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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 9, 2010 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Board of Selectmen Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert and Selectmen Ben Tafoya and Stephen Goldy. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleilmer, Community Services Director/Town Planner Jean Delios, Health Administrator Larry Ramdin, Conservation Administrator Fran Fink, Police Chief Jim Cormier, Finance Committee Chairman Marsie West, Conservation Commissioner Brian Sullivan, Economic Development Committee Chairman Meghan Young Tafoya and Members Sheila Clarke, Russell Graham, Maria Higgins and Russell Graham, CPDC Chairman John Weston, Member Dave Tuttle and Associate George Katsoufis, Staff Planner Abigail McCabe, Permits Coordinator Mike Schloth, R ALD Community Relations Manager Priscilla Gottwald, and the following list of interested parties: Leslie Leahy, Kathi Spurr, Erin Calvo-Bacci, Susan Hubbard, Town Meeting member Tony D'Arezzo, Andrew Grimes, Sheila Smith, Reading Patch reporter Matt Casey, Reading Chronicle Editor Paul Feely, Jennifer Sullivan, Paul Dustin, Julie Thurlow, William Crowley, Tom O'Connor, Lauren Gallagher, Barbara Mead, Dave Mancuso, Police Officer Mark Mullin, Student Liaison Jimmy Houston, Consultant John Killoran: There being a quorum, the Chairman called the Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Student Liaison Jimmy Houston announced that Saturday, November 13th'is the opening night for the High School Drama Club's "The Scarlet Pimpernel." The Burbank Ice Area will host an open skating session on Thursday, November 11 th. The RMHS basketball team will have their first game of the season on November 10th and a prescription drop off will take place in November at the Police Station. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony informed the group of a'conversation with a resident about parking on Washington Street. Currently, parking is allowed on both sides of Washington Street between Prescott and Woburn Streets but it can be very tough for cars to drive down while cars are parked on both sides. The Town Manager explained that the Police Chief has restricted parking to one side during snow. The Selectmen decided that the parking on Washington Street should be reviewed by the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Task Force at their next meeting. Public Comment—There were no comments. Town Manalzer's Report • The Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director had surgery last week and is expected back at work part time next week. • At 11:00 a.m. on 11/11/10, the Annual Veteran's Day observance will be held on the Town Common. • The vocational students will soon be completing work on the Mattera Cabin. • There are three vacancies that need to be filled. There is one vacancy on the RMLD Citizens Advisory Board, Finance Committee and the Bylaw Committee. • The grant application for the Public Library Project is due in January. • The Wine Bunker will be opening this week at One General Way. • Upcoming streets to be paved were noted and included Arlington and Harrison Streets and Marla Lane. • The Selectmen will be meeting for a site walls of the Whittier Road neighborhood on Saturday morning at 8:30. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Certificate of Recognition— 75th Anniversary of Bell's Barber Shop - A motion by seconded by Tafoya to approve a Certificate of Recognition for Bell's Barber Shop's 75th Anniversary was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Personnel & Appointments Badge Pinning - Police Chief Jim Cormier and new Police Officer Marl', Mullin and members of the Mullin family were present for the Badge Pinning Ceremony. Economic Development Summit There being a quorum, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Introduction - Selectman Ben Tafoya gave an introduction to the economic development summit. He summarized recent efforts to help businesses, particularly the efforts of the EDC, such as the passport book created to guide business owners through the development and permitting process. He noted that economic development means something different to each community. Reading's economic development focus is on expanding retail and commercial opportunities to support the existing commercial areas of the Town. Goals - The Town Manager reviewed the major economic development goals and objectives of the Master Plan. Many of the objectives of the Master Plan have been implemented or are in progress such as the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project, the establishment of an Economic Development Committee, the adoption of mixed use zoning in the Downtown, and the investigation of.a multi level parking garage in the Downtown. He also summarized the Town Manager and Selectmen's goals for 2010 and its draft goals for 2011. The Town Manager spoke about the Town's values of integrity, transparency, excellence, diversity and community. He stated clearly that it is a goal of the Board of Selectmen and, therefore, of the Town Manager to foster appropriate economic development within the community. Status and Initiatives Community Services Director/Town Planner Jean Delios gave an update on the status of recently permitted projects and vacant properties in Town. She summarized the new businesses that have opened this year such as Sam's Bistro, Grumpy Doyle's, Reading House of Pizza, Oye's, The Wine Bunker and Elite Freestyle Karate. The relocation of Calareso's Farm Stand to 80-100 Main Street, Perfecto's Cafe at 285 Main and Oak Tree Development'at the former Atlantic Market site have recently been approved and construction is expected to begin in 2011. The Town Planner introduced Systems Consultant John Killoran who was hired to conduct a needs assessment study to help the Town determine if a permitting software system is needed. Mr. Killoran found that Reading has approximately 115 unique forms throughout all the departments, issues approximately 11,000 permits and licenses annually, and conducts approximately 6,000 inspections annually. The Consultant also identified which departments have the most forms and would most likely benefit from licensing and permitting software. Those departments are Building, Health, Engineering, Town Cleric, Town Manager, Fire, Planning and Conservation. The Town Planner and the Town Manager noted that the Town can now look more closely at vendors and find one that best fits the Town's needs. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that business.owners are not always the property owner, and emphasized the importance of outreach to the business owners. Trends—EDC The Economic Development Committee Chairman Meghan Young Tafoya described recent initiatives and actions taken by the EDC such as the passport development guidebook and sign by-law zoning amendments recommended to the CPDC. The EDC believed that A- Frame/sandwich board signs were an important advertising tool for local businesses, and the zoning has recently changed to allow these sign types in the Business-B Zoning District with an annual permit from the Board of Selectmen. Outdoor dining is also believed to be an important element to fostering economic development, and the Selectmen have adopted regulations. However, no businesses have moved forward with outdoor dining yet, and businesses wishing to expand seating outside are encouraged to submit an application to the Selectmen. The EDC is also working on installing way-finding signs, throughout the Town and specifically the Downtown to direct people to Reading's commercial and shopping areas. Strengths,Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Analysis (SWOT) Chairman James Bonazoli facilitated a brainstorming session' on Reading's SWOT. The following were some of the comments from the audience. Chairman Bonazoli is going to transcribe the full comments and distribute them to the Board of Selectmen, the EDC and CPDC. Reading's Strengths • Resident pride - • Different commercial nodes and commercial diversity • Reading's strong market (high Median Household Income, high home values and low housing turnover) • Resident enthusiasm and committed volunteers • Knowledgeable staff • Location • The Economic Development Committee • Reading Fall Street Faire • The recent Downtown Streetscape renovation Reading's Weaknesses • Strict sign regulations(could also be considered a strength) • Lack of a vacant properties by-law(to control maintenance of vacant properties from property owners and absentee landlords) • Main Street is a State road which means there are certain limitations • The economic recession • The Business-A Zoning is less than ideal because only part of the lot is in the commercial zone in many cases • Too many permits and procedures for businesses • Antiquated by-laws • State and local regulations are not flexible • Limited meeting times for volunteer Boards, Committees and Commissions • No support or assistance for existing businesses to help them succeed Reading's Opportunities • The former Addison-Wesley site at 1 Jacob Way(commercial is ideal) . • The vacant RMV location on Salem Street • Shared parking initiatives • Youth attracted to the Downtown ® A buy local program • One person as a contact from start to finish for opening a new business • Reading Fall Street Faire • Time associated with proper permitting' • Education of property owners and commercial brokers • The Downtown Smart Growth Zoning District(residential and mixed use zoning) Reading's Threats • Lack of business diversity • Perception of strict and inflexible regulations • Perceived fear of retribution fiom businesses to step forward when they have complaints • High property values • Parking challenges • Attracting businesses that are prone to short term • Absentee landlords Next Steps Chairman James Bonazoli explained that there will be a follow up meeting in the Spring of 2011. He encouraged everyone to talk to,prospective businesses about relocating or opening another location in Reading. Commercial property owners are encouraged to attend the follow-up meeting. A motion by Graham seconded by Clarke to adjourn the Economic Development Committee Meeting of November 9,2010 at 9:40 p.m. was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to adiourn the meeting of November 9, 2010 at 9:40 p.m.was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitte , PCIJ l2v Secretary