HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 26, 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 tip 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 Hechenbleilcner, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested
parties: Trevor Bay, Fred Van Magness Sr., Charlotte Howland, Reid Blute, Jill Onderdotik,
Chuck Eisenberg, Public Works Director Jeff Zager.
Reports and Comments
Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Ben Tafoya noted that Congressman Tierney was
in town last Friday and did a tour of downtown with members of the Economic Development
Committee and Charriber of Commerce. Mr. Tafoya also met with the Chairman of the Board of
Health and staff regarding the transition during staff cutbacks. He also noted that there was an
article in today's Globe regarding ambulance billing payments being.sent directly to the patient
instead of the ambulance company. The Town Manager noted that the is pending legislation
against the ambulance billing payment being sent directly to the patient.
Richard Schubert noted thathe and Camille Anthony are meeting with the .Conservation
Chairman next Tuesday and he also likes the idea of a tree lawn on Washington Street.
Stephen Goldy offered congratulations to Chairman James Bonazoli for his State of the Town
address at Town Meeting, Mr. Goldy noted that the Town of North Reading received a grant to
outfit the Board of Selectmen with IPads to eliminate paper all together. He also noted that
Somerville has social media for communications and would like to consider that for Reading.
The Town Manager noted that he could not justify the cost of social media for a town the, size of
Reading—that program needs staffing.
Stephen Goldy also asked about the projects on the Pavement Management Program and the
Town Manager indicated he will put that on the next agenda. Ben Tafoya indicated that there are
drainage issues at the bottom of Oakland Road that need to be addressed.
Camille Anthony noted that she attended the hearing on Safe Routes to School. She also met
with the Town Manager and Tree Warden Bob Keating regarding tree maintenance and funding.
Ben Tafoya indicated it would be better to concentrate on one section of the community that
- needs trees instead of scattering them all over the community.
James Bonazoli noted that online registration is available for the recreation programs. He also
noted that the Mattera Cabin open house is April 30t" at 10:00 a.m.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 26, 2011 —page 2
Public Comment — Christine Lusk, 52 Washington Street, indicated she had a petition for a tree
lawn on the sidewalks on Washington Street and read a letter to the State regarding this issue.
Ernie Bay, 144 Woburn Street indicated he heard Washington Street is going to be paved. The
Town Manager indicated that was from Main Street to Walkers Brook Drive.
Kim Hubbard, 43 Washington Street, urged Engineering to come out and take a look at the
grading. She noted that she gets puddles in her driveway when it rains and grading will need to
be done on her front lawn.
The Selectmen directed the Town Manager to ask the State about the feasibility of having tree
lawns.
Town Manager's Report - The Town Manager gave the following report:
Administrative matters
® There is a vacancy on the volunteer CPDC.
® Town Counsel's tracking for hours/expenditure to date is included in your packet.
® The Board of Selectmen has received an invitation from Boston Mayor Menino to attend an
event in support of an amended Bottle Bill.
® I have copied you on an email from Town Meeting member Tom Connery re:'I{illam School.
We will be working this summer with School Department officials on a strategy to address
the handicap access issues at the School..
o The Boston Region MPO is considering changing their MOU to change the municipal
membership. Currently the MOU requires representatives of three cities and three towns,
and the potential amendment would change that so there would be no minimum or
maximum requirement for how many of the six municipal representatives were from cities
or towns.
Community Development
® Calareso's has started their demo work getting ready for construction of their new facility on
South Main Street.
® The helicopter Bti applications for mosquitoes in the East Middlesex Project area were
completed mid-month. With ideal weather conditions, the three helicopters managed to
finish the application by 3:00 PM.
® An outside section of the House version of the State budget has been filed which would
curtail local Boards of Health ability to regulate smoking. I have asked for the MMA's help
in fighting back this provision.
♦ Town Counsel has sent an email re "Netcafes" which are now illegal per the Attorney
General's emergency regulations. I have advised the Police Chief of that fact.
Public Safety
♦ You have in your packet the results of the traffic study on Harrison Street conducted in
December. A second.study will be done this spring.
♦ The Board has received a letter complimentary to the Public Safety response to a MV
accident that happened 4-14-11.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 26, 2011 —page_3
® Staff has been meeting with Oaktree regarding the logistics of their construction project. We
are working on a construction process that will minimize the amount of the Brande Court
parking lot utilized for construction, minimize the disruption on Haven Street, and establish
truck routes. Normally this would all be handled on a staff level. Does the Board of
Selectmen want to be involved in the details of this?
o We are making good progress on the roll-out of the mass communications system and are
targeting Friends & Family day in.June for the public launch.
Public Works
o DPW Water Division staff has again been recognized by DEP for outstanding performance in
2010, and will receive an award on May 5.
® A hearing on the Safe Routes to School project took place on 4-14711. The hearing went
well. There were a couple of specific requests to the Town from property owners that we
are addressing directly — not part of the project — shrub removal in one instance to improve
site distance, and removal of an unsightly Town owned fence.
® Correspondence from Christine Lusk of Washington Street regarding sidewalks and tree
lawns were included in your packet
® The week of May 2"d the rubbish contractor will pick up leaves in large paper bags at
curbside on your regular collection day.
® The Compost Center is open Friday, Saturday, and Monday for the months of April and May.
Don't forget to have your Community Access Sticker for 2012, available at the Police
Station.
Construction projects
Roadway Paving:
® Will start in June and continue to August, We were going to start with Pearl, Haven and the
intersection of Forest Glen with Pearl
o We will have to re-assess our plan of attack because the gas company notified us yesterday
that they want to replace cast iron mains on Pearl, Hanscom, Wilson and Track.
Sidewalks:
o Imagination Station area—July construction
Drainage:
® DPW Garage water quality units July
♦ Howard Street improvements—bid May-June, construction this summer
o Memorial Park swale silt removal and bank stabilization—summer work (dry season)
Water:
♦ Haverhill Street main replacement—anticipated construction start July
Sewer:
♦ Lewis Street rehabilitation— late summer\fall. Slip lining of the sewer main, limited to no
excavation
o Smoke testing remainder of Town, mostly northern half of Town late summer\fall
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 26, 2011 —page 4
Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation
Arbor Day Proclamation — A motion by Anthony seconded by Goldy to approve the
proclamation declaring April 29'2011 as Arbor Day in ReadinIZ was approved by a vote of
5-0-0.
Personnel and Appointments
Community Planning and Development Commission — Since there is still one more applicant to
interview, this appointment was postponed to the next meeting.
Fall Street Faire Committee — A motion by Goldy seconded by Anthony.for the I36ard of
Selectmen to accept the report of the Volunteer Appointment Subcommitteeand confirm
the followinI4 appointments to the following Committee:
® Rosemary Murphy for a position on the Fall Street Faire Committee with a
term expiring June 30,2012
® Tina Ohlson for a position on the Fall Street Faire Committee with a term
expiring June 30, 2013
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Discussion/Action Items
Highlights — Food Pantry — Charlotte Howland was present representing the Food Pantry. She
noted that the food pantry services 98 households including 118 adults and 67 children. The
food pantry is located at Old South Church and the hours are Monday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All of the churches in Reading sponsor the
program. Last year they used $34,000 to purchase supplies and also give Market Basket gift
cards when needed. The Town Manager noted that the Town provides van service once a month
for people without transportation. Ms. Howland noted that May 14 is mail carrier collection and
they are in need of volunteers to help unload the trucks.
Town Forest Committee Progress Report — Town Forest Committee members Patrice Todesco,
Mike DeBrigard and Tom Gardiner were present. Patrice Todesco noted that the committee is
setting goals and objectives and want to take the plan to the next level. They have established a
revolving fund to implement a portion of the plan. Mass Audubon is coming to talk about what
to do on May 17. They would also like to strengthen the committee and bring new members on
board.
Richard Schubert noted that the Town Forest neighborhood had complaints regarding parking of
vehicles in the Family Circle area. He also suggested that mapping would be good.
James Bonazoli suggested they look at charging a fee for the scouts - $50/car or $5/walk in with
tent.
Approval of Monitoring gent — Pulte Homes —The Town Manager noted that Pulte is required
to establish a monitoring agent and they have selected Jill Onderdonk with JWO Consultant
Services.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 26, 2011 -page 5
Reid Blute representing Pulte Homes noted that the monitoring agent handles the affordable
housing portion. The applicant/developer pays the fee. He noted that Pulte Homes reached out
to the Reading Housing Authority in January, but they are unable to act as the monitoring agent
due to the size of the project. He noted that Ms. Onderdonk is well regarded and has obtained
approval from DI-ICD.
.Till Onderdonk noted that even though she works for Pulte they will hire a lottery agent and she
will be in charge of malting sure everything is done accurately.
James Bonazoli asked if she will just monitor the initial piece and Ms. Onderdoi-ik noted that it is
usually just for the initial and then she will charge a fee per unit for the units that go up for sale.
Richard Schubert noted that Ms. Onderdonk has a lot of experience as a lottery agent, but how
about monitoring agent? Ms. Onderdonk noted that she has never been a monitoring agent, but
has had a lot of interaction with DHCD and they approve her. She also noted that she has looked
at Reading's zoning regulations.
Reid Blute noted that the affordable housing agreement is three way. It has been drafted, but a
monitoring agent needs to be appointed first. The responsibilities are spelled out in the Town's
Bylaws.
A motion by Tafoya seconded by Anthony that the Board of Selectmen, at. the request of
Pulte Homes, designate and approve JWO Consultant Services, Ms. Jill W. Onderdonk as
Administering Agent/Affordable Housing Monitoring Agent for the Pulte Homes Reading
Woods project, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Approval of Affordable Housing Allocation Plan—The Town Manager noted that the concept is
to make funds available from the Housing Trust Fund to help with affordable housing. The plan
is.required by the trust fund. Town Meeting only approves the plan, not the allocation of funds.
The half page model on page 23 of the handout is the norm in other communities.
Richard Schubert noted that he wants the Reading Housing Authority included in the process and
the shorter format does that.
Paul Ognibene, Project Manager for Oaktree, noted that the' funds are very important to them
because the economic climate is very difficult. They received bank financing but had a shortfall
of$400,000. He noted that $160,000 will be paid right back by the state grant.
Chuck Eisenberg, the Town's consultant from Housing Partners, noted that he reviewed the pro
forma and everything is realistic and reasonable — operating costs, projection of rent, etc. He
noted it is an $18.3 million project with 53 good size units. It should be competitive with other
projects around the area.
Ben Tafoya noted that the 'Town went through great pains to help Oaktree apply for grant money
that would have paid for this potion. Paul Ognibene indicated that the state discouraged them
and told them it would tale a long time for an uncertain outcome. Ben Tafoya also noted that the
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 26, 2011 —page 6
Town has undertaken other efforts including applying for an additional package store license for
Oaktree. He would also like to amend the line in the short plan that begins with 90% by adding
the word "including" after the word housing so it reads.... "90% for constructing affordable
housing; including loan and grant programs."
Stephen Goldy indicated there are issues with the process and there is another nonprofit
organization giving us affordable housing. He is not comfortable with the plan.
Jacqui Carson from Peter Sanborn Place indicated she is going through the same path building
her project.
Fred Van Magness, from Precinct 8, asked if there has been any discussion regarding a mortgage
string to return the money back to the trust fiends. He noted that if Oaktree bails out and the
rentals become condo's then the Town will lose the affordable units. The Town Manager noted
that it wouldn't change the number of affordable units, it would change the number we get credit
for.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy to approve the Affordable ]housing Trust Fund—
Allocation Plan dated April 26, 2011 as amended,was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Review Utility Rates—Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur noted that we need to raise $5.4
million from user fees for water and that will be a 9% increase if no reserves are used. He
suggests using $300K of the water reserves that will equal a 2.2% increase.
The sewer charges are 15% MWRA charges. The accommodated costs are beyond the Town's
control, i.e. MWRA, infrastructure emergencies, and impact of conservation. The operating
costs are within the Town's control i.e. wages, expenses and non emergency capital. He
suggests using zero reserves for sewer.
Richard Schubert asked how the MWRA finances the water main project. Jeff Zager indicated
the MWRA has been controlling the rates but after about two years the increases will be double
digit.
Bob LeLacheur noted that we need to raise $428,000 for storm water rates and that holds steady
at $40/single home and no change in the current commercial rates.
Review of Options with Respect to Aquifer Protection District Changes — The Town Manager
noted that since we .joined the MWRA, and are no longer running the wells, then we can
decommission them once there is a fully redundant system. As long as we have the wells we
have to have an aquifer protection district. That means the properties in the district cannot have
more than 15% of impervious or no limit as long as there is recharge. The Board of Selectmen
had adopted regulations so those would need to be changed also.
Fred Van Magness noted that is puts a significant burden on property owners. Young families
will grow and have a need to add on. This constrains tax revenue.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—April 26, 2011 —page 7
The Town Manager indicated he will put this on the agenda in June.
Approve Debt for Green Repairs Program — Bob LeLacheur noted that the MSBA requires the
Selectmen to authorized $1 million towards the program.
A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen hereby determine, in
Accordance with G.L. c.70B, that the amount of the cost of the I Warren Killam and the
Birch Meadow Elementary Schoolsprojects authorized by a vote of the Town duly adopted
under article 9 at the Subsequent Town Meeting called for November 8, 2010 not beim
paid by the school facilities gyrant is $1,015,552 and we hereby approve of the issuance of
notes and bonds in such amount under said G.L. c. 708, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
A motion by Tafoya seconded by Goldy that each member of the Board of Selectmen, .the
Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be and hereby are, authorized to take any and all
such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may
be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect
the provisions of the foregoing vote, was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Approval of Minutes
A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya that the Board.of Selectmen approve the minutes
of April 12, 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
A motion by Schubert seconded by Goldy that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive
Session to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health of an
individual; and discussion of labor negotiations and that the Chair declare that an open
meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and*not to
reconvene in Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in
the affirmative.
Respectfully submitt ,
Secretary