Advisory Committee Present: Terry Abdalian
September 10, 2013 Randy Dinjian
Bob Czekanski
Connie Benjamin
Mike Zelenkov
Brad Cote
The Advisory Committee met at the Houghton Building, Lois J. Alex Meeting Room, at 7:00 p.m.
REVIEW AND FINALIZE THE WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ON OCTOBER 16, 2013
Article 1: Unpaid Bill for Fiscal Year 2013 – On a motion made by Dinjian and seconded by Cote, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the article. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
Article 2: Compensation for Assessors Certification – On a motion made by Dinjian and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the article. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
Article 3: Amendment to the Dog Bylaws – On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the article. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
Article 4: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article III, Zoning District Regulations, Section 250-13, and Dimensional Regulations – The Advisory Committee will vote on this article at its September 17, 2013 meeting. The Advisory Committee is concerned with the difference in wording between Residential Use and Other Uses, specifically “moved on a lot” for Residential Use vs. “moved onto a lot” for Other Uses (emphasis added).
Article 5: Assignment of Conservation Restriction – On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the article. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – abstained, Cote – yes)
Article 6: Retroactive Pay and Benefits – Dispatch Contract – On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the article. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
Article 7: Retroactive Pay and Benefits – Police Contract – The Advisory Committee will vote on this article when the dollar amount of the contractual obligation is known.
Article 8: Nashoba Regional School District Assessment – On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Dinjian, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the article. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes) The Advisory Committee requested that the following suggested wording be added to the Summary: “This $100,188 is lower than the estimated provided by the Nashoba Regional School District at the 2013 Annual Town Meeting.”
TRANSFER REQUESTS
Insurance 945: On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer in the amount of $1, 693 to Other Insurance – Police and Fire Accident (945-5744) to cover an unanticipated increase in insurance premium. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes) This is an increase of 10.7% over 2013. The Advisory Committee will inquire if this rate of increase is anticipated in upcoming years.
Highway 421: On a motion made by Dinjian and seconded by Zelenkov, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer in the amount of $900 to Highway Longevity (421-5145) due to an increase in longevity given in the DPW contract effective July 1, 2013. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
Communications 299: On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Dinjian, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer in the amount of $500 to Communications Longevity (299-5145) due to an increase in longevity given in the Dispatch contract effective for fiscal 2013 and 2014. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
ADVISORY COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Medical Marijuana Moratorium: David Lindsay passed out the wording of the proposed Special Town Meeting Citizen’s Petition to the Advisory Committee.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Possible Maintenance of Route 117 in Bolton: Town Administrator Don Lowe has had discussions with the Massachusetts DOT regarding the takeover of Route 117. The process could take between one and two years. Potential savings per year could be $50,000 for plowing plus $240,000 for maintenance per Harold Brown. If this comes to fruition, there could be a reduction in Chapter 90 funds of about 10% per Don Lowe.
Discussion of the Town Accountant’s New Advisory Committee Role: The Advisory Committee welcomed Julie Costello, Bolton Town Accountant, to her new role. Ms. Costello will attend every meeting and work as part of the team.
Review of New Budget Worksheets: The expenditure worksheets for the fiscal 2015 budget season will include actual expenses for 2011, 2012 and 2013; 2013 and 2014 budgeted amounts; and 2015 requested amounts. Revenue worksheets will also show this information. The Advisory Committee requested that the worksheets given to the departments be in the same format as the Advisory Committee worksheets. This will improve communications between the departments and the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee also requested that the new worksheets include the updated NRSD budget.
The Advisory Committee’s next meeting will be September 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Dinjian, the Advisory Committee voted to adjourn at 9:21 p.m. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Cote – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Terry Abdalian
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