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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 21, 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, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Police Chief Bob Silva, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: David Russell, Mark Perry, Keith Becker, Susan Giacalone, Robert Brown. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Secretary Matthew Cummings noted that he attended the Reading Municipal Light Department Meeting on August 13, 2001. They have begun to implement their emergency procedures. He also attended the August 9th and August 16th Conservation Commission Meetings and they approved the draft order of conditions. He noted that the Conservation process needs to be discussed. Selectman Gail Wood congratulated the girls' softball team for going to the Nationals. She noted that the Cemetery Board indicated that it probably will not make any contributions this year. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee has concerns about the increased pervious area of the acquifer protection acre at 1375 Main Street. She attended the Board of Health, Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Veteran's Memorial Fund Meetings. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Community Preservation Act Study Committee is meeting on Thursday at Town Hall. He also noted that the Conservation Commission approved the draft order of conditions for the landfill. Chairman George Hines noted that he attended the Conservation Commission Meeting, and the Conservation process is arduous and needs to be evaluated. He congratulated the girls' softball team. He also noted that the quarterly report on the monitoring of radio frequency on the Water Tower indicates that none of the RF levels exceed the established levels and no health hazard can be anticipated. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: Landfill Update ♦ CPDC approved the PUD for the Dickinson Development and the decision has been filed. ♦ The Conservation Commission closed its hearing and issued an order of conditions subject to review of two items by Town Counsel. ♦ The MEPA document has been filed, and we have a verbal confirmation of no further action being required. ..._...... ♦ The PWED application has been filed and a public hearing was held by the Board of Selectmen and all material relative to the hearing submitted to the Massachusetts Highway Department. The Board of Selectmen has a copy of an e-mail confirming that the material - has been received and that the review is in progress. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 21, 2001 —Pasze 2 ♦ I delivered the CAAA to DEP today, and they have a 30 day administrative review and a 60 day technical review. ♦ 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 on Mill and Short Streets is completed. ♦ Curb and/or sidewalk construction has been completed on Union Street, is in progress on Middlesex Avenue and will be done on Ash/Main Street and Franklin at Haverhill by the end of the construction season. We have adequate funds to pave Union and Middle Streets, and to pave a base course on the"old Police Station" lot this season. ♦ Anne Krieg and I attended a Woburn Planning Board on Tuesday relative to the Inwood Office Park approval. We told them that in order to construct a proposed file access road from the end of Enos Circle, they would need approval from the Town of Reading. We also told them that since we are likely to be the first emergency response to the site that we wanted to get paid for that service. ♦ Two new Reading Police Officers are set to graduate from the Police Academy on September 5, 2001. The graduation will be at the Reading Memorial High School. The Police Officers are Keith Hurley and Kevin Brown. ♦ The Town will be holding a training session on Comprehensive Permits on September 12 for the Board of Selectmen, ZBA, CPDC, RHA, Water and Sewer Advisory Committee, Historical Commission and staff. • I have given the Board of Selectmen a draft of a comprehensive revision of the Town's liquor policies. With whatever comments I receive from the Board of Selectmen in draft, I will finalize the policy, provide a notice of a hearing, and copy the draft to all current license holders. The probable date of a hearing will be September 1 lth. Discussion/Action Items Review Status of all Water Issues/Initiatives —Public Works Director Ted McIntire updated the Board on the water issues/initiatives. He noted that the Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee has been working on the water and sewer rate study, MWRA connection, water conservation program, bedrock wells, Water Treatment Plant rehab and the water meter radio read program. Ted McIntire noted that we are going through the approval process for the MWRA connection. The tie-in cost will be$3.432 million. He feels that the Town should promote more conservation programs. The MWRA gives out water saving fixtures to member communities. The leak detection program cost the Town $8,000 but we were able to locate and repair 60,000 gallon per day at a savings of$18,000 to the Town. Ted McIntire noted that there are five bedrock wells in the Town Forest, and we will pursue those first and then onto Bare Meadow. The evaluation will be completed in about six to nine months. Presentation—Water and Sewer Rate Study—The Town Manager noted that we hired an outside firm to do a water and sewer rate study. Ted McIntire introduced David Russell from Russell Consulting. Mr. Russell noted that he was asked to look at the current rates and make recommendations. There are eight specific recommendations that he will be making. Board of Selectmen Meetinggust 21, 2001 —Page 3 Mr. Russell noted that there are major capital expenditures needed in the water fund. There will be large deficits in the current revenue sources, and he recommends that the current reserves should be drawn down to reduce the shortfall. Mark Perry of Russell Consulting noted that there are significant but manageable capital needs in the sewer fund with relatively small deficits in the current revenue sources. The current reserves should be drawn down to eliminate deficits. The current water fund reserve is $1.3 million and $1 million in the sewer fund. He recommends maintaining a minimum balance of$200,000 in the reserve fund and establishing a stabilization fund in FY'06. The Department of Revenue recommends 3% to 4% as an adequate reserve. Mr. Russell noted that their recommendations are to increase the water rate 8% every year through FY'06, increase the sewer rate 2.4% every year through FY'06 or a combined water and sewer rate increase of 5% every year through FY'06. Chairman George Hines asked if the MWRA Capital Plan was included in the calculations. Mr. Russell noted that the Capital Plan was not but the tie-in cost was. Chairman George Hines noted that the MWRA Capital Plan needs to be factored in. Mr. Russell noted that they recommend keeping one class for now and then go to residential and non-residential charges in the future. They recommend a customer service charge by meter size and no minimum allowance. The customer service charge covers supply costs, billing and fixed costs incurred by the water system. They also recommend a fire protection charge in proportion to cost of providing services. Once the new meters are in place, they recommend monthly billing and phase out the early payment discount at that time. Another recommendation is to consider adopting a low income lifeline rate which would subsidize 25% - 50% of the bill for qualified households. The consensus of the Board was to identify how they want to proceed and schedule a hearing in October. Regulations on Reimbursement of Back Flow Prevention Systems — The Town Manager noted that the Board had voted to authorize reimbursement for back flow prevention systems and the draft regulations are in the packet. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee suggest adding the wording"subject to funding by Town Meeting" at the end of#1. The consensus of the Board of Selectmen was not to add "subject to funding by Town Meeting" but they did suggest adding "on a one time only basis" to #1. Review Pay-As-You-Throw and Solid Waste Options — Ted McIntire noted that Waste Management submitted a bid for rubbish disposal. If we try to eliminate anything from it, we may not gain any money. Atlantic North gave a verbal bid for recycling. Ted McIntire noted that PAYT eliminates the disposal cost only. -- Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if costs will go up if we go to PAYT and recycling increases, and Ted McIntire indicated that they will. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 21, 2001 —Page 4 Solid Waste Advisory Committee Chairman Keith Becker and SWAC Members Susan Giacalone and Robert Brown were present. Keith Becker indicated that the Committee needs to know how to proceed. He noted that PAYT is not revenue neutral but environmentally the Committee favors it. Bob Brown noted that 100 communities have PAYT and each community has its own problems. Lexington introduced PAYT because they were paying a high disposal fee. The consensus of the Board was not to pursue PAYT, and they directed the Solid Waste Advisory Committee to continue with recycling efforts to reduce solid waste. Review Outline of Warrant for Subsequent Town Meeting, Police Chief's Position in Civil Service — The Town Manager noted that the Warrant closes on September 25, 2001. He also noted that Article 4 is to amend the FY 2002 budget. Article 5 is to rescind debt authorization for Eaton Street sewers. Article 6 is to authorize funding for plans for the RMHS. Article 7 is to amend the fee schedule. Article 8 is a general article drawn by Town Counsel accepting the CPA. Article 9 is accepting donations. Article 10 is a Charter amendment regarding tie votes of write in votes. Article 11 is to amend the Charter regarding Minutes. Article 12 is the removal of the Police Chief position from Civil Service. Chief Bob Silva was present. He requested that the Board put this on a future agenda for discussion when everyone associated can be present. Article 13 is regarding the structure of the School Building Committee setting terms, etc. Selectman Matthew Cummings indicated that the Town Moderator should sponsor this Article. The Town Manager noted that the Town Moderator does not feel comfortable doing that. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested a joint sponsorship with the School Committee. Article 14 is related to the waiting period to act for the Board of Health. Article 15 is the process for Instructional Motions. The Town Manager noted that the Town Moderator indicated that no other communities have Instructional Motions. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested that this should be discussed with the Bylaw Committee and Rules Committee. Article 16 is accepting donation of easements for sidewalks on Franklin Street. Articles 17, 18 and 19 are to abandon easements. Article 20 is to abandon an easement and create a new one for the Light Department. Article 21 is to abandon an easement for Harrow's. Article 22 is to amend the zoning map regarding the flood plain. Article 23 is a zoning article. Town Planner Anne Krieg was present. She noted that Article 23 is regarding the Acquifer Protection District. Article 24 is regarding the hours of construction. Anne Krieg noted that the issue is enforcement. The Building Inspector is authorized to enforce if a special permit is issued. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he had no problem restricting heavy equipment but there needs to be a definition for construction and there needs to be standards for waivers. Article 25 would be to eliminate the cap on conservation fees. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 21, 2001 —Page 5 Approval of Minutes On motion by Wood seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of July 24, 2001 by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Wood seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of their meeting of August 7, 200, as amended,by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Cummings seconded by Wood, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of August 21, 2001 at 11:15 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Secretary