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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 4,2003 The meeting convened at 7:30 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, Selectman Matthew Cummings, Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Kerry, Taylor and Andy Bramhall, Ryan and Chandra McKee, Brian Palumbo, Ralph Colorasso, J. Ryan, Robert Nordstrand, Judith, David and Catherine Gillette, Andy Ricciardone, Max Mejiborsky, Tim Hildreth, Stephen Trites,Police Officer Matt Edson,Dave Billard. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Gail Wood noted that the RCTV Subcommittee met and they are looking at three major points: Representation of the Selectmen and School Committee, disposition of equipment if RCTV dissolves and program content. Chairman George Hines suggested having a "community standard" clause regarding content. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that a "straw contract" is being developed, and some members of the committee want to know how the Selectmen feel to make sure they are headed down the right path. Selectman Gail Wood also noted that the West Street Historic District Committee met, and she - attended the tour of the Water Treatment Plant on Saturday. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Reading Housing Authority had a workshop on the potential LIP application on Pleasant Street. Neighbors attended and parking is the key issue. There will be a DRT review and another community workshop. Chairman George Hines noted that he attended a meeting of the Charter Review Committee and he was elected Chairman. He met with 128 Sales this evening and will update the Board in Executive Session. He also noted that the Library has new signs indicating that there is no skate boarding or roller blading allowed. The ballfieid at Addison-Wesley is not being used by youth groups yet. The Town Manager noted that he is working with the attorneys on the agreement. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ He noted that the ALS Program will be operational once the vehicles are inspected. ♦ He attended the MMA Regional Administrator Committee Meeting today, and they had a presentation on whistle blowing at railroad crossings. There is no record of legally establishing a quiet zone in Reading. The MMA will be the sponsor to the DTE to legally establish a quiet zone. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 4. 2003 —Page 2 Personnel and Appointments Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council — The Board interviewed Police Officer Matt Edson for one position on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council. Wood moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council with a term expiring June 30, 2004: Matt Edson. Officer Edson received four votes and was appointed Discussion/Action Items Report on Efforts to Secure Leased Site .for Temporary Skateboard Park — The Town Manager noted that he is exploring seven sites for the temporary location for a skateboard park. He contacted the following property owners. ♦ Frugal Fannies initially indicated that they were not interested because they are looking at redeveloping the property but when they thought about it, they indicated they might be interested. ♦ Addison-Wesley/Pearson will be getting back to him. ♦ Austin Prep has no space available. ♦ Brooks has an area of leased land from the MBTA that is 22 feet wide. It is a visible location that is accessible. He has sent a letter to Brooks. ♦ He has been unable to make contact with Home Goods. ♦ Camp Curtis is a possibility of a regional facility. He has sent them a letter. ♦ The contact at Keyspan will get back to him on Monday. The Town Manager, noted that he hopes to get closure within two weeks. Recreation Administrator John Feudo has developed a draft outline of rules and regulations. The Town would operate and set the hours and perhaps partner with the YMCA for operation. The Board asked Taylor Bramhall if he was interested in the Brooks property. Taylor Bramhall indicated that it needs paving and a fence but it is a feasible site. The Town Manager noted that he will update the Board on November 25, 2003. Hearin;—Tax Classification—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Assessor Dave Billard and Board of Assessors Members Tom Ryan, Bob Nordstrand and Ralph Colorusso were present. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 4 2003 —Page 3 Dave Billard noted that the residential exemption shifts the tax from the lower level properties to the higher level properties. The commercial exemption also shifts the tax from the lower value properties to the higher value properties and would affect 38 properties. There must be 10 or - fewer employees and have a value of less than$1 million. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing setting the tax rate for FY 2004 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to adopt a residential factor of 1 for the FY 2004 tax rate was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to adopt an open space discount for the FY 2004 tax rate failed by a vote of 0-4-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to adopt a residential exemption for the FY 2004 tax rate failed by a vote of 0-4-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to grant a small commercial exemption for the FY 2004 tax rate failed by a vote of 0-4-0 A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose, of approval of minutes, discussion of strategy with respect toep nding litigation and discussion of strategy with respect to union and non-union negotiations to come back into i Open Session at approximately 9.00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 9:00 p.m. Continued Hearing — Private Recreation Equipment on Public Property — The Town Manager noted that proposed rules and regulations have been developed and placed on the Town's website for 30 day comment period. He received an e-mail from Rhonda Holt. Chairman George Hines noted that enforcement will take place when it is a nuisance or safety issue. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert 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 Wood seconded by Cummings to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding Section 4.7 Restrictions on use and placement ofrip vately owned recreation equipment in a public right of way was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 Hearing—Pierce Street Curbing Sidewalk Road Reconstruction—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Chairman George Hines noted that this is a requirement of the development approval by CPDC. The residents are asking that the sidewalks not be constructed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 4, 2003 —Page 4 The Town Manager noted that the plan includes sidewalks from Salem Street and to repair the street. The developer did not perform so CPDC took the bond. The Town Manager noted that the curb and sidewalk is the majority of the expense. The Board did a site visit. The street is very narrow and the highest priority is to get the street done. The Town Manager read a letter from Peg Pratt. Chairman George Hines noted that Selectman Camille Anthony e-mailed her comments. She does not want sidewalks, and suggests putting in the curbing but no sidewalks. Town Engineer Joe Delaney noted that if curbing is installed, there will be a problem with parking. David Gillette of 26 Pierce Street indicated that there is no parking on Salem Street so they park on Pierce Street. If sidewalks are put in, then parking will be restricted. He noted that the designs of the condos had changed. The wall aggravates snow removal and the street is very narrow. Tim Hildreth of 20 Pierce Street suggested not doing the sidewalk and curbing and just patch the street. Joe Delaney noted that if the sidewalk and curbing is not done, then the money needs to be given back. Max Mejiborsky of 19 Pierce Street noted that he is the President of the Condo Association, and people park on Pierce Street because there are only two parking spaces for 12 units. The street is in horrible condition and something needs to be done. He also noted that the developer sawed out sidewalks and that is all mud. The lights are not set up yet and a whole portion of the road is not complete. Judith Gillette of 26 Pierce Street indicated that she wants the money spent on the street but no sidewalks. She noted that the developer chewed up the road and it was her understanding that he would fix the road. She feels that it is a bad idea to give the money back when he ruined the road. She also noted that there were no drainage problems until he did the project. Katie Gillette of 26 Pierce Street indicated that there must be a way to fix the road without giving the money back. Stephen Trites of 9 Pierce Street noted that CPDC requested the sidewalks and curbing. They thought it was necessary. Selectman Gail Wood asked what could be done to channel the water. Joe Delaney noted that a drip berm could be installed but it will break down if it is parked on. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Condo Association also has a shortage of parking and there are telephone poles in the way. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the policy of putting in curbs and sidewalks is a good idea but it has to be practical in the neighborhood. He feels that putting in a sidewalk is ridiculous Board of Selectmen Meeting;—November 4, 2003 —Page 5 because it will create parking problems, and suggests using the money to correct the drainage and fix the street. i Judith Gillette suggested keeping the telephone poles and put curbing around them to create parking spaces. She also suggested putting parking spaces near the wall. Chairman George Hines noted that for safety reasons,we need to be consistent all the way down the street. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the property across the street could also be an issue when redeveloped. He does not want to give the money back. The Town Manager noted that morally if the money is taken for a specific purpose and it doesn't .get spent on those specific purposes,then the money should be returned. Katy Gillette noted that theoretically she agrees with the moral aspect but the developer hasn't been moral himself. If he destroys a street, then he should fix it. Selectman Gail Wood suggested putting a gravel sidewalk and a rolled curb. A motion to close the hearing on Pierce Street curbing, sidewalk and road reconstruction was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Wood abstaining_ A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to repave Pierce Street and install curbin„g,, but no sidewalk failed by a vote of 1-3-0,with Hines Schubert and Wood opposed A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the construction of curb and sidewalk along the easterly side of Pierce Street from Salem Street to the northerly driveway of the condominium proiect, and proceed to do the proposed reconstruction of the street surface, keeping the sidewalk and curb as narrow as possible while meeting all of the requirements of the Americans for Disabilities Act and any other Federal or State laws or regulations was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Cummings opposed. Hearing — Amendment to Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Policy re: Storm Water Management—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Chairman George Hines noted that the amendment is to include storm water management in the charge of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing amending the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee policy was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the amendment regarding storm water management to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee policy was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 4, 2003—Page 6 Hearing—Sunday Liquor Sales during the Holidays—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Chairman George Hines noted that Sunday liquor sales during the holidays is allowed by law but requires the Selectmen to hold a hearing. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing on Sunday liquor sales during the holidays was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the sale of liquor beginning on Sunday, November 23, 2003 and continuing Sunday, November 30, December 7, December 14, December 21 and December 28, 2003 from the hours of 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. in accordance with State law, subject to the premises being in compliance and remaining in compliance with the local Zoning By-Laws with respect to signs and particularly related to illuminated signs was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant — The Town Manager noted that Article 10 will be tabled. We will go out to bid first and if there is not enough money, then we will go back to Town Meeting. Article 17 will be tabled because the Reading Municipal Light Department indicated that it is not financially feasible. Article 9 is to transfer $23,565.67 to the RMHS project because the money cannot be used to pay --- down the existing debt. Article 13 is the water line for Birch Meadow. The cost will be $487,000. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee approved the concept but not the Article because they didn't have the cost. A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to support the subject matter of Article 13 of the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Chairman George Hines noted that there is a change in the wording of the motion for Article 14 by adding the words"or other appointing authority." FY 2005 Budget—The Town Manager noted that he has received all department requests and will hopefully be distributing the budget next week. Approve of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of October 9, 2003 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Wood abstaining: A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of October 14, 2003 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Cummings abstaining. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 4, 2003 —Page_7 A,motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of October 21, 2003 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of November 4, 2003 at 10:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, c �'�c t t$_ r �r✓6' f Secretary f