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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting June 22,2010 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 Stephen Goldy, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Recreation Administrator John Feudo, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Russ Graham, Marsie.West, Jack Russell, Sheila Clarice, Patricia Dababneh, Ben Yoder, John Russell, Michele Williams. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments— Selectman Stephen Goldy congratulated everyone on another successful Friends and Family Day. He met with residents of Tennyson and Whittier Roads regarding flooding and sewer backups in that area. He noted that roads are in need of repair, and that the residents. on Palmer Hill Road .complained about sink holes and DPW responded right away. He also noted that he spoke with John Doherty about getting a student liaison. He noted that there are dig safe markings on Hillcrest Road — that road was recently redone. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that she attended a meeting of the Commissioners of Trust Funds. The student loan account is not being used so they are looking at turning it into a scholarship. Public Comment — Marsie West encouraged residents to go out and vote tomorrow, and noted that the taxes pay for such things like road repairs, schools, etc. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative Matters ♦ Election tomorrow (Wednesday, June 23rd) on the meals tax. A YES vote is a vote approving the meals tax. Community Development ♦ Reading Fall Street Faire ♦ Sign inventory has been completed: Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that 395 of the businesses are not in compliance and he would like this put on an agenda ASAP and to hold off enforcement until then. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli suggested doing a walls starting at 6:30 p.m. before a workshop meeting. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 22,2010—Page 2 Public Works ♦ I have signed an extension of our rubbish disposal contract with Covanta with an expiration date of. June 30, 2015. This was a regional effort with Wakefield and Stoneham. This is a very favorable rate, and rates will be frozen from FY 2010 levels for one year. ♦ A new "Big Belly" trash compactor with an attached recycling bin is being installed in Downtown. ♦ Downtown Tree Booster Program — All 48 trees are adopted plus the trees in the alleyway. ♦ Train Quiet Zone (nowhistle blowing) - Improvements are needed, and we are moving forward to install additional protections (traversable medians) at Ash Street and at New Crossing Road. ♦ We have received the Environmental Notification Form for the Northern Intermediate High Service Area Water Distribution Redundancy from the MWRA. It does not include proposals for water storage—it is solely pipeline work at this point. Construction Projects in progress or to be done this year: ♦ Paving completed- Bear Hill Road,North Street, Pinevale Avenue and Juniper Circle. ♦ 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—Temple Street. ♦ 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. 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 being installed. Additional site drainage has been installed, loam for pathways has been removed. Installing electrical conduit. o 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 — The Trails Committee installed boardwalk in April, May and June. Other trail-hardening was done last Fall with application of stone aggregate in soft. areas. Sign boards are ordered, blazes and additional work on directional information, and plant the meadow where it is eroding is to be done in June. Grant period ends June 30th. ♦ Washington Park Playground -The playground has been installed. The brick campaign continues. 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. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 22,2010—Page 3 ® Killam School Playground — The Killam Playground has been advertised and we received playground proposals from capable companies. The PTO has virtually accomplished its goal of raising $15K (about $l K short). The playground structure will be located based on the Killam master plan. Installation should take place in August. This installation may be done as a supervised community build so the install date will not be clear until the contract is awarded. o Master Plan for Joshua Eaton Play rg ound-Board of Selectmen Hearing is 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. The Assistant Town Manager noted that the Finance Committee welcomes the Selectmen's input on what works well. Selectman Camille Anthony noted that we used too much free cash this year, and the Selectmen did not have a say in it. She is very concerned about next year and feels that we need a plan for free cash. Vice Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Selectmen did charts to set priorities but they didn't get to discuss it, and he feels that they need to do that this year. Personnel and Appointments Economic Development Committee — Chairman Ben Tafoya recused himself from the meeting due to the fact-that his wife is a member of the Economic Development Committee who is up for reappointment. The Board interviewed Ben Yoder, John Russell and Michele Williams for positions on the Economic Development Committee. Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following names into nomination for two positions on the Economic Development Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2013: Meghan A. Young Tafoya and Michele R. Williams. Each applicant received three votes and were appointed. Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the following names into nomination for two Associate positions on the Economic Development Committee with terms expiring June 30, 2011: John Russell and Ben Yoder. Each applicant received three votes and were appointed. Cities for Climate Protection Committee—This will be rescheduled. Town Forest Committee— Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Town Forest Committee with a term expiring June 30,2013: Mark L. Wetzel. Mr. Wetzel received four votes and was appointed. Conservation Commission — Goldy moved and Anthony seconded to place the following name into nomination for one position on the Conservation Commission with a term expiring June 30, 2013: James T. Maughan. Mr. Maughan received four votes and was appointed. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 22, 2010—Page 4 Discussion/Action Items Board of Selectmen Reorganization—The Town Manager accepted nominations for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Anthony moved and Goldy seconded to place the name of James Bonazoli into nomination as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to close the nominations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. James Bonazoli received four votes and was appointed Chairman. Goldy moved and Tafoya seconded to place the name of Camille Anthony into nomination as Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to close the nominations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Camille Anthony received four' votes and was appointed Vice Chairman. Tafoya moved and, Anthony seconded to place the name of Richard Schubert into nomination for the position as Secretary of the Board of Selectmen. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to close the nominations was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Richard Schubert received four votes and was appointed Secretary. Re-appointment of Town Counsel — Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested reappointing Town Counsel now and then set the process later. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to reappoint the firm of Brackett & Lucas as Town Counsel for FY 2010 and FY 2011 with a term expiring June 30, 2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Presentation—Fall Street Faire— Sheila Clarke noted that there will be a 5K Run this year along with a Chili Cook Off, Patriots Tail Gate, Realtor's Family Feud, and they will be expanding the kid's zone. Ms. Clarke noted that all profits go toward benefiting the Downtown area. Chairman James Bonazoli asked if they are looking at closing more streets, and Ms. Clarke noted that they will be closing High Street. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she had concerns about children being allowed in the drinking area, and the Selectmen decided that was something that needs to be discussed at a future meeting. Presentation — "Passport" — by Economic Development Committee — Sheila Clarke noted that this started at a good advice guide. Abby McCabe has worked very hard on this and the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring it. The goal is to walk people through the permitting process. This was a result of meeting with old and new businesses, and the intention is to assign a liaison from the Economic Development Committee to work with the new businesses. Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that his only concern is that the Economic Development Committee would look like staff and we already have a Permits Coordinator to do that. Ms. Clarke noted that everyone has looked at this and it was very clear that they are not staff. Board of Selectmen Meeting,—June 22, 2010—Page 5 Selectman Ben Tafoya suggested that after the edits, sitting down with the Boards, Committees and Commissions who are affected by this, and talk about how we get everyone on the same page. Hearing—Joshua Eaton Master Plan—The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager noted that the playground improvements need to be done so a master plan was created. Recreation Administrator John Feudo noted that the parking lot will be more functional with 18 extra spaces. There will be a handicap accessible ramp, the raised island will be removed to ease plowing, there is a 90 x 65 playground area, the ball fields remain the same, the batting cage is semi permanent, and the driveway in the back will be for police and fire only. Vice Chairnian Camille Anthony noted that it would be nice if the walkway through the field was shoveled in the Winter time, and shade trees would also be nice in the play area. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to close the hearing on the Joshua Eaton Master Plan was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the Joshua Eaton Master Plan, as presented,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discuss Request for Parking Restrictions on Hopkins Street east of Main Street— Patricia Dababneh noted that she lives next door to Sam's Bistro on Hopkins Street and has concerns about the possibility of overflow parking. She also noted that when cars are parked on the south side of Hopkins Street, she can't see backing out of her driveway. She feels that it is a safety issue and is therefore requesting no parking. The Town Manager noted that the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force has discussed this, and Hopkins Street is wide enough for parking on one sideand two lanes of traffic. Ms. Dababneh noted that a Police Officer parked in her driveway and that it was a safety issue. Chairman James Bonazoli asked if there will be sufficient parking for Sam's Bistro. The Town Manager indicated that there will be sufficient parking but it will be tight. The owner has a verbal agreement with Meineke for employee parking, and he has also talked to the neighbors to the south of him. Ms. Dababneh noted that the liquor license will generate noise and traffic. She also noted that a traffic study was done and there was also an accident on May 18th due to the parking. She noted that there were other neighbors at the CPDC meeting who had-concerns regarding parking. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she would like information from Sam's Bistro regarding what they've agreed to for parking, and also the number of seats and hours of operation. Board of Selectmen Meeting—June 22, 2010—Page 6 Hearing — Policy Establishing the Town Forest Committee The Secretary read the hearing notice. The Town Manager reviewed the draft proposed policy. He noted that the Town Forest Committee will create the regulations and the Police will enforce. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing on the policy establishing the Town Forest Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the policy establishing the Town Forest Committee was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Hearing — Policy Establishing the Volunteer Appointment Process — Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the process has gone well. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing on the policy establishing the Volunteer Appointment process was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the policy establishing the Volunteer Appointment process was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Review Revised LIP Regulations — The. consensus of the Board is that the regulations are significantly simpler. The Town Manager will schedule a hearing. Approval of Drainage Easements — Howard and West Streets — The Town Manager noted that this is a 25 foot drainage easement that was approved at Town Meeting. _A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to accept the conveyance'of drainaLre easements located on Howard Street which easements are shown on a plan entitled: "Plan'of Drainage Easement Howard Street, Reading, Massachusetts, dated February 2, 2010," for consideration in the amount of$1.00 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval.of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of May 25, 2010 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the Minutes of June 8, 2010 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, not to come back into Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, (Secre ary '�