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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting Executive Session June 26, 2001 The Executive Session convened at 10:45 p.m. in the Conference 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, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean and Paula Schena. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 5, 2001 was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 12, 2001 was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Litigation—Fraen—The Town Manager reviewed the draft settlement which includes a payment of$25,000 in FY02; $25,000 for paving in FY03; each party pays their own legal costs and the agreement is not transferable. Selectman Matthew Cummings requested that the words "not to exceed" $25,000 for paving be added. Labor Negotiations—Police Contract—The Town Manager noted that the Patrolmen do not want a sunset clause on the Master Patrolman so we will limit it to five Patrolmen. The cost of the contract is 2%, 2.5% and 2.5%. Chairman George Hines suggested going back to a one year contract due to the recent budget news. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that it would be in bad faith to go back to a one year contract. Chairman George Hines noted that they should be made aware that they could be facing layoffs. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the Patrolman three year contract as outlined in the memo dated June 25, 2001 was approved on a roll call vote with Anthony, Cummings, Schubert and Wood voting in the affirmative and Hines voting in the negative. Dispatcher Contract—The Town Manager noted that the Dispatchers ratified the contract. They want a 7.21/o increase the first year. They are badly underpaid they are the lowest paid of the municipal unions and another full time Dispatcher quit today. There was discussion among the Board regarding a 7%increase. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Dispatcher contract dated June 26, 2001 was not approved by a vote of 1-4-0, with Schubert voting in the affirmative and Hines, Anthony, Cummings and Wood voting in the negative. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—June 26, 2001 —Page 2 A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of June 26, 2001 at 11:25 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary 1A ................ Board of Selectmen Meeting June 26, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:36 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines (arrived at 8:30 p.m.), Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Rick Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: John Jarema, Robert Redfern, Patricia Lloyd, Dick Howard, Jonathan Barnes, Kent Hattery, Clayton Jones, Louise Sandberg, Mark Cardono, Sharlene Santo, Sarah List, Steve Oston, Kevin Walsh, Attorney Josh Latham, Brian Morgan, Peter Depesa,Bob Brown. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Rick Schubert noted that he attended the landfill meeting with the neighbors, and also attended the Community Preservation Act Study Committee meeting. Kim Honetschlager has resigned as Chair and Paul Dustin is filling in. A motion by Schubert seconded by Wood to designate Paul Dustin as Chairman of the Community Preservation Act Study Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended the Board of Health Meeting, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting and the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he attended the Financial Forum. He requested that the Town Manager arrange a joint meeting with the School Building Committee and the Town Moderator regarding the funding mechanism for the architectural study. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she met with the new Fire Chief and the NFPA standards are being promulgated. She received a visit from a resident on Green Street regarding having to pay to park in front of his house in the Depot area. She also received a phone call from a resident on Intervale Terrace regarding difficulty in making a left hand turn at Intervale during rush hour. Public Comment—There was no public comment. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ West Nile Virus prevention is taking place next month through the use of pellets placed in catch basins throughout the Town. DPW personnel who are licensed and trained in this operation will do the placement. The funding comes from the Health Division budget. ♦ The Compost Center will be open on Mondays, at least during July and August, utilizing Senior Tax/Work Program participants, starting next Monday, July 2. Hours will be 8:00 a.m. 'til 2:30 p.m. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 26, 2001 —Page 2 ♦ Road construction continues or has been completed on Pearl, John, Green, Haven, Bancroft and Highland; major reconstruction is progressing well on Summer; re-paving related to the sewer construction project will be done starting Friday on Mill and Short Streets. ♦ Sidewalk construction will be done starting in July on Ash/Main Street, Middlesex across from the Library, Franklin at Haverhill and Union Street. ♦ We have been notified that the development firm selected by Pearson to redevelop that site has elected not to go forward with the project, and Pearson is evaluating other options and bidders to develop the site. ♦ We are implementing the FY 2002 budget as approved by Town Meeting, and at the same time developing a list of an additional $280,000 of reductions because State aid will be lower than expected. This is a sad process for me as Town Manager, in personal terms because of the loss of excellent personnel, including Assistant Town Manger Russ Dean, and in terms of the loss to the community of the quality of services that your employees provide. Personnel and Appointments Board of Appeals - The Board interviewed John Jarema and Robert Redfern for two positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Cummings moved and Schubert seconded to place the following names into nomination for one position on the Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2004: John A. Jarema and Robert R. Redfern. John Jarema received four votes and was appointed. Cummings moved and Schubert seconded to place the following name into nomination for one '— position on the Board of Appeals as an Associate with a term expiring June 30, 2004: Robert R. Redfern. Robert Redfern received four votes and was appointed. Community Planning and Development Commission — The Board interviewed Jonathan Barnes, Richard Howard and Kent Hattery for two positions on the Community Planning and Development Commission. Cummings moved and Hines seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Community Planning and Development Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Jonathan Barnes, Richard Howard and Kent Hattery. Jonathan Barnes and Richard Howard received five votes each and were appointed. Conservation Commission — The Board interviewed Patricia Lloyd for a position on the Conservation Commission. It was noted that Thad Berry does want to be re-appointed but was unable to be present for an interview. Cummings moved and Wood seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Conservation Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Thad Berry and Patricia Lloyd. Thad Berry and Patricia Lloyd received five votes each and were appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 26, 2001 —Page_3 Historical Commission — The Board interviewed Clayton Jones, Louise Sandberg, Mark Cardono, Sharlene Santo and Sarah List for positions on the Historical Commission. It was noted that Judith Mitchel does want to be re-appointed but was unable to be present for the interview. Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Clayton Jones, Louise Sandberg, Mark Cardono, Sharlene Santo, Judith Mitchel and Sarah List. Clayton Jones and Louise Sandberg received five votes each and were appointed. Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following names into nomination for Associate positions on the Historical Commission with terms expiring June 30, 2002: Mark Cardono, Sharlene Santo, Judith Mitchel and Sarah List. All four applicants received five votes each and were appointed. Land Bank Committee—The Board noted that George Perry II does want to be re-appointed but was unable to be present for the interview. Hines moved and Cummings seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Land Bank Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2004: George B. Perry II. George Perry received five votes and was appointed. Sign Review Board—There were no applicants. Water and Sewer Advisory Committee — The Board interviewed Steve Oston and Kevin Walsh for positions on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Hines moved and Wood seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2004: Steven Oston and Kevin Walsh. Steven Oston and Kevin Walsh received five votes each and were appointed. Discussion/Action Items Approve REAP Lease — The Town Manager noted that the REAP lease is the same as last year except the rate increase to $8.50 per square foot. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the lease between the Town of Reading and Reading Extended Day Activities Program, Inc. for the term beginning July 1, 2001 and expiring June 20, 2002 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Package Store Liquor License — The Wine Shop of Reading, 676 Main Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Attorney Josh Latham was present to represent Robyn Mather and Dionisio Vieira. The Town Manager noted that the hearing was noticed to churches and everybody within 500 feet of the establishment. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 26, 2001 —Page 4 Attorney Latham noted that this will be a specialty wine, cheese and food shop. They will have - wine seminars and casual wine tastings. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing for a package store liquor license for The Wine Shop of Reading at 676 Main Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the package store liquor license for The Wine Shop of Reading at 676 Main Street expiring December 31, 2001, with the following conditions: 1. All Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Town of Reading and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be followed; 2. All employees of the establishment involved in the selling of alcoholic beverages shall be trained in TAMS or an equivalent program on the effective date of this license, and new employees shall be trained within three months of being hired. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing — Review Pouring Policy — Restaurants — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager reviewed a chart comparing Reading to surrounding communities. He noted that all of the surrounding communities have seating at a bar. Two of the communities plus Reading require food with a drink. Wakefield and Woburn also have Inn licenses that list on the license where the alcohol can be served; i.e., room service,poolside, etc. Brian Morgan of 18 Morgan Park noted that he moved to Reading because there are no barrooms. He cautioned the Board about becoming relaxed. He feels there will be an increase in drinking and driving if seating at a bar is allowed. Peter Depesa of Focaccia Restaurant asked if restaurants with under 100 seats will be allowed to have a bar. He also requested that if a change is made to the policy, that it be a level playing field for everyone. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to close the hearing on review of the Liquor Pouring Policy for Restaurants was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board directed the Town Manager to get comments from Dickinson, Pearson and the Selectmen and bring back a draft policy for adoption. Be ig'nning Review of FY 2002 Budizet— Trash Cost - The Town Manager noted that the motion from Town Meeting was to make rubbish collection and disposal be self supporting. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she attended the Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting, and was informed that rubbish collection is broken down into different categories — municipal trash, school trash, recycling, resident trash and bulk waste collection. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 26, 2001 —Page 5 Selectman Camille Anthony asked if PAYT could reduced budget costs. The Town Manager noted that we would end up spending more money because we would need a full time person to oversee the program. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that we have an obligation to reduce solid waste, and there should be discussion regarding revenue neutral PAYT. Bob Brown, Chairman of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, noted that PAYT is not practical and the thought that it could be revenue neutral is misleading. The Board directed the Town Manager to come back with a cost breakdown by category and to have Public Works Director Ted McIntire come in for discussion of different venues and how to implement PAYT. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of their meeting of June 12, 2001, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation (Fraen), labor negotiations (Police Officers and Public Safety Dispatchers) 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 and the Board went into Executive Session at 10:45 p.m. � Resp ,ectfully submitted, Secretary r