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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 5,2010 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, . Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Vice Chairman James Bonazoli, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Debra Shontz-Stackpole, Stephen DiNisco, Mary Gettler. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Chairman Ben Tafoya requested a moment of silence in memory of former School Superintendent Pat Schettini. Selectman Richard Schubert announced his intention to run for re-election. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Economic Development Committee is meeting tomorrow night. They are in the process of finalizing the Sign Bylaw and will be holding a public meeting on January 13th. He also thanked the Town Manager for the good job that the Police and Fire Departments did at Pat.Schettini's funeral. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the naming of public facilities and fields will be on the February 23rd agenda. The intent is for the Town and schools to adopt similar policies. He also noted that he had Office Hours this evening, and Bill Brown was the guest who suggested that the Town should rent out unused parking facilities on Sundays for a flea market. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the State Forester is coming out on Saturday to visit the Town Forest but she will be unable to attend because of the budget meeting. Public Comment — Bill Brown indicated that he hopes everyone gets involved with the Election, and noted that the Town may need a Charter change if more people don't get involved. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Due to a staff error, the notice for the hearing on the early opening was incorrectly noted as 228 Main Street rather than 288 Main Street. This hearing will need to be re-noticed. • Local Elections 2010 o Nomination papers available. o Nomination papers filed by February 16th-5:00 p.m. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 5, 2010—Page 2 o Withdraw nomination papers by March 2nd. o Register to vote by March 17th. o Election April 6th. 9 Annual Town Meeting starts April 26th • Draft Town Clerk's guidelines for Town Meeting handouts. • Town Census — 3rd week in January — PLEASE USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LICENSE YOUR DOG in the least cost timeliest manner available. • Federal Census—April 1, 2010. • Flu Clinic — An H1N1 flu clinic is scheduled for January 16th at the Coolidge Middle School, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is open to the general public, including students in Grades 6-12 who would like the vaccine but had not turned in their permission slip for the"in school" clinics that were held in December. • Compost Center is open Saturday, January 9th, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Christmas tree disposal—Curbside pick-up of Christmas trees is the week of January 11, 2010. • For public safety purposes, and the ability to access the area with emergency equipment, Police Chief Cormier has authorized a temporary (until further notice)ban on parking on the North side of Washington from Prescott to Lincoln Street. • Snow and Ice Removal — Resident obligations — Keep it on your own property — Don't block sidewalks. • Snow removal Downtown. • The Town of Reading will once again sponsor its Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Monday, January 18th at the Reading Memorial High School Performing Arts Center. Breakfast will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the program will commence at 10:00 a.m. Dates and Events: • Special Election—Senate Seat—January.19th Personnel and Appointments Conservation Commission — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee interviewed and recommends Brian Sullivan for a position on the Conservation Commission. Schubert moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Conservation Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Brian Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan received four votes and was appointed. Associate—Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee—Selectman Richard Schubert noted'that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee interviewed and recommends Ron Taupier for an Associate position on the Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee. Schubert moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one Associate position on the Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee with a term expiring June 30, 2010: Ron Taupier. Mr. Taupier received four votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 5, 2010—Page 3 Discussion/Action Items Close Warrant for Senate Election'— The Town Manager noted that the Selectmen need to close the Warrant for the Senate Election. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to close the Warrant for the Senate Election to take place on January 19, 2010 at the Hawkes Field House on Oakland Road in Reading, Massachusetts was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Parking Regulations — South Side of Woburn Street between Lowell Street and the Municipal Parking Lot—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that this is for the four spaces from the lot to the corner of Lowell Street where the bus stop is. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that a"No Blocking Intersection sign would be nice, and also noted that there is no timing for turns when there is a red light from Woburn Street to Main Street. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the parking regulations on the south side of Woburn Street between Lowell Street and the Municipal Parking Lot was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen on March 28, 1995, for the Town of Reading, by adding to Article 5, Section 5.4.2 the foHowing regulation(s). "Two Hour Parking between 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m." Street Location Woburn Street—South Side From the entrance to the Municipal Parking Lot eastwardly in four (4) designated spots The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearin — Starbucks Early pening= 5:00 a.m. - 288 Main Street — Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that this hearing is rescheduled for January 12, 2010 at 7:45 p.m. due to an error in the legal notice. Hearing— Starbucks Early Opening— 5:00 a.m. — 24 Walkers Brook Drive-The Secretary read the hearing notice. Starbucks District Manager Stephen DiNisco and Store Manager Mary Gettler were present. The Town Manager noted that this is a request to operate at 5:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. There are no concerns by staff. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 5, 2010—Page 4 Selectman Richard Schubert asked if there is much activity that early in the morning, and Ms. Gettler indicated that there are at least four customers waiting for her when she opens in the morning. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the store was.doing well, and Mr. DiNisco noted that they have been affected by the economy like everyone else, and that this is an avenue to increase revenues and provide a convenience to the community. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there is no residential impact at this location. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen close the hearing on an application by Starbucks Coffee at 24 Walkers Brook Drive for a waiver pursuant to Section 3.9 of the Board of Selectmen Policies to allow them to open at 5:00 a.m.,Monday through Friday, except on holidays, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen approve an application by Starbucks Coffee at 24 WaWers Brook Drive to open at 5:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, effective January 6, 2010, and excluding State designated holidays. This approval will expire December 31, 2010. The Board of Selectmen finds that in accordance with Section 5.10.4 of the General Bylaws: ® It 'is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare or that public necessity or convenience will be served by permitting such operation, and • There is no detrimental effect of such operation on the Town or the immediately abutting neighbors. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. 2010 Goals — The Town Manager reviewed the goals and action plans. He noted that the goals probably won't change but the action plans will. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the departments have reviewed the goals and if the goals are attainable. The Town Manager indicated that the departments have seen them, and it will be a stretch but they should be attainable. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that the items need a timeline. The Town Manager noted that he has drafted a chart that shows the Department Head who is responsible and the timeline: Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he liked the new format and asked about prioritizing. Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that he would rather spend Town Counsel money on revision of the Zoning By-Laws (#33) rather than the General Bylaws. He also noted that Oakland Road needs to be listed under Asset Management. Chairman Tafoya also noted that regarding #47, he doesn't care about the State Auditor, he just wants to make sure the volunteers receive the training. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 5, 2010—Page 5 Selectman Camille Anthony asked if we need to do #40 (review and rewrite of Traffic Rules and Regulations) and #41 (review of General Bylaws) if we are looking at revising the Zoning By-Laws. She indicated that we do need to do #42 (review LIP regulations). It was decided that review of the General Bylaws would be removed from the list. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he would like to see items that are measurable; i.e., the hearing system at the Cabin will be done by XX date. Also, he wants to know in Items #10 and #11, what we are working towards on the DPW study. He would also like to know what Munis module is being added. Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that the traffic study of the residential area abutting the Downtown needs to be added to the list. The Town Manager noted that he will get an estimate for having the study done. Draft Customer Service Policy—The Town Manager noted that he had input from the Make Reading Better Group and staff. The policy reiterates the Town's Mission Statement and Values. The Town Manager reviewed the policy. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if this will be an addendum to the Personnel Policies, and the Town Manager noted that this will stand alone but will be distributed with the Personnel Policies. Selectman Schubert also asked how the standards for excellent customer service will be used for volunteers, and the Town Manager noted that we have the Code of Conduct for volunteers,but relevant items can be taken from this policy for the volunteers. Selectman Camille Anthony had concerns regarding e-mail policies, and Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that is covered in the written inquiries under the Standards of Performance section. The Board directed the Town Manager to schedule a hearing on this matter in a few weeks. Transfer of Town Land to Conservation Commission—The Town Manager noted that there are four different situations where the Town owns land, and it needs to be transferred to the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Administrator is still working on this with Town.Counsel and it should be ready in a few weeks. Resident Debra Shontz-Stackpole indicated that she would like a copy of the correspondence that was listed on the Agenda regarding a letter from Town Counsel Ellen Doucette to the Town Planner re: Amendment of Section 6.3 of the Reading Zoning By- Laws. The Town Manager directed her to come by his office tomorrow for a copy. Approval of Minutes A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of November 17, 2009, as amended.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of November 24, 2009 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—_January 5, 2010—Page 6 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Minutes of December 15, 2009 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adiourn the meeting of January 5,2010 at 9.30 p.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, J lecretary