Stoneham Board of Selectmen - Minutes of Meeting of April 20, 2010
Chairman John F. DePinto called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Also present were Selectmen Richard S. Gregorio, R. Paul Rotondi, Robert W. Sweeney, Frank Vallarelli, and Town Administrator David Ragucci. Town Counsel William H. Solomon was unable to be present.
Pledge of Allegiance
Reorganization
Selectman Sweeney nominated Paul Rotondi as Chairman, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Sweeney nominated Frank Vallarelli as Vice Chairman, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Sweeney nominated Richard Gregorio as Secretary, seconded by Selectman Vallarelli. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve Minutes
Selectman DePinto moved approval of the 3/30/10 minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Chairman Rotondi asked to amend the minutes by saying that they appointed the Board of Selectmen chairman, not a specific name. Selectman DePinto moved to amend the minutes, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto moved to accept the minutes, as amended. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Gregorio moved approval of the 3/30/10 executive session minutes and not to release to the public, seconded by Selectman Vallarelli. Motion was unanimously voted.
Audit Report Discussion
Town Accountant Ron Florino and Tony Roselli, a partner in Roselli & Clark, were present. Mr. Roselli went through the highlights of the audit report he had prepared. Mr. Florino said there were no significant findings and no qualified opinions.
Appoint Interim Member to VOKE School Committee
Selectman Vallarelli moved to take Item 7 up, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Vallarelli moved to table this item to 4/27, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
Trash Fee Discussion/ Selectman DePinto
Selectman DePinto said he wanted to bring this up because, based on the Finance Board, they might have amendments made at Town Meeting on an unbalanced budget. He said he wanted t bring it up before Town Meeting so the townspeople will be prepared how this Board feels. Chairman Rotondi said Selectman Gregorio will give his Finances Beyond 2011 presentation and then they will return to the trash fee.
Finances Beyond 2011/Selectman Gregorio
Selectman Gregorio said he is showing a deficit for 2012, assuming a 10% reduction in State Aid. He said the state won't have stimulus money and will have to make it up. He
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said if they do a trash fee in 2011, it takes that option away in 2012. Selectman Vallarelli said he always looked at the trash fee as their safety net. He said they need to look at the discrepancy of $800,000 and see if they can bring it closer. Selectman Gregorio said they can go up to $250. Selectman Sweeney asked what the Finance Board recommendations are. Mr. Warren listed them and said the $800,000 would be balanced using the financial guidelines on page 50 and the remainder would be taken care of in October. He said the biggest difference would be the local receipts estimate. Selectman Gregorio said that if $219,000 is within the fiscal guidelines then he doesn't have a problem. Chairman Rotondi agreed but said he does have a problem counting on money that won't come
in until after October. He said the state told them last year they couldn't commit funds that haven't been certified. He said they won't get their tax rate certified. Selectman Gregorio said $800,000 could shrink to $233,000 if they assume $219,000 more in revenue and underfund health insurance by $350,000. Chairman Rotondi said to address the $233,000 they have to cut $233,000 or a trash fee for $233,000. Ms. Buckley spoke about a meals tax increase. Chairman Rotondi said that won't help this year. He said it would help in FY12. Selectman Sweeney asked about the timing for a trash fee. Chairman Rotondi said it would have to come up before Town Meeting. Selectman Sweeney asked if it would be worth meeting early Town Meeting night. He said he thinks all three boards should get in a room and talk about the problem.
Appoint Members to School Building Committee
Selectman Sweeney moved to appoint Ben Caggiano as the Finance Board member and Bill Previdi as the citizen at large, seconded by Selectman DePinto. It was clarified they will be voting members. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve 11 Gould St Site Plan Decision Letter
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the 11 Gould Street site plan approval letter, seconded by Selectman DePinto. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Gregorio
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman Sweeney
Chairman Rotondi
Motion was unanimously voted.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Selectman Sweeney noted the speeding incident on George Street. He asked that there be a public meeting on the 4/27 agenda. Selectman Sweeney also asked for a public hearing on 5/18 to discuss the possibility of a beer and wine license at Unicorn. Selectman Sweeney said he thinks they should go back and look at the modification of Stoneham Oaks. He said he thinks it might be a good idea to put an RFP together for an outside entity to look at it.
April 20, 2010 – Page (3)
Town Administrator Reports
Town Administrator Ragucci said that NuPath is affiliated with EMARC and they are having a fundraiser. He asked for four rounds of golf to be donated. Selectman DePinto moved to donate four rounds. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted. Mr. Ragucci said he met with Woburn and discussed the bikepath with the DOT. The DOT said they received a petition with 200 names opposing the bikepath. He told them Stoneham supports the bikepath but needs these issues addressed. He said she mentioned small business owners encroaching, and he suggested she meet with them. He asked Fay, Spofford and Thorndike to give them rough plans so they will have something to discuss. Selectman Gregorio will meet with him.
Executive Session
Selectman DePinto moved to go into executive session, in accordance with Chapter 39, section 23B, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. A roll call vote was taken.
Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Selectman Vallarelli
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Gregorio
Chairman Rotondi
Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
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