Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of May 19, 2009
Chairman John F. DePinto called the meeting to order at 7:03 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
Approve Minutes
Selectman Vallarelli moved approval of the 5/4/09 minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Vallarelli moved approval of the 5/4/09 executive session minutes and not to release, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Rotondi moved approval of the 4/1/09 minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Historical Commission/Heritage Award
Steve Rotondi, Chairman of the Historical Commission, presented the 18th annual Heritage Award to Fire Chief Joe Rolli and the Stoneham Fire Department for the work done on the fire station building. He presented Chief Rolli with one award and the firefighters with another award.
Approve Police Dept Federal Byrne Grant
Selectman Gregorio moved approval of the Stoneham Police Department 2009 Recovery Act Byrne Grant for domestic Violence and related crimes outreach. Motion was seconded by Selectman Sweeney and unanimously voted.
Approve Block Party/Philips Rd
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the Block Party on Philips Road on 5/30/09 from 11 to 9, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve Miniature Golf License Renewal/Hago Harrington’s Miniature Golf/160 Main St
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the Miniature Golf License renewal for Hago Harrington’s at 160 Main Street, seconded by Selectman Rotondi. Motion was unanimously voted.
Accept Donations
Selectman Vallarelli moved to accept donations from the following and to send thank you letters: Domenic Colucci of Stoneham Spartans Over 50 Men’s Adult Soccer League - $700, Mary Marchant - $25, Denise Danis - $25, and Christine and Edward Doherty - $40. Motion was seconded by Selectman Sweeney and unanimously voted.
Addendum
Selectman Rotondi moved to take up the addendum, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
May 19, 2009 – Page (2)
Approve Entertainment License Renewal/Montvale Plaza/54 Montvale Ave
Selectman Rotondi moved approval of the Entertainment License renewal for Montvale Plaza, 54 Montvale Ave, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Appoint Member to Council on Aging
Selectman Vallarelli moved to appoint Donald Smith, 8 Lincoln Street, to the Council on Aging, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Chairman DePinto said he wanted to talk about the budget and the impact the contract will have on it. Selectman Gregorio said the contract settlement was roughly $300,000 per year. Chairman DePinto said he wants the parents and students to know it might impact the next two years. Selectman Gregorio said that he is projecting a $1.1 million deficit, if they stay with the existing funding schedule and add to make up for loss of earnings to the Retirement unfunded liability. Selectman Rotondi added that is with level-funded state aid. He said he thinks this has a major impact on the ability of the Town to go forward. Selectman Sweeney said the Town had been doing a good job. Chairman DePinto added that basically they had no layoffs. Selectman Vallarelli asked if the
superintendent has advance notice of retiring teachers. Selectman Rotondi said 19. He said that is where they are getting the money to fund it. He said there was never a mention of going to a three-year contract. Selectman Sweeney said this was going to impact the Town Administrator’s bargaining. He said they can’t not address the municipal side after seeing what happened on the School side.
Selectman Gregorio said they received two resignations from the Capital Committee. He asked that it be advertised.
Chairman DePinto congratulated Michael Rourke for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Selectman Vallarelli moved to reappoint Peter D’Angelo to the Stoneham Community Access Board. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Chairman DePinto congratulated Zachary Albert Kline for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Town Administrator Reports
Town Administrator Ragucci said the MWRA had a tentative agreement for 6 acres of the BRMC site where there were going to be approximately 80 condo units. He said it is a loss of $200,000 plus for the Town of Stoneham. He said he spoke to Mr. Laskey of MWRA and Mr. Laskey said if he is looking for PILOT it’s a non-starter for the MWRA. Mr. Ragucci said it is an outrage. He said it is seldom done in any other community and shouldn’t be done in Stoneham.
Mr. Ragucci said the plaintiff in the Central School case is willing to dismiss the case against the Town if the Town allows them to interview Town employees. Mr. Ragucci
May 19, 2009 – Page (3)
said the FEMA grant will allow him to hire two more firefighters. Mr. Ragucci asked the Board’s permission to pursue biotechnology coming into Stoneham. Selectman Rotondi and Gregorio volunteered for this, also. Mr. Ragucci said Town Meeting has allowed the Town to lease the RROW to abutters. He asked the Board to make any changes and he will send it off to the T. He said he will draft a letter to the abutters about leasing it and will look for compensation until then. Mr. Ragucci distributed a letter he had drafted to Gov. Patrick for the Chairman to sign.
Executive Session
Selectman Rotondi moved to go into executive session for purposes of discussing collective bargaining and litigation and not to come back in open session afterward. Motion was seconded by Selectman Sweeney, and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Gregorio
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman DePinto
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
| 
