Date of Meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:59 PM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, James Wood, Matthew Mecum; Martin McNamara, Town Administrator; D. Moschos of Mirick O’Connell, Town Counsel; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant (Others as listed on attached sheet.)
Financial Warrants were signed in approval.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 6:30 PM.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
Stormwater -- Intermunicipal Agreement: The agreement has been reviewed and approved by Town Counsel and the TA is presenting it to the Board for their signatures. The Board signed the agreement in approval.
Assistant Treasurer/Collector: We are in the process of filling the vacancy and expect it to take several weeks. The first interview will be on Thursday, April 18. Meanwhile, the TA requests approval of additional hours for the Treasurer until the replacement is hired. Ken Sydow said the Treasurer is salaried; we need to find out the best way to reimburse him for extra hours. The Town Administrator will look into it with the Town Accountant.
DCR Grant for Shade Trees: The Garden Club president called the TA. Bigelow Nurseries wants to give a substantial donation to the Town of a large tree. Planting is scheduled for May 15 and the TA and the Board members have been asked to attend. The location of the planting is to be determined.
Library Renovation Project Contract: The contract has been signed and filed, along with the bond. A meeting of the Library Committee, the architect and the contract is scheduled for April 17. Completion is expected in early to mid-July. Ken asked if they will need space on the Common for Memorial Day for the annual book sale. Mr. Kane, in the audience, said he was told the sale is cancelled because they cannot get the books out of the building.
Energy Audit: The TA has been in contact with a company which performs energy audits and is trying to arrange a time when an audit of the two buildings at Hillside, as well as the Elementary School and, possibly, the Town House in an effort to reduce our energy consumption and costs. Ken suggested Marty check with the electrical inspector for his input and suggestions. Jim asked if any grants were available. The TA said there is nothing available at this time but is hopeful something will come up.
Painting of Town Buildings: We had made a request of the Sheriff’s office to have the two buildings at Hillside and the Town House painted by the prisoners. However, due to other requests, they are able to do only one building. The TA requests direction from the Board as to which building should be painted.
The TA said there is significant work that should be done on the buildings at Hillside. We plan to replace the windows on the first floor of the police building and some exterior work on both buildings. The siding on both Hillside buildings needs to be replaced. Ken asked the TA if there are any restrictions on the buildings (historical area, etc.). The TA will look into it. The TA recommends the Town House be the one to be painted this year.
Salvage Items: Ken Goodwin and Steve Mero are compiling a list of items which are beyond repair and will request the Board declare them as salvage for disposal. There is a substantial amount of scrap metal which should bring some funds into the Town when sold.
Town Ambulance: The Town of Bolton borrowed our ambulance over the weekend due to mechanical problems with their ambulance. Their Town Administrator has sent an email expressing their appreciation.
Draft Meeting Schedule: Change Monday, May 13 to Tuesday, May 14 and post only that meeting. Choose additional dates with new Selectman after the town election.
6:55 PM Report of the Police Chief to the Board of Selectmen: The Chief presented his March statistics.
- Motor vehicle stops are up by three times. Many stops have been made by our new officer. The Chief has had a lot of positive feedback from the community.
- Officer Rajotte is due to return for duty on May 1.
- March 29: Union contract negotiations at the police department
- March 31: the Chief did an overtime 7:00 to 3:00 shift
- April 2: Chief’s inservice
- April 3: 9:00 – 11:00 AM – Chief’s trade show
- April 5: Clinton District Court for ticket hearings.
The Chief applied for a $7K reimbursement grant for mandated dispatcher training (per #911 dispatcher).
With regard to the upcoming citizens’ petition on the Warrant requesting a leash law and fines, etc., Jim Wood asked the Chief what he would estimate the cost to the Town would be for tickets, kennel expenses, etc. The Chief said Dog Officer Steve Golas would be responsible for writing tickets, attending hearings, etc. The Police Department could assist with the process of initiating followup on tickets. Assuming Steve has time and is available for such responsibilities. Ken said the Board is concerned about what would be true costs involved as well as the overall cost. Tony said Steve Golas would be the one to ask; he can speak with surrounding towns’ dog officers regarding certification, a transport vehicle, kenneling, etc., and follow their lead Ken asked the Town Administrator to work
with Steve Golas to gather additional information and numbers.
7:15 – 7:25 Recess
7:25 Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen:
- There has been a slight increase in all permits due to better weather.
- Three single-family homes
- Has had no issues
- The High School demolition is underway; he is waiting for the final testing on slate panels. It seems to be just a few defective pieces than came down.
Fiscal 2014 Appointments:
ADA Committee: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Jane Meegan, Jean Gates, Irene Symonds, Joan Banks to the ADA Committee.
Zoning Board of Appeals: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Arlene Murphy to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Board of Registrars: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Rose Bardsley to the Board of Registrars.
Cable Advisory Committee: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Tom Martiska to the Cable Advisory Committee.
Capital Planning Committee: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Jeff Ugalde, Town Treasurer/Collector, to the Capital Planning Committee.
Conservation Commission: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Jeffrey Walsh to the Conservation Commission.
Council on Aging: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Jane Meegan, Dennis Goguen, Warren Leach and Oswald Sauer to the Council on Aging.
Cultural Council: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Susan Boucher and Patricia Morena to the Cultural Council.
Earth Removal Board: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Arthur Gibree to the Earth Removal Board.
Finance Committee: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint David Butler to the Finance Committee.
Historic Commission: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Bruce Symonds to the Historic Commission.
Historic District Commission: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Bruce Symonds to the Historic District Commission.
Homeland Security: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Police Chief Sahagian to Homeland Security.
Insurance Advisory Committee: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Robert Thomas, Pamela Rudge, Steve Mero, Lori Esposito, Mike Lucia, Jennifer Lamontagne, Susan Brenner and Jeffry Ugalde to the Insurance Advisory Committee.
Memorial Day Committee: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Joseph Larkin to the Memorial Day Committee.
Senior Tax Rebate Committee: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Dennis Goguen and Jeffrey Ugalde to the Senior Tax Rebate Committee.
Stormwater Committee: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Joseph McGrath to the Stormwater Committee.
Town House Committee: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Janice Resseguie to the Town House Committee.
Parking Clerk: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Sandra Bourassa.
Council on Aging Coordinator/Outreach Worker: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Jane Meegan.
Social Service Representative/Nutrition Site for Elderly Meals-on Wheels Coordinator: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Janice Resseguie.
CMRPC & Transportation Improvement: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Howard Drobner.
Town Counsel: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Stephen Madaus of Mirick O’Connell.
Town Treasurer/Collector: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Jeffrey Ugalde.
Administrative Assistant to Board of Selectmen: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Lori Esposito.
Gas/Plumbing Inspector: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint Eric Johnson.
Gas/Plumbing Inspector Alternate: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Richard LaPan, Jr.
Wiring Inspector: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Thomas O’Connor.
Wiring Inspector Assistant: Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to appoint John McQuade.
Tax Title Custodian: Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to appoint Martin McNamara.
7:50 PM – 8:00 PM Recess
At 8:00 PM on a motion made by Selectman Matthew Mecum, and seconded by James Wood, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 30A §21 ¶2 and to prepare for negotiations with non-union personnel, and ¶3 to prepare for negotiations with union personnel. James Wood: Yes; Matthew Mecum: Yes. Kenneth Sydow: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session.
At 8:55 PM the Board returned to Open Session.
Jim Wood made a motion to ratify the contract agreement with the Police Chief, which has been accepted by the Board of Selectmen. The motion was seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor.
Approval of Minutes: The meeting minutes of December 17, 2012, February 4 and 11, 2013 and March 4, 2013 were approved.
Motion was made by Matt Mecum, seconded by Jim Wood, and voted all in favor to approve the minutes.
At 8:59 motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
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