HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-13 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
July 13,2010
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 7:05 p.m..in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street;
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman
Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert, Assistant Town Manager/Finance
Director Bob LeLacheur, Town Accountant Gail LaPointe, Town Counsel Ellen
Doucette, and the following list of interested parties: Hal Croft, Tom Connery, Doug
Cowell, Benjamin Ream, Margaret and Bill Veronelli.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the
Municipal Building Committee has been meeting every two weeks, and has now seen the
oldest buildings in Town including the Town Hall, Senior Center and Library. He asked
what report format or content does the Board of Selectmen wish to see out of the
Municipal Building Committee. An assumption is that the report will cover both the
physical condition and assessment of existing buildings aswell as a look forward to the
needs of the Town.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that it would be a good idea to give the Board of
Selectmen a status report'with an agenda when the building inventories are done and
before a report is written.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that the buildings will be done by September so a visit
after that with the Board of Selectmen would be appropriate.
Chairman James Bonazoli noted that we will schedule the Municipal Building Committee
for late September to give the Board of Selectmen an update with milestones.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that Verizon moved a pole on Howard Street
(near Hillcrest) that is interfering with a storm sewer. They were supposed to move it
back but nothing has yet been done. The Town Engineer will look into this.
Chairman James Bonazoli noted that there were no public comments tonight during
Office Hours. A reminder that on July 22nd, the FORR will hold their Fourth Annual 5K
Race which will start at Memorial Park.
Public Comment: There were no comments.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 13, 2010-Page 2
Town Manager's Report:
The Town Manager gave the following report:
Administrative Matters
♦ The meals tax goes into effect in Reading on October 1 st.
♦ New Open Meeting Law regulations are in effect as of July 1 st..
• Meeting postings—detailed agenda.
• 48 hour advance notice (not Saturdays).
• Quick turnaround on Minutes (even if unofficial).
• 24 hour public access—at RPD, asking for electronic solution permission.
♦ RCASA Youth Crew has received a mini-grant ($4,000) for policy work on
tobacco. Special thanks to the Board of Health for their support!
Community Development -
♦ Reading Fall Street Faire—Sunday, 9/12.
Public Works
♦ Water conservation reminder
♦ 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. I have submitted a letter of support to the MWRA, and the
Conservation Commission has also sent in a letter
Construction Projects in progress or to be done this year
♦ Road Improvements—Temple Street and Harrison Street are under construction.
♦ Memorial Park - Good progress.
♦ Washington Park Plgy round—The playground has been installed.
♦ Killam School Play round—Bids are awarded.
♦ . Killam School Parking Lot- Improvements are under construction.
♦ 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
♦ Fall Street Faire, September 12th.
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Proclamation — 20th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act — Selectman
Richard Schubert read the Proclamation.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony; the Board of Selectmen approved the
Proclamation for the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by a
vote of 3-0-0.
Certificate of Recognition — Margaret and Bill Veronelli - Margaret and Bill Veronelli
were present to accept their Certificate of Recognition. The Board of Selectmen thanked
them as well as the Recreation Committee (via Recreation Administrator John Feudo) for
their work with Challenger Baseball during the past eight years.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 13, 2010—Page.3
The Board of Selectmen approved the Certificate of Recognition for Margaret and
Bill Veronelli by a vote.of 3-0-0.
Certificates of Appreciation—Volunteers who are retiring with five years or more service
Tom Connery was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his seven years on
service on the Town Forest Committee, Doug Cowell was presented with a Certificate of
Appreciation for his 11 years of service on the Telecommunications and Technology
Advisory Committee and Ben Ream was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for
his six years on service on the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory
Committee, The Selectmen thanked all for their volunteer service and each gratefully
accepted their Certificates. Nancy Najmi was not present to accept her Certificate of
Appreciation for her six years of service on the Human Relations Advisory Committee
but the Board thanked her for her service and her Certificate will be mailed to her.
The Board of Selectmen approved the Certificates of Appreciation for the following
volunteers who are retiring with five years or more service — Nancy Na_imi,
Beniamin Ream, Douglas Cowell and Thomas Connery by a vote of 3-0-0.
Personnel& Appointments -Consent Agenda
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony and Selectmen Richard Schubert and Stephen Goldy
reviewed the Boards, Committees and Commissions applicants that are now in front of .
the Board of Selectmen.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted, that the new process is far better in terms of
dialogue. In particular, there are some rearrangements between Associate and Regular
members that were easy to do informally but would have been difficult under the old
system.
Anthony moved and Schubert seconded to accept the report of the Volunteer
Appointment Subcommittee and confirm the following appointments to the
following Boards, Committees, and Commissions:
Michelle Ferullo and Maria Higgins to two Associate positions on the
Economic Development Committee for terms expiring 6-30-11;
Ron D'Addario to one Associate position on the Advisory Committee on
Cities for Climate Protection for a term expiring 6-30-11;
Joan Boegel to one position on the Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate
Protection for a term expiring 6-30-12;
Joe Lachiana to one position on the RCTV Board of Directors for a term
expiring 6-30-2012;
John Winne to one Associate position on the Recreation Committee for a
term expiring 6030-11;
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 13, 2010-Page 4
Eric Hughes to one position on the Recreation Committee for a term expiring
6-30-12;
Sharlene Reynolds Santo to one Associate position on the Historical
Commission for a term expiring 6-30-11;
Angela Binda to one position on the Historical Commission for a. term
expiring 6-30-13.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Quarterly Review with Town Accountant - Town Accountant Gail LaPointe gave her
quarterly update to the Board of Selectmen. She noted that this is a busy time of the year
as the last of the FY 2010 bills are being paid through mid-July, and new FY 2011 bills
are also being paid. MUNIS and the new purchase order system has been very helpful in
this process. The Auditors are in for a preliminary review of internal controls. They
sample specific bills in order to determine the scope needed for the full audit in a couple
of months (October). So far, everything is on track. She also noted that last Winter, she
began sending out monthly controls comments to all departments with examples and
updates, and the positive feedback has made this a regular feature. For example, not
everyone knew that the Town cannot pay ahead of time for a seminar. The student
activity account has received more attention after a suggestion by the Auditors in the
past. These accounts are controlled by each principal, often in the form of a checking
account. The school central office is now more involved. While there has not been a
specific problem,the controls are now tighter.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if this is for student activity fees. Gail LaPointe
responded that it was not — those go directly to the Town Treasurer and there is a very
good set of controls already in place for that process. She mentioned a concern that there
were several shortfalls in FY 2010 revenues, particularly in Building Permits, Interest
Earned and Federal Medicare reimbursements. She noted that a big part of free cash
regeneration is excess revenues, and that would not be the case for FY 2010. She also
noted that excise tax collections were a bit higher than projected, and that was very
helpful. For FY 2011, Federal Medicare reimbursements is already a known shortfall, and
the rest is too early to tell. She mentioned that due to low water usage, there were
significant revenue shortfalls in both water and sewer for FY 2010. The water situation
was remedied by the MTBE legal settlements but sewer would likely end the year in a
deficit position which would need to be addressed in FY 2011.
Selectman Richard Schubert asked how we can assure that this information is available
for the FY2012 budget process. At the Financial Forums this year, the Board of
Selectmen, School Committee and the Finance Committee should be advised of this
situation, and stress the need for conservative revenue estimation as well as budgeting.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 13, 2010—Page 5
Chairman James Bonazoli and.Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the Board of
Selectmen would like to be involved in the Enterprise Fund budgets earlier this year,
.especially for capital planning. Flat budgets and water conservation have clearly led to
the need for rate increases.
Approval of Section 20 Exemption for Hal Croft as a member of the School Committee -
Hal Croft and Town Counsel Ellen Doucette joined the meeting.
The Assistant Town Manager reviewed the situation and summarized that Mr. Croft was
- to be limited in two areas as a member of the School Committee because of his ongoing
duties as track coach. He would not be able to participate in contract negotiations with
the teachers since they represented the coaches, and he would not be allowed to vote on
the Athletic budget. He would not be prevented from discussing either topic, and this was
done more to avoid the appearance of a conflict as opposed to any known issues. Mr.
Croft spoke in thanks for the Selectmen taking this matter up, although he thought it gave
the implication of existing conflicts or past problems of which he wanted to make clear
there were none. Town Counsel Ellen Doucette confirmed the summary given by the
Assistant Town Manager, and stated that she has extensive communication with Mr.
Croft and the rules are well understood by all parties.
Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the whole School Committee needs to be
designated as Special Employees, and Town Counsel indicated that they would in order
to allow the 20(d) exemption.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that it is good to put this out to the public and avoid
<any issues that many other communities face later on. He thanked Mr. Croft for going
through the process and agreed that there has been no suggestion of any improper
activity.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to
approve Section 20(d) Exemption from the MA Conflict of Interest Laws pursuant
to: the letter dated May.15,2010 to Town.Clerk Laura Gemme from Ellen Callahan
Doucette from the firm of Brackett and Lucas; and further pursuant to the letter
dated June 11,2010 to Ms. Callahan Doucette from Deidre Roney, General Counsel
to the State Ethics Commission by a vote of 3-0-0.
In response to an inquiry, Town Counsel stated that she would provide an email update ,
on current litigation which in general is light.
Hearing — Approval of Revised Local Initiative Program (LIP) Regulations — Selectman
Richard Schubert read the hearing notice.
The Assistant Town Manager summarized that the new regulations , have been
streamlined and reference to State laws have been removed. They are still in existence by
implication behind the scenes but now this policy need not bei amended when the State
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 13, 2010—Page 6
laws change. He pointed out that Section 5.2.6 Local Preference had changed but there
was no other substantive change made.
Town.Counsel stated that the language came from the ZBA. She suggested adding the
word `affordable' in Section 5.2.4 thinking perhaps that word was inadvertently omitted.
The Board of Selectmen discussed if 5.2.6 were too broad in scope (i.e., allowing
employees of Reading businesses,not just residents), and Town Counsel noted that based
on recent experience, she thought that it was, but that the subsidizing agent could have
that discussion on a case-by-case basis and she would suggest that it be left broad.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony,the Board of Selectmen voted to'close
the hearing on the approval of Revised Local Initiative Program Regulations by a
vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to
approve the Local Initiative Program Regulations, as amended by adding the word
"affordable" in Section 5.2.4,by a vote of 3-0-0
Adopt Hazard Mitigation Plan—The Assistant Town Manager presented the Plan, noting
that the Board of Selectmen had a full presentation in August 2008, and this was the final
product prepared by the MAPC for Reading, as required by FEMA in order to qualify for
Federal reimbursements.
The Board requested that on page 3 (Section II, Community Profile) that the wording
indicating that Reading was looking forward to celebrating its 350th anniversary in 1994
be reworded.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to
adopt the "Town of Reading Hazard Mitigation Plan dated April 22, 2010" as
amended and noted as "draft for MENU and FEMA Review," by a vote of 3-0-0.
Approve Board of Selectmen Liaison Assignments - On motion'by Anthony seconded
by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the FY 20 11 Selectmen
Liaison Assignments, dated 7-13-10, by a vote of 3-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Schubert seconded by Antbony, the Board of Selectmen voted to
approve the Minutes of June 22,2010 as written by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to
adjourn the meeting of July 13,2010 at 8:57 p.ni. by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respec lly subrni e ,
Secretary