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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 15, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Selectman George Hines, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Police Chief Robert Silva, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts, Recreation Administrator John Fuedo, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Dick Munroe, Ryan Mahoney, Carl McFadden, Lori and Ralph Vinciguerra, Dick McDonald, Russ Graham, Pete Dahl, Robert Spadafora, Linda Phillips, Jeff Struble, Jack Downing, Nancy Snow, Marc Guyott, Carmen and Anthony Cavallo, Attorney Josh Latham, Mr. and Mrs. Bramhall, Taylor Bramhall. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation—National Public Safety Telecommunications Week—Police Chief Bob Silva, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Head Dispatcher Dick Monroe and Dispatcher Ryan Mahoney were present. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to approve the Proclamation for National Public Safely Telecommunications Week was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Personnel and Appointments - Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee — The Town Manager noted that the School Committee has designated Monette Verrier as their representative on the Master Plan Advisory Committee. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to place the following name into nomination for one School Committee's representative on the Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee with a term expiring April 30, 2004: Monette Verrier. Ms. Verrier received three votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Settlement — Cumberland Farms — The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel has reached a settlement with Cumberland Farms for $100,000, and he is asking the Board to approve the settlement. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to approve the general release for Cumberland Farms concerning the Route 93 gasoline spill was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Review Financing Options for Sale of Debt — RMHS — School Committee Members Pete Dahl, Carl McFadden and Robert Spadafora joined the Board of Selectmen. Finance Director Beth Klepeis noted that the High School project did not get on the SBA list but it is being worked on. If it does get on the list, it will be 10-15 years before we get any reimbursement from the State. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 15, 2003 —Page 2 Beth Klepeis noted that the Town had three options: (1) we could do BANS for seven years and just pay on the interest, (2) the Town could go for BANS for 15 years but without SBA funding, it would be too expensive, and (3) the best solution would be to go to Town Meeting and introduce an instructional motion to instruct legislature for a special act to sell BANS for 30 years. This would meet the needs of the tax payers and meet the needs of the school. It would be a level debt low interest rate through the whole 30 years. This would cost the average homeowner $422 per year at the FY 2003 tax rate and evaluation. She noted that when this scenario was presented to the Director of Bureau of Accounts, he felt that 25 years was long enough. The Town Manager reviewed the charts and payment schedule for each scenario, and indicated that it would be best to sell debt now for 30 years. Selectman Richard Schubert asked how much time we had to borrow the money if we get on the list. Beth Klepeis indicated about two months and we should have a new audit done first because our financials have changed for the better. Pete Dahl indicated that this scenario relieves the risk of interest rates increasing and level funding would be very beneficial to the community. Chairman Camille Anthony asked why we wouldn't do it for 30 years anyway. The Town Manager noted that the State doesn't approve 30 year funding for everything. The instructional motion would have to be specific for the RMHS project. Selectman George Hines noted that although it is prudent to explore good business practices, the project was passed by the voters on the fact that it was a reimbursable project. The Board directed the Town Manager and Beth Klepeis to speak with the State to see if there would be support for a special act and report back to the Board. Hearing — Amendments to Classification Plan — Head Public Safety Dispatcher and Personnel Policies —The Secretary read the hearing notice. Police Chief Bob Silva and Human Resources Administrator Carol Roberts were present. The Town Manager noted that the Head Public Safety Dispatcher position was previously a Union position. The agreement with the Union was that when the current Head Dispatcher retired, the position would be taken out of the Union. He also noted that Carol Roberts did a study and has classified the position in Grade 12. Carol Roberts noted that the other change to the Personnel Policies is in Section 7.2 — Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited. The number of days to file a complaint has changed from 180 days to 300 days. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to close the hearing on the amendments to the Classification Plan — Head Public Safe1y Dispatcher and Personnel Policies was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 15, 2003 —Page 3 A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to approve the amendments to Sections 9.3 and 7.2 of the Personnel Policies and the Classification Plan was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. - Presentation on Skate Park — Recreation Committee Chairman Jack Downing and Recreation Administrator John Fuedo were present. The Town Manager noted that the Board had previously directed the Recreation Committee to look at other alternatives for the location of a skate park. Jack Downing noted that in May 2001, the Bramhalls talked to a developer regarding funding for a skate park. They originally looked at Memorial Park and there was a lot of opposition to that. Mr. Downing also noted that 1/3 of an acre of level land is needed, the equipment is in modular pieces and can be moved, and the equipment is for an age group of 8 years to 15 years. Twenty sites were identified and scored resulting in six sites to be considered. The six sites include: Memorial Park Tennis Courts, RMHS Volleyball Court, the back of the Burbank Skating Rink, Killiam School Field, Barrows School Tennis Courts, and the soccer backboard at Birch Meadow. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the cost to develop the site. Jack Downing noted that the soil conditions control the cost—it could be costly. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the park would be used for BMX biking. Jack Downing indicated that it would not because the pegs would gouge the equipment. Selectman Richard Schubert asked how they would be kept out. Jack Downing noted that a special entrance could be used to keep them out. Selectman George Hines asked about supervision. Jack Downing noted that it could be supervised or it could not. If it is supervised, a fee could be charged. Selectman George Hines asked about noise, vandalism and boom boxes. Mrs. Bramhall noted that the park in Andover is supervised and the supervisors are the ones with the boom boxes. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that there was a skate park in Wakefield at a school but it was taken out because of noise. Taylor Bramhall noted that the skate park in Wakefield was too close to residents. The Board directed the Town Manager to schedule a site visit of the six sites for 9:00 a.m. on April 26, 2003. Hearing—Liquor License—Venetian Moon - The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that Venetian Moon currently has a beer and wine license because they have less than 100 seats. The plan is to expand and increase to 100 seats so they will need a full liquor license. Board of Selectmen Meeting=April 15, 2003 —Page 4 Attorney Josh Latham was present representing Carmen and Anthony Cavallo. He noted that they are currently using just the ground floor and propose to increase to 100 seats by taking the basement and creating a dining area with sixty seats. They will comply with the liquor policy. They have secured a loan through Danvers Savings Bank and have pledged the license to them. Lisa Cavallo has been added as a shareholder. Selectman George Hines asked if there is a demand from patrons to expand to a full liquor license. Carmen Cavallo noted that he has had 20 to 25 people waiting at one time and he can't have a beer and wine license with 100 seats. Anthony Cavallo noted that they lost 50 people on one Saturday night because they did not have enough seats. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the building can hold 100 seats. The Town Manager noted that the Building Inspector stated that it was doable. The liquor policy states that they have 180 days to be under construction and if not, then the license is not valid. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there was outside access from the basement and it was noted that there was. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to close the hearing for the all alcoholic restaurant liquor license for CAC Foods, Inc. d/b/a Venetian Moon was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to approve the transfer of 30 shares of stock in CAC Foods, Inc. from Carmen Cavallo to Lisa Cavallo was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to approve the election of Lisa Cavallo as the Clerk and as an additional Director of CAC Foods Inc was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines to approve the all alcoholic restaurant liquor license for CAC Foods, Inc. d/b/a Venetian Moon, including the Pledge of License to Danvers Savings Bank, for a term expiring December 31, 2003, subject to the following conditions: All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 Local Circuit Breaker— Selectman Richard Schubert noted that property taxes are based on the value of property, not the ability to pay. He reviewed five current tax relief options for seniors— Elderly Exemption (41c), Alternative Elderly Exemption (17D), Tax Deferral, Senior Tax Work Program and "Circuit Breaker" (State Income Tax). He is proposing to set up a voluntary relief fund for people in need. It would be a property tax based version of the circuit breaker. He asked if there was any interest in pursuing a Home Rule Petition or joining other cities and towns and MMA. He indicated that he spoke with MMA and they recommend getting the Selectmen support first. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that a study committee would have to be formed before going to MMA. Board of Selectmen Meeting=April 15, 2003 —Page 5 The Town Manager noted that there is opportunity within the tax classification to accomplish tax relief He also noted that the Assessor's Office does outreach for the tax relief programs already in place. Selectman George Hines suggested assessing the need if people are not using existing programs. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that people don't apply for a number of reasons. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that there is a need to get current information out to the public. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he would get more information from Newton and Harvard and report back to the Selectmen. Designation of Memorial DaySpeakers — Chairman Camille Anthony indicated that she will speak at Laurel Hill. The rest of the Selectmen will check their calendars. A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to adjourn their meeting of April 15, 2003 at 10:05 p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submit d, Secretary