Date of Meeting: Monday, September 22, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Joe Connelly, Interim Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Absent: Roger Deal
Dan Haynes and Eric Brose were present to discuss closing the books for FY’08.
Surplus Warrant articles will be transferred to General Fund for free cash.
Don Parker is signing off to close several Articles but would like support for a Warrant Article next year to replace his pickup truck, which is in need of repair/replacement.
Joe Connelly will be working on a Capital Expense Plan for the next five years; would like to have a draft completed by the October 27, 2008 quarterly meeting.
Jim inquired if Dan had any sense of free cash numbers yet?
Dan said he doesn’t have a firm number; will know better when the books for the year are closed.
Joe Connelly said Chapter 70 funds will see a modest increase. But, as we lose students, we also lose
more funding each year.
Eric asked if there were any chance of working with West Boylston on regionalization? Jim said possibly, in the future.
Eric asked if there had been any preliminary comments from departments regarding upcoming funding needed? Jim said no, other than Don Parker needing a new truck.
Joe Connelly said the Municipal Office Building has an obsolete fire alarm system which occasionally breaks down. It will need to be replaced with an upgraded system. Cost approximately $30K.
Eric asked if they would be having a meeting with the School Committee early in the process? Jim said after we get Dan’s numbers. If they attend the October 27 quarterly meeting, we can start discussions and plan a meeting then.
Joe Connelly said the good news is that the Assabet student count is 29, not 33, as in June ($15K per student).
Sign Requests: The Historical Society requested permission to post a sign . Motion made to approve request; seconded; voted All In Favor.
Committee Appointments:
· Karen Perry to the Historic Commission
· Susan Boucher to the Cultural Council
· Motion made to approve the appointments; seconded; voted All in Favor..
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
· Auctioneer update (30 Stockton Street): Zekos awarded the bid
ü Last week in October
ü Close within 30 days
ü Contract to be executed week of 9/22
· Paul Zekos to be present during the Selectmen’s meeting, October 2008.
Library Trustees Sue Therriault, Rich Reardon (7:00 PM): There currently is a vacancy on the Board of Trustees; they would like to recommend David Bottom to fill the position. Susan Therriault so motioned; motion seconded; voted four yes votes for Library Trustees and two yes votes for Board of Selectmen.
Re: Library Decertification Waiver P/W:
· A statement is needed from the Board of Selectmen or the Town Administrator regarding the reasoning behind the substantial cut.
· Timeline: due in October.
· Jim stated that two series of cuts were made – between January and May then before June. The only recommendation by the Board of Selectmen for the May meeting was for salaries.
· Sue, regarding $7500 shortfall in budget,- if “gift” received, could it be considered as an appropriation by the Board of Selectmen to add to the operating budget and therefore meet the minimum operating budget to insulate it from decertification? No, cannot add one-time funds to operating budget.
· Joe Connelly said 2007 generated $844 for the year in fines, etc. It would seem the library could use that money to assist with library operations.
Kathy Phillips/Claire O’Neill (MOBD) (7:15 PM):
· Phillips Precision Engineering is interested in TIF for the business, now that the Town accepted ETA. They are hoping to support the project using EDIP.
· Kathy Phillips: they are clearing the lot to add to expand the building/business. About $350K worth of equipment they would like to purchase, but it will be difficult without tax incentive. It would help them grow into the new building and expand jobs.
· Claire O’Neill: through EDIP, the building is eligible for a 5% tax benefit.
· Ken Sydow asked the value of the building. Kathy said $900K, when finished.
· Ken asked what the Town needs to do. Claire said the Town would go through the same process as with Rand-Whitney – negotiate TIF agreement, put in Meeting Warrant, put on for EOA (parcel specific), then one for TIF. Then P/W submitted to her office for submission to State board (EACC) for meeting (once approved at Town Meeting). December 30 is the latest meeting this year; then resumes again in March 2009. She would prefer to go before EACC prior to completion of the project. The latest would be final approval before June 30, 2009, so FY’09 is when TIF calculation begins. If December special meeting happens, could be in
at December 30 EACC.
· Kathy asked what her next steps were. Jim said the Board is designated as the TIF Committee; will get back to her once they touch base with Town Counsel.
Pop Warner Football Field: Update: refrigerator and grill are to be removed on a weekly basis, rather than stored on site with food.
HVAC Bid – First Floor: Discussion regarding only one bid received; likely due to aggressive timeline for completion (by third week in October). Board of Selectmen would like Joe to update and recommend with final decision.
43D Grant Application:
· Funding reduced to potential $60K grant from $100K. Grant application needs to be adjusted. Board of Selectmen needs to determine what services to take out of the application.
· GIS $23,900 plus $15,000 – updates to zoning by-laws taken out of grant application.
· Hearing date is Wednesday, October 15 beginning at 10:00 AM. Boylston is second on the agenda.
· Joe Connelly will attend; Ken is not available
At 8:10 PM on a motion made by Selectman Ken Sydow, and seconded by James Stanton, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B ¶ 3, to conduct contract negotiations : James Stanton-yes, Ken Sydow – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
9:30 PM: Return to open session. Motion made to adjourn; motion seconded; voted All in Favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
| 
