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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting February 9,2010 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, Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Sergeant Richard Abate, Anne Joyce, Stephen Crook, Dan Ensminger, Marsie West, Mary Ann Quinn, John Carpenter, David Vancuso, Bobbie Botticelli, Eric Sprung, Chuck Robinson,Tracy Sopchak. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments —Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he and the Town Manager went to a meeting at the Vocational School regarding Mattera Cabin. He also noted that it was a good meeting and the teachers had an architectural design. It is on their schedule for work. Fundraising is going good but we need more donations. The Town Manager noted that we have received approximately $5,000 in donations but the cost estimate is approximately$15,000. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that there is a Financial Forum tomorrow night and he attended a brief planning meeting for that. He also noted that there was an article in today's Globe that indicates the State is having a difficult time finding big highway projects to use the stimulus money on. He suggests doing a one time boost of Chapter 90 monies to all cities and towns. The Town Manager noted that the federal regulations do not allow for that type of distribution, but he will try to see if we can get the Haven Street/High Street project done. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that volunteers are needed for the Fall Street Faire. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: Local Elections 2010 o Nomination papers available 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 • Gas company work—Pleasant, Manning, Smith, Eaton Streets. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 9, 2010—Page 2 • Memorandum of Understanding— 6 Sumner Cheney Place sale of affordable unit. The Town Manager noted that the Board needs to sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked how this affects the list of inventory. Selectman Stephen Goldy indicated that he is interested in knowing how many affordable units are not renting. • Update re: Mattera Cabin and meeting with the Voke School. • We should be getting our Health Insurance renewal numbers this week. • Financial Forum is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Wednesday) depending on weather. Chairman Ben Tafoya met with the Chairs of the Finance Committee and School Committee and staff to go over,the agenda. • The Town Manager noted that he received a binder regarding 885 Main Street. It does not indicate if it is a LIP and there were no plans included—he has a call into the Attorney. Personnel and Appointments Badge Pinning — Police Sergeant — Police Chief James Cormier introduced Sergeant Richard Abate. He noted that Sergeant Abate was hired in 2005 and in 2006, he was assigned as the School Resources Officer and he designed that position. School Committee Chairman Chuck Robinson was present and indicated that the School Department is sorry to lose Richard Abate as the School Resources Officer but they are very proud of him. Sergeant Abate's wife pinned on his badge. Discussion/Action Items Liaison Report — 128/193 Task Force Update — Selectman Richard Schubert noted that Mass. Highway is now the Mass.Department of Transportation. Staffing has been reduced and money is not there for projects. Last Spring, the RFP process to select a consultant to take the project to the environmental review process began. Fay, Spofford and Thorndike was selected but there is no contract yet. The State is trying to combine the environmental process with the design process. Aerial photographs were taken in the Spring. They are currently looking at the wetlands delineation and looking at adding a lane on 128. They will start with the Task Force recommendations and will hold public hearings. The timeframe is uncertain and funding is another process — this project will go up against all other projects. More information on the project can be found at www.9395info.com . Chairman Ben Tafoya asked if combining the environmental process with the.design meant that a certain design will be pushed through. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that it will not. He noted that there will be time for public input and everything will be considered. Chairman Tafoya noted that MAPC should get their information from the Town rather than Mass D.O.T. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that there is one house that will have some land taking. Preview Warrant—Annual Town Meeting—The Town Manager reviewed the proposed Warrant Articles for the Annual Town Meeting. He noted that the Board needs to decide if they want to move forward with the meals tax option, and he will put that on an agenda for discussion. He will also send the recommendations on the budget changes to the Selectmen in their next packet. He also noted that we are able to do the Boards' highest priorities. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 9, 2010—Page 3 The Town Manager noted that the gift from the Patrons of Older Adults, Inc. is a $25,000 scholarship, and the remainder of the money will be spent basically for events for senior citizens. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli requested that the Cemetery Board be invited to the next meeting to discuss Article 18—design of the Laurel Hill Cemetery. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested having Chief Greg Burns in for Article 21. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the junk bylaw needs to be discussed,at some point. She also noted that.the earth removal bylaw should be moved to the Fall Town Meeting because the Selectmen have not discussed it yet. Citizens Advisory Board Update to the Board of Selectmen — Tracy Sopchak, Reading's representative on the Citizens Advisory Board, was present and updated the Board on the Renewable Energy Trust Funds and the Green Community Program. Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that he would like feedback on the budget process this year. Hearing—Customer Service Policy—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager reviewed the Customer Service Policy. He noted that. we received 100 customer service surveys last year and 90%-95% rated the service as excellent. We have received approximately 20 surveys so far this year. Staff will be required to keep an electronic log of feedback and that along with the customer service surveys will be a measurement tool. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he doesn't want an unfair burden placed on staff especially when staff is being laid off. He noted that staff can be dealing with people who are difficult to please anyway. The Town Manager noted that good customer service saves time. He indicated that he would like to have a customer service module with a drop down menu on the website that will send customer requests to the correct department, and then sends a response back to the customer. He will find out the cost of this type of module. Selectman Richard Schubert indicated that he would like to see the policy displayed on the website and also in Town Hall. David Vancuso of"Making Reading Better" thanked the Board for the policy because he feels that this is a key part of economic development. Bobbie Botticelli of 58 Chapel Hill Drive indicated that she was pleased thafthis is starting at the top but noted that the Board should stop referring to "they" and refer to "we" instead. John Carpenter of 114 Hanscom Avenue noted that it is difficult filling small businesses in storefronts and that the elephant is still in the room. He also-noted that customer service is directly related to building the economy. He noted that if the Town is hostile or businesses can't put up a sign, then they will find another town to go to. He also noted that if the permitting and inspection process is formidable,then the residents won't spend the money. Board of Selectmen Meeting—February 9, 2010—Page 4 Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the only storefront that is available Downtown is the MF Charles building and the Town can't do anything about that. She also noted that the former Atlantic site project is moving forward, and she indicated that Reading is doing well: She did note that if someone wants to open a business, they are run ragged in the permitting process. The Town Manager noted that the Town has a Development Review Team for commercial projects where all the departments sit down and find out internally what needs to be done, and that is not a common practice in other communities. Selectman Richard Schubert remarked regarding "we" versus "they" that the policy is for everyone and suggested changing to "employee/volunteer" to capture "we." Chairman Ben Tafoya indicated that the Board adopted a "Code of Conduct" for volunteers, and suggested getting the policy in place and then tweak it later. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on the Customer Service Policy was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Customer Service Policy as presented was approved by.a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing,—Amendments to Gifts Policy—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager reviewed the policy. He noted that the Capital Improvement Project was changed to Program. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if a fence is being replaced, could the footprint be changed according to this change in the policy. The Town Manager noted that if the Master Plan says no fence, then there will be no fence. The Master Plan is taken literally— if a 6,foot fence is taken down, then it will be replaced with up to a 6 foot fence. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on amendments to the Board of Selectmen Policies "Section 1.3 — Solicitation/Acceptance of Donations" was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the amendments to the Board of Selectmen Policies "Section 1.3 — Solicitation/Acceptance of Donations" was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Hearing-School Zones=Birch Meadow—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the school zone is being expanded. The flashing signals will be removed and replaced with regular signs. Town Engineer George Zambouras indicated that the State regulates the school zones. The elementary school zones start at a maximum of 150 feet before the school. The flashing signs will be replaced with "school zone 20 mph when. children present" signs. The flashing signs limit the times that it is a school zone. Board of Selectmen Meeting—FebruM 9i 2010—Page 5 Selectman Richard Schubert asked how it is enforced and what is the threshold for enough kids present? He noted that it would just-be easier to be 20 mph. He asked if we can put up a sign without"children present" on it. Ann Joyce of 23 Cape Cod Avenue noted that she was on the Safety Committee at. Birch Meadow, and they are very pleased but they would like a radar speed detection sign on Birch Meadow. Eric Sprung, the Principal at Birch Meadow School, indicated that a radar sign would be good because it is near the High School. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the speed limit on Birch Meadow Drive is already 20 mph. A_motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on the revisions to the School Zones in the Birch Meadow Area was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve the revisions to the School Zones focusing on the areas shown on the map dated 1/12/10 as Arthur B. Lord Drive and Forest Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of January 9, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of January 12, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of January 16, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of January 20, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of January 26, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he has changes to the January 26, 2010 Executive Session Minutes, and asked that they be held until the next Executive Session. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Goldy to adjourn the meeting of February 9, 2010 at '10:15 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, cretary