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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 24, 2011 For ease of archiving; the order that items appear in these minutes reflects the order in 11,hich the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in 1�hich any item uvas 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, Selectman Ben Tafoya, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner (arrived at 7:30 p.m.), Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Carl Anderson, J. Senders, Karl Weld, Pete Dahl, Erin Calio Darin, Kim Honetschlager, Mary Delai, Kevin Mulvey, Diane Cohen, Mary Connors, Paul Ognibene,and Arthur Klipfel. Reports and Comments Selectmen's Liaison Reports and Comments — Camille Anthony noted that her friend is a realtor in Andover and she has been working with Reading staff and highly praised the Town of Reading employees. Ben Tafoya noted that he, the Town Manager and Town Engineer have been visiting MPO communities to get support for the West Street project. Town Manager's Report—Bob LeLacheur gave the following.Town Manager's report: Administrative matters ♦ Memorial Day observance is scheduled for this coming Monday. ♦ It is time for the annual Board/Committee/Commission appointment process. ♦ Town Counsel's tracking for hours/expenditure for April is included in your packet. ♦ We have received the new liquor license allocation from the ABCC — copied in the Board of Selectmen packet. ♦ The Board of Selectmen has a disclosure form for your information from new CPDC member Charlie Adams — about 10 years ago when he was with the Cambridge Housing Authority he worked with Oaktree. Finance ♦ We have the paperwork for the MSBA Green Repair program that I will sign once it has been reviewed. Community Development ♦ Aine's Boutique is moving from Haven Street into the space being vacated by Bee Gifted. Public Safety ♦ 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. Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 24, 2011 —page 2 Public Works ♦ Annual street sweeping is done ♦ Reading Recreation has successfully joined the DCR "Use Nature as Your Guide" program. The Recreation Division now has a Massachusetts Parks Pass Parking Tag that our residents can borrow to use for free parking at any of the 50+ Outdoor Recreation areas in the state. The pass is available on a first come, first serve basis and you must come down to the Recreation Division to sign it out. The pass may be signed out for 24 Hours Monday — Wednesday and on Thursday for the weekend. You are encouraged to call the office to make sure the pass is available. See the Recreation page of the website for further information. ♦ The plastics and paper shredding recycling were a huge success and we are evaluating whether or not we can do them twice a year. ♦ MWRA water interconnection with Stoneham — work this fall — will,be completed summer of 2012. —a copy of the notice of advertisement is in your packet. Construction projects ♦ Causeway Road - Trees have been removed; RMLD will be starting pole relocation this week, DPW to start drain installation next week (weather permitting). ♦ We just received the sighed contracts and insurance from the paving contractor. Paving will most likely start in .Tune on Lowell Street Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Week — Sergeant Peter Garchinsky was present to receive the proclamation. A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to approve the proclamation for National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Weelc was approved by'a vote of 4-0-0. Discussion/action Items Approve Inter-local Municipal Agreement Re: Substitute Teacher Program — Mary Delai noted that this is a joint effort with Wakefield and will result in savings on administration charges, training, etc. This needs the Board of Selectmen approval because it is being done with another community. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the signing of the agreement between the Reading School Department and Wakefield School Department on hiring substitute teachers was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Precinct Boundaries — GIS Coordinator Kim Honetschlager indicated that some census blocks were moved. There cannot be more than 4,000 people in a precinct and the lines need to follow something visible such as a road, or stream or railroad. Ben Tafoya indicated there was an email from a resident who had concerns regarding Hancock Street. Kim Honetschlager indicated that half of the street is.in Precinct 6 and the other half is in Precinct 7. If we change that we need state approval. Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 24, 2011 —page 3 A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya to approve the Precinct Boundaries as shown on the map entitled "Town of Reading dated 5/24/11" and authorize the Town Manager to sign the final map and precinct boundary descriptions and any other information required by the State to implement the new precinct boundaries,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Joint Meeting with Reading Housing Authority Re: Use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund — Reading Housing Authority Members Kevin Mulvey, Diane Cohen and Mary Connors were present. Ben Tafoya noted that the subcommittee met with Oaktree on Thursday and went through a document. He suggested simplifying it by making a grant for $200,000. Oaktree liked that idea, but they still needed $400,000. In tonight's handout Oaktree suggests $200,000 with no repay and $200,000 repay of$.50 of every $1 to Oaktree and $.50 to the Town. The Town Manager noted that item C under F would ensure the fiends would be paid back no later than June 30, 2014. Ben Tafoya noted that page 18 reconfirms that our money is the last money in and reports will be available to the Town. Kevin Mulvey asked how the developer will deal with cost overruns. Mr. Ognibene indicated there is a $500,000 contingency and they do not anticipate going over. Camille Anthony noted that she finds if amazing that $200,000 is such a big deal for an $18 million project. She noted the Town is not in the real estate business and the sense of the subcommittee is they are willing to commit to $200,000. Kevin Mulvey suggested that Oaktree take $200,000 from the Town and tap $200,000 out of'the contingency. Mr. Ognibene indicated if they don't get $400,000 then the project will not move forward. A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen and the Reading Housing Authority Board, voting as a committee of the whole, pursuant to the enabling legislation creating the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, voted to approve funds for the Oaktree Development in Reading in the amount of$200,000 as a grant with due diligence as last money into the project and the Town Manager and Town Counsel are directed to prepare the necessary documentation to carry out the purposes of this vote, was approved by a vote of 7-0-0. A motion by Cohen seconded by Mulvey for the Housing Authority to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. was approved by a vote.of 3-0-0. Oaktree Approval for Municipal Parking Lot _ Arthur Klipfel was present to review Oaktree's plans for the Brande Court parking lot. Mr. Klipfel indicated the lighting will be improved and Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 24, 2011 —page 4 they will be changing the curve of the sidewalk slightly. The Town Manager noted that we will lose two parking spaces, James Bonazoli asked about staging and the Town Manager noted that the sidewalk will be eliminated during construction and the modular units will not be stored onsite. Richard Schubert asked if the abutters have been notified and have seen the staging. Mr, Klipfel indicated that everyone has been notified and they were invited to a CPDC meeting. The Town Manager noted that weekly emails can.be sent out to abutters to keep them up to date with the progress, A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafoya that the Board of Selectmen approve the Brande Court Parking Lot layout plan labeled C-1 dated 5.2.11 for 30 Haven Street, was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Birch Meadow Master Plan Updated per Landscape Architect — The Town Manager noted that this,is a supplemental docUment to the Master Plan that was already approved, Juli Riemensclumeider from Green International Affiliates noted it would be nice to add a tree lined walkway and it would be good to reinforce the edges of the park with supplemental tree plantings. Juli Riemenschneider reviewed the different types of shelters and tree plantings that are available. She indicated that the there needs to be an identity for the park. Richard Schubert indicated there are too many fences and it would be nice to get rid of some of them.. Ms. Riemenschneider indicated that we might need some fences to keep cars off of the fields. Richard Schubert asked about carousels and Ms. Riemenschneider indicated it should be approximately 50' X 50' and there will need to.be 10— 15 feet of pavement around that. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the landscape plan for the Birch Meadow area entitled "Birch Meadow Master Plan, Reading, MA, Green International Affiliates, Inc., April 2011" as part of the Master Plan for the Birch Meadow Area previously approved by the Board of Selectmen on 10/20/09,was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Approval of Additional Lighting — Birch Meadow— Recreation Administrator John Feudo noted that additional lighting will open up more practice area, The plan is to install one pole and add lights to existing poles. Chief Bergeron from the Army Core of Engineers was present. He noted that the Army will do the work for free as a training exercise. They will provide the manpower, equipment and fuel. Joln1 Feudo noted that the cost for materials will be $11,000 and the source of funding will be the youth organizations. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the additional lighting for the Birch Meadow area as presented on a plan entitled "Proposed Board of Selectmen Minutes—May 24, 2011 —page 5 additional light at the Multi-purpose Field at Birch Meadow" as presented to the Board of Selectmen on 5-24-11,was approved by a vote of 4�0-0. Review of Pavement Management Program — Town Engineer George Zambouras noted that the Town uses a computerized program, but we do inspect the roadways every three years. The pavement condition index is 73. The Town's current funding does not maintain the PCI. The Town would need to increase funding 20%to improve. Sign the Kylie Drive Acceptance Plan—The Board signed the previously approved plan. Approval of Minutes A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of April 25, 2011 was 'approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert to approve the minutes of April 26, 2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. A motion by Tafoya seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to labor negotiations for the Engineers AFSCME Union, Police Patrol Officers union, Police Superior Officers Union and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body, and to discuss settlement of litigation, and Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the body; not to reconvene in Open Session was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, cretary