Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 18,2003 The meeting convened at 7:31 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 Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Darryll Firenze, Steve McLaughlin, Charles Voner, Joan Colpitts, John Pinieu, Michael Cashman, Peter Gammie, Gary Nihan, John Smolak,David Ginngrande, David O'Sullivan,Richard Stewart. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Camille Anthony noted that Summer Avenue has been paved. She received two phone calls regarding the sandwich signs on the Common. Some stores will be open the evening of December 4t' -- it will be called "Shop the Block." Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the Mass Highway RFP has been released and the consultants will be responding by December 19, 2003. He also noted that Sally Hoyt has been nominated as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Town Manager noted that he has received a revised plan for Van Norden Road for 10 units. The previous LIP has been disposed of and he asked if the Board wants to entertain this. The Board directed the Town Manager to find out if this plan asks for any waivers. ♦ The Audit Report is in tonight's packet. The Town Accountant will be in early January to answer any questions. ♦ Moody's was in Town last Thursday to look at our bond rating. We won't know until we sell bonds if our rating has been increased. The Town Manager noted that we are doing this for the sale of the 30 year bonds and asked if the Board is amendable to this. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she has a problem with a 30 year bond because the buildings need rehab after 20 years. Chairman George Hines noted that the building has a 50 year life and the Town's financial advisor states that this is the best thing to do. The Town Manager indicated that he will bring Beth Klepeis in on November 25th for the Board to make a decision. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Recognition — Sally Hoyt selected as Citizen of thee�y the Chamber of Commerce — A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the Certificate of Recognition for SallHoyt g selected as the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and.Appointments Substance Abuse Prevention AdvisoryCouncil — The Board interviewed Gary Nihan for one position on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 18, 2003 —Page 2 Anthony moved and Wood seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council with a term expiring June 30 2006: Gary Nihan. Mr. Nihan received four votes and was appointed. Hearing—Local Initiative Program Application—201-275 Salem Street—John Smolak, Richard Stewart, David Ginngrande and David O'Sullivan were present. John Smolak noted that this is a 36 unit townhouse project with age restrictions. The area is S15 zoning and 25% or 9 units will be affordable. There will be a local preference for the affordable units. They are dealing with the wetland issues and a traffic analysis has been submitted with the application. He also noted that this project fills a market need for senior housing. It is a good use of the property and the property will be cleaned up. This project will generate approximately $100,000 of revenue to the Town via taxes. David Ginngrande of Design Consultants noted that the property consists of 6.2 acres that is 80% open space. The project will meet the setback requirements. The utilities will be looped and the roof drains will be infiltrated. He also noted that 16,000 vehicles per day travel Salem Street. He approximates the trip generation from this site to be 14 trips in the morning and 15 trips in the evening, distributed by two driveways. One of the driveways is across from Libby Avenue but he doesn't anticipate additional trips up Libby Avenue. The fire egress will be 24 feet at the entrance and 22 feet within the development. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if this location would be eligible for a traffic light. Mr. Ginngrande indicated that it would have to be justified, and he doesn't think this project will fit the requirements for a traffic signal. The Town Manager noted that Baystate Road has the most -- traffic and the Selectmen might want to consider a signal there. David O'Sullivan noted that the buildings are two stories with a one car garage for each unit (except four units have no garage). There is a substantial number of guest parking spaces because there is no parking on Salem Street. There will be a buffer and fence along the Dunkin' Donuts border. Sidewalks will connect to Salem Street and there will be a walking trail. The stairways to the units are wide enough to add a chair lift and the units have a universal design. Selectman Gail Wood asked how many parking spaces there are, and it was noted that there are 82 spaces. She noted that 32 units take up 64 spaces which leaves only 18 free spaces, of which only 10 will be guest spaces. David Ginngrande noted that there is overflow parking at REI. Selectman Gail Wood noted that REI already has overflow parking from the restaurant, and she is concerned that there is not enough parking. The.Town Manager noted that the zoning standard is 1.5 spaces per unit and this project has 2.3 spaces per unit. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the original proposal had 39 units and this one has 36. David Ginngrande noted that they took out three units because the buildings were too close. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert asked if there were detention basins, and Mr. Ginngrande indicated that there are underground basins. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 18 2003 —Page 3 - Selectman Gail Wood asked about drainage and if there will be oil/gas separators. David Ginngrande noted that the drainage will be connected to the project drainage and there will be oil/gas separators. Selectman Gail Wood asked who would maintain the drainage, and Mr. Ginngrande noted that a maintenance plan will be filed with the Conservation Commission, and the homeowner's association will be responsible for maintenance. Selectman Gail Wood asked who will collect the trash, and David O'Sullivan indicated that it will be curbside collection by the Town. Selectman Gail Wood had concerns about snow storage and suggested that the primary and secondary locations be switched. Steve McLaughlin of 195 Salem Street noted that he is not opposed to the project but he has concerns about density. He would like to see a single family house in the project to fit in with the neighborhood. He thinks the trail is an excellent idea and noted that the street trees need to be maintained. Mike Cashman of 3 Libby Avenue noted that the curve in the road is a problem when exiting, especially at night. Also,he leases parking spaces at REI and there are no spaces available. Darryll Firenze of 39 Johanna Drive noted that she can't get out of Johanna Drive in the morning. A traffic light would back traffic to the Rotary. She suggested a trip light might work. Overall, she likes the project. Charlie Voner of 232 Salem Street noted that there are a lot of accidents in the area. He has a hard time crossing on foot to Dunkin' Donuts on a Sunday morning. Chairman George Hines suggested designating one way exits to avoid problems. The Town Manager noted that the westerly entrance could be slip in and slip out with a sign for no left turn. Selectman Camille Anthony had concerns about 55+ being in perpetuity. The Town Manager noted that it could be in perpetuity unless the homeowner's association comes back to the Board of Selectmen. The Town would have the right of first refusal. Vice Chairman Richard Schubert noted that the traffic issue at the curve needs to be addressed. He would like to see a single family home along the Salem Street frontage, and he suggested reducing the number of units or doing something architectural. David O'Sullivan noted that he did turn the units that will be facing the street. Chairman George Hines suggested breaking the peak in the long roof of the seven unit building along Salem Street. The Town Manager noted that the DRT commented that the streetscape frontage is well done. He suggested that staff work with the developer and perhaps create a working group. John Smolak noted that he had concerns about the timing. The Selectmen have 45 days to make their decision once the hearing is closed and then it has to be sent to DHCD. He requested that the Selectmen close the hearing tonight and render a decision. The Town Manager disagreed and noted that additional information is needed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 18, 2003—Page 4 A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to continue the hearing on the LIP application for 201-275 Salem Street to December 16,2003 at 8:00 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of November 4, 2003 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of November 10, 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 November 13, 2003 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of November 18, 2003 at 9:45 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned.. Respectfully submitted, Secretary F