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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Board of Selectmen Meeting November 19, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen George Hines and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Health Administrator Jane Fiore, Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Recreation Administrator Mark Hyson, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Attorney Robert Scarano, Jim O'Rourke, Susan Cavicchi, Sally Hoyt, Maureen Arakelian, Robert Lynch, Ellen Emmons, Clay Jones, Jack Downing, Mary and Ed Fuller, Tim Daly, Bill Smith, Kim Mahoney, Glen Ramos, David Bryant, David Chase, Chris Campbell, Pete Casalaro. A motion by Hines seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of strategy with respect to litigation 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 four members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 8:15 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that there was an editorial in the paper regarding the cost estimates for the new school. He passed out a chart from Richard Radville comparing the costs with a project in Colorado. He also noted that it is okay to disagree but certain people in Reading want to discredit volunteers with inaccurate information. He noted that this is a disservice to the community, it doesn't help the process, and the same people accuse the School Building Committee of under estimating on one project and over estimating on another. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — World AIDS Day — Health Administrator Jane Fiore and several peer leaders from Reading Memorial High School were present to receive the Proclamation. A motion by Schubert seconded by Hines declaring December 1, 2002 as World AIDS Day was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant — Special Town Meeting on December 9 — Approval of Enterprise Fund for Landfill FAM: Approval of Zoning and Map for Longwood Poultry — The Town Manager noted that the Warrant that was in the Selectmen's packet was missing an Article. He added the Article for the Home Rule Petition for heavy vehicle exclusion on West Street. The Town Manager noted that we had an agreement with the other communities that when an — alternate route was created, then they would agree to the heavy vehicle exclusion but they won't. He also noted that the majority of trucks on West Street are turning around because they don't Board of Selectmen Meetiniz—November 19. 2002 — Paye 2 want to be there. Chairman Camille Anthony suggested getting pictures of the trucks turning - around and doing a traffic count of the trucks. Selectman George Hines noted that since the recent discussion regarding payment of bonuses and vacation buyback, he would like the Board to consider a Home Rule Petition to prohibit the payment of bonuses and vacation buyback. He is not looking at collective bargaining but it would be for administrators and non-union personnel. The Town Manager asked if this would include the RMLD and George Hines indicated that it would. Town Counsel Joan Langsam noted that Chapter 164 gives authority to the RMLD, and School Ed Reform gives autonomy to the School Department. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if it could be accomplished by a Home Rule Petition, and Joan Langsam indicated that it could but she didn't know if it would pass. The Town Manager noted that there is vacation buyback in the Police contracts, and the Town does have an Employee Awards Program which hasn't been used in years and when it was used, the award was only valued at about $50.00. Selectman George Hines noted that the policy on the Employee Awards Program should be amended to cap the amount. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he would not support a Home Rule Petition right now. He feels that this can be addressed through the budget process. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she has a problem with vacation buyback for salaried employees, and there is a difference between merit pay and bonus pay. If the bonus pay is for a specific item outside of the job description, then she agrees with it. She requested that the Chiefs explain the vacation buyback when we go through the budget process. The consensus of the Board was to consider this Home Rule Petition for another Town Meeting so research can be done by Town Counsel. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to close the Warrant consisting of seven Articles for a Special Town Meeting on December 9, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Continued Hearing — LIP Application Van Norden Road — The Town Manager noted that the Board received an application for a LIP on Van Norden Road. A working group consisting of staff, Richard Schubert, Neil Sullivan, Larry Goulet and two neighbors have met with the developer. The applicant is going before the Conservation Commission for an ANRAD, which was scheduled for tomorrow but has been cancelled due to lack of a quorum of the Conservation Commission. tt has been rescheduled for Friday night. Attorney Robert Scarano noted that he will be out of Town on Friday so the meeting with the Conservation Commission will have to be rescheduled. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 19. 2002 —Page 3 Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the challenge is to understand the issues; i.e., water, vernal pools, etc. The upland calculations also need to be done and large scale drawings are needed. The Town Manager noted that the storm water management plan is also needed. Chainnan Camille Anthony noted that the Zoning By-Law states that if a parcel is wetland, then a certain amount of land must be upland and it shouldn't all be developed. She requested the working group to male a list of items. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that she will want to see the effect of storm water drainage on the conservation land. It was noted that the next meeting of the working group is December 12, 2002. A motion by Wood seconded by Schubert to continue the public hearing on Gael's Chase application for a LIP on Van Norden Road and Fairchild Road to Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 8:30 p.m., was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Update on West Street Improvements — Town Engineer Joe Delaney noted that this has been in the planning stages since the late 80's, early 90's. The State committed to do the work. It has been approved by Mass Highway to be eligible for TIP. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the plan in 1999 and nothing has changed except at South and West Streets. Joe Delanev noted that the plans for West/Willow and Summer Streets eliminates the island. There will be an exclusive right-hand turn onto Willow, and southbound there will be an exclusive left-hand lane. The intersection will be signalized. Joe Delaney also noted that there was another option for this intersection but it would not be possible because of the effect of the grading on the driveways, and one of the driveways would be in front of the traffic signal. Selectman George Hines noted that the alternate plan incorporates a traffic calming measure and makes it less convenient as a cut through. Joe Delaney indicated that he was correct but the plan is not doable. He also noted that when this intersection is signalized, West Street will go from a Level A street to a Level C street. The side streets will go from a Level F to a Level C and if any of the roads are at Level F, then Mass Highway will not approve the plan. Resident Jim O'Rourke of 148 South Street asked if the Town has looked at roundabouts. Joe Delaney indicated that we have not but could. Selectman Gail Wood noted that roundabouts are hard to plow. Joe Delaney noted that the West/Westcroft/Woburn intersection is the same as it is now but we are adding signalization. Pete Casalaro, a resident of West Street, asked if there would be sidewalks, and the Town Manager indicated that there would. Board of Selectmen Meeting —November 19. 2002 —Page 4 Town Meeting Member Bob Lynch asked who maintains the grass strips. The Town Manager noted that the property owner is responsible for the tree lawn. The Town does not have the resources to maintain tree lawns. Joe Delaney noted that there have been three different plans for the intersection at West and South. One was for Spence Farm, one was for Marriot, and now there is one for Archstone. The Archstone plan calls for two lanes going north and south. He noted that no decision has been made on how to proceed with this intersection. Chainnan Camille Anthony asked about the scheduling process, and Joe Delaney noted that hopefully the 25% design will be completed by the middle of next year but if Archstone is approved, it could be sooner. Hearing — Stop Sign — Stewart Road at Shelby — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Mana-er noted that the proposal is to put a stop sign on Stewart Road at Shelby. Bob Lynch of 24 Shelby Road noted that this was discussed at the block party this Summer. In addition to the stop sign, he would like a crosswalk across Shelby Road. He noted that there are a lot of children in the neighborhood. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to close the hearing on the stop sign on Steward Road at Shelbv Road was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and Regulations by adding to Article 6, Section 6.12 the following: Stop sign on Stewart Road westbound at Shelby Road was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearin — Oakland Road at Longfellow Road — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the proposal is to put a stop sign on Oakland Road at Longfellow Road, and noted there was an e-mail from the Ensminger's supporting it. Kim Mahoney of 45 Longfellow Road noted that traffic volume and speeding are the major problems, and Police enforcement is needed. Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there was a reduced speed at the High School, and the Town Manager indicated that he would look into it. Glen Ramos of 67 Longfellow Road noted that there are a lot of children in the neighborhood, and suggested having a speed limit sign put up. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to close the hearing on the stop sign on Oakland Road at Longfellow Road was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Wood seconded by Hines to amend the Town of Reading Traffic Rules and -- Regulations by adding to Article 6, Section 6.12 the following: Stop sign on Oakland Road westbound at Longfellow Road. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 19, 2002 —Pale 5 Hearing — Policy Establishing a Local Historic District Study Committee — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that he drafted a policy establishing an Ad Hoc Historic District Study Committee to expire in December 2003. This will be treated the same as zoning and require a 2/3 vote by Town Meeting. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that she thought it was more important to have a member of the Historical Commission than a Selectman on the Committee. Selectman George Hines indicated that he felt a Selectman should serve on the Committee and add a Historical Commission member. It was the consensus of the Board to add a Historical Commission member, have two residents of the Town instead of three and require all members to be residents of the Town. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to close the hearing on the policy establishing a Local Historic District Study Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Hines seconded by Wood to approve the policy establishing an Ad Hoc Local Historic District West Street Corridor Studv Committee dated and amended on 11/19/02 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Sunday Morning Rules for Parks — Selectman Gail Wood noted that two members of the Recreation Committee, Richard Schubert and herself, met regarding the use of fields on Sunday mornings. Their recommendation was to grant use two times per season per organization with the Recreation Committee determining the start time, with the Recreation Committee taking into account the abutters, size of the crowd and teams and parking issues. Recreation Administrator Mark Hyson noted that the report was given to the Recreation Committee and the Recreation Committee voted to not approve the recommendations. Recreation Committee Member David Bryant noted that all leagues were considered, not just the adult leagues. He feels that one single event before noon is acceptable such as an All Star Game. He has a problem with the men's soccer asking for multiple dates. Selectman George Hines noted that he was involved in developing the policy and a special pen-nit is an exception to the rules, and the Recreation Committee was given the authority to grant when conditions are appropriate. Mark Hyson noted that organizations have had the opportunity to apply but they haven't. He feels if the restriction is two per season, there won't be many who apply. He did note, however, that Pop Warner football is looking for a field to start earlier, and both women's soccer associations might want to play earlier. David Chase from men's soccer noted that he- went before the Recreation Committee three times and got denied all three times_ He indicated that 10 abutters have written letters saying they don't mind if men's soccer plays on Sunday mornings. Board of Selectmen Meeting — November 19, 2002 —Page 6 Selectman Richard Schubert suggested taking into consideration the field and surrounding neighborhoods. Selectman George Hines asked David Chase if his league could change their times, and David Chase indicated that they couldn't. Recreation Committee Member Chris Campbell noted that the Recreation Committee has put a tremendous amount of effort into this issue. He also noted that David Chase does not respect the policy and is not willing to bend on the start time. He feels that David Chase has driven a wedge between the Recreation Committee members, and the problem is with David Chase's attitude. Chris Campbell feels one exemption is plenty, and asked the Board of Selectmen to vote on the recommendation. Recreation Committee Chairman Jack Downing asked if two events meant two games or two days. Selectman Gail Wood indicated that it was two days. Jack Downing noted that Pop Wanner has used the fields without a permit and some groups have asked for multiple fields. Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the policy needs clarification. Mark Hyson noted that he does not recommend designating certain fields because that will open up a whole ball of wax. Recreation Committee Member Sue Cavicchi noted that she has been consistent on her vote, and everyone has a different interpretation of special permit. She feels that it is a bad policy brought forth in a different time and place, and the Selectmen need to make the policy clearer. --- Chainman Camille Anthony directed the Town Manager to put this on a future agenda. Approval of Minutes A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of October 29, 2002, as amended, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of November 6, 2002 was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to adjourn the meeting of November 19, 2002 at 11:35 p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submit Secretary