MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 6:00 P. M.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
Present: James D. Driscoll, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen (BOS); Joe Townshend, Chairman Board of Health; Jack Villamaino, Clerk of the Board.
Nick Breault, Executive Secretary (ES); Members of the Appropriations Committee (AC):
Michael Macleod, Chairman; James Broderick; Raymond Miller; Lori Coutu; David Hodge, Esq.; James Hayes; Frank Iovine, Jr.
Others Present: Sandra Choquette, Town Accountant; Tom Florence, Clerk/Treasurer/Collector; Douglas Mellis, Police Chief; Ryan Quimby, Acting IT Director.
The BOS met with the AC to discuss departmental budgets under its authority.
The ES was recognized to explain why the overall BOS budget was submitted at 3.41% instead of 3%; he stated that this reflected an increase of $810.00 overall, due to the negotiated increase of a staff member that took effect mid-way through the current fiscal year; discussion was held regarding whether the difference might be made up through another line-item and how the status of an employee that is out may affect the overall budget; the ES to report back on this.
T.
Chief Mellis was recognized to discuss hiring a School Resource Officer and the overtime budget; the discussion about cost benefits for hiring to lower overtime rates; that the person that would be the new hire would be at a lower rate.
A discussion about the Fire Department ensued regarding how the Chief’s retirement will allow for an overlap to make the transition for the new Chief more effective.
A discussion ensued regarding the Health Budget; the ES reported the supplemental included paying for an additional mosquito spraying in the summer if necessary; that spraying is what is recommended; that he and the Health Agent reached out to local universities for other ideas but that those resources are limited; there was discussion about finding out if spraying is the best method; and would the second spraying be a “must do” versus a “like to do.”
R. Quimby was recognized to speak about the IT budget. The discussion turned to how the funding was being allocated for server virtualization and unscheduled maintenance; moving a consultant to an in-house position; that with the School Department recently losing its IT person it would be a
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February 27, 2007
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good time to look at putting all IT under the one department; more discussion ensued about the long-term staffing and responsibility for the department; that this would be a discussion for the IT Committee.
Discussion turned to the Connect-CTY phone service that would be for the whole town, rather than just the schools; that the School Department currently has it; that R. Quimby, Dr. Costa and the ES are working with the vendor to see if the CTY side could be purchased and use it for the School Department too, so that there is no duplication in payment. More information will be forthcoming from R. Quimby.
A brief discussion about the Council on Aging budget was held; it was noted that the BOS was going to discuss the Executive Director position that evening. J. Driscoll indicated that he was in ongoing discussions with the state regarding funding for the renovation project.
A discussion was held regarding the Pine Knoll area; J. Driscoll said that there had been many conversations with the Recreation Department and the Board of Public Works; S. Choquette reported that she posted a meeting that day for March 7 between BPW and Capital Planning to discuss Pine Knoll; that J. Villamaino will attend on behalf of the BOS.
M. Macleod said that the other issue is the AC would like to know what the BOS will support on the floor of Town Meeting.
A brief discussion about ELCAT ensued; Don Maki is working on a list of equipment for the ELCAT.
A discussion of the Fire Chief was held; J. Villamaino said he has spoken with the Chief and the idea is to have some overlap; to start the search early, July or August; with a December 1 start date.
A discussion of the COA Director position was held; J. Driscoll reported that the BOS was discussing the search that evening.
A discussion of the GIS/Web site position was held; J. Driscoll reported that the network position will hired rather than a web developer; that the web development was probably going to be outsourced; R. Quimby spoke to the technical advantages of outsourcing; that the site could be used for payments of taxes and fees; that the maintenance and server virtualization part of the supplemental will be used to pay for this.
A discussion ensued about the ambulance, police and cable contracts. The ES reported that the ambulance contract is on for that evening, that he would recommend the BOS consider soliciting responses from multiple vendors even though ambulance service is exempted from procurement laws; that the BOS is interested in obtaining responses including different multiple years options and levels of service.
J. Driscoll reported briefly on the IBPO negotiations; that the current contract is confusing; that it is not clean and clear; that the BOS is getting close to offering its final points.
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J. Driscoll reported that there has not yet been anything done regarding the Town Employee Union; S. Choquette said that she told department heads to use 3% when figuring budgets for their employees in that union.
M. Macleod suggested that they meet again in two weeks to follow up on these and other issues including health insurance, the trash budget and auditing issues, and a possible warrant article for Chapter 32 section 18.
Discussion returned to the cable contract; the ES reported that ELCAT Committee is still working out numbers to ask for to have the proper personnel and equipment for ELCAT.
A brief discussion was held about the trash fund; that some of the funds may be returned to the general fund; that the BOS would like to see a certain amount set aside to support the program with recycling calendars and stickers, blue bins, etc.; that there may be a proposal to keep the fund at $75,000.00 and return the rest to the general fund.
The BOS then recessed briefly until the start of its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY
22, 2007.
*Clerk at the time of this meeting.