Minutes
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Friday, April 29, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Town Hall Hearing Room
PRESENT:
Dr. Edward Costa, Superintendent of Schools; Tom Florence, Town Clerk/Treasurer/Collector; Robert Mazzeriello, School Committee; Angela Thorpe, School Committee.
Chairman J. Claffey called the meeting to order at 4:46 p.m. The start was delayed to wait for several attendees to arrive.
1.
The BoS and named persons under “Present” held discussions regarding the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School.
J. Sheils began with a proposal to the BoS about coming up with a Town Meeting Rules Committee for the Town meetings. J. Claffey recognized that establishing such a Committee was one of the proposals put forth by the Town Charter Commission and that it seems like a good idea. G. DeLisle said he thinks establishing such a Committee is a god idea and will probably result in recommendations to make the Town Meeting process more efficient and less intimidating to voters. He also said that the Town Moderator should be a permanent member.
J. Claffey added that the Town Clerk should be an ex-officio member. T. Florence agreed. The BoS said they will issue a press release asking for members.
Action: N. Breault to issue press release asking for citizens to apply to become members of the Town Meeting Rules Committee.
J. Sheils said he may need an Assistant Moderator for 5/2/04; he has a couple of candidates in mind; J. Claffey said the BoS is supportive of anyone he chooses.
At this time, there was a general discussion of the motions for the 2005 Annual Town Meeting.
TC suggested going through each Article one by one.
A discussion of Article 3, the general budget, was held. J. Sheils said that this and any article can be called for a split by a motion from the floor; that the three options could be broken up. He said communication is necessary to explain that they are voting for one or the other and even though they may vote yes for both overrides the higher amount will prevail. Voters could vote no on both overrides; if people are in favor of the override, they should vote for both so a backup override ballot will pass, although he is not telling people which way to vote. But education is necessary to keep the motion understandable to the voters.
(Minutes, BoS
Meeting, 04/29/05)
The rest of the discussion of the Articles related to wording of the motions with J. Donahue advising the group and N. Breault making the changes to the document.
- N. Breault advised the BoS about Scantic Valley Regional Health Trust’s requirement for the town to send a letter to its retirees regarding implementation of Medicare Part D, pertaining to prescription drug coverage. J. Claffey suggested organizing a seminar to educate retirees and senior that could be taped and played on ELCAT.
- J. Claffey advised the BoS that personnel policy evaluations will be completed with one last meeting for R. McDonald. Noted.
- There was discussion of the 5/14/05 ribbon cutting ceremony for the Norcross House; it was determined that there was no availability of BoS to attend. J. Claffey said he would to try set up a 5/13/05 event with Merle Safford.
- There was general discussion of what a proposition 2 ½ override question might mean; what budgetary cuts might look like should the question fail or not even get to ballot; the BoS acknowledged they will need analysis from Department Heads.
Motion At this time, G. DeLisle motioned to adjourn the meeting. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005.