Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at timeMinute30Hour197:30 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Harris and Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
The board presented Ms. Agatha Marano a Certificate of Appreciation for her thirty-seven years of service to the Town of CityplaceNorth Reading.
2. MINUTES: dateYear2006Day5Month6JUNE 5, 2006 REGULAR AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE JUNE 5, 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE dateYear2006Day5Month6JUNE 5, 2006 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: 4-0-1 (MR. HARRIS ABSTAINED)
3. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was requested by Mr. Harris and Mr. Veno.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
5. LEGAL BILLS FOR MAY 2006
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR MAY 2006 IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,132.36 AS FOLLOWS:
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL) $7,391.86
KOPELMAND AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) 1,725.50
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (EISENHAURE PP) 1,015.00
TOTAL $10,132.36
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. MODIFY CLASS III LICENSE – BRIAN DUCHAK d/b/a NATIONAL SALES
Mr. Duchak was present and answered questions with regards to the requested change.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO MODIFY THE CLASS III LICENSE FOR BRIAN DUCHAK D/B/A NATIONAL SALES, addressStreet64 ELM STREET TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
BUSINESS TO BE LIMITED TO TELEMARKETING AND WHOLESALE
OPERATION; NO VEHICLES, OTHER THAN PERSONAL, ON PREMISES.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. DISCUSS INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT/INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE FOR AN INDEFINITE TERM:
MICHAEL HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
Discussion: Mr. O’Leary pointed out that “indefinite term” should be changed to “for a term not to extend beyond the candidate’s current term on the Board of Selectmen”. Mr. Veno withdrew his motion.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT/INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE FOR A TERM NOT TO EXTEND BEYOND THE CANDIDATE’S CURRENT TERM ON THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
MICHAEL HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
8. APPOINTMENTS AND RE-APPOINTMENTS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO RE-APPOINT ELIZABETH CRAVEIRO AS TOWN TREASURER WITH A TERM BEGINNING JULY 1, 2006 AND TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2007.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RE-APPOINT KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. AS TOWN COUNSEL FOR THE TOWN WITH A TERM BEGINNING dateMonth7Day1Year2006JULY 1, 2006 AND TO EXPIRE dateMonth6Day30Year2007JUNE 30, 2007.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APPOINTMENT AS MEMBER TO THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES FOR A TERM THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008:
HEATHER HOWELL, addressStreet6 CHESTER ROAD
EILEEN M. VERNEY, addressStreet225 HAVERHILL STREET
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
Discussion: Mr. Veno noted that Ms. Verney asked that her application be put on hold and recommended Ms. Howell for the position.
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: HEATHER HOWELL
MR. O’LEARY: HEATHER HOWELL
MR. DARDENO: HEATHER HOWELL
MR. VENO: HEATHER HOWELL
MR. HARRIS: HEATHER HOWELL
9. 8:00 PM – PUBLIC HEARING – VERIZON CABLE TELEVISION LICENSE
Mr. Mauceri opened the public hearing notice aloud. Mr. Jim McGreal and Ms. Mary Rafferty of Verizon thanked town officials and Verizon representatives for working so diligently toward a contract.
Mr. McGreal reviewed the timeline and events leading up to the public hearing. He then introduced the relevant documents for the Verizon cable license application.
Ms. Ruth Kennedy, Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee, recommended approval of the contract. Attorney Hewig of Kopelman and Paige also recommended approval of the contract.
Ms. Sharon Donahue of addressStreet19 Macarthur Road stated that she supports the contract, that it would help drive down costs and provide a better service.
Mr. Ferazzani, a Verizon employee and placeNorth Reading resident, spoke in support of the technology. Ms. Marie Marchessault of addressStreet36 Westward Circle, and also a Verizon employee, supported the contract and asked the Board to vote in favor of the contract.
Mr. Mauceri stated that issues from last Thursday night’s workshop had been resolved and provided an update.
Mr. Veno asked where a customer could go if they needed service. Mr. McGreal stated that if a customer has a problem with their box, Verizon will replace it at no charge.
Mr. Veno then asked if the 5% rebate to the town to run the cable access corporation would be passed on to the consumers. Mr. McGreal stated that that would be a free market decision. Mr. Veno noted for the record that he had previously been told by Verizon that the 5% rebate would not be passed along to the consumer. Mr. Dardeno stated that he and the Cable Advisory Committee believe that the competition in the marketplace will result in lower rates.
Mr. Robert O’Brien, a resident, asked for a definition of the language “franchise” and the line item on his Comcast bill entitled “franchise costs” for $1.13. Mr. Mauceri stated that that fee is used to pay Comcast employees, and that in the Verizon contract it will be used to fund a non-profit public access corporation. Mr. O’Brien stated that senior citizens should be given a discount.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO CLOSE THE VERIZON CABLE TELEVISON LICENSE PUBLIC HEARING.
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Mr. Dardeno complimented the Cable Advisory Committee on their efforts in negotiating a contract with Verizon, and that he and the committee believe that the competition will result in lower prices overall.
Mr. Veno stated that he will vote in favor of the license because he wants to see placeNorth Reading residents have a choice in their cable provider, but that he is not comfortable with the answers he had been given tonight.
Mr. Harris stated that he favors a competitive environment and that he will vote in favor of the license.
Mr. O’Leary stated that he respects Verizon’s commitment to finish the underground wiring in the center of town and that he is looking forward to all of Verizon’s product offerings.
Mr. Mauceri thanked the Cable Advisory Committee and Mary Rafferty of Verizon and stated that he believes that the contract is a win-win situation for all involved.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF NORTH READING ISSUE A CABLE TELEVISION LICENSE TO VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. UNDER THE TERMS STATED IN THE CABLE TELEVISION FINAL LICENSE BEFORE US TONIGHT AND THAT THE SELECTMEN EXECUTE THE LICENSE BY SIGNING IN THE PLACE PROVIDED.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
10. DISCUSS FIRE DEPARTMENT STUDY
Mr. Veno suggested a six member committee to analyze the study comprised of (2) Selectmen (1) Fire Chief, (1) Police Chief and (2) Fire Department Union Representatives. Mr. Veno further suggested that the committee would separate the recommendations in the study into two categories; those that can be implemented without incurring any costs and those that would incur costs.
Mr. Dardeno concurred that the first goal of the committee should be to separate out the eighty-one (81) recommendations contained within the report. Mr. Harris expressed his hopes that actions are actually taken, and that the work of the committee doesn’t just become a “report of the report”.
Mr. Mauceri asked why it wasn’t suggested that a member of the Finance Committee be involved. Mr. Dardeno stated that the goal was to keep the committee lean. Mr. O’Leary said that he would like to see a Finance Committee member included in the fire department study committee.
Mr. Harris stated that the Fire Department would like to have three union members on the committee. Mr. Dardeno stressed that the goal is to have a decisive group, and that the larger the group is the harder it is to reach a consensus, but that he would not be opposed to three union members. Mr. Veno stated that he also would not be opposed to three union members, although he would prefer just two.
Mr. Veno reviewed the new make-up of the committee: (1) Fire Chief, (1) Police Chief, (3) union members, (2) Selectmen and (1) Finance Committee representative.
Mr. O’Leary stated that the goals of the committee should be clear, that a dialogue needs to take place and a flushing of the issues. Further, the advantages and disadvantages of the issues should be presented to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. O’Leary stated that this is an advisory committee, and that the ultimate responsibility lies with the Selectmen. Mr. O’Leary also pointed out that this is a volunteer board.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO CREATE A COMMITTEE AS FOLLOWS:
(2) BOARD OF SELECTMEN
(1) POLICE CHIEF (OR HIS DESIGNEE)
(1) FIRE CHIEF
(1) FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER
(3) FIRE UNION REPRESENTATIVES
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: 4-0-1 (MR. HARRIS ABSTAINED)
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that the town’s website, northreadingma.gov, continues to gain acceptance in the community since it went live in October, 2005.
§ Mr. Balukonis reported that the town was successful in its efforts to collect the remaining due balances from the private contractor on the Route 62 project. Mr. Balukonis indicated that a payment for $42,810.96 was received last Friday. The total outstanding due had been up to $197,000 when Mr. Balukonis had made the decision to not allow any details until such time as the town was paid. Mr. Balukonis will continue to actively monitor the police detail account for this and other projects to ensure that the account remains in the black for the end of fiscal year 2006.
§ Mr. Balukonis introduced to the board a cost summary for the floods in May. The amount expended by the town was $94,493.56 for the Police, Fire and Public Works departments. This is the same amount which placeNorth Reading will request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the disaster declaration. The amount does NOT include damage to public infrastructure that is part of a separate submittal. Mr. Balukonis stated that it appears that placeNorth Reading will be eligible for 75% Federal and 12.5% State reimbursement of all eligible costs. Receipt of these funds by the end of fiscal year 2006 is highly doubtful, he said. In view of a likely delay in receiving reimbursement, Mr. Balukonis will request the Finance Committee to transfer to the affected departments, and moreover allow us to balance the books by the end of June. A total of $125,000 was voted to the Reserve Fund to address the additional costs of the floods on town departments.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that the town had successfully concluded negotiations with the Department of Environmental Protection concerning the administrative consent order for the Hillview Golf Course. Town counsel has been working with the DEP since it first received the order in early March to incorporate certain language revisions that protect the town and recognize efforts to better control water usage for irrigation purposes. The final order will be presented at the next Hillview Commission meeting for approval, and authorization for the Town Administrator to sign on behalf of the Commission. The order will, in summary, provide
Hillview will limit its water usage to less than 100,000 gallons per day, implement best management practices to reduce water use and take all appropriate steps to comply with the DEP mandated requirements. The approved order should be mailed to DEP no later than the end of June barring unforeseen circumstances.
§ Mr. Balukonis provided the board with a copy of his recommendation concerning acceptance of a bid proposal for a new Class A Fire Pumper Truck. Mr. Balukonis respectfully asked the board to approve a bid to Smeal Fire Apparatus as outlined in his recommendation. Captain Marotta was present and discussed the reason for the decision to not go with the lowest bidder on this project.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO AUTHORIZE TO AWARD TO OTHER THAN THE LOWEST BIDDER, SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $369,500, ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR, FINANCE COMMITTEE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT TRUCK COMMITTEE.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
§ Mr. Balukonis reviewed the changes to the TA goals for the calendar year 2006.
§ Mr. Balukonis requested to attend the ICMA Annual Conference from September 10 – dateYear2006Day13Month9September 13, 2006 at a cost of about $2,000.00.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR TO ATTEND THE ICMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER 10 THROUGH dateYear2006Day13Month9SEPTEMBER 13, 2006.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
11. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
§ Mr. O’Leary provided a brief 40B update stating that the addressStreetElm Street development is wrapping up and that nothing new has been approved by the state.
Mr. Harris
§ Mr. Harris stated that he had attended the dedication of the new tennis courts at the middle school.
§ Mr. Harris thanked the Cable Advisory Committee for their efforts on the Verizon contract.
Mr. Veno
§ Mr. Veno stated that there is an opening for a full member on the Council on Aging.
§ Mr. Veno stated that he had recently met with the Friends of the Council on Aging, stating that they are an energetic group and urged interested parties to get involved.
Mr. Dardeno
§ Mr. Dardeno thanked the Cable Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen for dealing with the complexities of the Verizon contract in a short timeframe.
§ Mr. Dardeno had attended a party celebrating Coach Carey’s 600th win.
§ Mr. Dardeno also recently attending an HDC meeting and a Library Committee meeting.
Mr. Mauceri
§ Mr. Mauceri thanked the Cable Advisory Committee and Mr. Dardeno for negotiating the Verizon contract.
§ Mr. Mauceri reviewed the schedule of activities for the July Fourth weekend.
12. EXECUTIVE SESESION (timeMinute25Hour2210:25 PM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND NON-UNION NEGOTIATIONS AND TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: AYE
MR. DARDENO: AYE
MR. HARRIS: AYE
MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. VENO: AYE
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION (timeMinute20Hour2311:20 PM)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO AUTHORIZE A 2% BONUS AS SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACTURAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF NORTH READING AND MR. GREG BALUKONIS.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
Discussion: The board commended Mr. Balukonis for his accomplishments over the past year.
VOTED: 4-0-1 (MR. HARRIS ABSTAINED)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR AND THE NUE GROUP AS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD BY THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR AND THE DPW placeUNION.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: 4-0-1 (MR. HARRIS ABSTAINED)
ADJOURN (timeHour23Minute3011:30 PM)
I, MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
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