Date of Meeting: Monday, February 4, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 7:00 PM –- 8:45 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Ken Sydow
Members Absent: Roger Deal
Others Present: Suzanne Olsen, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as listed on sign-in sheet
No Financial Warrant.
Counsel not present.
Signed:
· Rand Whitney MOA
· Library Compact Disc Antitrust Litigation.
Review of Town Administrator Resumes:
· Of a list of 23 applicants, Jim gave his “no interest,” “yes,” and “maybe” for each. Ken did the same. Most candidates were mutually regarded: Pilgrim B-; Smith B-; DeManche: No.
· JIM: Pacheco, Quinn, Connelly, Kleman, Griffin, Pilgrim, Smith
· KEN: Was impressed only with Pacheco; had some concern with all others.
· Will wait for feedback from Roger Deal.
Budget Review (Selectmen’s Line Items):
· JIM: Would like breakdown of expenses.
· Audit Expense: Jim questioned why $15K up from $10K. Sue said it was underfunded for the past few years. Jim suggested the audit service be put out to bid.
· Street Lights: Jim asked Sue to talk to Gary H to see what can be done to level fund tis.
· New Server Upgrade: Sue explained that additional software/user licensing will cost additional money.
· Phone Service Provider: When is this reviewed: Sue: fairly constantly.
· Insurance: Jim asked Sue to speak with MIIA re insurance cost figures. When can we have actual percentage increase?
Draft Warrant:
Article 1 Need to understand it better. (Sidewalks to be maintained by residents.) [Remove for now.]
Article 4 “Housekeeping” to rescind September 3 library vote to borrow money.
Article 6 Earth Removal Board – Need minutes of meeting and vote. Get from Sandy/Daunielle or request from Howard.
Article 10 for discussion
Town Administrator’s Report:
· Elementary School audit: hearing date: 2/7/08 at 2:30 PM.
· SUE: Received a call today for final offer; if accepted, no hearing required and will be closed.
· First audit: $100K ($9K/year)
· First appeal of $350K, willing to restore $270K of that.
· Second appeal: not allowing any reins (legal fees) -- $200K. They feel legal fees were due to Town contract was an issue to cause builder to have recourse.
· Sue recommends we accept; David Butler agrees. Most invoices are eight years old; he doesn’t remember all the detail.
· JIM: Questioned if any other communities have been through this appeal process. We should check with Town Counsel. He’s not opposed to settling, but doesn’t want to leave money on the table.
· SUE: They need an answer by tomorrow if we are going ahead with the hearing on Thursday (2/7).
· Payment of $445 - $478K/year after settlement.
· JIM: Ask Joe Connelly what he thinks regarding settlement; what’s the likelihood of getting the full amount. Also check with Harriet and Hank N.
· JIM: We will decide Wednesday morning.
Fuel Bid:
· Option 1: put out to bid. Looking to purchase at their facility X amount of diesel fuel and gasoline. Must be within five miles of Town. Low bidder – we drive there to fill.
· Option 2: Bid for tank to be supplied/installed/filled on our land.
· Mike Kane: Clinton has their own tanks; DPW “bills” other departments.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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