HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
September 7, 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, Selectmen Ben Tafoya
and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town
Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, RCASA Director Erica McNamara, Recreation
Administrator John Feudo, Community Services Director/Town Planner Jean Delios, and the
following list of interested parties: Matt Casey, David Tuttle, Michele Williams, Brian and Kelly
Skeffington,Nick Safina, Tony D'Arezzo, Mary Ellen Stolecki.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Selectman Ben Tafoya indicated that Governor
Deval Patrick will be at the Reading Fall Street Faire.
Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he had Office Hours this evening and no residents came
in to talk.
Chairman James Bonazoli noted that he and Selectman Stephen Goldy along with Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleilcner joined representatives of the School Department and School
Committee on a pre-school opening tour of Killam School and Birch Meadow School. Staff
pointed out performance contracting projects; and Chairman Bonazoli offered congratulations to
Joe Huggins, Mary Delai and the Principals for the work done to get the schools ready for the
beginning of school.
Chairman James Bonazoli acknowledged an email regarding the Reading Fall Street Faire —the
Reading Cares booth will have bins for donations to the Reading Food Pantry. He noted that
Sam's Bistro has filed with Conservation and the Zoning Board of Appeals for extension of
parking behind the building. The parking situation on the street is the same as it has been. He
also noted that a Financial Forum is coming up in mid-September, and the planning is going on
with regard to the Forum. He had met with staff and the Finance Committee and School
Committee representatives about the agenda.
Town Manager's Report
The Town Manager gave the following report:
o The week of August 23rd, MAPC submitted Metro Boston's application to the
Sustainable Communities Regional Planning.Grant Program. As of the submittal date, 55
municipalities including Reading (representing 71% of the region's residents), and more
than 60 nonprofit and regional partners had joined the Consortium for Sustainable
Communities. Metro Boston's application is now posted online at
www.mapc.org/sustainablecommunities, along with a list of all confirmed consortium
members.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 7, 2010—Page 2
♦ The Fall edition of the Reading Recreation Magazine has been delivered to all Reading
residents by early next week. .
♦ The October 1st Quarterly issue of Your Community Connection is being developed. If
you are a government agency or a Reading non-profit and have something that is of
community interest for the months of October, November and December, please send it
in to Maureen Knight ASAP.
♦ The Board of Selectmen has received a "Client Advisory" from Brackett & Lucas on the
new Permits Extension Act.
♦ Selectman' Ben Tafoya, Town Engineer George Zambouras, representatives of.
Representative Brad Jones' Office and Senator Richard Tisei's Office and I met with
Mass DOT officials last week regarding West Street improvements. The Board of
Selectmen has received a copy of a memo on those discussions.
♦ We are trying to get a site walls of the former Water Treatment Plant site for the Board of
Selectmen and staff on September 18th at 9:00 a.m. Please let me know of your
availability.
♦ The Town Manager pointed out to the Board of Selectmen a memo dated August 31 st
reiterating the information gathered at a meeting with Mass DOT regarding financing of
the West Street,project.
Community Development
♦ Health Division has issued an enforcement order on 95 Border Road.
♦ Enforcement—Election signs.
♦ We met with a proposed developer of the Addison-Wesley/Pearson site. They will be in
to the Board of Selectmen Meeting on September 21st to introduce themselves to the
Board of Selectmen.
Public Safety
♦ In the impending threat of then hurricane Earl, and in consultation with staff including
our Emergency Management Director, I. directed the closure of the Reading Public
Library at noon on Friday, and the Senior Center at 1:00 p.m. following the noon meal.
We apologize if these closings created any inconvenience.
Public Works
♦ I want to clarify with the Board of Selectmen prior to printing up materials on the change
in recycling and rubbish rules and regulations, the following limits-for rubbish per
household per week(recycling is unlimited):
♦ The existing regulations allow barrels of not larger than 30 gallons.
♦ Many people have 45 gallons barrels.
♦ I would like to permit residents to use the 45 gallon barrels.
♦ The limit I suggest is 4-30 gallon barrels, 4-30 gallon bags or 3-45 gallon barrels.
(Total maximum per week of 120 gallons).
Construction Projects in progress or to be done this year:
♦ Road Improvements
• Temple Street - The intent was to get Temple Street completed by the beginning of
school. We missed that schedule but we are working very well with the School
Department and the Police Department to make sure traffic flow is as smooth as we can
Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 7,2010-Page 3
make it. Sidewalk and curbing should be completed Wednesday. Frames & Covers
are being adjusted to grade. Contractor has not indicated what day he intends to install
final asphalt course (they are aware there is no school on Thursday), loam and seed has
been started, remainder to be installed following paving.
• Harrison Street - Base course and curbing are complete. The Town Engineer plans to
wait one to two more weeks to see if Stormceptors will be delivered, and for the
Highway Division to get the Orange Street drain extension installed. Stormceptors are
located off the roadway but we would rather have them installed before the top is
applied to the roadway to eliminate the potential for damage. Units were ordered in
July, and the company keeps delaying manufacturer\delivery date. Then we'll mill.the
remainder of the street and pave. Expect roadway to be completed by the end of
September.
• Arlington Street (Woburn Street to Prescott Street) -to be completed in October.
• Haverhill Street(Wakefield Street to Timberneck Drive) -to be completed in October.
• Marla Lane (Forest Street to Spruce Road) -to be completed in October.
• Manning Street (Salem Street to Pleasant Street) - Pleasant Street (Manning Street to
end), Smith Avenue (Eaton Street to end) - Highway Division project- Smith Avenue
and Manning Street to be completed within the next couple of days.
e Memorial Park - Good progress. Tennis courts have been completed. Only loam and
seed remains, and contractor is screening and installing loam
o Killam School Playground - Construction is complete.
Barrows Site Master Plan - Committee established. First meeting is September 21st.
Dates and Events:
Fall Street Faire, September 12th
♦ Primary Election—September 14th
♦ Financial Forum—September 15th
Household Hazardous Waste Collection—September 25th in Wakefield
s 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
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Proclamation — Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month On motion by Schubert
seconded by Tafoya, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a Proclamation proclaiming
September as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the Town of Reading. The
motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. RCASA Director Erica McNamara received the
Proclamation on behalf of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse.
Personnel and Appointments
Chairman James Bonazoli reported on the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee's report to fill
positions on the Conservation Commission, Community Planning and Development
Commission, Trails Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Board of Selectmen Meeting— September 7, 2010—Page 4
On motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya, the Board of Selectmen accepted the report of
the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee and confirmed the following appointments to
the following Boards, Committees and Commissions:
Brian Sullivan to one position on the Conservation Commission with a term
expiring June 30,2012;
Paul _Bolger to one position on the Community Planning and Development
Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2012;
Will Finch and Matthew DesMeules to two Associate positions on the Trails
Committee with terms expiring June 30,2011; .
Kristin Marie Cataldo to one Associate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals
with a term expiring June 30,2013.
The-motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Highlights — Recreation Committee — Mary Ellen Stolecki and Recreation Administrator John
Feudo appeared before the Board and discussed issues that the Recreation Committee and
Recreation Division are currently addressing. John Feudo went through information on program
activity. He then discussed with the Board the issue of resident versus,non-resident use of fields,
and presented them with a chart from the Spring season showing what the make up of the various
teams using the fields are. Only one team — Reading Youth Soccer Red Thunder Program has
less than half its members as Reading residents. All of the others were completely or
predominantly Reading residents. The consensus from the Board of Selectmen was to continue
to monitor the situation and make sure that the majority of users are Reading residents and if
there are any changes in the situation, to report back to the Board of Selectmen.
Support for Entering into a Grant Agreement for the MSBA Green Repair Program— The Town
Manager reviewed the proposed Green Repair Program which would pay 47.50% of the cost of
the Town's eligible projects. The Town's intent is to submit the Birch Meadow window
replacement, Killam School window replacement and Killam School roof replacement projects.
This is a new program and it is funded through Federal AARA funds.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya, the Board of Selectmen Resolved: Having
convened in an open meeting on September 7, 2010, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Reading, in accordance with its Charter, bylaws and ordinances, has voted to authorize the
Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of
Interest dated September 16, 2010 for the J.W. Killam Elementary School located at 333
Charles Street, Reading, Massachusetts 01867 which describes and explains the following
deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which the Reading Public School District may
be invited to apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future:
Under MSBA Priority Category #5, replacement of the Killam Elementary
School roof which has exceeded its useful life resulting in increasingly
frequent leaks, water damage and energy waste; and replacement of the
Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 7, 2010—Page 5
original building windows that are exceptionally inefficient and allow for
significant intrusion of outside air and the release of heated/conditioned air
from the building.
The Board of Selectmen hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this
Statement of Interest, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees
the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other
funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the
Town of Reading to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School
Building Authority. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen Resolved: Having
convened in an open meeting on September 7,2010, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Reading, in accordance with its Charter, bylaws and ordinances, has voted to authorize the
Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of
Interest dated September 16,2010 for the Birch Meadow Elementary School located at 27
Arthur B. Lord Drive, Reading, Massachusetts 01867 which describes and explains the
following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which the Reading Public School
District may be invited to apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the
future:
Under MSBA Priority Category #5, replacement of the original Birch Meadow
Elementary School building windows that are exceptionally inefficient, and allow
for significant intrusion of outside air and the release of heated/conditioned air from
the building.
The Board of Selectmen hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this
Statement of Interest, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees
the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other
funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the
Town of Reading to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School
Building Authority. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Variance request for Second Driveway — 700 Haverhill Street — Brian and Kelly Skeffington of
700 Haverhill Street came before the Board to request a waiver of the driveway regulations to
allow them to construct a circular driveway on their property. They moved in recently. The site
access and visibility onto Haverhill Street is difficult, and they are concerned about accidents
along the sidewalk as well as along the very busy street. The Town Manager pointed out that in
the section of Haverhill Street from Franklin Street to the Town boundary, there is only one other
circular driveway and that already has the lot width required.
The Board asked many questions and following discussion on motion by Schubert seconded by
Tafoya, the Board of Selectmen approved the second curb cut at 700 Haverhill Street
subiect to approval by the Town Engineer as to the details, and that as few trees as possible
will be removed as part of this project. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—September 7,2010—Page 6
Joint Board of Selectmen, QPDC, EDC Discussion re: Signs—The CPDC did a presentation on
several of the sign issues that exist. CPDC will be putting forward Warrant Articles to address
the following:
1. Side yard set back—Will be allowed by special permit by CPDC.
2. Free-standing signs in.Business-B—Will be allowed as a special permit by CPDC.
3. A second sign allowed for single occupancy buildings in the Business-A zone.
CPDC is conflicted about how or whether or not to do this.
Community Services'Director/Town Planner JeanDelios reviewed with the Board of.Selectmen
the process of enforcing the sign bylaw. The Board had a number of questions with regard to the
process and agreed that the process outlined by Ms. Delios was appropriate.
Review A-Frame Sign Regulation Draft—The Board of Selectmen reviewed the draft regulations
and comments received from two other' parties. The Board suggested that the process for
renewal of the annual license should be simplified.— the applicant should not be required to
submit additional information if the proposed approval and license don't vary from what was
initially approved. This will simplify the process and reduce the bureaucracy.
Discussion of Revenues — The Assistant Town Manager reviewed with the Board of Selectmen
the material that was being put together for the Financial Forum.
Review Draft Article re: Charter Amendments for Referendum Provision — The hour being late,
the Board members agreed that they would meet at the end of the Financial Forum to review this
proposed article.
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Tafoya seconded by.Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
Minutes of August 10, 2010 by a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
Minutes of August 24,2010 by'a vote of 3-0-0.
On motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the
Executive Session Minutes of August 10, 2010, as written, on a roll call vote with all three
members voting in the affirmative.
A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of September 7, 2010
at 10:55 p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respectfullyb d
s
Secretary