Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of May 9, 2006
Chairman Robert W. Sweeney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Also present were Selectmen John F. DePinto, Anthony C. Kennedy, R. Paul Rotondi, George E. Seibold, Town Administrator Ronald J. Florino, and Town Counsel William H. Solomon.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approve Minutes
Selectman DePinto moved to accept the 4/25/06 minutes, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved to accept the 4/25/06 executive session minutes, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Kennedy
Selectman Seibold
Selectman DePinto
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted.
School Committee/Asst. Superintendent Discussion
School Committee members Kristen Russo and Miriam Regan-Fiore and School Superintendent Joseph Connelly were present to discuss the filling of the School Superintendent position. Chairman Sweeney said he got phone calls about the Asst. Superintendent position. He said Dr. Connelly asked to come to the meeting. Selectman Kennedy announced that, because of a conflict of interest where his wife works directly for the Asst. Superintendent of Schools, he will be leaving the room.
Selectman Kennedy left the room at 7:05 p.m.
Kristen Russo said this position has been considered. She said information has been put together for a number of years. She said Administration only makes up 2.5% of the budget. She said they reviewed the Administration staffing of 9 towns and Stoneham is at the bottom in 6 categories. She reviewed the job description. Miriam Regan-Fiore said they have been doing a survey and have 14 responses. She said five don’t have an Asst. Superintendent but four of those have a Director of Curriculum. She reviewed the survey. She said she called the MA Association of School Committees and they said Stoneham’s administration structure sounded lean.
Selectman Seibold noted that, after passing the fee, JV sports were reinstated. He asked how many of the Middle School would have gone to a private school. Dr. Connelly estimated 50. Selectman Seibold said he knows they were going to lose a lot more than 50.
Selectman DePinto asked why they can’t consolidate. Dr. Connelly aid they would lose more money than they would save by eliminating that position. He said they are all unique job responsibilities. Chairman Sweeney said the Town is getting by without critical positions. He said it is time for the School to consolidate. He said the Town doesn’t have the authority to say don’t hire that person. He said he would like to think that they are working just as hard as the Town is. He said the Town is getting by without critical positions which they don’t like but they are doing it because they have to. Dr. Connelly said that in
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fairness he has to repeat that they have laid off over 15% of their workforce. He said they are certainly cooperating. He said this year they were faced with a $400,000 deficit. He said the Town said if necessary they could go to the Stabilization Fund. He said the school found a way to absorb that $400,000 deficit. He said they are cooperating and have done their share and are glad to do it because it is necessary.
Town Administrator Florino said that in 2008 they might be facing a $2 million deficit. He said he may have to recommend that the Schools take a $1 million cut. He said if this position is filled they are talking about closing a school. Chairman Sweeney said they are going to be in the same boat next year and he said don’t count on a trash fee. Dr. Connelly said they are working to generate revenue. He said if they lose that level of staffing they could lose more than they saved. Town Administrator Florino said they don’t have to sign themselves to a three-year contract. He said the Town is doing it on their side and it is tough. Kristen Russo said she looks at the impact statement. Ms. Russo said they appreciate their input and will definitely take it into
consideration.
Selectman Kennedy returned to the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
Liquor Licensing Authority
Motion was made and seconded to go into Liquor Licensing Authority, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Kennedy
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Seibold
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting recessed at 7:47 p.m. to go into Liquor Licensing Authority.
Meeting reconvened at 8:03 p.m.
Retirement Board Minutes/Continued
Selectman DePinto said he received a copy of the Retirement Board minutes and they took a vote by phone. Selectman DePinto moved to instruct Town Counsel to write a letter to the Retirement Board requesting the Retirement Board to voluntarily notify the Atty. General’s office to send out an instructor on the Open Meeting Law and if the Board of Selectmen doesn’t get a copy by the June meeting then the Board instructs Town Counsel to notify the Atty. General. Motion was seconded by Selectman Seibold. Selectman Rotondi asked if Town Counsel couldn’t give them a lesson in the Open Meeting Law. Selectman DePinto said if the Board doesn’t do it other people will notify the atty. General. Town Counsel suggested it be to the Middlesex District Attorney and that the letter
should come from the Board, not him. He suggested giving the Retirement Board a choice. Town Clerk John Hanright said he thinks this is a perfect time for a forum on the Open Meeting Law. Selectman DePinto said he would like to keep his motion and do what John Hanright said. Voting was 3-2, with Selectmen Rotondi and Kennedy opposed. Motion carried. Selectman DePinto said he will work with John Hanright in setting up a forum in the future.
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Approve Miniature Golf License Renewal/Hago Harrington’s Miniature Golf
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the Miniature Golf License renewal for Nancy Hadad d/b/a Hago Harrington’s Miniature Golf. Motion was seconded by Selectman Rotondi and unanimously voted.
Appoint Members to Committees
Selectman Kennedy moved to appoint Christopher Willard to the Historical Commission for a three-year term ending April 30, 2009. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto and unanimously voted. Selectman Kennedy moved to appoint Heidi Kelf to the Master Plan Team, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Voting was 3-2, with Chairman Sweeney and Selectman Seibold opposed. Motion carried. Selectman Seibold moved to appoint Joseph Viselli to the Water and Sewer Review Board, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
Accept Donations
Selectman DePinto moved to accept the donation of two signs from the Stoneham Savings Bank and the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce and that they be placed at the two locations noted in the 4/26/06 letter from the Master Plan Team. Motion was seconded by Selectman Kennedy and unanimously voted.
Approve “Walk for the Club” Fundraiser Walk/Stoneham Boys and Girls Club
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the “Walk for the Club” to be held on 6/10/06. Motion was seconded by Selectman Seibold and unanimously voted.
Common Victualler License Renewals
Selectman Kennedy moved approval of the Common Victualler License renewal for Jagat Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Rang Indian Bistro, 6 Central Square. Motion was seconded by Selectman Seibold and unanimously voted. Selectman Kennedy moved approval of the Common Victualler License renewal for Marie Martino d/b/a Bruschetta Restaurant, 318 Main Street. Motion was seconded by Selectman Seibold and unanimously voted.
Chairman Sweeney announced that the dates for the Lions Club Plant Sale have changed, because of weather. The new dates are 5/19 and 5/20.
Chairman Sweeney read the letter concerning potholes on Spring Street and asked Town Administrator Florino to give it to Bob Grover.
Selectman Seibold noted what the Town and Schools put back in from the trash fee. He said they put JV sports back. He said he stands by his vote.
Selectman Seibold noted the letter from the Commonwealth of Mass looking to lease some space. He said the Sheriff is looking to looking for a spot for a new jail. He said he called Atty. Houghton to talk to Mr. Gutierrez for a location for the jail at the hospital site. He mentioned getting “in lieu of taxes” from the State.
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Selectman DePinto asked Town Counsel about the financial statement from Comcast. Mr. Solomon said when they send a check he looks at the numbers by industry standards. He said those numbers have been accurate. He said he is meeting with Verizon for two or three hours on Thursday. Selectman Rotondi asked if Verizon will do wireless in the Library. Town Counsel said they don’t do that anywhere in the country. Selectman Kennedy noted the letter from RCN volunteering some of their employees to do a community service project. Town Administrator Florino said he will give them a call and meet with Bob Grover.
Town Administrator Reports
Town Administrator Florino said he sent out a legal notice on small pieces of property on Curve Road and Pebble Place. There was discussion on the price. Town Counsel suggested the Town Administrator, Bob Grover, and he discuss it. Chairman Sweeney said to let the Board know before they make a decision.
Selectman Rotondi noted the Little League banners and asked if, from a process point of view, they should give them permission. Town Counsel said he would have to look at the facts. He will discuss it with the Town Administrator and report back at next meeting. Selectman Rotondi said he doesn’t want to discourage them, he wants to make it easier for them.
Executive Session
Selectman DePinto moved to go into executive session to discuss litigation and collective bargaining and not return as the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to Chapter 39, section 23B. Motion was seconded by Selectman Kennedy, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Seibold
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Kennedy
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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