MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
______________________________________________________________________________
Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Harris, Mr. Veno, Mr. Delaney and the Town Administrator, Greg Balukonis.
1. MINUTES
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 21, 2009 REGULAR MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 21, 2009 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
2. CORRESPONDENCE
NONE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
NONE
4. APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENTS
WATER COMMISSION
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAME FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE WATER COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2011: (2 OPENINGS)
JOSEPH FOTI, 25 VALLEY ROAD (INCUMBENT)
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: JOSEPH FOTI
MR. VENO: JOSEPH FOTI
MR. DELANEY: JOSEPH FOTI
MR. HARRIS: JOSEPH FOTI
MR. MAUCERI: JOSEPH FOTI
UNANIMOUS (5-0)
YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR REAPPOINTMENT/APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2011: (3 OPENINGS)
ED SANTOSUOSSO, 10 SANDSPUR LANE (INCUMBENT)
LOUISE SANTOSUOSSO, 10 SANDSPUR LANE
JAMI RACIOPPI, 16 EMERSON RD.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED:
MR. O’LEARY: ED SANTOSUOSSO, LOUISE SANTOSUOSSO, JAMI RACIOPPI
MR. VENO: ED SANTOSUOSSO, LOUISE SANTOSUOSSO, JAMI RACIOPPI
MR. DELANEY: ED SANTOSUOSSO, LOUISE SANTOSUOSSO, JAMI RACIOPPI
MR. HARRIS: ED SANTOSUOSSO, LOUISE SANTOSUOSSO, JAMI RACIOPPI
MR. MAUCERI: ED SANTOSUOSSO, LOUISE SANTOSUOSSO, JAMI RACIOPPI
UNANIMOUS (5-0)
5. APRIL TOWN MEETING/WARRANT ARTICLES (7:07p.m.)
Mr. Balukonis first spoke about the special town meeting warrant articles, which included FY09 Budget Amendment –Water Department(DPW), Prior Year’s Bills (TA – Professional Services and Town Clerk – supplies), Transfer MTBE Settlement Funds (TA), Fund Pavilion at Ipswich River Park (Parks/Rec, Hillview) and the Fund for the Snow and Ice Deficit. The last item discussed was the Library (painting the exterior).
During the discussion, Mr. O’Leary commented on the fact that he feels the Town is doing a good job at keeping the roads clear and safe. Mr. Mauceri also commented on the fact that the Public Works Department is paying attention to snow accumulation, and plowing when necessary to keep the roadways clear. Mr. Veno added to the discussion regarding an email sent to the selectmen and feels the DPW is doing a fantastic job. Mr. Delaney stated that the DPW is doing a terrific job and also commented on the email sent to the selectmen. Jeff Yule, 427 Park Street, spoke of the roads being cleared and safe for the cars, but the sidewalks not being done effectively for pedestrians (most importantly the main areas).
Mr. Balukonis went on to discuss the Annual Town Meeting Articles. When he discussed accepting MGL Chapter 32B, Section 18 – Enrolling Eligible Retirees in Medicare Equivalent Health Insurance, Mr. Veno stated that he will ask to have this article removed from the town meeting when we get to that point because it takes persons who are 65 and do have their 40 quarters in social security and forces them to go to medicare/medicaid, they do not have the option. Mr. Mauceri mentions the fact that there may not be a choice due to the Governor talking about making it a law. Mr. O’Leary suggested a cost analysis and how many communities have this already. It was mentioned that the Operating Budget will be postponed until the end of April. Adding a lease for technology warrant to special town meeting was discussed.
6. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT (8:25p.m.)
Mr. Balukonis began with the notice from the Massachusetts school building authority relative to reimbursement for project – the Town has received 5 million to date. He also wanted to update the Board the notice he received from the Massachusetts campaign for open government. Lastly, he discussed the status of the relocation of the poles on Route 62. RMLD acknowledges that there are several poles that must be relocated, but they have not yet estimated the cost of the work and will ask the town to pay for it.
7. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
MR. O’LEARY:
- Commented on the RMLD press release letter in packet (asking Congress and FERC to exercise more oversight of ISO – NE, the regional transmission organization responsible for electricity markets in the Northeast). Mr. O’Leary thinks the Board should participate and also send a letter.
- He also mentioned being saddened to hear of the passing of former state senator, Bill Saltinstall.
MR. HARRIS:
MR. VENO:
MR. DELANEY:
MR. MAUCERI:
- Requested to fill the position for Trust Fund. Trustees of the trust, Barry Allen –asking not to be reappointed, Pat Romeo and Barbara O’Brien.
- He also spoke of some interesting statistics regarding automobile excise tax (vehicles age increasing, therefore value decreasing resulting in less money being collected in excise taxes).
8. LETTER TO CONGRESS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WRITE A LETTER TO OUR CONGRESSMEN AND UNITED STATES SENATE REGARDING THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY RMLD.
MOTIONED BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (8:52p.m.)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR
THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING STRATEGIES, 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. MAUCERI AYE MR. O’LEARY AYE MR. DELANEY AYE MR. VENO AYE
MR. HARRIS AYE
The Board returned to Open Session at 10:20 p.m.
10. ADJOURN (10:20p.m.)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
_____________________________________ _________________________
Michael Harris, Clerk Date
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