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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 19, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Housing Authority Executive Director Lyn Whyte, Police Chief Bob Silva, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Jane Bennett, John Coote, Don Allen, Mary Connors, Karen Flammia, Nathan White, Sgt. Jim Cormier, Donna Taylor Mooers. Comments on RMLD General Manager's Draft Contract - Chairman George Hines asked the Board if they had any comments on the RMLD General Manager's draft contract. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she agreed with the Town Manager's comments and noted that there is a discrepancy between the Board has to give nine months notice of termination but the General Manager only has to give six weeks. Chairman George Hines indicated that he feels there should be no term on the contract because a C.E.O. doesn't need a term. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested that Town Counsel review the contract against the Charter amendments that were recently made. Discussion/Action Items Approval of P & S — Governor's Drive — The Town Manager noted that the property is being sold to Habitat for Humanity. The Purchase and Sales Agreement has been reviewed by staff and Town Counsel. The Selectmen still need to go through the LIP application. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested changing the date in#8. The Town Manager will change the date from July 31, 2003 to December 31, 2003. Selectman Gail Wood asked about schedule of expenses, and the Town Manager noted that is for road improvements. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked about #22f and whether Habitat is still responsible for the second mortgage. The Town Manager indicated that they are. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that in #22g, the value of the property is subject to the market at the time. The Town Manager indicated that they would go by whichever LIP guidelines are in place at the time. Chairman George Hines asked about the written in section in #22k. The Town Manager noted that some of the work will be done afterwards such as the final layer of pavement. Board of Selectmen Meeting Au4ust 19, 2003 —Page2 A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the Purchase and Sales Agreement, as amended with December 31, 2003 date instead of July 31, 2003 between the Town of Reading and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell, Inc. for two single family residential lots consisting of 7500 square feet each for a total of 15,000 square feet of property on Governor's Drive was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing Establishing Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the policy was circulated to the Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee, the Moderator and Bill Brown. The only issue was who serves. He is recommending one member of the Board of Selectmen, one member appointed by the School Committee, one member appointed by the Finance Committee, one member of the Bylaw Committee, one member of the Rules Committee, one member of a Board, Committee or Commission, and one resident who may be a former member of the Charter Commission. The term will expire on June 30, 2004. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that we should specifically state a former member of the Charter Commission. Bill Brown noted that there are no major changes needed to the Charter,just some tweaking. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to close the hearing on establishing an Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to adopt the policy dated August 19, 2003 establishing an Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Presentation by RHA re: 75 Pleasant Street—Housing Authority Executive Director Lyn Whyte, Housing Authority Members Don Allen, John Coote, Mary Connors and Karen Flammia were present. The Town Manager noted that the Housing Authority owns 75 Pleasant Street and are looking at potential redevelopment. Lyn Whyte noted that there is a shortage of housing for low income families in Reading. She noted that 33% of the residents in Reading earn below the median average. The Housing Authority owns 23 family units and have the 24th on its way. They are proposing to replace 75 Pleasant Street with six townhouse units. John Coote handed out preliminary designs. He noted that this is the ideal location for public housing because it is close to Downtown. The proposed townhouses would be two stories with basements. There will be four, three bedroom units and two, two bedroom units. There will be 10 parking spaces and the neighbor next door has asked for a parking space. There is a need to address the issue of the sewer connection because of the slope of the land. He proposes to go through the parking lot into the other street. Chairman George Hines suggested that they look at putting the entrance for the end unit on the end view. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 19 2003 —Page 3 Selectman Gail Wood suggested moving the parking closer to the homes, and John Coote indicated that is not a good idea. She also suggested tying the roof drainage into the drainage system. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert indicated that he would be interested in seeing this project in comparison to other existing projects regarding slope, parking and drainage. He asked if the two bedrooms attics were unfinished, and John Coote indicated that they had no dormers. Chairman George Hines noted that the Housing Authority might want to discuss a land swap so they would have all frontage on Pleasant Street. The Town Manager noted that was discussed before but the neighbors didn't like the idea. Nathan White noted that the number of children in the school system keeps increasing when we add residential properties. Don Allen noted that the six unit project will replace the two units that are presently there. The parking accommodates the neighbor, there will be no garages, and there will be basements to put the utilities in. The Housing Authority will expect the permitting fees to be waived. He also noted that the prevailing wage has an affect on the cost of the project. The Housing Authority will be requesting $160,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust. Mary Connors, Chairman of the Housing Authority, noted that it is a pleasure to participate in adding affordable housing to give young families the opportunity to be self sufficient. --- The Town Manager suggested scheduling a Development Review session and then hold a public hearing. He also suggested exploring the development of frontage on Pleasant Street. Selectman Gail Wood suggested having the public hearing on the concept plans before the Housing Authority spends the money on an architect. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert suggested holding the hearing at the Senior Center. Bill Brown suggested if the hearing is held at the Senior Center to put cones out on Pleasant Street to show where the houses would be. Orders of Taking for Street Acceptances — The Town Manager noted that this is a legal technicality. The Selectmen need to move to take these properties. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to adopt an Order of Taking of the Layout, pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws, Chapter 82, Section 24, for each of the following roadways located in Reading, Massachusetts, as each layout was accepted by vote under Article 17 of the 2003 Annual Town Meeting voted on May 8, 2003• Ashley Road Estate Lane Jessica Circle Stone Well Road Chapel Hill Drive Fairchild Drive Lilah Lane Terrace Park Davis Lane Fairview Avenue Lindsay Lane Thomas Drive Duck Road Gateway Circle Partridge Road Verde Circle was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 19, 2003 —Page 4 Continued Hearing — Cherry Lane Drive Park Access — Chairman George Hines noted that this hearing is continued from July 22, 2003. The people who raised the issue decided not to pursue it any further right now. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to close the public hearing regarding the Cherry Lane Drive Park access was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to continue with the current park polices exists right now was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Presentation on Police Department Certification— Police Chief Bob Silva, Sargent Jim Cormier and the Executive Director of Mass. Police Commission Donna Taylor Mooers were present. Chief Silva noted that Reading is now State certified and the policy gives guidance and measure. He also noted that Sargent Jim Cormier deserves most of the credit. Sargent Cormier noted that the process began 15 years ago but wasn't completed due to layoffs. He also noted that in the mid-90's, the Commission established a set of 375 standards and 151 were needed to be certified. He reviewed the process for becoming certified. Ms. Mooers noted that Reading is the 9th department in the Commonwealth to become certified and is in compliance with 151 standards. She presented a certificate to Chief Silva, and noted that the Town may put the State Certification logo on their letterhead and/or cruisers. She also r noted that Sargent Cormier has been appointed by the Commission as an Assessor. Review of Police Ticketing Process —Chairman George Hines noted that this was on the agenda because of an article in the Boston Globe which stated the number of motor vehicle stops in . Reading are much larger than the amount of tickets issued. The Town issued 5,015 citations but 4,477 of them were warnings. Chief Silva noted that the number of stops is more important than the action taken. He also noted that most of the complaints he receives are on parking tickets and very few citations are contested so there is quality to what is being issued. He noted that the department is trying to establish good community relations. He feels the whole process is good, and noted that verbal warnings are now recorded. Chief Silva noted that there is no fine or court action with a warning but it does go to the Registry. There is a money fine with civil action, and criminal citations have to go to court. Sargent Cormier noted that the Department give the appearance of omnipresence and people avoid Reading for that reason. The Department is deterring criminals. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about the disparity with other communities. Chief Silva noted that three communities have traffic enforcement, and selective traffic enforcement reduces crime and results in fewer accidents. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 19 2003 —Pare 5 Selectman Camille Anthony noted that people are driving too fast in Reading and she thought tickets meant fines. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that speed is an issue but Reading's reputation is that you will get"bagged." He feels that the approach is reasonable. The Town Manager noted that the Department does a lot of speed checking and are extremely diligent in following up on complaints. Approve "Notice of Landfill Operation" —The Town Manager noted that the DEP requires this. It was last filed in 1982 so it needs to be updated on what is going on with the landfill. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the Notice of Landfill Operation at Walkers Brook Crossing was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of August 19, 2003 at 10:05 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, -7— Secretary f Secretary