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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting January 4, 2011 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, Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Ben Tafoya, Youth Liaison James Houston, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleilmer, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Library Board Chairman David Hutchinson, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Library Director Ruth Urell, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Hecht, Matt Casey, Arthur Katz, Dick Curtis, Ernie Bay, Jody Avtges, Kim and Rob Hubbard, Carl Anderson, Jack Downing, Peter Stroman, Damon Lusk, Kevin Mulvey, Pat Iapicca, Tim Johnson, Doris Dagnese. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Chairman James Bonazoli offered a moment of silence for the loss of Woburn Police.Officer Maguire. Selectman Ben Tafoya am-lounced that he is running for re-election. Selectman Stephen Goldy wished everyone a Happy New Year, and noted that he will be at the Senior Center for luncheon on January 13th. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she heard a talk on Winter Solstice, and indicated that the Town Forest is beautiful without any leaves. She requested that the Town Forest be put on a future agenda. Chairman James Bonazoli announced that he is running for re-election. He also thanked the Town Manager and staff for their work during the blizzard and the crisis in Woburn. Youth Liaison Jimmy Houston noted that there is a boy's wrestling event tomorrow. The Parker Middle School is having a Barnes and Noble event, and he has started his recycling project in school. He is focusing on the High School,"and JRM is helping him with that project. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that the bottles in the fields are also a problem. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative Matters ♦ Help Wanted o RMLD CAB Member o Bylaw Committee Member Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 2011 —Page 2 ♦ The National Guard is having a deployment out of the Reading Memorial High School Field House on Tuesday, Februaryl5, 2011. ♦ The final quarterly customer service survey results are attached. ♦ The Town Clerk informed me that there are approximately 110 dogs that were licensed in 2009 Whose owner failed to license them in 2010. These have been turned over to the court for action. The original $10,.00 license fee has increased with fines and court costs up to $195. Please, to avoid fines and court costs, license your dog early this year — the form to license dogs is included in the Annual Census that goes to every household in Reading in January. ♦ Representative Brad Jones informed me that the House and Senate,have both approved H. 5122, Reading's Home Rule petition, for an additional package store license at 30 Haven Street, and that the bill is on the Governor's desk awaiting signature. Representative Jones' advocacy for this bill has enabled it to proceed at this very quick pace. Community Development ♦ We have received the Environmental Notification Form filed by Pulte Homes for the Reading Woods development on the Addison-Wesley/Pearson site. Staff will be reviewing it and putting together a comprehensive comment. ♦ An RFQ for Licensing and Permitting software has been finalized, and is on the street for response by bidders who are on the State bid list. Responses are due January 18th. Public Safety ♦ MEMA is doing an evaluation of estimated damages from the recent blizzard to determine whether federal assistance will be available. Fire Chief Greg Burns is heading up the efforts in Reading. Eligible costs would be: o Police, Fire and EMS overtime o Debris removal o Damage to public infrastructure Public Works o The Conservation Commission has received a Request for Determination of Applicability from MADOT for reconstruction of the entire length of Main Street, except for the part that was recently completed in,the center of town. We have been pushing for this reconstruction for a couple of years because of the deteriorated condition of the roadway which was last repaved in 1986. Construction Proiects ♦ Done for the year. Dates and Events • MLK Celebration — January 17th at the RMHS Performing Arts Center. Breakfast is at 9:00 and the program is at 10:00. (flyer attached) Assistant Town Manager's Report — The Assistant Town Manager noted that staff came in during the blizzard to get the tax bills out on time. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 2011 —Page3 Discussion/Action Items Highlights — Library Plans — Library Board Chairman David Hutchinson noted that the community needs more Library space. The Library received funding to hire a Program Manager, Bob White is the Project Manager. Architects have been hired and 13 people served on the Library Building Committee. The Architect noted that there is a limited amount of space and parking at the Library. The best plan is to extend out on the side of the building which will add 20% of space. The Children's Room is amazingly under spaced. They recommend moving the meeting room to the ground floor which will leave room to expand the Children's Room and Adult Services. This approach does not create more bookshelf space - it creates more meeting space and people space. Expanding out will solve a lot of accessibility issues. Selectman Richard Schubert asked about the high efficiency systems, and Facilities Director Joe Huggins noted that it will be similar to. what we are using in the other buildings. Selectman Schubert also asked if the community will be able to weigh in on program aspects, and Bill Hecht noted that the Library has a 20 year plan. Library Director Ruth Urell noted that they are planning.a series of meetings with the community to get input. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the basement issues are being rectified, and the Architect noted that the foundation drains will be fixed. Chairman .Tames Bonazoli asked how many parking spaces will be gained, and it was noted that 7-8 spaces will be added. Chairman Bonazoli suggested putting the plans in the hallway during Town Meeting. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked about the cost of the project, and David Hutchinson noted $11 million - $11.50,million for the total project. The State will reimburse 40% of$10 million. Review Safe Routes to School Project — Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the Safe Routes to School Program is federally funded. The plans are at 25/75% design. He also noted that the State will hold a hearing in February/March. The Town's only responsibility is an easement. The Town Engineer reviewed the proposed updates as follows: Temple Street - The ramps will be updated; new concrete sidewalks, granite curbs, tree lawns and new signage will be installed. Washington Street — A sidewalk will be installed on the westerly side along with new granite curb, new ramps, new signage but no tree lawn. A permanent easement will be required for the sidewalk. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 2011 —Page 4 Sunnyside Avenue—Ramps, new asphalt sidewalk.on the easterly side, new granite curb, and a new signal. Tree and shrub removal at 57 Fairview Avenue is needed because it is located in the public right of way. An unnamed resident indicated that he was opposed to the project because it forces cars to park on the street. He noted that snow removal is an issue and asked if snow removal is in the plan because that is an extra 75 feet of sidewalk that he doesn't want to shovel. Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Town plows routes to school first and this will be a school route. A resident of Washington Street noted that no parking until 10:30 a.m. would solve the parking problem on Washington Street. Doris Dagnese of 28 Sunnyside Avenue asked why Prescott Street is demarcated as a school route for the elementary school. She noted that there was no reason why the children need to walk down Sunnyside Avenue, and suggested that the children walk down Summer Avenue. She also noted that the children don't even walk to school. She also asked how wide the sidewalk will be, and the Town Engineer noted that they have to be a minimum of threefeet but they are going to be five feet. Ms. Dagnese indicated that the aesthetics will look awful and invited the Selectmen to look at Sunnyside Avenue. Chairman James Bonazoli indicated that he has looked at Sunnyside Avenue and he thinks it would look fine with a sidewalk. Jody Avtges of 42 Washington Street indicated that she feels this is not a good use of State funds. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that he is surprised at the response, and he would be interested in finding a compromise—maybe go to narrower sidewalks. The Board decided to hold a site visit on January 29, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. beginning on Washington Street. Kimberly Hubbard of 43 Washington Street noted that her front yard is like a lake when it rains. She also noted that the children walk in the street even when the sidewalks are clear. The Town Manager asked for a contact from each street that is being discussed. Workshop — Sewer/Drainage — Whittier Road Neighborhood Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the drainage system on Whittier Road is original to the 1950's. There is no history of drainage deficiencies. There were some branches and minor debris in the system. Some cellar floor elevations are near the existing wetland water elevations, and some homes use sump pumps to control the ground water. The Whittier Road neighborhood could use additional catch basins. The outfall pipes leading to the Aberjona River are 1/3 full of sediment. The Town Manager noted that the last house on Whittier Road is like a lake when it rains. The Town Engineer noted that the Conservation Commission does not allow you to drain into the wetlands. Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 20 1.1 —Page 5 Vice Chairman Camille Anthony asked if the water coming from Oakland Road is piped or shedding, and the Town Engineer noted that it is both. Vice Chairman Anthony suggested piping Oakland Road drainage to the other side of the road as a mechanism to lessen the flow. The Town Manager asked if a.terrace could be created for the stream, and the Town Engineer -noted that could possibly be done. He also noted that the siltation barriers that the Conservation Commission required during the High School construction did create a problem, The Town Engineer noted that the best course of action is to clean the catch basins. annually, inspect the culverts before major storms for debris, inspect the Aberjona River prior to major storms., continue monitoring and remove dead wood and install additional catch basins. Pat lapicca noted that the damming area near Castine Field backs up the whole area — when the dam is open, then nothing backs up, Jack Downing noted that in 1987, the Town Engineer recommended rip rap being added to the river and that made things worse. The Town Engineer noted that surcharging is a MWRA issue. During a storm, the Town is discharging into an already surcharged MWRA. He also noted that the Town has spent over $2 million of MWRA money on I/L Chairman James Bonazoli asked if we should expand or improve our pumps, and the Town Engineer noted that we could put a pump station in but that would create a problem somewhere else. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if the Town could remove a manhole cover to relieve pressure,* and the Town Engineer noted that we cannot do that legally. Jack Downing noted that when the manhole was'popped on V/hittier/Tennson, then everything was okay. He also noted that some manholes are sealed. An unnamed resident noted that his family could not use their toilet for 11 days after the storm in 2010, Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the assumption is that the problem only exists during big storms. He would like to hear from people otherwise. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony suggested that two Selectmen go out to the neighborhood and get more specific information of when the backups are occurring. Selectman Stephen Goldy suggested that the manhole covers in the area be inspected to determine which ones are sealed and which are not, Board of Selectmen Meeting—January 4, 2011 —Page 6 Workshop— Pavement Management 'Plan— Due to the hour being late, this was postponed to a later date. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that he would like to see the numbers of the value of the Town owned buildings compared to the capital investment in roads when this is put back on the agenda. Hearing—Delegation.of Approval of A-Frame 5jgnLs—The Secretary read the hearing notice. It was noted that the change in the policy i.s to delegate approval to staff with an appeal processto the Town Manager and then the Board of Selectmen. A.motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing amending Section 3.11 of the Board of Selectmen Policies was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to approve the amendments to Section 3.11 of the Board of Selectmen Policies regarding delegation of approval of A-Frame Signs was approved by a vote 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of November 30, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to *approve the Minutes of December 7, 2010 was ,approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of December 14, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to approve the Minutes of December 21, 2010 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to adjourn the meeting of January 4, 2011 at 10:46 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary