MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Room 109 at the North Reading High School in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. Harris, and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis. Mr. O’Leary was absent.
#1. MINUTES
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 3, 2008 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 3, 2008 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 17, 2008 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 17, 2008 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
______________________________________________________________________________
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 24, 2008 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 24, 2008 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: (3-1)
Mr. Harris abstained from the vote.
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
#2. CORRESPONDENCE
None at this time.
#3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
#4. LEGAL BILLS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR FEBRUARY 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,920.59 AS FOLLOWS:
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL) $ 1,008.59
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) 2,673.00
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (WATER) 82.50
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (EPP) 20,156.50
TOTAL $23,920.59
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. DARDENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (4-0)
Mr. Balukonis stated the $20,156.50 was for Eisenhaures land taking expenses, and the total amount expended through February was $89,743.
Mr. O’Leary arrived at 6:05 p.m.
#5. AMBULANCE BILL WRITE-OFF
Mr. Balukonis recommended the Board approve this write-off in the amount of $113.19, as this was a hardship case, and documentation verifying income was attached.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO WRITE-OFF AMBULANCE BILL #NR8-0006 DATED JANUARY 2, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $113.19 IN ACCORDANCE WITH HILL-BURTON STANDARDS.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
#6. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO READ AND SIGN THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE GUARD AND RESERVE.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
Mr. Veno seconded the motion, but asked whether this statement was actually from the National Guard or from an outside agency. He noted that although he was in support of this, he was uncomfortable with an outside agency using the National Guard seal. After discussion, it was decided to table this issue until further information was available.
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
#7. COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSE
Mr. Veno questioned why the building inspection had not been done on this business. The owner, Peter Calakoutis, stated that it had been done that day, but he did not have documentation as yet. Mr. Veno would actually like to have the Building Inspector’s written approval, prior to granting the license, so the motion was amended to note this condition.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO GRANT A COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSE TO SOC’S ICE CREAM, 327 MAIN STREET TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND CONDITIONAL ON APPROVAL OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
#8. AMEND CLASS I LICENSE - HONDA BARN
The attorney for Gallery North, Inc., the parent company of Honda Barn, was present and asked the Board if they had any questions with regard to the license transfer/purchase. Mr. Veno stated he had heard that Honda Barn may be relocating to Reading and asked if that was correct. The attorney noted that it was a possibility, but they are not 100% sure as to whether the Honda dealership will relocate or another dealership will move there. The attorney noted that the environmental issues that were brought to his attention are being taken care of and the work should be completed within two weeks. He only just found out about these issues a few days ago, which include fixing a fence, removing sediment, and regrading a strip of paving.
He wanted the Board to know that they also have four other dealerships, one in Norwell and three in Norwood. Being most familiar with the Norwood dealerships in particular, he states they have a great relationship with the Town, as they are very civic-minded, community-oriented and extremely supportive of the town. They have a pristine reputation there and believe the same will be true with North Reading.
Mr. O’Leary welcomed him to North Reading. He did want to note that Mr. Roger Groux, the prior owner, had been extremely supportive of various North Reading organizations and has been extremely generous to the community. He then wished him much success and hoped they would stay in North Reading. The Board then thanked him and wished him good luck.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO AMEND THE CLASS I LICENSE AT 260 AND 313 MAIN STREET TO REFLECT THE OWNERSHIP AS GALLERY NORTH, INC. D/B/A HONDA GALLERY.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
___________________________________________________________________________
#9. DISCUSS SELECTMEN’S MEETING SCHEDULE
The Board discussed various meeting dates and they decided to meet April 28th and May 5th at 7:00 p.m.
#10. APRIL TOWN MEETING
Mr. Mauceri noted he would be giving an overview of the budget presentation at the meeting. He will review the changes that have been made, noting the items that were added and items that were taken off.
#11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
He discussed the memo from the Treasurer with regards to Article 16 and the non-payment of taxes of three parcels of land totalling $3,499.55. He asked whether the Board wished to proceed on the motion under Article 16 to accept the land as a gift to the Town, as there is a motion drafted to pass over, or if the Town wished to acquire ownership of the parcels through the tax title process, as it’s felt the taxes will probably not be paid. No decision was made at this time.
#12. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Dardeno wanted to check on the outcome of a vote that had taken place at a prior meeting, but the minutes were currently unavailable for him to review.
Mr. Balukonis wanted to review Article 14 again with the Board, noting two different motions were prepared, a Single Motion A and Single Motion B. He explained the both motions to the Board.
Mr. O’Leary stated that he had received a call from a direct abutter of one of the properties listed on the Affordable Housing Bylaw, questioning why certain parcels were still listed on the bylaw. Some of the abutters were under the impression, from attending the public hearings, that the parcels abutting their properties were going to be removed from the list. Mr. O’Leary feels there may be a motion made to amend extracting these parcels off the list.
Mr. Veno stated that should someone attempt to amend the operating side of the budget (taking money out of the general government side) at Town Meeting, he will ask for a paper ballot.
Mr. Balukonis added a quick note regarding the Munis Article stating the original amount was for $60,000, but $68,222 is now the amount being requested, as this would bring free cash down to zero. This is now the motion the Board is being asked to put forward. However, the moderator may not honor this and in that case, they may have to revert back to the $60,000.
#13. EXECUTIVE SESSION
An Executive Session was not held tonight.
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MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
__________________________________________________________________________
#14. TOWN MEETING
The Board of Selectmen Meeting ended at 6:35 p.m. A motion to adjourn was not made at this time, but will be made at the end of Town Meeting. Town Meeting was set to begin at 7:00 p.m.
During Town Meeting the following motion was made regarding Article 7:
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND AN AMENDMENT INCREASING THE AMOUNT UNDER ARTICLE 7 – RECREATION REVOLVING FUND TO $295,000.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ADJOURN 11:20 P.M.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
___________________ ___________________________________
DATE MR. MICHAEL HARRIS, CLERK
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