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STM - February 22, 2010
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

MINUTES

February 22, 2010




Town Moderator, Robert J. Long, called the Special Town Meeting of February 22, 2010 to order at 7:31 p.m. at the Town Hall Auditorium, 298 Central Street, Saugus, MA with 42 members, plus the moderator present. A quorum is met.




Joyce Rodenhiser and Edward S. W. Boesel were appointed and sworn in as tellers.




Patricia Johnson and Laura Groark will, as a courtesy, be making motions this evening.




The moderator led the meeting in the salute to the Flag which was followed by a moment of silence for former Town Meeting Member, Helen Knox. Janice Leuci paid tribute to Mrs. Knox, noting that she loved her Town and represented all precincts well during her tenure as a Town Meeting member.




Town Clerk, Joanne Rappa, called the roll.






Attubato, Joseph


x


Long, Robert J.


x


Bartolo, Jean M.


x


Lopresti, Anthony J.


x


Billingsley, Stacy A.


a


Malone, Barbara J.


x


Boesel, Edward S.W.


x


Maltais, Sean A.


x


Brooks, Wayne C.


x


Manoogian, Peter Z., Sr.


x


Cecere, Rodney G.


x


McCarthy, Stephen F.


x


Connors, Arthur D., Jr.


x


McLaughlin, Patricia


x


Cox, Robert J.


x


Merrifield, Henry F.


x


Dever, Maureen P.


x


Moriello, George T.


x


Devlin, F. Ann


x


Moschella, Dennis J.


a


DiNardo, Albert J.


a


Moses, Jeffrey D., Sr.


x


Dockery, Michael


x


Nelson, Stephen A.


a


Faiella, Ellen L.


x


Nicholson, John H.


x


Falasca, Thomas A.


x


Palczynski, Joseph, Jr.


a


Gill, Charles F.


x


Panetta, Debra


x


Goodwin, Pamela J.


x


Petkewich, Paul M.


x


Grande, Robert E.


x


Politano, Kimberly A.


x


Greene, Michael R.


x


Ring, Darren S.


x


Groark, Laura Z.


x


Rodenhiser, Joyce C.


x


Hansen, John N.


a


Rossetti, Peter A., Jr.


x


Hawkes, Timothy R.


x


Serino, Angelo, Jr.


x


Hoffman, Robert D.


a


Smith, Rick A.


x


Johnson, Patricia Anne


x


Sullivan, Betty Ann


x


Lawrence, Raymond F.


x


Sweezey, Stephen D.


x


Leuci, Janet M.


x


Vecchio, Matthew J.


x

















With 43 members present, a quorum is met.




Article as written:




Article 1. To hear and act on reports of Committees.




Janet Leuci, Chairman of the Affordable Housing Committee gave a quick update to Town Meeting.




Robert Palleschi, Chairman of the Finance Committee stated that all the articles were voted on at one meeting. However, he was unable to attend so Mr. DePatto, Vice Chairman, should address any questions.




Kenneth DePatto stated that the Finance Committee voted to recommend passage of all 19 articles with the exception of Article 19 because they felt there should have been two separate articles.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 2.




Seconded at 7:43 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the balance of the Fiscal Year 2010 Northeast Regional Vocational School Assessment. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 2. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $260,000 to fund the balance of the Fiscal Year 2010 Northeast Regional Vocational School Assessment.




Passed by unanimous voice vote at 7:44 p.m.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 3.




Seconded at 7:45 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Unemployment Compensation appropriation. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 3. Voted to transfer from available funds a sum of $120,000 to fund the FY2010 Unemployment Compensation appropriation.




Passed by unanimous voice vote at 7:45.5 p.m.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 4.




Seconded at 7:45.5 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the State Special Election. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 4. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $16,700 to fund the State Special Election.

Passed by unanimous voice vote at 7:46 p.m.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 5.




Seconded at 7:46.5 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Police Overtime account. (Town Manager)




Town Meeting member, Robert Cox; Town Manager Andrew Bisignani; and Police Chief Domenic DiMella all spoke on the article.




Article as voted:




Article 5. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $150,000 to fund the FY2010 Police Overtime account.

Passed by unanimous voice vote at 7:53 p.m.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 6.




Seconded at 7:54 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for the purchase of two new police cruisers. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 6. Voted to transfer from available funds a sum of $82,000 for the purchase of two new police cruisers.

Passed by unanimous voice vote at 7:54 p.m.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 7.




Seconded at 7:54.5 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Legal Litigation costs account. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 7. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $25,000 to fund the FY2010 Legal Litigation costs account.

Yeas: 36 Nays: 5 at 7:55 p.m.

Article 7 passed as recommended.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 8.




Seconded at 7:55.5 pm.

Article as written:




Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Data Processing Computer Services account. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 8. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $15,000 to fund the FY2010 Data Processing Computer Services account.




Yeas: 39 Nays: 1 at 7:56 p.m.

Article 8 passed as recommended.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 9.




Seconded at 7:57 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Veterans Assistance account. (Town Manager)




Town Meeting member, George Moriello asked exactly what the Veterans Assistance Account was.




Town Manager Bisignani explained that the account provides temporary assistance to needy veterans i.e., housing, medical assistance, etc. when needed.




Article as voted:




Article 9. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $25,000 to fund the FY2010 Veterans Assistance account.

Passed by unanimous voice vote at 7:58 p.m.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 10.




Seconded at 7:58.5 p.m.




Town Meeting members Michael Dockery and Joseph Attubato announced that they will not participate or vote on this Article.




Article as written:




Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Forestry Department overtime account. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 10. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $10,000 to fund the FY2010 Forestry Department overtime account.

Yeas: 38 Nays: 1 at 7:59 p.m.

Article 10 passed as recommended.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 11.




Seconded at 8:00 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to purchase new books for the Belmonte Middle School Library. (Town Manager and School Committee)










Article as voted:




Article 11. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $10,000 to purchase new books for the Belmonte Middle School Library.




Passed by unanimous voice vote at 8:03 p.m.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 12.




Seconded at 8:04 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Fire Department Motor Vehicle Maintenance account. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 12. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $10,000 to fund the FY2010 Fire Department Motor Vehicle Maintenance account.




Passed by unanimous voice vote at 8:05 p.m.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 13.




Seconded at 8:05.5 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Fire Department Public Safety Equipment account. (Town Manager)




Article as voted:




Article 13. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $10,000 to fund the FY 2010 Fire Department Public Safety Equipment account.




Passed by unanimous voice vote at 8:05.5 p.m.




Steven Sweezey moves to take Article 19 out of order.

Seconded at 8:06 p.m.

Vote to take Article 19 out of order.

Yeas: 19 Nays: 20 at 8:06.5 p.m.

Article 19 will not be taken out of order.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 14.

Seconded at 8:07 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer to raise and appropriate by borrowing or otherwise the amount of nine hundred and forty thousand dollars ($940,000) for the purpose of designing and constructing improvements to water pipelines. (Town Manager)




Moderator Long reminded members that this is a borrowing article, which will need a 2/3 vote to pass.

Mr. Manoogian and Town Manager both spoke on the article.




Ralph Pugh of 17 Prospect Street asked members to please support the article. Mr. Pugh explained that he has been getting rust in his water for over three years and was told that, due to budget constraints, he would have to wait for money to be allocated to deal with the problem.




Mr. Pugh proceeded to explain how the Superintendent of Public Works suggested that he get a filter until the problem was resolved. Mr. Pugh showed Town Meeting a new filter, which is supposed to last for six months, and a used, dirty filter that he just removed, which only lasted two months. He also showed jars of water which were full of sediment and rust that he took from his home faucet and outside faucet.




Mr. Pugh thanked everyone for their attention and asked them once again to please support the article, as the money is desperately needed.




Article as voted:




Article 14. Voted to raise and appropriate by borrowing, the amount of nine hundred and forty thousand dollars ($940,000) for the purpose of designing and constructing improvements to water pipelines.

Yeas: 42 Nays: 0 at 8:18 p.m.

Article 14 passes as recommended.




Ms. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 15.




Seconded at 8:19 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for capital improvements to the Town’s sanitary sewer system, including all costs thereof as defined in Section 1, of Chapter 29C of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended; to determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing from Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust or otherwise; and to take any other action relative thereto. (Town Manager)




Mr. Manoogian and Town Manager Bisignani both spoke on the article.




Article as voted:




Article 15.  Voted to raise and appropriate, by borrowing from Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust, a sum of $2,082,500 for capital improvements to the Town’s sanitary sewer system, including all costs thereof as defined in Section 1, of Chapter 29C of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended.  

Yeas: 42 Nays: 0 at 8:24 p.m.

Article 15 passes as recommended.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 16.




Seconded at 8:25 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to purchase a used vehicle for the Canine Control Officer. (Town Manager)




Mr. Manoogian moves to amend Article 16 by inserting the following: “That no purchase of salvaged vehicles will occur with this appropriation.”




Seconded at 8:25.5 p.m.

Mr. Manoogian explained his Amendment.




Town Manager Bisignani, Rick Smith, Steven Sweezey and Jean Bartolo also spoke on Article 16.




Vote on Manoogian amendment.

Yeas: 4 Nays: 37 at 8:42 p.m.

Manoogian amendment fails.




Article as voted:




Article 16. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $15,000 to purchase a used vehicle for the Canine Control Officer.

Yeas: 38 Nays: 4 at 8:44 p.m.

Article 16 passes as recommended.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 17.




Seconded at 8:45 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to purchase a used vehicle for the Director of Emergency Management (Town Manager)




Mr. Manoogian moves to amend Article 17 by inserting the following: “That no purchase of salvaged vehicles will occur with this appropriation.”




Seconded at 8:45.5 p.m.




Sean Maltais asked if any Town employees felt that driving a salvaged vehicle would make them uncomfortable or feel as though they are being put in a dangerous situation, to please say so before a vote comes on the amendment.




Vote on Manoogian amendment.

Yeas: 3 Nays: 36 at 8:46 p.m.

Manoogian amendment fails.




Article as voted:




Article 17.  Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $15,000 to purchase a used vehicle for the Director of Emergency Management.

Yeas: 37 Nays: 4 at 8:47 p.m.

Article 17 passes as recommended.




Mrs. Groark moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 18.




Seconded at 8:47.5 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the FY2010 Building Maintenance account from FY09 Certified Free Cash. (Town Manager)




Superintendent of Schools, Richard Langlois and Town Manager Andrew Bisignani both spoke on the article.




Article as voted:




Article 18. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $37,200 to fund the FY2010 Building Maintenance account.

Passed by unanimous voice vote at 8:48 p.m.




Ms. Johnson moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 19.




Moderator Long explained that Mr. Dockery, Mr. Moses, Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Attubato would not participate in debate or vote on Article 19.




Moderator Long called for a ten minute recess at 8:49 p.m.




The Meeting was called back to order at 9:00 p.m.




Mr. Long asked if any members objected to him not reading the entire recommendation, as members had a copy in front of them. Maureen Dever asked that Mr. Long read the list of non-union employees only.

Article 19 is seconded at 9:01 p.m.

Article as written:




Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund a settlement of outstanding labor negotiations. (Town Manager)




Mr. Sweezey moves to amend Article 19 to include 18 additional non-union employees and by striking out $100,000 and inserting $136,000 as per the distributed list of non union employees.

Seconded at 9:03 p.m.




Ms. Johnson asked if this was a one-time payment and when was the last time these employees received an increase in salary. Town Manager Bisignani explained that this is not a raise and does not create a long term liability. Mr. Bisignani further stated that most of these employees have not received an increase in over six years.




Mrs. Dever asked members not to support Article 19 and wants the article referred to the next Annual Town Meeting. Mrs. Dever then asked for 14 other members to stand in a roll call vote.




With only 11 other members standing, a roll call vote is not ordered.




Selectman Michael Serino asked to please support this article, as the employees have gone too long with no increase and no contract. Mr. Serino further explained that the School, Police and Fire unions have all received salary increases and that the employees at Town Hall and DPW deserve the same fairness and respect as all other employees.




Mr. Manoogian explained that he would like to see a more detailed account before voting on this article and supports referral, as it is only fair that constituents and neighbors need’s be met first.




Mr. Sweezey explained that these employees are constituents and neighbors who also have families to support and bills to pay. If we are to show fairness, then support the article.

Mrs. Dever asked for support in referral of this article.




Motion to refer Article 19 is seconded at 9:17 p.m.




Mrs. Leuci stated that she would like to see this referred to the Annual Town Meeting and Ms. Bartolo stated that she thinks the public would want the money to go to schools and not employee raises.




Lorna Cerbone, AFSCME member and the Town’s Re-cycling Coordinator asked for support on this article. Ms. Cerbone explained that there are two sides of the AFSCME union. One side is the Town, which includes Town Hall and DPW workers and the other side is the School, which includes Custodians and Cafeteria workers. The Cafeteria workers and Custodians have already received their negotiated settlement thru the union contract. Ms. Cerbone then asked where the fairness was if the Town side did not get the same.  




Mr. Smith applauds Town employees that have decided to abstain from this vote.  




Mr. Cox does not support this article and supports referral.  




Mr. Petkewich asked the Town manager what will happen if this article does not pass; will negotiations start all over again?




Mr. Bisignani stated that if this passes, the Town will go forward on the July 1st negotiations. However, if this should fail, the Town will go back to negotiations and it will be retroactive for two years. Mr. Bisignani noted that no legal or litigation expenses were incurred during the negotiations and both sides amicably agreed to this settlement.




Ann Devlin supports referral of Article 19.




Vote came on the Sweezey amendment.

Yeas: 19 Nays: 17 at 9:26 p.m.

Sweezey amendment passes.




Vote came on referral.

Yeas: 16 Nays: 20 at 9:26.5 p.m

Referral is not ordered.




Article as voted:




Article 19. Voted to transfer from available funds, a sum of $136,000 to fund a settlement of outstanding labor negotiations as follows:








Town of Saugus  

AFSCME Local 262














DEPARTMENT


JOB DESCRIPTION


SETTLEMENT

AMOUNT











ACCOUNTING


ACCOUNT CLERK


2,000  


ACCOUNTING


ASSISTANT TOWN ACCOUNTANT


2,000  


ACCOUNTING


PAYROLL COORDINATOR


2,000  





TOTAL ACCOUNTING DEPT:


6,000  











ADMINISTRATIVE SERV


GRANT ADMINISTRATOR


2,000  


ADMINISTRATIVE SERV


PURCHASING ASSISTANT


2,000  





TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:


4,000  











ASSESSORS


ASSISTANT DEPUTY ASSESSOR


2,000  


ASSESSORS


PRINCIPAL CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL ASSESSORS:


4,000  











BUILDING MAINT


CRAFTSMAN


2,000  


BUILDING MAINT


CRAFTSMAN/MST ELEC


2,000  


BUILDING MAINT


CRAFTSMAN/PLUMBER


2,000  


BUILDING MAINT


CUSTODIAN


2,000  


BUILDING MAINT


CUSTODIAN


2,000  


BUILDING MAINT


SENIOR CUSTODIAN


2,000  


BUILDING MAINT


FOREMAN


2,000  


TOTAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTION:


14,000  











CEMETERY


FOREMAN


2,000  


CEMETERY


JR OPERATOR


2,000  


CEMETERY


OPERATOR


2,000  





TOTAL CEMETERY DEPARTMENT:


6,000  











TOWN CLERK


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL TOWN CLERK:


2,000  











ELECT. & REGISTRAT


SR CLERK/ELEC COORD


2,000  





TOTAL ELECTIONS & REGISTRATION:


2,000  











COLL/TREAS


ASSISTANT COLLECTOR


2,000  


COLL/TREAS


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  


COLL/TREAS


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  


COLL/TREAS


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  


COLL/TREAS


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL COLLECTOR/TREASURER:


10,000  











DPW ADMIN


PRINCIPAL CLERK


2,000  


DPW ADMIN


PRINCIPAL CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION:


4,000  











FIRE DEPT


PRINC CLERK/FIRE CHIEF


2,000  





TOTAL FIRE DEPARTMENT:


2,000  











FORESTRY & PARKS


FOREMAN


2,000  


FORESTRY & PARKS


JR OPERATOR


2,000  





TOTAL FORESTRY & PARKS:


4,000  











HIGHWAY


FOREMAN


2,000  


HIGHWAY


OPERATOR


2,000  


HIGHWAY


OPERATOR


2,000  


HIGHWAY


OPERATOR


2,000  





TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS HIGHWAY:


8,000  











BUILDING DEPT


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT:


2,000  











MOTOR POOL


FOREMAN


2,000  





TOTAL MOTOR POOL:


2,000  











PARKS


FOREMAN


2,000  


PARKS


LABORER/TRUCK DRIVER


2,000  


PARKS


OPERATOR


2,000  





TOTAL PARKS DEPARTMENT:


6,000  











PLANNING BOARD


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL PLANNING BOARD:


2,000  











POLICE DEPT


PRINCIPAL CLERK


2,000  


POLICE DEPT


PRINCIPAL CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL POLICE DEPARTMENT:


4,000  











HEALTH DEPT


SENIOR CLERK


2,000  





TOTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT:


2,000  











RECYCLING


RECYCLE COORDINATOR


2,000  





 TOTAL RECYCLING DEPARTMENT:


2,000  











WATER/SEWER DEPT


FOREMAN/WATER


2,000  


WATER/SEWER DEPT


FOREMAN/SEWER


2,000  


WATER/SEWER DEPT


JR OPERATOR


2,000  


WATER/SEWER DEPT


OPERATOR


2,000  


WATER/SEWER DEPT


OPERATOR


2,000  


WATER/SEWER DEPT


OPERATOR/SEWER


2,000  


WATER/SEWER DEPT


OPERATOR/SEWER


2,000  





TOTAL WATER/SEWER:


14,000  














TOTAL UNION SETTLEMENT:


100,000  








Town of Saugus








Non Union








DEPARTMENT


JOB DESCRIPTION


AMOUNT











ACCOUNTING


TOWN ACCOUNTANT


2,000


ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES


PERSONNEL DIRECTOR


2,000


ASSESSORS


DEPUTY ASSESSOR


2,000


BUILDING


BUILDING INSPECTOR


2,000


BUILDING


CODE ENFORCEMENT


2,000


CANINE CONTROL


CANINE OFFICER


2,000


CEMETERY


SUPERINTENDENT


2,000


HEALTH DEPARTMENT


HEALTH AGENT


2,000


LEGAL


TOWN COUNSEL


2,000


M.I.S.


IT DIRECTOR


2,000


POLICE DEPARTMENT


ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT


2,000


PUBLIC WORKS


DIRECTOR


2,000


PUBLIC WORKS


ASSISTANT DIRECTOR


2,000


SENIOR CENTER


DIRECTOR


2,000


TOWN CLERK


TOWN CLERK


2,000


TOWN MANAGER


CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE


2,000


TREASURER


TOWN TREASURER/COLLECTOR


2,000


YOUTH & RECREATION


DIRECTOR


2,000














TOTAL NON-UNION:


36,000














GRAND TOTAL SETTLEMENT:


136,000




















Yeas: 20 Nays: 14 at 9:28 p.m.

Article 19 passes as amended.




Mr. Edward S. W. Boesel moves to adjourn Sine Die.

Seconded at 9:29 p.m.

Unanimous voice vote to adjourn at 9:29 p.m.




Respectfully submitted,










Joanne D. Rappa

Town Clerk