Date of Meeting: Monday, September 15, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:35 PM – 8:50 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Joe Connelly, Interim Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Hillside Barn: Don Parker has offered to have his men and trucks available to clean out the barn in the next few weeks to prepare for Hillside Restoration’s restoring of the barn. The Board would like Joe Connelly to work with
Don Parker on the most efficient and cost-effective way to clean it out and to cash in scrap metal for whatever it’s worth.
Pop Warner Football Field: Refrigerator outside under carport, plugged in with food in it. Dennis Costello (Health Agent) will contact Pop Warner to notify of what’s acceptable. No food storage during the week; unplug the
refrigerator. Joe Connelly asked the Board whether they are okay with it being there otherwise. Ken Sydow noted that he doesn’t want it there all year; only during the season. Roger noted it should also be padlocked for safety.
Library Trustees: They have a vacancy and want David Bottom appointed. Jim stated it needs to be a joint appointment by the Trustees and the Board of Selectmen. Invite them to the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting on
September 22.
MCJTC: Thank you letters were sent to all who received the original letter.
Asian Longhorned Beetle:
· Don Parker attended the meeting this weekend. Stickers are needed for vehicles if moving any tree material.
· Don signed the USDA Compliance Agreement.
· USDA won’t inspect any trees unless an ALB is found. Meanwhile, some trees need to be cut due to deteriorating condition (for numerous reasons) and disposed of at a designated drop-off area. Some trees are in Vista area across from Gough House.
· Jim said to let the Hillside Restoration Project know he will do it, then take the trees down.
Auctioneers’ Bid Results: Two bids received (for Stockton Street property):
· Zekos: local, preferred – 8% buyer’s premium
· Douglas: low bid -- 5% buyer’s premium
· Joe is currently checking references; then will award bid.
· Reserve Fund transfer needed to cover expenses to date.
Warrant Article for Unspent Balances: Sheet created for department head and Town Administrator to sign off. Okay for balances to be closed and transferred back to the General Fund.
Don Parker’s Pickup Truck: Don Parker will need to update his 1999 pickup truck; it needs several repairs. The body is in tough shape; the engine leaks. He would like his warrant article balances to go toward the purchase of a new vehicle.
HVAC First Floor Bids: A second walk-through was held today; the bid opening has been extended to September 22 at 10:00 AM.
Above-Ground Fuel Tank Bid:
· The low bid was $46,000. Only $30,000 was allotted.
· Joe Flanagan and Joe Connelly are speaking to companies to find out why the cost is so high and what could be changed in the specs to come in under $30K.
· Don Parker, regarding storage tank for diesel fuel, needs to know if we’re locked in for price yet. He spoke with Mr. Roy, who said he only did pricing for schools, not the Town.
· The Board asked Joe to follow up to be sure the pricing is set.
Winter Heating and Energy Roundtable Meetings offered by Martha Coakley (DA) for Regional participation. Multiple dates and locations are available. The Board would like Joe Connelly to look into it further and they will then decide who should attend (perhaps the Building Inspector or the Health Inspector)
Budget Process:
· Joe Connelly said he, Lori and Eric are to sit down and detail all budget cuts from the June 30, 2008 meeting.
· Dan said we need a revised projection for 2010, 2011 before the books are closed.
· The Assessors determine the tax rate – when will it be done? Joe Connelly to inquire.
· Joe: We need to get a starting point for 2009 budgets, then review past spending. A Capital Plan also needs to be done.
· Roger said to contact departments to discuss capital planning needs and budgets.
Light Department – Street Lighting PILOT:
· The Light Department was to reduce street lighting costs by 50% (accounted for in June 30, 2009 budget). However, the Light Board voted to apply that expense ($15K) to their PILOT payment to the Town by $15K.
· Joe will talk with Gary Harrington to discuss a resolution.
Quarterly Meeting Updates: Agenda topics:
· Compass Pointe
· Budget Process – guidelines/timeline
· Capital Plan (draft)
· Commercial Development
· Applicant Advisory Committee
Mark Bertonassi – ready to present to Board of Selectmen in October, then 10/27.
Rand-Whitney: Joe Connelly is to draft a letter to Rand-Whitney’s CFO replacing John McNabb – welcome, etc.
Precision Engineering: Kathy Phillips currently working with Claire O’Neill (CMRPC) re: TIFF
43D Grant Status: Touch bases with Adam Costa at the October meeting.
Health Insurance: The Board would like the Town Administrator to look into health insurance options: higher co-pays/deductibles. Check with our rep at MIIA.
At 8:00 PM on a motion made by Selectman Roger Deal and seconded by Ken Sydow, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B ¶ 3, to conduct a strategy session in preparation for negotiation. : James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal – yes, Ken Sydow – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
Motion made to adjourn; motion seconded; voted All in Favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
| 
