Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Delaney, Mr. Veno, Mr. Yull, Mr. O’Leary and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was requested by Mr. Mauceri.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public comment.
7. APPOINTMENT - ELECTION WORKERS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. YULL MOVE TO EXERCISE THE FOLLOWING OPTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS FOR ELECTIONS HELD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2010:
APPOINT ELECTION OFFICERS FROM THE LIST SUBMITTED BY THE REGISTRARS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE REGISTRARS.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: 4-0-1
Mr. O’Leary abstained from the vote because a family members name appeared on the list.
Town Clerk, Barbara Stats made a small presentation and answered questions from the Board of Selectmen.
3. DESIGNATION OF ECONOMIC TARGETED AREA
Mr. Peter Milano from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development presented an Economic Development Incentive Program for the Town of North Reading. Mr. Milano answered many questions from the Board of Selectmen.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. O’LEARY MOVE TO INSTRUCT THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR, IN CONCERT WITH THE PLANNING ADMINISTRATOR, TO INITIATE ACTION AND REPORT TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AT IT’S NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO OBTAIN THE DESIGNATION OF ECONOMIC TARGETED AREA (ETA).
SECONDED BY: MR.DELANEY
VOTED: 4-1 (MR. VENO AGAINST)
Mr. Veno is in favor of this program however voted no because it was not on the agenda and he would like to know more about the program.
4. EXTENSION TO PURCHASE – NORTH READING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. YULL MOVE TO GRANT A ONE YEAR EXTENSION UNTIL JUNE 30, 2010 TO THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN AND THE NORTH READING HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10.55 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 71R CHESTNUT STREET AND SHOWN ON ASSESSOR'S MAP 56, PARCEL 62 FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONSTRUCTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PERSONS AGE 62 AND OVER.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
Director of Elder Affairs, Mary Prenney presented this issue to the Board of Selectmen.
HOME CONSORTIUM FUNDS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. YULL MOVE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF THIS YEAR'S NORTH SHORE HOME CONSORTIUM FUNDS BY THE NORTH READING HOUSING AUTHORITY TOWARDS THE 202 SUPPORTIVE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PERSONS AGE 62 AND OVER AT 71R CHESTNUT STREET, WHEN/IF A GRANT IS AWARDED AND ALSO SUPPORT THE USE OF NEXT YEAR'S FUNDS FOR THE SAME PROJECT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
The Board of Selectmen took a moment to recognize Mary Prenney and Michele Mawn of the Housing Committee of a job well done.
5. CELL TOWER LEASE AGREEMENT
The attorney for Verizon Wireless, Jane Minasian, discussed the contract with the Board of Selectmen which will allow a cell tower to be constructed on the North Street Water Tower.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. YULL MOVE TO SIGN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF NORTH READING AND BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE OF MASSACHUSETTS CORPORATION LTD., D/B/A VERIZON WIRELESS, FOR LOCATION AT WATER STORAGE TANK AT NORTH STREET, ASSESSORS MAP 27, PARCEL 14.
SECONDED BY: MR.O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
6. AMBULANCE BILL WRITE-OFF
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. YULL MOVE TO WRITE-OFF THE FOLLOWING AMBULANCE BILL IN ACCORDANCE WITH HILL-BURTON STANDARDS:
INCIDENT # NR 081906 RUN # 208426 $98.40
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. TOWN OWNED LAND
As a follow up to last meeting the Board of Selectmen discussed changes to section 7.2 The Town of North Readings Policies of the Board of Selectmen.
Change section 7.2.2 part D which reads “The minimum sale price of tax foreclosure property shall be its current assessed value.
Proposes Changes:
D. The target minimum sale price of tax foreclosure property shall be its current assessed value. The Board of Selectmen, by majority vote, may sell it for less than its assessed value if deemed to be in the Town’s interest at that time.
OR
D. The targeted minimum sale price of tax foreclosure property shall be its current assessed value. The Board of Selectmen, by 4/5ths vote, may sell it for less than its assessed value if deemed to be in the Town’s interest at that time.
Propose at the next meeting they have a 1st reading to change to a 4/5 vote.
8. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
- As a follow-up to the new local option meals and lodging taxes, I am confirming North Reading would receive no financial benefit through the adoption of the room occupancy tax.
- As an additional follow-up matter, the Town Clerk has furnished sample Noise By-Law and ordinances in-place in other communities.
- The Board asked me to review the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Account and report on collection activity over the last 2 years. The amount collected per vehicle is down about 6% from FY08 to FY09 ($134.50/$126.80). Additionally, the collection rate is down from 98.9% in FY08 to 95.3% in FY09. The final question the Board had was on the number of motorcycle registrations. There were 344 motorcycle registrations and $17,710 collected in FY08. In FY09, the number of registrations dropped to 320 with $17,064 collected in Excise Taxes. Based on this information, I caution against increasing the amount budgeted in FY10 for Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.
- I would like to acknowledge and thank Al Pereira of Advance Photo for his donation of a digital camera to the Building Department. The camera will replace the film type camera previously used for departmental business.
- I would like to thank the Fire Chief and Deputy for the work necessary to complete a grant application seeking $235,420 in Federal funds for renovations to the Fire Station. The grant seeks funds to complete various energy efficiency and conservation measures at the Fire Station.
- The Library exterior restoration and painting project has been advertised with bids due on August 19th. As you know, the project was funded at April Town Meeting in the amount of $60,000.
- The DPW Director Search and Screening Committee has completed its assignment in reviewing applications and interviewing candidates for the new Director who is replacing Dave Hanlon. I thank Committee members, Robert Mauceri, Abigail Hurlbut, Rita Mullin, Ed McIntyre, Mark Clark, Heidi Griffin and Alyson Olsen for their assistance as Committee members.
- I anticipate departments will begin work on the Town's Capital Improvement Plan for consideration at the October Town Meeting. I provided you with a draft memo highlighting the program guidelines and capital priorities for fiscal 2010. The priorities include projects associated with: 1) Preservation of long term assets such as buildings and public works infrastructure; 2) Reduction of Operating Costs; 3) Ensure adequacy of water and wastewater systems; 4) Improve reliability of information technology systems. Growth related capital projects that do not fall into the aforementioned categories and those which impact the operating budget are likely to be deferred given the Town's current economic condition.
- Discussed a proposal from the Building Department to attach a $30 fee to have a temporary dumpster located in their yard.
10. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. O’Leary
- Discussed a current annual hydrant fee on Condominium Complex’s.
Mr. Yull
- Discussed the Smith Property Access agreement
- Asked Greg about the Wireless Telephone program wondered if all employees were on the same program.
- Thanked Greg for helping him during the week with some questions he had.
Mr. Veno
- Asked to move the meeting on August 17th from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Mr. Delaney
Mr. Mauceri
- Asked about a show cause hearing for the dog noise level.
- Wants to Thank the Munis Implementation team for all their efforts.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION 9:30 p.m.
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR. YULL MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGINING LITIGATION AND LEASE VALUE /REAL ESTATE AND FURTHER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION THEREAFTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY AYE
MR. VENO AYE
MR. DELANEY AYE
MR. YULL AYE
MR. MAUCERI AYE
10: 30 p.m. The Board returned to open session.
MR. CHAIRMAN I MR. DELANEY MOVE TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY: MR. VENO
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
DATE JEFFREY YULL, CLERK
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