Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. O’Leary and Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. MINUTES: AUGUST 7, 2006 REGULAR AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 7, 2006 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 7, 2006 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
2. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was requested by Mr. Mauceri.
7:02 p.m. – Mr. Harris arrived.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Mark Hall of 12 Upton Avenue was present to discuss the three Citizens Petitions put forth by the North Reading Youth Services Support Association (NRYSSA). Mr. Hall asked the Board to include the discussion of these items at an upcoming Selectmen’s meeting.
The three petitions were briefly reviewed which essentially establishes a Youth Services Committee and asks that the town support a self-funded Youth Director. Mr. Hall noted that some work may need to be done on the language in the petitions. Mr. Giles Norton of 59 Mt. Vernon Street asked the Selectmen if they would consider endorsing the concept and put a placeholder in the warrant if the language in the petitions needs to be edited.
The topic was put as an agenda item at the Board’s meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2006.
Mr. John Rogers of 39 Tower Hill Road was present to commend Mr. Harris’ idea of replacing inefficient town vehicles with more energy efficient ones. Mr. Rogers stated that he would be interested in helping the town with this goal if needed.
4. AMEND POLICY 1.5 – REGULAR MEETINGS, 1ST READING
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ADOPT THE SECOND READING OF AMENDED POLICY 1.5 – REGULAR MEETING.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
5. SIGN SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 STATE PRIMARY WARRANT
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO SIGN THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 STATE PRIMARY WARRANT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. RATIFY LETTER TO MEPA RE PHASE 1 WAIVER
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO RATIFY THE LETTER SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, ROBERT MAUCERI, TO MR. STEPHEN PRITCHARD, SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REGARDING EXPANDED ENVIRONMENTAL NOTIFICATION FORM/PHASE 1 WAIVER REQUEST; THE RESIDENCES AT MARTINS BROOK AND EDGEWOOD OFFICE PARK – MEPA FILE #13842.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. REVIEW AMBULANCE POLICY
Mr. Balukonis reviewed his recommended changes to the ambulance policy. The wording was reviewed and additional changes were made. Mr. O’Leary was concerned that past-due bills may be reported to credit reporting agencies, he stated that he would not want to see anyone’s credit impaired over a past-due ambulance bill. Mr. Balukonis will put the first reading of the revised policy on an upcoming agenda.
8. OCTOBER TOWN MEETING
Mr. Mauceri reviewed the list of Articles submitted for October Town Meeting.
9. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
§ Mr. Balukonis provided the Board with a copy of Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2006 that was signed into law by the Governor. The Act provides that members of certain boards are not disqualified from voting on the basis of a single absence during the public hearing process. Chapter 79 is a local option and must be accepted by a vote of town meeting.
§ Mr. Balukonis reported on the follow-up actions involving non-operable fire hydrants on Park Street, near the scene of the recent structure fire. There is a hydrant on Park Street near number 361 that was out of service due to being inoperable. It was found to be inoperable in April. The Water Department reports this hydrant was repaired and back in service last Friday. Mr. Balukonis elaborated on other hydrants as well as the Water Department’s policy on testing, maintaining and replacing older and inoperable hydrants. Mr. Balukonis informed the board that the Water Department is working to inspect and test all the older
hydrants over the next two weeks, as well as map out the location of these hydrants in order to develop a systematic program to replace the oldest hydrant models. Mr. Dardeno requested a copy of this report.
§ Mr. Balukonis stated that the town is in receipt of an appeal filed by four residents in Middlesex Superior Court on Friday seeking to overturn a decision by the ZBA to grant a special permit to Omnipoint Communications d/b/a T-Mobile USA for a cell tower location at 55 Swan Pond Road. The appeal is being forwarded to Kopelman & Paige who is defending the Town’s decision to approve the T-Mobile special permit.
§ Mr. Balukonis updated the board on the progress of the septic and leaching system at the Police/Fire Station. Mr. Balukonis stated that the septic system passed the pressure test and that it is anticipated that the detour can be removed by Friday.
§ Mr. Balukonis informed the board that he has reviewed and approved the RFP for updating the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. Vendor proposals are due September 14th. Mr. Balukonis anticipates the final Open Space Plan will be submitted to the State for approval on or about December 21st.
§ Mr. Balukonis stated that the Damon Tavern exterior painting bid specification was issued and the contractor proposals are due on August 30th. The contractor is expected to complete the project in its entirety no later than mid October. In addition, Mr. Balukonis noted that other work on the tavern was completed or is underway, including waterproofing the chimney and replacing wood caused by water leaks at the rear entry.
§ Mr. Balukonis noted that planning efforts are underway on the fiscal 2008 budget cycle and suggests a budget kick-off session take place at an October Selectmen meeting with department heads, boards and committees.
11. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
§ Mr. O’Leary thanked Mr. Balukonis and Assessment Manager Paula Dumont on looking into excise tax for the cement trucks currently being parked at a business on Route 62.
§ Mr. O’Leary asked about the Route 62 project and stated that he is concerned with the lines that were recently painted on Route 62 where it intersects with Oakdale Road. He stated that there may not be enough room for a school bus to turn right off of Oakdale without colliding with a vehicle in the newly created left turn lane on Route 62. Mr. Balukonis stated that he would have the engineer look into this matter.
Mr. Harris
§ Mr. Harris brought up for discussion the idea of a town-owned impound lot to temporarily store towed vehicles. Mr. Harris stated that the Town of Middleton has an impound lot from which they collect storage fees. A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Veno
§ Mr. Veno stated that residents who have switched from Comcast to Verizon cannot currently view the Board of Selectmen meetings. Mr. Dardeno will look into this to see if anything can be done to get the meetings “patched” in.
§ Mr. Veno again encouraged residents to contact Comcast to negotiate their rate before switching to Verizon.
§ Mr. Veno extended thanks to the Police and Fire Departments for their response to the recent Park Street fire.
Mr. Dardeno
§ Mr. Dardeno noted that the Cable Advisory Committee will be beginning discussion with Comcast in September regarding their contract.
§ Mr. Dardeno congratulated the Pony League for winning the Pony League Championship.
§ Mr. Dardeno also thanked the Fire and Police Departments for their job in responding to the Park Street fire.
Mr. Mauceri
§ Mr. Mauceri noted that on August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. there is a Public Hearing regarding Lincoln Properties during the ZBA meeting.
§ Mr. Mauceri stated that Verizon had previously committed to completing the underground wiring around the common by the end of August and was wondering if they would be finished on time.
§ Mr. Mauceri mentioned to the Board that Mr. Venezia has offered to give the Selectmen individual tours of the Batchelder School, and to get in touch with him if they were interested.
§ Mr. Mauceri thanked outgoing Recording Secretary Jodi Sponzo for her work over the past two years.
ADJOURN (9:30 PM)
I, MR. VENO MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
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