MINUTES
Board of Selectmen, Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: James
Driscoll, Chairman, Board of Selectmen (BOS); Gary
DeLisle , Chairman, Board of Health (BOH); Joe Townshend , Clerk of the Board of Selectmen.
Chairman Driscoll called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
HEARING:
6:00 P.M. Tax Classification.
The BOS met with the Board of Assessors to set the tax classification for the year. Several members of the public were in attendance.
J. Townshend, Clerk of the BOS, read the hearing notice for
the record. He then read a letter from
Stephen Plifke,
J. William Johnston, Board of Assessors, (BOA), was recognized by the BOS. He introduced Christine Saunier and Ken Goddard of the BOA. He stated that the BOA did not come with a unanimous recommendation, but that there was a majority decision to keep a single tax rate.
C. Saunier addressed the BOS. She stated that she was the dissenting opinion; that she recommended a split tax rate. She referred to made reference to statistical evidence and actual examples in the Town to support her opinion; that the proposal she supported would result in an increase of 2.5% on residential and 2.7% on commercial, if a split rate was enacted.
K. Goddard spoke in opposition to a split rate; he cited 86% of the tax base in Town as residential and that an increase on industrial would be an arbitrary decision.
Joseph Dilk, business owner and member of the Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of keeping a single tax rate.
Dawn Starks, President of the Chamber of Commerce, resident, and business owner read a prepared statement in favor of keeping the single tax rate.
Dan Burack spoke in favor of keeping the single tax rate.
Michael Mizeolek from Hasbro Corporation asked the BOS to consider keeping a single tax rate.
Steven Graziano, business owner, spoke in favor of keeping a single tax rate.
Minutes, Board of Selectmen
October 3, 2006
Tax Classification Hearing, continued
Page 2 of 4
For the BOS:
G. DeLisle said that having been on the BOS the past five years he has not taken this issue lightly; he clarified that the BOS does not set the rate, that it sets the class. He said he is in favor of keeping it one rate; that he wasn’t sure how to split the rate or what the impact on doing so would be; that he would hate to see companies like Hasbro or Newell Rubbermaid leave town.
J. Townshend said that as a small business owner he could see that an increase in expenses would be passed on to customers; that he agreed with G. DeLisle that a single tax rate is best for East Longmeadow; that a business of Hasbro’s size leaving town would be devastating; that as a business owner, he was for a single rate.
J. Driscoll said this is the third time he is voting on this issue; that he has supported a single tax rate and will continue to do so; that there are expenses in town that are being paid for by businesses without them using the services; that as a small business owner he believes it is the model that should be used.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS approve a single tax rate. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
The BOS held a five minute recess.
INTERVIEW:
6:30 p.m. Thomas Fitzgerald, candidate, Housing
Partnership Committee.
J. Driscoll welcomed T. Fitzgerald and invited him to speak about his interest in being appointed to the Housing Partnership Committee.
T. Fitzgerald said he had sold his rental property and had some time to be a member; that Chandler Newell had talked with him about joining the committee; that he had experience in real estate. Chandler Newell was recognized by the BOS and spoke highly of T. Fitzgerald.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS appoint Thomas Fitzgerald to the Housing Partnership Committee. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
G. DeLisle left the meeting at this time.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
Thank you from Council on Aging Director; re: part-time staffing at COA. So noted.
Minutes, Board of Selectmen
October 3, 2006
Board of Selectmen, Old Business, continued
Page 3 of 4
Sick time donation.
ES to draft a letter; send to Town Counsel and Town Labor Counsel for review.
Discussion, Warrant
for Special Town Meeting.
The BOS discussed the Articles with TC. TC gave highlights of each one. TC said clarified that Article 5 with respect to the Cable Revolving Fund needs to stipulate the amount to be expended;
J. Driscoll said that he thought that additional capital funds could be asked for from the floor.
TC advised the BOS may want to consider an addendum to Article 11 with respect to clarifying the changes the BOS had previously discussed; that he would draft the addendum.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS approve the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting.
J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0. Warrant signed.
NEW BUSINESS
For approval; request
Can & Bottle Drive, Boy Scout Troup # 179, Saturday, October 21, 2006 from
8:30am – 1:30pm,
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS approve the request. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried
3-0.
For signature; DPW
Chapter 90 Project Request.
Dave Gromaski, Superintendent of Public Works, was invited to speak with the BOS regarding this request. He answered questions posed by J. Townshend. The item was signed.
For signature; DPW
State Aid FY 2007- Supplemental Standard Contract - $160,694.
Item signed.
For review: Site Plan
submitted by Pearson Systems for Chapdelaine Realty Trust,
For discussion,
correspondence from Diana Dziok, Marketing Director, The Reminder; re: Hometown
Hero.
So noted; the BOS will issue a proclamation once the recipients are honored.
For discussion;
“Sample Permit Application.”
Item noted; discussion was tabled.
BOARD OF HEALTH
OLD BUSINESS
Dog Officer.
The ES will wait to post the position until after the Special Town Meeting.
Minutes, Board of Selectmen
October 3, 2006
Correspondence
Page 4 of 4
CORRESPONDENCE
Fire Department
Roster.
Item noted; congratulatory letters to be sent to those promoted.
Copy of letter to Gagliarducci Construction; re:
East Longmeadow Fire Department Eighth straight Life Safety Achievement Award.
The BOS to send a congratulatory letter to the Chief.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS All items noted.
United Way Kick-off, for Town Employees, two sessions, 9:30am & 10:15 am, Town Hall Hearing Room, Tuesday, October 3, 2006.
Cable Advisory Committee Meeting, Wed. Oct. 4, 2006 @
6:30pm,
Invitation from Gale Candaras on behalf of Boston Road
Business Association, fall social “Meet Your Legislators”, Wed., Oct. 11, 2006,
from 7:45am-9:00am, Valley Stone Credit Union,
Personnel Policy Committee Meeting, Oct., 16, 2006 @ 6:45pm, Town Hall Hearing Room.
Special Town Meeting, Mon., Oct., 23, 2006 @ 7:00pm, East Longmeadow High School.
Board of Selectmen Meeting, Tuesday, Oct., 24, 2006 @ 7:00pm, Town Hall Hearing Room.
APPOINTMENTS:
7:00 p.m. John Somsen, IT Director & Attorney
Michaels.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS enter into executive session for the purposes of discussing personnel issue relating to strategy with respect to contract negotiations, to return to open session for the purposes of adjournment. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. A roll-call vote was taken, (Townshend, “Yes”; Driscoll, “Yes.”) Motion carried 2-0.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS adjourn the meeting. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 14, 2006.