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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 1, 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 n)hich 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, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief James Cormier, Public Works Director Jeff Zager, Town Engineer George Zambouras, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Virginia Adams, Fred Van Magness, Kathy and David Greenfield, Angela Binda; Sheila Clarke, and Michele Williams. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments - Ben Tafoya noted that we need to gear up our influencing effort to get the West Street project on the TIP. Richard Schubert noted that the Recreation Committee is holding a hearing on charging fees for the tennis court and he asked if the fees go into the revolving fund.. The Town Manager indicated the fees do go back to the revolving fund to pay the workers. Camille Anthony noted that she and Richard Schubert met with Lorrie Johnson regarding trees. She noted that mansionization was the driving force in Lexington losing trees. Camille Anthony requested that carry in and cant' out be put on the agenda as soon as possible. The Town Manager indicated it will be on the March 15`h agenda. Stephen Goldy noted he will attend the hearing on Municipal Health Insurance. The Fall Street Faire Committee needs volunteers and the Parker Middle School is hosting the Fiddler on the Roof this weekend. James Bonazoli noted he met with Camille Anthony and the grand opening of the Mattera Cabin will be April 30. He thanked Fran Fink for all of her efforts and thanked the Cities for Climate Protection Advisory Committee for the blower test done at the cabin. He attended a meeting of the Economic Development Committee and the businesses are working on the sign bylaw. Camille Anthony indicated we need folding tables and chairs at the cabin. Town Manager's/Assistant Town Manager'sReport — The Town Manager gave the following report: Administrative Matters • Cultural Council survey is available on line. While many organizations are encouraging their members to respond, and that is fine, it would also be good if the general public would take the time to complete it. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2011 —page 2 Finance - • RFQ for Assessor's CAMA system is available: Community Development • Letter from Reading House of Pizza re: Community Development assistance on project. • Several letters of thanks to the community for the Yankee Brigade deployment ceremony. • Notice has been sent to the local newspapers and will be posted on the website on aerial mosquito spraying. • The health division is putting together a rabies clinic this spring, hopefully later this month. We should have a date tomorrow and the date/time will be advertised in the usual media. Public Works • Washington Street sidewalk—Town Engineer George Zambouras indicated that there is a tree that needs to be removed and the hearing is on hold until the Selectmen decide whether or not to remove it. Richard Schubert suggested perhaps the property owner would.grant an easement and George Zarnbouras noted that the State will not construct a sidewalk on an easement — the Town has to own the property. Camille Anthony suggested leaving the tree and pushing the sidewalk back. • Church snow plowing YTD 2-7-11 • Recreation Committee's proposed regulations on tennis court fees for the Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts. Discussion/Action Items Review of EDC Recommendations for Flower Baskets and Banners — Sheila Clarke and Michelle Williams from the EDC were present. . Sheila Clarke noted there are 82 poles for baskets. The banners would work best on Haven Street and they are thinking of doing wreaths in the winter. The total cost for the first year will be $12,125 and subsequent years will be $4150. Ben Tafoya asked who will water the plants and the Town Manager noted that installation and watering will be done by Public Works, Ben Tafoya noted that next year's budget discussion will be worse than this year and he's concerned about committing resources.' Fred Van Magness suggested using artificial flowers but James Bonazoli noted that would create a storage problem. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to approve the installation in 2011 of flower baskets on light poles in the downtown area as presented by the EDC; and the installation of banners on certain light poles on Haven Street, Main Street, Lowell Street, and Salem Street for 2011 as presented by the EDC, the details of which.will be approved by the Town Manager, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2011 —page 3 Re-Districting of Precincts —The Town Manager noted that redistricting is done every 10 years. The Board of Selectmen approves the redistricting lines for the Town. Town Clerk Laura Gemme reviewed a map showing the new precincts. She noted that she used estimate data from 2009 and should have actual data in approximately two weeks. She noted that there cannot be more than 4000 in each precinct. The Town Manager noted that all seats in Town Meeting will be vacant and everyone will have to run again. Review Proposed Regulations on Ethics Training — Town Cleric Laura Gemme noted that the Selectmen may exempt certain positions from the mandatory State Ethics Education and Training Requirements. A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the followinjZ exceptions to mandated Ethics Training and/or distribution of summaries pursuant to a document entitled "Revised Mandatory Education and Training Requirements — Implementation Procedures and revised 3/18/10 • Consultants • Election Poll Workers • Interns • . Seasonal Employees • Senior Tax Abatement Program Participants • Vendors • Volunteer Positions The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. ATM Warrant and Election Warrant Closes — The Town Manager reviewed the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Historical Commission member Angela Binda was present and handed out information to the Board. She indicated that the Commission is against Article 19 — amending the demolition delay bylaw to six months. Kathy Greenfield, former Historical Commission member, asked what the impetus is for Article 19. The Town Manager indicated to not over regulate. James Bonazoli noted that it was never the intention to "slam" any commissions by changing bylaws. The intent is to simplify, save time. David Greenfield noted that sometimes the values of bureaucracy are worth saving as leverage against developers. Bill Brown indicated this should be put on the Warrant for Town Meeting discussion. Virginia Adams noted that the Board should have come to the Historical Commission for discussion first. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2011 —page 4 Fred Van Magness indicated he was against Article 21 requiring homeowners to remove snow from the sidewalks. David Greenfield indicated he was in favor of Article 21 and noted it was a safety issue. A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony to close the Warrant for the Annual Town MeetinIZ consisting of 30 Articles to take place on April 25, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road;was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Presentation on New Mutual Aid Law — Recommendation that Reading "Opt In" — Fire Chief Greg Burns, Police Chief James Cormier and Public Works Director Jeff Zager were present.' Chief Burns made a presentation of the mutual aid laws recently enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was recommended that we opt into the public safety and fire mutual aid. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy to accept the following Mutual Aid laws recently enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: ® Public Safety Mutual Aid MGL e. 40 Section 4-i ® Statewide Fire Mutual Aid MGL c. 48 section 59A The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Review Status of DPW Study — Public Works Director Jeff Zager updated the Board on vehicle maintenance. He noted that.there is one vacancy but he wants to hold off on filling that position until he looks at the operation. He ii7dicated he did look at outsourcing but it is not cost practical. Town Engineer George Zambouras reviewed the qualifications and duties of the engineers. James Bonazoli asked if the Cemetery Garage should be moved to the DPW site and Jeff Zager indicated it is a tight operation now and that is not his area of expertise. The Town Manager noted that the site needs to be cleaned up and security needs to be added. He also noted that the DPW site is not the place to put the Cemetery Garage and the Board needs to move ahead with the Cemetery Garage site selection. Ben Tafoya requested that the process for requests for road repairs be put on as a formal agenda item. Review Health Insurance Renewals - Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that when we created the FY12 budget it was presumed that health insurance would increase 10% but it. came in at 13.5% which is a $400,000 difference. The Senior Technology position will be cut and cuts will be made in the health budget. The rest will come out of operations and schools. We will also meet with MITA to find out what our options are. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the minutes of January 25, 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 1, 2011 —page 5 A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the minutes-of February 8, 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to approve the Executive Session minutes of February 8, 2011 as written was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submittefil, S ) S ecretary