From the January 17, 2012 Stoneham Board of Selectmen meeting:

 

Board votes to create AP Rounds Playground Building Committee:

Stoneham residents Angelika Paul, Tanya Walsh, and Rachel Meredith Warren addressed the board regarding their efforts to rebuild the playground at the intersection of MacArthur Rd. and Broadway (known as AP Rounds Playground).

 Paul said that the playground is unusable. Walsh added that hundreds of children live within walking distance of the facility, but broken equipment, erosion, and stinging insects render the playground empty.

 Paul added that there are a number of safety issues so she and her colleagues raised private funds to rebuild the playground. She said that several fundraising events led to good support.

 Warren said that the group met with children to discuss possible playground designs. Walsh said that the group received interest from more than 200 people who receive regular email updates.

 Paul displayed design plans for playground equipment to the board.

 Selectman Frank Vallarelli, acting as chairman during the absence of Chairman Paul Rotondi, told the group that Stoneham DPW currently maintains the playground.

 Paul asked Vallarelli if the group could receive a designation to become a committee of the town in a public/private partnership. Paul said that the group did not file for charitable status to become a 501(c) 3 organization because of expense and paperwork.

 Town Counsel Bill Solomon said that if the group became a town committee then donors could send funds to the town, thus making a tax-deductible donation.

 The board voted, 4-0, to create the AP Rounds Playground Building Committee as an ad hoc committee under the guidance of Town Administrator David Ragucci. The committee includes Paul, Walsh, Warren, a DPW representative designated by DPW Director Bob Grover, and Selectman Bob Sweeney.

 To learn more about participating or supporting the AP Rounds Playground Building Committee contact Angelika Paul at angelika@playgroundhunt.comor visit www.rebuildingrounds.org.

 

 Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement:

Stoneham Council on Aging Chairman Gene Ferullo addressed the board about a program that the Board of Selectmen could establish in Stoneham. The program allows qualified senior citizens (age 60 or older, own property and live at that property as a primary resident, and earn no more than $750 toward the property tax abatement) to earn up to $750 to lessen their tax burden.

 Ferullo said that program helps seniors remain living in their homes. He said that the recent census revealed that Stoneham’s poverty level is 6.9 percent, higher than that of any neighboring city or town. Ferullo said we must assist these seniors and allow them to live in their homes.

 Ferullo said that Town Meeting voters would need to accept the proposal to establish this program in Stoneham. If voters approve a proposal in May, the program could begin in July.

 Selectman Bob Sweeny said he would like to discuss the proposal with Town Counsel Bill Solomon to clarify and better understand options. Sweeney said the proposal, under Massachusetts General Laws appears to provide multiple options for approval. He asked Ferullo if the board makes the final decision regarding establishing the program.

 Ferullo said that the board could establish the program, but Town Meeting must approve it. Town Consul Solomon agreed, but noted that the board or Town Meeting could approve the program in no specific order.

 Sweeney asked Ferullo if the program exists in other cities and towns. Ferullo said it exists in nearly all local towns but Stoneham.

 Sweeney asked if there is a “template” on how other towns put the program in place. Ferullo said he provided the details in writing to the board, including guidelines and application forms.

 Ferullo said that if Town Meeting were to approve such a proposed program then only Town Meeting could revoke it. He added that the program would not replace town personnel, but only allow seniors to perform menial tasks for the town to earn abatement up to $750. Ferullo said that the income would not be taxable at the state level, but could be taxable at the federal level.

 Ferullo said the program’s goal is provide tax relief to senior homeowners. He requested a $25,000 commitment to fund the program.

 Town Counsel Solomon said that Town Administrator Ragucci would make employment decisions. Sweeney said that Stoneham would not need to “reinvent the wheel” as other communities provide examples. Ferullo said all communities operate the program the same way.

 Selectman John DePinto asked if the board could receive all needed information before its next meeting on February 14. Town Counsel Solomon said that the board could delay its decision as the agenda is not yet set for Town Meeting in May.

 DePinto suggested continuing the discussion to the next meeting on February 14.

 Ferullo said, “I’ll be back on the 14^th, too. I’ve got more articles for you.”

 Selectman Frank Vallarelli asked if the town could afford to fund the program. Selectman Richard Gregorio said the program must benefit the town economically.

 Ferullo said that the work-off abatement program does not create new jobs, but instead offers help where departments suffer from cuts. Town Administrator Ragucci said that he would need to speak to town unions. Ferullo said that his generation, older than 60, is a strong supporter of unions, but unions have presented some obstacles for such programs. He said that some towns do not allow the senior citizens in the public schools, but “we could live with that.”

 Sweeney said he still wants more information about how other towns established this program.

 The board plans to revisit the subject on February 14.

 

 February 7 Special Town Meeting Articles:

 Selectmen Bob Sweeney said that the School Committee asked him to place the warrant article regarding the proposed new middle school project as #1 on the warrant. Selectman Frank Vallarelli agreed saying that the school project would be the main reason people would attend the meeting.

 Selectman Richard Gregorio said, “We support the project,” but he voted against listing the proposal first on the agenda.

 In the end, the board voted for the school proposal to be first and also voted to give authorship of the article to the Stoneham School Building Committee, not the Board of Selectmen.

The four articles for Town Meeting vote on February 7 are: (1) the proposed new middle school project, (2) an amendment to a zoning by-law, (3) a transfer of funds ($40,000) from the Town Clerk’s Personnel Budget to the Veterans Operating Budget, and (4) a transfer of funds (up to $40,000) from the Cemetery Perpetual Care Income Trust Fund (CPCITF) to pay expenses related to preserving the 1726 Old Burying Ground located on Pleasant Street – reimbursed money to be re-deposited in the CPCITF.

 Resident Marcia Wengen provided the following statement regarding Article 4:

 “At the October 2010 Town Meeting, the Historical Commission presented a warrant article that would allow a preservation restriction to be placed on the Old Burying Ground should the grant application to the Mass Historical Commission be approved. In June of 2011, the Town/Historical Commission did receive a $20K grant for a Preservation Master Plan and the Town will match that $20K. The grant is on a reimbursement basis, so the Town pays the $40K expenses of the grant and is reimbursed $20K. The new warrant article asks for Town Meeting to vote on releasing up to $40K from the Cemetery Perpetual Care- Income Fund with the $20K reimbursement being returned to the fund. In June of 2010, that fund had a balance of $298,000. The Preservation Master Plan will address the maintenance and repairs needed in the Burying Ground and in particular the gravestones that are damaged, toppled, or out-of-ground.”

 

 Town Administrator reports on Fiscal 2013 preliminary budget:

 Town Administrator David Ragucci said the preliminary FY13 budget amount for Stoneham is $67,026,508, an approximate increase of 2.5 percent above the FY12 budget. He said that this amount falls within budget agreement parameters based on fiscal guidelines.

 He said he anticipates a 6 percent increase in health insurance costs, an increase he later described as conservative. He provided “good news” that pension expense is level because of an agreement with the Stoneham Retirement Board.

 He said the budget is a basic level-service budget. The School Department budget increases by $415,000. He added that the Commonwealth’s General Insurance Commission (GIC) has not informed him on any health insurance rated increases, but that should change in time. Ragucci also said he hopes the Commonwealth’s local aid funding remains level.

 

 MBTA proposes to cut only Stoneham bus route:

 Town Administrator David Ragucci said that the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) could place Bus Route 132 “on the chopping block.” Ragucci suggested that the board write a letter to the MBTA opposing the elimination of the only bus route through Stoneham.

 Selectman Richard Gregorio said that if the MBTA cuts the bus route, Stoneham still pays $470,000 to the MBTA as its annual assessment for public transportation - there would be no decrease. Ragucci said the town pays close to $500,000 for that bus route.

 Selectman Bob Sweeney said that the board plans to send the letter of protest soon.

  

Miscellaneous:

 The board voted, 4-0, to open the warrant for the April 3 Town Election.

 The board later voted, 4-0, to add the unexpired year of the late Town Clerk John Hanright to the ballot. Assistant Maria Sagarino has worked as the interim Town Clerk since Hanright’s passing July 11, 2011.

 The board voted, 4-0, to renew Common Victualler’s licenses for Anthony’s Italian Specialties (408 Main Street) and Subway (200 Main Street).

 The board voted, 4-0, to approve a new Common Victualler’s license for Leonard Collins, d/b/a Arielle’s Café and Pizzeria, 8 Central Street.

 Selectman Frank Vallarelli attended the 12^thAnnual Stoneham Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Monday, January 16. Vallarelli said the crowd was larger than any he had seen there in prior years. Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham, the host group, estimated 80-100 people in attendance. Vallarelli described the event as “very well run” and thanked host Randy Perillo for gathering such a talented group of performers and speakers.

 Town Administrator David Ragucci reports that the Stoneham Senior Center now has a computer lab and free classes for senior citizens begin on February 15. He thanked Senior Center Director Maureen Canova and her staff for their efforts.