Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of January 5, 2010
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
Stoneham Ford/StonehamBank/Accept Donation
Town Administrator Ragucci said both Alan Melkonian, president of Stoneham Ford, and Jan Houghton, President of StonehamBank, generously offered to donate $7,500 each toward the cost of the Council on Aging van. The Board thanked Alan Melkonian and Jan Houghton, who were present. Marcia Wengen asked to also thank School Superintendent Les Olson and Town Engineer Larry Brophy for engineering the use of a school bus while there was no van.
Approve Minutes
Selectman Vallarelli moved approval of the 12/15/09 minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted.
Open Warrant for Annual Town Meeting
Selectman Rotondi moved to open the warrant for the annual town meeting on 1/5/10 and close it on 3/8/10. Selectman Gregorio added that the town meeting will be held on 5/3 at 7:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Selectman Sweeney and unanimously voted.
Approve 128 Franklin St Site Plan Decision Letter
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the site plan letter to Frank Pino d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Gregorio
Selectman Rotondi
Chairman DePinto
Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve 489 Main St Site Plan Decision Letter
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the 489 Main Street site plan letter, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Gregorio
Selectman Rotondi
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman DePinto
Motion was unanimously voted.
January 5, 2010 – Page (2)
Liquor Licensing Authority
Selectman Sweeney moved to go into Liquor Licensing Authority and return back to Board of Selectmen, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting recessed at 7:10 p.m. to go into Liquor Licensing Authority.
Meeting reconvened at 7:15 p.m.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Selectman Rotondi noted the email from the aunt of Sean Devlin, who had returned home from Walter Reed Hospital for a 30-day leave, after being injured in Afghanistan. He moved to send a letter to him wishing him the best and hoping everything is fine. Selectman Sweeney said he travels a lot and has seen boards or banners welcoming returning soldiers. He suggested looking into something similar for Stoneham. Chairman DePinto asked Mr. Ragucci to look into that. Motion was unanimously voted.
Selectman Rotondi moved to send Jan and Alan a letter of thanks for their donation. Selectman Gregorio said he would like to send a letter to the editor. Selectman Rotondi changed his motion so that the letter be sent to the editor and copied to them.
Chairman DePinto noted the letter from DCR about partnering with them on the pool. He asked Mr. Ragucci to find out what they are looking for and they will start a committee. He said he wants to be on it. Selectman Sweeney also expressed interest.
Town Administrator Reports/Budget
Town Administrator Ragucci handed out a brief synopsis of the FY11 budget to the Board and then reviewed it. He said any reduction in Local Aid will result in a loss of services. He said the biggest increases are the Voke with an anticipated $160,000 increase, Contributory Pension Fund up by $324,123, and Health Insurance increasing by $343,776. He said there is $123,499 in Unclassified, representing a 1 ½% pay raise for all of their employees, which was accomplished by the consolidation of the staff at the golf course with DPW. He said receipts have been dwindling in the Recreation Department. He recommended having the Boys & Girls Club run the programs and have the employee be a floater in the Accounting and Human Resources offices. Mr. Ragucci noted he is taking a half-time
position out of the Assessors office and putting the hours into the Treasurer’s Office. He said the Council on Aging budget has increased some. He said the Town will be collecting the rents and act as a pass-through to pay for the Senior Center. Mr. Ragucci said he hasn’t come to terms with any of the unions. He said the money set aside in Unclassified could be used to pay for it. He said for the School department to maintain level services requires $700,000. He said the Town is not in a position today to give that money so he asked the Superintendent to submit a level-funded budget of $22 million. He said he will email the budget tomorrow morning to the Board.
January 5, 2010 – Page (3)
Executive Session
Selectman Rotondi moved to go into executive session and not to come back as the Board of Selectmen, in accordance with Chapter 39, Section 23B, for the purpose of discussing litigation and Stockwell. Motion was seconded, 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 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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