Date of Meeting: Monday, January 25, 2010
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Absent: Town Counsel, Stephen Madaus.
Financial warrants signed in approval.
Motion was made to approve regular meeting minutes of January 11, 2010 and executive session minutes of January 11, 2010 and September 21, 2009. Motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Personnel Board Appointments: Motion was made to approve the appointment of the following people to the Personnel Board for Fiscal Year 2011: Ms. Larri Parker; Mr. Richard Prince and Mr. John Stowe. Motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Temporary Sign Request: Motion was made to approve the request of the Boylston Elementary School to erect a sign at the corner of Routes 70 and 140 to advertise a Family Bingo on March 27, 2010. Motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
· FY’2011 Budget:
o The Town Administrator attended the MMA Conference in Boston last week at which the Governor announced his intention to level-fund both Chapter 70 ($454,815) and General Government Aid ($301,792) for FY’2011. The Governor’s overall proposed budget, including draft cherry sheets, should be released on Wednesday, January 27, 2010.
o The Worcester County Retirement has increased their pension charge significantly beyond what we were initially told to plan for. We have not budgeted $336,102 for this line item, which assumes an early payment credit. This is a seven percent increase over last year.
o Our health and general insurance provider, MIIA, announced that their premiums will increase by an average of 9.8 percent this year. We have budgeted for a ten percent increase. Their final figure for Boylston will be available in early March.
· Auditors: outside auditors for the Town (Roselli Clark) have been in Town Hall during the weeks of January 17 and 24 doing field research. They should produce their management letter within the month.
· Planning Board Vacancy: Richard Baker, Planning Board Chairman, will discuss their current vacancy at the Planning Board’s February 1 meeting, and then potentially proceed with a joint appointment at the February 8th Selectmen’s meeting. The Town Administrator has spoken with Bill Manter, who has indicated he might be willing to serve in an interim capacity until the election in May.
· Planning Board Assistant: Christine Webster, Assistant to the Planning Board, has resigned. Melanie Rich, presently serving as Assistant to the Conservation Commission and the Board of Health, has expressed an interest in also taking over Webster’s duties. Christine’s hourly wage is much lower than Melanie’s and the Town Administrator will have to figure out how many hours per week are required. Jim Stanton wants to be sure the hours do not exceed 40 hours, forcing the Town to pay overtime to complete duties.
· Route 140 Corridor Study Meeting: A team meeting will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2010 with the consulting team to present us with an update. The Town Administrator requested they fast track their zoning recommendations in time for the Annual Town Meeting. We would also like to have a site plan review process in place.
· Jim Stanton asked when we will be getting a final report from the consultants. The Town Administrator said she does not know but will get a date from them.
· Jim stated that if we do not have a final report by February 8, he wants them here on February 8 at the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting. Jim commented that we are paying them a considerable amount of money; they missed their deadline for presenting their report. He also stated the draft report presented today was very disappointing.
Finance Committee / FY11 Budget: (Board members present: Eric Brose, Karen McGahie, Steve Dorval, Herb Cronin and Tim Houlihan.)
· Eric Brose thanked the Town Administrator for the work she has done thus far on the budget.
· Jim Stanton stated that, per the Governor, local aid will be level-funded but the Quinn Bill will not be funded at all. Eric asked if that is reasonable to expect or will it change? Nancy Puff said it could change.
· Mr. Brose had some questions on the proposed budget:
o Fire Department employee has been added to the Town budget that was previously funded from the Ambulance Revolving Account. Ken Sydow said it’s a better accounting of the budgeting that way, but the position will still be partially funded by the ambulance account, just not as a direct article transfer.
o Is the ambulance funding is going to be weaned down from salary funding over the next few years? Jim said we are not in a position to do that yet, as we had originally planned a few years ago.
o Can the $25K can come out of the Assessors’ overlay rather than the operating budget? Nancy said we will be looking into that. Assessors’ overlay fund balance: $120,900 (FY’08 and FY’09); plus $90,000+/- (FY’10).
o Eric noted there is $25K for a police cruiser in the budget. Why is it not as an article on the warrant? Jim said it might be taken out since the Chief might have money for the purchase from the sale of the confiscated Cadillac, plus leftover repair account money.
· Tim Houlihan said that at the last School Committee meeting they were discussing the possibility of holding special April meetings for both towns. A discussion was held regarding the school and possibly holding a Special Town Meeting due to Berlin having their Annual Town Meeting the same evening (May 3rd).
· Eric suggested the school hold an informational meeting two weeks before the Annual Town Meeting so that taxpayers can be informed about what they’re voting on at the Annual Town Meeting.
Motion was made to open the warrant for articles February 1, 2010 and close it on March 1, 2010. Motion was seconded and voted all in favor.
The Finance Committee is to come in on February 22 and March 8. The Town Administrator is to coordinate the meeting to have the Superintendent of Schools also come in on the 22d.
Herb Cronin spoke regarding capital expenditures, status of Town’s stabilization fund and free cash. Overall, Boylston is in a very good position compared with other municipalities.
Discussion was held regarding trash removal, energy conservation, wind power, etc.
A workshop meeting will be held on February 5th at 3:00 PM.
Motion made to adjourn; motion seconded; voted All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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