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. Harris and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. MINUTES: September 5, 2006 REGULAR SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 5, 2006
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: HARRIS ABSTAIN (3-0)
2. CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was requested by Mr. Mauceri
7:05 p.m. – Mr. O’Leary arrived
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
John Firriello, 1 Sullivan Road, informing the Board of Selectmen Verizon customers
are not able to view the local meetings on television.
Mr. Dardeno responded with an update of his conversations with Verizon. Total completion of the project will take 60 to 90 days.
7. RMLD – MEET WITH VINCENT CAMERON RE GREEN CHOICE PROGRAM
Mr. Norton introduce Mr. Vincent Cameron the General Manager for the Reading Municipal Light Department. Mr. Cameron gave a brief presentation on the Green Choice program.
4. BONDS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE SALE OF $12,255,000. GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 AT A RATE OF 3.927% TO MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE SALE OF $7,488,000. BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES AT A RATE OF 3.6120% DATE SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 AND DUE SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 PAYABLE TO EASTERN BANK.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Mr. Balukonis mentioned to the Board that North Reading went through another Bond rating and the review came back with the Town rated A1.
5. NIMS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ADOPT NIMS (NATIONSL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) AND READ THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. PUBLIC HEARING – STREET ACCEPTANCES
MENTUS FARM LANE
MR. CHAIRMAN,I MR.VENO MOVE TO ACCEPT THE LAYOUT OF MENTUS FARM LANE AS SHOWN ON A PLAN DRAWN BY HAYES ENGINEERING, INC. DATED FEBRUARY 8, 2006, BY SIGNING SAID PLAN AND REPORTING TO THE TOWN.
OUTSTANDING ISSUES: CATCH BASINS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
DEMETRI LANE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.VENO MOVE TO ACCEPT THE LAYOUT OF DEMETRI LANE AS SHOWN ON A PLAN DRAWN BY HAYES ENGINEERING, INC. DATED JULY 31, 2006, BY SIGNING SAID PLAN AND REPORTING TO THE TOWN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
OUTSTANDING ISSUES: NONE
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
VALLEY ROAD
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.VENO MOVE TO ACCEPT THE LAYOUT OF VALLEY ROAD AS SHOWN ON A PLAN DRAWN BY O’NEILL ASSOCIATES DATED JUNE 30, 2006, BY SIGNING SAID PLAN AND REPORTING TO THE TOWN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
OUTSTANDING ISSUES: 6 ITEMS
Several Residents from Valley Road were present at meeting and voiced their concerns.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.VENO MOVE TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION TO ACCEPT VALLEY ROAD.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
8. OCTOBER TOWN MEETING
CAPITAL ARTICLE
Town Administrator, Mr. Balukonis presented the Capital Improvement Program for the Town of North Reading to the Board of Selectmen.
· Capital Definition
· CIP Requirements
· CIP Process
· CIP Priorities
· October Requests
· CIP Priorities 1-8
· Recap
North Reading Superintendent, Dr. Troughton gave a brief presentation informing the Board of the new MSPA Regulations and reasons why the school is requesting $35,000.00 for a Feasibility Study.
North Reading Finance Director/Town Accountant Joseph Tassone gave a brief presentation on the Finance Software.
The BOARD OF SELECTMEN went through each priority one by one and asks the requesters for information.
Dr. Troughton gave a brief presentation on a Priority 4 $1,000,000.00 cost for Modular classrooms for the Middle Schools. After this presentation the Board of Selectmen realized that there could be a $1,000,000.00 override.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY, MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE TOWN ADMINISTRATORS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRIORITIES 1, 2 AND 3 WITH ONE EXCEPTION WE ADD $15,000 TO SCHOOL FEASIBILITY STUDY
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
DISCUSS WARRANT ARTICLES
Some discussion on Waste Water Management Article which will not be printed in the Warrant but will be distributed at Town Meeting separately.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Articles in the Town Warrant
Article 2
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 2 “ACCEPT CHAPTER 79 OF THE ACTS OF 2006”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 3
Briefly discussed “AMEND CODE – ADD GENERAL BY-LAW CHAPTER 156 – STORM WATER MANAGEMENT” and will make a recommendation at a later date.
Article 4
Briefly discussed “AMEND CODE – ADD ZONING BY-LAW ARTICLE XXI – PRESERVING SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES – HISTORIC PRESERVATION” and will make a recommendation at a later date.
Article 5
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 5 “AUTHORIZE NAMING OF HIGH SCHOOL STAGE”
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 6
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO ACCEPT ARTICLE 6 “AUTHORIZE
NAMING OF BASEBALL FIELD”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 9
Briefly discussed “CAPITAL EXPENDITURES” and will make a recommendation at a later date.
Article 10
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 10 “AMEND ARTICLE 15 OF THE APRIL 3, 2006 TOWN MEETING?
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 12
Briefly discussed “FUNDING FOR ACTUARIAL STUDY” and will make a recommendation at a later date.
Article 13
Briefly discussed “FUNDING OF TOWN EXPENDITURES FOR BERRY PROJECT” and will make a recommendation at a later date.
Article 14
Briefly discussed “APPROPRIATE MONEY TO THE STABILIZATION FUND” and will make a recommendation at a later date.
Article 15
Briefly discussed “FUND SECONDARY SCHOOL FACILITIES NEEDS STUDY” motion has already been recommended.
Article 16
Briefly discussed “FUND MIDDLE SCHOOL MODULAR CLASSROOMS” after the language of the Article is change the Board will review.
Article 17
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 17 “ADD FUNDS TO SOLID WASTE STABILIZATION FUND”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 18
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 18 “ADD FUNDS TO OVERLAY PROPERTY VALUATION STABILIZATION FUND”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 19
Briefly discussed “FUND HILLVIEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS/PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT and will review this Article at a later date.
Article 20
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 20 “EMINENT DOMAIN TAKING – NEW ENGLAND POWER PROPERTY”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: 4-1
Mr. Harris voted no
Article 21
Briefly discussed “CONVEYANCE OF PARCEL OF TOWN OWNED LAND – ASHWOOD DRIVE” and will make a recommendation at Town Meeting.
Article 22
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 22 “CONVEYANCE OF PARCEL OF TOWN OWNED LAND – EISENHAURE POND PARK (PARCEL B)”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 23
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 23 “CONVEYANCE OF PARCEL OF TOWN OWNED LAND – EISENHAURE POND PARK (LOT B)”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 24
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 24 “LAND TRANSFER – JUNIPER ROAD”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 25
Briefly discussed “STREET ACCEPTANCE – MENTUS FARM LANE”
and previously voted to recommend.
Article 26
Briefly discussed “STREET ACCEPTANCE – DEMETRI FARM LANE”
and previously voted to recommend.
Article 27
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE NOT TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 27 “STREET ACCEPTANCE – VALLEY ROAD”
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Article 28
Briefly discussed “CITIZENS PETITION – RE-ZONE WINTER STREET”
and will make a recommendation at Town Meeting.
Article 29
Briefly discussed “CITIZENS PETITION – ESTABLISH YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE” and Mr. Mauceri would like the board to put in Article to replace this one.
Article 30
Briefly discussed “CITIZENS PETITION – YOUTH SERVICES REVOLVING FUND (CH.44, SEC. 53e ½) and place it on hold.
Article 31
Briefly discussed “CITIZENS PETITION – YOUTH SERVICES GRANTS AND GIFTS FUND (CHAPTER 53A) and place it on hold
Article 32
Briefly discussed “CITIZENS PETITION – CLOSE TH E “TEMPORARY” DOG PARK, AT PARK STREET” and it was already voted not to recommend
9. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
· Mr. Balukonis gave a status report on the Fire Hydrants located in North Reading. A copy of the report prepared by the Utilities Superintendent was included for the boards review. The report indicates a total of 821 hydrants. 211 hydrants were identified as older models (<1965) and are being tested by the Water Department. Approximately, 50% of the older hydrants have been inspected and maintenance performed. All of the hydrants tested to date are considered in working order. The Water Department will continue testing of the remaining older hydrants.
· A copy of Chapter 143 of the Town Code address “Second Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers” is provided to the Board. According to the Code section 143-3 provides the “Board of Selectmen or their designee, i.e. the Chief of Police” serve as licensing authority. In speaking with the Chief of Police, he noted it unclear under the last administration whether he or the Board was responsible for issuing licenses under this Chapter. Mr. Balukonis believes the Chief of Police and the Police Department can best issue licenses because they have access to CORI and other background checks to Second Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers under Chapter
143, subject to the Board’s approval.
· Mr. Balukonis gave a brief update on a recent ICMA Conference he attended. Mr. Balukonis would like to implement performance measurement standards and will be meeting with department heads to implement the same.
· Mr. Balukonis included a copy of an article printed in the Globe Northwest edition in the Sunday Globe. The article printed information on a capital improvement plan and used numbers from Mr. Balukonis’s 2005 capital program.
· Mr. Balukonis informed the Board of a tort claim by an individual who was injured at a function put on by the “North Reading Cheerleaders”. The individual is suing the Town for $100,000.
10. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Dardeno
· The Library is having an open house to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the move to Flint Memorial Hall it is October 21st 1-4 p.m.
· Go out and vote.
· Fire Study met and made progress.
· Verizon will be making progress and will have everything up and running.
Mr. Veno
· Congratulations to the football team.
· Mr. Veno checked on a statement made by a citizen at the last BOARD OF SELECTMEN meeting it was stated by a Woburn Court Officer that North Reading was the worst Town around for Drugs. Mr. Veno stated that every Woburn Court Officer has been contacted and all denied making that statement. Mr. Veno stated that North Reading and all the other Towns around us are equal.
· The Batchelder School came out great.
Mr. Harris
· Mr. Harris would like to reduce energy costs
Mr. O’Leary
· Mr. O’Leary would like to echo Mr. Veno thoughts on the Batchelder School.
· Mr. O’Leary feels as though the light synchronization is not acceptable along Route 62. The Oakdale Road entrance off of Route 62 is still not done. Also pole removal in the middle of the sidewalk along Route 62.
· Mr. O’Leary reported on a case where Town employees were given a Town vehicle and it was added to the employee’s pension.
· Go Vote.
Mr. Mauceri
· Mr. Mauceri toured the Batchelder School as well and thought it was fantastic
· Mr. Mauceri is meeting with Mr. Hanlon, Mr. Welsh and Kevin Buckley to discussed the Police Station.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGINING STRATAGIES AND FURTHER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION THEREAFTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY AYE
MR. VENO AYE
MR. DARDENO AYE
MR. HARRIS AYE
MR. MAUCERI AYE
ADJOURN 11:30 P.M.
MR. CHAIRMAN I MR.VENO MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
DATE JOSEPH VENO, CLERK
| 
