Date: Friday, March 7, 2008
Date Minutes Approved: March 24, 2008
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
A Joint Meeting with various boards and committees was held on the evening prior to the 2008 Annual Town Meeting. The following boards and committees were represented:
· School Committee
· Community Preservation Committee
· Finance Committee
· Fiscal Advisory Committee
· Historical Commission
Present for the Board of Selectmen: Andre Martecchini, Chair; Jon Witten, Vice-Chair, and Elizabeth Sullivan, Clerk.
Absent: No members were absent.
Staff: John Madden, Finance Director; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 6:15 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
DISCUSSION OF REMAINING TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
STM Article One: Departmental Transfers
Mr. Witten made a motion to approve transfers into the following budgets: Police: $28,358.00; Accounting Salaries: $25,000.00; Schools: $454,000.00; and the Birch Street Tank project: $250,000.00. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
ATM Article 5: Operating Budget
The School Committee voted to reduce its request by $50,000.00, which led to a re-consideration of the prior Board of Selectmen vote. Mr. Witten moved that the Board recommend approval of the 2008 Annual Town Meeting Article 5 in the amount of $56,950,443.00. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
ATM Article 7: Capital Exclusion Items
The School Committee voted to reduce its request for Capital Exclusion items by $144,626.00. In addition, the Town Manager and Finance Committee have agreed to eliminate the request for a new trash trailer ($75,000.00). These changes led to a re-consideration of the prior Board of Selectmen vote. Mr. Witten moved that the Board recommend approval of 2008 Annual Town Meeting Article 7 in the amount of $616,774.00. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
ATM Article 14: Rescind Debt
Correspondence between the Town’s Bond Counsel and Treasurer have led to a change in the amount of debt to be rescinded from $152,100 to $248,100. Mr. Witten moved that the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of Article 14 to the 2008 Annual Town Meeting in the amount of $248,100.00. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
ATM Article 21: Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Article for Tarkiln Building Renovation/Reconstruction
Ms. Barbara Kiley, Historical Commission Chair, said that bids for the project were opened on March 5, 2008. Very favorable references were received for the low bidder (Vanguard Construction). The bid amount was: $1,293,655.00. An additional $86,000.00 is required for ancillary expenses such as testing, inspection, clerk of the works, and printing. Another ten percent is required for a construction contingency. Therefore, the total amount of the article is $1,555,000.00. $430,000.00 would come from Community Preservation Fund Historical Reserves, and $1,125,000.00 would be borrowed.
Ms. Morris, CPC Chairman, reported that the CPC voted in favor of bringing the article forward to Town Meeting.
Mr. Mark Mahoney, Finance Committee member, said that the Finance Committee voted against the article (1:7:0). The major reason for the negative vote was that there is not a clear municipal use for the building.
Mr. Friend Weiler, Fiscal Advisory Committee member, said that the Fiscal Advisory Committee voted against the article also (1:6:1). He said that the Town would not realize a benefit from the building equal to the $1.5 million investment. He said that the building costs amount to $600 SF., which are very high. Also, he said that the Fiscal Advisory Committee is opposed to borrowing for this project.
Mr. Witten said that he is inclined to support the article because it is recommended by the Community Preservation Committee. Ms. Morris qualified the recommendation by saying that some members were personally opposed to the project but felt that Town Meeting should be allowed to decide.
Mr. Martecchini and Ms. Sullivan stated that they are concerned that the amount is greater than the amount discussed at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Sullivan asked about the possibility of funding some of the project through gifts. Ms. Kiley explained that they will pursue gifts, but that Town Meeting approval would help greatly in securing such pledges.
Mr. Witten moved that the Board approve 2008 Annual Town Meeting Article 21 for the restoration of the Tarkiln Community Center in the amount of $1,555,000.00. There was no second for the motion.
Ms. Sullivan moved to recommend approval in the amount of $1,200,000.00 with the remainder to be funded by grants and donations. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote on the amended motion: 2:1:0. (Mr. Martecchini against.)
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Martecchini moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM. Second by Mr. Witten. Vote: 3:0:0.
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