Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Dardeno, Mr. Veno, Mr. O’Leary and the Town Administrator, Greg Balukonis.
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO, MOVE TO ENTER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF LITIGATION STRATEGY, AND WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION THEREAFTER.
SECONDED: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: MR. MACUERI: AYE
DR. DARDENO: AYE
MR. HARRIS: NOT PRESENT
MR. O’LEARY: AYE
MR. VENO: AYE
The Board returned to open session at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Harris arrived during Executive Session at 6:34 p.m.
2. DIAMOND CLUB PRESENTATION
Members of the Diamond Club were present and explained that they would like to name the baseball field at the high school the Frank Cary Park and are asking the Board if they would participate. They are having a fund raiser selling bricks for a brick walkway. They would like to get all this started before they May baseball season. Mr. Dardeno is Treasurer for the Diamond Club and does not think it is an unreasonable plan for Board to participate and school committee should participate as well. The dedication is May 5, 2007. The cost is $2,200.00. Mr. Mauceri wants the Town Administrator to look into this.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY, MOVE THE BOARD TO PROPOSE CAREY PARK AND ASK THE TOWN ADMINISTATOR, GREG BALUKONIS, IF THERE ARE ANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DEDICATE A PLAK AT CAREY PARK.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
3. CABLE COMMITTEE
Mr. Dardeno thanked Mr. Ferrillo and announced that the meetings are now on Verizon Cable TV and he would also like to thank Jill Reddish and Jane Lyman. This is the first interconnection agreement in the country between Verizon and Comcast and it is a big deal.
A representative from Verizon discussed the public access corporation and wants to provide programming for North Reading.
Mr. Mauceri wants a motion to move forward on this and get Board of Directors and have enough time to create a charter. Town counsel needs to draw something up based on the proposals.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. DARDENO MOVE TO ADVERTISE FOR A BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CABLE PUBLIC ACCESS CORPORATION ALONG THE IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS THAT IS IN THIS HANDOUT IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS AND THEREAFTER APPOINT THE MEMBERS
SECONDED: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY, MOVE TO SEND A LETTER TO REP. BRADLEY JONES, JR. AND SENATOR BRUCE TARR AGAINST LEGISLATION RELATING TO CABLE TELEVISION LICENSING.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
4. APRIL TOWN MEETING – WARRANT ARTICLE REVIEW
Mr. Balukonis talked about the Warrant Articles and said there needs to be an adjustment made to the water budget. They had unanticipated costs. They are over budget with regard to water testing. Also the police details with regard to the water issue are already over budget.
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR O’LEARY MOVE TO RECOMMMEND AN INCREASE IN THE BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
The Martin Pond DEP Environmental Grant article, the town would be responsible for $166,320 at the 60/40 split and the other is grant money.
Capital Plan for Public Works-the Park Street Bridge, Central and Mill Street Bridge that need to be replaced through State Grants. Town needs to pay $100,440 and the total cost is $600,440.
Mr. Mauceri asked about that the tonnage for trash and the impact on the budget.
Assessing Manager Paula Dumont discussed warrant article “Transfer FY2005 Abatement Monies”.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY, MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE TRANSFER OF 2005 MONEY OVERLAY TO 2006.
SECONDED: MR. VENO
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
5. MINUTES: JANUARY 18, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING; JANUARY 22, 2007 REGULAR AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 18, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO, MOVE TO APPROCE THE JANUARY 22, 2007 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO. MOVE TO APPROCE THE JANUARYU 22, 2007 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR O’LEARY
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
6. CORRESPONDENCE
No Correspondence
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
8. LEGAL BILLS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO, MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR DECEMBER 2006 IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,797.86 AS FOLLOWS:
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C (GENERAL) $15,177.86
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) 620.00
TOTAL $15,797.86
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
9. APPOINTMENTS/RE-APPOINTMENTS:
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. HARRIS, MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING FOR APPOINTMENT/RE-APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO FILL TERMS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2009: (3 VACANCIES)
CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN,20 SWAN POND RD. (INCUMBENT)
WIL BIRKMAIER, 85 PARK STREET
SECONDED: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN
MR. VENO: CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN
MR. DARDENO: CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN
MR. HARRIS: CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN
MR. MAUCERI: CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN
Mr. Harris recommends Mr. Hayden. Historical Commission is going through a difficult time and wants to talk to the other members. This will be put back on the agenda once Mr. Harris talks to the others on the Historical Commission.
CityplaceMOBILE HOME RENT CONTROL BOARD
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. VENO, MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APPOINTMENT/RE-APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS TO THE MOBILE HOME RENT CONTROL BOARD TO FILL TERMS AS SPECIFIED BELOW: (3 VACANCIES)
PENNY RICHARDS, 15 LELAND RD. (INCUMBENT)
2 YEAR TERM THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
Mr. Veno thanked Mrs. Richards for coming forward to help.
10. CONCORD STREET
Mr. Balukonis gave the Board an update regarding this property. Town says there is $313,805.67 outstanding in taxes owed on the property since 1990. Sterling Supply Corp. was the owner and cannot be reached. There are contamination issues regarding the site. Mr. Balukonis does not recommend foreclosure on property that is contaminated. The town should go forward and sell the lien on the property. Every year the property is declining in value. Mr. Veno wants to see if Mr. Duvall is interested in the land and then move on what to do what with the land. He hopes to hear a response before March Board Meeting.
11. DISCUSS FIRE STUDY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Mauceri heard from the Fire Study Committee regarding the budget situation and a majority of the Board are not in favor of an override. Finance Committee is talking about a 3 year override and put the money in a stabilization fund for a particular purpose of balancing the budget.
Mr. Mauceri also discussed the West Side Fire Station and asked if Board wants to set up a Fire Station Building Committee. Mr. Veno wants to set up a committee comprised of costs, planning, etc. Mr. Mauceri says to follow the format of the police station and this should begin with a 7 member committee.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO ADVERTISE POSITIONS FOR THE UNNAMED WEST SIDE FIRE STATION STUDY COMMITTEE.
SECONDED: MR. VENO
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
The Board talked about an override request for the Fire Department for ALS for the 2in-2 out ratio. Board wants this as a separate ballot article and a separate ballot question
12. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:
1. I’ve updated the Fiscal 2008 Employee Benefits budget request to reflect a health insurance rate increase of 11.5%. My original budget request proposed a 15% increase in health insurance rates for next year. In addition, I included an estimate of 10 additional subscribers, which is consistent with new health insurance enrollments for the current fiscal year. The net change provides for a $36,953 decrease in the health insurance budget. I have also included an estimate of the impact on the health insurance budget for new employees that may be added by the School or Fire Departments. The total additional request is $198,000 based upon 22 new subscribers (18
School, 4 Fire). This amount would need to be added to an Override question for next fiscal year, assuming you agree to include one on the ballot.
2. I am providing the Board with a cost estimate for survey services relating to the so-called Smith property, which was previously acquired by the Town. The Town (LUC) is interested in locating and marking the property boundaries where the Smith property abuts Elm Street. I believe it is important to identify the property boundaries since this location provides access to the remaining property, and to avoid disputes with abutters. The total cost is $4,800 - survey, identify and mark the legal boundaries, and provide a plan for filing at the Registry of Deeds. Funding for the proposed services will come from the $250,000 grant secured on behalf of the Town by Rep. Bradley Jones. I would like to proceed with contracting for
survey services providing you grant permission to use a portion of the grant funds for this purpose.
3. The Board is in receipt of a proposal that I received from the University of Mass to provide a facilitator for a Selectmen’s retreat. I spoke with several of the individuals listed as references, and received a positive recommendation. I recommend the Board accept the proposal, and look to schedule the retreat at a convenient date that accommodates everyone’s busy schedule.
4. Rep. Jones has provided me with information on a grant program offered by the Executive Office for Public Safety for repair, renovation and construction of municipal Police Stations. A total of $2 million is available on a competitive basis for the entire State. Staff will review the grant regulations to see if our Police Station project is eligible for grant funding.
5. I am in receipt of a signed Delegation Agreement from the Human Resources Division approving the use of an assessment center for selecting the next Police Chief. I am still awaiting HRD approval on the Fire Chief. The next step is to begin the procurement process for hiring a consultant. I anticipate beginning this process in the next 2-3 weeks once a list of HRD approved consultants is received. My first priority is to fill the permanent Fire Chief position, and they fill the Police Chief position at a later date in 2007.
6. I recommend consideration be given by the Board of Selectmen to delaying a vote on the fiscal 2008 operating budget scheduled for the April 9th town meeting. Town officials need sufficient time to react to the Governor’s budget that is due to be released at the end of February. I do not believe there is adequate time to balance the budget in time for the April 9th meeting considering the print deadline, and uncertainty brought on by illness to key staff members. My thoughts are more fully addressed in the attached “Reasons for Delay budget Actions at the April Town Meeting”. Please give this your consideration.
13. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. O’Leary – state taking back voters rights for audits.
Mr. Harris- what can town engineer do for bridge to be safe to walk on.
Mr. Veno – Attended a CityReading meeting and recommends that placeNorth Reading do it. It was an excellent one hour presentation.
Mr. Dardeno – Thanks cable committee for coming tonight and welcomes Verizon subscribers.
Mr. Mauceri – no comment.
Mr. Balukonis would like to hold off the executive session until next week.
11:15 PM AJOURN
MR. CHAIRMAN, I, MR. VENO. MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: (5-0) UNANIMOUS
_________________________________ ________________________
DATE: JOSEPH VENO, CLERK
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