MINUTES
Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 5, 2007 6:30 P.M.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
Present: James D.
Driscoll, Chairman Board of Selectmen (BOS);
The Board of Selectmen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion, IT
Director candidates.
Motion J. Villamaino moved the BOS adjourn to executive session for the purposes of discussion of personnel issues, to return to open session. J. Townshend seconded. A roll-call vote was taken, (Townshend, “Yes”; Villamaino, “Yes”; Driscoll, “Yes”.) Motion carried 3-0.
Council on Aging
Executive Director, re: interview process & dates.
The ES reported that three responses had already come in; he laid out a possible timeline for the BOS to consider. Discussion ensued with the consensus being that the Chairman of the COA and one additional member involved in the process. The BOS set a meeting date of March 19 at 7:00 p.m. to consider and screen applicants.
NEW BUSINESS:
For approval, request
from Recreation Director, re: Advertising for Cheerleading Program.
J. Driscoll said he was in favor, but was concerned about hitting up the same sponsors repeatedly; he wanted to make sure a policy was in place; that they would discuss it with the Recreation Director when she came in.
INTERVIEWS: IT
DEPARTMENT - NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR POSITION
The BOS and
1. J. Driscoll: Tell us about yourself.
- R. Quimby: How would you stop a WinStop error?
- J. Driscoll: This position supports multiple clients across the network. How do you prioritize jobs that need to be done?
- J. Villamaino: This position requires you to be available 24/7. Is this something you are comfortable with? Describe a situation when you had to work outside of “normal” business hours.
- J. Townshend: What educational training that you have best suits the needs of this position?
- R. Quimby: Due to the nature of the information that we have, would you have a problem submitting to a CORI Check? Do you have a driver’s license?
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- J. Villamaino: What are your salary requirements?
- J. Driscoll: Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
6:40 P.M. - James Doolittle
- He gave a brief history of his experience to the BOS; that he entered the profession after working in tree care for a number of years; that he wants to succeed in this field.
- He described technical approaches he would take.
- He would decide what approach to take based on addressing the most users and downtime affected.
- He could respond at any time.
- He believes he has the training and certification needed for the position; that he might need to improve in the area of on-the-job training.
- No problem with the CORI; he has a license.
- Relatively low based on his lack of on-the-job experience; would accept a little less than other people; $35,000.00 or higher would be his goal.
- If given a chance he could take work home to get up to speed; willing to learn to succeed.
6:50 P.M. - Dennis Collins
- Dedicated to this profession; teaches classes at STCC; has served multiple sites and users.
- He described technical approaches he would take.
- Number of users affected is a good bellwether; usually financial first, then administrative.
- Yes.
- He referred to his background; that he would accept the position if offered.
- He would submit to a CORI; he has a license.
- Mid to high thirties is fine.
- He referred to his experience at STCC as being challenging and therefore would make him prepared for this job.
7:00 P.M. - Scott Brown
- He recapped his background; self-taught; has done some work with the town; discussed certifications; Had done some work with J. Somsen here in the past; felt it was a good environment here.
- He described the technical approaches he would take.
- Chronologically first, then according to workflow, i.e. payroll.
- Yes.
- The integrator training and product line training; system certifications; management training; safety on-site; sexual harassment; other personnel trainings.
- Yes to the CORI and driver’s license.
- The salary range as advertised.
- He left a written overview of some of his work that he has done for the Acting IT Director to consider.
7:10 P.M. - Angel
Lozada
This candidate did not keep his appointment.
Discussion of the candidates interviewed ensued. J. Villamaino commented that they are all very good candidates; that they have diverse backgrounds. J. Townshend said that he was impressed with
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Mr. Collins, with his teaching at STCC; that he was also impressed with Mr. Brown. R. Quimby recapped the answers given by the candidates, particularly in the technical aspects; that his choice would be between Brown and Doolittle. J. Driscoll cited Mr. Brown as having a proven track record.
J. Driscoll asked R. Quimby if he had to hire tomorrow who would he pick? R. Quimby said Mr. Doolittle. Mr. Brown has better network focus which is important but not as prominent; that Mr. Doolittle seems to be able to find answers on his own; but that he would be happy with either candidate. The BOS referred to the resumes for further discussion.
J. Driscoll suggested that they make a decision this evening, but later on in the meeting.
APPOINTMENTS:
The BOS met with Department Heads to discuss budgets, in particular the supplemental budgets, for FY 2008.
7:35 P.M. – Ryan
Quimby, Acting IT Director
R. Quimby reported that he would be at 3%. Supplemental budget priorities were the new technology and unscheduled maintenance to cover any major events; power surge, etc; server virtualization to go from 35 servers to 7 or 8, that he is working on final numbers to implement this to calculate the ROI; that this represents a supplemental of $12,300.00. He indicated that in previous years there hadn’t been an unscheduled maintenance budget.
The next priority is Connect-CTY at a price of $12,600.00; that the vendor is not interested at this point in combining the school and town, but that he is working on this with the vendor and the School Superintendent; J. Driscoll asked that he and the ES work on postage numbers to see if the system would cut some of those costs.
A discussion of the website development ensued; for R. Quimby to work with his professional contacts to compare what savings might be expected.
J. Townshend asked about the labor for the department; R. Quimby reported that there have always been two full time positions and a consultant, that this budget represents moving the consultant to a full time position instead; J. Townshend stated that he is not in favor of adding positions. A discussion of the positions in the department continued regarding the budgeted amount for the IT Director; J. Townshend questioned the posting of the salary range compared with the budgeted amount. Consensus was that the BOS will ultimately set the salary amount and be mindful of the budget when that time comes.
Discussion then turned to the Network Administrator position.
Motion J. Villamaino moved to offer the position to Mr. Brown. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Discussion: J. Townshend indicated that he was impressed with both candidates but felt that Mr. Collins’ teaching experience was a deciding factor. J. Driscoll reiterated that they had excellent candidates to choose from, but that Mr. Brown’s desktop experience and having done work in the system was important to the position. Motion carried 2-1 (Villamaino, Driscoll “Aye”; Townshend “Opposed.”)
R. Quimby to contact all candidates directly.
7:50 P.M. –
B. Wallace reported that there is nothing in the supplemental; that the overall came in at 3%. There was discussion regarding the Chief’s planned retirement at the end of the year; that the difference in the incoming Chief’s salary would allow for overlap to allow for training from Chief Wallace.
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Discussion ensued about how to search for a new Chief; that Chief suggested opening up to more than only internal candidates; that the credentials to be Chief have changed during the 16 years since he has been Chief; to advertise in the local paper, websites; etc. Chief Wallace reviewed some of the particulars of the budget with the BOS.
Discussion ensued regarding the Appropriation Committee’s reporting of any anticipated shortfalls; but the Chief reported that the bottom line barring any major emergencies he may be $22,000.00 to the positive.
8:05 P.M. – Carolyn
Porter, Recreation Director
C. Porter reported that the overall budget came in at 2.8%; that there is no supplemental for the Recreation Department, but that she is here to support the supplemental budget of the DPW for building maintenance at Pine Knoll and annual grounds maintenance. A discussion was held regarding Pine Knoll; that it was purchased with the idea to be self-funding for five years, but that it has now been ten; that there are a short and long-term renovation plans for the property. C. Porter provided the BOS with a handout with a rough plan for the coming years; that it is safe to operate but there are mechanical issues that need to be addressed. The need for more athletic fields was mentioned and what plans are in place to address the need. A discussion was held about the staffing and programming at Pine Knoll was held. A discussion was held about the possibility of acquiring grant and private funding to support programs and redevelopment.
Discussion continued about the supplemental for the DPW in
support of Pine Knoll. C. Porter
submitted copies of news articles to the BOS re: camps in
Discussion ensued regarding an annual fee of $24,000.00 field maintenance fee to be paid by the Recreation Department to the School Department that was negotiated years ago; that C. Porter is going to meet with the School Department on March 12 about the arrangement.
A discussion was held regarding the request for sponsorship of the Cheerleading Exhibition event to be held in October; to support purchases of mats and other protections; that it is a request for just this event, but a possible opening for corporate sponsorship policy that is a united approach; that it is for all sports so that businesses are not overburdened with requests from multiple booster programs.
C. Porter discussed details of the approach to the businesses for the Cheerleading event.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS approve the request for parents to seek corporate sponsorships for the cheerleading event, subject to final approval of the Recreation Commission.
J. Villamaino seconded. Discussion: C. Porter noted that there would not be any alcohol or tobacco sponsorships. J. Villamaino clarified that this is for this event only; as a test.
Motion carried 3-0.
8:20 P.M. – Tom Florence, Town Clerk
J. Driscoll spoke about the overall budget coming in over the 3% amount; that anything over that will have to be moved to the supplemental per consensus of the BOS; that he understands there is not any waste but he will have to re-submit the budget to the BOS. T. Florence outlined the supplemental priorities; that he would like to increase the salary steps for the assistant treasurer and clerk; that this is the only town in the area except for Southwick that has a combined Clerk/Treasurer/Collector; that
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the savings from MUNIS have not yet to be realized in the area of reducing the need for full-time employees. A discussion of the staffing in the Clerk’s office ensued, in relation to the position in the BOS office that is being filled temporarily.
Motion J. Villamaino moved the BOS approve the Clerk’s request to move a current part-time employee to a temporary full-time position that is set to expire May 18. J. Townshend seconded. Discussion: J. Townshend questioned whether or not the employee would have union rights and whether or not benefits would apply; and whether or not the temp employee would be reduced. It was understood that this would not cause the Clerk’s budget to go over. Motion carried 3-0.
J. Driscoll asked T. Florence to look into the separation of the Clerk from the Treasurer/Collector functions; to consider the workflow issues.
Discussion was held regarding the postage costs in the supplemental; that the price of postage is set to increase and there are more home; and whether or not and when improvements to the website will contribute to cutting costs.
T. Florence discussed the request for additional funding for attorney costs for more tax title and land court proceedings.
8:35 P.M. – Gerri Gagnon, ELCAT Director
Don Maki, ELCAT Board member, joined the discussion.
There was no supplemental budget presented. It was noted that this budget is not taxpayer funded.
D. Maki and G. Gagnon presented the operating budget and fund balances along with a rough written spending plan for upgrades for equipment to improve the production quality of ELCAT. The discussion was held within the timeline of the negotiation of the new contract in negotiation with Charter. Discussion about the particulars of some of the equipment was held.
The ES was directed to post the next ELCAT meeting on March 13 at 6pm.
A discussion on the contract negotiations was held and the progress to date; that a template is in place and the ELCAT board is going to discuss specifics to include; that the ES is in contact with Attorney Epstein on behalf of the BOS and the ELCAT board; that the two boards will have further discussions to finalize things.
Motion J. Townshend moved to adjourn the meeting. J. Villamaino seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY
22, 2007.
*Clerk at the time of this meeting.