MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
Monday, October 23, 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.
J. Driscoll called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
J. Townshend entered the meeting at 6:06 p.m.
APPOINTMENT:
6:00PM - Stephen G.
Loyack, vacancy on Capital Planning Committee.
Note: James Sheils, Town Moderator, was a voting member for this appointment.
J. Driscoll asked S. Loyack to speak about his background and interest in the committee. S. Loyack said he had worked for Grodsky Company Builders as Vice President of Construction for many years supervising projects from $5,000.00 to $5,000,000.00 in value; that he thought it would be helpful to the committee.
J. Sheils asked him about his availability to commit the time necessary as things get very hectic during the budget season. S. Loyack responded that he is retired and has the time; that he is taking this on with eyes open.
Ray Miller and Conrad Wiezbiecki, members of the committee were recognized and spoke favorably on his behalf.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS appoint Stephen Loyack to the Capital Planning Committee, to fill the unexpired term. J. Townshend seconded. Discussion: J. Townshend said that he approved of the appointment based on C. Wiezbiecki’s recommendation. Motion carried 4-0.
6:15 p.m.
The BOS met with Chief Mellis to discuss the payment for the
police academy program and housing for the new appointees. The training is set to begin in late November
in
Chief Mellis reported some communities pay for the training
up front and then recoup the funds through payroll deductions over the course
of a year; that it serves as a way to protect the communities from training an
officer and having them leave shortly afterwards for a higher paying
community. J. Townshend questioned why
wasn’t; it known last budget cycle that funding would be needed. Chief Mellis explained that originally there
was going to be an academy in Western Mass that the recruits could attend but
the process of hiring them was longer than expected through the civil service
process; and that the academy in
The consensus of the discussion was that the recruits would
be notified in writing that they would need to make their own housing
arrangements, and that they would pay for their academy training through
payroll deductions once they started in
Minutes, Board of Selectmen
October 23, 2006
Police Chief, continued
Page 2 of 2
J. Driscoll mentioned the unfortunate incidents of the previous Friday where a severe wind and rain storm were responsible for the death of a citizen, and the trapping of another citizen in a car with a power line across it. He said that he was spoke with the electrical inspector that morning and is taking steps to address the horrific response to the emergency by National Grid. He praised the Police Department’s response to these emergencies.
Chief Mellis told the BOS that he has been able to increase some patrols with Community Policing grant funds. J. Driscoll said that he has heard from some parents that are grateful for the presence.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion of Articles for Special Town Meeting.
J. Driscoll led discussion of the Articles and asked the BOS members if they would want to vote to support any of them.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS support the recommendations of the Planning Board for Article 10. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion G. DeLisle moved the BOS recommend passage of Article 11. J. Townshend seconded. Discussion: J. Townshend clarified that the BOS should only support it as amended as the BOS had previously discussed. Motion carried 3-0.
The BOS remained in session until the conclusion of the Special Town Meeting.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 14, 2006.