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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting October 7, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:08 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, Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Chandra and Ryan McKee, Sharon Thomas, Jon Barker, Kevin Thomas, Stephen Crook, Jennifer Lachmeyer, Taylor Bramhall. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the RMLD is finishing their actuarial study on the Early Retirement Program. The RMLD is also talking about reorganizing and bringing in a Business Manager, and the Accounting Manager position will become dotted line to the General Manager. There are questions as to whether these positions are needed. The CAB member has indicated that a RMLB member questioned his relationship with the Board of Selectmen so he suggests that the CAB member come in to update the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Matthew Cummings questioned whether the CAB should be going into Executive Session because it is his understanding that the CAB should only be concerned with public domain, not Executive Sessions. The Town Manager will check the 20 Year Agreement. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she received a phone call from a woman who got a ticket while getting her hair done. She feels one hour parking is not enough. The Town Manager noted that we need to get consensus from the Downtown merchants. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended a meeting of the RCTV Subcommittee. They set up the ground rules regarding operating under the .open meeting laws, whether the RCTV Board members needed to be sworn in, and there was disagreement as to the purpose of the committee. Chairman George Hines noted that if the RCTV Board has a problem with meeting in public then that shows there's a problem and he will ask the Town Manager to put decertification on the agenda. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that he was unable to attend the RCTV Subcommittee Meeting because of a family obligation. He did attend a Housing Authority Meeting regarding the LIP application. He reminded everyone that Downtown parking issues will be discussed tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Chairman George Hines noted that the Professional Business Woman's Association is honoring Camille Anthony as Woman of the Year and he wished her luck. He also noted that the Town Manager has scheduled a site walk on Pierce Street because the Town has received two petitions— one for and one against the improvements. He noted that he met with the Trust Fund Commissioner, Town Manager and Town Counsel regarding a conflict with the Charter and State law. The Town Manager noted that the Trust Fund Commissioners are on the Selectmen's November 4th Agenda. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 7, 2003 —Page 2 Public Comment—There was no public comment. I i Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ Included in the Board of Selectmen material is a copy of Chapter 44, Section 20 which addresses the issue that was raised on September 23rd on whether the"surplus"funds from the RMHS Schematic design can be used for offsetting the debt service on that item. ♦ The Board of Selectmen has a memo on my recent trip to the ICMA conference in Charlotte. I appreciate being given the time to attend this conference, and particularly appreciate Beth Klepeis's and Paula Schena's assistance in taking care of things for the three days I was gone. ♦ Your packet this evening includes the FY 2004 quarterly report through September 30, 2003. The Board of Selectmen is aware of the couple of areas where we have budget problems and we hope to address them at the upcoming Subsequent Town Meeting. ♦ The Board of Selectmen has been copied on a letter from Brackett & Lucas giving the ZBA their opinion that it is in fact the Board of Selectmen that controls access to a public way. This question has come up regarding the George Street 40b project. ♦ I attended a hearing of the Local Affairs Committee this afternoon on the West Street Heavy Vehicle Exclusion Home Rule Bill. Former Selectman and West Street resident Sally Hoyt also testified. Rep. Brad Jones spoke on behalf of the bill and expedited our testimony. ♦ On October 8th, the Town will be hosting a meeting of Downtown businesses relative to Downtown parking. This is a follow-up to the Board of Selectmen meeting in which staff proposed changes were rejected, and the Board of Selectmen asked for further dialogue with the business community. ♦ We have received a petition from residents of Pierce Street regarding the curb and sidewalk. We have scheduled a site walk for this Saturday at 9:00. ♦ The second issue of"Your Community Connection,"a quarterly newsletter to the Community, is at the printers. Advancian Real Estate has sponsored the cost of printing and mailing. ♦ The Town's "emergency warning" sirens were tested on Saturday, October 4th. Dispatch received only one phone call regarding this test. Fire Chief Burns did an excellent job letting the community know about the proposed test. ♦ The Fall Household Hazardous Waste Collection took place on October 4th at the DPW Garage. The turnout was light. ♦ Hours for the Compost Center in October will be: Starting October 3rd on Fridays and Mondays from 8 `til 2:30, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. `til 5:00 p.m. The Compost Center will NOT be open on October 13th—Columbus Day. ♦ The Financial Forum meets on Thursday, October 9th at the RMLD Meeting Room. ♦ FINCOM is meeting on October 16th to review the Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting. ♦ The training session for Boards, Committees and Commissions and staff is scheduled for October 16th at 7:00 p.m. This is the annual Ethics training, and we will be doing it jointly with Stoneham in Stoneham this year. A reminder and directions to Stoneham Town Hall will be sent out soon. ♦ The Fire Department's Annual Open House was Saturday, October 4,2003. ♦ On October 15th, the Planning Division will be holding a Master Plan forum on Economic Development at Coolidge Middle School. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 7, 2003 —Page 3 Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Knights of Columbus Weekend for the Phvsically and Mentally Challenged Children—Members of the Knights of Columbus were present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the Proclamation honoring the Knights of Columbus Weekend for the Physically and Mentally Challenged was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Proclamation — Reading Women's Club 110th Anniversary Celebration on October 10 2003 — A_ motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve the Proclamation honoring the Reading Women's Club loth Anniversary Celebration on October 10, 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Proclamation—Honoring the Business and Professional Women's Week on October 19-25 2003 A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve the Proclamation honoring the Business and Professional Women's Week on October 19-25 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Certificate of Recognition — Business Woman of the Year Selectman Camille Anthg= — A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve a Certificate of Recognition for Business Woman of the Year Selectman Camille Anthony was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 Discussion/Action Items Follow-Up on Skateboard Park and Imagination Station The Town Manager noted that the skateboard park is a separate issue from Imagination Station. He also noted that a lot of work needs to be done and fundraising for both projects needs to start. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the Ice Rink is a good location for a temporary skateboard park, and the Town Manager indicated that it would need to be paved and fenced in. Selectman Camille Anthony asked what was in the area of the RMLD, and the Town Manager indicated that it was a heavy traffic industrial area. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert had suggested finding a private property to lease temporarily. The Town Manager suggested Pearson,Home Goods or the Danis properties. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the wall for soccer at Birch Meadow, and the Town Manager noted that area will be disturbed by construction. Chairman George Hines asked about the site plan for the High School, and the Town Manager noted that one plan had the area blocked out for a skateboard park but he doesn't know if it still does. Chairman George Hines asked Taylor Bramhall if a temporary location would be viable, and Taylor indicated that it would. I Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 7, 2003 —Page 4 The Town Manager noted that Mark Dickinson is the donor of equipment but he didn't sign up for the full cost—fundraising will need to be done. Selectman Gail Wood and Vice Chairman Richard Schubert indicated that they had a problem with relocating Imagination Station and they felt that it is cheaper to refurbish. The Board directed the Town Manager to investigate a lease on private property and report back to the Board in November. Bill Brown noted that there is 180,000 square feet of land across from the High School and the architects have stated that they will not touch it because it is under the control of the Selectmen. Bill Brown also recommended the Tennessee Gas property on Walkers Brook because it is fenced in,paved and not being utilized. Hearing— Traffic Rules and Regulations re: Use/Placement of Private Recreation Equipment in a Public Right of Way—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The.Town Manager noted that the Selectmen discussed this at their August 5th workshop meeting. The Selectmen directed the Town Manager to draft a proposed regulation that would require all permanent equipment to be removed, address the issue of moveable, and allow the Police to prohibit. The Town Manager noted that the portable equipment will have to be removed by dusk and put out no earlier than dawn. The Police may prohibit if it is detrimental to public safety. There will E also be no impeding of emergency equipment or interfere with snow removal. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we don't always know when we will be street sweeping or plowing. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested removing the word"schedule." Selectman Camille Anthony suggested putting the regulations on the website and having a 30 day comment period. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to continue the hearing on amendingthe Traffic Rules and Regulations re: Use/Placement of Private Recreation Equipment in a Public Right of Way to November 4,2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Storm Water Management Options — Town Engineer Joe Delaney and Ad Hoc Storm Water Management Advisory Committee Members Steve Crook and Jennifer Lachmeyer were present. Joe Delaney reviewed the charge of the committee and noted that this would be the final report of the committee. Joe Delaney noted that the minimum recommendations are to develop new regulations, create and distribute public educational material, develop public involvement plan, map outfalls and develop a plan and continue with current practices. Recommended additional programs include: Develop a school curriculum, encourage infiltration measures, GIS mapping of the drainage system is exceptionally important, hire a consultant for illicit detection, purchase new street sweeping equipment and catch basin equipment and hire additional summer help. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 7, 2003 —Page 5 Joe Delaney noted that there are three options for funding the program. The first is through the general fund, the second is through the existing enterprise fund, and the third would be to create a storm water utility enterprise fund. The cost of the program would be $275,000 per year and that would include three full-time employees with benefits, $50,000 in expenses and $100,000 in capital. This averages out to approximately $30.00 per year per home. He also noted that half of these costs are currently being incurred. The Ad Hoc Storm Water Management Advisory Committee (SWMAC) recommends that a dedicated funding source be provided for the program, and that the duties of the SWMAC be transferred to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Selectman Gail Wood noted that some communities have already hired a consultant. She also noted that if an enterprise fund is set up, then all of the costs have to be allocated so we would have to make sure that there is enough money in the enterprise fund. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if we could add $30.00 to the water and sewer bill. Joe Delaney noted that the Town Accountant indicated that we have to be careful about what is a tax and what is a fee. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that the legislature has proposed to put off Phase 2 for a couple of years and she would like to look at this for a longer period of time. The Town Manager noted that the sooner we start, the better off we will be. The Town needs a new street sweeper and we have GIS that we need to get the information into. Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings agreed. - Chairman George Hines noted that we just hit the taxpayer with an operating override, and he is still hearing complaints regarding a fee for the Compost Center. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony directing the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee to come back to the Board of Selectmen with a funding mechanism recommendation for the FY 2005 budget was discussed. Hines moved and Wood seconded to delete FY 2005 from the motion. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that she felt there wasn't enough time to implement it in FY 2005. The Town Manager noted that the he could identify and breakout the costs when preparing the FY 2005 Budget. The motion to amend was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Anthony and Cummings opposed The main motion as amended was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to accept the final report of the Ad Hoc Storm Water Management Advisory Committee, and to pass along thanks from a grateful community to the participants was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 Review of Town Counsel Options—The Town Manager noted that the current contract expires at the end of this calendar year. He needs to know if the Selectmen want to continue with outside counsel or go with in-house counsel. The consensus of the Board was to continue with outside counsel. The Town Manager indicated that he would put together a process. Chairman George Hines directed the Town Manager to find out if present counsel will work on an ad hoc basis until we are done with the process. Board of Selectmen Meeting—October 7, 2003—Page 6 Review Options for Licensin)/Re isterinaftspecting- Gasoline Service Stations — The Town Manager noted that he has put together a task force with representatives from Fire, Health, Conservation, Engineering and Town Counsel. He suggests annual licensing for gas stations with conditions to be met. Town Counsel has indicated that this can be done through a Bylaw or Selectmen policy. The Town Manager's preference is to do a policy and perhaps a Bylaw saying the Selectmen can do this. There was discussion among the Board regarding fees and reporting mechanisms. The Town Manager will develop a permissive Bylaw and Rules and Regulations. Signing of Orders of Taking for Accepted Streets — The Town Manager noted that these streets were previously accepted as public ways but the paperwork was never filed. This will make it official. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings that the Board of Selectmen accept the notices of taking for the following streets and to send such notices immediately to those owners as depicted on the Schedule A attached io each notice and to send a copy of such notice immediately to those owners and mortgage and mortgage holders as depicted on the schedule attached to the notice: Chapel Hill Estate Lane Fairchild Drive Davis Lane Fairview Avenue Gateway Circle Ashley Place Haystack Road Jessica Circle Duck Road Kurchian Lane Lilah Lane Emerald Drive Lindsay Lane Milepost Road b Old Farm Road Partridge Road Pond Meadow Drive Rice Road Riverside Drive Sanborn Lane Stone Well Road Symonds Way Terrace Park Thomas Drive Verde Circle was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of September S, 2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of September 23,2003 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with respect to litigation not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. The meeting of October 7,2003 was adjourned at 9:55 ppm. Respectfully submitted, Secretary