January 17, 2012
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Connor with all members in attendance.
The first order of business was a joint meeting with the School Committee. Chairman Cartier, Mrs. Gray, Dr. Martel, Mr. Patrick and Supt. Fleury were in attendance.
Discussion was held pertaining to the sharing of services. With Mrs. Mathieu’s pending retirement, it was stated they would be looking for her replacement to take on school finances as well as the current duties of managing the town’s finances. The percentage of services would be 80% municipal and 20% school. School members stated that having this service available would help in future budget projections.
Although sharing this service may be cost-neutral, it would bring more working knowledge between the school and municipal departments.
Another area looked at is the facilities manager with the percentage of services breaking down to 80% school and 20% municipal. The School Dept. uses the majority of buildings in town. It was stated that sharing facilities services would save money in the long run by having regular maintenance done on the buildings. The Board hopes to have more information on this position for their Feb. 13th meeting.
Other shared services to be looked at would be grounds maintenance and grant writing.
Mr. Soter spoke about looking into increasing the meals tax which could possibly generate $250,000 and could be used for such items as helping defray the cost for students unable to afford participating in the sports program, look into an Astro Turf field and help with the new youth center.
The Board thanked the School Committee and Supt. Fleury for their participation.
On a Davies/Sotor motion, the Board voted to approve the minutes of December 19th. Mr. Goodnow abstained; all other members voted in the affirmative.
On a Soter/Featherston motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the placement of street lights on Wethersfield Road, poles 5, 10 & 18 (per Sgt. Rolls’ recommendation).
On a Davies/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the placement of a street light at the intersection of Taunton and North Main St., pole 41 (per Sgt. Rolls’ recommendation).
Minutes of January 17, 2012
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Highridge Rd. Street Lights – Mr. Soter recused himself from this discussion.
Highridge residents attended the meeting and requested that two more lights be included in addition to the list submitted by Sgt. Rolls, between poles 10 & 24 and poles 29 & 39.
On a Davies/Featherston motion, the Board voted to approve the placement of Highridge Rd. street lights on poles 1, 10, 24, 29, 39, 44, & 48 (per Sgt. Rolls’ recommendation). The information on the two additional street lights requested will be forwarded to Sgt. Rolls for his recommendation. The motion was approved 4-1 with Mr. Soter abstaining.
On a Davies/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to authorize emergency spending by the DPW Director to continue the necessary snow and ice control operations.
On a Featherston/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve traffic control signage for R. Belanger Drive as recommended by Sgt. Rolls (copy attached).
On a Davies/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to open the ATM warrant this evening and set the closing date for February 17th, 12 noon.
On a Soter/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously approved residential water abatements in the amount of $3,467.46, residential sewer in the amount of $1,180.94, municipal water in the amount of $12,807.73 and municipal sewer in the amount of $81.60.
Mr. Fraine stated he would not be requesting an executive session this evening.
On a Featherston/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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