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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 4,2003 The meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings, Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood, Health Administrator Jane Fiore, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Water Treatment Plant Director Peter Tassi, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Steve Wladyka, John Norton, Bonnie Rup, Julie Grossi, Bill Carrick, Ginger Hartman, Amy Munson, John Wood, Will Finch. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman George Hines talked about the February 251h Election implications. He noted that there is an uncertainty about the future of refunds from the State, staff is being cut at the schools, and the RMHS needs work due to lack of maintenance. Selectman Gail Wood urged residents to look at the School Department cut list which is mostly teachers and custodians. She noted that she attended an Eagle Scout Ceremony, and suggested having all of the recent Eagle Scouts come in for a Reception. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that he made a presentation to the North Reading Board of Selectmen last evening. He also noted that Joe Veno questioned whether the Special Counsel had looked at the recommendations' effects on the 20 Year Agreement. CAB member John Norton raised the issue of the fiscal year, and Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings informed him that is a statutory requirement. Another comment was that the Selectmen appreciated our going to them with the presentation. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings requested that Chairman Camille Anthony call the Chairmen of the communities and suggest that they announce any concerns to their CAB member because the CAB members are working independently. Chairman George Hines noted that the CAB members are taking charge instead of communicating back to their Board of Selectmen. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings also noted that the School Committee voted a $29 million budget. The School Committee wants certain items paid for out of the Reserve Fund because they are expenses that were "out of their control." He noted that they are planning on going to the Finance Committee and then to Town Meeting and if it doesn't get approved, then it will be too late to cut anything because the money will have been spent. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that he went to the CAB meeting tonight regarding vacation buybacks. Chairman Camille Anthony announced that she is running for re-election. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 4, 2003 —Page 2 Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Town Manager noted that the Mass Highway Route 128/93 Meeting in Reading last week was well attended. A draft scope of work was reviewed at that meeting. ♦ He attended the Martin Luther King Celebration a couple of weeks ago and it was an excellent performance. ♦ The Finance Committee Chairman has recommendations regarding the budget in tonight's handout. The will have a final recommendation by February 12, 2003. ♦ The Town Manager noted that the Town came out on the prevailing side on the Russell case. There was an unfortunate column in the Herald and he suggests ignoring it and just move on. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Washington Street Speed Limits—Selectman George Hines read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the State did a speed zone study on Washington Street. He also noted that the recommendation is for 25 mph from Woburn to Main Streets, and 30 mph from Main Street to Walkers Brook Drive. The Board of Selectmen can either accept or reject the recommendation but they cannot make any changes to it. Steve Wladyka of 192 Washington Street noted that he feels the Town should hold out and try to get the whole street at 25 mph. He also noted that there is a need for more police enforcement and there are a lot of potholes. He further noted that the Home Depot will bring an increase in traffic and he asked if there was any mitigation. Selectman George Hines noted that the intention is to get the traffic out onto the highway. The Town Manager noted that the commercial vehicles will have to use the highway. Bonnie Rup of 234 Washington Street noted that she would like the limit as low as possible. There have been accidents in her front yard. Cars have crashed through the fence and a car recently took down trees. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the island has helped and Ms. Rup noted that it has made it worse. Ms. Rup asked if Mass Highway reviewed accident records, and the Town Manager indicated that he would find out. Julie Grossi of 107 Green Street noted that the area has become commercial. The first sign off the Highway says 35 mph and it is too late to slow down once they get to the curve. She also noted that buses can't make the turns. The Board discussed the possibility of posting dangerous curve signs, chevrons and posting the speed limit in appropriate locations. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to close the hearing on Washington Street speed limits was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 4, 2003 —Page 3 A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to approve the following speed limits: Washington Street—Eastbound Beginning at the junction of Woburn Street, thence easterly on Washington Street 0.47 miles at 25 miles per hour 0.33 miles at 30 miles per hour ending at the junction of Walkers Brook Drive, the total distance being 0.80 miles Washington Street—Westbound Beginning at the junction of Walkers Brook Drive, thence westerly on Washington Street 0.33 miles at 30 miles per hour 0.18 miles at 25 miles per hour ending at the junction of Lincoln Street and Minot Street: the total distance being 0.51 miles was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to direct the Town Manager to have the Engineering Division develop a plan for speed limit posting, dangerous curve warning and for curb markers, and for the Police Department to develop a plan for enforcement was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council Membership — Selectman George Hines read the hearing notice. Health Administrator Jane Fiore and SAPAC Chairman Bill Carrick were present. The Town Manager noted that the Board had previously discussed the proper membership of the SAPAC due to lack of members and quorum. The Council is recommending revising the membership from 16 to 11 members and give more flexibility to the membership. Bill Carrick indicated that the Council needs to be smaller because there is a problem with a quorum. He feels 11 is more manageable and he is looking for a cross section of members. Jane Fiore noted that the Council was created from the Governor's Alliance on Drugs and the membership was always 16 and 11 would be a good number for the Council. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council membership was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the policy for the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council as amended on February 4, 2003 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Presentation on Water Conservation—Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Ginger Hartman and Amy Munson from CDM were present. Ginger Hartman reviewed the status of the application to the MWRA and the schedule for the -= Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 4, 2003 —Page 4 Chairman Camille Anthony asked if other communities along the Ipswich River were applying to the MWRA, and Ted McIntire noted that Wilmington is pursuing for emergency reasons. Ginger Hartman noted that the Water Conservation Plan will require a Program Coordinator to do rebates and education. Reading does not meet four standards: Easy to read billing, low volume fixtures in each of the public buildings, program for high water users, and a long term conservation plan. Ginger Hartman noted recommendations include: Change to monthly water billing and seasonal rates. For outdoor water use continue odd/even schedule, offer rain sensor rebates, do public education, and offer a guide for lawns and landscaping. For indoor water use, provide plumbing retrofit kits to residents of older homes, offer rebates for low volume toilets and washing machines. For municipal water use, retrofit older municipal buildings with water efficient fixtures, train employees in efficient irrigation, officer public education in science classes, and continue tours of the Water Treatment Plant. The Town Manager noted that the Town has funded$250,000/year for four years. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings suggested working with the Municipal Light Department on rebates for the washing machines because they are also low voltage. Selectman Gail Wood asked about the legality of giving rebates to laundromats. Ted McIntire noted that the Laundromat in Reading is already front loaded. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked how much water a washing machine used, and Ted McIntire indicated that front loading machines use 26 gallons and standard uses 40 gallons. Ginger Hartman noted that the Town should not reduce its registered volume. She also noted that the WSCAC claims that MWRA water should be used for communities with contaminated sources. Water and Sewer Advisory Board Member John Wood noted that the Town has already been through the process of contamination and if it happened once, it could happen again. Conservation Commission Member Will Finch asked what the difference was between registered and permitted withdrawal. Water Treatment Plant Director Peter Tassi noted that it was the timeframe—registered is 10 years, permitted is five years. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked if there are funds to produce an easy to read billing format. Ted McIntire noted that could be done internally. He also noted that the rebates are the biggest bang for the buck plus flyers, websites, landscaping information, etc. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to approve the Conservation Program as presented on Pages 4, 5, 6, 7 and the spreadsheet in the handout was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 4, 2003 —Page 5 A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to stop the exploration of bedrock wells was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Town Manager Evaluation- Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings reviewed the Town Manager's evaluation. Selectman George Hines made note that the Town Manager provides for his own professional development by paying for it himself over the past two years. In addition, he suggested putting a bulletin board on the website, and noted that protocols would have to be developed. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that the Town Manager does an excellent job with community outreach, so much that his high visibility gives the impression that there have been no reductions. Finalize FY 2003 Budget — The Town Manager noted that there is a $370,000 reduction in revenues and $980,904 shortfall in expenses. He also noted that there are three worksheets from the Finance Committee in tonight's packet and they recommend more use of free cash. He further noted that the Selectmen have suggested limiting free cash use to $250,000. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that the Finance Committee's policy is to keep 2.5% in reserves and it has been the Selectmen's approach to keep the reserve. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Social Worker is needed to process requests for help and asked if any other community was willing to share. The Town Manager noted that the calls for help would be referred to Mystic Valley Elder Services. He also noted that he has received a lot of phone calls regarding eliminating the Social Worker and Crossing Guards. Discuss Issues Related to Long-Term Maintenance of Imagination Station—The Town Manager noted that this subject came up when the RMHS project was being discussed. Imagination Station is reaching the end of its life — it needs to be sealed and maintained. It should be dismantled and rebuilt with appropriate material. A part of it has been closed down because it is unsafe. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings indicated that it should be made a budget priority. Selectman George Hines indicated that it should be a private initiative and alternative sites should be looked at. Warrant Articles — The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel drafted three Warrant Articles regarding vacation buyback and bonuses. He needs to know if the Selectmen want to move forward with this. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings indicated that they have no ability to control the School Committee. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 4 2003 —Page 6 Selectman Gail Wood noted that there is no mention of vacation buyback or bonuses in the RMLD policies. There should be a budget line item if they are going to do it. She feels that this should be discussed with the RMLB and School Committee first. Selectman George Hines indicated that the RMLD has not operated like a Municipal Department and they should start acting equitably. He noted that there has already been public dialogue with the School Committee and they have no intentions on changing. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings indicated that the School Committee did make this a line item in their budget. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to not move forward with these Articles until they have had discussion with the RMLB and School Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of November 26 2002, December 3, 2002, December 4, 2002, December 10, 2002 December 17, 2002 Januar 2003, January 14, 2003, January 18, 2003 January 21, 2003 and January 25, 2003 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to adjourn the meeting of February 4, 2003 at 11:10 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, A'ecr�etary