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Home My WebLink About2010-01-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 26,2010 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 Town Hall Conference 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, Town Counsel Gary Brackett, Library Director Ruth Urell, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy. with respect to litigation and strategy with respect to labor negotiations to come back into Open Session at approximately 8.15 p.m. The motion was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. The Board of Selectmen reconvened in Open Session at approximately 8:15 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that last Friday he had attended a community celebration of Pat Schettini's life and it was a very moving experience. Chairman Ben Tafoya wanted to pass along comments that Selectman Stephen Goldy had received. Peter Sanborn Place wanted to pass along a compliment regarding the Town Planner, Conservation Administrator and Building Inspector regarding the proposed expansion of Peter Sanborn Place. Chairman Tafoya also thanked the Town Clerk and all of her.staff for running a fine election. There were concerns about lines of traffic, and, staff will work on that for the next election. Public Comment — Bill Brown noted that the Oakland Road property is 150,000 square feet plus roads, and the Town ought to consider designating this as a Planned Unit Development such as exists on the Bear Hill property giving flexibility to future development. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: • Street Sign Lottery - February 15, 2010 • Snow and Ice account balance • Local Elections 2010 o Nomination papers available ..... .................. ... ...... Board of Selectmen Meeting=January 26 2010—Page 2 o Nomination papers filed by February 16th—5:00 p.m. o Withdraw nomination papers by.March 2nd o Register to vote by March 17th o Election April 6th o Annual Town Meeting starts April 26th • Town Census — 3rd week in January — PLEASE USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LICENSE YOUR DOG in the least cost timeliest manner available • MLK Celebration • Letter— Stackpole • Gas Explosion—Pleasant and Manning Streets • MMA Annual Meeting and Conference o Opening Session—Richard Florida on the creative Economy o Funding Strategies in Challenging times o New Issues in Municipal Finance and Administration c Open Town Meeting to a Mayor—And everything in between—Panelist o The Future Directions of Health Care o A"new" Civil Service o Letting the Sunshine In—The new Open Meeting Law o Passing the Baton—Municipal Succession Planning o Social Media for Communities—a Passing Fad? o Trade Show o Massachusetts Municipal Management Association—Annual Meeting o MMA Annual Business Meeting—Presenter o MIIA Luncheon and Annual Meeting Discussion/Action Items Designate Ad Hoc Municipal Building Committee Members as Special Employees-The Town Manager noted that the Board of Selectmen had suggested doing this so the Board could attract residents of the community with expertise in the area of architecture and engineering to this committee. On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen voted to classify the members of the Ad Hoc Municipal Building Committee as Special Municipal Employees for the duration of the existence of the committee pursuant to G L c 268A, Sec 1(n) The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. . Appointment of Selectman Member of Ad Hoc Municipal Building Committee — On motion by. Bonazoli seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen placed the following name into nomination for one position (Selectman) on the ad hoc Municipal Building Committee: Richard Schubert. Four members voted in the affirmative and Richard Schubert was appointed. Budget Follow-Up—The Assistant Town Manager reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the forms that the Board is being requested to fill out individually which indicates their preference for certain decisions regarding the FY 2011 Budget. He will email these forms to the Board of Selectmen, and ask them to return them directly to him. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 26 2010—Page 3 s habeen Final Review of Goals — The Board of Selectmen reviewed the that thethat were oal submitted by the Town Manager. The Board felt comfortable ambitious but a representation of directions that the Town needed to take. The question was raised about Goal 942 — Complete the General Bylaw Review.involve Town Coins ger noted that this is required by the Town Charter, and,it will time, at least not initially. This and the review of Traffic Rules and Regulations may not be completed by the end of the year. The Board asked that the Goals and Status Report be put on the website. Also,'a review of progress. on the goals could bei ncludethe Board d in e Monthly Report, an d progress on the goals will be reviewed quarterly Selectmen. Chairman Ben.Tafoya noted that he, Town Planner Jean Delios, and the Town Manager had met with Oaktree Development.-In order for this process to move forward, some additional funding for the affordable housing is needed. Oak ff'internally ble housing. The 15% of the units as affordable but the OR process requires 20/o a Town Manager had recommended use of e Affordable Boardousing Trust Fund in the was generally supportive. approximate amount.of$400,000 to close thisgap. Liaison to the Housing Authority Richard Schubert,etbwthtte Town Manager, and the Board he Reading Housing Authority to of Selectmen Chairman Ben Tafoya will m discuss this matter. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked how monies are restored replenish Athese fundH oninan Trust Fund, and there is not a particular echanism to ongoing basis but there may be opportunities to do so periodically. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about an item of correspondence Selectman o Schubert Mass Highway to 0 Walnut Street. This was addressed to the Town.purposes was similarly wanted to make sure that requests for. access for surveying requested from all private property owners. Boardtm On motion b Bonazoli seconded b Schubertthe te of 4nf 10c0 en voted to ad•ourn the meetin of Janua 26 2010 at 9:22 .m•b a vo Respectfully submitted, Secretary