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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 14, 1995 The meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Bill Burditt, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen George Hines and Camille Anthony, Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Sara Nelson, Julie Hinttiam, Margaret Nelson, Mary Hinttian, Gerry Bradbury, Melissa Bradbury, Shannon Rowe Ames, Lois Gaineau, Andea Finney, Stephanie Garneau, George Shannon, Karol McLaughlin, Ellen Mounteer, Tom Stohiman, W. Bruce MacDonald, Oliver Brown, Bill Bogaert,Nancy Eaton, Paul Feely, Don Allen. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Hines the Board approved a proclamation for Girl Scout Week the week of March 12 - 18, 1995, by a vote of 4-0-0. The proclamation was presented to representatives of the Girl Scouts who were in attendance. Approval of Minutes On motion by Anthony seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve the minutes of February 20, 1995, as amended by a vote of 4-0-0. Liaison Reports/Selectmen's Comments Camille Anthony attended the Open Space and Recreation Planning Task Force and they are writing and reworking the report. She also attended the YMCA dedication on Sunday, and she and Sally Hoyt will be attending the MMA Budget Meeting on Thursday in Chelmsford. She appreciates the voting signs on the Common reminding people to vote on Tuesday. Sally Hoyt extended congratulations to Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team for winning the State Olympiad this year. She hopes that funding for the trip can be secured, perhaps through the legislature. She noted that the school does not have any funds and the trip is to Indianapolis this year for the National Finals. Ms. Hoyt attended the Vocational School Open House on March 7. She spoke to the Cracker Barrel at the Senior Center about the election process, the Warrant, and answered questions. She noted that the Board of Health did pass the smoking regulations. She attended the YMCA dedication on Sunday and noted that all members of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager were present. She was at the Senior Center twice this week and noted that the senior citizen participation at the luncheons is excellent and she attended the Senior Prom which also had visitors from Stoneham and North Reading. She spoke to the AARP at the Reading Public Library and noted that Molly Sweester was the first women Selectmen in Reading elected in 1929. She thanked the Reading Public Library staff for their help in researching the topic. Concerns she heard from AARP members were the elderly not being able to walk within the fieldhouse to their precincts - we need more wheelchairs. There is also interest in a uniform voting day for local elections throughout Massachusetts., George Hines expressed congratulations to the YMCA and the generosity of the community and their volunteers. He noted that he was able to attend two RMHS Tournament Hockey games and congratulated the Hockey Team on a successful season and the student body on their conduct at Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 14, 1995 -page 2 these games. Hines reviewed a letter of concern regarding the Conservation Commission and visited the property. He'd like the Conservation Commission scheduled in for a quarterly meeting. He received alot of phone calls regarding the Board of Health vote on smoking regulations regarding restaurants, and noted that the feedback is generally contrary to the Board of Health vote. He noted that the Board of Health is trying to be pro-business and asked the Town Manager to review whether or not the regulations can be overturned. Camille Anthony noted with regard to the Conservation Commission issues that the Town should not put itself in a position where it winds up with problems - for example allowing a developer to build on a lot with no rear yard and then have the resident complain to and/or apply to the Town for variances. George Hines noted that perhaps some real estate disclosure law requiring_ disclosure of conditions on a property would be appropriate. Bill Burditt attended the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on the Pearl Street School, and noted that there are some restrictions. He noted that this is a key development for the Town and that there are some outstanding issues with the Reading Housing Authority. He also attended the YMCA dedication and congratulated the YMCA on their wonderful facility and the volunteer effort that secured it. Public Comment Tom Stohlman from the School Committee spoke regarding an override. He noted that the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen will be meeting on March 28. He had hoped it would be possible to have an override on the ballot before Town Meeting, but noted that the gap between the Town Manager's recommended budget and the school needs is narrowed. He noted that if the Selectmen have any suggestions as to where they feel they can cut the School Budget or the Town Budget that those comments should be made to the FinCom by tomorrow when the FinCom will be voting on the School Department Budget. Comments can be given to the Town Manager. Burditt noted that the Board of Selectmen has not received a definitive presentation on the School Budget and feels that the Municipal Budget has over a dozen areas where we would like to add monies back. He noted that the Board of Selectmen has worked to keep the Municipal Budget at this level and provide additional funds to the School Department. We have been trying to scrape to get the 25% funding to match a 75% federal grant for an additional Police Officer for community policing. He noted that legislature hasn't gotten the early aid resolution yet. He's hopeful that we can totally close the gap between the School Department's request and the Town Manager's recommendation, but we don't know all of the final revenues yet. Hopefully by the 28th we'll have a better view of revenues and what requirements are not funded. Camille Anthony asked what the difference within the School Budget is and it was noted that is was $175,000. Hoyt asked about outside funding to fund this gap. George Hines noted that its important to keep in perspective that the Town Manager's recommended budget is'a $1.4 million increase over the prior year._He feels that the Board of Selectmen has been very supportive and the Town Manager has recommended putting all new revenues into the School Department. There was discussion - about funding of gas service to the Parker Middle School project and the process of deciding on that. Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 14, 1995 -page 3 George Shannon noted that he appreciated George Hines comments not only on the Hockey Team activity, but on the conduct of the Reading High School students attending the game. Discussion/Action Items State Senator/State Representatives Presentation - Senator Tisei and Representatives Jones and Casey attended the meeting. Representative Jones distributed a booklet dealing with issues including local aid, Resco funding, Chapter 90 funding, special education, police station capital needs, MWRA funding, and SBAB. The three legislators noted that they are being advised by the House and Senate leadership that there are revenue shortfalls for this year, and that may translate into a less optimistic revenue picture for cities and towns next year. Issues addressed were the future special needs, why the State has revenue problems in light of increasing economic activity, the effect of the Central Artery on statewide transportation issues and also the potential effect of welfare reform, Board of Health concerns, keeping the local government officials in the loop on local issues, improve communications, and open space acquisition bond issues. Discussion with the Reading Housing Authority--Reverend Robert Sweet and Don Allen from the Reading Housing Authority attended the Selectmen's meeting for general discussion. Sweet indicated that there were two concerns that the Housing Authority had. One was that the low/moderate income definition in the Zoning Bylaw appears to be in violation of state regulations and should be changed in the fall. The other was the issue of the assisted housing units at the Pearl Street School and their affordability for Reading residents. With regard to the zoning, the PRD zoning definition of inclusionary housing is broader than the definition of very low and low income housing. Hines noted that one of the concerns is that we can't make our affordable housing requirements so onerous as to not make a project feasible. The Housing Authority noted that the Bear Bill developer has been very cooperative - they will be getting 13 units of affordable housing on a rental basis if it is rental, and if it is a condominium, there will be two units donated to the Housing Authority and 11 units will be sold at 20% below the affordable housing guidelines with deed covenants. The negotiations are basically complete and an agreement can be signed next week. Reverend Sweet noted that the waiting list for elderly housing units is as low as it has been in years. At times they had 150 names on the waiting list, and the waiting fist is now at a much more manageable level. The Reading Housing Authority is looking at the possibility of assisted housing at Tannerville and they may need the Selectmen's help with regard to this matter. They would like to get assisted housing at a level that would serve a population with incomes of$30,000 or lower. With regard to the Pearl Street School property, the concern expressed by the Housing Authority is that the project will not deal with residents whose income is in the $7,000 per year to $17,000 per year category which is still considered low income. The Housing Authority is concerned about funding in the future and the risk of depending on the group adult foster care subsidies for this project. They want to "nail down" the 10%of the total units for Reading Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 14, 1995 -page 4 residents. Some sample calculations were used that shows a maximum annual loss of$2,298 per unit using project base Section 8 housing. In some instances the developer could actually earn more from this program. The Housing Authority feels it is necessary to meet this requirement, and they have made a number of recommendations. It was noted that there are 183 households in Reading according to the census who are eligible for the affordable housing under the GFC program, and it was noted that about 80 of these units are people in nursing homes. Reverend Sweet noted that he knows that the sale is critical to the Town, and that the Housing Authority did not take a vote on potentially appealing the Zoning Board of Appeals decision, but that the consensus from the Housing Authority is that it would appeal the decision unless these housing issues are dealt with. Burditt asked what it would take to get agreement, and Sweet noted that language making any approval "in a manner acceptable to the Reading Housing Authority" would suffice. Hines suggested that all parties be brought to the table as soon as possible and that the full boards of the Board of Selectmen and Housing Authority should attend. The Town Manager was directed to try to set up such a meeting. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave his report, noting that we have received written notice of the $75,000 grant under the Supplemental Police Hiring Program, and that David Clark has been hired. There will be monies required in the FY95 and in the FY96 budget. Bids for the new fire pumper have been received and the bids were within the budget amount. We will be trading in one pumper and delivery will be in approximately nine months. We've agreed to use the Town's payroll deduction program for employees who want to acquire dental insurance. The insurance advisory committee has selected Delta Dental Insurance and the Town Manager has agreed. There is no cost to the Town for this program. The CPDC hearing scheduled for last night on the zoning warrant articles had to be postponed because of a lack of quorum and it has been continued until next Monday. A joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, RMLD Board, 25 Haven Street Task Force, and the FinCom has been set for next Monday at the RMLD building. The Girl Scouts are having an International Festival on April 2, 1995, at the First Congregational Church. The compost center is open this Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to accept storm damage brush. The center will be open on April 1 for the season. The Town's annual bulk waste collection is scheduled for the week of May 1, 1995. ,The Town has received a DEP grant to purchase 50 compost bins and resell them to residents at below cost. The total value of the grant is $1,628. Local Government Week is scheduled to be celebrated May 1 May 6 and Camille Anthony will - work on this observance with the Town Manager. - Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 14, 1995 -page 5 The Band Parents will be holding a celebration and "penny drive" on May 20.- The Town is expecting a visit from 6 high school students from Japan the week of July 25 -August-l5. Advertising for tax titles will be April 19. Fifty-five properties are on the list. The Town has taken a residential property for taxes with approximately $30,000 owed, and we are working with the property owner to get the back taxes paid. We have reviewed revenues and have come up with additional available revenue from interest on investments. This is a temporary situation because of the effect of borrowing for capital projects. The water capital budget was also revised to cover the cost of the residuals mitigation project. The Town Manager reminded the Board and residents of elections. The smoking regulations go into effect on July 1, 1995. Personnel and Appointments Police Station Building Committee - The Board interviewed William Bogaert, Karol McLaughlin, and Lauretta Raffi for positions on the ad hoc Police Station Building Committee. On motion by Burditt seconded by Anthony the Board of Selectmen increased the membership on the Police Station Building Committee to 10 members, the 10th being a Town resident. This motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines the following names were placed into nominations for 10 positions on the ad hoc Police Station Building Committee: Lt. Robert Silva, Project Manager, Officer James Cormier and Officer Paul Peoples representing the Police Department; William T. Bogaert representing the neighborhood; Steve. Blewitt representing FinCom; Bill Burditt representing the Board of Selectmen; Wilbar Hoxie representing the Historical Commission; Karol McLaughlin representing a Town Meeting member; Lauretta Raffi, Town resident; Mike DeBrigard representing building maintenance interests. All 10 applicants were approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Council on Aging - Oliver Brown was interviewed for a position on the Council on Aging. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt Oliver Brown was appointed to the Council on Aging for a term expiring June 30, 1996, by a vote of 4-0-0. It was noted that there are open positions on the Open Space and Recreation Task Force, Reading Municipal Light Board Advisory Board, Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Reading Substance Abuse Advisory Committee. Revise the Sewer Tie-In Policy- The Town Manager noted that the Sewer Tie-In Policy requires three notices prior to a public hearing and this will be scheduled. Licenses, Permits and Approvals Taxi Operator's License - On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to approve a taxi drivers license for Christopher S. Canterbury of 25 Wilson Street, Reading, driving for Acura Industries expiring June 30, 1995, subject to the condition that the vehicle be garaged at 25 Wilson and the vehicle trips to 93 Dana Road be minimized. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting-March 14, 1995 -page 6 Taxi Operator License - On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony the Board approved a taxi drivers license for Robert Patno, 2 Frank Street, Wakefield, driving for Acura Industries expiring June 30, 1995, subject to the condition that the vehicle be garaged at 2 Frank Street and that the vehicle trips to 93 Dana Road be minimized. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of labor negotiations, discussion relative to the sale of real estate, and discussion of matters of litigation, and approval of minutes not to come back into open session. All four members present voted in the affirmative on a roll call vote, and the motion was carried. The Board adjourned at 11:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r rL vJr ..Secretary