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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 4, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:31 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood,Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Dick McDonald, Bill Hughes, Richard Stosez, Susan Cavicchi, William Griset, Ellen Mounteer, Carl McFadden, Ken Tucci, Will Finch, Susan DeMatteo, Janet Allen, George Katsoufis, William Crowley. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he will be participating in the Coolidge Middle School Spelling Bee, and asked if the other Selectmen were interested in participating or sponsoring. He thanked the voters for approving the school projects. Selectman George Hines noted that the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council is holding another Forum on March 25th. He asked the Town Manager to inform the SAPAC that the Selectmen meet on Tuesdays. The Town Manager indicated that he would reschedule the March 25th Selectmen's Meeting so that the Selectmen may attend the panel discussion. Selectman George Hines also noted that the Franklin Street sidewalks did not get approved and this is a safety issue. He directed the Town Manager to put this on a Finance Committee agenda. Chairman Camille Anthony asked that Selectmen George Hines or Rick Schubert give a report on the interchange project, and noted that the current handouts should be available at the Town Hall and the Library. Selectman George Hines noted that the Task Force met in Reading and reviewed the scope of work. The Advisory Committee has not met because there is no new material but they will meet before the next Task Force Meeting. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Town has expended $535,000 to date on snow and ice control — an over expenditure of the FY 2003 budget of$276,000. ♦ The Council on Aging will be carrying out a "needs assessment" survey this Spring with the assistance of Neil DeChillo, Ph.D., Acting Dean at Salem State. The Council on Aging is looking for useful data to help us in long range planning in providing services and programs. We wish to evaluate our current programs and services that are provided to residents 60 years of age and older. This project is being funded by the Dorothy L. Burbank Trust for any costs. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 4, 2003 —Page 2 ♦ Covanta, the transfer station our waste management company takes our trash to, will offer without charge a months worth of mercury thermometer exchange. They will give us a container (universal waste container) and the new digital thermometers. They will do all the publicity and pick the container up at the end of May (May 1—May 30). ♦ The Office of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs has offered to set up a conference call with our State legislative delegation and us to review any questions we have on the Governor's proposed budget. Since our Financial Forum, we have discovered another $60,000 in reductions in State aid related to the Chapter 70 allocation for the Vocational School District which will not go through the cities and towns and will increase our payment to the Regional Vocational School District. ♦ The Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District is manufacturing some new voting booths for the Town Clerk for use in Elections. We will have a photo-op tomorrow. ♦ Alan Ames has resigned his seat on the Reading Municipal Light Board. His term expires on April 8, 2003. I would not recommend filling the position at the end of March since the Election on April 8 will fill that seat in any case. ♦ I have appointed Dan McGrath as the Recreation Program Coordinator. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Red Cross Month — Bill Hughes was present to receive the Proclamation. He noted that the Red Cross Office in Peabody (978-531-2280) can help families contact family members in the military. Personnel and Appointments Metropolitan Area Planning Council — The Board interviewed Bill Crowley and George Katsoufis for one position on the MAPC. Cummings moved and Hines seconded to place the following names into nomination for one position on the Metropolitan Area Planning Council with a term expiring December 31, 2006: William Crowley and George Katsoufis. Mr. Crowley received five votes and was appointed. Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Will Finch, George Katsoufis, Susan DeMatteo and Janet Allen for five positions on the Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee. Cummings moved and Hines seconded to place the following names into nomination for five positions on the Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee with terms expiring April 30, 2004: Will Finch (Conservation Commission), George Katsoufis (resident), Susan DeMatteo (resident), Janet Allen (EMBR) and Richard Schubert (BOS). All applicants received five votes each and were appointed. Board of Selectmen Meetin4—March 4. 2003 —Paye 3 Discussion/Action Items Referral of Zoning Amendment to CPDC — The Town Manager noted that the Board received a memo from the CPDC regarding Map 58, Lot 5 PUD-R. This is in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting and the Selectmen need to refer it back to CPDC for a hearing. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to refer to the CPDC for a hearing a proposed zoning article that would amend the Zoning Map to include Map 58, Lot 5 in the PRD-R zoning category as approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Close Warrant for Annual Town Meeting — The Town Manager noted that the Warrant consists of 24 Articles. Article 1 is the Election ballot and Question 1 wording is based on the level of current services. The Superintendent recommends "as near as possible." The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to decide on a dollar amount, and if they also want to include the road improvements. Selectman George Hines noted that he is opposed to a general question and if it is approved by the Selectmen, he prefers not to include the roads. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the consensus at the Financial Forum was to have one question. The idea was to provide essential services and roads are essential. He suggest $3.1 million for the schools, $1.1 million for the Town and $300,000 for the roads for a total of$4.5 million as an override figure. Selectman Gail Wood suggested $500,000 for the roads because $300,000 is not enough. She noted that the study states $850,000 per year is needed. She suggests $500,000 plus 2.5% per year plus Chapter 90 money for a total of$4.7 million as an override figure. Selectman George Hines noted that we needed $3.2 million to fix the roads last year, and the residents of the Town said not to do anything. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to include $300,000 for roads on the ballot by adding it to the $1.1 million for the Towns was approved by a vote of 3-2-0 with Cummings and Hines opposed. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to amend the main motion to $500,000 for the roads failed by a vote of 2-3-0, with Cummings, Anthony and Hines opposed Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings and Selectman George Hines indicated that the roads program should be a capital item. The Town Manager noted that Article 11 is to set up five revolving funds: Compost bins, parking spaces, consulting for Conservation Commission, landfill permit fees and recreation revolving funds. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 4, 2003 —Paye 4 The Town Manager noted that Article 16 is a Bylaw to require sidewalks to be clear or pay a $10.00 penalty. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the previous discussion was for "paved" sidewalks. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to strike Article 16 from the Warrant was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Wood and Hines opposed. The Town Manager noted that Article 19 is an Article from last night's Special Town Meeting. He also noted that Mike LeHane sent a letter indicating his opinion is a Charter amendment. Mr. LeHane indicated that the people in the power industry don't like what the Town of Reading is doing and he suggests doing a Home Rule Bill also which could not be appealed if approved. The consensus of the Board was to just do the Charter amendment. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings suggested moving Article 19 to the front of the Warrant. The Town Manager noted that Article 21 will require Boards, Committees and Commission members to be residents of the Town. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the wording of the Article makes it seem like a resident can't move out of Town because he is a Board, Committee or Commission member. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested taking out"and shall remain" and noted that a definition is needed for"legal resident." A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to remove Article 21 from the Warrant was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to close the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to take place on April 28, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road consisting of 22 Articles, including the Warrant for the Annual Town Election to take place on April 8, 2003 at the Hawkes Field House consisting of all elected positions which are vacant plus one question was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Continued Hearing — Gaels Chase — The Town Manager noted that Gaels Chase has requested that the hearing be continued to April 1, 2003. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to continue the hearing on Gaels Chase to April 1, 2003 at 9:00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Cummings opposed Presentation on Stormwater Management Program — Town Engineer Joe Delaney reviewed the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. He noted that the Ad Hoc Stormwater Advisory Committee has been meeting monthly. He also noted that there are three problems: The final permit has not been issued by EPA, the regulations allow for a broad interpretation so they don't know what is appropriate, and the permit asks for specific best management practices. Joe Delaney noted that bylaws and regulations will be reviewed to see if the Town needs new bylaws. The streets are swept one time per year, the catch basins are cleaned one time per year Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 4 2003 —Page 5 to help prevent pollution, and the Town does a hazardous waste collection one time per year. Next year, the Town will do mass mailings, develop a three year plan regarding illicit discharges, and develop regulations for construction site runoff. In the year 2005, the Town will begin implementation of programs and solicit volunteers. The Town Manager noted that instead of committing to certain hours for oil drop off, we should commit to 10 hours per week. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the plan indicates that the Ad Hoc Stormwater Advisory Committee was established in 2003 but there is no mention in the following years. Joe Delaney noted that the Committee disbands at the end of this year. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the "Town of Reading Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan" dated March 4, 2003, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of February 4, 2003, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of February 5 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of February 8, 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of February 11, 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of February 13, 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of February 24, 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Executive Session Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2003 Executive Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of March 4, 2003 at 10.50 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 Respectfully submitt Secretary