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Board of Selectmen Minutes 06/05/2006
urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags013fChairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at timeHour19Minute307:30 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Harris and Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.  Mr. Dardeno was absent

#1.     MINUTES
MAY 18, 2006                    
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MAY 18, 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
VOTED:          3-0-1 (Mr. Veno abstained.)

MAY 22, 2006
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MAY 22, 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
VOTED:          3-0-1 (Mr. Veno abstained.)

MAY 23, 2006
        MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MAY 23, 2006       REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

        SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
        VOTED:          UNANIMOUS (4-0)
        MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MAY 23, 2006       EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

        SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
        VOTED:          UNANIMOUS (4-0)

#2.     CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was requested by Mr. Veno.
                                                                
#3.     PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.

#4.     MASONIC LODGE
Mr. Mauceri indicated that the Masonic Lodge had requested a change of date to June 25, 2006 on the one day license issued for May 21, 2006 due to the weather.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO  AMEND THE ONE DAY WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE LICENSE TO GTHE NORTH READING MASONIC LODGE, 283 PARK STREET PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR MAY 21, 2006 TO BE CHANGED AS FOLLOWS:  EVENT TO BE HELD ON JUNE 25, 2006 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M.
SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
VOTED:          UNANIMOUS (4-0)

timeHour19Minute357:35 p.m.     Mr. Dardeno arrived at this time

#5.     LEGAL BILLS

        MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR APRIL  2006 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,834.36 AS FOLLOWS:

        KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL)              $3,847.86
        KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR)                          1,754.50
        PlaceNameplaceEISENHAURE PlaceNamePOND PlaceTypePARK (K&P)                           232.00
                        TOTAL                                   $5,834.36

        SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
        VOTED:          UNANIMOUS (5-0)

8.      APPOINTMENTS/RE-APPOINTMENTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Mr. O’Leary indicated that there was an opening on the Conservation Commission and he would be recommending Jonathan Cody, as associate member, to fill the full membership vacancy.

        MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE     FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APOINTMENT AS A MEMBER TO THE       CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM THROUGH       DECEMBER 31, 2006:

                JONATHAN CODY, addressStreet57 SPRUCE ROAD
                WILLIAM REED, addressStreet17 GRANDVIEW ROAD
                JOHN SELVERIAN, addressStreet29 VALLEY ROAD
                STEPHEN DICICCO, addressStreet10 MARBLEHEAD STREET

Mr. O’Leary informed the Board that some of the applicants may be coming to the meeting.
It was agreed to table the motion.

#6.     PUBLIC HEARING - RMLD/VERIZON
Ken Evans from RMLD was at the meeting.  
Mr. Mauceri read the Public Hearing notice and indicated the Town Engineer had no objections.
Mr. Mauceri closed the Hearing.

        MR. CHARIMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO GRANT THE JOINT PETITION OF    READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND,     INC. TO RELOCATE A POLE ON MT. VERNON STREET AS DESCRIBED IN THE        PLAN #1907 DATED 5/2/2006.

        SECONDED BY:    MR. O’LEARY
        VOTED:          UNANIMOUS (5-0)

#8.     APPOINTMENTS/RE-APPOINTMENTS (CONTINUED)
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Mr. Dardeno indicated that there is an opening on the Historic District Commission for an alternate member and he would like to recommend the appointment of Patrick O’Rourke to fill that position.  Happy DiFranza, Chairman of the HDC has recommended Mr. O’Rourke for the appointment.  There are no other candidates.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. DARDENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2006:  
                        PATRICK O’ROURKE, addressStreet1 PEABODY STREET

SECONDED BY:    MR. VENO
VOTED:          MR. MAUCERI:    PATRICK O’ROURKE
                                MR. O’LEARY:    PATRICK O’ROURKE
                                MR. DARDENO:    PATRICK O’ROURKE
                                MR. VENO:               PATRICK O’ROURKE
                                MR. HARRIS:     PATRICK O’ROURKE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Mr. O’Leary indicated that members of the Conservation Commission were present at the meeting and based on a recommendation from the Chairman Tim Allen and Conservation Agent Mary Trudeau, he would like to appoint Jonathan Cody to fill the unexpired term.

Mr. Allen spoke on behalf of Jonathan Cody indicating that he had attended many meetings as an associate member and he is now serving as an associate member and he would recommend him for the appointment.  

Conservation Commission member Paul Dick indicated that he did not feel that Mr. Cody should be appointed a full member.  He felt there were other members that were more qualified.

Mr. O’Leary made the following motion:

        MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE     FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APOINTMENT AS A MEMBER TO THE       CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM THROUGH       DECEMBER 31, 2006:

                JONATHAN CODY, addressStreet57 SPRUCE ROAD
                WILLIAM REED, addressStreet17 GRANDVIEW ROAD
                JOHN SELVERIAN, addressStreet29 VALLEY ROAD
                STEPHEN DICICCO, addressStreet10 MARBLEHEAD STREET
        SECONDED BY:    MR. VENO
        VOTED:  MR. MAUCERI:    JONATHAN CODY   
                        MR. O’LEARY:    JONATHAN CODY
                        MR. DARDENO:    WILLIAM REED
                        MR. VENO:               JONATHAN CODY
                        MR. HARRIS:     JONATHAN CODY

#7.     MEET WITH CABLE COMMITTEE
Mr. Dardeno introduced members of the Cable Committee - Ruth Kennedy, Ed Parish and Ed Strobe – and said they had been working very hard and have done an excellent job in  negotiating the contract with Verizon for cable service.  Mr. Dardeno said there would be a Public Hearing on June 19th at timeHour20Minute08:00 p.m. to discuss the Verizon contract and once the Public Hearing is closed, the Board will have 60 days to sign the contract with Verizon.

Ruth Kennedy made a presentation.

There was some discussion about the access corporation if it should be an independent corporation or a Town Board.  Ms. Kennedy indicated that the funds the Town receives are to be used solely and exclusively for the cable corporation, it can’t be used by the Town in any other way.  Mr. O’Leary felt he was not ready to decide right now if he wanted an independent corporation.  Mr. Dardeno felt the Board should make a decision now.  The Town will receive their first payment 45 days after signing the license.  The remaining amount is due in 2010.

Mr. Mauceri reminded everyone of the Public Hearing to be held on June 19th at timeHour20Minute08:00 p.m.  Verizon has been notified and Atty. Bill Hewig from Kopelman and Paige will be at the Hearing.

Mr. Mauceri thanked the committee for all their hard work.

timeHour20Minute458:45 p.m.     5 minute recess

#9.     timeHour20Minute508:50 p.m.     TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
·       The Finance Committee, at their meeting last Tuesday, approved all FY 2006 reserve fund transfers.  The approved requests included additional funds for the Town Counsel budget ($30,000), Fire salaries, DPW expenses and amounts necessary to balance the fuel and utility budgets in various departments.  At this time, it appears municipal departments will not require additional fund transfers to the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.
·       A funding request was submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development to secure $250,000 in grant funds provided under Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2005.  The grant was secured as a legislative earmark through the efforts of Representative Bradley Jones to assist in the acquisition of the Smith property.  The funds are expected to be received before the end of the fiscal year and are targeted to assist in the development of the Smith property.  It should be noted the town meeting vote approving the purchase specified that any grant funds be utilized to offset the property’s acquisition costs.
·       Mr. Balukonis noted proposals were opened recently for a new Class A Fire Pumper that was approved at the October Town Meeting.  He mentioned two (2) proposals were received and both are below the Town Meeting funding in the amount of $370,000.  He is reviewing a recommendation from the Fire Engine Committee before making a bid award.  The anticipated date of delivery is approximately 9-12 months from contract approval.

#10.    OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
·       Mr. O’Leary mentioned the recent passing of George Sandorfi, a former member of the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen and most recently the Town Meeting overflow Assistant Moderator and wished to express his condolences to the  Sandordi family.  He asked that a letter be sent to Mr. Sandorfi’s family.
·       Mr. O’Leary stated he had recently participated in an event “Teammates for Life” with his son which was organized to raise money for the placeCityLyons family.  Vin Visconte organized the fund raiser and was able to raise $6,000 in 4 hours.  Mr. O’Leary felt it was a very rewarding and life lesson for all the kids.
·       Mr. O’Leary congratulated Baseball Coach Frank Carey on his 600th win and felt an appreciation certificate should be presented to Mr. Carey.  He also felt recognition should be given to the Police, Fire and DPW departments for their extraordinary service during the recent floods and the chiefs should come to a meeting to accept them on behalf of the departments.

Mr. Harris
·       Mr. Harris also wanted to congratulate Mr. Carey on his 600th win.
·       Mr. Harris wanted to express how much he enjoyed the Memorial Day Parade and thank Mr. Mauceri and Mr. Jones for their speeches.
·       Mr. Harris wanted to remind the Board of Fireman’s Sunday, June 11th and that all Town officials are invited.
·       Mr. Harris wanted to congratulate the graduating class of 2006, wish them “Good Luck” and thank them for their support in the recent election.

Mr. Veno
·       Mr. Veno expressed his appreciation for the Memorial Day parade and all the participants that help to make it a success.
·       Mr. Veno agreed with Mr. O’Leary regarding town employees and the recognition they deserve.  
·       Mr. Veno indicated he was very upset with the comments made by a Conservation Commission member earlier in the evening.  He felt the comments were unnecessary and he is planning to look into Mr. Dick’s behavior.

Mr. Dardeno
§       Mr. Dardeno thanked the Minit Men and Militia for organizing the parade and congratulated Philip “Nick” O’Brien.
§       Mr. Dardeno also wanted to congratulate Frank Carey on his 600th win and all he has done for the youth of placeNorth Reading.  Also Agatha Marano is retiring this year after many years working the the youth of placeNorth Reading through plays, etc.  He felt a certificate of appreciation should be presented to her also.
§       Mr. Dardeno wanted to remind all to stay safe, that the end of the school year is coming and there is a lot going on.  

Mr. Mauceri
§       Mr. Mauceri also wanted to express his appreciation to Mr. Carey and Mrs. Marano for a job well done.
§       Mr. Mauceri informed the Board he had attended the Finance Committee meeting and informed the FinCom that the consensus of the Board was the first $120,000 additional Chapter 70 monies should go to the School Department to avoid any layoffs.  The Board would have until October to determine how any additional funds would be used.  The School Department was in agreement.  Mr. Veno asked if it was a 60/40 split and was informed it would be if they go with the House numbers.                                                                        Board members were in support of the School Department receiving the first $120,000 to avoid layoffs and any balance would be discussed at a later date.
§       Mr. Mauceri met with members of the placeStateBerry 40B sub committee and the proponents of the project.  They expect to begin construction in early 2007.

The Board discussed the Verizon cable contract and the PEG access corporation and had many questions to be answered.  It was decided to have a workshop meeting on Tuesday, June 13th at timeHour19Minute07:00 p.m. and invite Atty. Bill Hewig to attend.  

12.     EXECUTIVE SESESION (timeHour21Minute359:35 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
                                MR. HARRIS:     AYE
                                MR. O’LEARY:    AYE
                                MR. VENO:               AYE












ADJOURN (10:48 PM)
I, MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY:    MR. DARDENO
VOTED:          UNANIMOUS (5-0)



























_______________________________         ___________________________________
Date                                                    Joseph Veno, Clerk