Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting 3 July 10, 2001 The meeting convened at 8:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Library Director Kimberly Lynn, Police Chief Bob Silva, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Town Counsel Joan Langsam, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Karen German, Newell Bugbee, Bill Brown, Janine Sciuto, Donna Boggs, Gerry MacDonald, Peter Doucette, Anne Ward, Evelyn Fehr, Gale Graham, Bill Gray, Paul Dustin, Tim Kelley, Patricia Lloyd, Stephen Crook, Wendy and Eric Coyne, Nancy Eaton, Maria Silvaggi, Steve Conner, Dick Ogden, Roberta McRae. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—There were no reports. Public Comment - Janine Sciuto of 46 Colburn Road handed out a petition to the Board of Selectmen. She noted that there are issues of large potholes, drainage problems and the shoulder of the road is collapsing on Colburn Road. Several residents have called Public Works and nothing has been done. She indicated that there is construction going on at 51 Colburn Road and the construction material has been left on the side of the road. The Town Manager will follow up with staff. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Appreciation— Recognition of Retiring Volunteers who have served five or more years - Roberta McRae and Gail Wood were present to receive their Certificates of Appreciation. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Mary J. Andreola for her twelve years of service on the Council on Aging was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Roberta Ann McRae for her six years of service on the Cultural Council was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Debra Darcy for her six years of service on the Cultural Council was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to approve the Certificate of Appreciation for Gail F. Wood for her thirteen years of service on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee was approved by,a vote of 3-0-1, with Wood abstaining. 4 Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 10, 2001 —Page 2 Personnel and Appointments - Board of Appeals — The Board interviewed Donna J. Boggs for an Associate position on the Board of Appeals. Schubert moved and Wood seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Board of Appeals with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Donna J. Boggs. Donna Boggs received four votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Hearing—Parking Regulations — Sticker Requirement for Resident Parking — Secretary Matthew Cummings read the hearing notice. Chairman George Hines noted that this issue came to light as a result of the Community Access Sticker Program. The Town Manager noted that the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force is recommending modifying the current sticker to be used for restricted on-street parking. One free sticker per household would be issued. Bill Gray of 34 Green Street presented the Board with a petition to modify the sticker and do away with the charge. He feels that the Town is discriminating against these residents because they are being restricted to only one vehicle. He wants free stickers for each vehicle. Gale Graham of 14 Green Street noted that she paid for stickers for her three cars and she can't get a parking space in front of her house because people are parked there all day. Anne Ward of 14 Bancroft Avenue has three cars and feels that the Town should issue free stickers for each vehicle. Peter Doucette of 108 Washington Street noted that there are 400-500 empty spaces at the Woburn Depot every day. He suggested changing some of the commuter spaces to resident spaces and that would force people out of Town. Chairman George Hines noted that the Town is required to provide a certain number of spaces. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to close the hearing on the parking regulations requiring a sticker for resident parking was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to authorize the issuance at no cost, Community Access Stickers equal to the number of vehicles registered at that address for each property in Reading whose street frontage has a restriction for "Resident Parking," with the sticker modified such that it is easily identified and will not allow access to the Compost Center or to regulated commuter parking in designated lots, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Announcement of Settlement of Liti ag_ tion—Town Counsel Joan Langsam was present regarding Video Expo. She noted that it is best to settle with Video Expo because if we lost, we would have to pay their legal fees of approximately $125,000 plus our own attorney fees. There will be no challenge to our current Zoning By-Law. If we pursued the litigation, we could end up with an invalid bylaw. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 10, 2001 —Page 3 - , The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen had extensive discussion in Executive Session and they authorized the settlement in Executive Session. Presentation by CPA Study Committee — CPA Study Committee Chairman Paul Dustin, and members Patricia Lloyd and Tim Kelley were present. Paul Dustin reviewed the Committee's work to date. He noted that the provisions of the Act set the surcharge at 3% of the real estate levy but the Town can change the surcharge percentage at anytime as long as it goes through process. The money must go to open space, historic resources, community housing and recreational uses. The Town may also exempt the first $100,000 of the assessment. A 1% tax levy with the $100,000 exemption would cost the property owner$28/year. Patricia Lloyd noted that the amount of State funding depends on the number of communities participating in the program. Selectman Gail Wood noted that the Act states that there cannot be any exemptions in the second round. She also noted that there is a complex formula that has to be used. She asked who benefits in the second round. Conservation Chairman Nancy Eaton noted that the formula is structured to benefit lower income communities in the second round. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if there is a requirement to spend funds every year and Paul Dustin noted there is not. The Town Manager noted that the Act allows a community to incur debt and use funds to pay it off. Town Meeting Member Bill Brown asked if the surcharge is deductible on the federal taxes. Paul Dustin noted that if the Selectmen put an Article on the Warrant, then the Committee will move into the educational phase. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Study Committee should have public question and answer sessions before making a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager will check with Town Counsel to see how broad of an Article could be put on the Warrant. Reimbursement for "Back Flow" Preventers — Sewer Back Up Locations — The Town Manager noted that there was discussion early this year regarding the Town participating in sewer back up prevention. Public Works Director Ted McIntire was present. He noted that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee met and discussed this. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee feels that it is a nice gesture but it makes the Town look liable. The Committee suggests having the facilities removed from the basements, plug the facilities, install back water valves or install hand valves. Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 10, 2001 —Page 4 Selectman Gail Wood noted that back flow preventers have to be maintained. She feels that if the Town is going to pay for something, then she suggests the plug. The Town Manager noted that the homeowner should be able to choose and the Town will reimburse a certain amount. Eric Coyne of 176 Grove Street was present. He indicated that he appreciates the Board's time and feels that it is a reasonable proposal. A motion by Cummings seconded by Schubert to authorize the reimbursement to property owners of one half of the cost of purchase and installation of a sewer system back flow preventer up to a maximum reimbursement of $500, up to a maximum cost of $20,000 annually with priority being given to property owners who had a sewage back up in their property in the March 2001 storm, was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Wood opposed. Review FY2002 Budget — Further Reductions - The Town Manager noted that the Town needs to cut either $900,000 or $600,000 from the budget depending upon whether the Governor's budget or the Senate budget passes. The amount would be split 2/3 schools and 1/3 Town. The Town Manager also noted that there is a large increase in the property and casualty insurance due to claims and also $25,000 in Workers' Comp insurance. The Department Heads have met and identified cuts that can be made. The Selectmen need to approve so that the cuts can be implemented as soon as possible. The Town Manager reviewed the options for reductions. Selectman Gail Wood had concerns about eliminating the Conservation Recording Secretary. The Town Manager noted that this position has been vacant for one year because we can't get anyone to fill it. The Town Manager suggested going through with all of the recommendations except for cutting the Library hours because if the Senate budget goes through, then the hours will not need to be cut. Library Board Member Richard Ogden noted that he was concerned about cutting hours. He asked the Board to reconsider using free cash. A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to accept the recommendations of staff as indicated in the Town budget reduction chart dated 7/6/01 in Section 5e of the Selectmen's packet utilizing the Governor's budget numbers, with the exception of the reduction of Library hours until the State budget has passed, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Cummings seconded by Hines to approve the minutes of their meeting June 26, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting=July 10, 2001 —Page 5 A motion by Cummings seconded by Wood to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to labor negotiations (Dispatchers and Police Superior Officers), not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary ` f