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ATM 4th session June 9, 2008
2008 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MINUTES
June 9, 2008/ Fourth Session

Town Moderator Robert J. Long called the fourth session of the Annual Town Meeting to order at 8:04 p.m. on June 9, 2008 at the Town Hall Auditorium, 298 Central Street, Saugus, MA, with 43 members, plus the moderator present.  A quorum is met.

Town Clerk, Joanne Rappa, called the roll.


Atkinson, Ronald
X
Long, Robert
X
Attubato, Joseph
X
Lopresti, Anthony J.
X
Barressi, Sal
X
Malone, Barbara J.
X
Bartolo, Jean M.
X
Maltais, Sean A.
X
Billingsley, Stacy A.
X
Manoogian, Peter Z., Sr.
X
Boesel, Edward S.W.
X
McCarthy, Stephen F.
X
Cote, Karen
X
Merrifield, Henry F.
X
Dever, Maureen P.
X
Moschella, Dennis J.
X
Devlin F. Ann
X
Moses, Jeffrey D., Sr.
X
DiNardo, Albert J.
X
Nelson, Stephen A.
A
Dockery, Michael
X
Nicosia, Nicola M.
A
Faiella, Ellen L.
X
Nuzzo, Richard
A
Falasca, Thomas A.
X
Palczynski, Joseph, Jr.
X
Flynn, Patrick M.
X
Politano, Kimberly A.
X
Gill, Charles F.
X
Rodenhiser, Joyce C.
X
Goodwin, Pamela J.
X
Serino, Angelo, Jr.
X
Grabowski, Arthur
A
Smith, James F., Jr.
X
Groark, Laura Z.
X
Smith, Rick A.
X
Hansen, John N.
X
Stewart, Thomas
X
Hawkes, Timothy R.
X
Sullivan, Betty Ann
X
Hoffman, Robert D.
X
Sweezey, Stephen D.
X
Johnson, Patricia Anne
X
Valente, Anthony
X
Jones, William R.
X
VanSteensburg, Paul J., II
A
Lawrence, Raymond
X
Vecchio, Matthew J.
A
Leuci, Janet
X
Witten, Margaret H.
X

Mr. Long stated that only Article 2 was left remaining and that Mr. Boesel, would as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, be making a motion to move the article.

Finance Committee Chairman, Robert Palleschi, acknowledged the hard work, professional motions and great minutes of the retiring Finance Committee Clerk, Fred Brooks, who has dedicated so much of his time and efforts on behalf of the Finance Committee and the Town of Saugus during past years.   Mr. Palleschi further thanked all members of the Finance Committee, George DeDomenico, Theresa Katsos, Ken DePatto, Ron Jepson, Carl Mirabello, Joh Reed, Diana Tai Yan White, and Louis Rossi for their dedication and contribution to the Town.

Mr. Boesel moves the sum of $23,425,250.00 for School Charges and $35,646,332.00 for the Town Charges totaling $59,071,582.00 for the ensuing fiscal year of 2009, funding to be provided from the tax levy, available funds and estimated receipts.

Seconded at 8:08 p.m.

Mr. Boesel, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, moves Department 300 – School Department budget.

Seconded at 8:09 p.m.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Keith Manville, thanked Town Meeting for the vote to borrow money to purchase books for the schools, but stated that unfortunately more must be done.  Specialists have to be replaced, and state mandates must be met, which will require additional funds.



Mr. Manoogian asked if the School Department had an analysis of what the amount requested would provide for the schools.  Dr. Manville stated an analysis would be coming in the future.

Mr. Joseph Malone, Chairman of the School Committee, thanked all who are working so hard at this time on behalf of the schools.  Mr. Malone went on to state that crucial services are needed at the elementary level and the middle school is short staffed and not even able to provide foreign language studies.  Mr. Malone thanked members for the vote to purchase books, but stressed that other services are also needed, noting that the demographics are quickly changing in Saugus and we are in a desperate situation, especially at the Middle School and asked for an increase in the budget.

Frederick Doucette, School Committee member, thanked FinCom for all their work and stated that all departments are struggling with their budgets, but the schools are in dire need at this time.  Mr. Doucette noted that corridors in the Middle School are empty because there are no teachers, so classrooms had to be moved; Art, Gym and Music are all gone from the schools and there is a lack of reading teachers in grades 3-5 during a critical time for students.  Mr. Doucette asked to consider an increase in the School Department Budget.

Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $23,425,250 for School charges.

Yeas:  30  Nays:  12   at 8:26 p.m.

School budget passes as recommended by the Finance Committee.

Mr. Boesel moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee the General Government Budget expenses.

Seconded at 8:28 p.m.

Moderator Long read off the department numbers and asked that any members who had questions or discussion on a particular department’s budget to please call out to hold the vote on the department in question.

Mr. Boesel, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, moves the following department budgets:  114, 122, 123, 131, 135, 138, 141, 151, 155, 161, 162, 171, 175, 176, 210, 220, 241, 243, 244, 245, 249, 291, 292, 294, 295, 299, 301, 410, 411, 420, 424, 483, 484, 492, 493, 510, 541, 543, 561, 631, 650, 655, 690, 692, 710, 715, 911, 912, 955.

Seconded at 8:47 p.m.

Voted to pass the following budgets:



Department
114
Moderator
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$                      -   
122
Board of Selectmen
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        28,944.00
123
Town Manager
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      334,089.00
131
Finance Committee
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        76,500.00
135
Accounting
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      278,228.00
138
Administrative Services
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      163,437.00
141
Assessors
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      258,987.00
151
Legal Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      192,075.00
155
Data Processing
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      156,853.00
161
Town Clerk
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      100,792.00
162
Election & Registration
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        92,475.00
171
Conservation Commission
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        53,426.00
175
Planning Board
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        54,629.00
176
Board of Appeals
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        28,568.00
210
Police Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$  5,349,960.00
220
Fire Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$  3,549,593.00
241
Building Code Enforcement
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      149,563.00
243
Plumbing Inspector
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        38,440.00
244
Weights & Measures
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        10,224.00
245
Electrical Inspector
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        39,167.00
249
Zoning/Code Enforcement
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$                  1.00
291
Emergency Management
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        15,200.00
292
Canine Control
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        63,971.00
294
Forestry Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      148,400.00
295
Harbormaster
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$                  1.00
299
Dispatchers
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      660,469.00
301
Vocational School Assessment
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$  1,082,473.00
410
Public Works Administration
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      241,754.00
411
Public Works Engineering
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        71,050.00
420
Public Works Highway Dept.
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      595,643.00


424
Electrical Service
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      615,000.00
483
Motor Pool Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        55,176.00
484
Motor Vehicle Maintenance
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        38,500.00
492
Building Maintenance Dept.
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      407,670.00
493
Building Maintenance
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      697,600.00
510
Health Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      160,366.00
541
Council on Aging
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$                  9.00
543
Veterans Benefits
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        84,688.00
561
Handicap Commission
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$             430.00
631
Youth & Recreation
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        15,003.00
650
Parks Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      188,170.00
655
Vitale memorial Park
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        25,181.00
690
Fair Housing
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$             300.00
692
Holidays & Celebrations
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$                  2.00
710
Retirement of Debt
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$  2,260,000.00
715
Interest on Long Term Debt
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$      831,809.00
911
Contributory Pension
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$  3,834,245.00
912
Non Contributory Pension
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        46,348.00
955
Capital Equipment
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$        85,000.00


Yeas:  43  Nays:  0   at 8:49 p.m.

Mrs. Dever moves reconsideration of the School Department Budget at 8:49 p.m.

Seconded at 8:50 p.m.
Mr. Manoogian makes a motion to reduce Recycling Department Budget.

Mr. Manoogian asks Town Manager Bisignani if there is a change in the recycling department budget.

Mr. Bisignani stated that he had good news for a change.  After the vote was taken at the Finance Committee Meeting regarding the Recycling Department Budget, negotiations took place to renegotiate a contract for recycling/rubbish removal, which will result in a surplus of about $75,000.

Mr. Manoogian urged Town Meeting to vote for reconsideration of the School Department Budget, as this would be an opportunity for the money to go to the Schools.

Maureen Dever asked for support to vote for reconsideration.

Vote for reconsideration of the School Department Budget

Yeas:  28  Nays:  11 at 8:55 p.m.

Reconsideration of the School Department Budget passes.

Mr. Manoogian makes a motion to reduce segregated expenses of $1,533,000 in Departmental Budget 525, Recycling Department, to $1,458,000 and to add $75,000 to Departmental Budget 300, School Department.  

Mr. Bisignani stated that there is no further surplus of funds at this time.  Chairman of the School Committee, Joseph Malone, stated that the elementary schools desperately need reading teachers in order for the students to be prepared to enter the Middle School.  Mr. Malone urged for passage of Mr. Manoogian’s amendment.

Mrs. Dever asked for 14 other members to stand for a roll call vote.  14 members standing, a roll call vote is ordered.

Mr. Boesel moves budget 525 Recycling Department Budget.

Seconded at 9:08 p.m.

Mr. Manoogian makes a motion to reduce Recycling Department budget.
Seconded at 9:09 p.m.

Voted to amend by reducing segregated expenses of $1,533,000 in Departmental Budget 525, Recycling Department, to $1,458,000.


Atkinson, Ronald
y
Long, Robert
p
Attubato, Joseph
y
Lopresti, Anthony J.
y
Barressi, Sal
y
Malone, Barbara J.
y
Bartolo, Jean M.
y
Maltais, Sean A.
y
Billingsley, Stacy A.
y
Manoogian, Peter Z., Sr.
y
Boesel, Edward S.W.
y
McCarthy, Stephen F.
y
Cote, Karen
y
Merrifield, Henry F.
y
Dever, Maureen P.
y
Moschella, Dennis J.
y
Devlin F. Ann
y
Moses, Jeffrey D., Sr.
y
DiNardo, Albert J.
y
Nelson, Stephen A.
a
Dockery, Michael
y
Nicosia, Nicola M.
a
Faiella, Ellen L.
y
Nuzzo, Richard
a
Falasca, Thomas A.
y
Palczynski, Joseph, Jr.
y
Flynn, Patrick M.
y
Politano, Kimberly A.
y
Gill, Charles F.
y
Rodenhiser, Joyce C.
y
Goodwin, Pamela J.
y
Serino, Angelo, Jr.
y
Grabowski, Arthur
x
Smith, James F., Jr.
y
Groark, Laura Z.
y
Smith, Rick A.
y
Hansen, John N.
y
Stewart, Thomas
y
Hawkes, Timothy R.
y
Sullivan, Betty Ann
y
Hoffman, Robert D.
y
Sweezey, Stephen D.
y
Johnson, Patricia Anne
y
Valente, Anthony
y
Jones, William R.
y
VanSteensburg, Paul J., II
a
Lawrence, Raymond
y
Vecchio, Matthew J.
a
Leuci, Janet
y
Witten, Margaret H.
y

Yeas:  43  Nays 0 at 9:11 p.m.

Amendment to Recycling Department budget passes.

Voted to pass the Recycling Department Budget as follows:


525
Recycling Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$1,539,523.00

Unanimous Voice Vote at 9:12 p.m.

Recycling Department budget passes as amended.

Mr. Manoogian moves to increase the School Department Budget by $75,000.00

Seconded at 9:14 p.m.

Mr. William Jones stated that he is not prepared to vote to put the money in the School Department’s budget at this time.

Mr. Stephen Sweezey asks for caution and to hold the $75,000 at this time.

Mary Ellen Picardi, 16 Granite Rd., Library Board of Trustee, asked members to remember exactly what the library has been through over the past year and without the $75,000 the Library will not be able to maintain services and employees will be cut.  Ms. Picardi asks for members to please consider putting the money into the Library Budget.

School Committee Member, Frederick Doucette stated that no other department lost 58 employees last year and asks for the money to replace at least a few teachers to help our children learn to read.

Ms. Martha Clouse, 5 Burnham Ave., stated that this was a very difficult situation and to consider carefully where the money will be placed.

Mr. Merrifield serves reconsideration of all other Departmental budgets at 9:20 p.m.

Mr. Hawkes and Mr. Sweezey both spoke as well as Mr. Palleschi who stated that it was rather distressing to find out that there would be a $75,000 surplus at this time, rather than prior to Town Meeting and he applauds members making this discovery.  This kind of information needs to be brought forward at an earlier time.

Albert DiNardo, Barbara Malone, F. Ann Devlin, Rick Smith, Stephen Sweezey, Frederick Doucette, Anthony Valente, and Ellen Faiella all spoke on the subject as well as Randy Sue Abber of 10 Lawndale Ave.

Mr. DiNardo makes a motion to move the question.
Seconded at 9:40 p.m.
Vote to move the question
Yeas:  9  Nays:  31 at 9:42 p.m.
Question is NOT moved.

Edward S. W. Boesel and Mr. Manoogian both spoke on the subject.

Mrs. Dever asks for 14 members to stand with her in support of a roll call vote.  14 members standing a roll call vote is ordered.

Voted to amend, by increasing the amount of $23,425,250 by $75,000, the School Department budget.


Atkinson, Ronald
Y
Long, Robert
P
Attubato, Joseph
N
Lopresti, Anthony J.
N
Barressi, Sal
N
Malone, Barbara J.
Y
Bartolo, Jean M.
Y
Maltais, Sean A.
Y
Billingsley, Stacy A.
Y
Manoogian, Peter Z., Sr.
Y
Boesel, Edward S.W.
Y
McCarthy, Stephen F.
N
Cote, Karen
Y
Merrifield, Henry F.
N
Dever, Maureen P.
Y
Moschella, Dennis J.
Y
Devlin F. Ann
Y
Moses, Jeffrey D., Sr.
Y
DiNardo, Albert J.
Y
Nelson, Stephen A.
A
Dockery, Michael
Y
Nicosia, Nicola M.
A
Faiella, Ellen L.
Y
Nuzzo, Richard
A
Falasca, Thomas A.
Y
Palczynski, Joseph, Jr.
Y
Flynn, Patrick M.
Y
Politano, Kimberly A.
Y
Gill, Charles F.
X
Rodenhiser, Joyce C.
Y
Goodwin, Pamela J.
Y
Serino, Angelo, Jr.
Y
Grabowski, Arthur
A
Smith, James F., Jr.
Y
Groark, Laura Z.
Y
Smith, Rick A.
Y
Hansen, John N.
Y
Stewart, Thomas
Y
Hawkes, Timothy R.
Y
Sullivan, Betty Ann
Y
Hoffman, Robert D.
Y
Sweezey, Stephen D.
N
Johnson, Patricia Anne
Y
Valente, Anthony
Y
Jones, William R.
N
VanSteensburg, Paul J., II
A
Lawrence, Raymond
Y
Vecchio, Matthew J.
A
Leuci, Janet
Y
Witten, Margaret H.
Y

Yeas:  35  Nays: 7 at 9:48 p.m.

Manoogian Amendment passes.

Voted to pass the School Department budget as follows:


300
School Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$23,500,250.00

Yeas:  36 Nays 7 at 9:49 p.m.
School Department budget passes as amended.

Mr. Merrifield makes a motion to reconsider the vote of all other Departmental budgets
at 9:49 p.m.

Seconded at 9:49 p.m.

Vote on reconsideration.

Yeas:  11  Nays:  27 at 9:50 p.m.

Reconsideration is NOT ordered.

Mr. Manoogian stated that he will be supporting Budget 145, Treasurer/Collector, but questions the Town Manager on a letter regarding segregating the water and sewer department.  Mr. Bisignani stated that at this time it is not practical to move the position, but it may be considered at a future time.

Mr. Boesel moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, passage of Budget 145, Treasurer/Collector.
Seconded at 9:55 p.m.

Voted to pass the Treasurer/Collector budget as follows:


145
Treasurer/Collector
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$624,322.00

Unanimous voice vote at 9:55 p.m.
Treasurer/Collector Department budget passes.

Mr. Boesel moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, passage of budget 491, Cemetery Department.
Seconded at 9:57 p.m.

Mr. Peter Manoogian is recorded as abstaining from budget #491, Cemetery Department, because his son works in that department during the summer.

Voted to pass the Cemetery Department budget as follows:


491
Cemetery Department
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$215,070.00

Unanimous voice vote at 9:57 p.m.
Cemetery  Department budget passes.

Mr. Boesel moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, passage of budget 610, Library.

Seconded at 9:59 p.m.

Voted to pass the Library Department budget as follows:


610
Library
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$325,000.00

Yeas:  27  Nays 15  at 9:59 p.m.
Library Department budget passes.

Mr. Boesel moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, passage of budget 945, Insurance.
Seconded at 10:00 p.m.

Mr. DiNardo asked the Town Manager to give a quick update on the GIC situation.

Town Manager Bisignani stated that the GIC has been an unqualified success so far and if we had not participated, the town would be looking at a $1 million deficit for FY09.

Voted to pass the Library Department budget as follows:


945
Insurance
Total Salaries/Expenses:
$9,687,008.00

Unanimous voice vote at 10:03 p.m.
Insurance Department budget passes.

Mr. Boesel moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee to pass the general government budget in the amount of $35,571,332.00.
Seconded at 10:04 p.m.

Unanimous voice vote at 10:04 p.m.

General Government budget of the Town is passed.

Article as voted:

Article 2.  Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $23,500,250 for School Charges and $35,571,332 for Town Charges, totaling $59,071,582 for the ensuing Fiscal Year of 2009.  Funding to be provided from the tax levy, available funds and estimated receipts.

Unanimous voice vote at 10:06 p.m.
Budget passes as amended.

Mr. Boesel moves to adjourn the 2008 Annual Town Meeting SINE DIE.

Seconded at 10:07 p.m.

Unanimous voice vote at 10:07 p.m.

The 2008 Annual Town Meeting adjourns SINE DIE.