Selectmen put dollar values on warrant articles
Published on March 29th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - At their March 21 and 28 meetings selectmen voted to support, oppose, or further examine the 25 articles on the warrant for the May 1 Annual Town Meeting.
•Article 1 is the April 4 Town Election. The election formally opens the meeting which continues with Article 2 at 7:30 p.m. on May 1 in the Town Hall Auditorium.
•Article 2, sponsored by the selectmen, allows for selecting "all other necessary Town officers." Selectmen supported this article.
•Article 3, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to hear the reports of Town officers. Selectmen supported the article and encouraged all boards and committees to participate.
•Article 4, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to set salaries of elected officers. Selectmen supported this article.
•Article 5, sponsored by the selectmen, is a request for a Stabilization Fund transfer. Selectmen supported a transfer of $25,000.
•Article 6, sponsored by the selectmen, is a request for money to demolish and reconstruct the DPW Garage. The project will cost $450,000, but only $350,000 had been budgeted to date. Selectmen supported transferring $50,000 from available funds and $50,000 from the Senior Center Construction Fund to cover the additional $100,000.
•Article 7, sponsored by the selectmen, is a request to raise money from taxes and other funds to defray Town charges for the ensuing year. This is the main budget article.
The budget for fiscal 2001 is $45,977,896.
Selectmen voted 4-1 to support the budget.
The town plans to meet with the chiefs of police and fire in June to figure out how much overtime, and, thus, what level of service the town is willing to fund. Also, the number of firefighters will remain at 28.
Anthony Kennedy was not satisfied with the money allocated for police overtime, and he questioned whether additional positions in the Fire Department would be added later in the year. He opposed the budget.
•Article 8 asks for money to pay for an engineering study of the Surface Drainage System and related repairs. This article is the result of a citizen's petition from John DeGeorge of 148 Franklin St. Selectmen requested DeGeorge meet with them to discuss the article at the April 18 meeting.
•Article 9, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to combine the Unicorn Recreation Commit-tee and Youth Commission into one Open Space and Recreation Committee. Selectmen supported the article.
•Article 10 asks to increase C.O.L.A. retirement benefits for eligible Stoneham retirees. This article is sponsored by the Contributory Retirement Board. Selectmen plan to speak with the Retirement Board on April 18 before taking action.
•Article 11, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to amend the Town Code by adding maintenance of non-residential property requirements, i.e. business owners would have to keep their buildings looking good. Selectmen supported the article.
•Article 12, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to amend the Town Code to require apartments and condominium complexes to recycle. Selectmen supported the article.
•Article 13, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to amend the Town Code by adding limitations on construction hours. Selectmen supported the article.
•Article 14 asks that the former Jewish Community Center parcel on Franklin Street be reclassified as Residence B. Joe Cunningham sponsored this article on a citizen's petition. He owns Cunningham Construction of 35 Pomeworth St. Selectmen deferred to the Planning Board. The board meets next week.
•Article 15, sponsored by the selectmen, asks for money to buy street lights and other necessary equipment from Boston Edison. Boston Edison should have a figure for the town by April 18. Town officials estimate a cost of at least $100,000.
•Article 16, sponsored by the selectmen, asks for money to "embellish" Lindenwood Cemetery. Selectmen supported spending $25,000 for this purpose.
•Article 17, sponsored by the selectmen, asks for money for water system maintenance and replacement. Selectmen supported spending $300,000.
•Article 18, sponsored by the selectmen, asks for money for sewer system maintenance and replacement. Selectmen supported spending $250,000.
•Article 19, sponsored by the selectmen, asks for money for the "beautification of Stoneham." Selectmen supported spending $10,000.
•Article 20, sponsored by the selectmen, asks for money to buy a Zamboni. Town officials expect bids to be in by April 14.
Articles 21-23 are sponsored by the School Committee.
•Article 21 asks for $130,000 for technology improvements for the schools. Selectmen supported the article.
•Article 22 asks for $125,000 for instructional materials and textbooks. Selectmen supported the article.
The School Department is talking about bonding these articles and then paying them off beginning in October with cash reserves.
•Article 23 asks for $20,000 for a feasibility study on renovation/replacement of the Middle School due to space needs. Selectmen plan to talk with the School Building Committee on April 18 before voting on the article.
•Article 24 asks for $40,000 for new voting equipment. This article is sponsored by Town Clerk John Hanright. Selectmen supported spending the money.
•Article 25, sponsored by the selectmen, asks to approve 513.6 more feet of Hall Road as a public way. Selectmen supported the article.
The warrant closed Feb. 28, and no plans have been made to open a Special Town Meeting within the Annual.
The votes taken by selectmen on the articles indicate, at most, the recommendations of the board. At Town Meeting the registered voters of Stoneham have the final say on what money is spent.
The complete and official Town Warrant will be posted not less than three days before the Town Meeting set for May 1, 2000.
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