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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 14, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Matthew Cummings (Selectman Cummings arrived at 7:50 p.m.), Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Finance Director Beth Klepeis, Town Planner Anne Krieg, Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Paul Feely, Linda Phillips, Michael Baccari, Bruce Berger, Joe Delaney, Gordon Daring, Bill Scarpati. Certificate of Recognition — On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a Certificate of Recognition for Matthew G. Sousa in recognition of his can and bottle drive and clothing collection to benefit the Red Cross. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Report — Reading Business Park — Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean noted that the easement release deed has been signed, and Chairman Matthew Nestor reported at Town Meeting that we got the approval of the consent order. Dickinson is finalizing the Agreement with Home Depot. Dickinson will be coming back to the Board of Selectmen on November 28, 2000 with the new concept plan. The Assistant Town Manager noted that, because of the retail nature of the business, they are planning on being in the ground in one year. Report — Water Supp1X — Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean noted that staff and John Gall met with representatives of the MWRA, MEPA, et al, and an Agreement with CDM has been drafted. We will need to go to Town Meeting in the Spring for $86,000 for the MWRA application. The Town Manager noted that the $86,000 is for the cost of engineering and permits to file the MWRA application. The cost to buy into the MWRA is approximately $3 million to $4 million. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if a process has been set for the designing of the Water Treatment Plant, and it was noted that it has not. Staff will bring back an outline of this process to the Board of Selectmen in early to mid-January. Hearing—Holiday Liquor Sales on Sunday for Package Stores— Secretary Camille Anthony read the hearing notice. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that this is an annual hearing to consider allowing sale of liquor in package stores on Sundays between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Bruce Berger from Reading Liquors was present. He noted that his only concern was the hours, and is requesting the option of staying open until 8:00 p.m. Vice Chairman George Hines asked if there were any problems with the contingencies, and the Town Manager noted that there wasn't. There are also no issues with the Police. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14, 2000—Page 2 Presentation Pavement Management Program—Town Engineer Joe Delaney, Gordon Daring and Bill Scarpati from VHB were present. Bill Scarpati noted that they were hired by the Town to do a Pavement Management Study. They conducted a townwide pavement inventory and created a database for public roads only. He noted that most of the roads fall into the preventive maintenance category with a pavement condition index (PCI) of 79, and that 12.1 miles need total reconstruction. Selectman Sally Hoyt asked about Chapter 90 funds, and the Town Manager noted that we only have$310,000 to spend. Gordon Daring noted that it is best to make timely maintenance repairs and address major rehab needs as funding allows. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked how chip seal preventive maintenance would affect the road. Gordon Daring noted that chip seal has a 7 to 15 year life but it depends on the level of traffic. He also noted that maintaining a backlog funding program of$850,000 for the next 10 years would raise the PCI to 84. A progressive program of $1,200,000 for the next 10 years would raise the PCI to 94. The chip seal alternative for $800,000 for the next 10 years would raise the PCI to 83. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked what the average backlog is for communities. Gordon Daring noted that Reading is above average with the condition of the roads at 79, when the average for some surrounding towns is 63. Selectman Camille Anthony asked what the major causes of road deterioration is. Gordon Daring noted water, quality of construction, types of material, traffic and heavy vehicles. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she would like to see $850,000 in the capital budget to stay where we are. Review Community Access Fee—Vice Chairman George Hines noted that the Board received 16 comments regarding the Community Access Sticker. Six comments are related to the use of one facility and not the other. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that the Board decided to go with one sticker to keep the cost of implementing the fee down. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that one comment was whether or not a resident had to purchase a sticker to park in front of their house. It was noted that the restriction is only from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There were also comments about having more than one vehicle, and the Town Manager noted that if more than one sticker is purchased at the same time, a discount is given. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that there was a question regarding renting a truck to haul the leaves. The Town Manager noted that staff can issue a certificate or card for the special exception situations. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14, 2000—Page 3 Selectman Sally Hoyt noted that she received a phone call from an elderly person who goes twice a year and would like a discount. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that the Town has to raise $100,000 and we can't raise it if we are exempting everyone. The Town Manager noted that he has received a lot of calls from the elderly, and suggested that the Selectmen might want to consider a senior citizen discount. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that if we offer a discount, then we would have to increment the fee. Vice Chairman George Hines noted that Town Meeting approved a higher dog fees and this would make up for the discount. The Board could consider a senior citizen discount but might want to up the age. Town Meeting Member Bill Brown noted that if people don't want to buy a sticker, then they can put the leaves out on the curb. The Town Manager noted that they could but they cannot put brush or grass clippings out at the curb. Vice Chairman George Hines suggested revisiting residential fee structure of the Depot parking area in the future. Hoyt moved and Anthony seconded to offer a$10 discount for senior citizens 65 or older on the access fee for the Compost Center and Depot parking. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he will vote against it because we are trying to raise revenues. Hines moved and Anthony seconded to amend the main motion to allow for a $5 discount for seniors over 70. The amendment failed by a vote of 2-2-0, with Hoyt and Cummings opposed. The main motion was approved by a vote of 3-1-0, with Cummings opposed. Presentation on Arbitrage — Finance Director Beth Klepeis was present. The Town Manager noted that arbitrage was mentioned at the Financial Forum. The Finance Director noted that the federal government allows cities and towns to invest tax free debt. The rules are that all of the money has to be spent in two years. The Finance Director noted that, because of the 10 taxpayer lawsuit, the money was not borrowed for the school so money couldn't be invested. Linda Phillips asked for the mechanical criteria. The Finance Director noted that bond counsel certifies that the Town has gone through the process of Town Meeting, certified votes, approval of Department of Education, etc., then the Town is free to go forward. Review Draft CIP—This will be rescheduled. Board of Selectmen Meeting—November 14, 2000—Page 4 Settlement of Legal Case — Grove Street — The Town Manager noted that CPDC reached a settlement of five lots. Town Planner Anne Krieg noted that the waivers are for extension of cul- de-sac, sidewalk, narrowing of roadway and slope granite curbing. The applicant will give $40,000 to the Town for advancement of affordable housing. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if the $40,000 to the Town was specified. The Town Manager noted that the money would be set up on a separate fund for affordable housing. Selectman Matthew Cummings asked if it could be set up in a trust fund. The Town Manager noted that would need Town Meeting approval. Vice Chairman George Hines asked if the slope curbing was a deal breaker. Town Planner Anne Krieg noted that the developer was very firm on that. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the settlement of the litigation for property at 443 Grove Street, as recommended by the CPDC including the installation of slope curbing if necessary. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Cummings seconded by Hoyt, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn their meeting of November 14, 2000 at 10:00 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully subm#tted, Y/ Secreta .._w -