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Date of Meeting: Friday, September 24, 2010
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 2:30 PM –PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
Tax-Title Auction: An ad will be placed Sunday to publicize the auction. Auction scheduled for Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Town Hall.
- Arthur Boucher, 135 Rocky Pond Road, is interested in Town-owned parcel that abuts his property. Town Administrator said Rocky Pond lot is included. Ken Sydow said this lot is not the piece that abuts Arthur’s property. The one Mr. Boucher is talking about is not up for auction at this time. He is not sure if the land is clear-titled as Town-owned. Roger Deal asked the Town Administrator to look into Mr. Boucher’s interest, specifically, for the next auction to determine ownership.
- Ken said the Board plans to take sections of the Town to determine what we are certain we own versus unclear title land that was recorded on the map incorrectly as Town-owned but not officially taken and recorded.
- There is one lot that Paul Zekos is not completely comfortable with (No. 48-4 Main Street Rear);one of two adjacent parcels refer to wrong map number. He feels we should withdraw it from the auction. The Commonwealth is likely an interested party.
- There are three buildable lots: Nicholas, Poe and Melrose Avenues (Pond Street is the “paper” street). The Building Inspector issued a letter confirming the buildability of the lots.
- The Board of Health Agent will attest to the perk rate of Melrose to be the same as Nicholas and Poe.
- All of the buildable lots will require a $5,000 deposit. All others will require a $2,500 deposit.
Cell Tower Lease: The lease for a cell tower at the rear of the Town House is ready to be signed, Jim Stanton asked if Joe Flanagan and Don Parker have seen the plan and are happy with it. The Town Administrator said they are. It is necessary for a Notary to witness the signatures; the contract will be held until Monday when the Town Clerk, who is a Notary, is available.
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: A draft was presented and approved.
Budget:
- Jim asked if the free cash had been certified yet and the Town Administrator said No. Building, Excise and Real Estate revenue are all done. Jim said we need to schedule meetings with the Finance Committee.
- A brief discussion was held regarding possible refinance bonds for Elementary School debt. We are on the low end of rate of payments, and the State reimbursement is currently higher. We could make money and be free of debt. The Hillside debt balance of $900K might not be large enough to make it worthwhile to refinance.
- Jim asked if there has been any word from the State regarding the current fiscal year budget cuts? The Town Administrator said if the sales tax ballot passes, cuts will very likely happen.
- Jim Stanton asked the Town Administrator for progress on Regional Dispatch. She responded that all critical issues have been addressed. She cannot reach the contact person. It will be critical to speak with him soon for the July 2011 target date to be possible.
- Roger asked where we are on the Parks and Recreation budget. The TA said she met with Karen Barber, Penny Rickel and the new member, Sue. She requisitioned a full itemization of accounts, programs, fees, etc. but has not received it yet.
- Roger asked if the Boylston Youth Soccer information had been received. Ms. Puff said she looked up Boylston Youth Soccer but cannot find their non-profit filing. We first need to look at our Parks and Recreation revenues and needs.
- Ken said we also need to have a conversation with Joe Dicelie and Jeff Walsh of Boylston Youth Soccer. We need an understanding of how the program is funded and managed. We need numbers first.
- Monitoring by P&R has also fallen by the wayside and proper care needs to be taken.
- Jim said when they present their next fiscal year budget it should include revenue from outside sources. The Town Administrator said she has revolving account detail from their account; the current balance is approximately $7K; she is still working on compiling numbers.
Succession Planning:
Treasurer/Collector:
- The current Treasurer/Collector, Paul Nowicki, gave his notice. His last day will be Thursday, September 30.
- The Town Administrator recommends hiring Michael Conrad, the consultant who is currently working on the 2010 reconciliation, to work for 12 hours a week to establish a system and standardize procedures; then advertise for a new Treasurer/Collector. When the new person comes in they should have a clean slate to maintain.
- Roger asked how much the consultant will cost. Ms. Puff said $75/hour. This is about half of what others charge.
- Jim Stanton said the Board needs to have him come in to the Monday, September 27 meeting to be temporarily appointed.
- Roger asked if he will personally be involved or will he send someone from his company. The Town Administrator said he will be personally be involved and in the office.
- Ms. Puff noted the Town Accountant Nancy Nykiel is doing a tremendous job; we are fortunate to have her during this difficult time of turnovers in the Treasurer’s office.
- Mr. Stanton asked if we can look at the function of that office, e.g., Director of Finance (or contribute to the School Department for their help, or regionalization with West Boylston, etc.) A brief discussion was held to review possibilities of the function and position.
Building Inspector:
- Jim Stanton asked if all is working well with the new Building Inspector. Ms. Puff said it is working well. He had his first Applicants Advisory Committee meeting with a homeowner last week. There have been a few issues with some things lagging, but he has been very responsive when things have been brought to his attention.
- Ken asked if all inspections and procedures are tracked/logged to be sure nothing falls through the cracks. Mrs. Puff will look into.
Regionalization:
The Town Administrator said Leon Gaumond, Town Administrator of West Boylston, sent his packet on succession planning and she is reviewing it. Ken Sydow said we should look at various opportunities for regionalization. If anyone moves on, we need to be prepared. We also need to look at coverage for offices.
Business Marketing Committee Breakfast: The Town Administrator prepared, for Selectmen’s signatures, a letter to attendees thanking them. All signed.
Motion made to adjourn; motion seconded; voted All in Favor.
Meeting adjourned at 3:32 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
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