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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 8, 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 and Selectman Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Office Manager Paula Schena, and the following list of interested parties: Stephen Crook, Angela Binda, Duncan Dietz, Joanne and Mary Ann Sardone, Mark Warner, W. Douglas and Mary Kay Fox, Jan Goriansky, John Williams, Pat Lippitt, Anne Ward, Anne Hynes, Thomas Loughlin, Jim McLaughlin, Todd Petrin, Dianne Kennedy, Anne Coneeney, Mary Sullivan, Anne Hynes, Lt. Rick Nelson, Patrice Todisco, David Singer, Barbara Meade, Colleen Seferian, Al Couillard. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments—Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that on May 27, 2010, there was an altercation between two teams — soccer and lacrosse over field usage. The Recreation Committee is looking for guidance regarding whether or not there.should be disciplinary action. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if both teams were from Reading, and it was indicated that they were. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that both sides have a point of view. The Recreation Director is the authority and he called the coaches and then called the police. The teams still wouldn't leave. Vice Chairman Bonazoli suggested using a mediator and having the'coaches pay for it. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that the coaches get over zealous and forget why they are there. She also noted that if they use a Town field,then they need to follow the Town's rules. Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that the solution is not punishing the children—the coaches should suffer the consequence. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that it was not only the coaches but the heads of the organizations too. Chairman Ben Tafoya asked the Town Manager if we get comments from the public on the performance of our rubbish disposal contractor. The Town Manager indicated that he would check with DPW Director Jeff Zager. Board of Selectmen Meeting_June 8, 2010-Page 2 Town Manager/Assistant Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ The Memorial Day Parade and cemetery preparation takes a lot of work by a lot of people Town employees and volunteers. Thanks to all for their efforts. ♦ Special Election re: Meals Tax-June 23rd ♦ Friends and Family Day (aka Town Day) -June 19th e MBIA Signs e New Town Hall Hours -to serve you better. Church Snow Plowing—process with the Reading Clergy Association. o RMLD 20 Year Agreement (previously approved by the Board of Selectmen) - signature sheet is in the signature folder for signing. Community Development o Reading Fall Street Faire o We now have a draft stewardship plan which has been prepared by the Town Forester Phil Benjamin. In an effort to make sure that all have had the opportunity to review, we have posted the draft plan on the Town Forest Committee's page on the website (under Boards/Committees/Commissions). ♦ Non-Conforming Signs o The grant application to the Harpley Foundation for $8,500 for the Mattera Cabin renovations was successful. Thanks and congratulations to Conservation Administrator Fran Fink for her excellent efforts. Public Works ♦ Downtown Tree Booster Program—to adopt Downtown tree watering for the Summer of 2010—51 of 55 trees are adopted plus the trees in the alleyway . MWRA water quality Consumer Confidence Report will be out,by the end of June. The DPW Forestry Division has removed two large maples at the Library which, while they looked healthy, had extensive rot internal to them. There has been an issue of a serious conflict over recreational field space, and the Recreation Committee is meeting tomorrow evening to consider how to address the conflict. s Train Quiet Zone (no whistle blowing) improvements are needed, and we have hired a consultant to assist us—.time is short. Construction Projects in progress or to be done this year: Paving in progress - Bear Hill Road, North Street, Pinevale Avenue and.Juniper Circle. Binder has been installed. Contractor is in progress of raising structures to accept final wearing course. o Micro-Chip Seal—mid to late Spring-Hopkins Street(Main to Wakefield Town Line), and two to three other streets. Skim Coating of Local Streets - Lewis Street. ♦ Additional Road Improvements — Depending on the Board of Selectmen decision on Temple Street. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8, 2010—Page 3 ♦ Memorial Park - Basketball and tennis courts sub-base installed and graded. The Pine tree, to be removed, at the tennis court cannot be removed until August as red tail hawks are nesting (a migratory bird protected under a federal program). This will delay the completion of the tennis courts. Skating ponds have been shaped, sub-drains and stone sub-base have been installed. The liner is expected to be installed in approximately three weeks. In process of installing additional site drainage. Will start removing loam for pathways and installing electrical conduit. ♦ Fishing Pier — Lobs Pound Mill — The contractor for the fishing platform has installed the additional parking spaces, and has poured the concrete pad for the bench near the river. He has not been on site for several weeks —probably waiting for the meadow near the river to get dry enough to install the walkway and platform and guardrail. He started just after the March floods,when the meadow was under water ♦ Trail Construction—Bare Meadow - Trails Cornmittee installed the first section of the boardwalk in April and liked the concrete piers. The route was staked out and work days were conducted on May 8th and 15th and June 5th. Other trail hardening was done last Fall with application of stone aggregate in soft areas. We also need to install sign boards, blazes and directional information, and plant the meadow where it is eroding—to be done in June. Grant period ends June 30th. ♦ Washington Park Playsround — Since the last update, the Friends of Washington Park have had two successful fundraisers — one at Christopher's Restaurant which made $900.00, and another at Fuddruckers which raised approximately $300.00. The playground has been ordered and the target installation range is June 15th — 30th. The construction of the Washington Park Playground will take approximately three days and will be located as advised in the WP Master Plan. The brick campaign continues. Thus far, we have sold approximately 40 bricks, and the goal is to sell 100. We will continue the initial brick campaign until late Summer and then establish a patio and walkway using the bricks to lead to the playground. Proceeds of the brick campaign will allow for purchase of picnic tables and benches and other amenities. ♦ Killam School Playground — The Killam School Playground has been advertised, and we are in the midst of getting playground proposals from capable companies. The PTO has virtually accomplished its goal of raising $15K (about $1 K short). The Killam.PTO will assist in selecting a final playground structure, and it will be located based on the Killam Master Plan. I hope to be able to award a contract in June, and have the playground installed around the beginning of August. This installation may be done as a supervised community build so the install date will not be clear until the contract is awarded. ♦ Master Plan for Joshua Eaton Playground - Board of Selectmen hearing on June 22nd. ♦ Barrows Site Master Plan - Process will begin in the Summer after recreation staff have completed the JEMP, and gotten Summer activities started. Dates and Events: ♦ Friends.and Family Day (aka Town Day)- June 19th ♦ Election-June 23rd ♦ Fall Street Faire - September 12th Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8, 2010-Pam Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation — The Town Manager noted that Reverend Kutzmark requested a Certificate of Appreciation for George White. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the Certificate of.Appreciation for George White was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Personnel and Appointments Consent Agenda Accepting Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee Recommendations — Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested doing a Press Release for the remaining vacancies and asked how the Board lilted the appointment process. The consensus of the Board was that the process was efficient and works well. Chairman Tafoya noted that the VASC makes the following recommendations: A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen approve the recommendation of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee for appointments and/or re- appointments to various Boards, Committees and Commissions for terms beginning July 1, 2010 as follows: Position Appointment Term Ending Animal Control Appeals Com. John Miles 6-30-13 Audit Committee Camille Anthony 6-30-13 Board of Appeals John Jarema 6-30-13 Cemetery Board of Trustees Ronald Storz 6-30-13 Elise Cirgena 6-30-13 Board of Health David Singer 6-30-13 Board of Registrars Krissandra Holmes 6-30-13 ACCCP Tony Capobianco 6-30-13 ACCCP (Associates) David Williams 6-30-11 Ronald Taupier 6-30-11 Michele Benson 6-30-11 Gina Snyder 6-30-11 Commissioners of Trust Funds John Daly 6-30-13 CPDC Nicholas Safina 6-30-13 John Weston 6-30-13 CPDC (Associate) George Katsoufis 6-30-11 Conservation Commission Annika Scanlon 6-30-13 Constable Alan Ulrich 6-30-13 Council on Aging Steve Oston 6-30-13 Sally Hoyt. 6-30-13 Carole Scrima 6-30-13 Cultural Council Lorraine Horn 6-30-13 Joan Marshman 6-30-13 Custodian of Soldiers' & Sailors' Francis Driscoll 6-30-13 Graves Historical Commission Mark Cardono 6-30-13 Sharlene Santo 6-30-13 Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8, 2010—Page 5 Position Appointment Term Ending Historical Commission (Associate) Angela Binda 6-30-11 Housing Authority Karen Flammia 6-30-15 Human Relations Advisory Coma Lori Hodin 6-30-13 James Cormier 6-30-13 Margaret LeLacheur ' 6-30-13 HRAC (Associates) Randall Jones 6-30-11 North Suburban Planning Council Ben Tafoya 6-30-13 George Katsoufis 6-30-13 Recreation Committee Michael DiPetro 6-30-13 Francis Driscoll 6-30-13 Catherine Kaminer 6-30-13 Recreation Committee(Associates) Adam Chase 6-30-11 Joseph Rosetti 6-30-11 Eric Hughes 6-30-11 Town Forest Committee Patrice Todisco 6-30-13 Town Forest Associate Thomas Gardiner 6.-30-11 Trails Committee Joan Hoyt 6-30-13 David Williams 6-30-13 Trails Committee (Associate) John Parsons 6-30-11 Volunteer Appointment Camille Anthony 6-30-11 Subcommittee StephenGoldy 6-30-11 West Street Historic District Everett Blodgett 6-30-13 Stephen O'Shea 6-30-13 West Street Historic District Joan Marshman 6-30-13 (Associate) The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Fire—Fire Chief Greg Burns and Lt. Rick'Nelson were present. Chief Burns gave the.history of the Essex County Technical Rescue Team. Lt. Nelson gave two recent examples of incidents that require such rescues. He noted that the Essex County Technical Rescue Team is trained for rope rescue, confined space and trench rescue. Selectman Camille Anthony asked what happens if Lt. Nelson gets called out while on duty. Chief Burns noted that he would let him go and hire back a replacement. He would send a bill to MAPC. He also noted that the biggest issue is training funding, and Homeland Security is funding it right now. The Town Manager noted that this is one way that regionalization works. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8, 2010—Page 6 Approve Warrant for Special Election — A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Anthony to approve the Warrant for the Special Election to be held on June 23, 2010 at the Hawkes Field House, 62 Oakland Road,Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Draft Policy on Town Forest Committee—The Town Manager noted that the changes in bold are from the Town Forest Committee. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked if we are putting regulations up in the Town Forest, who is going to enforce them. Town Forest Committee Member Patrice Todisco noted that the Town Forest Committee does not want to be the enforcer. The Town Manager noted that the Police can enforce the rules if they are posted. Selectman Camille Anthony asked about coordinating scheduling of activities at the Town Forest. The Town Manager noted that a process needs to be established by the Committee. He also noted that we will provide staff for the Master Plan work. He suggests removing the language regarding Associate Members because they are at the discretion of the committee. Hearin — FY 2011 Classification and Compensation Plan — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the compensation plan is exactly the same as FY 2010. The Classification Plan is exactly the same except for the change in title for the Health Administrator. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to close the hearing on the FY 2011 Classification and Compensation Plans was approved by a vote of 4=0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the FY 2011 Classification and Compensation Plans, as presented,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Outdoor Dining with -Board of Health — Board of Health Members David Singer, Barbara Meade and Colleen Seferian were present. The Town Manager noted that the policy on outdoor dining was created due to the increase in outdoor dining at restaurants and sidewalk dining. He asked if the Board of Health allows outdoor dining. Colleen Seferian indicated that outdoor dining is allowed but no smoking is allowed in the outdoor dining area. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the issue of open windows, and the Town Manager noted that the issue is to keep critters out of the food prep area by having a kitchen wall or an air curtain so the windows can be open as long as there is a screen at the food prep area. Request for Second Driveway Curb Cut 130 Franklin Street — Town Engineer George' Zambouras and Al Couillard, owner of 130 Franklin Street, were present. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8, 2010—Page 7 The Town Engineer noted that the request is to allow for two entrances on Franklin Street that has 110 feet on Franklin Street east of Main Street. He also noted that the original proposal did not meet the requirement of 125 foot separation. The plan for a single driveway was approved. The request is to eliminate backing out onto Franklin Street which is next to a high use intersection. The Town Engineer noted that he feels that could still be done with one driveway opening. He also noted that having two driveways does not guarantee that cars will turn around on the property. He recommends denying the request. Mr. Couillard noted that the easier he makes it to back up and turn around, the safer the exit. He also noted that zoning allows for two families but not two driveways. He installed infiltration to maintain the 20% impervious area. The Town Engineer noted that the aquifer protection just clips the edge of this property. He also noted that Mr. Couillard could go to the ZBA for a variance of the zoning regulations. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli asked to see the one driveway design. The Town Engineer noted that they did not approve the design,they just approved the curb cut. Tom Laughlin of 24 Oak Street noted that the double driveway is safer. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that there is a lot of activity at that location, and he should go to the ZBA. Mr. Couillard noted that the building has been staked and is ready to go. Selectman Camille Anthony indicated that the single driveway is a terrible plan, and she will vote for a second curb cut. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli that the Board of Selectmen approve the second curb way cut at 130 Franklin Street, as indicated in the site plan Option #2 for 130 Franklin Street, prepared by Christiansen & Sergi, Inc. dated Mav 24, 2010, was approved by a vote of 3-1-0,with Schubert opposed. Review/Decision—Temple Street Improvements—Town Engineer George Zambouras reviewed the project options. He noted that it will take three weeks of work spread out. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if we are reusing the granite, and the Town Engineer noted that a lot is not reusable but we will reuse 40% of the curb. He also noted that the difference between concrete and asphalt sidewalks is $20,000 per side. He stated that one tree will need to be removed. Chairman Ben Tafoya suggested the $258,725 option which includes 'roadway, curb on both sides, sidewalk and tree lawn on the school side only. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested doing everything for $283,000 if we do asphalt sidewalks instead'of concrete. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8, 2010—Page 8 Vice Chairman James Bonazoli indicated that he would rather stick with concrete and do only the school side. Todd Petrin of 37 Temple Street noted that it has been 50-60 years since any work was done on Temple Street, and this project will benefit anyone who uses Temple Street for church, school, etc. It is a community project. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he had a problem with using half of the paving budget on one street. He noted that originally only the roadway was to be paved. The Town Manager recommended curb on both sides and.concrete sidewalk on one side. Mark Warner of 7 Temple Street noted that families walk in the street because there are no r sidewalks—it is a safety issue. John Williams of 44 Temple Street indicated that he would like curb on both sides of the street because everyone parks on his property because the curbing is so low. Selectman Camille Anthony asked if the sidewalk on the non-school side was taken out, would it change the estimate, and the Town Engineer indicated that it would somewhat. A motion by"Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to approve the option of the rehabbing the roadway, curb on both sides, concrete sidewalk and tree lawn on the school side and remove the sidewalk on the opposite side for$280,000 was discussed. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to delete the provision to remove the.sidewalk was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. The main motion was approved, as amended, in the amount of$258,725 by a vote of 4-0-0. Establish the Town Manager's Salary FY 2011 — Chairman.Ben Tafoya noted that he and Selectman Richard Schubert were charged to look at this. There is a disparity with what the Town Manager is paid and what others are paid. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that when the person leaves the position, then the Town is forced to pay the amount to replace. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to set the Town Manager's salary for FY 2011. the same rate as in effect for the last half of FY 2010 at$1.29,603 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2010 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to approve the Minutes of May 18, 2010 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 8,2010—Page 9 A motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli to adjourn the meeting of June 8,2010 at 11:00 p:m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted Secretary