Date of Meeting: Monday, April 2, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:55 PM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, Members Roger Deal and James Wood ; Lori Esposito, Interim Town Administrator; Rose Bardsley, Clerk; Others as listed on the attached sheet.
Financial Warrants signed in approval.
Lori stated the Town Meting Warrant cannot be signed tonight because the budget is not finalized. She will be meeting with Eric Brose next week to finalize it.
Report of the Interim Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
1. Road Acceptance Article – Redwood Circle -- Ron Aspero, the developer, supplied the as-built plans, as well as a legal description of the property. The Board needs to vote on placing this article on the May 7 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Jim Wood made a motion to place Article 23 on the Warrant according to the “Plan of Acceptance of Redwood Circle,” dated December 15, 2011. The motion was seconded by Roger Deal and voted all in favor.
2. Health Insurance Contribution – The Town Administrator has received written agreements from the police and dispatch unions and has, since writing her report, received documents from the teachers’ union. The MOA recommends the School Committee designate Lori Esposito as a bargaining agent; this would allow her to sign a memorandum of agreement. This process will afford the Town a $64K savings in insurance premiums.
- Roger Deal said he thought the teachers’ union had already agreed. He said he is looking at a memorandum dated February 2, 2012, by the former Town Administrator, Nancy Puff, indicating everything was in place. Lori said the teachers did not agree through a formal memorandum of agreement, which should have been done in early February. This is outside the contract. The teachers were not even aware they were supposed to vote on the insurance premium issue.
- Roger said he assumed this memorandum of agreement is just a formality. Lori said it is, but, without it, we cannot go through with the proposed budget.
- Roger said we are right up to the wire on the budget; when will it be completed? Lori said she is on the telephone every day; their attorney will call.
- Roger asked what is the last day we can have the budget printed. Lori said, ideally, she wants everything done by the end of this week; then print by the end of next week. However, Lori still needs to have Eric Brose of the Finance Committee review it. Eric will be available next Monday in late afternoon. Roger said all unions are seemingly verbally in agreement. Lori said she already has it in writing from the police and dispatch unions. Jim said all the Selectmen have to do is sign it.
3. Resident Complaint – A resident on Nicholas Avenue has made a complaint concerning debris creeping into the roadway. He states the street has not been swept for approximately three years. He is also concerned about faded street and stop signs at the corner of Stockton and Nicholas Avenue and feels they should be replaced.
- Ken Sydow asked Lori to have the Highway Department look into it.
4. FY’13 Budget – Lori will meet with Eric Brose on Monday, April 9, at 5:30 PM to review the FY’13 budget, assuming all union MOAs are in place. Lori will present the final budget to the Board for its approval as soon as possible and, assuming everything else is in place, the Board will sign off on the budget.
As a result of this budget delay, the Town Meeting Warrant printing will be delayed, but Lori feels a timely mailing of the Warrant should still be a likely possibility, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Ken said the dispatchers’ contract renewal which was agreed to and negotiated was sent to Legal. The contract is here for us to sign.
Roger Deal made a motion to sign the dispatchers’ contract; Jim Wood seconded the motion and it was voted all in favor.
The contract was executed by all three Board of Selectmen members.
Town Administrator Candidate Interviews:
- General discussion concerning dates for the interviews. It was agreed they would interview candidates, subject to their availability, on Thursday, April 5, 2012, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Lori said this would allow her time to post the meeting and contact the candidates.
- Matt Mecum said the Committee used all 30 minutes per candidate for each interview. Ken thought 30 to 45 minutes per applicant might be an appropriate interview time.
It was decided to interview all three candidates in one evening, although it was decided to set aside Tuesday, April 10, from 4:30 – 6:00 for any candidate unable to attend on Thursday, April 5.
Ken asked if there were any other matters or questions to be brought up; there were none. He thanked the three Search Committee members who were present and called for adjournment.
At 6:55 PM, Roger Deal made a motion to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rose Bardsley, Clerk
| 
