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: MARCH 2, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 14, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 2, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MRS. BAILEY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 14, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MRS. BAILEY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. SIGN ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION WARRANT
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO POSTPONE ACTION ON SIGNING THE ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION WARRANT UNTIL APRIL 3, 2006.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
4. SEASONAL LICENSE RENEWALS
GFMI/Hillview Snacks
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO RENEW THE COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSE FOR GFMI/HILLVIEW SNACKS, 149 NORTH STREET TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2006 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS 5-0
5. AMEND BOARD OF SELECTMEN POLICY SEC. 3.2 – 2ND READING
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ADOPT THE SECOND READING OF THE AMENDED POLICY 3.2 APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 4-1
(MR. DARDENO WAS OPPOSED)
6. APRIL TOWN MEETING
The Board discussed the April Town Meeting, specifically the FY2007 budget. Mr. Balukonis summarized a problem where $175,000 was double counted in the Snow and Ice and Department of Public Works budgets.
Mr. Joseph Tassone, Finance Director, was present to explain how the problem occurred. It was only discovered this past Friday. He stated that a priority is to have future budget information available in Excel format.
Mr. Mauceri suggested a handout showing budget revisions should be available at Town Meeting.
Mrs. Bailey asked for clarification on the Pensions and Benefits budget. She spoke with Brad Jones who mentioned changes were necessary to reflect amounts reduced from the budget due to cost savings. It was agreed that the County Retirement amounts and Health Insurance amounts should be $1,773,524 and $3,596,829 respectively.
Mr. O’Leary proposed the Board retain the $175,000 as a cushion going into Town meeting due to uncertainty over revenues. He also suggested the new money be used to offset NESWC funds, which was applied to the operating budget.
Mrs. Bailey concurred with Mr. O’Leary. She agreed that there is uncertainty over state aid, and the Town is more aggressive with its local receipt estimates. Mrs. Bailey feels the $175,000 should remain unallocated until the October Town meeting.
Mr. Dardeno stated that, in his opinion, the Town has been conservative to date in its revenue projections. He favored reinstating of three positions that are being cut as the first priority. He supported splitting the funds with the schools.
Mr. Veno also supported Mr. Dardeno and recommended splitting the money 50/50 with the schools.
Mr. Mike Mastascusa, Finance Committee member, stated he does not favor spending the $175,000 at the April Town Meeting.
Mr. Brad Jones, Finance Committee member, cautioned against letting the $175,000 go into free cash. He suggested returning non-personnel municipal reductions at the October Town meeting.
Mr. Mauceri supported splitting the funds 50/50 with the schools. He explained the $175,000 was due to an accounting error, and should be used to restore town and school staff cuts. Mr. Mauceri proposed the Town Administrator restore cuts in personnel and other items in the order of priority.
Mrs. Bailey pointed out that a 50/50 division between the Town and Schools is not keeping with recent history for allocating revenues. She didn’t feel the money would have been divided equally at the time.
Mr. O’Leary agreed with Mrs. Bailey. He stated it would be prudent to hold these funds until October, which can be used, if necessary, depending on unforeseen expenses.
Mr. Balukonis stated his priorities are to restore the three municipal positions at a cost of $65,500 and consult with departments on the distribution of the remaining $27,000. The Finance Committee suggested that $6,000 be used toward Veterans benefits and $13,000 for legal expenses.
Mr. Mauceri proposed that $44,000 be set aside to fund the health insurance budget should Article 28 fail. Mr. Veno supported this action since it is possible Town Meeting will disapprove Article 28.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I JOSEPH VENO MOVE TO RESCIND THE VOTE OF MARCH 20, 2006 PLACING A BALLOT QUESTION ON THE ANNUAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR A PROPOSITION 2 ½ OVERRIDE.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 5-0
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO PLACE THE FOLLOWING QUESTION ON THE MAY 2, 2006 ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION BALLOT:
“SHALL THE TOWN OF NORTH READING BE ALLOWED TO ASSESS AN ADDITIONAL $1,043,097 IN REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE PURPOSES OF FUNDING A PORTION OF THE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET AS STATED IN THE WARRANT FOR THE APRIL 3, 2006 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO COMPENSATION FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICERS, PROVIDING FOR A RESERVE FUND, AND ALLOCATING SUMS OF MONEY TO DEFRAY THE CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF THE TOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2006?”
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED BY: 5-0
Mr. Mauceri proposed that the Chapter 40R Smart Growth Overlay District be moved to the end of the April Town Meeting Warrant, and action on Article 3 be postponed to a date uncertain in May. He reviewed a presentation on the Berry Center 40R Overlay District to be made at Town Meeting.
Mrs. Bailey provided the Board with a Power Point presentation by the Infrastructure Committee. The proposed details include a listing of sixteen municipal and school projects and debt financing associated with both.
7. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Balukonis stated that he had nothing to report on this evening due to his efforts on the budget and Town Meeting.
8. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
§ Mr. O’Leary commented that the manholes on the Route 62 Reconstruction Project appear to be sunken. Will the contractors make corrections? He requested that the Town Administrator look into this matter.
Mrs. Bailey
§ Mrs. Bailey asked that the Town Administrator follow-up regarding streetlights on Yankee Way
§ Mrs. Bailey reported on the Taxation Aid Committee.
Mr. Dardeno
§ Mr. Dardeno updated the Board on the activities of the CATV Advisory Committee. He anticipates a final contract will be ready by late April or early May. Approximately 85% of North Reading is currently wired for Verizon CATV service.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (10:00 PM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND LITIGATION 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 (10:55 PM)
I, MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
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