JANUARY 28, 2008
Special Town Meeting
MINUTES
Town Moderator, Robert J. Long, called the January 28, 2008 Special Town Meeting to order at the Town Hall Auditorium, 298 Central Street, Saugus, MA at 7:34 p.m. with 40 members plus the moderator present. A quorum is met.
The meeting was led in the salute to the flag.
Edward S.W. Boesel from Precinct 9 and Raymond Lawrence from Precinct 8 were appointed and sworn as tellers.
Town Clerk, Joanne Rappa, called the roll.
Robert D. Hoffman, from Precinct 8 will be making motions, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee his evening.
Tellers distributed the Finance Committee Recommendations.
Article as submitted:
Article 1. To hear and act on reports of Committees.
Mr. Robert Palleschi, Chairman of the Finance Committee gave the Finance Committee Report and asked for support of Town Meeting.
Article as submitted:
Article 2. 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)
Town Meeting Action:
Robert D. Hoffman moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee Article 2.
Seconded at 7:46 p.m.
Article 2. Voted to raise, by borrowing the sum of $400,000 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; said sum to be borrowed from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust or otherwise.
Yeas: 39 Nays: 0 at 7:46 p.m.
Article 2 passes as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article as submitted:
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to petition the legislature to enact special legislation to authorize the Town of Saugus to sub-lease the Kasabuski Arena property under the lease dated April 1, 1987 and to extend the term of said lease for a period of twenty (20) years. (Town Manager)
Town Meeting Action:
Mr. Robert Hoffman moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 3.
Seconded at 7:47 p.m.
Mr. Peter Manoogian makes a motion to amend Article 2.
Seconded at 7:48 p.m.
Mr. Manoogian explained his amendment to Town Meeting.
Andrew Bisignani, Town Manager, explained that the article does not mean that the Town will lease Kasabuski, but will have an option whereby we will be able to fund the deficit which has accumulated, should that be necessary.
Sean Maltais asked for clarification on when the current lease runs out, which Mr. Bisignani responded to.
Robert Sandonato of 9 Robinson Street spoke on behalf of John Hatch and the Kasabuski Arena. Mr. Sandonato stated that his handicapped son, Lewis, works at the rink, along with Mr. Hatch and his staff, who were very receptive and welcomed Lewis into the Kasabuski Family, for which he is very grateful. Mr. Sandonato further stated that the experience has been an extremely positive one for Lewis, as he has developed great friendships at the rink, which has helped build his self-esteem and confidence. Mr. Sandonato went on to say that Lewis cherishes his time at the rink and therefore expressed what a vital role the Kasabuski Arena has played in Lewis’ life and what an asset to the Town the rink is. Mr. Sandonato stated that he would forever be indebted to John Hatch and his
staff.
Rick Smith and Ed Boesel stated their concern with informing the public of the open meetings which would be needed should Mr. Manoogian’s Amendment pass.
Town Manager Bisignani stated that there would be discussion at Board of Selectmen Meetings and every effort will be made to alert the public to such meetings.
Maureen Dever spoke on the article.
Vote on Manoogian Amendment.
To add the following sentence to the article:
Any sub-lease must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Selectmen at an open meeting after the proposed sub-lease is posted on the Town web site for one week and there is an opportunity to receive public input prior to and during the aforementioned meeting.
Yeas: 38 Nays 1 at 8:05 p.m.
Manoogian Amendment passes.
Article 3. Voted to petition the legislature to enact special legislation to authorize the Town of Saugus to sub-lease the Kasabuski Arena property under the lease dated April 1, 1987 and to extend the term of said lease for a period of twenty (20) years. Any sub-lease must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Selectmen at an open meeting after the proposed sub-lease is posted on the Town web site for one week and there is an opportunity to receive public input prior to and during the aforementioned meeting.
Yeas: 38 Nays 1 at 8:06 p.m.
Article 3 passes as amended.
Article as submitted:
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate from the tax levy a sum of money for the purpose of funding the negotiated teacher’s salary increase for FY08, to fund the FY08 Saugus Public Library salary account, and the FY08 Dispatchers overtime account. (Town Manager)
Town Meeting Action:
Mr. Hoffman moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 4.
Seconded at 8:07 p.m.
Article 4. Voted to raise and appropriate from the tax levy the total sum of $372,000 for the purpose of funding the negotiated teachers’ salary increase for FY08 in the amount of $330,000, funding the FY08 Saugus Public Library salary account in the amount of $20,000, and funding the FY08 Dispatchers overtime account in the amount of $22,000.
Yeas: 39 Nays: 0 at 8:08 p.m.
Article 4 passes as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article as submitted:
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 FY08 Police overtime account, the FY08 Fire overtime account, and the FY08 Dispatchers account. (Town Manager)
Town Meeting Action:
Mr. Hoffman moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 5.
Seconded at 8:09 p.m.
Mr. Manoogian, and Town Manager Bisignani spoke on Article 5.
Article 5. Voted to transfer from FY08 Group Health appropriation the total sum of $349,000 to fund the FY08 Police overtime account in the amount of $170,000, to fund the FY08 Fire overtime account in the amount of $170,000, and to fund the FY08 Dispatchers overtime account in the amount of $9,000.
Yeas: 39 Nays: 0 at 8:15 p.m.
Article 5 passes as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article as submitted:
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation for rubbish disposal to be added to the Police Department Capital Equipment appropriation. (Town Manager)
Town Meeting Action:
Mr. Hoffman moves, as a courtesy to the Finance Committee, Article 6.
Seconded at 8:15.5 p.m.
Article 6. Voted to transfer the sum of $47,000 from the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation for rubbish disposal to be added to the Police Department Capital Equipment appropriation.
Yeas: 38 Nays: 0 at 8:16 p.m.
Article 6 passes as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article as submitted:
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s Zoning Map and Zoning By-law by rezoning lot A-130 on Assessor’s Plan 3016 (also shown as Lot 5 Block 13 Map G5) from R-1, Residential Single Family to R-4 Residential Multi-density. Property located at 190 Lincoln Avenue. (Richard M. Magnan)
Town Meeting Action:
Mr. Hoffman moves, as a courtesy, Article 7.
Seconded at 8:16.5 p.m.
Moderator Long explained to the members that the Planning Board has not yet held a public meeting on the article and therefore, they do not have a recommendation at this time.
Mr. Manoogian makes a motion to move Article 7 back to the Planning Board.
Seconded by Edward S. W. Boesel at 8:17 p.m.
Unanimous voice vote to refer Article 7 back to the Planning Board at 8:17.5 p.m.
Article 7 is referred back to the Planning Board.
Edward S. W. Boesel makes a motion to adjourn Sine die.
Seconded at 8:19 p.m.
Town Meeting is adjourned Sine die by unanimous voice vote at 8:19 p.m.
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