Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of February 13, 2007
Chairman Robert W. Sweeney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Also present were Selectmen John F. DePinto, R. Paul Rotondi, George E. Seibold, Town Accountant Ronald J. Florino, and Town Counsel William H. Solomon. Selectman Anthony C. Kennedy was unable to be present.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approve Minutes
Motion was made and seconded to approve the 1/30/07 minutes. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved to approve the 1/30/07 executive session minutes. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 1/22/07 minutes. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 1/22/07 Minutes. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted (4-0).
American Cancer Society/Request for Drop-Off Site
Melissa Saporetti from the American Cancer Society asked to have a table in the Town Hall for brochures on colon cancer and also to place blue ribbons on the front of the Town Hall. Selectman DePinto moved approval of this, seconded by Selectman Rotondi. Motion was unanimously voted (4-0).
6 Hill Court Realty Trust/5-7 Hill Court/Site Plan Hearing
Selectman DePinto read the Notice of Hearing. Atty. Daniel Moynihan was present to represent 6 Hill Court in its petition to convert the existing three-family dwelling into a mixed business use and residence use, with two small business units on the first floor and two residential units comprising the upper floor and attic, on the property located at 5-7 Hill Court, Stoneham, MA, on land owned by 6 Hill Court Realty Trust, 15 Concord Road, Stoneham, MA 02180.
Selectman Seibold read the departmental recommendations of the Public Works Department, Police, Fire, and Inspectional Services. Selectman DePinto read the Board of Health recommendation. Chairman Sweeney opened the hearing to the public.
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the site plan, seconded by Selectman Seibold. Chairman Sweeney added two years for completion. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Seibold
Selectman DePinto
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted (4-0).
Liquor Licensing Authority
Selectman DePinto moved to go into Liquor Licensing Authority, seconded by Selectman Seibold. A roll call vote was taken.
February 13, 2007 – Page (2)
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Seibold
Selectman DePinto
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted (4-0).
Meeting recessed at 7:34 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 7:42 p.m.
Verizon/PEG/Town Counsel
Town Counsel Solomon said that, due to the efforts of the Board of Selectmen, Stoneham is one of the first communities to have a Verizon contract. He said they received $540,000 for PEG and that $270,000 of that will go to Stoneham Cable Access. He said the School funding from Verizon is $35,000 plus an additional $15,000 in July of 2008. He said Stoneham Community access is required to make a payment of $5,000 to the schools beginning in July of 2010 until the end of the Verizon contract. Town Counsel Solomon said $220,000 will remain with the Town to improve the Institutional Network or, if they lose RCN, for the Town to construct its own network. He said they pay for internet costs, the Schools’ Ed Connect Fund, and some of the money for the IT Director from RCN funds. He said
the money has to be used for PEG Access or related educational needs. Chairman Sweeney said he wanted to publicly thank Town Counsel Solomon for all the work he put in. Selectman Rotondi agreed. Selectman Rotondi asked if they could put all this data in one chart. He said it is a story that should get out. He said it is a good story. Bob Hogan, Technology Director for Stoneham Public Schools, said he is publicly thanking Bill Solomon. He said his work is truly remarkable. He said they won’t see this in other communities. He said the Schools are very happy with this latest money. He said they hope to provide more programming. Amy Palmerino, Director of Community Access, thanked the Board of Selectmen, also. She said that, with the help of Bill Solomon, they had other communities and the State Representatives and Senator and someone from Rep. Markey’s office all come to the studio. She said
that, as Town Counsel said, the funding will go towards a mortgage that they have. Charles Houghton, Vice Chairman of Community Access, said the great studio was made possible by this money. Selectman Rotondi moved to approve Stoneham Access PEG grant of $270,000, Stoneham Public Schools of $35,000, and the Town of Stoneham for $220,000. Town Counsel added that the Schools will get another $15,000 for a total of $50,000. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Seibold
Selectman DePinto
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted (4-0).
Selectman DePinto moved to send a letter to Rep. Markey thanking him for his support. Motion was seconded by Selectman Rotondi and unanimously voted (4-0).
February 13, 2007 – Page (3)
Bikepath/Selectman Seibold
Selectman Seibold said it is up to the Board of Selectmen to raise revenue for the town. He said the bikepath is another decision the Town made in the past that will cost the Town. He said he talked to Lexington and they are in the process of repaving the bikepath. He said it is $100,000 to do that. He said if you are on a bikepath, you should see nicer things than on the Stoneham bikepath. He said he reviewed the path and what it goes through. He said there is not really a lot to look at. He said there is busy traffic as Stoneham is a cut-through town. He asked who will pick up the leaves, and he said there will be trash. He said these are questions he wants to bring to the fore. He said that years down the road this will cost the Town money. Ken Pruitt, 9
Everett Street, member of the Bikepath Committee, said Town Meeting has twice voted that they want the bikepath. He said the Lexington bikepath crosses Mass Ave. He said the State and Federal will pay the entire costs of building the bikepath and any costs to Stoneham will come after 2011.
Selectman Seibold said a decision made 25 years ago will cost the Town in the future. Selectman Seibold said they don’t even reach a mile without stopping and starting on the Stoneham bikepath. Cameron Bain gave the history of the Stoneham bikepath and said the deed restriction says all rents go to the MBTA. He said it is dedicated Open Space and Recreation land. Ken Pruitt said that over the next 4 to 5 years the only thing that will happen is the design. He said that they could get Fay, Spofford, Thorndike to get the typical operating costs. He suggested they approach Winchester and ask them to include that.
Valet Parking/Selectman DePinto
Selectman DePinto and Town Counsel Solomon discussed proposed warrant articles for valet parking and renting of Town parking. Selectman Seibold said people have been carpooling from the Arena for years. He suggested they put it all together. Selectman Rotondi moved approval of Selectman DePinto and Town Counsel Solomon submitting articles for rental of Town property and valet parking. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted (4-0).
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Selectman Rotondi noted the letter from Mobil looking for a place to meet. Town Counsel said he spoke to the Library and they have a non-profit only policy. Town Counsel will contact the Library and the Mobil attorney.
Selectman Rotondi asked if the Comcast consumer complaints rate was normal. Town Counsel said he will take a look but that they don’t have a lot of complaints.
Selectman Seibold asked about double poles. Town Counsel suggested inviting them to make a presentation. Town Counsel will call and ask them to come to the 2/27 meeting.
Executive Session
Selectman DePinto moved to go into executive session for litigation and not to return as the Board of Selectmen. Motion was seconded, and a roll call vote was taken.
February 13, 2007 – Page (4)
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Seibold
Selectman DePinto
Chairman Sweeney
Motion was unanimously voted (4-0).
Meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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