Common plan and other items discussed at Selectmen's meeting
Published on October 20th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Town Common
After over two years of hearings, meetings and arguments, the Town Common Plan is beginning to take final shape.
Parking will be eliminated on the west side of Central Street between its intersections with Emerson Street and Church Street. This stretch of Central Street will decrease in width approximately eight feet, allowing for a slightly more expansive common. But parking will remain on the east side of Central Street along the Town Hall property line.
Selectmen approved these changes with a vote of four to one on Tuesday night. Cosmo Ciccarello voted against the motion. He had proposed putting the issue on the ballot in April, but Chairman Al Conti and a majority of the board wanted to resolve the matter.
There are many more details to work out, but at least one piece of this community jigsaw puzzle is in place.
Salary Cap
Town employees will all receive the same pay increase in fiscal 2000: a 3 1/2 percent cost of living increase accompanied by any scheduled step increases.
No one will be singled out for merit reclassification into a higher salary grade.
An arborist will receive an additional stipend for extra work, but this is not a promotion in salary grade.
Ciccarello said when the Town Administrator picks and chooses, "it can cause chaos in Town Hall."
"Let's just treat everyone the same," Ciccarello said.
Updated code
John DeGeorge of Franklin Street has been on a crusade to convince town officials to provide townspeople with an up-to-date, accessible town code.
In an Oct. 12 letter to the selectmen DeGeorge wrote, "In order for me, as anybody, to participate intelligently in Town Meeting and/or town government, it is necessary to have the latest town Code By-Law information readily available."
On Tuesday night, Town Counsel Bill Solomon told DeGeorge that the town code would be available to any citizen who asks as of Thursday, Oct. 21.
South Marble Street
Selectmen will meet with department heads and South Marble Street residents to discuss how to solve traffic problems on the road at a Nov. 23 hearing.
Free food at Town Meeting
Free coffee and donuts will be available at the Oct. 25 Town Meeting.
Come for the chocolate glazed, stay for the municipal complexity.
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