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.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
The Board of Selectmen recognized Mr. William “Buddy” Warnock for his forty-three years of service with the North Reading Fire Department. Mr. Warnock as well as the majority of the Fire Department was present. Mr. Mauceri presented Mr. Warnock with a recognition plaque and best wishes for his retirement. Mr. Warnock thanked the Board. Mr. Mauceri made the following motion:
I MR. MAUCERI, MOVE TO DECLARE JANUARY 25, 2006 AS BUD WARNOCK DAY.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
1. MINUTES: JANUARY 7, 2006 BUDGET MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2006 REGULAR AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
JANUARY 17, 2006 BUDGET MEETING
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 7, 2006 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 4-0-1 WITH MR. MAUCERI ABSTAINING
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 9, 2006 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 9, 2006 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 17, 2006 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
2. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was requested by Mrs. Bailey.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
8. DECLARE SNOW AND ICE EMERGENCY
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO DECLARE A SNOW AND ICE EMERGENCY IN ACCORDANCE WITH MGL CHAPTER 44, SECTION 31D.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
9. SIGN ORDER OF TAKING – DRAINAGE EASEMENT, 105 ELM STREET
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO SIGN THE ORDER OF TAKING FOR A DRAINAGE EASEMENT LOCATED AT 105 ELM STREET.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS
The documents were signed and notarized.
4. 7:40 PM PUBLIC HEARING – TOWN MEETING DATES
Mr. Mauceri opened the public hearing and asked for input and comments. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Mauceri closed the public hearing.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TOWN OF NORTH READING CHARTER SECTION 2-4-1, I MOVE TO SET THE DATES FOR THE 2006 TOWN MEETINGS AS FOLLOWS:
APRIL 3, 2006
OCTOBER 16, 2006
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
10. APPOINTMENTS / RE-APPOINTMENTS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. DARDENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT AS A MEMBER TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008:
GILES NORTON, 59 MT. VERNON STREET
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
Discussion: Mr. Dardeno stated that Mr. Norton has been very active in the town and that the Chairman of the Historic District Commission, Mrs. DiFranza, supports his nomination. Mr. O’Leary noted that there are currently two vacancies on the HDC and asked if there had been any other applicants. In particular, Mr. O’Leary asked about the status of Mr. Solomon’s application, stating that he did not believe that Mr. Solomon had withdrawn his application even though he was recently passed over for re-appointment to the commission.
Mr. Mauceri stated that he didn’t see any problem with adding Mr. Solomon’s name to the list of nominees. Mr. Veno asked about the status of Mrs. Dingman’s application, and Mr. Mauceri stated that because she resigned, she would need to reapply in order to be considered for the commission.
Mr. Dardeno stated that he was disappointed that a “cloud” was being put over Mr. Norton’s nomination. Mr. O’Leary stated that that was not his intention, and that he, in fact, has worked with Mr. Norton and supports his nomination.
The discussion was tabled until later in the evening.
5. 7:55 PM TRANSFER OF LICENSE – CONVENIENCE PLUS, 7 MAIN ST
Mr. Mauceri read into the record the Notice of Public Hearing. Mr. Shahin Khan, proprietor of Convenience Plus, was present. Mr. Khan explained that he had recently incorporated and therefore was seeking to transfer the license from his name to the corporation’s name. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Mauceri closed the public hearing.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF THE PACKAGE STORE/WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE LICENSE FROM SHAHIN KHAN D/B/A CONVENIENCE PLUS TO RSS CONVENIENCE, INC. D/B/A CONVENIENCE PLUS.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. WATER RATES AND CAPITAL PLAN HEARING
Mr. Mark Clark, Water Superintendent as well as Mr. David Hanlon, Mr. Joseph Foti and Dorothy Paicos were present. Mr. Clark made a presentation in which he reviewed his memo to the Board dated January 19, 2006 regarding Water Rates, Operational Budget and Capital Plan Hearing as well as the Water System Capital Plan.
Mr. Clark stated that he is recommending a 2% increase for FY2007. Mr. Hanlon mentioned that the Board usually takes the presentation under advisement and votes at their next meeting.
A discussion followed about the Capital Plan and the hydrant replacement program. Mr. Mauceri stated that the board will take the presentation under advisement and that it will be an agenda item at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
7. J. T. BERRY PROPERTY – PRESENTATIN BY LINCOLN PROPERTIES
Mr. John Noone of Lincoln Property Company as well as Attorney James Senior were present. Mr. Noone updated the Board on the status of the proposed development, stating that a formal 40B application was filed which begins the public hearing process. Mr. Noone also described the state’s 40R legislation and that Lincoln Properties would be willing to “convert” any 40B permit into a 40R permit.
Mr. Noone went into detail on the proposed development which is currently comprised of 408 units, 360 being multi-family rental units and 48 townhouse units. The development will be very similar to a development the company recently completed in Waltham, known as The Ridge. Mr. Noone stated that there is currently a large demand for one bedroom units and that the ratio of one and two bedroom units may change.
Mr. Noone discussed leaching fields and easement issues related to the site. Mrs. Bailey asked about the affordable units and Mr. Noone stated that they would be scattered throughout the development and indiscernible from the other units.
Mr. Veno asked about the impact the development could have on the school system. Mr. Noone stated that Lincoln Properties had hired a consultant and that they had determined that the development would most likely add about 23 students to the school system.
Mr. Mauceri asked if Mr. Noone would be making a presentation at the April Town Meeting. Mr. Noone stated that he will work with Heidi Griffin to develop a game plan for the 40R presentation.
Mrs. Bailey asked Mr. Noone if he had planned a 40R publicity campaign prior to the April Town Meeting. Mr. Noone indicated that he would be available to meet with groups and committees to discuss the 40R legislation.
10. APPOINTMENTS / RE-APPOINTMENTS (CONTINUED)
Mrs. Bailey resumed the discussion by describing the protocol she normally follows when soliciting nominees as a committee liaison. Mrs. Bailey noted that Mr. Norton may be required to file a disclosure form because his wife is the Store Manager of Ryer’s. Mr. O’Leary noted that his nominee solicitation process was similar to Mrs. Bailey’s. Mr. Veno stated that he would be in support of voting for Mr. Norton.
Mr. Dardeno stated that he believed that he had followed normal protocol for soliciting and selecting the nominees for the HDC. Mr. Dardeno felt that because Mr. Solomon had been up for re-appointment, his status differed from other applications. Mr. Dardeno stated that he would contact Mr. Solomon to inquire if he was interested in being nominated. Mr. Dardeno requested that the board proceed with the vote for Mr. Norton’s nomination.
Mrs. Bailey noted that long-time board or committee members wouldn’t necessarily have on file an updated Citizen Activity Record, that their continued participation would indicate their interest. Mr. Mauceri stated that it was clear that the policy needs to be reviewed and clarified, and asked the Board how they wanted to proceed.
Mr. O’Leary was hesitant to vote because he felt that the number of applicants needed to be clarified. Mr. Dardeno insisted that there was currently only one applicant, Mr. Norton. Mrs. Bailey stated that based on Mrs. DiFranza’s input, she would support Mr. Norton this evening, but was not comfortable with the nominee solicitation process. Mr. Dardeno stated that he was upset that his thoroughness on this task was being questioned.
Mr. Veno re-read the motion into the record:
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. DARDENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT AS A MEMBER TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008:
GILES NORTON, 59 MT. VERNON STREET
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: MR. NORTON
MR. O’LEARY: MR. NORTON
MR. DARDENO: MR. NORTON
MR. VENO: MR. NORTON
MRS. BAILEY: MR. NORTON
11. TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES
The Board reviewed the list of articles submitted for the April 2006 Town Meeting. There was a consensus to put the 40R Overlay District By-Law at the top of the warrant.
12. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the Board that he had received updated estimated state aid amounts from Representative Jones.
§ Mr. Balukonis provided a brief update on the Information Technology Committee, stating that the committee had recently met and that Gene Tworek will be their primary contact. Also, an employee user group had been formed and will meet on a monthly basis.
§ Mr. Balukonis stated that a copy of the FY2005 financial audit and management letter was included in the Selectmen’s packets. Mr. Balukonis would like to review these materials in detail along with the Finance Director at a future meeting.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that Senator Tarr has requested the town’s Fiscal 2007 Municipal Budget Priority List. Mr. Balukonis will query Department Heads and report back to the Board.
§ Mr. Balukonis presented the Administrative Budget for FY07. Mr. Balukonis reviewed the major priorities and a brief discussion followed.
11. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
§ Mr. O’Leary posed a question relating to the town’s rising health care costs, up by approximately $2.5 million since 2003. Mr. O’Leary questioned why the town is required to cover health care costs for ex-spouses of town employees and retirees. A discussion followed. Mr. Mauceri asked Mr. Balukonis to report back on the total cost of retiree health care coverage.
Mrs. Bailey
§ Mrs. Bailey mentioned that the Infrastructure Committee is meeting on February 8, 2006 and February 9, 2006 to meet with LUC, discuss Middle School modulars, and waste/storm water.
§ Mrs. Bailey stated that the Council on Aging is seeking to create a “friends” organization to conduct fundraising efforts. Interested parties should contact either herself or Carol Lundgren.
§ Mrs. Bailey stated that she had successfully secured a $750 grant for internet service to the Senior Center.
§ Mrs. Bailey complimented Mr. Mark Meehl of Elder Services who recently brought a local elderly gentlemen into his home and cared for him for several days while his furnace was being replaced.
Mr. Veno
§ Mr. Veno stated that the 4th of July Committee had recently met.
§ Mr. Veno asked if MRI Consulting would be making a presentation to the Board on their study of the Fire Department. Mr. Balukonis stated that all comments would be going through him.
Mr. Dardeno
§ Mr. Dardeno stated that he had attended a recent meeting of the Anti-Boredom League.
Mr. Mauceri
§ Mr. Mauceri mentioned to the Board that there were copies of the proposed Annual Report draft in their packets, and that he was looking for their feedback.
14. EXECUTIVE SESESION (10:25 PM)
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
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE
MRS. BAILEY: AYE
MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. VENO: AYE
ADJOURN (11:15 PM)
I, MR. VENO MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
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