Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of December 9, 2008
Chairman John F. DePinto called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Also present were Selectmen Richard S. Gregorio, R. Paul Rotondi, Robert W. Sweeney, Frank Vallarelli, Town Administrator David Ragucci, and Town Counsel William H. Solomon.
Pledge of Allegiance
Condo Trash Policy/Selectman Sweeney
Town Administrator Ragucci asked the Board’s permission to include language he sent out to them as part of their solid waste policy. After discussion, it was moved and seconded to start picking up the condos’ trash effective 1/19/09. Motion was unanimously voted.
NStar Electric/Verizon New England/North St/Anchor Guy/Public Hearing
Selectman Rotondi moved to continue to 12/16/08 at 7:30 p.m., seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted.
Accept Donations
Selectman Sweeney read the list of names of more donors to the Annual Senior Holiday Party, and he thanked all the volunteers. Selectman Vallarelli moved to accept donations from the following: Red Plaza Donuts LLC d/b/a Dunkin Donuts,/67 Main Street ($250); Weiss Farms, Inc/170 Franklin St ($100); Central Animal Hospital/109 Central St (gift ctf); Hairmates Salon/291 Main St (gift ctf); Shaw’s Supermarkets (6-$50 gift certificates); Cimina Contracting (4 poinsettia plants); Senator Tisei (10-$10 gift ctfs); Rep. Casey (10-$20 gift ctfs); Stoneham Theatre (10-two ticket sets); Zoo New England (apx. 300 pens); Marty Murphy and Family/Montvale Plaza (over 300 dinners, entertainment, and some potpies for the raffle). Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Approve Site Plan Decision Letter/Stoneham Housing Authority
Selectman Gregorio moved approval of the proposed site plan decision letter for Stoneham Housing Authority, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Gregorio
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman DePinto
Motion was unanimously voted.
Liquor Licensing Authority
Selectman Sweeney moved to go into Liquor Licensing Authority and then return back to Board of Selectmen. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Meeting recessed at 7:27 p.m. to go into Liquor Licensing Authority.
Meeting reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Chairman DePinto read the letter congratulating Bob Bracey who took the Certified Health Officer exam and is now a certified health agent. He said there are only 67 towns that have a licensed health officer. The Board asked to send a letter to Mr. Bracey.
Chairman DePinto noted the letter from Mass Lottery concerning a Keno monitor at the C Store at 41 Main Street. Town Counsel Solomon recommended that he look into it further. He said they have 21 days and that next week they could write something to the Lottery Commission.
Selectman Rotondi asked Mr. Ragucci to find out who the Stoneham residents are of the names that are listed in the letter from DHL of those who are losing their job. Town Administrator Ragucci said he could probably find out. He asked for what purpose. Town Counsel asked if it is just the number and not who. Selectman Rotondi said yes. Selectman Rotondi also asked what the impact on projected revenues from excise tax will be because of the DHL trucks that were registered in Stoneham.
Selectman Rotondi noted the letter from Common Cause concerning the Town’s website and asked Mr. Ragucci if they could get those 7 items up.
Selectman Sweeney noted the Stoneham Recreation fundraiser that offers a $20 savings on $60 worth of tickets for Stoneham Theatre.
Town Administrator Reports
Town Administrator Ragucci asked if the Board could appoint two members to speak with the MBTA to find out what their problem is with encroachment on the Railroad Right of Way and how to address it. Selectman Vallarelli volunteered. Selectman Rotondi said he would volunteer unless Selectman Sweeney wants to. Selectman Sweeney said he would. Mr. Ragucci said he met with Mayor McLaughlin of Woburn and Mel Kleckner of Winchester. He said they want to schedule a 25% design hearing in late January on the bikepath.
Mr. Ragucci said he talked with Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins. They had an architect come out to the Arena to look at the feasibility of their moving there. They have conceptual plans they would like to show the Town.
Mr. Ragucci said the Department of Revenue has a serious problem with the article that puts free cash into the Stabilization Fund. They feel that the town cannot vote on moving money anywhere until it is certified. They won’t accept it next year. Selectman Rotondi said if the State passed the bylaw change from the Town then the Town will have to go back and revise it. Selectman Gregorio said the Town should notify their elected officials of that. Selectman Rotondi said they could inform them of what the DOR said. Chairman DePinto asked Town Counsel to get back to them as to whether the State has that authority.
Miscellaneous Correspondence (Continued)
Chairman DePinto noted the cable letter that they went up on their fees. He asked if that helps the money the Town gets. Town Counsel Solomon said the Town gets 5%. Town Counsel said that, in the past, the Town has opposed rate increases in the base rate. Now Federal Law doesn’t let the Town regulate fees at all. He said hopefully competition will take care of it, since Stoneham has three companies and most Town have two. Mr. Solomon said he will develop a web page for cable.
Executive Session
Selectman Gregorio moved to go into executive session pursuant to Chapter 39, section 23B, for contract, litigation, and collective bargaining. Motion was seconded by Selectman Sweeney, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Gregorio
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman DePinto
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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