Town Notes
Published on February 7th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA -
Marching on
Natalee Webb of the World War II Committee thanked the Selectmen last week for their help with the 2000 Veterans’ Day Road Race. She announced plans to make the event an annual occurrence.
Webb presented the Selectmen with a plaque. She also presented a framed certificate of appreciation to Stoneham Police Safety Officer Larry Rotondi for his help in coordinating the event.
The 11-kilometer race will wind through Stoneham on Veterans’ Day 2001, starting again on the eleventh hour.
Assessing the damage
Director of Assessing Elaine Moore said that her department was notified by an anonymous citizen that 507 William Street was assessed at less than its value.
“Work had been done that we did not know about,” Moore said. “Corrections have been made.”
The value of the home was called into question when it was listed on Jan. 24 by Shirley Morelli of Coldwell Banker/ Hunneman with a $589,900 asking price and a $2,732 annual tax bill. Moore said that the 2000 bill was actually closer to $2,900.
After correction, the tax bill for 507 William will be closer to $9,200 (600k times the 15.38 residential tax rate).
Election
The Town Election is April 3. The deadline to pull papers is this Friday, Feb. 9. The deadline to return and certify them is Feb. 13.
No new candidates entered the race this week.
Town Meeting Warrant Open
Selectmen opened the Spring Town Meeting Warrant last Tuesday. Citizens need only 10 signatures to put an article on the warrant agenda.
Agitating agendas
Last week’s Selectmen’s meeting was posted at 6:45 p.m., and the agenda indicated that the first item would be an executive session. The next item of business was set for 7:30 p.m.
However, Selectmen dispensed with seven other items on the agenda before 7:30 p.m.: Minutes of past meetings were approved, an annual car sales license for Stoneham Ford was approved, money was accepted to pay for the 2000 Holiday Party, the warrant was opened, a budget discussion was waved, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting announced ethics training courses for staff and elected officials for spring 2001, and Selectmen argued a little more about the used car sales license for Rotondi Motors at 140 Franklin Street (a temporary license is in place).
Citizens complained that they were unaware that these items would be discussed before 7:30 p.m.
John DeGeorge of Franklin Street acknowledged that Open Meeting Law allows the Selectmen to rearrange their agenda, but he added that moving items to an earlier time — announced as closed to the public — strains legitimacy.
“We just wanted to get some of the little stuff out of the way,” Nutting said.
Tax case
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Paul LaCarubba of Rose Lane in Stoneham with two counts of federal tax evasion.
LaCarubba has not yet had his day in court, but the maximum sentence he faces if convicted is $250,000 and five years in prison for each count.
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