November 21, 2005, Meeting Minutes
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. MEET WITH CONTRACTOR FOR POLICE STATION PROJECT
Mr. John Welsh, Superintendent of Town Buildings, and Mr. Kevin Buckley of Knight, Bagge and Anderson introduced Nial Construction Company, the contractor retained to do the work on the police station project.
The principals of Nial Construction Company, Mr. Larry Sturdevant and Mr. Charles Crevo, were introduced along with Ms. Mary Mahoney, Clerk of the Works for the project. They stated that they are looking forward to a successful project, reviewed their work history, and provided a brief status update. Mr. Ken Jones, chairman of the Police Station Building Committee and Mr. Bob Jefferies of TBA Associates were also present.
The selectmen welcomed the contractors to North Reading and stated that they are also looking forward to a successful project.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Tom Janes of 4 Fox Run was present to express his concerns over the proposed cell phone antennas on the Swan Pond water tower. He stated that his neighborhood is concerned over how the antennas could impact their health, their home values and the ability of the school department to someday build a school in that neighborhood. Mr. Janes asked the Selectmen to consult the School Committee, Assessing Manager and DPW Director for input on these matters.
Mrs. Bailey agreed that it is important to gather information from these departments but believed that that had already been accomplished. Mr. Mauceri indicated that Ms. Heidi Griffin has hired a radiation professional to assess the situation. Mr. O’Leary stated that he is in favor of moving the process forward but is interested to hear input from the hired professional. Mr. Mauceri informed Mr. Janes that they will take his request under advisement.
3. APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR SEPTEMBER 2005
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR SEPTEMBER 2005 IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,301.91 AS FOLLOWS:
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL) $18,102.11
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) $ 1,319.50
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (WATER) $14,964.30
BETTY E. WAXMAN, ESQ. (ARBITRATOR) $__ 916.00
TOTAL $35,301.91
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
Discussion: Mrs. Bailey stated that she is concerned with the amount of legal bills. Mr. Balukonis indicated that all departments have been appropriately charged. Mrs. Bailey further stated that the town is in deficit on the legal budget and asked to see an accounting of the legal bills. Mr. Balukonis will compile a spreadsheet and forward it to all board members.
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
4. SIGN CENTRAL PLACE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO SIGN THE REGULATORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN MASSACHUSETTS HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY (AS PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT), THE TOWN OF NORTH READING AND CENTRAL PLACE SENIOR LIVING, LLC.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO SIGN THE MONITORING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN CENTRAL PLACE SENIOR LIVING, LLC, CITIZENS’ HOUSING PLANNING ASSOCIATION, INC., MASSACHUSETTS HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY (AS PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT), AND THE TOWN OF NORTH READING.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
5. BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND RE-APPOINTMENTS
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT/INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MRS. BAILEY MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT AS MEMBER TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT/INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE FOR AN INDEFINITE TERM:
DONALD KELLIHER, 3 SANSPUR LANE (FINCOM APPOINTEE)
SECONED BY: MR. VENO
ROLL CALL VOTE: MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
FOREST COMMITTEE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBER TO THE FOREST COMMITTEE FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008:
STEVE NATHAN, 301 HAVERHILL STREET
SECONED BY: MR. O’LEARY
ROLL CALL VOTE: MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
PROCESS SERVING CONSTABLES
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS PROCESS SERVING CONSTABLES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2006:
JOHN FIRRIELLO, 1 SULLIVAN ROAD
HAROLD REYNOLDS, 109 PARK STREET
JOHN FREW, 11 NICHOLS STREET
THOMAS DUPUIS, 98 OLD ANDOVER ROAD
PAUL DORSEY, 18 MAGNOLIA ROAD
SECONED BY: MR. O’LEARY
ROLL CALL VOTE: MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
6. REQUEST TO UTILIZE NORTH SHORE HOME CONSORTIUM FUNDS
Mr. Frank Delaney, Chairman of the Housing Partnership was present.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING PARTNERSHIP TO COMMIT NORTH READING’S HOME CONSORTIUM FUNDS TO THE PURCHASE OF TWO AFFORDABLE UNITS IN THE APPROVED 40B DEVELOPMENT IN TOWN KNOWN AS CENTRAL PLACE.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
Discussion: Mr. Mauceri asked about the mortgage and Mr. Delaney explained the specifics and also reviewed who would be eligible to rent the units. Mr. O’Leary thanked Mr. Delaney and the Housing Partnership Board for their efforts.
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. PRELIMINARY FY07 BUDGET PRESENTATION – TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Mr. Balukonis made a presentation of the FY07 Preliminary Budget. Mr. Balukonis reviewed, among other topics, the FY07 revenue forecast, FY07 significant fixed costs preliminary requests from municipal departments and the FY07 outlook. Mr. Balukonis indicated that this is a very preliminary budget forecast. The board agreed to meet on Saturday January 7, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. to review budgets for police, fire and DPW.
8. DISCUSS WEB SITE SELECTMEN’S CORNER
Mr. Dardeno commented that the town’s website does not yet include much content from the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Dardeno had spent some time researching other town’s websites and proposed a list of items that could be included in the Selectmen’s Corner of the website.
The board discussed each item. Mrs. Bailey felt that she would include the more factual topics such as meeting dates, agendas, contact information, etc. The board determined which items to include on the website.
9. DISCUSS DOUBLE POLES
The board reviewed the memo and spreadsheet from Mr. Vincent F. Cameron, Jr., General Manager of Reading Municipal Light Department regarding double poles. It was determined that more information was needed from DPW Director Dave Hanlon before further action could be taken.
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that Town Counsel has completed his review of and approved the agreements for the police station reconstruction project. Mr. Balukonis has requested the project architect forward the original agreements to the general contractor for signature, furnishing insurance certificate, performance and payment bonds, which are required by statute for public construction projects. Mr. Balukonis intends to execute the agreements at the earliest possible date after Town Counsel (for legal form) and the Finance Director (for available funds) have both signed off on the same. A notice to proceed will then be issued to the
architect.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that his office has been working with members of the Hillview Commission on several projects. The first concerns an RFP that was issued for the golf course management contract that expires at the end of December, 2005. Proposals are due into the Town Administrator Office next Wednesday, November 30, 2005. The second project involves renovations to the Hillview building. A bid document has been completed for the work and shall be advertised this week. Bids are due into the Town Administrator Office on January 6, 2006. Mr. Balukonis anticipates assisting the Hillview Commission in their
evaluation of both the golf management services and building renovation project.
§ Mr. Balukonis indicated that he and the Finance Director are conducting budget meetings with department heads this week on their preliminary FY07 submittals. Mr. Balukonis recommended that the board consider meeting on January 7, 14 and 21, 2006 for joint budget hearings with the Finance Committee. It is expected the hearings can be completed in two sessions involving the major departments (DPW, police, fire) with a third meeting being necessary only in the event of cancellation due to winter weather. Mr. Balukonis believed Saturday meetings should be reinstated in order to maintain the critical schedule for completing FY07 recommendations in
accordance with the budget calendar.
§ Regarding the Fire Management Study, Mr. Balukonis has contacted MRI since the last Selectmen meeting to convey the board’s position about having additional conversations. Mr. Balukonis is awaiting word on the consultant’s availability for telephone interviews after the Thanksgiving holiday and will coordinate with board members.
Mr. Mauceri asked Mr. Balukonis to respond at the selectmen’s December 5, 2005 meeting with the timeline for hiring a new Fire Chief and that the board will need
direction and guidance with this process. Mr. O’Leary suggested to Mr. Balukonis
that he find out what the deadline is for the Civil Service exam.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that his office and the Code Inspection Office are in receipt of numerous resident complaints about certain businesses throughout North Reading that have junk automobiles and other debris. Mr. Balukonis stated that the Building Inspector will be visiting several businesses that are the subject of these ongoing complaints over the next two weeks to determine if there are any violations present and will report his finding back to the board.
§ Mr. Balukonis referred to the copy of a report prepared by the Police Department on a complaint files that not enough was being done about speeding on Orchard Drive. Mr. Balukonis has received additional Police Activity Reports showing the calls for service and citations issued for this roadway. He indicated that the police department has repaired the speed message board and that it is now located on Orchard Drive. Overall, Mr. Balukonis stated that he is satisfied with the efforts of the police department short of dedicating an officer for that specific location.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that he has been working with the Finance Director on the Financial Management Policy.
9. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
§ Mr. O’Leary informed the board that they are invited to a presentation at the Hillview regarding synthetic turf on Monday November 28, 2005 at 8:00 p.m.
Mrs. Bailey
§ Mrs. Bailey thanked Representative Brad Jones, Senator Bruce Tarr, Northrup Associates and Comcast for the recent Thanksgiving Dinner for the senior citizens.
§ Mrs. Bailey wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
Mr. Veno
§ Mr. Veno also thanked the sponsors of the Thanksgiving dinner.
§ Mr. Veno wished all residents a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mr. Dardeno
§ Mr. Dardeno stated that the Cable Advisory Committee will have its first meeting with Verizon on December 12, 2005.
§ Mr. Dardeno also thanked the sponsors of the Senior Thanksgiving dinner.
§ Mr. Dardeno expressed Happy Thanksgiving wishes to town employees and residents.
Mr. Mauceri
§ Mr. Mauceri indicated that the Town Administrator’s goals will be placed on the next agenda for approval.
§ Mr. Mauceri thanked Representative Brad Jones, Senator Bruce Tarr, Comcast, Northrup Associates and all who contributed to the Senior Citizens Thanksgiving dinner. Mr. Mauceri also thanked the Fire Department for providing transportation.
§ Mr. Mauceri mentioned that there is a meeting on November 28, 2005 to further discuss the parking issue at the Batchelder School.
§ Mr. Mauceri expressed Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all.
10. 10:05 PM EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 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 MR. DARDENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
11:20 p.m. The Board Returned to Open Session
ADJOURN (11:20 PM)
I MR. VENO MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
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