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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting April 23, 2002 The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Recreation Administrator Mark Hyson, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Linda Polcari, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Bill Brown, Doug Cowell, Alan and Jared Beaulieu, Peter and Robert DePesa, Stephen Crook, Richard Moore, Taylor Bramhall, Amy Brough, Attorney James White, Attorney Brad Latham, Dick Howard, Ted Moore. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of strategy with respect to the sale of real estate and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session at approximately 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:30 p.m. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation—Arbor Day-Rescheduled for next meeting. Personnel& Appointments Badge Pinning—Fire Fighter Linda Polcari—Fire Chief Greg Burns introduced Linda Polcari to the Board and reviewed her qualifications. Linda's mother pinned on her badge. Discussion/Action Items Presentation on Skateboard Park — 13 year old Taylor Bramhall gave video presentation and a handout to the Board of Selectmen for a skateboard park on the tennis court at Memorial Park. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the condition of the tennis courts. Taylor noted that the cracks can be filled but they don't have to be. Selectman Richard Schubert asked how many kids were interested in this. Taylor noted that he got three pages of signatures in one day in school. Selectman Gail Wood asked why he chose the tennis courts behind the Fire Station. Taylor noted because it was in the center of Town, no site work is needed, and the paramedics are right there if they are needed. There are 16 other tennis courts in Town for the tennis players. Taylor also noted that the Recreation Committee indicated that Memorial Park was the best location. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel states that there is no impediment regarding the deed to Memorial Park. He also noted that Mark Dickinson has offered funding of the skateboard park. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 23, 2002—Page 2 Recreation Administrator Mark Hyson noted that the two tennis courts are not used very often. He indicated that the Chamber of Commerce would be happy to see the kids out of Downtown. Chairman George Hines noted that the sense of the Board is to go ahead and schedule a hearing with notification to abutters. The Town Manager noted that if it gets approved, then rules and regulations will have to be developed and maintenance would have to be determined. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that there are certain restrictions for Memorial Park. Taylor noted that skateboarding is not an organized sport. Review Recreation Revolving Fund—The Town Manager noted that there is more money in the Recreation Revolving Fund than the State allows us to keep. He met with Mark Hyson and the Recreation Committee to determine how to spend down the money. The plan is to purchase software, hire an entry level Assistant Recreation Administrator, pay rent to the schools to cover the cost of heat and electricity, and return money to the Department of Public Works for maintaining the parks. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he is not comfortable with paying rent to the schools or with giving money to DPW until we know the impact of hiring an extra person. He asked what the factor was for the rent for the schools, and the Town Manager noted that it was 10% of the revenues. Selectman Gail Wood asked who pays the custodians, and the Town Manager noted that we do through the revolving fund. Alan Beaulieu, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, noted that three Recreation Committee Members worked with the Town Manager on this plan. He also noted that the Recreation Administrator really needs an Assistant. Mark Hyson noted that this is a good model. There is a real need for an Assistant and the software will be a big help. He also noted that they take in a substantial income for use of the fields and most towns give it back towards maintenance of the fields. He noted that the Recreation Division is the primary user of the school facilities. They pay for the custodians but not the heat, electric, etc. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the revenues are going up 2% but the rent to the schools is 10%. The Town Manager noted that the fees are reasonable, and we are not paying the full cost of the programs. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she feels if we are charging people to use the fields, then they should be maintained. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to approve the three year model for the Recreation Revolving Fund dated 4/23/02 was discussed. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he is Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 23, 2002—Page3 not against hiring a person but he is concerned with introducing the structural items. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Cummings opposed. Chairman George Hines instructed the Town Manager to make sure that the schools understand this is a trial. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony instructed the Town Manager to make sure that the school money goes into the building maintenance account. Hearing_Transfer of Cable TV Franchise from AT&T to AT&T Comcast — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Cable TV Advisory Committee Chairman Doug Cowell, RCTV Executive Director Amy Brough, and Senior Attorney for AT&T James White were present. Attorney James White noted that they are asking the Board to consider the transfer of control to AT&T Comcast. He also noted that on or about 2/21/02, every AT&T Broadband community received a transfer bulletin. The merger is expected to be done by the end of the year. He noted that Media One is the existing cable franchise and that will not change. Attorney White reviewed the structure of the merger, The Town Manager noted that this is the third merger and each time, promises were made but never kept. He also noted that customer service is always promised but it just gets worse. Attorney White acknowledged the customer service problems, and noted that they hired more customer service reps and are out sourcing fewer calls. The Town Manager noted that Section 3.6 of the agreement is regarding the I-Loop between public buildings. Town Meeting was unable to go live last night because there was a problem with the I-Loop. AT&T has known about the problem and all they did was drop off wire for RCTV to fix. He noted that AT&T is suppose to maintain the I-Loop, and AT&T declined modulators for the third channel at no cost. Attorney White noted that he was told the I-Loop was tested two weeks ago and it worked. He also noted that RCTV needs to purchase the equipment for the third channel and when that is done, the line is ready. The Town Manager noted that he negotiated the contract, and it was the intention for AT&T to supply the PEG access channel without charge to the Town -- he referred Attorney White to Section 6b of the agreement. Attorney White noted that provision just refers to rates. The Town Manager noted that when this was negotiated with their predecessor, we were told that we would not have to spend any money. Amy Brough noted that she spoke with Rob Travers about the third channel, and was told that the third channel is pending if we purchase the modulators. She also noted that there is a problem with the I-Loop at the School, and at the Police Station. She noted that service people keep coming but nothing is getting fixed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 23, 2002—Page 4 Doug Cowell noted that we need a modulator for stereo. AT&T was suppose to provide the third channel once there was enough programming and we are still waiting. They are also failing to maintain the I-Loop. Mr. Cowell also noted that the payment to RCTV was late last year and they didn't pay the penalty. He is recommending refusal because Reading has not been given the customer service it deserves. Attorney White noted that AT&T Comcast will assume all requirements. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we are not interested in intent -- we want action. She also noted that we want the third PEG channel, the stereo equipment and the I-Loop fixed. Town Counsel Joan Langsam recommended that Attorney White come back with the qualifications of the technicians and information on customer service. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to continue the hearing until May 14, 2002 at 8:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Water and Sewer Rates — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Members Steve Crook and Richard Moore were present. Ted McIntire noted that for the water use, $2,673,528 is required and in order.to receive that amount, we have to bill $2,890,706. For sewer use, $3,932,693 is required and in order to receive that amount, we have to bill $3,860,329. He is recommending a 2.5%increase in rates. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the setting of the water and sewer rates was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to approve a water rate of $3.75 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of$7.50 per billing, effective with the August 1, 2002 bill, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Anthony to approve a sewer rate of$5.28 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of$10.56 per billing, effective with the August 1, 2002 bill, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. CPDC Update on Longwood Poultry Farm — Dick Howard, Chairman of the CPDC and Ted Moore, owner of Longwood Poultry Farm, were present. Dick Howard reviewed the process to date. He noted that CPDC is looking at the issues of density and traffic impacts, and that the project will be done in phases. The first phase will be all residential. The back portion of the property is ideal for commercial development. We will be requiring 10% as affordable housing either onsite or offsite. He also noted that they are thinking of having a traffic signal installed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 23, 2002—Page 5 Selectman Matthew Cummings asked where the offsite housing would be. Dick Howard noted that would have to meet the approval of CPDC. He also noted that CPDC is looking for - feedback on the back lot and affordable housing. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that finding a location for the offsite affordable housing units would create a problem--he feels the affordable housing should be kept on site. Ted Moore indicated he was interested in a design for empty nesters. Attorney Brad Latham noted that the comprehensive permit was filed on 58% of the site under the New England Fund. He asked if the Town wants the back lot to be commercial or residential. He also noted that the market for office space is not very good right now, so the owner is willing to wait five years before developing the back of the property. Selectman Gail Wood asked if a certain number of units would be specified for 55 years or older. Ted Moore answered no, that it was hard to predict how many empty nesters would be interested. The Town Manager noted that the issue of a comprehensive permit came in very late in the process, and he doesn't know how to zone for two bedrooms. He also noted that he would like to see the access going out to Inwood Drive. Chairman George Hines suggested having an appraiser do an assessment. Approval of Plan Pursuant to Liquor License Policy — Focaccia's — Peter DePesa, owner of Focaccia's, was present. The Town Manager noted that the liquor policy requires a plan to be submitted and any changes have to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. He also noted that the Health Division has not approved this plan yet. Mr. DePesa reviewed his plan. He noted that the number of seats will be increasing from 26 to 36 seats. He also indicated that he is interested in applying for a cordial license. The Town Manager noted that the Town doesn't offer a cordial license and that would have to go to Town Meeting for approval. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the plan for the remodeling of Focaccia's providing for 36 seats, subject to approval of the Board of Health and the issuance of a building permit, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of April 23, 2002 at 11:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, od Secretary