up copy of the Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee Policy which would implement what is requested by the Master Plan Advisory Committee. If the Board is amenable to this change, I believe it is administrative in nature and can be done without a hearing. The Chairman of the CPDC is directly contacting the Historical Commission and the Recreation Committee for recommended members to the Master Plan Advisory Committee. PIH:lm Attachment q al Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Chris Reilly Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 1:08 PM To: Peter Hechenbleikner Cc: Dick Howard Subject: MPAC At their meeting on December 20, 2004 the MPAC voted to request that the Selectmen nominate a member of the Recreation Committee and Historical Commission as representatives to the Committee. TK MPAC 12-20-04.doc Chris Reilly Reading Town Planner 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 78.1=942-9012 fax: 781-942-9071 www.ci.reading.ma.us/planning 1 qt). Meeting Minutes December 20, 2004 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting Date: December 20, 2004 Time: 7:30 pm Place: Town Hall Conference Room Attendees: George Katsoufis, Janet Allen, Peter Smargon, Steven McLaughlin, Dick Howard, Jonathon Barnes, Neil Sullivan, John Sasso, Susan DeMatteo, William Finch, Jack Russell Agenda & Discussion (1) Natural Resources and Open Space Susan DeMatteo and Will Finch presented the current draft of this section. There were a few general issues raised during the discussion, including the need to solicit additional input from Frank Fink and to review the existing open space and natural resources plan (2001) and incorporate ideas planned for the next revision. In addition, M.G.L. Chpt. 41, Section 81D includes an outline for a Town/City Master plan and recommends that there be two sections, one entitled Open Space and Recreation and the second called Cultural and Natural Resources. This also raised the question of whether additional input is required from the Historical Commission (for the Cultural Resources piece) and the Recreation Committee. Additional review of these sections are planned for early 2005. (2) Transportation: George Katsoufis and Steven McLaughlin presented the current draft of this section. The discussion focused on a more general philosophical approach to how the committee should approach the goals and objectives. We discussed social issues, such as the increasing vehicular cut-through traffic, the impact of school buses for a larger segment of the population, and state and federal initiatives to reduce fuel consumption and encourage/develop mass transit solutions. As an example, what assumptions should be made for items such as the resulting solution for the Rte 93/95 interchange? There are however, a number of initiatives that can be pursued on a local level. Additional funding is also available for specific programs. Neil Sullivan presented information regarding the potential for funding locally run shuttle buses. This topic will be revisited at the next meeting. Actions (a) Dick Howard to determine if additional support is required from Historical Commission and Recreation Committee. (b) Chris Reilly to reserve room and post meeting notices for planned 2005 meetings. q a3• Meeting Minutes December 20, 2004 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting Next Meetings - 2005 Date Day Topic January 3 Monday Transportation January 18 Tuesday Open Space and Recreation February 7 Monday Cultural and Natural Resources February 22 Tuesday ( Prioritization/Implementation March 7 ( Monday Prioritization/Implementation March 21 Monday Draft Plan Review All meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm in the Town Hall Conference Room 14 a q 4 Z3.5 ad hoc Master Plan Advisorv Committee There is hereby created an ad hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee, which shall exist until December 31, 2005, or until such earlier date the Master Plan Advisory Committee may have completed its work.. The Master Plan Advisory Committee shall consist of fifteen (15) seventeen (17) members appointed by the Board of Selectmen for terms expiring 12-31-05, or such earlier date that may be determined. The Board of Selectmen shall select the Chairman. In selecting the membership, the Board of Selectmen shall attempt to fill the membership as follows: 1. One member recommended by the Reading Chamber of Commerce, who is a resident of Reading; 2. One member recommended by the Reading Housing Authority, who is a resident of Reading; 3. One member recommended by the Conservation Commission, who is a resident of Reading; 4. One member recommended by the Downtown Steering Committee, who is a resident of Reading; 4. 5. One member recommended by the Eastern Middlesex. Board of Realtors, who is a Reading resident; 5. One member recommended by the Recreation Committee, who is a resident of Reading; 6. One member recommended by the Historical Commission, who is a resident of Reading; 6. Three members who are residents of the Town and who are not otherwise represented among the previous membership categories listed in items 1, 2, and 3 above. If the Town does not receive nominees for any of the above 3 "designated" positions (items 1; 2 and 3 above) by the time appointments are made, then the number of residents to be appointed shall be increased from 2 to the number which, when combined with the nominations made in 1, 2, and 3 above, equals a total of five; 7. All members of the Reading Community Development and Planning Commission (CPDC); 8. One School Committee member or designee; 9. The Board of Selectmen shall designate. one of their members to serve as a member of the ad hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee. The Master Plan Advisory Committee shall perform the following activities related to the updating of the 1991 Master Plan for the Town of Reading: • Review and understand the guidelines of the Department of Housing and Community Development and Inter-Agency Working Group, and relevant State Law regarding the establishment of Master Plan Advisory Committees; • Establish a program of public information to residents; • In collaboration with the regional planning organization and consultant, MAPC, conduct informational meetings, surveys and site walks as appropriate; • Reach out to Town Departments and Boards/Committees/Commissions who's work may be affected by the Master Plan; • Prepare a preliminary report on their findings; • Submit the preliminary report to the Board of Selectmen, and following review by the Board of Selectmen, submit a Preliminary Report to MAPC and the Inter-Agency Working Group;. • Conduct a public hearing on the results of the Preliminary Report; • With staff and Town Counsel, develop a final report, maps, and Warrant Article; • Report to the Board of Selectmen and get feedback at key milestones in this process, including prior to the development of the Preliminary Report. Staff will be assigned to work with the ad hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee through the Town Manager. The ad hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee will be considered to be part of the Department of Community Services for administrative purposes. Adopted 1128103; amended 1-11-05. Lia ~ - - 1 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867-2686 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: town manager@ci.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM DATE: January 7, 2005 TO: Board of Selectmen . I FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikzer RE: Wood End School Working Group TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 The Board of Selectmen committed to the establishment of a working group, and I would propose that I would establish and appoint the members to it. I would suggest the following mission for the working group, and appointment to the working group as outlined: There is hereby established a Wood End School Working Group whose purpose it would be to review the current design of the Wood End School site, understand the proposed districting for the Wood End School, evaluate the surrounding neighborhood and environment of the Wood End School, and make recommendations to be imple- mented beginning with the Fall 2005 school year relative to student, parent and staff access, drop off, parking, traffic regulations and pedestrian access improvements. The working group will consist of a resident or residents of Roma Lane, Sunset Rock Lane, Old Sanborn Lane, Emerson Road, Dividence Road, Fox Run Lane and Franklin Street. The working group will also consist of a member of the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Staff support will include the Police Safety Officer, repre- sentatives of the Engineering Division, representatives of the School Administration including the Fall 2005 School Administration and the Planning Division. I will send a note to all residents on Roma Lane, Sunset Rock Lane, Old Sanborn Lane, Emerson Road and Dividence Road as well as Franklin Street from Dividence to Blueberry Lane asking whether they are interested in participating. I will give people a one week turnaround to indicate their interest, make my appointments, and the committee should be operating by February 1St FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM RE: January 6, 2005 Board of Selectmen Peter I. Hechenbleikner ~ n Atlantic Liquor License Plan TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 Attached is the plan as requested by Atlantic for the display of beer, wine and liquor. At your December 14th meeting, the Board approved the display on a trial basis as Atlantic had requested. The Board was then going to individually do site visits and determine whether or not to snake its approval permanent. I have observed the display and received a number of comments from residents. The comments that I have received have been more directed towards Atlantic's operation as a grocery store - generally, the sense has been that beer and wine displays have become pervasive and it is hard to shop the store as a grocery store. The number of comments that I have received have been under a dozen. I would expect that action by the Board on this item would be to confinm the location of beer, wine and liquor displays, or to require some other physical layout of display. PIH:lm Attachments Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867-2685 t~ G g~1~T FLO~'~t T7IS~Y FI NA1~ Q m o i w Cl l 1 ~ Cp Is, Y~ t Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867-2686 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager&i.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM DATE: January 7, 2005 TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleilcner RE: Public Input - Beer and Wine Package Store Licenses TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 Please see the attached memo that was sent to all existing licensees as well as all convenience stores regarding public input on beer and wine package store licenses. The intent is for the Board to detennine whether or not it wants to move forward with this matter before Town Meeting this Spring. One issue that the Board should consider is whether or not allowing beer and wine package stores in Reading could or would have the effect of dispersing the commercial focus in Reading from its Downtown area. PIH:lm Attachment 4Q/. Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867-2686 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager&l.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM TO: All Alcoholic License Holders All Convenience Stores FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: January 4, 2005 RE: Public Input - Beer. and Wine Package Store Licenses TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 As you may be aware, when the Board of Selectmen discussed the issuance of the last All Alcoholic Package Store License a few months ago, the Board indicated an interest in having discussion on whether or not we should request approval to provide for Beer and Wine Package Store Licenses. The process for considering this would be as follows: 1. Determination by the Board of Selectmen as to whether or not they want to move forward to allow Beer and Wine Package Store Licenses in Reading. 2. If the Board decides to move forward on this matter, it would be on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. The Warrant closes on March 1, 2005 and the Annual Town Meeting begins on April 25, 2005. 3. If Town Meeting approves Beer and Wine Package Store Licenses, this will require approval by the State legislature. Immediately following Town Meeting approval, we would file the Home Rule Petition to move forward with the legislative approval. 4. If the legislature approves the Home Rule legislation, then this matter would appear on the ballot for the next Town Election, which would be in April 2006. A copy of this notice is being sent to all Alcoholic Liquor License holders, as well as all convenient stores in Reading. Your input either in writing or at the meeting would be valuable. yd2' This matter is scheduled for Selectmen's discussion on January 11, 2005 at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Additionally, if you want to send written comments, you can send it by letter at the above address, or to me by email at townmanaRer(a~cixeadinR.ma.us . Thanks for your participation. PIH/ps qd 3 HOME BUILDING CORP. D/B/A KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 11 SANBORN STREET READING, MA 01867 READING OVERSEAS VETERANS i 575 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 I MEADOW BROOK GOLF CLUB 292 GROVE STREET READING, MA 01867 MANDARIN READING RESTAURANT 296 SALEM STREET READING, MA 01867 i i EMPEROR'S CHOICE RESTAURANT HARROW POULTRY PRODUCTS 530 MAIN STREET D/B/A HARROW'S READING, MA 01867 126 MAIN STREET f READING, MA 01867 VENETIAN MOON CHILI'S GRILL & BAR 680 MAIN STREET 70 WALKERS BROOK DRIVE READING, MA 01867 READING, MA 01867 READING LIQUORS 345 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 ATLANTIC FOOD MART 30 HAVEN STREET READING, MA 01867 NORTH SIDE LIQUORS 1349 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 READING VETERAN'S ASSOCIATION D/B/A AMERICAN LEGION POST 62 37 ASH STREET READING, MA 01867 CAFE CAPRI 355 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 i SAVORY TASTES CAFE 601 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 SQUARE LIQUORS 11 HIGH STREET READING, MA 01867 THE WINE SHOP OF READING 676 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 i N~y~ CALARESO'S FARM STAND CRESTMART EXXON CUMBERLAND FARMS 122 MAIN STREET 85 MAIN STREET 305 SALEM STREET READING, MA 01867 j READING, MA 01867 , READING, MA 01867 i j GASMAN 306 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 I DUNKIN' DONUTS 273A SALEM STREET READING, MA 01867 J K'S MARKET 212 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 GREGORY'S DELI 162 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 I DUNKIN' DONUTS 454 MAIN STREET READING; MA 01867 MOBIL ON THE RUN 1330 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 I DUNKIN' DONUTS 85 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 DUNKIN' DONUTS 4 WEST STREET READING, MA 01867 MOBIL MART 82 MINERAL STREET READING, MA 01867 P & S CONVENIENT STORE 287 LOWELL STREET READING, MA 01867 SERVICE STATION 110 MAIN STREET READING, MA 01867 i READING SHELL STATION 87 WALKERS. BROOK DRIVE READING, MA 01867 I WEST STREET MOBIL 4 WEST STREET READING, MA 01867 i i q c(S' Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading; MA 01867-2686 FAX: (781) 942-9071 Email: townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Peter I. Hechenbleikner DATE: January 4, 2005 RE: Hiring -Town Accountant TOWN MANAGER (781) 942-9043 As you are aware, the Town Accountant will be retiring in September of 2005. I have provided in the FY2006 budget some monies for "overlap" to hire his successor before he leaves. The Town Accountant's duties are described by State law and by the Reading Home Rule Charter. Attached is a copy of the job description. The position is appointed by the Board of Selectmen annually, and reports to the Town Manager for day to day administration. I would recommend the establishment of a screening committee, which would review the job description, advise the Human Resource Administrator on the advertising and recruitment process and would screen applicants with the goal of providing between one and three finalists to the Board of Selectmen for final selection. I would recommend a screening committee consisting of one or two members of the Board of Selectmen, a member of the Finance Committee, a member of the School Committee or their designee and the Town Manager. It is my intent to seek through the Accounting Manager of the RMLD, any input from the Light Department that would be valuable in reviewing or revising the job description, and in screening a candidate. I would anticipate that by mid-July we would have the screening completed so that the Board of Selectmen could make a decision by early August. I would anticipate having the candidate start work, on or about September 1, 2005. PIH/ps POSITION DESCRIPTION Class Title: Town Accountant Department: Accounting Division: Date: 01/03/05 Job Code: Officials & Administators Grade Number: 17 Union: Non Location: Town Hall GENERAL PURPOSE This is a department head level position which performs technical and administrative work in maintaining the financial records of the Town. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Appointed by the Board of Selectmen annually and works under the general supervision of the Town Manager. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervises accounting and retirement support staff. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Determines work procedures and expedites work flow; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Responsible for maintaining accurate financial records of the Town and prepares the annual financial statements of the Town. Responsible for internal audits of Town Departments. Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision- malcing. Prepares financial reports and provides financial data as required or requested by Federal, State, or other governmental jurisdictions, investment bankers, and bond rating services, educational and research organizations, auditors and actuaries, citizens and taxpayers. Advises Town officers and departments in their day to day financial administration. Certifies the accuracy and legality of all financial transactions. Responsible for the administration of the Town's retirement system. PERIPHERAL DUTIES Serves as a member of various employee committees. One of five members of the Contributory Retirement Board. DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: (A) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in accounting, business management, finance or a closely related field, and (B) Minimum of three (3) years of accounting experience (pursuant to the Town Charter); or (C) Certification as "Certified Governmental Accountant" desirable; (D) Certified Public Accountant is desirable. q 11, Necessarv Knowledize. Skills. and Abilities: (A) Extensive knowledge of accounting and auditing theory, principles, and practices. (B) Considerable knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting standards. (C) Understanding of Commonwealth of Massachusetts' "Uniform Municipal Accounting System" manual. (D) Understanding of Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to municipal finance arid to retirement. (E) Understanding of applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations pertaining to financial management. (F) Ability to supervise staff. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Per Reading Horne Rule Charter, the Town Accountant shall have at least three years of accounting experience before being appointed. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED Personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software; mainframe financial computer system; telephone; calculator; copy machine. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. SELECTION GUIDELINES Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Town Accountant 2 qk,~ * Specific Responsibilities of the Town Accountant The. Town Accountant maintains the Town's financial records. At year-end, the financial records of the Town need to be closed on a timely basis in order that the Town Accountant can: ■ Prepare and submit a balance sheet and supporting documentation to the Division of Local Services for the certification of free cash ■ Prepare the Annual Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles • Complete and submit Schedule A to the Division of Local Services ■ Complete and submit the End of Year Pupil and Financial Report to the Department of Education The role of the Town Accountant in the development and tracking of the Town's annual operating budget is to: • Create the budget forms ■ Distribute forms to each department with the actual expenditures from prior years and the estimated expenditures from the current year budget • Develop revenue estimates ■ Track departmental budgets for compliance and timely expenditure The Town Accountant completes the Tax Rate Recapitulation form and provides other supporting documentation required by the Division of Local Services for approval of the Town's tax rate. The Town Accountant prepares the invoices and other supporting documentation of school construction projects for audit as required under the regulations of the School Building Assistance Program. q,z~ Hechenbleikner, Peter To: Subject: Silva, Bob West Street enforcement The BOS has on it's agenda for Tuesday night discussion on enforcement of Truck Exclusion on West Street. They have Tom's email which has some good information. Do we have statistics on how many tickets/warnings have been issued? How much we have done on enforcement? One Selectman has suggested that we should do "advisory enforcement" whereby we stop trucks and advise them of alternate routes. Do you have experience on this approach, or do other PD's do this kind of "enforcement"? I will want you and Tom Murphy there - the discussion is scheduled for 10 PM. I know this is the night before your surgery, so if that's problematic, then maybe just Tom would work. Pete 1 4~ . Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Bob Silva Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 1:03 PM To: Peter Hechenbleikner Subject: FW: Pete, We did regular enforcement just after the regulations were put in place. When all the exceptions were made known to us we found our enforcement efforts made more difficult and less effective. Further enforcement is possible but I don't believe would be any more effective. Enclosed please find a response from Tom Murphy regarding the heavy vehicle exclusion on West St. Robert J. Silva Chief of Police Reading Police Department 781-944-1212-X101 -----Original Message----- From: Tom Murphy Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 11:34 AM To: Bob Silva Subject: RE: In response to the e-mail regarding enforcement of the heavy vehicle exclusion on West St., it should be noted that there are several factors that need to be addressed. First, many residents do not realize that all State, Municipal and Federal utility.vehicles are exempt from the exclusion. This would include all mail delivery trucks, transportation buses, RMLD, NSTAR, Verizon, DPW and vehicles of this nature. Second, all trucks making deliveries to a West St. address or to a location off of West St. that cannot be reached by an alternate route, are also exempt from the exclusion. Third, we currently have two major residential construction sites at either end of West St: The construction vehicles must use West St. to gain access to these sites. Please note that there has been a great amount of utility work that had to be completed to prepare for these projects as well as multiple deliveries. Fourth, the Town Manager granted permission to the establishments located just over the Town border on West St. in Wilmington to use West St. because their vehicles experienced problems at the intersection of West St. and Rte. 129 in Wilmington. In speaking with MassHighway, I was advised that several municipalities have experienced difficulty with enforcement of Heavy Vehicle Exclusions due to all of the exemptions that come into play. We have erected adequate signage at each of the Town borders as well as extra signage in Wilmington and in Woburn. I have noticed a decrease.in "lost truckers" travelling on West St. I have also noticed that most of them stop at the Town border and use Border Rd. as a turn around. Tom Murphy -----Original Message----- From: Bob Silva Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 10:51 AM To: Tom Murphy Subject: FW: Robert J. Silva Chief of Police Reading Police Department 781-944-1212-X101 -----Original Message----- From: Peter Hechenbleikner Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 9:11 AM To: Bob Silva Subject: FW: Can you review this and let me know what the enforcement has been? Pete -----Original Message----- From: Peter Casolaro [mailto:pcasolaro@rich-seapak.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 7:29 PM To: selectmen@ci.reading.ma.us Subject: With all due respect, Can .you tell me why there is NO police enforcement of the truck ban on West St? Pete Casolaro Today I counted over a dozen Non delivery or service trucks going down West St. 2 READING NEIGHBORHOOD MAP Legend j Town Boundary Railroad Roads Bridge Paved 1 Unpaved Parcels Buildings Sidewalks Driveway Retaining Wall ooooo Wall ii Pi 90199 Path 09&098 Trail - X Fence ® o o Hedge C~3 Trees Streams Open water Wetlands J Map by: Town of Reading Map date: Data are for planning purposes only. 0 237.5 475 950 Ft w ~ 1 Hechenbleikner, Peter From: Silva, Bob Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 2:45 PM To: Hechenbleikner, Peter Cc: Murphy, Tom Subject: West St Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Pete, We issued 10 written warnings for violation of the heavy vehicle exclusion on West St from 3/16/04 to the present. Robert I Silva Chief of Police Reading Police Department 781-944-1212-X101 1 Joint Meeting of Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Finance Committee January 3, 2005 The Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen attended the School Committee Meeting of January 3, 2005 at the Coolidge Middle School Community Room, 89 Birch Meadow Drive, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were School Committee Chairman Carl McFadden, Vice Chairman Robert Spadafora, Jr., John Carpenter, Pete Dahl, Lisa Gibbs and Elaine Webb, Selectmen Richard Schubert, Camille Anthony, George Hines and Joe Duffy, Finance Committee Chairman James Francis, Vice Chairman Charles Robinson, Richard McDonald, Paul Bolger, Andrew Grimes, Harold Torman, Robert LeLacheur and Marsie West, Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleilcmer, Finance Director Beth K]epeis, Town Accountant Richard Foley, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Scott Dunlop. Scott Dunlop from AI3 gave an overview and update on the three school construction .projects. The Wood End School was supposed to be complete with all punch list items by December 31, 2004. They still have some work to do. The Barrows School project continues at an appropriate pace, and there are no change orders. The High School project is continuing well. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner gave an overview of the FY 2006 Budget. Available revenues and fixed expenses were reviewed. "Fixed expenses" include debt service and capital, employee benefits, vocational school assessment and State assessments. One of the main drivers on increases in fixed expenses is employee benefits and specifically health insurance which reflects an increase of approximately 24% or $1.2 million. Balancing available revenues and fixed expenses will leave available for increases in operating expenses for School and Town Departments approximately $450,000 or 1.02%. Finance Director Beth Klepeis was asked to review the debt service and SBA reimbursement. She provided a detailed explanation. Town Accountant Richard Foley went through the revenue projections in detail. There was considerable discussion about the employee benefits and health insurance. There was discussion on revenue initiatives from last year and specifically about RMLD and its contribution, and about naming rights for Town buildings. It was suggested that we should find an expert on naming rights and have them come in to discuss this with the School Committee. lip Joint Meeting of Board of Selectmen. School Committee and Finance Committee - Januarv 3. 2005 - Page 2 The Finance Committee was asked what the budget guidelines for increases in operating budgets should be. There were varying opinions from 0% to 2.5%, from the Finance Committee. The Town Manager suggested using a 2% increase for operating expenses as a guideline. The School Committee voted to go into Executive Session. On motion by Anthonv seconded by Hines, the Selectmen voted to adiourn the meetinLy of Januarv 3. 2005 at 9:10 mm. by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by McDonald seconded by West, the Finance Committee voted to adiourn the meetine of Januarv 3, 2005 at 9:10 u.m. by a vote of 8-0-0. Respectfitlly submitted, Secretary 01 em.OTandu To: Peter CC: From: Jane Fiore Date: 12/29/2004 Re: annual rf.readings around and about water tower Peter, The results of the annual radio frequency readings performed by Gradient Corp. are attached. The results are low and are individually listed by street on page 5 of the report. Jane Gradient CORPORATION COPY, December 23, 2004 Peter A. Valberg, Ph.D. Report to the Town of Reading Monitoring of RF Exposure Levels, Reading, MA Introduction and Summary The Town of Reading, Massachusetts has requested Gradient Corporation to measure yearly, the radio frequency (RF) energy levels in the vicinity of Wireless Telecommunications Equipment located on the Water Tower Site in Reading, MA. Dr. Peter Valberg of Gradient Corporation was contracted to periodically survey RF levels on streets adjacent to and nearby the Water Tower Site (Auburn Street; Beacon Street, Chestnut Street, Locust Road and Parkview Road). RF measurements were previously made at these same locations on November 13, 2000, April 2, 2001, July 9, 2001, December 20, 2001, December 31, 2002, and December, 29, 2003. This report provides the results of RF measurements made on Thursday, December 23; 2004. The Gradient Corporation survey on December 23, 2004 found that RF levels were low and were in substantial agreement with values measured in the earlier surveys. The Dec. 2004 RF levels remain many-fold (about 1000-fold) below the applicable safety standard on allowable RF levels for the general public. For completeness, Sections 2 through 5, and Section 8, reiterate background information provided in earlier reports. Sections 6. and 7 provide the RF monitoring results for December 23, 2004. 2 Nature of Radiofrequency (RF) Waves Electromagnetic waves, also called "radio waves or " radiofrequency radiation," are . generated by moving electric charges. A good analogy is the wave pattern produced in a lake if you periodically poke a stick into the surface. You notice that as you do this, waves are created in the surface of the lake that propagate outward from the point of disturbance. The stick pushing up and down is analogous to the electric charges in an antenna moving up and down, and the waves produced are. analogous to the electromagnetic waves propagating away from the antenna. The electric field can be visualized as lines coming out from the charge radially like the spokes on a wheel (except that the electric field lines continue outward indefinitely). When you move electric charges, field lines follow, so that they are always coming out radially from. charged particles. If you shake a charged particle fast enough the lines cannot instantaneously reorient toward the new position of the particle, and you get "kinks" in the electric field lines that move outward at the speed of light. That is, electromagnetic waves are essentially kinks in the electric field lines that occur at a frequency corresponding to the frequency at which you are 1 d • Gradient Corporation • 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 • • (617)'395-5000 • fax: (617) 395-5001 • www.aradientcormcom • SOLO shaking the charge. Magnetic fields are also produced because.moving charges produce magnetic fields, so the total phenomenon is called "an electromagnetic wave." The radio-wave frequency is expressed in "Hertz" (Hz), a term which is equivalent to "cycles per second." For example, voice frequencies cover the range from about 50 Hz. to 15,000 Hz. Radio-wave frequencies cover the range from about 300,000 Hz (i.e., 0.3 megahertz or 0.3 MHz) to 30,000,000,000 Hz (i.e., 30 gigahertz or 30 GHz). Communications signals rely on a "carrier frequency," which is different for each communication signal, and the difference in frequencies enables many RF signals to be present without interfering with each other. By itself, an RF carrier wave, an unchanging continuous electromagnetic wave, carries no information. Information is imposed on the carrier wave by a modulation process that alters it by changing its amplitude, frequency, or phase in step with the voice frequency being imposed (amplitude modulation, AM; or frequency modulation, FM). Alternatively, the voice signal can be coded into computer bits, and the carrier wave can be modulated by changing its amplitude or frequency in discrete steps .(digital modulation). Scientists have asked whether RF-biological interactions depend on the type information being transmitted, e.g., "voice," or."music," or "computer bits." The answer is no, the physical energy of the RF waves depends primarily on the power of the carrier wave, and studies have provided no evidence that the biological impact (or non-impact) of RF depends on the information content. 3 Sources and Power Levels or Electromagnetic Signals in Our Environment . The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses frequencies from the kilohertz range up through microwaves and on into infrared, light, ultraviolet, and X-rays. Visible light is the major source of electromagnetic energy in our environment. The human body, by virtue. of being alive and warm, generates heat energy (electromagnetic energy in the infrared portion of the spectrum), which can be seen by an "infrared" camera, even in complete darkness: The RF portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is at a lower frequency than even infrared (heat) radiation. In the RF range, some of the common sources of radio-wave energy include.the following:. Commercial radio (AM&FM) and commercial TV (VHF & UHF & digital) Marine and aviation radio services, marine and aviation, radar, police radar Public emergency, fire, and police dispatch services Amateur (ham) radio operators Cellular telephones, pagers, "Personal Communications Systems" (PCS) Cordless telephones, baby monitors, wireless toys, walkie-talkies Computer monitors, TV sets, CD players, computer games Microwave ovens (leakage) Microwave links for computers, radio, television,. and telephone Satellite .television / communications, global positioning system (GPS) Medical procedures such'as diathermy, magnetic resonance imaging 2 Gradient Corporation • 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 • (617) 395-5000 • fax: (617) 395-5001 • www.aradientcoro.com • ga3 The total amount of RF energy transmitted by these sources differs widely. Typical radio and television. broadcast stations are licensed to operate at power outputs of 10,000 to 1,000,000 watts.; cell telephone base antennas have power levels of 100 to 1,000 watts; a cell-phone handset produces less than 1 watt of RF energy. However, all transmitters must comply with the RF safety standards. Also, for any antenna, the energy emitted is dissipated in all directions, and the RF energy level decreases rapidly with distance. 4 National and International Sources for Safety Standards.on RF Exposure Safety standards for RF exposure are based on the accumulated.knowledge from many years of laboratory work and of human experience with RF waves (e.g., radio, television, navigation, telemetry, cell telephones, radar). Research findings on potential health effects of RF waves have been assembled and reviewed by numerous independent consensus groups of research, medical, and public health scientists. These groups include the American National. Standards Institute (ANSUIEEE, 1992), • Health Canada (1999), • International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP, 1998), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MADPH, 1988), • National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP, 1986), • National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB, 1993), • Netherlands Health Council (1998), and • World Health Organization (WHO, 1993, 2000). The reports of these groups, written by medical doctors, biologists, engineers, and toxicologists, are voluminous, thorough; and even-handed. With minor differences, these blue- ribbon panels concur that the current guidelines for RF exposure protect the safety of the public and of residents living nearby transmitting antennas. Typical units for RF exposure are "microwatts per square centimeter" or µW/cm2. A microwatt is a millionth of.a watt. The allowable RF exposure levels vary with the frequency of the radio waves, but the lowest level, for the frequency range 30 megahertz (MHz) to 300 MHz, is 200 microwatts per square centimeter (gW/cm). For the digital cell-telephone frequency band around 1,900 MHz, the allowable level is 1,000 iaW/cm? (MADPH). 5 Nature of Scientific Evidence of Health Effects Understanding the potential toxicity in humans of any particular exposure is an integrative process that strives for coherence among several lines of evidence. At the most fundamental level, scientists believe that the operation of living organisms, although only partially understood, is bounded by the accepted principles of physics, chemistry, and biology. Thus, a first line of analysis is to ask whether specific levels of RF exposure, on a physical, chemical, and biological basis, have the ability to modify the operation of life • Gradient Corporation 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 0 o (617) 395-5000 9 fax; (617) 395-5001 o www.aradientcorb.com processes. . . Second, cellular and animal experiments are used to test the outcome of RF exposure under controlled conditions. However, the very complexity of living systems, makes them susceptible to artifactual responses, and outcome differences between the exposed and control systems may not be due to the exposure in question. Consequently, experiments on RF exposures need to be examined for validity from a number of viewpoints, e.g., physics of electric and magnetic fields, radio wave dosimetry, cell biology / molecular biology methodology, animal toxicology / physiology / pathology, and statistical analysis. Third, data from human studies (volunteers, clinical studies, epidemiology) are potentially of the greatest relevance, not requiring extrapolation from in vitro systems or from animal species. However, the uncontrolled nature of human lifestyle and experience makes control of bias, confounding, and exposure misclassification difficult, and complicates the interpretation of results. Epidemiology alone can seldom identify a causal association unless the results are strong, specific, and coherent. A voluminous scientific and medical literature base exists of studies on possible health effects from RF waves. An adequate picture cannot be formed by considering only selected studies, or, even less, from anecdotal stories about RF "effects." The scientific credibility and interpretation of each study must be weighed by scientists having the qualifications and training to interpret the strengths and weaknesses of what was actually done. And, this sort of thorough review is what has formed the basis of the conclusions of the blue-ribbon panels of scientific experts. . The intensity of RF energy is expressed as the amount of energy crossing a unit of area. Summertime sunlight at noon bathes us with about 150,000 µMcm2. For RF electromagnetic energy, the safety standard. for public exposure varies with frequency, being 20,000 µMcm2 in the AM radio=frequency band, 200 µW/cm2 in the FM radio-frequency .band, and 1,000 µW/cm? at cellular telephone frequencies of 1,900 MHz. These energy comparisons are shown in the following Table: Electromagnetic energy in Applicable standard for Typical RF levels measured sunlight at the earth's surface 1,900 MHz RF wave energy. near base station antennas (noon, summer day) (public and residential areas) (at any public location) 150,000 µW/cm2 1,000 µW/cm2 below 1 µW/emZ 6 RF Survey Results for Streets in the Neighborhood of the Water-Tower Antenna Site The RF survey measured total broadband power density, in microwatts per square centimeter (µW/cm2). The RF measurements were made during the morning hours of Thursday, December 23, 2004 when significant usage of cellular telephones was anticipated, i.e., between 4 " . • Gradient Corporation • 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 021.38 • • (617) 395-5000 • fax: (617) 395-5001 • Nwmaradientcoro.com • 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. The temperature was approximately 48°F, and the weather was cloudy and foggy with little wind. Monitoring locations included those streets that were closest to the water tower antennas, namely, Auburn Street, Beacon Street, Chestnut Street, Locust Street, and Parkview Road. Because cell telephone frequencies cover the range from about 800 to 2,000 MHz, broadband. measurements were made with a calibrated digital-meter / probe combination. Gradient Corporation used the Narda Model 8718 survey meter, in combination with Narda Electric Field Probe,8760D (Frequency Range: 0.30 MHz to 3,000 MHz). The output of the probe is in microwatts per square centimeter (µW/cm2). The accuracy and calibration of the digital-meter/probe combination are checked yearly by the manufacturer to assure thatboth parameters are within ±5%. The response of the probe is adjusted to be "flat" over its frequency range, and the lower limit of the probe's sensitivity is about +0.02 [Manz. The instrument wits re-calibrated by the manufacturer in August of 2004 to assure that the readings were reliable and accurate. Measurements were made at a height of about 6 feet above the ground level, and the power. density was continuously recorded as the probe was walked down the entire length of the individual streets. Both the spatial average and the peak level were noted [in µW/cm2]. The results are summarized below, and are on the low end.of RF levels typical for urban areas. The RF levels measured were also many-fold below the applicable RF safety standard for public exposure (which is 1,000 µW/cm2 at the 1,900 MHz cellular frequency). Street Maximum RF Level Average RF Level Auburn Street 0.08 µW/cm2 0.050 µW/cm2 Beacon Street 0.16 RW/cm2 0.075 RW/cm2 Chestnut Street 0.10 µW/cm2 0.054 µW/cm2 Locust Street 0.16 µW/cm2 0.661 µW/cm2 Parkview Road 0.13 µW/cm2 0.067 µW/cm2 OVERALL AVERAGE 0.13 gW/cm2: 0.061 ItW/cm2 Date of measurements: December 23, 2004, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM . 5 • Gradient Corporations 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 • (617) 395-5000 • fax; (617) 395-5001 a www.aradientcorD.com • Summary Overall, the December 23, 2004 results, like the earlier results, showed that the surveyed locations had RF levels well below 1 µW/cm2. That is, the levels did not exceed one- tenth of 1 % of the maximum permissible exposure level (1,000 gW/cm2) for radio-waves at cell telephone frequencies. Therefore, no health hazard can be anticipated from the RF levels in the vicinity of the water tower, and, in fact, a substantial margin (i. e.., a 1000-fold factor) exists between monitored RF levels and permissible RF levels. New research continues to add to the vast quantity of RF literature available, and the conclusions of this research are being monitored by public health agencies worldwide. In any area of research where new studies are being done at the limit of scientists' ability to detect effects, some portion of the studies may yield findings suggestive of a biological effect, even in the absence4 a real biological effect. Confirmatory studies are necessary to determine whether the result are valid or are due to random variation, artifact, or confounding. Scientific validity requires reproducibility, integration with results from other laboratories, and examination from a number of viewpoints, e.g., physics, dosimetry; cell biology, toxicology, pathology, and statistical analysis. Publication of a report is generally the beginning, not the end, of the scientific review process. Atthe present time, careful reviews of the scientific data do not support claims of health effects from RF exposure at levels below the safety standards. No valid basis has been established for questioning the safety of the current health-protective RF exposure limits. For example, the American Cancer Society gives the following statement on its website regarding "Facts and Figures on Environmental Cancer Risks" "Non-ionizing radiation: Electromagnetic radiation at frequencies below ionizing and ultraviolet levels has not been proven to cause cancer. Some studies suggest an association with cancer, but most of the now-extensive research in this area does not. Low;frequency radiation includes radiowaves, microwaves, and radar, as well as power frequency radiation arising from the electric. and magnetic fields associated with electric currents and household appliances. " (December , 2002) httD://www.cancer.orLy/docroot/PED/content/PED- Risks.asn? RF waves have long been prelsent in our environment. Although some reports in the . scientific literature have been used-to fuel public anxiety about health concerns; careful reviews of the literature for validity, coherence, reproducibility, and relevance have not identified legitimate reasons to rethink the RF safety standards. Regulatory and public health consensus groups agree that operation of facilities within RF safety standards will not contribute to increases in any disease statistic. 6 • Gradient Corporation • 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 e (617) 395-5000 9 fax; (617) 395-5001 9 www,aradientcorD.com e it, Literature Citations American Cancer Society (ACS). 2002. "Facts and Figures on Environmental. Cancer Risks" htta://www.cancer.ore/docroot/PED/content/PED 1 3X Unproven Risks.asn? American National Standards Institute / Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. (ANSI / IEEE). 1992. ANSI/IEEE Standard-C9.5.1: Safety levels with respect to human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz. April 27, 1992, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ. Health Canada. 1999. A review of the potential health risks of radiofrequency fields from wireless communication devices: An expert panel report. The Royal Society of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. RSC.EPR 99-1, 149 pp.. International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). 1998. Guidelines for limiting. exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz), Health Physics, 74 (4): 494-522. Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MADPH). 1988. Regulations for fixed facilities which generate electromagnetic fields in the frequency range of 300 kHz to 100 GHz and microwave ovens. 105 CMR 122.000 (Code of Massachusetts Regulations). National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. (NCRP). 1986. Biological effects and exposure criteria for radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Report 86, (Bethesda, MD: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements) pp.1-382. National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB). 1993. Board Statement on Restrictions on Human Exposure to Static and Time-Varying Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation, Documents of the NRPB, Vol. 4, No. 5; National, Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, UK. Netherlands Health Council. 1998. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (300 Hz - 300 GHz), summary of an advisory report. Health Physics 75:51-55. World Health Organization (WHO). 1993. Environmental Health Criteria 137: Electromagnetic Fields (300 Hz to 300 GHz). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 1993, pp. 1-290. World Health Organization (WHO). 2000.. Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health. Fact Sheet No. 193. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO. Available at: www.who.int/int-fs/en/factl93.html 7 ® Gradient Corporation • 20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 • (617) 395-5000 • fax: (617) 395-5001 9 www.aradientcorD.com 9 I I % Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942-9075 Memorial Park Tempos rv UsaZe Policv Usage for Spring/Summer 2005 Organization, # of Teams/ # of Kids/ slot *Total Participation/ Time slot Night Reading Youth Baseball 4 ( 66 112 Reading Youth Softball 4 66 136 * Based on two time Slots of approximately 1.25 Hrs Requirements of Organizations using Memorial Park: ➢ Send notification to all Parents outlining the parking issues at Memorial Park. - Users must treat the park and it's neighbors with respect and courtesy - Parking only on one side of the street in accordance w/ posted regulations - No Double Parking/Blocking Driveways - Use 3 Drop off points to reduce traffic (Harrison, Charles, Salem) - Encourage Car-pooling - Discourage parents staying to watch practice ➢ The Recreation Administrator will assign team practice locations to limit the amount of times equipment will land outside the property limits. ➢ Time slots will be: Slot 1 - 4:00 - 5:15 PM Slot 2 - 5:45 - 7:00 PM *Arrival should be no earlier than 15 minutes prior to any time slot. • Time slots will be given to individual organizations and may not be shared. • Teams must conclude practice and exit the field by 5:15 PM. 30 minutes has been built in for traffic purposes. • Overuse of Memorial Park may result in the loss of its use or of other permits. . qk