Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of November 14, 2006
Vice Chairman John F. DePinto called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Also present were Selectmen Anthony C. Kennedy, R. Paul Rotondi, George E. Seibold, Town Administrator Ronald J. Florino, and Town Counsel William H. Solomon.
Pledge of Allegiance
Executive Session
Selectman Seibold moved to go into executive session and return as the Board of Selectmen, seconded by Selectman Rotondi. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Kennedy
Selectman Seibold
Vice Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted (4-0).
Meeting recessed at 6:37 p.m. to go into executive session.
Meeting reconvened at 7:14 p.m. with all members present.
Officer Thomas Heller/George L. Hanna Award
The Board awarded Officer Thomas Heller with a certificate in recognition of his being awarded the George L. Hanna Award, by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for bravery, courage and performance beyond the call of duty. Chief Moore said Officer Heller is part of the NEMLEC SWAT Team.
Transfer Station Discussion/Rep Casey/Selectman Seibold
Selectman Seibold explained that they are trying to raise revenue for the Town and cut costs. He said he was looking at a transfer station at Stevens Street and he wanted Paul Casey and Norm Doucette’s ideas for the one they run in Winchester. Rep. Casey and Mr. Doucette were invited to the meeting, and they described the history of the Winchester Transfer Station. Rep. Casey said that each family pays $150 and $25 for each additional vehicle to use the transfer station. He said they bring in $700,000 to $800,000. He said Stoneham is already putting $700,000 to $800,000 in the budget now. Selectman Seibold said the last fee was $20 just to drop leaves. He said a $50 fee would be for leaves, trash, and recycling. He said he thinks the cost savings would be around $1
million, other than the start-up costs. Rep. Casey said that by accepting commercial trash that subsidizes their costs. He said Stoneham is now paying $160 for pickup and Winchester is paying $150 for a family to deliver the trash to the transfer station. Selectman Kennedy noted that Winchester residents have to pay $150 to drive to the dump. Selectman Seibold agreed and said that Stoneham would be more like $50. Mr. Doucette said they just charge for building debris.
Selectman Rotondi said that where Selectman Seibold is going is that the Town pays $1.4 million and has a fee and that Selectman Seibold is saying is they could pay $1.4 million and not have a fee. Chairman Sweeney said he has a problem with Stevens Street. He said he doesn’t see citizens driving to Stevens Street. Selectman Seibold said it is up to the Board to find ways to cut costs. Selectman Rotondi said they spend $1.4 million now, subsidized by a $1 million trash fee, so the net cost is $400,000. Rep. Casey said Winchester does not subsidize the transfer station. He said special fees take care of the $600,000 difference.
Chairman Sweeney noted Chapter 70 money and said the Board will be in contact with Rep. Casey as they get into the budget. Rep. Casey said he doesn’t see immediate funds coming in the next four months. Town Administrator Florino asked about GIC. Rep. Casey said he is filing a bill that would allow communities to participate in GIC. He said it would be nice to have Home Rule on that one and that it gives the Town more leverage.
Style of Stoneham Awards
The Stoneham Beautification Committee presented awards to Wayne Kearney – 20 Middle/70 Pine Street; John McAdam – 40 Hall Road; Residences at Stoneham Square; Ben Caggiano – Stonegate Condos; Symes Company – Stoneham Theatre; Jeff Cataldo – 103 Central Street; and the Stoneham School building projects.
Meeting recessed at 7:58 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 8:07 p.m.
Pay as You Throw Committee
Richard Gregorio, Chairman of the PAYT Committee, said he strongly recommends the Selectmen continue with the current Town subsidy. He said the recommendation is to reduce the current fee from $160 to $90, which includes one barrel and purchasing bags at $2.10 each. He said they are doing this because they believe it will encourage recycling. He said they might want to increase recycling to every week. He recommended small-scale rental property be treated as individual homes and each unit pay and that they come up with a scale for large rental. He said a lot of small commercial wants to participate. He said that, at meetings, the majority did accept it. He said the Committee believes they should accept PAYT because PAYT drives recycling and residents want a lower fee. Selectman
Rotondi asked what the numbers are. Mr. Gregorio said it will generate the same revenue of $1 million and that includes the cost of recycling. He said the Town taxes will contribute the same one-half million. Selectman Seibold asked if they figured out how many people do one barrel and he cited the cost of three barrels. Town Administrator Florino figured that would cost $300, but Mr. Gregorio said they believe it will go down to one or two barrels through increased recycling. Chairman Sweeney thanked the Committee for all their meetings. Mr. Gregorio said if the Board goes with this, the committee would like to stay active.
Approve Minutes
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 10/23/06 minutes, seconded by Selectman Seibold. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 10/24/06 minutes, seconded by Selectman Seibold. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 10/24/06 executive session minutes and not to release, seconded by Selectman Seibold. Motion was unanimously voted.
Appoint Members to Committees
Selectman Rotondi moved to appoint Carol Nickerson to the Historical Commission. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved to appoint Julie Draper to the Town Common Oversight Committee. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Retirement Board/Terms of Elected Members/Selectman DePinto
Selectman DePinto said he thinks costs are getting out of hand. He said one member of the Retirement Board submitted a bill for $75 to come to their meeting in Town Hall. He said legal fees are also getting out of hand. He asked Town Counsel if the Selectmen set the terms. Town Counsel said the statute makes little sense, because the only way they can comply is to have three-year terms. Town Counsel said he will speak to PERAC and do further research and give the Board his opinion. Selectman DePinto said they are in violation now because they all expire in the same year. Selectman DePinto moved that Town Counsel give them an answer. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto added that Town Counsel also find out about other reimbursable
expenses.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Selectman DePinto asked about the real estate in Stoneham owned by Wakefield. Town Counsel Solomon recommended that the Board have the Town Administrator work with the Town Engineer to see what can be done proactively.
Selectman Rotondi noted the correspondence from MAPC regarding expediting permitting. Town Administrator Florino said he forward it to the Planning Board. Selectman Rotondi said he would volunteer for this.
Town Administrator Reports
Mr. Florino said the auditors are doing the FY06 audit. He said the Town is well ahead of schedule for GASB 45.
Executive Session
Selectman DePinto moved to go into executive session and not return as the Board of Selectmen, for contract negotiations and Town Administrator and Stockwell, pursuant to Chapter 39, Section 23B. Motion was seconded, 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 adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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