Date of Meeting: Monday, December 10, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:35 PM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, James Wood, Matthew Mecum; Stephan Madaus, Town Counsel; Others Present: Martin McNamara, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; (Others as listed on attached sheet.)
Financial Warrants were signed in approval.
Annual Licenses 2013 renewed licenses, including ABCC licenses, were signed
12/17 Meeting: Jim Wood stated that, when Representative Harold Naughton appears before the Board next week, the Board should give him a certificate of appreciation for his services overseas. The Board was in agreement; Lori will prepare a certificate to be presented to Representative Naughton.
Sign Request: Boy Scouts Troop 227 would like to advertise at the corner of Routes 70 and 140 for their After-Holiday Electronics Recycling fundraiser on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Town House. They would like to post signs from December 16 through January 5. They would also like to advertise an After-Super Bowl Can Recycling fundraiser for February 9, 2013, also at the Town House. Those signs would be posted from January 20 through February 9. Both fundraisers will help fund camping and other Troop activities.
Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood and voted all in favor to grant the request of the Boy Scouts Troop 227.
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: Draft schedule for January through April 2013 presented; will be reviewed.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board:
FY13 Local Aid Cuts: The Governor used his 9C powers to cut state programs by approximately $225M with additional cuts possible. He also wants to expand his 9C powers to cut some $9M from Unrestricted General Government Aid. These cuts would have a negative effect on our FY’13 budget. Because of these cuts and possible cuts to the FY’14 budget, the Town Administrator requests the Selectmen consider instituting a spending freeze in all Town departments. The Board agreed.
Procurement Training: Lori Esposito and Steve Mero both successfully passed the examination for the Public Contracting Overview Program. Congratulations to each of them in pursuing this first leg of the certification process.
Tahanto Football Win: The TA congratulates the West Boylston/Tahanto Football team on their recent victory over Leicester in the Division 5 Super Bowl.
Monthly Staff Meeting: On Wednesday December 5, Department Head meeting was held and copies of the budget message and worksheets were distributed. Cuts on the state level were discussed and Department Heads were asked to be prudent and make absolutely certain there is a true need for any purchases in the coming months.
Health Insurance Proposal: Chuck Winn, our MIIA Account Representative, has given us a 2-year guaranteed proposal covering FY2014 and FY2015. The FY’14 rate would have no increase and the FY’15 rate would be no more than a 2.5% increase. The TA recommends we accept the proposal and renew with MIIA.
Motion was made by Jim Wood to accept the 2-year guaranteed health insurance proposal from MIIA, Matt Mecum seconded; voted all in favor.
Request for Retiree Health Insurance Policy Waiver: The Board received a letter from Police Sergeant Michael Donahue requesting he be allowed to enroll in the Town’s health care plan (Medicare option) upon retirement on 12/31/12. Although the current policy requires an employee to be enrolled in the Town’s health care for a minimum of 12 months prior to retirement, Mr. Donahue would like this requirement waived in consideration for his years of service to the town. Attorney Kimberly Rozak of Mirick O’Connell has reviewed the request and sent a response letter, advising the Board against granting an exception and effectively changing the policy by creating a precedent that would obligate the Town to permit other non-eligible employees to participate in the retiree health insurance program.
Jim Wood asked how many years he has been in the program; Marty said 20 out of his 25 years employed. Marty said Mr. Donahue has actually saved the town money due to being covered on his wife’s insurance for the past 5 years. Ken Sydow said that, based on policy and Town Counsel’s recommendations, it would be difficult to make an exception. Jim said we could change the policy; we don’t want to penalize him for saving the Town money while on his wife’s policy. Matt Mecum said that, without completely rewriting the policy, there is no way to make an exception without hurting the Town in the future. Marty McNamara said that if we do it with the current policy, it would set a precedent.
Steve Madaus, Town Counsel, noted to grant an exception now would be an exception to the heart of the policy. The applicant failed to comply with the 12-month term of participation. If the policy is amended, it needs to have very narrow specifications. We would need to define the scope and know the future impact. Jim Wood said others could be willing to take a spouse’s insurance coverage and save the town money. Ken Sydow said Mr. Donahue was aware of the policy when he left the Town plan and also 12 months ago when he was planning his retirement. Matt Mecum said we would owe it to him to at least explore another option.
A brief discussion took place of policy and intent. Marty said he doesn’t understand why the Town would require 12 months of covering at a cost to the Town when they could just start paying 50% at retirement.
The Board will take the matter under advisement.
CIC Challenge Grants: Affected by 9C cuts; $4M funding cut to $2.5M.
Police Chief Sahagian: Monthly report to the Board.
There have been numerous house breaks in Central Massachusetts; one on Cross Street ten days ago, and an attempted breaking and entering over the weekend on North Sewall Street. The screen door was cut and a window screen on the back of the house was cut. The Chief encourages the public to call the police if they observe anything suspicious.
- Nov 13 -- Chief attended in-service training
- Nov 14 -- Posted a vacancy notice for a Sergeant position
- Nov 15 -- Worked the Sunday shift
- Nov 27 -- Officer Shepard back on duty
- Dec 6 -- Attended Clinton District Court for ticket hearings
- Dec 9 -- Attended the Fire Dept. breakfast with Santa
Loaded Worcester Sand & Gravel trucks were observed taking left turn out of Sewall Street; referred the matter to Marty McNamara for follow-up.
Highway Superintendent Steve Mero: He is ill and unable to attend but left a written report:
- Paving invoices have been submitted and have come in under the bid price ($39,366.44); funds will go toward future projects.
- We have had some very expensive equipment repairs getting things ready for the upcoming winter months.
We are continuing to backfill roadside edges on School Street and Green Street.
- On December 1st we treated all Streets and Roads in town (snow).
We will be installing the sander on the restored 1990 Mack this week.
I would like to inform the Board that our waste oil burner has been condemned by the service tech and is beyond repair. This unit heats the Highway Department’s two bays and the two bays of the Fire Dept.
Martin MacNamara said he discussed waste oil versus clean oil with Steve Mero. Steve Mero prefers clean oil.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Town Offices Hours: The Town Administrator spoke with employees, including the Town Clerk and was told that Town Hall often closed at noon before those holidays. He recommends we follow tradition and close at noon on both days. Ken Sydow said if someone needs to see someone in a particular office, we should try to accommodate. Closing at noon on the above days was approved by the Board.
Tax Exempt Properties: An updated list was received from the Board of Assessors. Tower Hill property is not yet included as it is in the process of being re-evaluated. The total (not including Tower Hill) is $19M in assessed value.
Ken Sydow asked if the GIS program is up and running so we can pull maps on properties. Marty said it is not yet; we are waiting for Tighe and Bond. Also, we are looking into getting a quote for Verizon FIOS to replace the existing Charter internet service and possibly our phone service.
Matt Mecum said regarding PILOT money, we need to set a standard for when and how the money is requested from exempt owners. Ken said we also need to look at assessment value versus actual value to be sure it is accurate. GIS will help determine parcels.
Senior Citizen Cable Rate: Seniors currently get ten percent off the basic rate and nothing off premium channels. Matt would like to pursue with the Cable Committee to negotiate further senior discounts.
Chapter 61A Purchase Option: Bigelow Nurseries has a P&S agreement to sell 8.9 acres of land to Monogram Builders of Shrewsbury. The land is currently under Chapter 61A and would need to be released in order for Bigelow to proceed with the sale. The Town has up to 120 days to exercise its option to purchase the land at the price agreed to by Monogram Builders ($150K). Ken Sydow asked Town Counsel to recap the Town’s options. Stephen Madaus said they have two options:
1. Purchase at the sale price set forth ($150K);
2. Assign to a non-profit conservation agency for them to exercise the option for agricultural/horticultural use.
Ken Sydow said Monogram intends to use this as two building lots. They would then be taxed for past five years and the land would be put back on tax rolls.
Jim Wood made a motion to decline the option to purchase the land known as Lot 1 on School Street as shown in provided map; the motion was seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor. Roll call vote as follows: Kenneth Sydow: Yes; James Wood: Yes; Matthew Mecum: Yes.
Building Inspector Tony Zahariadis: Monthly report to the Board.
In November there was a decrease from last year’s building permits; Plumbing/electrical permits are up from last November. ABCC inspections have been completed.
Tony did a walk-through at the new Tahanto building today. Another is scheduled for Friday. They are looking for Certificate of Occupancy by December 21. Progress has been made since the last inspection.
A sign request was received; by-law states the Board of Selectmen must approve or appoint a designee (Tony) to approve. He presented a picture of the proposed sign/location (it is not illuminated);
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint the Building Inspector as their agent.
It was suggested Tony review the matter with the Planning Board. If there are no issues, Tony can issue the permit.
7:47 PM Hearing: Tax Classification: Joint meeting with Board of Assessors
Carl Cravedi (Chair, Board of Assessors) recommends a single tax rate with a one percent increase to $17.20 (from $17.02). Ken asked if more of the school cost is reflected in this new tax rate. Margo Richardson said debt exclusion is included, plus reduction due to fees that were paid. A tax recap sheet is provided herewith.
Jim Wood asked if the State re-evaluates the PILOT every five years. Margo said it does; payment can never be reduced from previous year. Jim asked if the DCR purchases property this year, when will it be included in the PILOT evaluation. Margo said they would pay now but they will pay current taxes that won’t be included in PILOT money yet. They will assign a value to it first and they usually reduce the assessment.
Jim said years ago he was successful when challenging the State’s land valuation. Is it time to go to Boston again? Margo said not yet; we need to see what State revenues are with the new valuation. They might actually reduce it.
Jim Wood made a motion to accept the Board of Assessors’ recommendation of a single tax rate of $17.20 per thousand. Matt Mecum seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
At 8:01PM on a motion made by Selectman Jim Wood, and seconded by Matt Mecum, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 30A §21 ¶2to prepare for negotiations with non-union personnel. Kenneth Sydow: Yes; James Wood: Yes; Matthew Mecum: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
At 8:35 PM Selectman James Wood motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
| 
