Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of September 11, 2007
Chairman George E. Seibold called the meeting to order at 6:07 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
Executive Session
Selectman DePinto moved to go into executive session and return as the Board of Selectmen, for purposes of contract negotiations, pursuant to Chapter 39, section 23B. Motion was seconded by Selectman Vallarelli, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Sweeney
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting recessed to go into executive session at 6:08 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 7:05 p.m. with all members present.
Moment of Silence in Memory of 9/11
Discussion on Sale of Stoneham Arena/Selectman Rotondi
Selectman DePinto moved to take up the Arena item, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Rotondi read an anonymous letter that he received regarding this item. He said he did a survey of 60 arenas in Massachusetts and only 17 are run by municipalities. He said he can’t believe Stoneham is the only city or town that knows what they are doing. He said the intent of this meeting is to look at the data and see if there is not a more effective way to run the Arena, reducing the Town’s risks and future liabilities, while at the same time providing a needed service. He showed a report from Pioneer Institute for Public Policy who did a study on all the arenas in Massachusetts. He said privately run arenas have increased availability, more
affordability, less expensive to run, attendance has grown, and capital investment by the contractors increased $2.28 million in 2005. Asst. Town Accountant Castignetti distributed sheets on Arena financial figures and reviewed them. He said there was a net profit of $79,000 for FY07. Chairman Seibold said he would like to bring up the proposal of a second rink again. He said he thinks the rink has shown it’s going nowhere but up. Selectman Seibold said he could see this coming up if it was losing money. Kevin Dolan, 23 Crystal Drive, said if they think a management company will run it better and still pay them $80,000, it is not going to happen. He said the ice time for the High School and Youth Hockey will go from $200 to $270. He said to let these people know tonight that the rink isn’t going to be sold out from under them. Selectman Rotondi said no one is talking about selling. He said any lease they have
can guarantee ice time, price, and services. Chairman Seibold said when he did his survey in other towns it was $250.
September 11, 2007 – Page (2)
Selectman Sweeney moved to leave the Arena as it is, seconded by Selectman DePinto, for discussion. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted (5-0).
Town Administrator Reports
Town Administrator Ragucci said that he would advance Captain Richard Bongiorno’s name for Police Chief. He said he is from the Cambridge Police Department. He said he would like to begin a dialogue over a contract and report back to the Board.
Mr. Ragucci said the agreement with Covanti expires and he would like to reconvene the Recycling Committee and take a look at pay as you throw again.
Selectman Rotondi asked if they could get a consolidated list of all business contributions and publish it and give them formal recognition. Town Administrator Ragucci said he will be meeting with the business people at a business roundtable. He asked for a Selectman to join this. Selectman Sweeney nominated Selectman Rotondi.
Town Administrator Ragucci said they will be submitting an article for October Town Meeting to change zoning at Stevens Street. Town Counsel Solomon reviewed the proposed article. Selectman Rotondi said he didn’t think they needed a site plan to do it. The consensus of the Board was they didn’t need a site plan.
Request for Stoneham Public School Foundation 5K Road Race/Christopher Willard
Selectman Rotondi moved approval of the request for the race. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Approve 409-413 Main Street Site Plan Decision
Selectman Rotondi moved approval of the 409-413 Main Street site plan decision letter. Motion was seconded, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman Seibold
Abstaining:
Selectman Sweeney
Voting was 4-0-1 in favor. Motion carried.
September 11, 2007 – Page (3)
Request for Proclamation/United Nations Association
Selectman Rotondi moved approval of the United Nations proclamation, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve Minutes
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 8/28/07. Motion was seconded by Selectman Vallarelli and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 8/28/07 executive session minutes and not to release. Motion was seconded by Selectman Vallarelli and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 12/19/06 I meeting minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Voting was 3-0-2, with Selectman Rotondi and Selectman Vallarelli abstaining. Motion carried. Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 12/19/06 executive session minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Voting was 4-0-1, with Selectman Vallarelli abstaining. Motion carried.
Government Channel/Town Clerk Operation/Town Counsel
Town Counsel proposed a stipend for the operation of the Government Channel of $5,000 a year for Town Clerk John Hanright. He said the funds are available in the cable account so it will not come from taxpayer funds. Selectman Sweeney moved approval, seconded by Selectman DePinto. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Sweeney
Chairman Seibold
Motion was unanimously voted.
Stockwell Trust/Chairman Seibold
Chairman Seibold said he spoke to Eddie Russo, Principal at the High School, and he wants to put out the fact that the Stockwell Trust is here for medical reasons. He said Mr. Russo was the homeless liaison for the high school. He wanted to let these people know that the money is there for medical bills. Selectman Rotondi suggested putting it on cable. Town Counsel said he will tell Town Clerk Hanright.
Block Party/Parkway Road
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the block party on Parkway Road on 9/15/07, seconded by Selectman Rotondi. Motion was unanimously voted.
Selectman DePinto moved to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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