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Home My WebLink About2010-12-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 14, 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 (arrived at 8:00 p.m.), Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert (left at 8:00 p.m.), Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Ben Tafoya, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Senator Richard Tisei, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bob Nordstrand, Ralph Colorusso, Fred McGrane, Bill Boatwright, Pat Sullivan, Robert Carp. Reports and Comments Public Comment — The Boy Scout Leader.for Troop 704 and three aspiring Eagle Scouts were present. They indicated that they were working on their community merit badges and needed to observe different sides of one position. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the Tax Classification hearing scheduled for next week would be beneficial for them to watch. Senator Richard Tisei was present. He thanked the Town of Reading for their support over the years and noted that Reading is a special town. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: ♦ Help Wanted o RMLD CAB Member o Bylaw Committee Member ♦ Paula Perry was recently appointed to the Finance Committee to fill George Hines' unexpired term. ♦ I am suggesting two budget meetings for the Board of Selectmen — one on Tuesday, January 11th (with no other items on the agenda) and one on Saturday, January 15th. e In your packet this evening is a copy of a subordination agreement for the Industriplex Complex in Woburn. This is related to the Town of Reading sewer line in this location. In 2008, Town Meeting authorized the Board of Selectmen to execute such agreements, and the Board of Selectmen has executed one such agreement in the past. This agreement is required by DEP, and Town Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the execution of the subordination agreement for the Industriplex Complex in Woburn as shown on Pages 4 and 5 of the packet was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. ♦ Paula needs to know who from the Board of Selectmen is going to go to the MMA Annual Meeting on January 21 st and 22nd. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 14, 2010—Page 2 Community Development s Community Services Director Jean Delios will let the Board of Selectmen know when/what discussion the CPDC needs to have with the Board of Selectmen regarding the South Main Street design guidelines which CPDC has been working on. ' Personnel and Appointments Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee met this evening. (Selectman Ben Tafoya filled in for Vice Chairman Camille Anthony who had recused herself). A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to accept the report of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommittee and confirm the following appointments to the following Boards, Committees and Commissions: Tracy Ellen Sopchak to one Associate position on the Advisory Committee on the Cities for Climate Protection Program with a term expiring 6-30-11; Ron D'Addario to one position on the Advisory Committee on the Cities for Climate Protection Program with a term expiring 6-30-11; Dorothy Derosa to one position on the Council on Aging with a term expiring June 30, 2011; Carl McFadden to one position on the Reading Ice Arena Authority with a term expiring June 30, 2011. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/Action Items Tax Classification Hearing—The Secretary read the hearing notice. Board of Assessor Members Bob Nordstrand, Ralph Colorusso and Fred McGrane, Town Appraiser Bill Boatwright and Assistant Appraiser Pat Sullivan were present. Bob Nordstrand noted that they are not prepared to help the Board of Selectmen make a decision because the paperwork has not been passed at the State level. They hope to complete by next ' Tuesday. The Selectmen have two options: (1) continue the hearing to next Tuesday, (2) send out estimated bilis—which is not the best thing. Ralph Colorusso noted that he worked for a community who sent out an estimated third quarter bill and actual fourth quarter bili. It took over two years to catch up. It is undesirable for tax payers because it will throw off their escrow and the residents will not be happy. Mr. Nordstrand recommended that the Selectmen continue the hearing. Selectman Ben Tafoya asked what would happen if we don't have approval from the State by next Tuesday, and Mr. Nordstrand indicated that they will send out estimated bills. Mr. Colorusso noted that it is best to wait one week and get actual bills out. He is loosing faith in the Department of Revenue. Board of Selectmen Meetings December 14, 2010—Page 3 Selectman Richard Schubert ,asked if this experience is happening throughout the State. Mr. Colorusso noted that the State is trying to certify over 100 towns this year. They have low manpower and not enough hours. He also noted that we have done nothing wrong—the State is dragging their feet. The Selectmen indicated that they would call the Department of Revenue to try and help the process along. Hearing—Transfer of Package Store License—The Wine Shop of Reading— The Secretary read the hearing notice, Robert Carp and affiliates were present. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Board received acceptable reports from all departments. Mr. Carp noted that he is selling a business and buying, hopefully, three package stores. He will be keeping the same staff, there will be no structural changes, and he will bring in more hard liquor and craft beer. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if he had reviewed the Town's policies and bylaws. Mr. Carp indicated that he had. He also noted that he is a member of the Mass. Package Store Association and they offer training. He is also a member of the Mass. Restaurant Association for food handling. They will be purchasing a state of the art device to read ID's, will sell high end cigars and concentrate on craft beer. He has spoken with the Public Health Administrator Larry Ramdin. He noted that the only change to the floor plan is to remove a cooler and add racks for liquor. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to close the hearing on the transfer of the Package Store Liquor License for Reading Fine Wines, LLC d/b/a The Wine Shop of Reading was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the transfer of the Package Store Liquor License for Reading Fine Wines, LLC d/b/a The Wine Shop of Reading located at 676 Main Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Town Manager's Review — Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the summary of the evaluation was in the packet along with the ratings, Each Selectman reviewed their evaluation of the Town Manager, and Selectman Stephen Goldy noted that the overall evaluation rating came out to 4.38. In addition to an excellent review, the Selectmen highly praised the Department Heads and especially the work of the Finance Department, The Town Manager noted that he anticipates losing positions this year, and will be asking the Selectmen to make radical changes; i.e. - site plan review can be done by staff instead of a committee. The Town Manager also suggested that the Selectmen set his salary during the budget process. Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 14, 2010—Page 4 SammyJo's Bakery Application for A-Frame Sign — The Town Manager noted that an application for an A-Frame sign has's been received from SammyJo's Bakery and Caf6. A- Frames* are permitted in the Business-B only. There is no issue with sidewalk width. He suggests moving the sign out to the curb rather than next to the building. Selectman Stephen Goldy asked if the area is reserved, and the Town Manager noted that the policy requires that signs not be closer than 20,feet to each other. The Town Manager asked if the Selectmen wanted to designate issue of these permits to the Town Manager and that was fine with the Selectmen. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the application for a portable A-Frame sign for SammyJo's Bakery and Cafe at 2 Haven Street was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Request to Remain Open until 1:00 a.m. — Restaurants — The Town Manager noted that he received a request from Grumpy Doyle's to extend serving liquor to 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve. He also noted that they could grant for all or just Grumpy Doyle's and could delegate this to the Town Manager. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to extend the time to serve alcohol and food for all restaurants subjecttothe. Town Manager's approval from 12 midnight to 12:30 a.m. on Saturday,January 1,2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to adjourn the meetink of December 14, 2010 a 9:18 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary