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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 16,2010 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 7:02 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Ben Tafoya, Vice Chairman James Bonazoli, Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Town Planner Jean Delios, Public Works Director Jeff Zager, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Ron O'Keefe, Jr., Everett and Virginia Blodgett, Tracy Sopchak, Scott McIntyre, Peter Nagle, Mark Saparoti. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the ad hoc Municipal Building Committee met last week, and there are two vacancies for residents at large on this committee. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that he met with Sheila Clarke, Chairman of the Fall Street Faire Committee, and they are looking for volunteers. The Faire will be on September 12, 2010. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Mattera Cabin is in the depths of renovation and money is still needed, and there are concerns about the condition of the roof. He also noted that the Town received a grant for a Forester. Chairman Ben Tafoya encouraged the residents to fill out and return their census when they receive it. He will be attending the Finance Committee Meeting tomorrow night, and there is a need for a Selectman to cover the meeting on March 24th. Public Comment—Bill Brown noted that he feels the Mattera Cabin is a money pit. He indicated that the Vocational School kids are doing a great job. He feels that the cabin should be opened up, and that the wood floors will not stand up to the use so industrial tiles should be put down. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: o We have all been busy with the impact of the storm. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency will be compiling a list of damage as a result of the storm in an effort to reach a level for a Presidential Disaster Assistance for Public Assistance and for Individual Assistance. To assist with the project, I will need a list of information of impacted areas such as: • Road closures • Sewer back ups in homes • Cellar flooding • Damage to public buildings Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 16, 2010—Page 2 Update re: Mattera Cabin and meeting with the Voke School. ♦ Causeway Road Site Visit—March 26th. Board of Selectmen liaison. s We have taken bids on the Memorial Park project - our project donors, Nelson and Rita Burbank, have agreed to fund the entire project as bid. The project includes the skating ponds, the tennis courts, the basketball court, curbing along Harrison Street, pathways and conduit for lighting. There will be a ground breaking ceremony in April. e There will be a dedication of the new Tennis Courts in April. The tennis courts are now open, and the lights on Bancroft Avenue are on. e The Spring guide for recreation activities in Reading will be out by the end of next week. ♦ 885 Main Street 40B comments have been submitted to MassHousing. ♦ Reading is scheduled to receive Common Cause Massachusetts 2010 e-Government Award with Distinction on Tuesday, March 16th at 11:00 a.m. in Hearing Room A-1 at the State House in Boston. You can find the award criteria at www.'commoncause.org/e og, v10. o Compost Center opens Friday,April 2nd. o The Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be in Reading on May 22nd. There is a Fall collection in Wakefield. ♦ Board of Selectmen presence at FINCOM Budget meetings: o March 17th Tafoya o March 24th The Town Manager noted that the Board needs to approve the Certificate of Compliance for 6 Sumner Cheney Place. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Compliance Certificate for the sale of 6 Sumner Cheney Place, and authorize the Town Manager to sign all documents related to the sale of 6 Sumner Cheney Place was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Proclamation/Certificates of Appreciation Declaration—Motor Vehicle Idling—Tracy Sopchak was present to receive the Declaration. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to approve.a Declaration designating Reading as "Idle Free Reading," and encourage all residents of the community to emplace the intent to this Declaration was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Reappoint Town Accountant — The Town Manager noted that the appointment is for one year and he strongly recommends reappointment. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to reappoint Gail LaPointe as Town Accountant with a term expiring March 31, 201 or until a successor is appointed was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Audit—Town Accountant Gail LaPointe and Scott McIntyre from Melanson, Heath and Company were present. Mr. McIntyre noted that he met with the Audit Committee in January. The audit went well and the books and records are in good order. There are no disagreements in.accounting principles. Board of Selectmen 1Vleetingt—March 16, 2010—Page 3 The end .reserve fund balance was unchanged from the previous year, and the financial statements are in 100% accordance. Mr. McIntyre noted that the statement of assets has decreased approximately $3 million from June 2008 due to Gasby 45, where the Town recognizes OPER $2.5 million which is the estimated liability to fully fund retiree insurance. This is the first time it shows on the balance sheet. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about a safe range to keep reserves, and Mr. McIntyre noted that 5%-10% is a safe range for reserves. Selectman Schubert also asked if the reserves dropped $1 million, would that affect the Town's rating, and Mr. McIntyre noted that finance companies would want to know why. If the money is used for operating expenses, it probably would not be favored but if it was used for capital, then that would be more acceptable. Town Accountant Quarterly Meeting with Board of Selectmen — Town Accountant Gail LaPointe noted that we have been 20 months on the new system, and she hopes to run a class once a month on running reports. The Human Resources personnel actions are the next phase. The ambulance billing will.be the last piece to do. National Grid Presentation on Gas Service in Reading — Peter Nagle and Mark Saparoti from National.Grid were present. Mr. Saparoti noted that there are 3929 National Grid customers in Reading. He also noted that they have a replacement program to replace high risk piping, and the cast iron and bare steel are the focus of replacement. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if National Grid had maps, and if the Town has access to them. Mr. Saparoti noted that they do have maps but they don't release them. It is better if the Town calls Dig Safe to mark out the lines. Selectman Schubert noted that it would be useful for the Town to have access in light of the explosion on Manning Street due to a cast iron encroachment. Mr. Nagle noted that he will forward information on the information sharing system to the Town Manager. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the scale of money to replace piping, and Mr. Saparoti noted that the amount increases each year, and this year they will replace 60-90 miles of piping. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that 60-90 miles in the entire,northeast is almost nothing in capital. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that there have been complaints about gas odors over,the years and nothing was being done, and there was no action until there was an explosion. Selectman Schubert asked what the Town could have done to have gotten a more proactive response, and Mr. Saparoti noted that he was not sure—that decision would be at a higher level. He also noted that what happened at Manning Street bothers everyone at the gas company—they take their jobs very seriously. Board of Selectmen Meeting-—March 16, 2010—Page 4 - Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that there was a resident present who wants gas service, and asked what the process was for a resident who wants gas service. Mr. Nagle noted that the closest gas main to Batchelder Road is one mile away in North Reading. It would be extremely cost prohibitive to run a line there but he will speak with the resident. Traffic Issues — Franklin and Main Streets Study — Town Engineer George Zambouras, Town Planner Jean Delios and Public Works Director Jeff Zager were present. The Town Manager noted that there have been longstanding concerns with the intersection at Main and Franklin Streets. There was a request for a left hand turn northbound on Main Street. The Town Engineer noted that the State did traffic counts. There is a high number of crashes at the intersection — 14 per year which is a 1.68 crash rate. The average in the State is .78. The State also reported a yellow trap, traffic congestion on Franklin Street during peals afternoon hour, and sunlight interference in the afternoon. The State recommends implementing alternative 1 — retime the signals,and if there is no improvements, then implement alternative 3 by adding a westbound right turn lane on Franklin Street and retime the signals. The consensus of the Board was to do alternatives 1, 3 and 4. Suggested Routes to School Improvements—The Town Manager reviewed the report to improve Walking routes to the Parker Middle School. The recommendations include construction of sidewalks at Temple and Woburn Streets, Washington Street and Sunnyside Avenue. The total cost would be $350,000. The consensus of the Board was to meet with the residents on the proposals. Bike Rack Report — Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the first year the Town received a grant for$5000 for bike racks, and the second year the bike racks were supplied under the Downtown project. He expects MAPC to have another round .of grants available, and reviewed a list of future locations. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Mattera Cabin and the Ice Rink would be low priorities. Curbing and Sidewalk Work—Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the handicap ramps at the intersection of Woburn and Bancroft will be redone. Curbing will be installed along Washington Street in front of the park only and at Birch Meadow by Imagination Station. Birch Meadow Speed Limits — The Town Manager noted that the speed limits have been left at 20 mph and the flashers have been removed. Change of Manager — Meadow Brook Golf Club — The Town Manager rioted that the Board needs to approve the Change of Manager for the Meadow Brook Golf Club from George Cogan to Dario Morelli. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 16 2010—Page 5 A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to approve the Change of Manager from George Cogan to Dario L Morelli for Meadow Brook Golf Club Corp. d/b/a Meadow Brook Golf Club at 292 Grove Street in Reading was approved by•a vote of 4-0-0. Approval'of Minutes A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of February 23, 2010 was. approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of March 2,_2010 was approved by a vote of 3-0-1,with Goldy abstaining. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to go into Executive Session for the purpose of Labor NeIzotiations and approval of minutes not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Secretary