Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 21,2010 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 James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectman Ben Tafoya, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleik.ner, Town Counsel Ellen Doucette, Office Manager Paula Schena.and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Joan Neary, Karl Weld, Christine Brungardt, Diane Weggel, Joan and Fred Doherty, Kathy Greenfield, Virginia Adams, Roberta Sullivan, Reid Blute. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports. and Comments — Selectman Richard Schubert congratulated everyone on the Fall Street Faire. Selectman Ben Tafoya thanked the Town Manager and staff for all their-hard work. on the Fall Street Faire. He noted that the Financial Forum was last week. There is a site visit this Saturday on Strout Avenue which was the location of the old Water Treatment Plant. He and Vice Chairman Camille Anthony met with Fran Fink. and John Feudo regarding the Mattera Cabin, and discussed who to attract to use the Cabin and potential fees. Vice Chairman Anthony noted that a fundraiser is needed to cover the construction costs. Public Comment—Bili Brown noted that he attended the Financial Forum and there is a section of Oakland Road that is still listed as school property. He suggests looking at prime residential development for that site, and also suggested looking,at cell towers. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative Matters ♦ RCASA's President Nancy-Linn Swain and former RCASA Member and current Board of Health Member Barbara Meade have been recognized by President Barack Obama for their volunteer service. Awards will be presented at the RCASA Annual Meeting on September 30th. ♦ The Fall Quarterly issue of"Your Community Connection" is being developed, and will be available electronically on October 1 st on the Town website. e Killam School has invited a number of Town Government officials to the school tomorrow morning to celebrate some of the improvements to the school including the installation of the new playground. Speaking for our employees, the School Department and the Killam community have been a delight to work with on these projects. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 21, 2010—Page 2 Community Development ♦ The Reading Fall Street Faire was again an overwhelming success. The volunteers, led by Sheila Clarke and Steve Goldy, deserve all of the credit for its success, supported by staff from DPW, Health, Fire and Police, and supported by the business community and by the citizens of Reading. ♦ Grumpy Doyle's is the most recent restaurant business.to open in Reading - last Thursday night. Business appears to be booming. Public Works ♦ Recycling and rubbish changes the week of October 4th. Detailed information is on the front page of the website, and a flyer is being mailed to the entire community. Construction Proiects in Progress or to be done this year: ♦ Road Improvements • Temple Street - Roadway, sidewalk and curbing complete. All loam installed and seeded except small section leading to Woburn needs to be seeded, and staging area at school driveway needs to be top dressed and seeded. All remaining loam and seed should be completed before the end of the week. • Harrison Street Base course and curbing are complete - Stormceptors have been delivered - Highway Division to install next week. Roadway work to resume the beginning of October along with other streets below. • Arlington Street (Woburn Street to Prescott Street) - Work to start beginning of October and should be completed by the end of October. ® Haverhill Street (Wakefield Street to Timberneck Drive) - Work to start beginning of October and should be completed by the end of October. ® Marla Lane (Forest Street to Spruce Road) - Work to start beginning of October and should be completed by the end of October. 9 Manning Street (Salem Street to Pleasant Street), Pleasant Street (Manning Street to end), Smith Avenue (Eaton Street to end) - Highway Division project- Smith Avenue, Manning, Lewis Streets and County Road (between Lewis Street and Howard Street) have been completed. One section of County Road (near end of street at bend) will be completed within a week. ♦ Memorial Park - Project nearly complete, ponds are loamed and seeded, most other areas loamed, area disturbed between ponds and construction fence (Harrison side) and loam storage area remains to be loamed. All loam and hydro seeding is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Trees to be installed in October, and benches to be installed when delivered. ♦ Barrows Site Master Plan - Committee established. First meeting is September 21 st. Dates and Events: ♦ Household Hazardous Waste Collection—September 25th in Wakefield ♦ RCASA Annual Meeting — September 30th — 7:00 p.m. — Joint posted meeting with RCASA, School Committee and Board of Health ♦ State Election—November 2nd ♦ Subsequent Town Meeting .-November 8th Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 21, 2010-Page 3 Discussion/Action Items Introduction of Proposed Developer — Pearson Site — The Town Manager noted that representatives from Pearson and Pulte Homes were present. He also noted that there is a memo regarding the meeting with them on September 1, 2010 in tonight's packet. Reid Blute with Pulte Homes introduced himself to the Board. He noted that Pulte Homes is a national home building firm with 69 divisions in 29 states. They want to work within the pian that has already been developed. He also noted that they will purchase the entire property which will result in one consistent compatible environment 'including 16 townhomes, senior housing, assisted living, over 55 homes and 200 homes in the 40R Gateway Smart Growth section. He stated that there is a significant demand for this type of housing, and it will lead to a significant amount of revenue to the Town - $1.9 million to the Town annual tax revenues. He noted that home ownership community has its advantages — less transients and more pride of ownership. The style of housing does not lend itself to a lot of school children. He indicated that his company has access to a significant amount of capital. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked what is Pulte's long-term involvement, and Mr. Blute noted that once the development is complete and occupied, then they will not be involved but there will be a lot of involvement up to that stage. There will be several homeowner associations. Selectman Tafoya noted that the OR District orientation is different than the last one. Mr. Blute noted that they have added a village green. He also noted that they desire to start ASAP and the quicker they can get through the process, the quicker they can get going. They do plan on meeting with the neighbors. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if a hotel or retail wants to come in, are they in favor of that. Mr. Blute noted that they will entertain anything but that is not what they are proposing. Selectman Schubert noted that 20% affordable takes us back a little, and indicated that 10% of the total would be greater. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if there was parking underneath the buildings, and Mr. Blute indicated that there is parking under some units — one car per unit but parking on site is two cars per unit. This type of housing doesn't require as much parking. Christine Brungardt of 324 South Street asked how many homes were in each building. Mr. Blute noted that the brown units have 36 homes and the red units have 50 homes, He also noted that they tried to maintain the perimeter buffer and expanded it in some areas. Fred Doherty of 68 Curtis Street asked if all the units are air conditioned and what the noise factor will be. Mr. Blute noted that the heating and air conditioning is inside a utility room in each unit, and it has not been a problem at any of the other-communities. Close Warrant—Subsequent Town Meeting—Town Counsel Ellen Doucette was present. The Town Manager noted that Town Counsel was present to.answer any questions regarding Article 16. This is to address the issue of the timing scheddle. He received an email from Marsie West noting that when computing time in seven days, it should be business days because Board of Selectmen Meeting;—September 21, 2010—Page 4 the Town Hall is closed on Fridays. Town Counsel noted that the turnaround is meant to be' quick because Town Meeting action is frozen. Town Counsel also noted that the Selectmen wanted to mirror the State in preparing the petition. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked if all language of the Article will be inserted in Section B, and Town Counsel indicated no,just the motion will be inserted. Selectman Tafoya noted that he doesn't want to play with the election dates, and the Charter describes seven days as seven business days. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that having the ability to be flexible is a good thing. He also feels that there should be a change in the 205 requirement. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he agrees with the Charter the way it is. He also noted that it is clear that the intention is to maintain the role of Town Meeting. He is not interested in changing the threshold of turnout. The Town Manager noted that Article 9 has been added for the "Green Repair Program." The MSBA has requested that we put this Article on the Warrant so we can move forward right away. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to close the Warrant consisting of 22 Articles to be held on November 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium, 62 Oakland Road, Reading was approved by a vote of 4=0-0. Hearing — SammyJo's Bakery EarlyOpening,— 5:00 a.m., 2 Haven Street — The Secretary read the hearing notice. The owners of SammyJo's Balcery were present. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that there are no issues from Health, Public Safety or Planning. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing for SammyJo's Bakery early opening at 5:00 a.m.was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve an application by SammyJo's Bakery at 2 Haven Street to open at 5:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, effective September 221 2010, and excluding State. designated holidays. This approval will expire December 31, 2010. The Board of Selectmen finds that in accordance with Section 5.10.4 of the General Bylaws: • It is in the interest of the public health, .safety and welfare or that public necessity or convenience will be served by permitting such operation; and • There is no detrimental effect of such operation on the Town or the immediately abutting neighbors. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Presentation — Historical Inventory — Historical Commission Members Kathy Greenfield, Virginia Adams and Roberta Sullivan were present. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 21, 2010—Page 5 Kathy Greenfield noted that the Commission began the inventory in August and they added 101 properties. They added 85 residential, 15 commercial and one church. Their goal was to add up to the 1960's. After the properties are selected, they are added to the inventory and defined as a historically significant structure. Mrs. Greenfield reviewed Form B which is the vital record of the building. The Commission then votes the properties potentially significant structures. The Commission sent out notices on September 9th informing the homeowners that a vote will take place on October 12, 2010. The consultant noted that 2500 homes were built between 1929 and 1960 in Reading. She looked at the significance and qualities of the buildings. She also noted that many of the buildings were designed by prominent architects from Boston and locally. St. Athanasius' architect was world renowned. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if a house is historically significant if it can be painted. Mrs. Greenfield indicated that it can be painted. The only roadblock is demolition delay. If the Building Inspector issues a demolition permit, then the Historical Commission steps in. Porches, doors, windows and siding do not trigger demolition delay. The Commission has no jurisdiction over alterations. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked how the Commission determines which houses are added to the inventory. The consultant noted that the buildings that are best represented with no alterations are selected. Selectman Tafoya also asked if there was any numerical value to being on the inventory, and the consultant indicated that there is not. Mrs. Greenfield noted that data supports neutral or increase in value of the property. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that there is a review process for homes in the West Street Historical District. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked if the criterion was supplied to the folks who were added to the list, and Mrs. Greenfield indicated that they were not. She noted that people have no say on whether or not they are on the list, and they cannot opt in or opt out of the list. Review Church Snow Plowing — The Town Manager noted that there was an instructional motion at Town Meeting to work with the churches to develop a transitional plan for three years for plowing the church parking lots and driveways. The total cost last year was $6,800 and there is no guarantee for this year. This amount works out to be an average of$120.00 per hour. St. Agnes Church and the First Baptist Church are satisfied with the cost method. Selectman Richard Schubert asked who decides when the plows go out, and it was noted that the Director of Public Works decides. Approval of Deed of Land to the Conservation Commission—Kylie Drive—The Town Manager noted that there is a new subdivision on Wakefield Street, and they set aside five acres of wetland to deed to the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission has already voted to accept it. Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 21, 2010—Page 6 A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert that pursuant to the provisions of Section8C of Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Board of Selectmen approve (in accordance with the request of the Conservation Commission)the conveyance of 4.29 acres, more or less, shown as Lot A on a plan recorded as Plan No. 1286 of 2006 in the Middlesex South District from Deer Run Developers, Inc. to the Town of Reading, under the care, custody, management and control of the Conservation Commission. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Agreement — Cedar Glen — The Town Manager noted that the Town had two concerns — loQ'al preference which they are giving us and affordable in perpetuity. Town Counsel has indicated that in perpetuity is not an issue because it is State law. The new owner will be doing significant improvements in Cedar Glen. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen approve the agreement between the Town of Reading and PRI Cedar Glen, LLC regarding the Property at Cedar Glen located at 2 Elderberry Lane, Readink, Massachusetts was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. _A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive Session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the body, not to reconvene in Open Session, was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitte , Secretary