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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 7, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:34 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, Selectman Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Hemant Chikarmane, Asha Kamat, Nancy Eaton, John Bechard, Attorney Brad Latham, Developer Mark Dickinson, Bill Roach, Fire Chief Greg Burns. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Chairman George Hines noted that the Finance Committee Appointment Committee Meeting scheduled for earlier this evening was postponed until after Labor Day. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he received phone calls from Victoria Avenue residents regarding water flow down Scotland Road flooding their yards. He also noted that the drains on Summer Avenue are not recessed enough, and inquired as to whether we can put in new drains on Scotland Road to Summer. The Town Manager and Public Works Director will look into it and report back to the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager noted that around 10:30 last night a 12" water main broke and it emptied the Bear Hill tank. One property owner was effected. The shut off valve is broke and will be replaced in the Fall. Discussion/Action Items Authorizing Town Manner for RMLD Land Swap — The Town Manager noted that the substation has been removed from the property and now the property gets turned over to North Reading. He needs authorization from the Board of Selectmen for him to sign the acknowledgement of completion. A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings that the Board of Selectmen delegate to the Town Manager the sign-off on acknowledgment of completion for the land swap agreement between the RMLD, the Town of North Reading and the Town of Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Application for Second Driveway — 38 John Street — The property owners Hemant Chikarmane and Asha Kamat were present. They indicated that they are requesting a second driveway opening. Their driveway is very steep at the back of the house and they can't get up the driveway in the Winter. They previously parked out front on the sidewalk but they can't do that anymore because the Town put in curbing. The Town Manager noted that Public Works has concerns because the property only has a 16 foot setback. There is no continuous sidewalk on that side of John Street. If sidewalks are put in, it will go on the other side of the street. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 7, 2001 —Page 2 Selectman Camille Anthony asked what the other residents do, and the Town Manager noted that they park in the sidewalk area. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she has a problem with removing curb because it was put there for drainage reasons. Ms. Kamat noted that they are only taking out 1%2 curbs. Chairman George Hines asked if they would absorb all of the costs and they indicated that they would. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the second driveway opening at 38 John Street with the work to be completed in 120 days in accordance with the sketch plan submitted; all costs will be borne by the property owner and the final plan must be approved by Engineering was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — PWED Application — The Secretary read the hearing notice. Developer Mark Dickinson, Attorney Brad Latham and Bill Roach from VHB were present. Chairman George Hines noted that the PWED application was delivered to the Department of Transportation a couple of weeks ago and they suggested having a public hearing. Bill Roach noted that the PWED will provide money for improvements to Walkers Brook Drive related to the development of the landfill. They are proposing widening of Walkers Brook Drive to four lanes up to Lakeview Avenue, and widening of the Route 128 northbound exit ramp for a double left hand turn lane. For pedestrian safety, sidewalks are being proposed and pedestrian crossings will be provided at the signals. There is no opportunity for a sidewalk on the eastside near the interchange so people should cross at the signal and continue onto the lake. Developer Mark Dickinson noted that the sales tax benefit to the State will be in excess of$5 million per year. The Town Manager noted that the Community Planning and Development Commission has approved the plan and the Conservation Commission is having a hearing on Thursday. The State approvals are still needed. Developer Mark Dickinson noted that he has a team of four people working every day putting this project together. Negotiations are going well with Jordan's Furniture and Home Depot and he has a Purchase and Sales Agreement with a hotel. He has heard from four restaurants who are interested in the site but the Town's liquor pouring policy needs to be changed. The CAAA will be filed with the D.E.P. next Monday. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the PWED application was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 7, 2001 —Page 3 A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to approve the filing of the PWED application as presented was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearin— Grievance Policy for Equal Access — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan was submitted to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. They sent it back indicating that the Town needs to have an ADA Section 504 Grievance Policy. He is requesting the Board's approval of the policy as submitted. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the Grievance Policy for Equal Access to Facilities and Activities was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to approve the Grievance Policy for Equal Access to Facilities and Activities as submitted on August 7, 2001 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Liquor Pouring Policy—Chairman George Hines noted that the Selectmen had a hearing and staff has compiled recommendations from Police, Dickinson and Pearson. The Police review includes Woburn and Stoneham policies. Attorney Brad Latham noted that Mark Dickinson has had discussion with four restaurants who have a problem with the pouring policy. He noted that Wakefield and Lynnfield allow bars and consumption of alcohol without food. Attorney Latham noted that with a good restaurant and good policing, the Town can achieve what is being asked for. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the hotel will have a bar, and Attorney Latham indicated it would not because it is an extended stay hotel. The Town Manager noted that originally the Town allowed liquor to be provided only to enhance the dining experience. The Town's policy is extremely restrictive compared to the rest of the world. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if we will have function rooms, and Mark Dickinson indicated that he did not know. The Town Manager noted that Woburn makes a distinction between function rooms and restaurants. Selectman Gail Wood noted that she likes Dickinson's proposal. She likes the 100-150 seats and 15% at bar; she likes that the patron must be seated to be served alcohol; she doesn't care about dancing or boundaries and she likes the 30 minute cleanup. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that Stoneham's policy was much better than Woburn's because it addresses staffing and insurance coverage. She is not interested in giving a discount and she does not want food to be a requirement. - Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that he likes Dickinson's proposal except for the boundaries. He feels the Town should require a certificate of insurance. He does not want food to be a requirement, and feels the number of seats at the bar should be proportional. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 7, 2001 —Page 4 The Board directed the Town Manager to draft a policy and this will be put back on the agenda in September. Review of NFPA Change in Standards — Fire Chief Greg Burns was present. He noted that the NFPA writes codes and standards on fire apparatus, gear and organization of a Fire Department. They use it as a measuring tool to compare with surrounding communities. The standard was passed in May but it is not mandatory that communities adopt it. He recommends looking at things that can be changed at little or no cost. Chief Burns reviewed the items that we have already done. He noted that he is trying to increase the number of Fire Fighters on the scene of a house fire by using mutual aid. He indicated that it takes a number of Fire Fighters to bring a hose upstairs. At the present level of staffing, we send everyone into the building but staff is also needed outside. He noted that to comply with the standard, we would have to add 15 Fire Fighters at a cost of$900,000. The Board thanked Chief Burns for his report. Regulations on Reimbursement of Backflow Prevention Systems — The Town Manager noted that the draft regulation is in the Board's packet. Public Works will be at the Selectmen's next meeting and the regulations will then be finalized. Chairman George Hines indicated that Engineering should concur that the proposed solution will take care of the problem. He also suggested incorporating the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommendations. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn their meeting of August 7, 2001 at 9:35 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Secretary