Stoneham Board of Selectmen – Minutes of Meeting of April 27, 2010
Chairman R. Paul Rotondi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Also present were Selectmen John F. DePinto, Richard S. Gregorio, Robert W. Sweeney, Frank Vallarelli, Town Administrator David Ragucci, and Town Counsel William H. Solomon.
Pledge of Allegiance
Gutierrez Company Gift
Selectman Gregorio moved to take up the Gutierrez gift item at this time. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted. Arthur Gutierrez presented the Board of Selectmen with a check in the amount of $200,000. Chairman Rotondi gave the gavel to Vice Chairman Vallarelli. Chairman Rotondi then moved to take this gift and earmark $150,000 for capital equity at the High School and use $50,000 for capital for Police Department concerns, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
NStar/Colonial Park Area
Annmarie Walsh and another representative were present from NStar to address repaving and other issues in the Colonial Park area. After discussion, Chairman Rotondi summed it up that NStar will sit with Bob Grover, tell what they will do, and Bob Grover will get back to the Board, and they will also find out when FIOS is going in and maybe NStar and Verizon could split it. Selectman Gregorio asked for an update on 5/18.
George Street/Public Hearing
After discussion, Selectman Sweeney moved to make George Street a one-way and also for the Police Department to put the data recorder on Northgate or Sherwood, because they don't want to impact another street. Chief Bongiorno said he is not sure if it is functional. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto and unanimously voted. Selectman DePinto suggested placing George Street on the agenda for the end of October or beginning of November.
Annual Appointments
]
Selectman Vallarelli moved to reappoint Timothy Libby as an associate member and Larry Rotondi and Michael Dufour as three-year members of the Board of Appeals. Motion was seconded by Selectman DePinto, and voting was 4-0-1. Chairman Rotondi abstained because Mr. Rotondi is his brother. Motion was so voted.
Selectman Vallarelli moved to appoint Megan Day as an associate member of the Conservation Commission, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted.
Selectman DePinto moved to reappoint Stephen Rotondi and Margaret Warren to three-year terms on the Historical Commission, seconded by Selectman Rotondi. Voting was 4-0-1. Chairman Rotondi abstained because that is his other brother. Motion was so voted.
April 27, 2010 – Page (2)
Selectman Gregorio moved to reappoint Therese DiBlasi and Stephen Sylvester to the Open Space and Recreation Committee. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Selectman DePinto moved to reappoint Stephen Quattrocchi as the Selectmen designee to the Water and Sewer Review Board, seconded by Selectman Vallarelli. Motion was unanimously voted.
Selectman Gregorio moved to accept the Finance Board designee of John Bracciotti to the Water and Sewer Review Board. Motion was seconded and unanimously voted.
Reappoint Town Accountant
Selectman DePinto moved to reappoint Ronald Florino as the Town Accountant. Selectman Gregorio said he would happily second it. Motion was unanimously voted.
MPO Election
Selectman DePinto nominated Mayor Curtatone for the cities to the MPO, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted. Selectman Gregorio nominated Ginger Esty for the towns to the MPO, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
Approve Arbor Day Proclamation
Selectman Sweeney moved approval of the Arbor Day proclamation for 4/30 and to plant a tree, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Motion was unanimously voted.
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Selectman Sweeney noted the petition from the residents of High Street. Chairman Rotondi said Atty. Houghton and the developer had a public meeting. He said they have to go to the Planning Board and at that time decisions can be made.
Selectman Vallarelli said he got some calls on the signs put up on Elm Street that they are bright yellow in front of their house. Selectman DePinto said he got calls also. He said the signs are too close to the intersection. Selectman Vallarelli suggested having the signs relocated. Chief Bongiorno said he will check the placement.
Town Administrator Ragucci requested a couple of Selectmen and the Planning Board support a zoning change at BRMC because state law may change on affordable housing. Selectmen DePinto and Vallarelli volunteered.
Joint Meeting/Board of Selectmen/School Committee/Appoint Interim Member to Voke School Committee
Selectman Sweeney moved to nominate Larry Means as the Interim Member on the Northeast Regional Vocational School Committee, seconded by Selectman DePinto. School Committee member Craigie moved to concur with Larry Means, seconded by School Committee member McCarthy. Motion was unanimously voted by Board of Selectmen and unanimously voted by School Committee.
April 27, 2010 – Page (3)
Joint Meeting/Board of Selectmen/School Committee/Finance and Advisory Board/Budget
Town Administrator Ragucci gave a presentation. After a lengthy discussion with the School Committee and Finance & Advisory Board, Selectman Gregorio made a motion that the Board of Selectmen support their existing budget and should free cash be at least $500,00 they will commit $300,000 now to supplement the budget, seconded by Selectman DePinto. Selectman Vallarelli said he would like to support Selectman Gregorio's motion. He said that at any time down the road they can institute a trash fee. Selectman Sweeney said he supports Selectman Gregorio's motion. He said he would
personally rather see a trash fee in place and revisit it in October and maybe they could take it away. He said he just can't see cutting all these services, especially the Board of Health. He said that without the staff he needs, it will affect the revenue brought in. Selectman DePinto said Selectman DePinto said they instituted a volunteer Town committee and the first thing they tackled was recycling. He said people always can donate when they pay their taxes. He said he likes Selectman Gregorio's idea. He said he thinks it's very crucial they leave Town Meting with a balanced budget. David Maurer, School Committee member, said that putting in a trash fee now and other means would save the School programs. Shelly MacNeill, School Committee Chairman, said that even with
$22.5 million they are seeing staff reductions. Selectman Vallarelli asked Mr. Maurer what other means. Mr. Maurer said a Special Town Meeting to talk about the meals tax and that BRMC could come on line. Voting was 4-1, with Selectman Sweeney opposed. Motion did not carry.
Selectman Sweeney moved to institute a trash fee for 6 months for $150.00. Selectman Vallarelli seconded the motion, for discussion. Selectman Vallarelli amended the motion to $100, seconded by Selectman Sweeney. Motion was unanimously voted. Town Administrator Ragucci said they are committed to three months notice to condos. Selectman Vallarelli added to the motion that it is to be implemented 7/1. A roll call vote was taken. Voting in favor:
Selectman Sweeney
Opposed: Selectman Gregorio
Selectman DePinto
Selectman Vallarelli
Chairman Rotondi
Voting was 1-4. Motion did not carry.
Selectman Sweeney moved to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Gregorio. Motion was unanimously voted.
Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Doherty
| 
