The weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday evening, March 15, 2004 at 7:38 p.m.
Present: James M. Hardy, Chairman; Eric W. Greene, Clerk; David L. Walsh
George Samia, Interim Executive Secretary
Karen Grabau, Adm. Assistant
John Stuebing, Town Counsel
Meeting reconvened at 7:38 p.m.
Also present: Finance Committee members, Peter Hamilton and John Margie
Budget presentation
Robert DeChristopher, Park Commissioner, met with the Board and went over the Park Department budget. Noted that their budget has stayed the same for several years; most of the $6,464.60 is used for salary for the grounds keepers. Also have a revolving fund, which is sometimes used to pay the salaries for the last 1-3 weeks of the season.
Explained the various donations which supplement the budget; noted that the backstop is in place, STM article of $4500 covered the labor, all other supplies, materials, etc. were by donation.
Mr. DeChristopher read a short report on the Strong Field usage noting that the field was used a total of 184 days for 270 events.
Budget Presentation
Fire Chief, Ryan Pratt presented the Fire Department budget; noted that 95% of the budget was salaries and benefits. Went over the line items that have been reduced to bring a level funded budget. Noted the impact was loss of two paramedics, reduction in shift coverage, increased response time, one firefighter for initial response, potential loss of Paramedic Services License, potential reduction of revenue, potential elimination of yearly burning permits, reduction/elimination of some of the fire prevention programs.
A discussion was held regarding the various impacts and what this would mean to the department and the staff. Also discussed use of the Ambulance Fund, loss of revenue.
Chief Pratt noted that he is preparing a new fee schedule and will be bringing it to the Board in the next few weeks.
Mr. Hardy noted he had received notification from OCPC that they have received a $79,725 grant for Pre-Disaster Mitigation Planning; involvement is required to be eligible for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant funds. Has asked Chief Silva to be one of town’s representatives and requested Chief Pratt to also be a representative. Chief Pratt agreed.
Chief Pratt informed the Board that he has met with the Capital Improvement Planning Committee to notify them that through a grant Deputy Chief Fairburn worked on the Fire Department has received a federal grant, which will be used to purchase breathing apparatus and this item has been taken off the capital improvement list.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, move to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2004 meeting.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh; Abstain – Hardy; a majority vote in favor.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to approve the appointment of Wilfred Prouty as Animal Inspector and Donna Morris as Assistant Animal Inspector for the period of April 30, 2004 to April 30, 2005.
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M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to approve the request of Marjorie Winsor of the East Bridgewater Garden Club for use of the Sachem Rock Farm on June 5, 2004 and June 6, 32004, for a plant sale from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to approve notifying Mark Boyle, Director of Real Estate of the MBTA, that the Board of Selectmen are not interested in pursuing a 99 lease with the MBTA relative to the Railroad Right of Way for “rail trail” purposes.
Staff Reports
Mr. Samia informed the Board that he has requested a copy of the advertisement and lease agreement used by the Town of Duxbury relative to town land leased for cranberry bogs. Will send copies to Town Counsel
Atty. Stuebing informed the Board that he has researched the requirement to lease town land and any such request would require town meeting approval; then an RFP would need to be prepared and a competitive bid process done under Chapter 40B.
Mr. Greene questioned whether the RFP could be put out prior to town meeting and then approved after town meeting approval. Atty. Stuebing stated that town meeting needs to be the first step prior to publication of any RFP or proposal for bids.
Mr. Walsh noted that the resident who has requested use of the farm needs to be contacted to see if town meeting and RFP process will extend beyond the date he needs for planting.
Mr. Hardy requested Atty. Stuebing to develop the RFP in anticipation of the town meeting approval.
Atty. Stuebing reported on Point Drive. Submitted a package to the Board, which included a proposed article. Explained the background of this issue and what the proposal entails. Noted that the article will give control of the common land to the Conservation Commission as open space. This will unify the Cluster Development and complies with the zoning by-law. Noted that he met with Planning Board this evening and they voted in favor of the article.
Discussion was held on the proposed articles and the several attachments.
Mr. Greene requested that the Conservation Commission be notified of the article and asked to vote their approval of the article.
Open Forum
No one was present
Board Discussion
Finance Forecast – Draft 1
Mr. Hardy went over the various means used for funding the last year’s budget by use of Free Cash, Ambulance Fund, Stabilization Fund and Overlay Surplus.
Mr. Samia explained the budgets and cuts made to level fund. Noted that Free Cash will need to be voted to fund the additional SPED circuit breaker amount, which was more than anticipated; this amount is for this year’s budget. Noted that there would also be an article to correct several salary line items, which are under funded due to number of weeks in year.
A discussion was held regarding non-recurring revenue, which has been used for budget in the last few years.
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Mr. Hardy requested that a meeting be set up for the Financial Team for Friday morning.
Correspondence
Board discussed letter received from Department of Justice. Board requested Mr. Samia to contact Chief Silva and discuss with him the background of this grant and report back to the Board. Mr. Hardy requested this item to be put under Board Discussion.
Board noted memo from DOR regarding Surplus State Computers; requested Mr. Samia to send copies to all town departments.
It was requested that the Little League Parade be placed on the Reminders.
M/Hardy, s/Greene, move to adjourn Open Session and reconvene Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-union contract issues, union grievance and pending litigation and will not be returning to Open Session.
VOTE – Yes – Greene, Walsh, Hardy; a unanimous vote in favor.
Open Session adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
______________________________Clerk
Board of Selectmen
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