Town of North Reading, MA - Board of Selectmen Minutes 12/03/2007

Board of Selectmen Minutes 12/03/2007


	MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007 ___________________________________________________________________________ Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Large Group Room at the Middle School in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. Harris, Mr. O’Leary and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis. #1. MUNICIPAL BENCHMARKING Mr. Mauceri introduced Ken Strachan from Municipal Benchmarking, LLC in placeCityWoburn, who then gave a slide show presentation on the municipal benchmarking study done for the Town of placeCityNorth Reading. Various items discussed were as follows: 1. The purpose of the study. 2. The goal of this study. 3. Factors used in determining the 20 towns or “benchmarking peer group” chosen. 4. How the data was obtained and analyzed. 5. The various categories that were compared. 6. The Town of placeCityNorth Reading’s attributes and resources and how they were measured. 7. The various agents that shape the Town. 8. What categories were important to the Town’s constituents. 9. Breakdown and allocation of Town monies, i.e. education, services such as trash collection, road repair, etc. 10. Revenue sources and expenditures. 11. How the data obtained could be used as a tool in the future to do things better and more efficiently, and for choosing priorities and making necessary changes as needed. Mr. Mauceri clarified to the audience that the purpose of this study was to allow the Town to look at debt, make comparisons with other communities to find out what they are doing right and wrong, and what things North Reading could do better and more efficiently in the future with regards to making decisions about important issues such as budget spending. At 8:05 p.m., Mr. Mauceri allocated about 25 minutes for the audience to ask Mr. Strachen questions. After the question and answer session, Mr. Strachan gave the audience his office address, phone and fax numbers and website address for anyone seeking additional information in the future. He went on to say that because the total report was 340 pages, only certain slides had been shown to keep the presentation to a minimum. Mr. Mauceri mentioned that the Board members and the Library had copies of this report, which could be loaned to the public. The discussion ended at timeMinute45Hour208:45 p.m. and Mr. Mauceri thanked everyone and invited the public to stay for the rest of the meeting. #2. LINCOLN PROPERTIES Mr. Mauceri received a letter from James R. Senior requesting the Board of Selectmen make modifications to the Plan Approval with respect to the 406-unit multi-family affordable housing development. Mr. Mauceri would like to resolve this as soon as possible and asked the Town Administrator to review the letter and bring the issue before Town Counsel. The CPC Planner would review it as well, as she has been working closely on this project. The Town Administrator put before the Board several motions, which will be subject to approval by the Board of Selectmen. This issue will be added to the agenda of the December 17th meeting for a vote, which will commence at 06:00 p.m. instead of 07:00 p.m. #3. MINUTES MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN. MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN. MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) #4. CORRESPONDENCE Mr. Dardeno indicated to Donna Muise that he would like a copy of the COM/Dept. of Telecommunications and Cable letter. #5. PUBLIC COMMENT None at this time. #6. LEGAL BILLS MR. BALUKONIS STATED THAT MOST OF THE OCTOBER LEGAL BILLS WERE RELATED TO ONGOING LITIGATION ACTIVITY. MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR OCTOBER 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,699.73 AS FOLLOWS: KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL) $31,990.23 KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) 709.50 TOTAL $32,699.73 MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) #7. APPOINTMENTS/RE-APPOINTMENTS PROCESS SERVING CONSTABLES - REAPPOINTMENTS MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS PROCESS SERVING CONSTABLES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2008: (5 OPENINGS) PAUL DORSEY, 18 MAGNOLIA RD. (INCUMBENT) JOHN FIRRIELLO, SULLIVAN RD. (INCUMBENT) HAROLD REYNOLDS, PARK STREET (INCUMBENT) MOTION BY: MR. VENO SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: AYE MR. VENO: AYE MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. HARRIS: AYE MR. MAUCERI: AYE A motion to appointment a new constable was passed over due lack of a citizen’s activity record. DETAIL CONSTABLES MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS DETAIL CONSTABLES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2008: KARL BERG JERRY BERG MOTION BY: MR. VENO SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: AYE MR. VENO: AYE MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. HARRIS: AYE MR. MAUCERI: AYE ____________________________________________________________________________ MOBILE HOME RENT CONTROL BOARD MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE MOBILE HOME RENT CONTROL BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010: (1 OPENING) ROBYN D’APOLITO, 193 ELM ST. (INCUMBENT) MOTION BY: MR. VENO SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: AYE MR. VENO: AYE MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. HARRIS: AYE MR. MAUCERI: AYE -3- ___________________________________________________________________________ READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS THE READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR NORTH READING FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010: (1 OPENING) JOHN NORTON, addressStreet279 MAIN ST. (INCUMBENT) MOTION BY: MR. VENO SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: AYE MR. VENO: AYE MR. DARDENO: AYE MR. HARRIS: AYE MR. MAUCERI: AYE ____________________________________________________________________________ HILLVIEW COMMISSION MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE HILLVIEW COMMISSION FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010: (2 OPENINGS) EDWARD ROCCO, 17 OLDE FARM LANE (INCUMBENT) LAWRENCE DYMENT, 56 NORTHRIDGE DRIVE (INCUMBENT) PAUL DORSEY, 18 MAGNOLIA RD. NASOS PHILLIPS, 12 KRYSTEN LANE MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: MR. ROCCO/MR. DYMENT MR. VENO: MR. ROCCO/MR. DYMENT MR. DARDENO: MR. ROCCO/MR. DYMENT MR. HARRIS: MR. ROCCO/MR. DYMENT MR. MAUCERI: MR. ROCCO/MR. DYMENT BOARD OF APPEALS MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010: (2 OPENINGS) JAMES DEMETRI, 10 OSCARS WAY (INCUMBENT) PAUL O’LEARY, 5 ADRIAN DRIVE (INCUMBENT) ANDREW SHULTZ, 4 CENTRAL STREET MR. O’LEARY NOTED AS A MATTER OF DISCLOSURE THAT PAUL O’LEARY WAS HIS BROTHER, BUT THERE WAS NO CONFLICT OF VOTING HIS APPOINTMENT AS THERE WAS NO MONETARY VALUE. MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: MR. DEMETRI/MR. O’LEARY MR. VENO: MR. DEMETRI/MR. O’LEARY MR. DARDENO: MR. DEMETRI/MR. O’LEARY MR. HARRIS: MR. DEMETRI/MR. O’LEARY MR. MAUCERI: MR. DEMETRI/MR. O’LEARY BOARD OF APPEALS – ASSOCIATE MEMBERS MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENT AS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010: (1 OPENING) JOHN D. NELSON, 24 CRESTWOOD RD. (INCUMBENT) ANDREW SHULTZ, 4 CENTRAL ST. MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY SECONDED BY: MR. VENO VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: MR. NELSON MR. VENO: MR. NELSON MR. DARDENO: MR. NELSON MR. HARRIS: MR. NELSON MR. MAUCERI: MR. NELSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010: (1 OPENING) THOMAS ROMEO, 74 NORTH ST. (CURRENT ASSOCIATE MEMBER) STEPHEN DICICCO, 10 MARBLEHEAD ST. JAMES LEONARD, 286 HAVERHILL ST. GREGORY CAPANO, 9 NORTHRIDGE DRIVE JOAN L. MULLALY, 490 PARK ST., WEST WILLIAM REED, 17 GRANDVIEW RD. MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: MR. ROMEO MR. VENO: MR. ROMEO MR. DARDENO: MR. ROMEO MR. HARRIS: MR. ROMEO MR. MAUCERI: MR. ROMEO ___________________________________________________________________________ #8. LICENSE RENEWALS COMMON VICTUALLER MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: ANDREA’S HOUSE OF PIZZA B & D GOLF ENTERPRISES (HILLVIEW) BEYOND BAGELS CHINA CUISINE DAIRY QUEEN KITTY’S RESTAURANT MCDONALD’S RESTAURANT MIIT, INC. D/B/A SUBWAY PICCADILLY PUB S & M SUBWAY OF NORTH READING, INC. SHAW’S SUPERMARKETS, INC. SUNRISE BAGEL THE LOBSTER CLAW THOMSON CLUB, INC. MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. VENO VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) ___________________________________________________________________________ COMMON VICTUALLER/ALL ALCOHOL MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING COMMON VICTUALLER/ALL ALCOHOL LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: B & D GOLF ENTERPRISES (HILLVIEW) CHINA CUISINE KITTY’S RESTAURANT PICCADILLY PUB MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. VENO VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) ___________________________________________________________________________ PACKAGE STORE/ALL ALCOHOL MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING PACKAGE STORE/ALL ALCOHOL LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: NEW ENGLAND BEVERAGE AND REDEMPTION MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. VENO VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) PACKAGE STORE/WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING PACKAGE STORE/WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: TEDESCHI FOOD SHOPS MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. VENO VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) CLASS II LICENSE MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING CLASS II LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: BRIAN DUCHAK D/B/A NATIONAL SALES GREENBRIAR CLASSIC MOTORS NORTH READING AUTO SALES P & T AUTO SALES MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. VENO ABSTAINED: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0) CLASS III LICENSE MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING CLASS III LICENSE TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: BRIAN DUCHAK D/B/A NATIONAL SALES MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. VENO VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) MR. BALUKONIS MADE A QUICK COMMENTARY ON ONE OF THE LICENSEES. CHINA CUISINE HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR AN ALTERATION OF PREMISES, SO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE A NOTICE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH WILL BE SCHEDULED AT AN UPCOMING BOARD MEETING. _______________________________________________________________________________ AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICES MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: KITTY’S RESTAURANT MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) CLUB LICENSE/ALL ALCOHOL MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING CLUB/ALL ALCOHOL LICENSE TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: THOMSON CLUB MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) CLASS I LICENSE MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING CLASS I LICENSES TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: BRIAN DUCHAK D/B/A NATIONAL SALES THE HONDA BARN MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) ________________________________________________________________________ SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RENEW THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS: B & D GOLF ENTERPRISES (HILLVIEW) MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0) _________________________________________________________________________ COMCAST AGREEMENT Mr. Dardeno reported to the Board that a conceptual agreement had been reached with Comcast and the agreement would be signed at the December 17^th meeting. Both Comcast and the Cable Access Corp. will begin operations on January 5^th. A Director still needs to be hired and access with the School Department still had to be worked out. Mr. Mauceri congratulated Mr. Dardeno. Mr. Dardeno then left at 9:28 p.m. #9. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Prior to handing out his report, Mr. Balukonis commented that he had received a letter from the Insurance Services Office who periodically come in and rate the town’s ability to provide fire suppression/protection. The rating translates to the development of discounts that affect property insurance of the Town. North Reading received a rating of 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the best and 10 the worst. He commented that 4 was a good rating. He then proceeded with his report. 1. Mr. Balukonis updated the Board on the FY 08 property valuations, noting that preliminary approval had been granted today. An annual tax classification hearing will be held after final approval is granted. 2. Mr. Balukonis noted that at the October town meeting, $20,000 had been allotted for renovations and improvements to the Senior Center’s administrative offices and the work was scheduled to begin this week. Mr. Balukonis recently met with representatives from the Friends of the Council on Aging to discuss various issues that were taking place and Mr. Balukonis gave each member a copy of the list. 3. Mr. Balukonis updated the Board on the various options associated with the GIC health insurance proposal. He is still awaiting additional information from the Town’s Health Insurance Advisor on the various plan options and associated costs. Once this information is reviewed, it will be presented to the Board of Selectmen and then to the Insurance Advisory Committee on December 19^th. 4. Mr. Balukonis clarified to the members of the Board that the article in the Globe Northwest edition stating that two employees of placeNorth Reading were being fined by the State Ethics Committee were not employees of the Town at that time and had not been in the Town’s employ since 2006. Mr. Balukonis also distributed copies of the Ethics Committee report to all the department heads and anticipates that ethics training for municipal employees should begin in 2008. He noted that a request for ethics training had been had been made in the past by Selectmen Veno. #10. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS Mr. Veno commented that a good time was had by all at the 2^nd annual tree lighting celebration, and he thanked the Chamber of Commerce for a great job. Mr. O’Leary congratulated the cheerleaders and the volleyball team Mr. Mauceri also commented on the good time at the tree lighting ceremony and also about the extremely busy agenda on the 17^th and reiterated that the meeting would begin at 6:00 p.m. #11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (9:55 p.m.) MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF 1) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR LITIGATION STRATEGY AND 2) VALUE, LEASE OR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY AND FURTHER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION THEREAFTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT. MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: AYE MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. HARRIS: AYE MR. VENO: AYE 10:25 PM The Board returned to open session. Mr. Harris had left the Executive Session at 10:05 p.m. ADJOURN (10:25 PM) MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY: MR. VENO SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY VOTED: UNANIMOUS (3-0)