Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of November 8, 2006
Chairman Robert W. Sweeney called the meeting to order at 6:50 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.
Addendum: Approve New Common Victualler License/Neal Ryan and Ashley Herrick LLC d/b/a Two Sisters Café/8 Central St
Selectman Rotondi moved to take up the addendum, seconded by Selectman DePinto. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Kennedy
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Seibold
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted.
Selectman Kennedy moved to grant Neal Ryan and Ashley Herrick LLC d/b/a Two Sisters Café a New Common Victualler License, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
Liquor Licensing Authority
Selectman DePinto moved to go into Liquor Licensing Authority and return as the Board of Selectmen. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Meeting recessed at 6:59 p.m. to go into Liquor Licensing Authority.
Meeting reconvened at 7:08 p.m.
Chairman Sweeney suggested a policy for the use of the Town Hall copier for non-employees. Selectman Rotondi moved that there be a keypad and a log, seconded by Selectman Seibold. Motion was unanimously voted. Chairman Sweeney said that the policy will be in effect tomorrow.
Selectman Rotondi gave a presentation on Stoneham’s Financial Benchmark, which he prepared with information from the MA Department of Revenue, the Mass Municipal Personnel Association, and the MA Department of Education. He compared Stoneham to 51 comparable cities and towns. His objectives were to analyze Stoneham’s ability to pay as compared to comparable communities, analyze Stoneham’s spending profile as compared to comparable communities, determine if Stoneham’s spending profile is consistent with its priorities, identify significant gaps where the profile is over and under the comparable communities, analyze Stoneham’s Salary and Benefit Structure as compared to comparable communities, use the data obtained to help identify goals for the year, and use the data to open
a dialogue with department heads, other boards, and the
November 8, 2006 – Page (2)
public. Selectman Rotondi drew the following conclusions from his data: Stoneham’s ability to pay and revenues below the median (32 out of 52); Stoneham’s single family tax $4,096 is above the median (23 out of 52); Stoneham’s charges for services are above the median (14 out of 52); Stoneham’s contribution to medical is above the median (12 out of 52); Expenditures are in line with revenues and below the median (32 out of 52); Spending profile is out of balance; Department head salary scales are too high, ranking from 14 to 6 out of 52; Union salary scales , except teachers, are high, ranking from 1 to 16 out of 23; State Aid to Stoneham is at the median (26 out of 52); Stoneham under spends on General Government 3.9% against comparable towns 4.4%.
Chairman Sweeney suggested Selectman Rotondi’s presentation be on cable.
Selectman Seibold said he would like to see if they can undo decisions made in the past. One is the Town Common. He said it was zoned for downtown business and they are losing tax money. Selectman Seibold said they never thought of replacing the revenues lost when it was done. Selectman Seibold said the other is the bikepath. He said Stoneham is too congested to have a bikepath. Town Counsel Solomon said the deed says that revenue goes to the MBTA, but he said they can talk again about it.
Selectman DePinto said he wants to look into having someone build the garage and do revenue sharing. Town Counsel suggested changing the zoning bylaw. Town Counsel will write the article and ask the Planning Board to jointly sponsor it. Selectman Rotondi suggested the Land Use Committee. Selectman DePinto and Town Counsel will set up a meeting with the committee and the neighbors.
Selectmen Seibold and DePinto and Town Accountant Ronald Castignetti will form a Billboard Committee. Selectman Kennedy said a retired Somerville Police Officer in charge of parking enforcement would like to present a parking enforcement plan to the Board. Selectman Rotondi asked if the Operations committee was gong to bring this up. Selectman Kennedy said he, Mr. Gorgone, and Selectman DePinto will meet.
Selectman Rotondi said he wanted the numbers for Public Works, Police, and Fire form 13 towns.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 10:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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