HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
June 5, 2001
The meeting convened at 7:32 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 Rick Schubert and Gail Wood, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Reading Housing Authority Executive Director John Hixson,
Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Eric Coyne, George Perry, Allison
DaSilva, Harold Bond, Karyn Storti, Judy Berson, Tony and Lillian Marino, Ralph and Marie
Lanzillo, Angelo Napolitano, Carol and Paul Miller, Gilbert Falcon, Ann Bowman, Peter
Marfione, Leslie Gent, Alan Kushinsky, B. McConchie, Pat Crowley, Wilfred and Ruth Perry,
Linda Perry, Lisa and Paul Cormier, Dhiren Sutaria, Deirdre Walsh, Patricia and Peter Genovese,
Mary and Robert Bowles, Dick and Joan Hoyt, Tim Kelley, Anne Larkin, Nina Pensavalli,
Richard Cohen, Joseph Santangelo, William Hughes, Robert Prince, Diana Lavanches, Daniel
Driscoll, Stephen Meehan, Anthony Clemente, Charles MacDonald, Leo and Cara Desimone,
Helen Buckley.
Appointments
Commissioners of Trust Funds—John Daly was not present. Chairman George Hines noted that
he has worked with John and he is a valuable asset.
On motion by Wood seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Commissioners of Trust Funds with a term expiring June
30, 2004: John Daly. Mr. Daly received five votes and was appointed.
Board of Registrars—Robert Cusolito was not present.
On motion by Wood seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Board of Registrars with a term expiring June 30, 2004:
Robert Cusolito: Mr. Cusolito received five votes and was appointed.
RCTV Board of Directors—Richard Cohen was interviewed by the Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
name into nomination for one position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee with a term
expiring June 30, 2004: Richard Cohen. Mr. Cohen received five votes and was appointed.
Cable TV Advisory Committee—The Board interviewed Joseph Santangelo.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
name into nomination for one position on the Cable TV Advisory Committee. Joseph
Santangelo. Mr. Santangelo received five votes and was appointed.
Constable - William Hughes and Robert Prince were interviewed by the Board of Selectmen.
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Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 5, 2001 —Page 2
On motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for two positions as Constable with terms expiring June 30, 2004:
William J. Hughes, Jr. and Robert H. Prince. Messrs. Hughes and Prince both received five
votes and were appointed.
Cultural Council — Harold Bond, Allison DaSilva, Diana Lavanches and Karyn Storti were
interviewed by the Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for two positions on the Cultural Council with terms expiring June 30,
2004: Harold E. Bond, Allison Sloan DaSilva, Diana W. Lavanches and Karyn Storti. Mr. Bond
and Ms. DaSilva received five votes each and were appointed.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for one position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30,
2002: Diana Lavanches and Karyn Storti. Ms. Lavanches received four votes and was
appointed.
Board of Cemetery Trustees —The Board of Selectmen interviewed Daniel Driscoll and Stephen
Meehan.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
names into nomination for two positions on the Board of Cemetery Trustees with terms expiring
June 30, 2004: Daniel F. Driscoll,Jr. and Stephen Meehan. Messrs. Driscoll and Meehan both
received five votes and were appointed.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee—Bob Brown was not present.
On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following
name into nomination for one Associate position on the Solid Waste Advisory committee with a
term expiring June 30, 2002: Robert A. Brown. Mr. Brown received five votes and was
appointed.
Bob Brown appeared late. He indicated that he changed his mind and wanted to be appointed as
a full member. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to reconsider was approved by a
vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Wood seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee with a term expiring
June 30, 2004: Robert A. Brown. Mr. Brown received five votes and was appointed.
Town Forest Committee—Ben Nichols was not present.
On motion by Wood seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name
into nomination for one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30,
2004: Benjamin E. Nichols, Mr. Nichols received five votes and was appointed. F
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 5, 2001 —Page 3
Water& Sewer Advisory Committee—There were no applicants.
Discussion/Action Items
Review of Affordable Housing Sites — Chairman George Hines reviewed the process to date.
The Town Manager noted that several sites have been identified that may be available for
affordable housing. The Housing Authority was recently offered a free house but they didn't
have a location to move it to so they didn't get it.
The Town Manager noted that the parcels on Governors Drive would require a comprehensive
permit and a special permit from the ZBA because they are designated on the zoning map as a
Flood Plain Overlay District. They should be built without a basement. Both parcels on Pearl
Street/Audubon Road would require a comprehensive permit. Parcel A could be divided into
two parcels if the portion of"old" Pearl Street was vacated. There is a major drainage easement
through Parcel B. The lot on Birch Road would require a comprehensive permit. It is in the
Acquifer Protection District. There is no drainage and no paved street.
Anthony Marino of 17 Audubon Road asked how this affordable housing issue came about.
Chairman George Hines noted that all communities are under a mandate by the State for 10%
affordable housing. The Town of Reading does not meet the 10% mandate but as long as we
show effort, the State will not hold back funding.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that if a developer owned these parcels, they would be doing
the same thing but the Town has a more open process than a developer.
` Anthony Clemente of 14 Duck Road asked if it would be single or multifamily units. Selectman
Matthew Cummings noted that the Town had an opportunity to take a single family home but
didn't have a parcel. It could be a single family or multiple family.
Charlie McDonald of 14 Canterbury Drive asked if 13 units would be going in on Governors
Drive, and the Town Manager noted that it would be three units.
Patricia Crowley of 12 Audubon Road abuts the parcel on Audubon Road that was always
referred to as a park. Chairman George Hines noted that it is not officially designated as a park.
If it was, it would take an act of the legislature to undesignate.
Mary Bowles of 18 Duck Road asked how they could get this parcel designated as a park. The
Town Manager noted that it would have to go through the Selectmen.
Linda Perry of 160 Pearl Street noted that she grew up behind Lot B and that land was deeded as
a park.
Lisa Cormier of 164 Pearl Street noted that she has no frontage on Pearl Street and if Parcel B is
developed, then she won't be able to get to her property.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 5, 2001 —Page 4
Paul Miller of 43 Covey Hill Road asked if the Town has to advertise property for sale after it
acquires it. Chairman George Hines indicated that it does not. Mr. Miller noted that 30 years
ago the Town Engineer indicated that the Birch Road parcel was unbuildable.
The resident of 170 Covey Hill Road noted that she received the tax bills for Parcel 172 and was
interested in purchasing it. She was told that Parcel 172 was not buildable and had no access.
Patty Genovese of 10 Duck Road wants to have the parcel on Audubon Road officially named a
park.
Leo Desimone of 10 Birch Road noted that there are many rare birds and vernol pools in this
area. His wife, Cara, asked if there is enough land to build a 40 foot road and what would be the
cost . Chairman George Hines noted that analysis has not be done yet.
Helen Buckley of 34 Spruce Road asked about the selection process for the tenants. Housing
Authority Executive Director John Hixson noted that it was a first time homebuyer with a yearly
income of approximately $50,000. The Town Manager noted that residents would be given
preference.
Peter Genovese of 10 Duck Road handed out pictures of the Audubon Road parcel. He wants to
have it designated as a park.
Joan Hoyt of 187 Pearl Street suggested that the Town use existing empty houses in that area.
Chairman George Hines noted that private ownership will try to get the best price which would
put it out of the Housing Authority's price range. -'
Marie Lanzillo of 20 Audubon Road noted that Joe Cunningham built Duck Road. When he
removed the trees, he promised to put in a drain and never did. The water collects and freezes in
front of her house in the Winter and piles of sand are left in front of her house.
Charlie McDonald of 14 Canterbury Drive asked what the average selling price would be and if
it would lower the values of surrounding homes. Chairman George Hines noted that the lots
would be developed to be conducive to the neighborhood.
Chairman George Hines noted that the Town Manager will go back to staff with concerns and
each parcel will be taken as a separate item on a future agenda.
Hearing on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund— Secretary Matthew Cummings read the hearing
notice. The Town Manager noted that money was made available to the community for
affordable housing. There is a revised petition in tonight's handout. The intent is to find a way
to protect funds for affordable housing. Town Meeting approved a motion to have the Selectmen
file a Home Rule Petition. The Department of Housing and Community Development suggests
taking advantage of the Community Preservation Act funds. Both the Board of Selectmen and
Reading Housing Authority would be equal partners in approving expenditures.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 5, 2001 —Page 5
A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the filing of a Home Rule Petition to
the General Court to establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund with language as amended in
the petition dated June 5, 2001 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Draft - Conditions of Approval—45 Beacon Street Comprehensive Permit —The Town Manager
noted that the Zoning Board of Appeals wants the Selectmen to review the draft order of
conditions for the comprehensive permit at 45 Beacon Street. He noted that there are extreme
parking conditions due to grading.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the draft decision does not indicate whether the testing of
the drainage system will be done in the dry season or the wet season.
Selectman Matthew Cummings requested that an outside financial review be done.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the ZBA has finalized their procedures for the
comprehensive permit process. The Town Manager noted that the ZBA has concerns regarding
the steepness of the grade which is at 10%.
The Board directed the Town Manager to send a letter to the Board of Appeals noting the
Selectmen's concerns about the grading, request a financial review and indicate when the
drainage system will be installed and tested.
Selectman Gail Wood will attend the Board of Appeals hearing.
Review of Liquor Pouring Policies - Chairman George Hines noted that there has been inquiries
from potential hotel developers to look at our pouring policies. The potential buyer of the
Station House has asked that we look at a more liberal policy. Selectman Camille Anthony
noted that under the current policy, bars or lounges are not allowed in restaurants in Reading.
This will be scheduled for a hearing at the end of June.
A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of
discussing strategy with respect to labor negotiations 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 submitted,
Secretary
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