AGENDA
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, December 20, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
PRESENT:
Chairman J. Claffey opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENTS:
Department Head Budget Meetings
6:30 p.m.
J. Somsen reported
that the repair and maintenance budget is 2/3 of what it was four years
ago. A position that would perform
duties associated with the GIS and Webpage was cut from the budget last year but
that the Department is paying for the GIS consulting services and it hiring a
person may make financial sense. The
Department is making a capital request of $25,895.00 for VOIP installation,
with a 4 year ROI expected.
6:50 p.m.
A discussion was
held about having to increase fees to meet the budget; that has been done for
the past few years; some programs have been cancelled because of this; also,
the department used to give scholarships for some of the programs and the department
won’t know if the kids did not come because they couldn’t afford the fees.
7:10 p.m. Chief Wallace, Fire.
Chief Wallace stated
that the budget is devastating if we don’t get supplemental funding; that they
are closing the station when out on a call; that the Police Department is
answering their phone calls when they are out; that it has become more of a
defensive fire dept; that 140 new homes were added last year. A discussion was held about the desire of the
firefighter’s union to negotiate a new contract prior to Town Meeting. The Chief noted that the contract negotiations
will have a direct effect on what layoffs may be necessary; that with the
current situation one firefighter will be let go on July 1st.
7:30 p.m. Roz Clark, Council on Aging.
R. Clark stated that
a 2% budget means about a $7,000.00 shortfall; that she was considering closing
the Center down for 12 half-days throughout the year. The BOS pointed out that doing so was easier
said than done, given that the COA employees fall under the Collective
Bargaining Agreement and the unit would have to vote to agree to it. The BOS instructed the COA Director to figure
in a layoff or layoffs rather than strategies to close the Center.
Board of Selectmen,
December 20, 2005
(Appointments, continued.)
7:50 p.m. Chief Mellis, Police.
The Chief stated
that to meet the 2% budget the Department would need to layoff two officers and
probably more if the department will also have to absorb the unemployment
compensation costs and that overtime costs will increase because of shift
coverage. This means the Department is
really
down four positions
as there are currently two positions unfilled.
The Department used to have 28-29 officers, but now has 18. The Police contract is set to expire on June
30, 2006 and will also affect the budget.
8:10 p.m. Tom Florence, Clerk/Treasurer/Collector
Discussion of Clerks
Office; 2% means losing one position with the payment of unemployment costs
perhaps making it more than one position.
A discussion was held about possibly eliminating some services like
notary and fishing licenses as they are not cost effective to provide given the
small amount collected and the time it takes to provide them.
A discussion was
held relative to the Town’s recent issuance of $3.9 million in general obligation
bonds, with Moody’s assigning an A1 rating due to good growth in town,
sufficient money in reserves; consistent past performances; 4.097 rate; very
good; cuts down on interest.
8:30 p.m.
N. Breault reported
that he was working with the Accountants Office; that he would need to know
what the rate will be for the person that fills the vacancy in the BOS office
before he can finalize the BOS budget.
The legal budget may be affected by the need to hire assistance for the
cable franchise renewal process; the ES will contact the state cable commission
to see if funding from the cable account can be used to offset those costs.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
December 12, 2005.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS approve the Minutes of the December 12, 2005 BOS
meeting as presented. J. Driscoll
seconded. Motion approved 3-0.
TOWN COUNSEL:
OLD BUSINESS:
Fibertech Contract. The ES will make changes to the contract language regarding assignment and prevailing wages per TC and send the contract back to Fibertech.
Procedure for Article, Town Meeting Warrant: A discussion of formally adopting the protocols for placing an item on the Town Warrant as proposed by TC was held.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS accept the procedures for the insertion of an Article in the Town Warrant. J. Driscoll seconded. Motion approved 3-0. The ES was directed to distribute the procedures to all Department Heads and Chair of all Boards and Commissions.
Proposed Animal Ordinances: a discussion was held relative to language submitted to the BOS by the Dog Officer regarding proposed By-laws regarding the tethering and care of dogs. TC and the BOS had concerns about standards to be applied and burdens that the Town might have to assume, especially with taking custody of animals. TC will speak with the Dog Officer about some of the language.
Board of Selectmen, December 20, 2005
(Town Counsel, Old Business, continued.)
Attorney Cabrera email access: G. DeLisle reported that he has spoken with the IT Director about developing a policy to address situations that may arise relative to emails being sent to Town employees. TC advised that until the IT Director and Committee develop a policy to not do anything regarding Attorney Cabrera’s new email address and ability to send emails to Town employees.
New Business:
Discussion of license for EL Grille.
The ES was directed to send a letter immediately to the owner from the BOS advising her that unless and until situations are addressed to the satisfaction of the Fire Department and the Building Inspector, the BOS will not issue a common victualers license.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
OLD BUSINESS:
Police recommendations: Request of Jill Templeman, Day Avenue.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS accept the recommendations of the Police Department. J. Driscoll seconded. Discussion: J. Claffey directed the ES to ask the Planning Department review the business being run out of a home on Day Avenue. Motion approved 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
For approval: Fire Department donation from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in the amount of $2,500.00.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS accept the donation. J. Driscoll seconded. Motion approved
3-0. The BOS will send a letter of gratitude.
Vote to appoint from Fire Chief Wallace: 4
Call Firefighters: Brian Daponde; Daniel Fazio; Christopher Beecher; David
Azezzie.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS accept Chief Wallace’s recommendations to appoint Brian Daponde, Daniel Fazio, Christopher Beecher and David Avezzie as probationary Call Firefighters.
J. Driscoll seconded. Motion approved 3-0.
BOARD OF HEALTH:
OLD BUSINESS:
Letter, Mary Lou Donahue, RN: Town Employee Flu Clinic Summary. So noted.
Waste Reduction program.
A discussion was held relative to the purchase of toters for recycling at the schools.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS accept the proposal to purchase toters from the vendor on the state approved list out of the original grant. J. Claffey seconded. Motion approved 3-0.
Tobacco Compliance: The BOH will hold hearings on January 17th with vendors that have failed compliance checks.
NEW BUSINESS:
None.
Board of Selectmen, December 20, 2005
(Correspondence.)
CORRESPONDENCE:
Taft Tucker,
Site Incentives Manager, Lowe’s Corp.:
Notice of working with the Massachusetts Office of Business
Development. So noted.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS:
Tobacco Merchant Training; Wednesday, December 21, 2005;
6:00-8:00 p.m.;
Regional Boards of Selectmen’s Meeting; January 26, 2006,
7:00 p.m.;
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS adjourn the meeting. J. Driscoll seconded. Motion approved
3-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY,
JANUARY 3, 2006.