The weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday evening, January 26, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Present: James M. Hardy, Chairman; Eric W. Greene, Clerk; David L. Walsh
George Samia, Interim Executive Secretary
Karen Grabau, Adm. Assistant
Robert Kerwin, Town Counsel
Appointment
Edith Imlach, Senior Center Building Committee, updated the Board on the status of the project. Explained that the grant has been completed and submitted for the amount of $108,000. Has requested letters of support for the project from Selectmen, state legislatures, town churches, and other organizations in town.
Mrs. Imlach thanked the Town Hall personnel for their assistance; noted the cooperation by George Samia and commended him for all the work he had done for the committee.
Mrs. Imlach noted that one problem, which could be detrimental to the project receiving the grant is 40B housing; noted that town needs to be at 10% and latest survey is 3%; noted that reports can be updated as new information is available. Also noted that the Committee needs to have a complete set of plans ready by next year in case they do receive the grant.
Mrs. Imlach announced that the Committee has already received several donations for the building fund and that the Town Treasurer has set up a Senior Center Building Fund Account; all funds that the Committee receives will be placed into this account.
A discussion was held relative to what constitutes 40B housing and how the percentage is figured. Mr. Greene will check on criteria further. Mrs. Imlach noted that Dominic DeAngelo and State Belcher will be working with OCPC on information for the grants.
It was noted that the Senior Center Building Committee meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at the COA Building. Board thanked Mrs. Imlach for her report.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, move to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2004 meeting.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh; Abstain – Hardy; a majority vote in favor.
M/Walsh, s/Hardy, move to accept the minutes of the January 20, 2004 meeting.
VOTE: Yes – Walsh, Hardy; Abstain – Greene; a majority vote in favor.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to approve the Conservation Commission accepting a gift of land off Oak Street offered by Phyllis Fax.
Appointment
Members of the Finance Committee met with the Board to go over the Budget process for the upcoming year.
Finance Committee members present were Peter Hamilton, Chairman; Lynn Lundberg, Robert Coulter and Eric Glaas.
Mr. Hardy stated that a preliminary schedule needs to be set up with all budget work done by the end of March. Would like to begin on February 2 with last meeting on March 29. All agreed that the first budgets would be the Town Accountant and Selectmen.
Board of Selectmen -2- January 26, 2004
A list of departments/committee was set up with tentative dates for their budget presentation. Mr. Samia will check with all to make sure there are no conflicts. A budget Presentation Schedule will be sent to all who will be making presentations with an attachment with the contact numbers for Finance Committee liaison and Selectmen’s liaison to each department/committee; this way if there are any questions the department/committee can get in touch with their liaison.
A discussion was held as to possibility of a budget information presentation from laptop or with overhead. Terry Aicardi, Local Cable Director stated that she could place laptop presentation directly to cable broadcast. Mr. Samia will meet with Mrs. Aicardi to set up.
Open Forum
No one was present
Reminders:
1. COA vacancies – two letters of interest received; three vacancies exist
2. EB Rail & Trail and Open Space Committee meeting, Thursday, January 29, 7 p.m.
3. Schedule for Annual and Special Town Meetings
Executive Secretary Report
1. MEMA meeting end of week relative to reimbursement of costs associated with December snowstorm.
Correspondence
Letter from school relative to loss of state funding for SPED
Mr. Walsh suggested that a meeting with legislatures needs to be held.
Mr. Hardy commented on the two workshops conducted by town counsel; noted excellent workshop on dealing with the media lead by Harry King.
Atty. Kerwin stated that they plan to hold the February workshop on Municipal Finance; have results of survey from Friday’s workshop for future topics.
Mr. Hardy stated that he felt that Board should mandate that all departments be represented by at least one employee.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, move to close Open Session and go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion pending litigation and deployment of security personnel and will not be returning to Open Session.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh, Hardy; a unanimous vote in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
___________________________Clerk
Board of Selectmen
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