Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCalc) Update
Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCALC) chair John Sasso shared the results of three years of ReCALC’s work with the Select Board on Tuesday, which culminated in a recommendation that the community consider placing a new senior and community center on the town-owned property on Symonds Way.
Sasso began his presentation by reminding the committee that the timeline for the project really began in 2015 and included an assessment in 2017 by the University of Massachusetts Institute of Gerontology that indicated that thirty percent of Reading’s population would be over the age of sixty by the year 2030. Sasso shared that Reading is “well on its way” to that figure. As of 2024, over twenty-eight percent of the population of Reading is already over the age of sixty.
Using a consultant, ReCALC conducted a feasibility study that focused on three potential sites for the project. The first is an expansion of the current Pleasant Street Center, which will include a gymnasium and a parking garage. While its downtown location is a benefit, Sasso indicated that this space is the least desirable due to the on-site limitations for outdoor activities and the visuals of an expanded building being “undesirable” for the surrounding area. He also indicated issues due to the historic nature of the building and difficulty this site already has with accessibility.
rcalc-2024While the site on Oakland Road has some desirable qualities, including proximity to the center of town and the walkability from schools and the Birch Meadow complex, enhancing the opportunity for intergenerational engagement and outdoor recreation, impacts on traffic from Reading Memorial High School and the impact on abutters are significant issues. Additionally, the topography of the site could add to construction costs.
The Symonds Way site has many of the positives in terms of parking, building flexibility, and nearby recreational opportunities, such as the Oakland Road site. Still, it likely would have a reduced impact on abutters. Sasso recognized the possibility of contaminants on-site and the fact that other groups were interested in the property. However, he noted that these interests have plans that are compatible with those of ReCALC.
Select Board member Christopher Haley questioned how a larger, more active center could affect staffing and other costs to the town. Sasso responded that, while costs would likely increase, a 300% increase in space does not mean that there would be a 300% increase in costs. Many of the costs would be driven by programming, which could be funded through multiple means. “It’s not just a building that drives [costs],” Sasso explained. Select Board member Mark Dockser, also a part of ReCALC, chimed in, sharing that a consultant would be used to help determine what increases may be associated with a new building prior to a project being submitted to the voters.
The Permanent Building Committee (PBC) will review the ReCALC’s proposal and submit a recommendation to the Select Board in the coming months. Select Board chair Carlo Bacci suggested that the PBC submit differing levels of proposals with potential cost breakdowns along with its recommendation to the board.
Review and vote on request from CPDC member to approve an exemption pursuit
The Select Board chose to seek more information from the state ethics commission before issuing a decision regarding the request of Community Planning and Development (CPDC) member Guy Manganiello to approve an exemption to Massachusetts General law allowing Manganiello to participate in “certain zoning matters,” specifically recommendations regarding MBTA Communities.
After Bacci and Haley recused themselves from the discussion due to possible conflicts of interest, Manganiello shared that, while he does own property in the downtown area under consideration, both of his properties would “not be positively impacted” by MBTA Communities rezoning as those properties have already been approved for development at a higher density than the proposals would require.
Select Board member Karen Herrick shared that the possibility of conflicts such as this would continue to “throw curveballs” while Manganiello served on the CPDC. Dockser followed this with a concern that having a developer on the board did not send “the right transparent message” to the town. Manganiello countered that his experience as a developer was why he originally applied to the board, lending a perspective that seemed to be missing from CPDC discussions. Board member Melissa Murphy suggested that Manganiello have a conversation with the ethics commission on the topic to better advise the board on what path to take. Herrick and Dockser agreed though they both recommended that Manganiello recuse himself from MBTA Communities discussions until the matter is resolved.
Discuss Trash Contract with Republic/ barrel update
Department of Public Works Director Chris Cole presented two options for recycling carts to the board, with the board recommending ninety-six-gallon carts with an eye towards reducing costs in the next trash service contract by having recycling picked up biweekly as opposed to weekly. Haley included a proviso to assure residents that if they desired a smaller cart, they could get one.
Cole also shared six initial contract extension proposals from Republic Services, the town’s current trash removal vendor, each of which includes significant increases in the future, even with automated pickup. Cole reminded the board that manual pickup of trash and recycling “would not be an option” in the next contract. Republic Services representative Dan Higgins indicated that automated pickup would “increase the quality of the service” in the future. This led to a long discussion regarding Republic’s performance in recent times, with Haley noting that complaints regarding missed trash and recycling pickup were a regular occurrence. Higgins attributed most of these problems to staffing issues that would mostly be resolved with automated pickup.
Discuss multi-unit water rate solution and second meters
With no conclusions reached, the board moved on to a discussion regarding allowing second water meters for residents who have irrigation systems. These meters would bill separately and not have sewer charges associated with them. Cole shared that while the costs for installation would be borne by the resident, sewer bills for these residents would be reduced. He also shared that the total cost to the town from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for sewer would stay consistent and would mean additional sewer costs for those without the second meter. Cole continued, noting that currently, sewer charges were based on fifty percent of a customer’s water usage.
Haley argued that it was inherently unfair for customers to be charged for sewer costs that they are not incurring when watering their lawns. Herrick countered that the sewer system is shared equally and that the burden for its costs should be shared equally. Dockser indicated that he would be in favor of a pilot program to see what could be learned about the change. Herrick expressed concern that if a pilot is not successful and is retracted at a later date, then some residents would have invested money in second meters and would be unhappy to see that that investment was for nothing. Bacci asked to see data as to how many residents already have second meters.
At this point, a medical issue in the Select Board meeting room prevented the discussion from continuing. The board deferred action to a later meeting when more information would be available. It also deferred a planned discussion regarding a solution for multi-unit water rates until the Town Accountant could be present.
Town Forest Committee, State Primary Warrant and Annual Election
The board voted 5-0 to appoint Christine Lusk to the Town Forest Committee. It also voted 5-0 to close the September 3, 2024 State Primary election warrant. The board had a discussion about moving the date of the annual town election to later in the spring to enhance voter turnout. Town Clerk Laura Gemme, while not opposed to a move, did indicate that the uptick in voter turnout at this spring’s special election was likely due to an increase in mail-in ballots due to this being a presidential year and not the timing of the election.
The Select Board adjourned at 11:30 pm.
