Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of June 26, 2007
Chairman George E. Seibold called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Also present were Selectmen John F. DePinto, R. Paul Rotondi, Robert W. Sweeney, Frank A. Vallarelli, Town Administrator David Ragucci, and Town Counsel William H. Solomon.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approve Minutes
Motion was made and seconded to approve the 6/12/07 minutes. Motion was unanimously voted. Motion was made and seconded to approve the 6/12/07 executive session minutes. Motion was unanimously voted.
Langwood Commons/Sign Development Agreement and Amendment to Mitigation Covenant
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the Langwood Commons Development Agreement and Mitigation Covenant, subject to Town Counsel’s approval. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted.
Stoneham Housing Authority/Trash Fee Discussion
Selectman DePinto moved to table, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Sweeney
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted.
Trash Fee/Discussion
Selectman Sweeney asked how much a $200 fee would generate. Chairman Seibold said $1.3 million and that $220 would generate $1.45 million. Selectman Sweeney asked what the max is that can be charged. Chairman Seibold said $220. Selectman Rotondi said it is the hardest decision he has had to make in 40 years of public service, but he is opposed to the trash fee. He said apartments, condos, and businesses don’t pay, only the homeowners pay. Selectman Sweeney said he believes if the override passed, they would be back in two years for a $1.5 million override. Selectman Sweeney moved to pass a $200 trash fee, for the sake of discussion. Motion was seconded by Selectman Vallarelli.
Selectman Rotondi moved to amend the motion so that any revenue raised from the proposed trash fee be shared 50% for the Town and 50% for the Schools. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto. Selectman Vallarelli asked who will make the decision, if the amendment fails. Chairman Seibold said they will sit with the School Committee, the Superintendent and the Town Administrator. Town Counsel Solomon said the trash fee has to be used for trash pick up and disposal, but it frees up other dollars. He said that, at the next Town Meeting, Town Meeting will decide to reduce some of the budget items already passed. Selectman Rotondi said they have to decide tonight how the money will be spent. A person said $650,000 won’t restore sports. Selectman Rotondi said he puts public
safety over the sports program. Selectman Vallarelli suggested it be contingent on the sports program being reinstituted. Selectman DePinto said maybe the School Department might consider moving sports up on the list and they won’t need $900,000. Selectman Sweeney said that with a 50/50 split and where athletics is placed on the priority list, he doesn’t see that being reinstituted. Selectman Vallarelli moved the question on the amendment. Randy Perillo suggested donating $200 to the Town. He said the “Yes” votes could raise a $1/2 million, which is tax deductible. He said if 13,000 registered voters gave $200 they could raise $3 million. The question was moved on the amendment. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman DePinto
June 26, 2007 – Page (2)
Opposed:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman Seibold
Voting was 2-3. Motion did not carry.
Selectman Vallarelli moved to amend the motion by continuing the abatement of $50. Motion was seconded by Selectman Rotondi, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted.
A roll call vote was taken on the main motion.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman Seibold
Opposed:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman DePinto
Voting was 3-2. Motion carried.
Meeting recessed at 8:08 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 8:27 p.m.
225 Fallon Road Realty, LLC/225 Fallon Road/Site Plan Hearing
Atty. Mark Vaughan was present to represent 225 Fallon Road Realty LLC in their petition to demolish the existing +/- 70,000 sq. ft. commercial office building and construct a +/- 135,000 sq. ft. retail home improvement center, including a 28,000 sq. ft. garden center, and a 12,000 sq. ft. multi-tenant Class A office building, on the property located at 225 Fallon Road, Stoneham, MA on land owned by 225 Fallon Road Realty LLC, c/o The Richmond Company, Inc., 23 Concord Street, Wilmington, MA 01887.
Atty. Vaughan said they are making a one-time contribution to the Town of Stoneham in the amount of $250,000 to offset any additional demands on the Town’s public safety resources. Selectman DePinto read the duly published Notice of Hearing. Chairman Seibold opened the hearing to the public. Ellen McBride said that Mr. Conway recused himself from the Conservation Commission hearing as he worked for the Town of Winchester. She said that Mr. Vallarelli works for Mass Highway and it would show good faith if he recused himself. Selectman Vallarelli deferred to Town Counsel. Town Counsel Solomon said the Commonwealth of Mass is not considered a business for purposes of Ethics Law. He said his understanding is that Mr. Vallarelli would not be prohibited from participating.
He said the other distinction, to be fair, is that the Town of Winchester had a position based on the impact on the Town of Winchester. Ken Pruitt asked that they do a temporary closure of Park Street, as a test. Several other people spoke, either for or against the project.
Selectman Sweeney read the recommendations from DPW and the Police Department. Selectman Rotondi read the recommendations from the Board of Health and the Fire Department. Selectman DePinto read the recommendations from Inspectional Services. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the site plan, with two years for completion, and the hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday. Selectman Sweeney added that the Board reserves the right to amend and modify at any time. Motion was seconded, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman Seibold
June 26, 2007 – Page (3)
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting recessed at 9:42 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 9:57 p.m.
Maintenance of Town Fields
Chairman Seibold said Selectman Sweeney will work with the organics committee and look at the problem. Selectman Rotondi moved to table this, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve Proposed Site Plan Decision Letter/250-256 Main St
Selectman DePinto moved to table this to the next meeting, seconded by Selectman Rotondi. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve New Common Victualler License/David Pignone, Lisa McShane, and Sandra Pignone d/b/a Pignone’s Café/319 Main St
It was moved and seconded to table this item. Motion was unanimously voted.
Accept Donations
Selectman Sweeney moved to accept donations for the Recreation Department from the following: the Schelzi Family, Stoneham Pop Warner Football, Domenic Colucci c/o Men’s Soccer-Juventus Club, Stoneham Youth Softball, Donna Weiss (for the Open Parks Program), Carolyn O’Keefe, Dorothy Harkins, and Martha Panther-Buckley. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto and unanimously voted.
Appoint Member to Water and Sewer Review Board
Selectman Sweeney moved to appoint Stephen A. Quattrocchi to the Water and Sewer Review Board, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
Request for Arbor Day Proclamation
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the Arbor Day proclamation, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Chairman Seibold said they have been notified of the resignation of Miriam Fiore from the School Committee. Selectman DePinto moved to advertise, as long as the Town Clerk is notified. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto and unanimously voted.
Executive Session
It was moved and seconded to go into executive session and not to return as the Board of Selectmen. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Sweeney
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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