MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY JUNE 1, 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. Veno, Mr. Yull, Mr. Delaney and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. MINUTES
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MAY 18, 2009 REGULAR MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 4-0-1 (Mr. Veno abstained as it was the meeting he was not present for)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MAY 18, 2009 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 4-0-1 (Mr. Veno abstained as it was the meeting he was not present for)
2. CORRESPONDENCE
NONE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Deanna Castro, 9 Bridle Way, addressed the Board on behalf of North Reading United for Education to thank the members of the Board and Greg Balukonis for identifying $210,000, moving it from general government to the school budget to help close the gap. She also wanted to continue to thank the Board and other Boards in town for their ongoing cooperation and communication to ensure for a quality education. Lastly, she wanted to remind the public that committees have been working all year to encourage the State and Federal Government to provide funding for education.
Mr. Veno, for the record, wanted to state that the $210,000 came out of Health Insurance.
4. LEGAL BILLS
Mr. Balukonis reviewed the legal bill with the Board.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO APPROVE LEGAL BILLS FOR APRIL 2009 IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,582.57 AS FOLLOWS:
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (GENERAL) $ 4,448.57
KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. (LABOR) 5,134.00
TOTAL $ 9,582.57
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
5. RE-APPOINTMENT
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RE-APPOINTMENT KOPELMAN AND PAIGE, P.C. AS LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE TOWN OF NORTH READING FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2010.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. POLLING LOCATION
Barbara Stats spoke regarding the centralization of the polling location and that the residents will be notified through the town census.
Mr. Veno notified the Board that he is opposed and will not be voting in favor of the centralized polling place – traffic patterns, etc will deter voters from voting. He will be voting in opposition to it.
Mr. Yull thanked Barbara for her presentation 2 weeks ago and thinks it’s a sign of being efficient (centralizing the polling place).
Mr. O’Leary recognizes concerns but would like to give it a try.
MR. CHAIRMAN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH MGL 54:24, I MOVE TO DESIGNATE THE PARISH HALL AT ST. THERESA'S CHURCH LOCATED AT 51 WINTER STREET, NORTH READING, MA AS THE CENTRALIZED POLLING LOCATION FOR ALL OF THE PRECINCTS OF THE TOWN OF NORTH READING.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: 4-1 (Mr. Veno opposed)
7. WATER RATES
Dave Hanlon asked the Board for a formal vote to maintain the water rates.
8. TOWN MEETING(OPERATING BUDGET/CAPITAL)
Dave Hanlon began by presenting the water system capital requests.
Mr. O’Leary requested an update on the number of types of fire hydrants the town has and where they’re at in the cycle of replacing them.
Mr. Mauceri presented a power point which reviewed the operating budget. There were comments, discussions, and opinions amongst those present regarding the budget.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN TAKE A GENERAL POLICY POSITION OF NOT OPENING THE STABILIZATION FUND FOR GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES.
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Dave Hanlon spoke regarding the FEMA grant and Mr. Balukonis spoke in terms of recommendations.
TOWN MEETING ARTICLE RECOMMENDATIONS
ARTICLE 21
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 21, OPERATING BUDGET AS PRESENTED UNDER THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S RECOMMENDATION
MOTION BY: MR. O’LEARY
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ARTICLE 22
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 22, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AS FOLLOWS:
$301,708 – WATER CAPITAL BOND TO BE WATER REVENUES
$47, 500 – DPW CAPITAL BOND TRANSFER FROM DEBT STABILIZATION
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ARTICLE 23
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 23, FUND RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $370, 528.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ARTICLE 24
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND ARTICLE 24, APPROPRIATE MONEY TO STABILIZATION FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $175,000.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ARTICLE 25
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PASS OVER ARTICLE 25, RETIREMENT TRUST FUNDS.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ARTICLE 27
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PASS OVER ARTICLE 27, FUND FY 2011 REVALUATION.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
ARTICLE 28
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO PASS OVER ARTICLE 28, APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR WASTEWATER DESIGN AND PERMITTING.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
9. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Balukonis began by informing the Board that he received a memo from Wastewater/Storm water Planning Advisory Committee suggesting a joint workshop with the Board of Selectmen to develop a course of action and related tasks. The Board of Selectmen voiced that they are willing to meet, however, not on a Saturday as suggested but possibly June 22nd. He went on to update the Board on a letter received from the school paraprofessionals union indicating their right to bargain the health insurance change. He then notified the Board that the Housing Authority will be reapplying for a grant to assist with construction of affordable senior housing on Chestnut Street. Mr. Veno requested that if it’s not time certain that the motion be voted on Monday night and be placed on the agenda. Lastly, he told the Board
that he was informed by a member of the Fourth of July Committee that the festivities at Ipswich River Park were cancelled this year due to lack of funding.
10. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
MR. O’LEARY:
Hopes for a speedy recovery for the manager of the China Cuisine restaurant
MR. YULL:
Echo’s Mr. O’Leary’s sediments and makes a motion for the water rates
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO ESTABLISH THE FISCAL 2010 WATER RATES AT THE SAME TIERS AND AMOUNTS AS SET FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
MOTION BY: MR. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
JOE VENO:
- Echo’s sediments of fellow board members regarding the manager of the China Cuisine.
- Comments on what a great day the Memorial Day Parade was.
- Mentioned that he watched the last meetings tape and expressed concern over FAC issues.(Mr. Mauceri states, “it’s on the table.”)
SEAN DELANEY:
- Responded to Mr. Veno – takes responsibility for communication lag with FAC.
- Also commented on the Memorial Day Parade.
- Applauded the Relay for Life and the DPW for it’s clean up efforts.
- Also passed along thoughts to members of the family of the manager of the China Cuisine.
- Remind the public of the importance of Town Meeting which will be held next Monday evening.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (9:30p.m.)
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. YULL
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. MAUCERI: AYE MR. O’LEARY: AYE MR. DELANEY: AYE MR. VENO: AYE
MR. YULL: AYE
The Board returned to open session at 10:05 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________
Jeffrey Yull, Clerk Date
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