Date of Meeting: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 7:00 PM – 7:42 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.
Ken Sydow called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
New Town Administrator:
Ken Sydow said the Board interviewed three candidates with varied backgrounds and all went well. The Board will discuss the candidates and make its choice; however, he received a letter from Andrew Sheehan, one of the candidates, stating that he has decided to withdraw his name from consideration. He still has much to accomplish in Townsend, where he is Town Administrator, and wants to see that through.
Jim Wood made a motion that the Board authorize the Chairman, with the assistance of Town Counsel, to enter into contract negotiations with Mr. Martin McNamara for purposes of consideration of his appointment as Town Administrator.
Jim stated he was requesting the appointment of Mr. McNamara because he seems to be the best selection for the Board and the people of Boylston. Roger Deal said Mr. McNamara impresses me as very much a people person and he feels that, in a community the size of Boylston, Mr. McNamara will mix well with people. He’ll also mix well with our municipal managers and have a forward approach as he works with them.
Jim said that, since Nancy Puff left, Lori Esposito has put in a lot of work and has really done a good job. Roger agreed. Ken said they could pat her on the back later.
Ken said he wholeheartedly agrees with Jim and Roger about Mr. McNamara, saying he offers a unique opportunity to the Town and, although the other two candidates had more experience and the things we were looking for, his background is pretty diverse. Other towns have brought people over from the private sector.
The motion to enter into contract negotiations was seconded by Roger Deal and voted all in favor.
Ken said the Board cannot go into Executive Session tonight, due to a change in the law, but Ken said he would contact Mr. McNamara to tell him we will do the background checks.
7:08 PM Report of the Town Administrator
1. FY13 Final Budget: Lori said she met with Eric Brose on Monday and finalized the budget. It has been in a holding pattern due to union negotiations not being started until recently to secure the health insurance contribution rate change. Because the insurance matter had not been handled properly in February, it has taken additional time to finalize the budget. A timeline of events surrounding the issue of health insurance is attached.
a. The overall school budget accounted for $183K of additional allotted revenue, plus an additional $70K for the Tahanto building assessment. Of the total $318K additional revenue available to the Town, $254K is apportioned to the schools. We are $27K under the levy limit.
b. Eric Brose of the Finance Committee recommended the $4,200 for Town Administrator mileage be eliminated and incorporated back into the Selectmen’s General Expense line.
c. A savings of approximately $64K in health insurance premiums has been realized as a result of the Interim Town Administrator securing an agreement with all three unions, along with non-union employees. Because of this savings, Lori has requested the Board approve a three percent pay increase, rather than a two percent increase, for non-union employees to acknowledge their cooperation in increasing their contribution to health insurance premiums.
Jim Wood asked Lori what we will have for free cash. Lori said, if everything passes at Town Meeting, it would be $37K.
There was discussion of the proposed pay increase to three percent and Lori said it would add approximately $10,900 to the budget. It is up to the Board to make a decision. Ken asked if Eric offered an opinion. Lori said he had and everyone is in agreement. Ken said the additional increase isn’t going to make up what the contribution will be but it is recognition of the employees.
Roger Deal made a motion that the non-union employees’ pay raise be increased from two to three percent, as suggested in the Town Administrator’s report. Jim Wood seconded the motion.
Ken said the additional dollars would be approximately $10,900. The insurance savings is approximately $64K. Everyone was willing to jump in to save the Town some money.
The motion was voted all in favor.
2. Verizon Cell Tower Easement -- The form for the 599 Main Street cell tower has been reviewed and approved by Town Counsel. The easement is non-exclusive; the location will be determined by “mutual consensus” and can be moved if the Town needs it moved. The Chairman would sign the easement if so authorized by a vote of the Board. This is just a formality and it has been approved by Town Counsel. This is a complement to the lease, which has already been signed, for whatever location the Town decides on.
General discussion of the cell tower and the fact that Verizon can locate it on private property, if the Town rejects the currently proposed location. Jim Wood expressed some concern over signing the easement form and it was decided the Board would hold off on it until the Tuesday, April 17 meeting to discuss it with Town Counsel.
3. Future Consideration for Health Insurance Costs – Lori suggested the Board might want to consider that, going forward, the Town reduce its contribution for new employees. She suggested a 50/50 split for new employees; everyone already employed would remain at the present rate.
Jim Wood asked if it had to be the same cost for everyone. Mike Kane (in the audience) said that three years ago West Boylston changed the rate for newly hired employees. He said they also eliminated the Quinn Bill for new officers. Roger asked Lori if she had discussed it with Town Counsel. Lori said she had not, that it is something for the new Town Administrator to do.
7:32 PM Budget
Lori said the budget presented tonight does not include the three percent increase, as she was making the suggestion tonight and requesting the Board’s approval. The budget currently has an overall two percent increase in it.
Roger Deal made a motion to approve the budget with a three percent pay increase for non-union employees. Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant – Lori asked the Board to sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Warrant was signed by all members of the Board.
General discussion of the next Selectmen’s meting. Lori said the Department heads were coming in. It was decided the meeting would begin with an Executive Session at 6:00 PM, with the Open Session beginning at 6:30 and Department Heads at 7:00 PM.
Ken then called Marty McNamara to inquire if he is still interested in the Town Administrator job in Boylston. Marty said he is still interested and Ken said the Board had authorized him to enter into negotiations with Marty.
At 7:42 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 7:42 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rose Bardsley, Clerk
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