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 FEBRUARY 2, 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 FEBRUARY 2, 2009 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 9, 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 FEBRUARY 9, 2009 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
2. MSBA STATEMENT OF INTEREST
The Superintendent requested a revote so the minutes would include the entire body of the statement of interest and that the text be read in its entirety.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO AMEND THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 15, 2008, #7a., TO INCLUDE THE ATTACHED MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY STATEMENT OF INTEREST.
STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Mr. Chairman, I resolve that having convened in an open meeting on December 15, 2008, the Board of Selectmen of North Reading, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building authority the Statement of Interest dated December 18, 2008 for North Reading Middle School located at 19 Sherman Road, North Reading, MA which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category for which North Reading may be invited to apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future:
The following priorities have been included in the Statement of Interest for North Reading Middle School:
- Replacement or renovation of a building which is structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school students, where no alternative exists;
- Elimination of existing severe overcrowding
- Prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments.
- Replacement, renovation or modernization of the heating system in a schoolhouse to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs
7.~~ Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements.
and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest, the Massachusetts School Building authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority or commits the Town of North Reading to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building authority.
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
3. CORRESPONDENCE
NONE
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeff Yull, 427 Park Street spoke of public comment he made at the February 2nd meeting regarding the sidewalk situation. He presented pictures to the Board and requested that the DPW be required to remove the snow from the sidewalks. He also attached a bylaw stating businesses are required to clear the sidewalk where their property sits.
Will Birkmaier, 85 Park Street spoke regarding snow piles being very high and covering parts of the sidewalk in certain places. In his opinion, businesses are sometimes pushing the snow out of their parking lots onto the sidewalk.
5. LEGAL BILLS (7:27p.m.)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR DECEMBER 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,548.49 AS FOLLOWS:
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL) $ 2,582.49
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) $ 6,001.00
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (WATER) $ 1,615.00
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION $ 350.00
TOTAL $10,548.49
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
DISCUSSION
Transfer of funds on a month by month basis
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENTS
ENERGY STUDY AD HOC COMMITTEE
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE PLACE IN NOMINATION THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE ENERGY STUDY AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2009: (10 OPENINGS – ALL INCUMBENTS)
DANIEL MCINNES, 3 SURREY LANE
JOSEPH BILICKI (READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPT.)
JOHN WELSH (DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS)
RICHARD HARRIS (FIRE DEPT.)
DAN JONES (POLICE DEPT.)
MARK MANZELLI, 62 CENTRAL ST.
WAYNE HARDACKER (SCHOOLS)
MOTION BY: MR. HARRIS
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY: ALL
MR. VENO: ALL
MR. DELANEY: ALL
MR. HARRIS: ALL
MR. MAUCERI: ALL
UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. PRESERVATION RESTRICTION
Attorney Jim Senior spoke on behalf of Mr. Birkmaier regarding the preservation restriction agreement – the intent of the historic commission to preserve the property and be maintained in a historically correct manner.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENDORSE THE PRESERVATION RESTRICTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF NORTH READING ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE NORTH READING HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND WILLIAM B. BIRKMAIER, III CONCERNING THE JACOB MCINTIRE HOUSE, JACOB MCINTIRE SHED, 85 PARK STREET, NORTH READING, MASSACHUSETTS.
MOTION BY: MR HARRIS
SECONDEC BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
8. APRIL TOWN MEETING
There are copies of several warrant articles to be reviewed by the Board before April Town Meeting, including; the transfer of control of the North Reading High School Football Field and Track Area, replacement of the High School football field with a synthetic turf field, and the Ipswich River Park Pavilion warrant article.
9. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Balukonis first spoke of the Town’s Free Cash balance and how it was recertified by the Department of Revenue. It is being proposed that the funds be used to offset the snow deficit. In regards to the snow deficit, Mr. Balukonis has been in contact with the Representative to come up with creative solutions to fund the deficit. He updated the Board on the cell tower bid locations – the proposals are due on April 8th, however he is suggesting the article be delayed until the budget session of Town Meeting. Mr. Balukonis told the Board that the Town received a hearing notice indicating Central Place Senior Living, LLC recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy – almost $70,000 in back taxes from FY 08 and FY 09. He also received communication that the Town’s website is on the list of
awardees on March 18th at the State House.
10. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
MR. O’LEARY: NONE
MR. HARRIS: NONE
MR. VENO: NONE
MR. DELANEY: Spoke of the Ad for Trustees for the Town’s Trust. He feels it is important for the Trustees to attend the March 16th meeting.
MR. MAUCERI: Mentioned that he used the new town Livery Service to get to the airport. It was on time, comfortable, etc. He also spoke of the financial planning team meeting the following day and that 7.8% budget is unattainable. Hopefully they’ll gain acceptance from the Unions for salary freeze and encourage employees from school department to do so.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (8:35)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR
THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING STRATEGY, 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 9:45 p.m.
12. ADJOURN (9:45p.m.)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. HARRIS
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
__________________________________ __________________
Michael Harris, Clerk Date
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