MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY APRIL 4, 2011
Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Prisco, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Yull and the Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR. PRISCO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGINING AND LITIGATION STRATAGY, SUCH DISCUSSIONS IN OPEN SESSION WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON THE TOWN, AND FURTHER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. MOVE TO ADMIT TOWN COUNSEL.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY AYE
MR. PRISCO AYE
MR. DELANEY AYE
MR. YULL AYE
MR. MAUCERI AYE
7:10 p.m. The Board returned to open session.
2. JOINT APPOINTMENT:
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.DELANEY MOVE TO PLACE THE FOLLOWING NAMES IN NOMINATION AS VOTING MEMBERS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE:
ALDO TRAMONTOSSI
PHIL DARDENO
DAN MC GINNIS
JACK PECORA
JOHN FAUCHER, MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
WAYNE HARDACKER, SUPV. OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
GREG BALUKONIS, TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Discussion: Mel Webster- We are expanding the voting members, the original policy limited the number of voting members. We have changed the policy to allow all members on the committee to vote.
SECONDED BY: MR. PRISCO
VOTED: MR. WEBSTER AYE
MR. BOWERS AYE
MR. VENEZIA AYE
MS. ERRICHETTI AYE
MR. O’LEARY AYE
MR. PRISCO AYE
MR. DELANEY AYE
MR. YULL AYE
MR. MAUCERI AYE
UNANIMOUS (5-0)
3. FY 2012 BUDGET HEARINGS :
CPC- Heidi Griffin Town Planning Director presented the CPC budget.
The Board of Selectmen asked about the Economic Development in North Reading and discussed with Heidi the GIS Coordinator position.
Council on Aging- Mary Prenney Town Elder Affairs Director presented the COA budget. Discussed the remodeling of the Third Meeting house, Mystic Valley rates have not increased this year and the upcoming release of a Brothers of War a memoir to be released in May of this year. The proceeds from the sales will support the Veteran and Elder Organizations in North Reading.
Town Clerk – Barbara Stats, Town Clerk presented the Town Clerks budget.
Mr. Mauceri stated there may be a time the school may need to have a special town meeting and asked - What is the cost of a special town meeting? Town Clerk replied about $10,000.
Mr. Prisco asked if there had been any cost savings to centralizing the voter location. Town Clerk replied no but minimal if anything.
The Town Clerk announced Passports will no longer be available through her office. The Board of Selectmen ask Mr. Balukonis if there were plans to move the responsibility to another department. Mr. Balukonis indicated he did not have plans to do so.
Parks and Recreation-Maureen Steven, Director of Operations presented the budget. Parks and Recreation would like to change to an Enterprise fund. The Board of Selectmen asked about additional revenue brought in by the Turf Field. Maureen replied about $6000.00 in the past year.
Youth Services – Erica Hansen, Youth Services Director presented the budget. Members of the Board of Selectmen applauded the work she has done in the department since she started. She discussed the increase of middle school students to the program, the Shovel a Vet program, the students participation in Norcam, Mentoring programs and Battle of the Bands.
Code Enforcement – James DeCola, Building Inspector presented the budget for the Zoning board, Board of Appeals and the Building Department. Level Budget except for one small increase the travel expenses. Mr. Prisco asked for the total number of permits this year. Mr. DeCola replied, the same as last year. Mr. Delaney asked about the fee difference. Mr. DeCola replied we are one of the highest around and it’s the same for Residential and Commercial.
Library- Helena Minton, Library Director presented the budget and certification requirements. She also discussed new projects for the Library, a integrated catalogue system, E-Readers, Barnes and Noble Nook area and Kindle. Mr. Maurice asked where she thought the concept of Municipal Libraries is heading with all the new technology. Mr. Prisco asked about Revenues and the Decertification Curve.
The Board of Selectmen asked if she was interested in taking on the Passport program.
IT- Gene Tworek, IT Director presented the budget. Mr. Tworek discussed new developments throughout the past year and developing programs for the future. Mr. Prisco asked about the backup servers.
Department Budget discussion ended.
Mr. Delaney asked if the Public Hearing meeting on April 19, 2011 could be changed to April 25, 2011.
The Board of Selectmen will keep the meeting on April 19, 2011 to continue working on the budget and will add April 25, 2011 for Public Hearing.
4. MINUTES:
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR. PRISCO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 7, 2011 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS AMENDED.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.PRISCO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 7, 2011 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.PRISCO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 14, 2011 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. PRISCO
VOTED: O’LEARY (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR.PRISCO MOVE TO APPROVE THE MARCH 14, 2011 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
SECONDED BY: MR. PRISCO
VOTED: O’LEARY (5-0)
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment
6. SEASONAL LICENSE RENEWALS ROBERT CONNORS
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. PRISCO MOVE TO RENEW THE TRANSIENT VENDOR LICENSE FOR THE SALE OF FLOWERS, CHRISTMAS TREES, ETC AT 226 MAIN STREET FOR ROBERT CONNORS, 58 WYMAN STREET, WOBURN, MA TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2011 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MR. PRISCO MOVE TO RENEW THE TRANSIENT VENDOR LICENSE FOR C & R DREAM DOGZ LOCATED AT NORTH PARISH PARK AND MULLIN FIELD TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2011 SUBJECT TO ALL REGULATORY DEPARTEMENTAL DEPARTMENT.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: UNANIMOUS (5-0)
7. DISCUSSION OF ACCESS TO SMITH PROPERTY
LUC Jeff Yull has requested this item be placed on the agenda. The LUC would like for the Smith property to be available to the public. The LUC would like to make a presentation at Town Meeting. Yull would like to review it and go forward with it. At Town meeting the Board of Selectmen recommended it on a 4 to 1 vote and the Town voted it down. Mr. Delaney would like to see the language in number 8 with in the Cross-Easement access agreement changed to The Town agrees not to limit or prevent access by Commercial Vehicles to Wright Street.
9. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
Mr. Balukonis discussed Chapter 90 funding in the amount of $488,000. These funds are to be used for road improvement projects. The health insurance quotes have been received ranging from 4.95% to 15.2%. He has met with the IAC and explained the quotes are unaffordable for the Town budget. The Chief of Police prepared an analysis on the merits of filling 2 vacant shifts in the department in lieu of overtime.
10. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Prisco
- Christian Community Services is starting a new program called “Dare to Begin” they will sponsor a loan to start a business.
- Lou, the North Reading Service Station, is closing. He is being evicted after 31 years.
Mr. Delaney
- Thank the North Reading / Reading Chamber of Commerce for their Citizens award Ceremony. During the Ceremony they recognized Sergeant Mike Murphy and Patrolman James Carcia and Retired Captain Cooke from the Fire Department and our Chairman Bob Mauceri as Citizen of the Year.
Mr. Yull
- Wanted to know if there were any funds from the Town going to Christian Community Service.
Mr. Mauceri
- Mr. Mauceri thanked the Chamber of Commerce and reminded the public to use Town businesses.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION 10:20 p.m.
MR.CHAIRMAN, I MR. PRISCO MOVE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGINING AND LITIGATION STRATAGY, SUCH DISCUSSIONS IN OPEN SESSION WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON THE TOWN.
SECONDED BY: MR. O’LEARY
VOTED: MR. O’LEARY AYE
MR. YULL AYE
MR. DALANEY AYE
MR. PRISCO AYE
MR. MAUCERI AYE
ADJOURN 11:30 p.m.
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