MINUTES
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Thursday, June 28, at 8:00 P.M.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
PRESENT:
Chairman Villamaino called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS
For signature: AMR contract.
Item signed.
Email, Deanne Daggett
re: skate demonstration.
The BOS discussed the request made by the East Longmeadow Skatepark Association (ELSPA) to use the parking lots around Town Hall to conduct a skate demonstration.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS give approval of the request pending the receipt of recommendations from the safety officer, recreation department, and other departments, and proof of insurance. J. Townshend seconded. Discussion: The ES was directed to run the request past Town counsel and get the responses from the departments. Motion carried unanimously.
Towing issues: a) rotation of companies b) notification of public records request
from Bach Towing.
Motion J. Driscoll moved to rescind the initial vote that was taken by the BOS that made CJ’s Towing the primary company and Mascaro’s Towing the secondary. J. Villamaino seconded out of necessity. Discussion: J. Townshend stated that he opposes Mascaro’s; that he is on the record in supporting CJ’s and Bach’s. Motion carried 2-1 with Selectman Townshend opposed.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approve CJ’s Towing and Mascaro’s Towing as the two towing companies, to provide service on a rotating basis. J. Villamaino seconded. Discussion: J. Townshend again stated his opposition to Mascaro’s and his support for CJ’s and Bach.
Motion carried 2-1, with Selectmen Townshend opposed.
Board of Selectmen
June 28, 2007
Page 2 of 3
NEW BUSINESS
United Way: request for Employer Campaign
Coordinator.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS appoint the ES as the United Way Employer Campaign Coordinator. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Permit fee for ramp.
J. Villamaino explained that a request had been made by the company building a ramp at the home of Sgt. Mark Ecker for the building permit fee to be waived; that the company was doing the work on a voluntary basis.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS waive all building permit fees associated with building the ramp at the home of Sgt. Ecker. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Request from Police
Chief Mellis to apply for EOPS renovation grant.
J. Villamaino summarized the request from Chief Mellis to gain permission to apply for a police facilities grant offered by the state Executive Office of Public Safety to be used to make upgrades towards ADA compliance and the installation of showers; that the total grant might be $30,000.00 (more or less); and that the BOS would need to request the $15,000.00 Town match at a Town Meeting.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approve the request. J. Townshend seconded. Discussion: J. Villamaino directed the ES to draft a letter of approval. Motion carried unanimously.
Resignation, COA
bookkeeper.
The resignation by Sandra Wrona was noted; the ES was directed to draft a letter from the BOS thanking her for her service. The BOS tabled discussion about filling the vacancy to the next meeting.
Appointment issue.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS not appoint Sandra Choquette as Town Accountant. J. Villamaino seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-1 with Selectman Townshend opposed.
Discussion was then held on how to proceed with the position. J. Villamaino said that he spoke to Town Counsel (TC) and was advised that the BOS could appoint a temporary Town Accountant in the interim until such time as the BOS could interview for the position. J. Driscoll indicated that he had some ideas on the situation. J. Townshend recommended that the position be advertised; and asked if a temporary person would be someone currently in the department? J. Villamaino reported that in past situations when the BOS did not immediately appoint a replacement or temporary replacement, the person responsible for assuming the duties of the Town Accountant had been a member of the BOS, but only for a very short time period.
Board of Selectmen
June 28, 2007
Page 3 of 3
J. Driscoll discussed the importance of the position and not wanting to rush to fill it; that in the short term he wanted someone of quality to fill it on a temporary basis; that he had thought about the situation and spoken with other board members in other towns; that he came across a name and had received a recommendation from one of his last employers; had served in Longmeadow as a Business Manager; that he was recommended by the Chair of the East Longmeadow School Committee.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS appoint Mr. Caliento as interim Town Accountant. J. Villamaino seconded out of necessity. Discussion: J. Driscoll stated that Mr. Caliento is not a personal friend of his; that he was recommended to him; (he read some of Mr. Caliento’s qualifications listed in his CV) and stated that he believed he was very well qualified.
J. Townshend noted that he wanted what was in the Town’s best interest; that the person should have an accounting degree; that he doesn’t think the Town will be well served by (Mr. Caliento); that this doesn’t look good. J. Villamaino proposed that J. Townshend perform the duties of Town Accountant, then, if he did not support the motion; that this interim appointment was a stop-gap measure. J. Townshend declined to accept the duties of the Town Accountant.
Motion carried 2-1 with Selectman Townshend opposed.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS allow the Chairman to enter into negotiations on behalf of the BOS with Mr. Caliento. J. Villamaino seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-1 with Selectman Townshend opposed.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS
Postponed: Meeting, Board of Selectmen with Appropriations Committee, re: Contracts for Department Heads, Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:30pm, Town Hall Hearing Room;
(Appropriations Committee cannot meet July 3rd; requests alternate dates.) Item noted.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS adjourn. J. Townshend seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY, JULY
31, 2007.
James Driscoll, Clerk
of the Board of Selectmen