Minutes
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Tuesday, June 21, 2005, 5:45 p.m.
Conference Room,
*Note: The BOS held its regular meeting in the High School so it could host an informational forum in the auditorium for the public regarding the new trash program.
PRESENT:
Chairman
APPOINTMENTS
5:45pm (6:18 p.m.) Fred Kowal, Health Inspector, Re: Updates
a). Sewer Connections policy. F. Kowal asked the BOS to reaffirm the policy relative to sewers and septic systems as they are healthy for the town. The BOS accepted his recommendation and made no motion since they are already in practice.
b). Beaver Dams: F. Kowal gave the BOS updates regarding recurring problems with beaver dams in areas of Pecousic Brook. He noted that the DPW recently breached the damns since trapping is expensive in the summer months. He further noted that the DPW has been extremely helpful.
c). Quarry Hill health report *: F. Kowal related steps taken with the Housing Authority to resolve the situation.
Action: The BOS directed F. Kowal to keep in contact with Housing Authority Director Lynn Booth for updates on progress and compliance, and to provide the BoS with updates at a future meeting.
6:00( 6:25) pm – Fire Chief P. Robert Wallace
a). Apparatus Failure: J. Claffey acknowledged the report the chief sent on the failure of certain fire apparatus to pass the DOT inspection
Action: The BOS requested a complete list of mechanical problems when he has that available.
b). Personnel matter: Chief Wallace advised the BOS that a personnel situation that the BOS is aware of is the main reason that his operating budget is currently about $12,000 in the red.
Action: J. Driscoll asked Chief Wallace to research worker’s compensation figures going back five years and use that average to figure in compensation costs for his future budgets.
c). Quarry Hill health report *: Chief Wallace advised the BOS that the Fire Department has met with L. Booth.
d). A discussion was held regarding the need for the Chief to prepare two budgets relative to which line item unemployment costs will be paid from. Chief Wallace said that the difference means laying off a full time firefighter on July 1 or October 1. J. Claffey said the BOS will be speaking with Town Counsel (TC) to decide which line item it comes from.
(BOS Meeting,
6/21/05)
Appointments, continued
e). Chief Wallace asked the BOS if they knew what percentage to use relative to his salary so he can file his control pay sheets to the Town Accountant. J. Claffey advised him that the Personnel Policy Board met earlier this evening and the BOS will discuss this matter later during the meeting.
6:15p.m. (6:37) Police Chief Doug Mellis
a). Quarry Hill health report * So Noted.
Motion At this time, J. Driscoll moved the BOS enter into Executive Session with Chief Mellis to discuss personnel issues, and to reconvene in Open Session when finished. G. DeLisle seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous roll call vote.
6:52 p.m. The BOS reconvened in Open Session.
The BOS held a general discussion relative to the Public Forum on the new trash program. Present were Arlene Miller, Recycling Coordinator for the Massachusetts DEP, SWAT Members Jodi O’Brian and James Jendrysick and Town Accountant Sandra Chouquette.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS extend the commission of the Solid Waste Advisory Team for one year; for the BOS to announce this extension during the forum; to ask for all new members; for those interested to submit letters of interest and resumes by July 8; to charge the new with SWAT monitoring the new program and making recommendations about the new program to the BOS on a periodic basis; and to conduct other business regarding trash as directed by the BOS. J. Driscoll seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
At this time, the BOS suspended its regular meeting to host the “New Trash & Recycling Information Meeting” in the High School Auditorium. The Forum was publicly posted as occurring from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The BOS continued its regular meeting at 8:38 p.m.
8:00(8:38) p.m. Housing
Partnership Re:
J. Claffey reopened the regular meeting by greeting the Housing Lottery participants. Lou Calabrese of the Housing Partnership conducted the Housing Lottery, pursuant to the rules of the Authority.
J. Claffey thanked everyone for their attendance.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
report b) options:
Motion G.
DeLisle moved the BOS accept the Police Department recommendation not to post
“No Littering” signs on
Action: N. Breault to send letter to Mr. Agnoli stating the BOS voted to accept the Police Department recommendation not to post signs, and to ask him to please send violations to the Police Department as necessary.
(BOS Meeting,
6/21/05)
BOS, New Business
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Appointments, Boards and Commissions, 2005
a). Zoning Board of Appeals
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS not reappoint J. Lefebvre. G. DeLisle seconded.
Discussion: The BOS directed the Minutes to reflect that it believes that reappointing J. Lefebvre could pose the appearance of possible conflict of interest on matters before the ZBA.
Motion approved unanimously.
Motion At this time, G. DeLisle moved to reappoint all parties that expressed interest in continuing their appointments to their respective Boards and Commissions subject to all terms and conditions relating to length of terms and rights and responsibilities of their respective Boards and Commissions. J. Driscoll seconded.
Discussion: G. DeLisle noted that all prospective appointees had been contacted by the BOS office to determine interest in continuing, and all the members on the list before the BOS had replied in the affirmative. J. Driscoll moved to amend the motion to replace Sergeant Walter Niznick with Chief Mellis on any Boards and Commissions that the Chief of Police is appointed to.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote with the amendment proposed by J. Driscoll.
2. “No Parking” signs
Action: N. Breault to ask Officer Bates to look into it and make a recommendation to the BOS.
3. Memo from George Kingston, Chairman Conservation Commission,
Re: Resignation of Thomas Stevens
Action: N. Breault to post an opening.
4. For signature,
Order for Duck Bank (2 houses Glynn
TOWN COUNSEL:
BOARD OF HEALTH:
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Correspondence from Beverly Hirschhorn, Tobacco Control Consortium:
a) May Fiscal Report; b) End of Year Local Advertisements; c) New grant planning 2006
All items So Noted.
2. Letter from Dog Officer, Martylee Caramante*
Action:
(BOS Meeting,
6/21/05)
Correspondence
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Letter from residents (2), Re: new trash program. So Noted.
2. Letter from Waste Management to Residential Customers. So Noted.
MEETING, INVITATIONS & REMINDERS:
1. Invitation from Boy Scout Troop #179, to attend Eagle Scout ceremony for Scott Witbeck,
6-21-05 @ 5:30pm Pine Knoll Recreation. So noted.
2. Invitation, Construction Progress Party, Keystone Woods Retirement Community, Sunday,
June 26, 2005,
1:30-4:30,
3. Invitation Field
Day, Hampden
Sun. June 26,
2pm,
4. East Longmeadow’s Distinguished Citizens Award; Carl Ohlin, 6/22/05, at 6pm, Elmcrest *:
J. Claffey to attend.
Motion At this time, G. DeLisle moved the BOS enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters relative to Department Head salaries for Fiscal Year 2006; and that the BOS would adjourn from that session. Seconded by J. Driscoll. Motion approved unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 10:25 from Executive Session.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING, TUESDAY, JULY 26,
2005.