Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. O’Leary, Mrs. Bailey and Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 REGULAR AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
OCTOBER 17, 2005 REGULAR AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 17, 2005 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: 3-0-2 (MR. O’LEARY AND MR. VENO ABSTAINED)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 17, 2005 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: 3-0-2 (MR. O’LEARY AND MR. VENO ABSTAINED)
2. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was requested by Mrs. Bailey.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
4. PROCLAMATION – VETERANS DAY
Mr. Mauceri read the proclamation.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO READ THE ATTACHED VETERAN’S DAY PROCLAMATION.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
5. 7:35 PM-RMLD/VERIZON–JOINT POLE RELOCATION–CENTRAL STREET
Mr. Mauceri read the Notice of Public Hearing and opened the hearing. Mr. Brian Smith of RMLD was present described the reason for the relocation. Mr. Mauceri closed the hearing.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO GRANT THE JOINT PETITION OF READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. TO LOCATE A POLE ON CENTRAL STREET AS SHOWN IN PLAN #1904 DATED 9-20-2005.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. LEASE/PURCHASE RESOLUTION – STREET SWEEPER
Mr. Balukonis described the pertinent documents. Mrs. Bailey asked about insurance for the equipment and Mr. Balukonis explained that it would be taken care of.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO DESIGNATE AND AUTHORIZE THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR, GREG L. BALUKONIS, TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF NORTH READING AND ALL AMERICAN INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC.
SECONDED BY: MRS. BAILEY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. APPOINTMENTS – RECYCLING COMMITTEE, CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MRS. BAILEY MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT AS MEMBER TO THE RECYCLING COMMITTEE FOR AN INDEFINITE TERM:
DAVID LONG, 194 PARK STREET
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO WAIVE BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S POLICY 3.2-APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES – ADVERTISING.
SECONDED BY: MRS. BAILEY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2007:
MR. JONATHAN CODY, 57 SPRUCE ROAD
SECONDED BY: MRS. BAILEY
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
8. 7:45 PM - TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING
Mr. Yano Tine made a presentation based on his memo dated November 3, 2005 entitled Tax Classification Hearing. At Mr. O’Leary’s request, Mr. Tine reviewed his spreadsheets in detail for the benefit of the audience.
Mr. Jack Hashem of 133 Main Street stated that he felt that the 1:1 classification currently in place is fair. He elaborated by stating that by shifting more of the tax burden to local businesses would provide only a small savings to the residential base but would create a large increase for the business owners. The board discussed and all members agreed that the current classification is the best solution.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ESTABLISH A TAX CLASSIFICATION FACTOR OF 1.0.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE NOT TO ESTABLISH A RESIDENTIAL EXEMPTION.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
Mr. Maurceri commented that the board has an obligation to continue to work with residents on fixed incomes, such as retirees and the elderly, and that this topic should be added to a future agenda. Other board members were in agreement.
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE NOT TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL EXEMPTION.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE FY2006 PROPERTY TAX LEVY AT $27,015,285.00 WHICH IS $27,384.00 LESS THAN THE LEVY LIMIT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS THAT THE FY2006 TAX RATE BE SET AT $10.67 PER $1,000.00 OF VALUATION.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
9. 8:15 PM – MEET WITH CABLE COMMITTEE
Ms. Ruth Kennedy, Chairman and Mr. Theo Kuliopulos, Vice Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee were present. Mr. Dardeno informed the board that the Cable Advisory Committee has worked hard developing the IAR in response to Verizon’s application to become a cable provider in town. He further stated that the document has been written for the Board of Selectmen with help from Town Counsel.
Ms. Kennedy made a presentation where she provided further detail on the document and the potential benefits to the community of having a second cable provider in town.
A discussion followed. Mr. Veno stated that he had some concerns and was not entirely comfortable with allowing a second cable provider into town. Mr. Veno further stated that he had just received the IAR earlier in the day and had not had a chance to review it, and therefore was not prepared to vote on it.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. DARDENO MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN APPROVE AND ISSUE THE IAR TO VERIZON EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 7, 2005 AS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD BY THE CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, REFERENCE 2.61.
SECONDED BY: MRS. BAILEY
VOTED: 4-0-1 (MR. VENO ABSTAINED)
10. POLICE STATION RELOCATION UPDATE
Mr. Hanlon provided an update stating that four of the ten modular trailers which will be the temporary police station are already in place at the Central Street location. The schedule for occupancy is mid to end of December. Construction on the police station is scheduled to begin January 1, 2006 and continue for eighteen months.
Mrs. Bailey asked how the town plans to avoid interruption to the 911 system. Mr. Hanlon explained that the town was able to acquire at no cost surplus 911 equipment which will be set up at the Central Street location, providing uninterrupted 911 service.
Mr. Balukonis distributed and reviewed a document entitled Police Station Building Construction Project, Expense Report FY06, which was created to track the project’s expenditures.
Mr. O’Leary thanked the voters for supporting the project and thanked the Police Station Building Committee and the administration for their efforts. Mr. Mauceri and the rest of the board echoed his gratitude.
11. PETITION LEGISLATURE – CHARTER CHANGE (ARTICLE 13, OTM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN SUBMIT A REQUEST TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 13 OF THE OCTOBER 17, 2005 TO AMEND THE TOWN CHARTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOTE.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
12. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that warrant article requests for the 2006 Annual Town Meeting are being accepted, in writing, in the Town Administrator’s Office until January 17, 2006. He further stated that departments are being encouraged to forward warrant article requests by e-mail whenever possible, which should make the process of sharing information with town officials, and compiling the warrant easier than past years. Further, the deadline for submission of the 2005 Town Report is January 13, 2006 and Mr. Balukonis anticipated having the 2005 Town Report posted on the North Reading website.
§ Mr. Balukonis indicated that the Senior Rebate program run over the past year was successful, with a total of 63 participants who worked a total of 6,804 hours. The total paid in tax rebates was $29,741.95. Mr. Balukonis stated that the program is now entering its tenth year and is a success in terms of providing property tax relief and much needed help to various town departments. Mr. Balukonis thanked Mrs. Linda Hamel who runs the program out of the Town Administrator’s Office. Mr. Mauceri commented once again that he would like the board to look into expanding this program.
§ Mr. Balukonis updated the board on the Hess Express beer and wine license, stating that the board was provided a new Form 43 for approval on the transfer of the beer and wine package store license issued to Hess Express. Mr. Balukonis informed the board that the license transfer that was approved by the board on January 18, 2005 was returned by the ABCC marked “no action” due to concerns about the applicant’s submittal. The applicant has resolved the remaining outstanding questions, and Mr. Balukonis recommended the board sign off on the new Form 43 which will be forward to the ABCC for approval.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that an employee IT user group had been established for the purposes of addressing computer training needs for staff, and questions relating to ongoing technology efforts. He further stated that work on the town website is ongoing. Mr. Dardeno asked that the “Selectmen’s Corner” section of the website be put on as an agenda item for an upcoming meeting.
§ Mr. Balukonis stated that he had reinstituted the Safety Committee, which is comprised of department heads, the Town Administrator and the workers compensation insurer (MIIA). The committee’s goal is to reduce employee injuries and save money on insurance premiums.
§ Mr. Balukonis stated that following Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI) assessment lab on October 24, 2005, several Selectmen indicated an interest in meeting one on one with the consultant company as a follow-up to the assessment and that he would move forward with arranging such a meeting if the board is interested. A discussion followed and the board determined that more information is needed from MRI. Mr. Balukonis will follow-up with MRI and report back to the board.
10:10 PM – Mr. Dardeno excused himself from the rest of the meeting
9. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
§ Mr. O’Leary thanked members of the board, the administration and the community for their outpouring of support when his father passed away.
§ Mr. O’Leary provided the board with a 40b update, including the proposed development on Pilgrim Road.
Mrs. Bailey
§ Mrs. Bailey indicated that she will be attending the November 14, 2005 meeting of the ESBC and HDC at which they will be discussing additional parking spaces at the Batchelder School.
§ Mrs. Bailey mentioned the upcoming Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year dinner at which Mr. John Norton will be recognized for his community involvement.
§ Mrs. Bailey thanked the North Reading Police Department for their recent series on drug enforcement and awareness.
Mr. Veno
§ Mr. Veno mentioned that on Veteran’s Day, Friday, November 11, 2005 the Veteran’s Committee will be holding services on the town common.
§ Regarding Mr. Norton’s upcoming Citizen of the Year banquet, Mr. Veno suggested that the board present a proclamation to Mr. Norton. Mr. Mauceri will look into.
Mr. Mauceri
§ Mr. Mauceri reminded the board of their upcoming meeting with the Community Planning Commission in Executive Session.
10. 10:20PM EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND DISCUSSION OF PENDING LITIGATION, AND TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
ROLL CALL VOTE:
MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. VENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
11:10 p.m. The Board Returned to Open Session
ADJOURN (11:10 PM)
I MR. VENO MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
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