The weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2004 at 6:35 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
M/Hardy, s/Greene, move to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Step 2 Grievance with East Bridgewater Police Association relative to grievance filed by Sgt. Thomas Reed and will be returning to Open Session at end of Executive Session.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh, Hardy; a unanimous vote in favor.
Mr. Hardy reconvened the Open Session at 7:40 p.m.
Finance Committee present: Peter Hamilton, Anthony Costello, Robert Coulter, Eric Glaas, Albert Mondeau, Lynn Lundberg, Sally Feeney, John Margie
Mr. Hardy reconvened the Open Session at 7:40 p.m.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2004 meeting.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to approve the following Class II License for the period of January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2005:
LICENSE #13
Almedia Enterprises rear 42 No. Central Street
Restrictions: 1. Hours; Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.;
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;
No Sunday operation.
2. No vehicles within 10 feet of the building
3. All vehicles to be placed inside fence at close of business daily
4. 10 car maximum
Appointment
Town Clerk, Marcia Weidenfeller met with the Board for a presentation of the budget for the Town Clerk’s Office.
Mrs. Weidenfeller went over her budget noting that the increases in salary and other contractual obligations would be funded by reductions in expense line items.
Discussion was held relative to budget presentation. It was noted that the Town Clerk is mandated to fund elections, of which there are three scheduled for the upcoming fiscal year and that this line should not be decreased.
Mr. Walsh noted that a reduction of 2 hours for the staff would result in a level funded budget without the need to reduce mandated expenses. Mrs. Weidenfeller noted that if the staff working hours were reduced it would mean that the office would no longer be able to do passports by walk-ins, but would have to do by appointment; also would have to require that marriage licenses, death certificates, dog licenses would not be done at the window, would lengthen the time frame for service.
Further discussion was held regarding the Town Clerk budget.
Board of Selectmen -2- February 17, 2004
Appointment
Cheryl Pooler, Director of Assessing met with the Board for a presentation of the budget for the Board of Assessors Office.
Mrs. Pooler explained that in order to level fund and cover increases in the salary and contractual obligations, expense line items have been reduced. Impact of decreases included inability to update maps, no mileage reimbursement for employees, no training for employees, no office supplies, etc.
Mr. Walsh suggested that employee hours could be reduced to compensate for additional funding instead of reducing expenses. Mr. Pooler explained the impact reduction in employee hours would have on the department, especially the impact on services offered to the residents.
Mrs. Pooler also explained that the Board of Assessors plan to place an article to place funds in a line item for commercial appraisals and appellate counsel.
A discussion was also held regarding placing quarterly tax billing on the warrant and sponsorship of this article.
Appointment
Jane Finley, Library Director, James Weidenfeller, Library Trustee and David Domer, Library Trustee met with the Board for a presentation of their budget. Additional information was presented to the Board at this time.
Mrs. Finley noted statistics regarding library usage, expenditures needed for materials, books, etc. Also went over the impact on services with level funded budget, which included cuts in hours for employees, reduction in purchase of materials and purchase of workstations eliminated for both Public Library and School Libraries.
Board of Discussion
Mr. Hardy announced that one of the finalists for the Town Administrator position, John Dolan, has withdrawn his name as he has accepted the position in Marion. Noted that interviews have been set up on Thursday, February 29 with Dennis Luttrell at 6:00 p.m. and George Samia at 7:15 p.m.
M/Hardy, move that Board proceed with interviews.
No Second; motion failed.
Mr. Greene stated that he felt the need to interview three persons; felt Search Committee can recommend another candidate to Board.
Mr. Walsh stated that he would feel more comfortable is the Committee could recommend another from the 10 interviewed. Felt this could be done without changing the interviews scheduled for Thursday.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, move to notify the Town Administrator Search Committee that the Board requests that a 3rd candidate’s name be submitted as soon as possible for the Board of Selectmen to interview.
Discussion on motion:
Mr. Greene stated that he has spoken to Chief Pratt and felt that the committee could come up with another name as he felt there were 16 qualified candidates, when he read through the resumes.
Board of Selectmen -3- February 17, 2004
Mr. Walsh stated that he felt the Committee could come up with a candidate.
Mr. Hardy suggested that the Committee meet either Friday or Saturday, if they can post meeting in time, and the third interview could be held on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh; No – Hardy; a majority vote in favor.
Open Forum
No one was present
Reminders:
Bridge Street Recycling Center open Saturday, February 21
Recycling Week – all pick-ups one day late due to holiday
COA vacancies – letters of interest by Friday
Chapter 70 presentation at S.E. Regional, March 10
Executive Secretary Report
Cong. Lynch request for input from departments on equipment purchases, etc. Will
forward all requests this week.
Correspondence
Letter from W.B. Selectmen to Rep. Canavan re: SE Regional assessed formula
Notice from Town Counsel of court judgment in town’s favor. Discussed with Atty. Kerwin
and he agreed to seek attorney fees.
Letter from Animal Control Officer requesting Board to approach dog owner relative to
fees for boarding his dog, which was at the end of 10 days surrendered to MSPCA.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to send a letter to owner of dog held at town shelter for 10 days and then surrendered to MSPCA, requesting payment of fees for dog’s boarding at town’s animal shelter.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, move to close Open Session and go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation, deployment of security personnel and non-union contract negotiations and will not be returning to Open Session.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh, Hardy; a unanimous vote in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
_____________________________Clerk
Board of Selectmen
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