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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 11, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:40 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, Selectman Gail Wood, Police Chief Robert Silva, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Mark Dickinson, Elliot Tattlebaum, State Representatives Brad Jones and Carol Donovan, Senator Richard Tisei, Steven McLaughlin, Peter Smargon, Phil Vaccaro, Megan Nickerson, Anne McGhie, Barbara and Gil Rodrigues, Debbie and George Rio, Jennifer Lachmyer, Vinnie Cameron, Bill Hughes, Andrew Herlihy, Dan Ensminger, Bob Soli, Attorney Brad Latham, Officer Andy Nichols, Peter Simms, Paul Guazolaca, Jay Smith, Tom O'Connor. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Selectmen hosted a celebration for the closing of the landfill before tonight's Selectmen's Meeting. Developer Mark Dickinson, Elliot Tattlebaum from Jordan's Furniture, State Representatives Brad Jones and Carol Donovan, Senator Richard Tisei, and former members of the Board of Selectmen were present for this celebration. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that the CAB Chairman is requesting an extension from the RMLB and the CAB hasn't even met. He also noted that the CAB was set up to advise the RMLB in decision making and this isn't even a decision of the RMLB. RMLB Chairman Bill Hughes noted that he received the letter from the Chairman of the CAB, and this will be on the RMLB agenda for Thursday night. RMLB Member Andrew Herlihy noted that he would like the opinion of the Board of Selectmen. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to stick to the 30 day time period and no extension be granted was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The Board directed the Town Manager to talk to Counsel about this issue. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that reference was made to an Executive Session with the CAB, and he wants to know if there was an Executive Session because the only information that the CAB can get is public domain. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Town Manager noted that the President has declared Middlesex County a disaster area for the President's Day blizzard. Personnel and Appointments Stormwater Management Advisory Committee — Jennifer Lachmyer was interviewed for one position on the Stormwater Management Advisory Committee. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 11, 2003 —Paize 2 A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Ad Hoc Stormwater Management Advisory Committee with a term expiring December 31, 2003• Jennifer Lachmver. Ms. Lachmver received four votes and was appointed. Master Plan Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Steve McLaughlin and Peter Smargon for positions on the Master Plan Advisory Committee. Cummings moved and Schubert seconded to Dace the following names into nomination for four positions on the Master Plan Advisory Committee with terms expiring April 30, 2004: Tim Kelley RHA), Steven McLaughlin (resident), Jack Russell (DSCI and Peter Smargon (Chamber of Commerce) The applicants received four votes each and were appointed. Discussion/Action Items Hearing — MGL Chapter 47(f) re: RMLD and Competitive Choice — The Secretary read the hearing notice. General Manager of the RMLD Vinnie Cameron, RMLB Chairman Bill Hughes, RMLB Member Andrew Herlihy and Dan Ensminger were present. Vinnie Cameron noted that the Light Department did a study to determine whether the Reading Municipal Light Department should open up to competition. He reviewed the study that was completed and noted that the reasons not to open up to competition include: The RMLD customer's cost could go up, the RMLD rates are competitive and lower than investor owned utilities, a large percentage of customers don't exercise their right to change, and the RMLD has a vision to be the lowest cost provider. RMLB Member Bob Soli asked if any other Municipal Light Departments have opened their territory and Mr. Cameron indicated that they have not. Selectman Richard Schubert asked what is the percentage of commercial that RMLD serves. Mr. Cameron indicated that 63% is commercial/industrial. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked if this issue can be taken up again. Mr. Cameron noted that 47(a) doesn't state that it has to be revisited but it could be up to the Selectmen if the customers ask for it. The Town Manager noted that the decision is the Light Board's, and the Selectmen can only make a recommendation. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing on MGL Chapter 47(f) re: RMLD and Competitive Choice was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood that the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to MGL Chapter 164, Section 47a: ♦ Has held a public hearing on March 11, 2003, duly noticed to the rate pavers in the - Towns of Reading, Lynnfield, North Reading and Wilmington; Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 11, 2003 —Page 3 ♦ Has reviewed a study conducted by the Reading Municipal Light Department presented to the Board of Selectmen on March 11 2003• ♦ Has received the recommendation of the RMLD not to open its service area to competition; and we hereby do not recommend to the Reading Municipal Light Board the opening of the RMLD service area to "competitive choice of generation supply." The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing—Traffic Rules and Regulations —Downtown Parking— The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that a legal notice was put in the newspaper and the Chamber of Commerce also notified their members. He also noted that he is trying to make the Parking Enforcement Officer Program more viable. The Town Manager noted that the proposed changes are to make Lowell Street in front of Town Hall 120 minute parking, make everything in Hamden Yard two hours unless rented, and make 19 spaces at the Depot for employee and merchant parking. He also noted that people are playing parking roulette in the CVS parking lot, and he would like to make it clear that the two hour parking is per day per vehicle. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings noted that if three children are going to the dentist at the same time or if you are going to an attorney, it could take more than three hours. Attorney Brad Latham noted that his wife parks and goes Downtown for more than three hours. He has 13-16 employees and meetings can last three to five hours. He has a personal problem with taking away parking spaces and forcing people to rent, and has handed in a petition against the parking restrictions. ,Gil Rodrigues, whose wife Barbara owns Perfections, noted that people should be able to get things done in two hours. He also noted that one company has 15 employees, another has 16 and they're all parking on the street. He feels that they might as well close their doors because people will go elsewhere if they can't get a parking space. He asked about the accounting for the Parking Enforcement Officer. The Town Manager noted that it has to be self-funding. The income from renting the spaces offset the salary and costs of the program. The tickets don't go into the revolving fund, they go into the general fund and 2/3 of that goes to the schools. Phil Vacarro, owner of 601-607 Main Street, noted that he agreed with Brad Latham. Changing the rules will be hard on the tenants and employees. George Rio, from the Children's Shop, noted that he was in favor of any plan to help turn over parking spaces. He also noted that he lost parking spaces when Danvers Savings Bank went in. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings indicated that he heard the major problem is the employees at CVS. He noted that Atlantic Market and Brooks Pharmacy gets more time than the other part of town. He suggested waiting before making any more changes. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 11, 2003 —Page 4 The Town Manager noted that the Hamden Yard has one hour parking, permit parking and some uncontrolled. If nothing else, he requests that the Selectmen make Hamden Yard two hour parking unless the space is rented. Chainnan Camille Anthony noted that there is a fairness issue. Some employees rent and some don't. Parking Enforcement Officer Andy Nichols noted that he has received phone calls from businesses who ask why they have to pay when others don't. Peter Simms noted that a study was done about five years ago. The train station spaces are underutilized. There are residents who need parking on upper Haven Street. The study indicated that most consumers spend %2 hour Downtown so that is where the two hour parking came from. He also noted that if businesses are going to grow, then we need to get all day parkers out. Paul Guazolaca, CPA, noted that $30.00 doesn't allow him to park all day. He heard there is no enforcement on the rental spots. He also noted that people work crazy hours and some of his customers are there for three to four hours. He suggests waiting and see how this works out. Selectman Gail Wood noted that there are three different lots with three different regulations. She would like to make them all three hours. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the business owners in the room should participate in solving the problem. Police Chief Robert Silva noted that if people cooperated, then we wouldn't need new regulations. He also noted that people are consciously moving their cars one space so as not to get ticketed. He further noted that the Town didn't have steady enforcement until Andy Nichols was hired. He is asking for the cooperation of merchants and building owners. Jay Smith, from Sense of Wonder, asked that the Selectmen pass a motion to eliminate the moving of cars from one space to another by clarifying the two hour parking is per day. Chairman Camille Anthony asked how that would be enforced. Polilce Chief Silva noted that Andy Nichols works a four hour day and if the same vehicle was there three hours later, it would get a ticket. Tom O'Connor, business owner, noted that people are confused because there are different zones, and he wants a level playing field throughout Downtown. Megan Nickerson, Manager of CVS, noted that the issues need to be revisited. She indicated that she has never been approached by anyone regarding the parking problems. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the three hour parking at Atlantic Market versus the two hour parking everywhere else. Peter Simms noted that people in the area of Atlantic linger longer. He suggests that if the Town is going to enforce parking once a day, it be for three hours. Board of Selectmen Meetiniz—March 11, 2003 —Page 5 Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we need to evaluate the needs of all the businesses and she needs to know what businesses want. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings suggested going the corporate route instead of penalizing everyone. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing amending the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to table the issue was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Wood opposed. . Pledge of License—Focaccia Restaurant—The Town Manager noted that Focaccia Restaurant is requesting the Selectmen to approve a Pledge of License to Danvers Savings Bank. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the Focaccia Restaurant Pledge of License to Danvers Savings Bank was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of March 11, 2003 at 11:00 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Resppetfully subm Secretary