Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 6, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:33 p.m. at the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Secretary George Hines, Selectmen Camille Anthony and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, Reading Housing Authority Director Peg Plansky, Reading Housing Authority Members Rev. Bob Sweet, Don Allen, Karen Flammia and Tim Kelly, Zoning Board of Appeals Members John Coote and Mike Larkin, Community Planning and Development Commission Members Neil Sullivan, Dick Howard, Mike Flammia and Rick Schubert, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Nathan White, Frank Driscoll, Bill Brown, Patricia Lloyd, George Perry, Mary Vincent, Dana Hennigar. Discussion/Action Items Appoint Town Counsel — The Town Manager noted that the Legal Services Review Team is in the process of working on bids but the process will not be finalized by July 1, 2000. He noted that current Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen is requesting a six months retainer for $57,500 with a cap of 550 hours and after 550 hours, the rate will be $150/hour. Town Counsel Ted Cohen was present and noted that he will be responding to the RFP. The fixed fee has been disadvantageous to his firm at the rate of approximately$81/hour. His normal rate is $200/hour and his normal municipal rate is $160/hour. He will be working with the Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager and Board of Selectmen to prioritize the work to be done for the remainder of the year. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor is not present tonight but he had left a message for her indicating that he supports this proposal and she concurs. Selectman George Hines asked what the timeline was for the selection of a successful bidder. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Legal Services Review Committee is in the process of looking at different scenarios. Bids are due on June 23, 2000, and December would be a reasonable timeframe for selection. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the Committee is looking at in-house counsel or a private practice outside. The Town Manager noted that he met with the Town Administrator in Danvers today. They had in-house counsel, and then went with a private firm. Selectman George Hines asked if $57,500 was half of the annual retainer, and the Town Manager noted that it was half of the FY 2001 retainer. On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint the firm of Keegan, Werlin and Pabian, LLP as Reading's Town Counsel from July 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000 subject to the conditions stated in the letter dated June 2, 2000. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 6, 2000—Page 2 Affordable Housing Workshop — ZBA, CPDC, RHA — Reading Housing Authority (RHA) Executive Director Peg Plansky, RHA Members Reverend Bob Sweet, Don Allen, Karen Flammia and Tim Kelly, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Members John Coote and Mike Larkin, Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) Members Neil Sullivan, Dick Howard, Mike Flammia and Rick Schubert and Town Planner Anne Krieg were present for the workshop. The Town Manager noted that everyone had received material on affordable housing and the Executive Order 418. RHA Chairman Bob Sweet thanked the Board of Selectmen for having this forum, and noted that the charge of RHA is to provide low income housing. He also noted that each time a contractor comes into Town and exceeds the zoning, there is a 10% linkage for low income housing. RHA Member Don Allen noted that there is a base of 8100 units of housing in Reading and 10% of that equals 810 units. The RHA only has 375 units. He noted that the Cedar Glen and Longwood units probably will not stay affordable and if they change, then the Town would lose 100 units of affordable housing. The Town Manager noted that there is affordable housing at Gazebo Circle, Summit Village, Schoolhouse Development, Greenhouse Acres, Longwood Place, Pleasant and Wilson Street, 75 Pleasant Street and when he spoke with DHCD, they indicated that Reading has been very creative.. Town Planner Anne Krieg reviewed the Governor's Executive Order 418. She noted that there are three components to the order: a community plan, housing certification and distribution of discretionary funds. The community plan should include a policy, incentives, whether there will be target areas or blanket the community and the percentage that is desired. She noted that $30,000 will be made available to communities for this. The housing certification consists of 20 items. Seven of the 20 need to be met in the first year, and 14 of the 20 have to be met by the second year. The Town Planner noted that the Town needs to start a planning process. The Town can look at certification this year, determine the issues that are out there and set a goal. ZBA Member John Coote noted that the Town is in a difficult situation -- we are short 435 units of affordable housing. He would like to see 30% linkage. If the landfill deal with Lincoln had gone through with a 30% linkage, we could have wiped out the entire deficit. He noted that if the Town is not creative, then the private sector will step in and solve our problems for us. He noted that parts of the Pearson site were rezoned and we could have built on the Marriott site. He asked whether the goal is to build new housing or to go with existing housing, and if the old Police Station was ever considered for affordable housing. CPDC Member Dick Howard noted that if the Town has a housing plan on paper that shows how we will attain affordable housing, then we can deny comprehensive permits that are outside of our strategy. Board of Selectmen Meeting;—June 6, 2000—Page 3 The Town Manager noted that there needs to be a balance. We can't develop a housing plan without looking at the whole picture. The Town Manager suggested creating a Master Plan Advisory Committee. CPDC Member Dick Howard suggested including input from developers and financial institutes on the Committee. Selectman George Hines noted that only one Town Meeting Member was present tonight. The Town's Housing Partnership failed. The human cry is being forced on us by the State. This is a fully developed community seeking redevelopment. He noted that the Camp Curtis Guild process could be beneficial to the Town. Developers are looking for a profit, and there has to be balance including balancing the needs in neighborhoods. ZBA Member Mike Larkin noted that if the Town denies a comprehensive permit, then the developer will go to the State and get it approved. ZBA Member John Coote noted that 600 developers have gone to the State and only two were denied. Selectman George Hines noted that the conditions need to be set -- not just the hours of construction. He noted that the Town needs to develop reasonable conditions so that it is a win/win situation. Summit Village balanced all of the needs. .-- The Town Manager noted that the Master Plan will set the criteria and that comprehensive permits are not all or nothing. He doesn't think the State would approve without changes. He also noted that a permit has been filed for 32 units on Grove Street and on Pierce Street, there is a redevelopment of industrial property. RHA Chairman Bob Sweet noted that the Town also wants to provide employees of the Town the opportunity to live in Reading but cannot afford to. He noted that there is no one in the audience because we are dealing with issues of leadership. ZBA Member John Coote noted that the community is against accessory apartments, and that we have 45 carriage houses in Town. He feels they should be given some recognition because we don't get credit for them. He also noted that some are quite elegant but the zoning says one lot one house. Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean suggested having this group meeting once a year, and he asked how the current By-Laws are working. ZBA Member Mike Larkin noted that the initial request for four homes on Grove Street was denied, and now the developer has applied for a comprehensive permit for 32 units. Selectman George Hines asked why it was denied, and CPDC Member Dick Howard indicated that it didn't meet the subdivision rules. Selectman George Hines noted that those things need to be weighed. Maybe it is better to grant a waiver instead of dealing with the consequences. CPDC Member Dick Howard noted that they don't want to set a precedence. Town Planner Anne Krieg noted that the Cellucci Administration recognizes these problems. Once a plan is in place, then the burden is on the developer to prove he meets the conditions of the plan. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 6, 2000—Page 4 RHA Member Don Allen noted that the 10% linkage should be onsite or offsite but not cash. There isn't much available land in Reading, and it makes it more difficult to attain. RHA Chairman Bob Sweet noted that the Town has the authority to take property in eminent domain, and the RHA also has the authority to do it. He suggested having our lawyers talk about the RHA taking Town property by eminent domain. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if a comprehensive permit process for the ZBA would come through 40B or can we do one now. The Town Planner noted that the ZBA can do that now, and they can also accept the DHCD guidelines. ZBA Member John Coote noted that the DHCD guidelines are just nuts and bolts on how to advertise and how to hold the hearings. RHA Executive Director Peg Plansky noted that developers come to the RHA, and the RHA doesn't know what is going on; i.e., George Street. She would like to be involved earlier in the process when the Town is approached by a developer. The Town Manager noted that the next step will be for CPDC to outline a process for development of the Master Plan and come back to the Board of Selectmen with that information. Selectman George Hines noted that the Selectmen need to have a policy in the area of achieving balance. Chairman Sally Hoyt thanked everyone for participating in the workshop. Personnel and Appointments Audit Committee - Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the Selectmen want to have a citizen at large on the committee or a Selectman. The Town Manager noted that it could be either. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he feels both the School Committee and Selectmen should be represented on the Audit Committee. On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Audit Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Camille Anthony. Selectman Camille Anthony received four votes and was appointed. Town Forest Committee—George Perry and Patricia Lloyd were interviewed for one position on the Town Forest Committee. Ms. Lloyd was also interviewed for a position on the Conservation Commission. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2003: George Perry II and Patricia J. Lloyd. Mr. Perry received four votes and was appointed. ........... On motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Conservation Commission with a term that expires June 30, 2001: Patricia J. Lloyd. Ms. Lloyd received four votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 6 2000—Page 5 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee—On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Water and _! Sewer Advisory Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Gail F. Wood. Ms. Wood received four votes and was appointed. Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves — Frank Driscoll was present for an interview. He requested being reappointed to a five year term. On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves with a term expiring June 30, 2005: Francis P. Driscoll. Mr. Driscoll received four votes and was appointed. Board of Cemetery Trustees—Mary R. Vincent and William C. Brown were interviewed for two positions on the Board of Cemetery Trustees. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen placed the following names into nomination for two positions on the Board of Cemetery Trustees with terms expiring June 30, 2003: Mary R. Vincent and William C. Brown. Ms. Vincent received four votes and was appointed. Mr. Brown received three votes and was appointed. Solid Waste Advisory Committee—There were no applicants. Commissioners of Trust Funds — On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Commissioner of Trust Funds with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Dana E. Hennigar. Mr. Hennigar received four votes and was appointed. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked that the Commissioners be put on a Selectmen's agenda before budget season to talk about the trust funds, and specifically the Hospital Trust Fund. Selectman George Hines asked that Town Counsel look at the options beforehand. Board of Registrars — On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Board of Registrars with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Gloria R. Hulse. Ms. Hulse received four votes and was appointed. Selectman George Hines asked about the process for appointing a new Assessor. The Town Manager noted that the position has been posted, and the Selectmen and Board of Assessors will do the appointing jointly. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked about the process with the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council. The Town Manager noted that the Superintendent of Schools will be working with the Council in modifying the survey. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 6, 2000—Pam Selectman Matthew Cummings requested that when the draft is complete, the Selectmen hold a hearing either alone or jointly before the survey is distributed. He is also searching for ideas on how to solicit positive information. On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjounl their meeting of June 6, 2000 at 10:15 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, �?��r`✓'✓'a.:.-'j'� ..�' �„w. tw Y rr * � 'aw fit, r:. ' a `�.iar wo�wuv Secretary z.**--- ..........