MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 7:30 PM
Town Hall Hearing Room
PRESENT:
ABSENT: G. DeLisle, Clerk of the Board of Selectmen.
Chairman Claffey opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC FORUM
7:30 p.m. Attorney Joseph Cabrera re: Email usage.
Attorney Cabrera recapped a situation dating back to March, 2005 whereby he was denied email access to town employees. He made comments to the effect that the emails sent to the town employee were not threatening and expressed discontent with the decision making process to deny access. The BOS indicated that it has charged the IT Director and Committee to develop recommendations on a policy to address situations in the future; that Attorney Cabrera has current email access via another email account; and that if he wishes to regain access via the account that has been deactivated he should approach the Planning Board since it was at the request of an employee under accountability to the Planning Board that took the steps to have that email blocked.
7:35 p.m. Antonio Cardiropoli re: Christmas tree collection.
A. Cardiropoli approached the BOS to express his desire that the collection of Christmas trees via the current method run by the Jaycees be banned; he stated that he appreciates the Jaycees and what they do for the town, but believes that the program causes dumping, safety hazards and devaluation of property. The BOS expressed disagreement with his views but also suggested that he pursue a petitioned article submission for a Town Meeting to support the elimination of the program.
7:40 p.m. Arlene Miller re: Waste reduction updates.
A. Miller presented the BOS with updated numbers for the Waste Reduction Program. January, 2006 comparisons with January, 2005 show a 13.3% decrease in trash tonnage and a 28.6% increase in recycling tonnage. The six month comparison for the period of July-December, 2005 with July-December of 2004 show a 24% decrease in trash tonnage and a 12% increase in recycling tonnage.
The town received its revenue-sharing check from the
Springfield Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) for the first six months of FY
2006 in the amount of $26,894. A. Miller
noted and thanked the BOS members for their recent participation in forums in
Board of Selectmen,
February 14, 2006
(Appointments.)
APPOINTMENTS
8:30 p.m.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS enter into Executive Session for the purposes
of discussing personnel issues, to reconvene in Open Session. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. A roll call vote was taken, (J. Driscoll,
“Yes”; J. Claffey, “Yes.”). Motion
approved 2-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 31, 2006. Tabled to the next meeting.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
For discussion and vote: Town Meeting Rules Committee recommendations.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS accept the recommendations made by the Town Meeting Rules Committee and to place them on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Notice of retirement from John Whalen, Recreation Director.
The BOS acknowledged J. Whalen’s tenure; that he is currently the longest serving town department head; that he has done a great job during his 31 year career; and that his efforts were appreciated by the BOS when he also served as an interim Executive Secretary.
A discussion was held relative to the logistics for the search for the new director and the ES was instructed to begin the process.
East Longmeadow Assembly Number 74, International Order of
the Rainbow for Girls: Request to use
the
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approve the request. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
Ecotec Environmental Associates, Inc., on behalf of Premiere
Source Credit Union: Police, Fire and
Building Department recommendations for site plan review;
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS accept the recommendations of the Police, Fire and Building Departments. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
For approval, One Day Liquor and Entertainment Licenses,
Knights of Columbus Council #9960, held at St. Michael’s
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approve the requests. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
Request for letter of support; VOIP.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approve the request. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
Board of Selectmen,
February 14, 2006
(Board of Health, Old Business.)
BOARD OF HEALTH
OLD BUSINESS:
Tobacco compliance issues:
a) Compliance checks of January 26, 2006. b) Request from Sarah McColgan, Tobacco Compliance Coordinator, for rate increase.
Full discussion of both items tabled until J. Driscoll can
meet with
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter and newspaper clipping from Mrs. Kurt W. Thomas
re: Beaver dams in
The BOS instructed the ES to forward the letter and article to the Conservation Commission.
Letter from Fred Kowal, Health Agent to Alphonso F. Augustino, Jr. re: Notice to clean property and right to Hearing. Item noted.
Letter from Michael A. Szlosek, Town Administrator of
Ludlow, MA re: Request to speak about
The ES to get dates for meetings.
CORRESPONDENCE
Items noted.
Letter from Senator Brian Lees to John Somsen, IT Director
re: Local aid funding.
Letter from John
Somsen, IT Director re: Notice of IT
Committee’s vote to support school computers purchase.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS
Items noted.
Local Emergency Planning Committee; Wednesday, February 15,
2006 at 7:00 p.m.;
Warrant Article Deadline for Town Departments, Boards and Commissions: Fri., Feb.,17, 2006.
BOS Department Heads evaluations; Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room, Board of Selectmen’s Office.
Personnel Policy Board meeting: Monday, March 13, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.; Town Hall Hearing Room.
2006 Business Market Show; Wednesday, April 5, 2006 7:00
a.m.-5:00 p.m.;
STAR Exposition 2006; Tuesday. April 25, 2006 8:30 a.m.-4:00
p.m., Bayside Exposition Ctr.,
East Longmeadow Night at the
TOWN COUNSEL
OLD BUSINESS:
Cable assistance proposal from Attorney Epstein.
TC outlined terms presented by Attorney Epstein relative to caps on expenditures in his proposal to the BOS for services to assist in the cable television franchise renewal process. The ES will follow up with Atty. Epstein to have him sign the contract subject to appropriation and final review by the BOS.
Board of Selectmen,
February 14, 2006
(Town Counsel, Old Business, continued.)
Letter to Alan Cote, Supervisor of records. Item noted.
Dog Officer. Item moved to Executive Session.
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter from Attorney Fitzgerald: Request for review of Section 17 relative to additional alcohol licenses. ES to contact the ABCC one more time.
Warrant Articles: The ES advised the BOS of deadlines and submissions from BOS.
Letter from Attorney Donahue re: compensation. Item moved to Executive Session.
Request from Town Clerk: personnel request. Item moved to Executive Session.
Police Department personnel. Item moved to Executive Session.
RFP for COA land. Item moved to Executive Session.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS enter into Executive Session for the purposes
of discussing personnel issues, strategy with respect to non-union negotiations
and collective bargaining, and the purchase of real property, to reconvene in
Open Session for the purpose of adjournment.
J. Claffey seconded out of necessity.
A roll call vote was taken, (J. Driscoll, “Yes”; J. Claffey,
“Yes.”).
Motion approved 2-0.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS adjourn.
J. Claffey seconded out of necessity.
Motion approved 2-0.
Meeting adjourned at
11:00 p.m.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY,
February 28, 2006.