Date of Meeting: Monday, January 24, 2011
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Members Present: James Stanton, Chairman; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow;
Others Present: Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Mike Kane of The Banner
Absent: Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen
Financial warrants signed in approval.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
Draft FY 2012 Budget: The Town Administrator presented to the Board a first draft of the FY’12 budget. Almost all departments submitted both a level-funded and a two percent reduction plan for consideration. See pp. 1-3 of the Town Administrator’s report (attached) for further details.
Report of the Chief of Police to the Board of Selectmen: The Chief presented the following figures for December to the Board, all representing an increase over 2009:
- 43 arrests
- 68 reports of property damage
- 13 personal injury accidents, including three fatalities
- 47 motor vehicle stops
The Chief’s detailed report is attached.
The Board reviewed the Police Department’s budget proposal for FY 2012.
Jim Stanton asked if his budget is sustainable as presented. Chief Sahagian responded that it would be tight, particularly since four vehicles are out of warranty. He also noted that his overtime line item may be too low, and does not provide for full replacement coverage is all sick, vacation, holiday, and personal time were taken in one year.
Jim asked whether a reorganization of personnel would help fill the budget gap, maybe by reducing the number of sergeants, for example. The Chief thought this would be an issue for the Union. The duties the Sergeants perform are needed.
Jim asked about vehicle needs. Chief Sahagian pointed out that while he is not making a car request, we need two cars (Nos. 6 and 1) relatively soon. No. 6 car will have 120,000 miles by July and #1 car is close to 100,000. A conversation about Ford’s decision to discontinue Crown Vics ensued. It will take $28,000 to replace with a transfer of equipment.
Jim asked what Ford was replacing the Crown Vics with. The Chief replied that the Ford Taurus-based Interceptor is the likely replacement, and that Chevy may offer the Caprice as an alternative.
Ken Sydow said maybe they should look at one car now (Crown Vic). He wondered if we could trade in 2 cars for 1 replacement. Tony said car #3 has no trade value, but could be auctioned off. B-1 has an estimated $1,500 trade-in value. If the car goes back out on the road, a number of replacements would be needed quickly. At the present time, one car “rests” during the day. Tony said B-1 is a one-driver car and we should trade it in while there is still value.
- B-5: Purchased in March 2010. Has 22,000 miles at this time.
- B-2: Purchased in December 2009; presently with 30,000 miles.
- B-6: This vehicle had only one driver, a sergeant. In 2008 it joined the road shift.
- B-1, 6, 4 and 3 are not under warranty.
Jim Stanton said we will look into free cash and see what we have and then consider the matter.
Report of the Fire Chief to the Board of Selectmen:
Chief Joe Flanagan passed out a maintenance schedule to review, and commented that the fuel bill is under $1,000 annually. Jim Stanton asked if all vehicles run on diesel. Joe said almost all, except for Car No. 1 which takes gasoline. Ken Sydow asked if they were using the new fuel service yet. Joe said no, it is an old tank and Don is getting a pump. Joe said the pumps are intended to serve all vehicles and light, water. Don is pursuing a price for fuel – bulk purchase of diesel should result in a reduced cost.
Jim Stanton asked about the rationale for the proposed Captain’s increase. Joe referred to the annual Preventative Maintenance Schedule, which Don McKenzie performs. He estimated this cost alone (not including emergency repairs) would be in the vicinity of $13,000 if they had to have the vehicle maintained by a vendor.
Ken Sydow commented that the job description varies for this title, and that Don performs maintenance and has grant-writing duties that are not generally part of a captain’s job. Jim Stanton said we must analyze and explain the increase. Ken replied that the actual savings with maintenance is the best way to support an increase.
Joe Flanagan explained his 2012 budget request by stating that is level, as requested, including a $74,000 transfer from receipts.
Jim asked if we are keeping the second ambulance. Joe said it was used seven or eight times and is paid off. It costs $200/year to keep the license, and provides a way to increase revenue. Ken asked if it is fair to say it improves service if there are multiple calls. Joe said it is, since we can keep the revenue from second calls. The collection rate is 95% with Jason pursuing collection. The call volume is up, as well.
Ken asked Joe to check into personnel schedule, etc. Joe Flanagan said he would provide an updated job description. It is a combination of four different positions. Jim asked Nancy to look at the budget with an eye towards reducing the amount transferred from the ambulance receipt account.
Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen:
The Building Inspector stated his report is actually similar to that of last month, and that activity continues to be slow. He noted that a demolition permit has been issued for 228 Shrewsbury Street (the former Mobil station site), and that he will attend a meeting on Tahanto this week.
Ken Sydow asked about the Tower Hill issue. Glenn responded that the architect is likely to change the egress to change the use. Glenn is helping of identify any accessibility issues, and has asked Tom Hopkins at the MA Architectural Access Board for his assistance in this matter. He noted that since the building is of a historic nature, there may be ways to address accessibility without affecting its architectural integrity.
The Board asked Glenn about his budget for next year. Glenn noted that he expects the Tahanto project will greatly increase the number of inspections and administrative paperwork required of the office, and that while the project has hired an excellent project management firm (PMA consultants), that they do not have any authority with regard to required building inspections. He recommends the budget should reflect the ability to cover increased inspections due to Tahanto.
Jim Stanton recalled that they needed to figure in a cost to properly inspect the elementary school as it was constructed. He pointed out that we should deliver the inspection promptly, as we do not want to hear of the “project being delayed due to inspections.” Ken agreed. Jim asked Glen to add a line for each inspector to inspect the school. The cost to permit (estimated construction cost of $34 million) will cover the increased expense.
Town Administrator’s Report Discussion (continued):
- Jim Stanton asked Nancy to add $5,000 to $10,000 to the Snow and Ice budget. He asked Nancy which departments did not submit level-funded and minus two percent budgets. She responded that the Highway Department, the Assessors and the Board of Selectmen Various (due to health insurance and other non-discretionary increases) did not reflect the amount of requested decreases.
- The Board agreed to ask Nancy to prepare the draft budget with the two percent increases for non-Union, non-contract personnel.
- The Board voted to allow the K-9 Search and Rescue group to use Hillside for a mock exercise in mid-March, contingent upon Nancy receiving evidence of proper insurance.
- Nancy pointed out that the DOR will be holding a new Assessor 101 course in April. Regarding the open Assessor’s position, Jim Stanton said to put the ad in The Banner again. Put it on the cable and our web site and keep it open until the vacancy is filled.
The Board requested the Assessors provide information that explains how commercial property values have been affected by the revaluation. They request the information in writing for next meeting on February 7, or the Assessors should appear on that date.
Discussion Regarding Stiles Crossing for sanding and plowing.
Jim Stanton said he received several phone calls from people at Stiles Crossing complaining about the lack of plowing and sanding. He made several calls to resolve the issue, and was finally able to reach Jim Vinecasa, who did eventually respond. The road had not been sanded as of Wednesday morning.
Ken Sydow noted that it is not the Town’s responsibility to care for the roads as long as they remain private ways, and that in fact, the Town could incur a liability by intervening on private property if Town equipment responded. He said the neighbors have the ability to hire private plowing and sanding services themselves, and then pursue reimbursement from Vinecasa. They might need to consult with a private attorney to do this.
In any event, Jim Stanton asked Nancy to forward Jim Vinecasa’s cell number to the Police and Highway Departments.
At 8:00PM on a motion made by Selectman Ken Sydow, and seconded by Roger Deal, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 30A §6 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate: James Stanton: Yes; Roger Deal: Yes; Ken Sydow: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Colbert Puff,
Town Administrator
| 
