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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting August 22, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Matthew Nestor, Vice Chairman George Hines (arrived at 7:37 p.m.), Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Library Director Kimberly Lynn, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Joe Gatta, Nancy Eaton, Mark Gillis, Steve Crook, Barbara Powers, Alan Ulrich, Everett Blodgett, Don Cowan, Peter Simms, Gary Phillips, Bernie White. Personnel and Appointments Council on Aging — The Board interviewed Barbara A. Powers for one position on the Council on Aging. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2003: Barbara A. Powers. Ms. Powers received five votes and was appointed. Discussion/Action Items Approval of Deed — Linnea Lane — The Town Manager noted that one of the abutting property owners requested that this property go out to bid. The Cormio's were the successful bidders. One of the Deed requirements that has not been met is that this property be attached to another lot which is impossible and neither bidder could have met that condition. On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Deed and other documents for the sale of Plat 160, Lot 19A on Linnea Lane to Cocettina M. Cormio, 37 Linnea Lane. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Deed — Sweetser Avenue — Alan Ulrich and Everett Blodgett from the Reading Antiquarian Society were present. The Town Manager noted that Town Meeting authorized the sale of the property that is adjacent to the Parker Tavern to the Reading Antiquarian Society. Alan Ulrich presented a check in the amount of$1,694 for the purchase of the land. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Deed and other documents for the sale of Plat 52, Lot 22A consisting of 17,315 square feet, more or less, of property on the southerly side of Washington Street to the Reading Antiquarian Society. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Parking Regulations — Hamden Yard Parkin4 Area - The Town Manager noted that this parking lot is also known as the blight parking lot. The construction of Danvers Savings Bank will be done on Friday. He feels there is a need to set regulations with the bank opening to be consistent with the other Town parking lot, and noted that suggestions have been made for employee parking but this is not the appropriate place. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 2 Don Cowan, owner of A Plus Printing, noted that there are three parking spaces gone in the back. The Town Manager noted that there is only one space gone. Don Cowan noted that a total of six spaces were lost because of Danvers Savings Bank and we were only suppose to lose four. The Town Manager noted that the site is developed according to the site plan. Town Planner Anne Krieg noted that she will be doing a final site inspection this week. Don Cowan noted that there is a severe parking problem. He asked where his employees will park if two hour parking is put in place. He also noted that the old Police Station parking lot is not plowed well in the Winter and residents use it all day, and he asked that the two hour parking in the Hamden lot not go into effect until the old Police Station lot is developed. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if there was any alternative parking for employees. Anne Krieg noted that the old Police Station lot will have 42 spaces. Selectman George Hines asked if there are any drawbacks to postponing the regulations. The Town Manager noted that if the regulations are put in place as soon as possible, then people won't feel that something has been taken away. He noted that the Town could designate 15 spaces for employee parking at the old Police Station right now, and the spaces should be designated and paid for. There is also the issue of residents parking in the lot all day. Peter Simms, President of the Chamber of Commerce, noted that the Minutes of the CPDC September 17th Meeting show that the Town Engineer Joe Delaney indicated that four spaces would be lost. The plan is not correct and needs to be checked. Mr. Simms noted that it would be a mistake to make this a two hour parking lot because it has never been used as a customer parking lot, and also noted that he met with the Town Manager and the Regional Manager for CVS about parking. Parking is a major problem. He would like to see a sticker program at the old Police Station for employees and a few for customers. There also has to be consistent ticketing by the Police. Bill Brown, a Reading resident, noted that this is a very poor plan and should be kept as an example when doing economic development. Don Cowan noted that he doesn't want to pay $60/month for his employees to park. If he does have to pay,he will pass it along to his customers. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that employees need to be encouraged to park at the old Police Station. Selectman George Hines noted that Danvers Savings Bank should have taken employee parking into consideration. He'suggested making the spaces close to the walkway two hour parking, and then develop a strategy for long-term and subscription parking. He wants to see an accurate plan. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 3 Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that there needs to be more of a plan. Two hour parking will put more all day parking in the neighborhoods. He doesn't feel that two hour parking will solve the problem. Chairman Matthew Nestor directed the Town Manager to notify Danvers Savings Bank that the Selectmen are considering making this a two hour parking lot. The Town Manager noted that the Town doesn't have the Grant yet to develop the old Police Station parking lot and we might not even get it. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that this could be made a priority in the Capital Plan. Selectman George Hines noted that he would like to see an RFP to include structured parking in the CVS lot. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that he has a problem with subscription parking and allocating fairness. Peter Simms noted that Winchester uses subscription parking and it works. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to continue the hearing on the parking regulations for the Hamden Yard parking area until September 12, 2000 at 8:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that the Selectmen want to be notified if we lost more than four spaces. Revocation of Gasoline License - The Town Manager noted that this Gas Station has not been active for one year. There are junk vehicles and a boat for sale on the property. Prime Energy was going to purchase the property but they have no interest right now. The property owner states that Prime Energy wants a two week extension. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to revoke the gasoline license that was issued to A.L. Prime Energy for the property at 1337 Main Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Selectman Sally Hoyt left the meeting at 10:30 p.m. Hearing — Pay & Classification Plan — Library — Secretary Camille Anthony read the hearing notice. Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts and Library Director Kimberly Lynn were present. The Town Manager noted that this proposal is due to the success of a Grant to man the desks after hours. Carol Roberts indicated that the plan is to place the After Hours Regional Reference Librarian in Grade 15 which is midpoint around time and one half or $29.45/hour. The plan is to staff with current employees, no overtime,no status change to make unbenefited to __ benefited. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 4_, Selectman Camille Anthony asked how the Reference Librarians who are at a Grade 11 are - going to feel with the new position at four grades higher. Carol Roberts noted that is the amount of money that is needed to attract people to work this kind of hours. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that the Classification Plan has to do with skills not just pay. Kimberly Lynn noted that the contract requires that we answer questions from 55 towns, and quite a range of knowledge is needed for that. Chairman Matthew Nestor asked if we could not put it in the Pay and Classification Plan. The Town Manager noted that the policy doesn't allow for that, and the Tobacco Control Program serves three cities and that is slotted in the Pay and Classification Plan. Selectman Matthew Cummings suggested changing the Personnel Policy. Selectman George Hines asked if we could use a night differential. The Town Manager noted that we could but it would open a can of worms. Selectman George Hines asked if this bid on Reading is a benefit to Reading. Kimberly Lynn noted that any Reading resident can call and we can do what they want except pick up a book. We can renew a book, fax information, put books and information on hold, answer questions, etc. Reading residents will benefit the most. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she is opposed to putting this in Grade 15. She would rather leave it out of the Pay and Classification Plan. Selectman Sally Hoyt asked what the term of the contract was. The Town Manager noted it is $40,000/year for three years. Selectman George Hines asked if it is feasible to run this as a stand alone contract. The Town Manager indicated we could not because they are employees. On motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to direct staff to come back with a plan to pay $29.45 to the After Hours Regional Reference Librarian. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review of Policy on Facility, Rental, Park Rental and Street Closing - The Town Manager noted that the Meeting Room Policy is in tonight's handout. He asked the Selectmen to review it and get back to him by Monday with any comments and/or changes. This will go into effect by September 1, 2000. Review Town Counsel Options —Legal Services Review Committee Members Steve Crook and Mark Gillis were present. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that it is the Committee's mission to look at ways to provide services at the most cost effective amount. An RFP was sent out and six bids were received. The Committee has found out that a lot of legal work doesn't require an Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 5 attorney at $150/hour, and they have come up with four different scenarios and are recommending the hybrid model. The Town Manager noted that the hybrid counsel would cost about $245,000 and would wean away from outside counsel. The in-house nonexclusive counsel would be an employee of the Town. The office would not be in Town Hall, and he would be allowed to do additional work outside of Town. The in-house exclusive counsel would have an office at Town Hall, and would work exclusively for the Town during the day. Mark Gillis noted that the services we have been getting have been subsidized by Town Counsel. The specialized and non-specialized work flow is constant. The hybrid counsel ensures quality from the beginning, and is meant to be transitional to in-house. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we wouldn't get the breadth of services with in-house counsel and if that person doesn't work out, then it could be difficult to get rid of them. Selectman Sally Hoyt noted that the Town's finances are limited. She feels that outside counsel would benefit the Town at this time, and suggested considering a trained graduate paralegal to do a lot of the work at a fraction of the cost. If we go in-house, we have to have an experienced attorney. Selectman George Hines noted that he leans toward outside counsel and with outside counsel, we wouldn't have an additional employee, overhead and Town Meeting trying to cut the position. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Town needs the breadth of outside counsel. The Town Manager noted that use of outside counsel is minimal in communities with in-house counsel. Gary Phillips, resident, suggests having counsel available to Town Meeting Members. The paralegal option could have overlapping terms with a two year contract with six months overlapping. He would like to submit an article to Town Meeting for services. Nancy Eaton of 13 Short Street noted that her experience with Town Counsel is that there are mundane areas that Town Counsel never gets to. She feels there needs to be a pecking order, and she would like to see the Town go with outside counsel and purchase paralegal hours to get lower level of services accomplished. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that the Town does lawyering by crisis, and we don't buy enough hours to get everything done. Nancy Eaton noted that the Town shouldn't have to wait five years to have a Deed done. Selectman George Hines noted that the current situation was created by the current Town Counsel. He would underbid and not give enough hours and make it out that the Town is getting a bargain so don't push for more. He told the Town there would be no problem with handling - everything. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 6 Nancy Eaton suggested that the Town be proactive and do training to avoid legal costs. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that three of the Selectmen are for outside counsel, and directed the Legal Services Review Committee to go ahead with interviews and public input for outside counsel. Selectman George Hines requested that the Committee recommend three candidates for the Selectmen to interview. Review of Use of DPW Site for Compost Center Substation—The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen received a request to extend the Compost Center hours on Mondays, and to use the DPW site as a substation to decrease the traffic at the current site on Strout Avenue. Public Works Director Ted McIntire noted that he discussed with staff, our waste carrier and 10 communities as to what they do regarding compost. He recommends building a U-shaped area for dumping and remove with a dump truck. Some communities use a roll-off but tend to get a mixture of material. A roll-off costs $100/month and $110 per pull to remove. Some communities do off hours from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. His concerns are that it is a small site that is not meant for visitors. Residents come down for compost bins, disposal of TV's and waste oil. This is also the fueling facility and there is equipment in and out during the day. Jersey barriers would be needed, and that cost would be about $5,000. There would also be a cost of at least two laborers, and this would cut down on traffic to Strout Avenue. Selectman Sally Hoyt asked if it would be possible to try this on a trial basis. Ted McIntire noted that if we use multiple sites, then people will get confused. Ted McIntire indicated that he favors opening the Compost Center at Strout Avenue during the week during school hours. It could be manned with volunteers, seasonal laborers or one full time DPW employee. He showed a chart that tracks the usage of the Compost Center on a daily basis. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there is an additional cost to use the DPW site, and that site needs to be cleaned up not to look worse. Selectman George Hines noted that he favors 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Strout Avenue. The Town Manager noted that the Grove Street residents would probably object. Selectman Sally Hoyt noted that the Grove Street residents have been taxed enough and feels if we are going to add another day, then we should supply a second location. Selectman Matthew Cummings referred to Ted McIntire's chart and noted that Mondays help to spread out the traffic. He indicated that a lot of neighborhoods in Town have more traffic because they have a library, school, etc. located in them. He feels the cost of using the DPW site will not give us what we need. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that the use of the DPW site is not a viable alternative. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 7 Ted McIntire noted that there is usually an average of 220 vehicles visiting the Compost Center on a Friday or a Monday. Selectman Matthew Cummings requested to see the comparison next year. Selectman George Hines noted that the Monday hours are temporary. He would like to see a final policy put in place so that the Selectmen don't have to revisit this every year. Parking — Salem Street from Lowell to Main — The Town Manager noted that when Route 129 was reconstructed, we made an agreement with Mass Highway so that there would be no parking on the south side of Salem Street across from the Old South Methodist Church. Sunday parking has always been allowed by the Police Department because there isn't much traffic on that route on Sundays. The Police would prefer to keep a couple of spaces at the intersection for no parking. Chairman Matthew Nestor indicated that he feels the enforcement should be left to the Police Chief. Selectman George Hines noted that it is now a travel lane and it is a hazard. It is a safety issue that we should ask the Police Chief to enforce. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that stretch has always been a problem. If we allow parking for Sundays, then people will want Tuesday night when it's not so busy. If there is not suppose to be parking, then it should be enforced. Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that he feels the Police Chief should use his discretion. Selectman George Hines noted that it is a safety hazard. If the traffic change wasn't made, he wouldn't mind. When cars are parked there, the whole lane is eliminated. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that travel on Haverhill Street is getting more difficult, and asked if parking is allowed on both sides of the street. The Town Manager noted that it is. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she has not noticed a lot of traffic on Sunday morning, and feels that the Board has to be realistic. Approval of Home Addition — Aurele Circle — The Town Manager noted that the property on Aurele Circle is within the protective water quality easement area. When the developer sold the lots, modifications were made to allow pools, play lots and sheds but decks were left out. Mr. White wants to replace his deck but the Building Inspector says no because of the easement. DEP says it is up to the Town. Bernie White was present and reviewed the information. He noted that he wants to extend the existing deck away from the easement from three feet to ten feet. He feels a 20 foot swimming pool would be more harmful than a deck, and had his underground oil tank removed to avoid a future problem. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 8 On motion by Hines seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the construction of a deck as depicted in the submitted material with the protective water quality easement at the property located at 15 Aurele Circle. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Goal Setting— The Town Manager noted that there are some general considerations. Resources are extremely limited, and there is an increasing demand on services. Progress has been made on capital improvements and maintenance but more needs to be done. The FY 2000 goals were to sell the Reading Business Park; establish a long term water supply; develop an economic strategy plan; implement a traffic management plan; implement the police staffing and deployment study; implement the building maintenance program; improve the capital improvement planning process. Some possible FY 2001 goals could be to: implement an economic development program; make appropriate investments to improve efficiency and services; manage and improve resources to protect service delivery; manage boards, committees and commissions relationships; improve customer service; improve communications within the Town government and with residents; focus community efforts on improving diversity and reducing violence. The Town Manager noted that the process used last year was to throw out ideas and vote on them. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested setting up time on a work agenda. She asked where we stand with FY 2000 goals. The Town Manager noted that the Police Staffing and Deployment Study is mainly financial and budgets are being reduced. The economic development strategy was to focus on the Reading Business Park and South Main Street. The Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force has done some of the things that the traffic study recommended. A traffic calming trial is being developed. Chairman Matthew Nestor suggested reviewing the progress on last year's goals, and how they will be monitored in the future. Selectman George Hines wants the goals to be driven by the Selectmen. Put issues on the table and prioritize them. He feels the Selectmen need a basis to go to the taxpayers with and suggested that the Selectmen get information to the Town Manager in advance. The Town Manager noted that he would combine the agendas of September 5th and 12th to free up one of those for goals. Close the Warrant — State Primary — On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt,the Board of Selectmen voted to close the Warrant for the State Primary to be held on September 19, 2000 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—August 22, 2000—Page 9 On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of August 12, 2000 at 11:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0, and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Secretary p