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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting July 9, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room; 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, James and Jeanette O'Rourke, Jeff Everson, Jonathan Barnes, Brian Mahoney, Thomas Ryan, Marianne Downing, Chris Emilius, Edmund Balboni, Lisa DiTrapano, William O'Halloran, Michael Bove, John Jarema. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended a meeting of the Cemetery Board of Trustees and they discussed alternatives to space in the cemeteries. Selectman George Hines suggested that Chairman Camille Anthony ask for a report from Beth Klepeis on the hospice home research that is being done for the Trust Fund Commissioners. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the School Building Committee is meeting tomorrow at the Police Station. They are looking for input from the community and groups who might want to use space at the High School. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that three Finance Committee members were reappointed. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that there is a possibility of an override for financing legal services for the Route 128/I-93 project. He also noted that Town Meeting would not have to appropriate the money. The Town Manager noted that if the ballot is for a specific purpose, then Town Meeting doesn't have to appropriate. Personnel and Appointments Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council —The Board interviewed Lisa DiTrapano for one position on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council. Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council with terms expiring June 30, 2005: William Carrick and Lisa DiTrapano. Mr. Carrick and Ms. DiTrapano received five votes each and were appointed. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested that the size of the membership of this committee be reduced. Storm Water Management Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Christopher Emilius for one position on the Ad Hoc Stonn Water Management Advisory Committee. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 9, 2002 —Paye 2 Wood moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Ad Hoc Storm Water Management Advisory Committee: Stephen Crook (WSAC) and Christopher Emilius. Mr. Crook and Mr. Emilius received five votes each and were appointed. Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed William O'Halloran for one position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee. Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004: William O'Halloran. Mr. O'Halloran received five votes and was appointed. Reading Access TV Board of Directors — The Board interviewed Thomas Ryan for one position on the Reading Access TV Board of Directors. Wood moved and Cummings seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Reading Access TV Board of Directors with a term expiring June 30, 2005: Thomas J. Ryan. Mr. Ryan received five votes and was appointed. Recreation Committee — The Board interviewed Michael Bove for one position on the Recreation Committee. Mr. Bove owns a karate studio and will be talking with the Recreation Administrator this week regarding a contract for services. Since this would be a conflict, the Board decided to wait until after Mr. Bove talks with the Recreation Administrator. Discussion/Action Items Presentation on Longwood Poultry Farm Zoning — Town Planner Anne Krieg was present. The Town Manager noted that Ms. Krieg is leaving Reading and has taken a position in Bar Harbor, Maine. The Town Manager noted that CPDC has been meeting regarding Longwood for about one year. Anne Krieg noted that they took the existing PUD and created a zoning amendment that is custom made for mixed use. She also noted that a lot of language was added regarding traffic. Noise, open space, uses and density are all criteria. There would be six units per acre on the front 25 acres. The rear portion is an excellent location for commercial/business because the frontage is in Woburn. CPDC put in a clause that if the rear is developed in the first seven years, then it will have to be an office. After seven years, they can do family housing at 11 units per acre. This is a higher density because it is not next to single family houses. There will be 25% set aside for open space. Ms. Krieg noted that 15% will be active recreation space in the rear. The affordable housing requirement is 10% with the provision that if it is offsite, then they have to give a three for one additional bonus. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she is concerned regarding the 10% affordable housing because we are not making any gains. She feels that it is not enough and there should be more than 10% in the rear. She asked if the open space would be public or private. Ms. Krieg noted that it would be a public easement. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 9, 2002 —Page 3 CPDC Member Jonathan Barnes noted that the Bylaw indicates that it is desirable that the open space be open to the public. He also noted that CPDC has had a lot of discussion regarding the --- affordable housing and they have been balancing a number of competing issues. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she feels the Town should be getting 15%-20% affordable housing units. She indicated that the infrastructure in the rear is less than in the front so the number of affordable units should be more. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked about mitigation. Ms. Krieg noted that the water and sewer service may need upgrading. He also asked if the MWRA was included and Ms. Krieg noted that it was. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings asked about residential streets being used for non residential traffic. Jonathan Barnes noted that the Bylaw requires access other than West Street. Vice Chairman Matthew Cummings also asked if there are places for offsite housing, and Ms. Krieg noted that it would be displacement of current housing. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested stating what we want for open space. The Town Manager noted that we can negotiate the open space but cannot demand, otherwise it would be considered a public taking. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that we could at least note that we want useable open space. She also asked if the affordable housing was in perpetuity, and Ms. Krieg noted that it was. Hearing — Policy Establishing an Ad Hoc Route 128/1-93 Advisory Committee — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the committee would consist of seven members and shall expire on December 31, 2003. Selectman George Hines indicated that the THAG member should be a Reading resident. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the PRESERVE member should also be a Reading resident. Brian Mahoney of 30 Ashley Place asked the Board to reconsider the number of members in THAG and PRESERVE. Jim O'Rourke of 148 South Street asked if the citizens at large should be appointed by precinct. Selectman George Hines noted that they will be looking for citizens with specific knowledge; i.e., engineers and they could be limited by precinct. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested taking out " who are not affiliated..." and add "who might have special skills." A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to close the hearing on the policy establishing an Ad Hoc Route 128/1-93 Advisory Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to nominate George Hines as the representative on the Route 128/1-93 Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting_—July 9, 2002—Page 4 A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the policy as amended on July 9, 2002 establishing the Ad Hoc Route 128/I-93 Advisory Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. ZBA re: 40B —Review of Process — Town Planner Anne Krieg and ZBA Members John Jarema and Edmund Balboni were present. The Town Manager noted that there are two developments on West Street— Archstone with 232 units and Longwood with 238 units. The Town needs 400 affordable units and the Archstone will be rental so they will all count as affordable units. Longwood isn't rentals so only 10% will be affordable units. Anne Krieg reviewed the schedule for the ZBA meetings on these projects. Ed Balboni and John Jarema noted that it is an aggressive schedule and will be difficult with Anne leaving. The Town Manager suggested that the ZBA rework their schedule to be more realistic and see both projects at the same time. Approval of Minutes A motion by Wood seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of May 21, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of their meeting of May 28, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 3, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 24, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Cummings to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with respect to litigation, strategy with respect to the sale of real estate and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submittedF�w , W. Secretary