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ATM - May 7, 2012 - 1st session
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MINUTES
May 7, 2012

Town Moderator, Robert J. Long, called the Annual Town Meeting of May 7, 2012 to order at 7:34 p.m. at the Town Hall Auditorium, 298 Central Street, Saugus, MA with 43 members, plus the moderator present.  

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

Stacy Billingsley will, as a courtesy, be making motions this evening.

The Colors were posted by Richie Christopher, Past State Commander, DAV; Charles DiMare, Commander, Chapter 115 DAV; Sergeant Albert W. Diotte, Jr., Vice Commander, American Legion; and Petty Officer 2nd Class, Stephen J. Rappa, Jr.,  who led the meeting in the salute to the flag.  

Pastor Robert Leroe then led the members in prayer, and on behalf of the Saugus Veteran’s Counsel, a moment of silence for Doug Cooper.

Town Clerk, Joanne Rappa, called the roll.


Town Meeting
Member name
Present /Absent
Town Meeting
Member name
Present /Absent
Town Meeting
Member name
Present /Absent
ALLAN, P.
p
FALASCA, T.
p
MORIELLO, G.
p
ATTUBATO, J
p
FOWLER, J.
p
MOSCHELLA, D.
a
BARTOLO, J.
p
FRONTIERA, P.
p
MOSES, J.
p
BILLINGLSEY, S.
p
GILLIS, J.
p
PALCZYNSKI, J.
p
BOESEL, E.
p
GOODWIN, P.
p
PETKEWICH, P.
p
BROOKS, W.
p
GROARK, L.
p
POLITANO, K.
p
CARLSON, E.
p
HAWKES, T.
p
RING, D. S.
p
CICOLINI, J.
p
JOHNSON, P.
a
RODENHISER, J.
p
CONNORS, A.
p
JONES, W.
p
ROSSETTI, P.
p
COTTAM, D.
p
LEUCI, J.
a
SERINO, A.
p
D'ANNA, S.
p
LONG, R.
p
SPENCER, B.
p
DEVER, M.
p
LOPRESTI, A.
p
STEWART, W.
p
DEVLIN, F.
p
MALONE, B.
a
SULLIVAN, B.
p
DINARDO, A.
p
MALTAIS, S.
p
SWEEZEY, S.
p
DOCKERY, M.
p
MANOOGIAN, P.
p
VADALA, P.
p
DOHERTY, S.
p
MCCARTHY, S.
a
VECCHIO, M.
a
FAIELLA, E.
p
MCLAUGHLIN, P.
p
Quorum count=
44
44 members present, a quorum is met.

Town Moderator, Robert J. Long reviewed the Town By-laws governing Town Meeting and the Town Meeting Code of Conduct.  Moderator Long then stated that Articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, & 24 on the Warrant were going to be Indefinitely Postponed, per Town Counsel’s advice and Articles 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, & 33, articles to accept streets and Article 45, a zoning article, would be taken up this evening.

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

Joanne Vannah, Chairman, Alternative Energy Committee, gave a report on the Committee, stressing that, not only would the Wind Farm be good for the environment, but it would have a potential to generate money for the Town.   Ms. Vannah went on to say that without passage of the proposed by-law, the Town would possibly lose out on grants, since to qualify for most of the them; a by-law must be in place.

Mr. Peter Manoogian, Chairman, Side Walk Committee, thanked members of the committee, stating that they have great attendance at the meetings and very qualified members.  Mr. Manoogian went on to say of the $616,690 in FY ’13 Chapter 90 Funding awarded, $111,004.20 (18%)  per a vote of the committee, will be used as follows:   $25,000 from that $111,000 to be retained for eventual completion of ramps in the Cliftondale area from Lincoln Ave to North Revere.  The remaining $86,000 is to be used to finish all of Winter Street, on the cemetery side, as well as Dudley Street and Ballard Street.  Any money left over to be reserved for future use for badly damaged sidewalks throughout Saugus.

Jeffrey Moses, Chairman of the Ambulance Study Committee, gave a report, stating that there has been excellent attendance at all of the meetings, which have created a great amount of enthusiasm for the topic.  Mr. Moses stated that they are still researching whether or not there will be a cost savings, but they know eventually the program will pay for itself.  Several guest speakers have attended meetings, educating the members on various issues.

Robert Palleschi, Chairman, Finance Committee, congratulated the new Town Manager on his recent appointment, and stated that these are very difficult times.  Mr. Palleschi asked that the Town Manager update the meeting where the Town is right now with the situation.

Town Manager, Scott Crabtree, stated that we are now facing a financial crisis.  The Town is currently in the middle of a Forensic Audit, dealing with procurement issues; municipal finance law that was not followed; employment related issues; and misappropriated funds.  The Department of Revenue has made specific stipulations for the Town to follow and upcoming changes will have significant impact on services with $3 – $4 million dollars worth of reductions.

Mr. Crabtree stated that there will be obvious problems and delays getting the budget ready to be presented to Fin Com, but all departments are working with the auditors to help get the report completed as soon as possible.  It is the goal of the Town Manager to make things more transparent and create financial stability.  Mr. Crabtree stressed that it is now time for everyone to work together.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy, to take articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 45 out of order.
Seconded at 8:29 p.m.
Yeas:  43   Nays:  0 at 8:29 p.m.

Voted to take Articles out of order.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, to Indefinitely Postpone Article 19.

Seconded at 8:30 p.m.
Article as written:

Article 19.  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow a certain amount at 0% interest from the MWRA Local Pipeline Assistance Program Fiscal Year 2013 for the purpose of designing and constructing improvements to water pipelines or to take any other action relative thereto. (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote to Indefinitely Postpone Article 19 at 8:30 p.m.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, to Indefinitely Postpone Article 20.

Seconded at 8:30.5 p.m.
Article as written:

Article 20.  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen to raise and appropriate by borrowing or otherwise a sum of money for the purpose of funding the Lincoln Avenue Reconstruction Project, from Cliftondale Square to the City of Revere line, or to take any other action relative thereto.  (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote to Indefinitely Postpone Article 20 at 8:30.5 p.m.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, to Indefinitely Postpone Article 21.

Seconded at 8:31 p.m.

Article as written:

Article 21.  To see if the Town will vote to accept Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41 Section 108P allowing a collector or a treasurer who has completed the necessary courses of study and training and has been awarded a certificate by the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association as a certified Massachusetts municipal collector or a certified Massachusetts municipal treasurer or a certified Massachusetts district treasurer, shall receive as compensation from such city, town or district, in addition to the regular annual compensation paid by such city, town or district for services in such office, an amount equal to 10% of such regular annual compensation, but not more than $1,000.00 per year.  A collector or treasurer who has been awarded both certificates referred to above shall receive such additional compensation for only one such certificate.  In order to qualify for such additional compensation, a collector or treasurer shall submit to the Mayor or the Board of Selectmen of such city or town, or the governing board of a district proof of the award of either or both such certificates.  The additional compensation provided in this section shall be prorated for any 12 month period in which an eligible person does not hold the office of collector or treasurer for 12 consecutive months.  Such additional compensation shall be discontinued when certification is discontinued or withdrawn. (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote to Indefinitely Postpone Article 21 at 8:31 p.m.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, to Indefinitely Postpone Article 22.

Seconded at 8:31.5 p.m.
Article as written:

Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept Massachusetts General Law Chapter 32, section 20, which authorizes the Town to establish an Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund to reduce the unfunded liability of health care and other post employment benefits to meet the normal cost of all such future benefits for which the Town of Saugus is obligated, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for deposit in said Trust Fund, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto. (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote to Indefinitely Postpone Article 22 at 8:31.5 p.m.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, to Indefinitely Postpone Article 23.

Seconded at 8:32 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  23.  To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 601.00 of the Town Bylaws by adding the following section:  

Any residence may place out for solid waste collection on their regular weekly collection day up to two additional 45 gallon barrels.  Any such additional barrel(s) must contain a sticker displayed on said barrel(s) which stickers may be purchased at the Town Hall at a price of $2.00 per sticker.  Said barrel(s) may be placed out for collection on a weekly basis in addition to the current three barrel per residence limit. (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote to Indefinitely Postpone Article 23 at 8:32 p.m.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, to Indefinitely Postpone Article 24.

Seconded at 8:32.5 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  24.  To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws under Section 809.00 Sealing Fees for Weighing and Measuring Devices by increasing the fees as follows:

Balance & Scales
Over 10,000 lbs                                         $150.00
5,000 to 10,000 lbs                                         60.00
1,000 to 5,000 lbs                                                  40.00
100 to 1,000 lbs                                                    35.00
Under 100 lbs                                               30.00

Weights
Avoirdupois (each)                                            2.00
Metric (each)                                                 2.00
Apothecary (each)                                                    2.00
Troy (each)                                                   2.00

Liquid Measuring
Gasoline (inlet ½” – 1”)                                             25.00
Vehicle Tank (oil truck)                                             75.00

Other Devices
Taxi Meters                                                        25.00
Fabric Measuring                                                     20.00
Wire-Rope Cordage                                            20.00
Reverse Vending                                              15.00

Electronic Checkout Systems
Less than 4 Units                                                    75.00
4 – 11 Units                                                     150.00
More than 11 Units                                         200.00

Adjusting Fees
Weighing Device                                                5.00     
Measuring Device                                                   20.00
(Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote to Indefinitely Postpone Article 24 at 8:32.5 p.m.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 27.
Seconded at 8:34 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  27.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C. 82 to accept Athens Drive (1426.14 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Subdivision Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyor, dated December 19, 1956 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 16764N; “Subdivision Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyor, dated November 8, 1957 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 16764P; “Subdivision Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyor, dated March 24, 1958 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 16764Q; “Subdivision Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyor, dated March 6, 1958 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 16764R; “Subdivision Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyor, dated December 13, 1958 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 16764s; “Subdivision Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyor, dated March 10, 1964 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 16764T.  (Town Manager)
Unanimous voice vote at 8:34 p.m.
Article 27 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 28.
Seconded at 8:35.5 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  28.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C.82 to accept Hickory Lane (367.40 linear feet) and Sycamore Lane (471.84 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Definitive Subdivision Plan Juniper Drive, Sycamore Lane, Hickory Lane Saugus, Mass”, prepared for Saugus Home Builders, Inc., prepared by Carter & Towers Eng’r Corp, dated January 6, 1976 recorded in Plan book 138 Plan 55.  (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote at 8:35.5 p.m.
Article 28 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 29.
Seconded at 8:36 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  29.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General law C.82 to accept Hull Drive (959.61 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Plan of Land in Saugus, prepared by Henry Seaver, Surveyor, dated October 15, 1959 and recorded as Land Court Plan Number 29867A.  (Town Manager)

Mr. Albert DiNardo rose to ask why these streets are just now being accepted by the Town, when they have been in existence for many years.

Joseph Attubato, Town Meeting member and Director of Public Works, stated that he has been trying to have these streets accepted for years and is working on several more to be accepted at future meetings.

Unanimous voice vote at 8:38 p.m.
Article 29 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 30.
Seconded at 8:40 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  30.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C.82 to accept Laurine Road (1671.10 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Plan of Land in Saugus”, prepared by John W. Parsons, Surveyors, dated September 22, 1957 and recorded in Plan Book 90, Plan 60.  (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote at 8:40 p.m.
Article 30 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 31.
Seconded at 8:40.5 p.m.
Article as written:

Article 31.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C.82 to accept Manter Court (334.23 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Plan & Profile Manter Ct. Saugus, Mass.”, prepared by Carter & Towers Eng’r Corp, dated January 7, 1963 recorded in Plan book 99 Plan 87.  (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote at 8:40.5 p.m.
Article 31 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 32.
Seconded at 8:41 p.m.
Article as written:

Article 32.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C.82 to accept Stillings Road (1334.48 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Definitive Plan”, prepared by Otte & Dwyer, Inc., Land Surveyors, dated August 1974 recorded in Plan Book 132 Plan 92.  (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote at 8:41 p.m.
Article 32 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Town Manager, Article 33.
Seconded at 8:42 p.m.
Article as written:

Article  33.  To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C.82 to accept Thistle Road (587.79 linear feet) as shown on a plan of land entitled “Definitive Plan Thistle Road Saugus, Mass.”, prepared by Hayes Engineering, Inc., dated July 17, 1981 recorded in Plan Book 177 Plan 78.  (Town Manager)

Unanimous voice vote at 8:42 p.m.
Article 33 passed as written.

Stacy Billingsley moves, as a courtesy to the Petitioner, Article 45.
Seconded at 8:44 p.m.
Article as written:

Article 45.  To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s Zoning Map and Zoning Bylaw by rezoning Lot A-188 on Assessors Plan 1025 from B-3 Business Special to R-2 Single Family Residential.  The property is located at 10 Lynn Fells Parkway.  (Richard Magnan)

Moderator Long read the Planning Board recommendation, which was to recommend.

Atty. Richard Magnan, representing the applicant, explained that the rezoning was going from Business Zone to Residential because the owners wanted, with the approval of conservation and any other board, to build two, two family houses on the lots.

Also speaking on the article was Peter Manoogian, Edward Boesel, Jeffrey Moses, Jean Bartolo, Peter Vadala, Edward Carlson, Peter Rossetti, Ellen Faiella and Maureen Dever.

Yeas:  41   Nays:  1 at 9:01 p.m.
Article 45 passed as written.

Edward S.W. Boesel moves to adjourn to May 21, 2012.
Seconded at 9:01.5 p.m.

Unanimous Voice Vote to Adjourn to May 21, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., in the Town Hall Auditorium.