The weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday evening, December 4, 2007 at 7:35 p.m.
Present: Theresa McNulty, Chairman; David L. Walsh, Clerk; Peter A. Hamilton
George Samia, Town Administrator
Karen Grabau, Adm. Assistant
M/Walsh, s/Hamilton, a unanimous vote, move to approve the minutes of the November 27, 2007 meeting.
M/Walsh, s/Hamilton, move to approve that the Board accept Section 19 of Chapter 32B of the general Laws for the purpose of commencing the process whereby an agreement between the Section 19 Public Employee Committee and this Board may be reached which would include the Town entering the Group Insurance Commission health benefit program, and further move that the Town Administrator be designated as our representative in this process with the understanding that any agreement would be subject to ratification by this Board as well as approval by the Public Employee Committee as specified in Section 19. Further move that if no such agreement has been reached with the Public Employee Committee by September 20, 2008 then our acceptance will be considered null and void without further action.
M/Hamilton, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to amend the motion to read September 30, 2007 not September 20, 2007.
Mr. Walsh explained the motion; noted that once vote is taken it will still have to be voted by all unions within the town; noted savings to town would be substantial.
VOTE: YES – McNulty, Walsh, Hamilton; a unanimous vote in favor of motion as amended.
M/Walsh, s/Hamilton, a unanimous vote, move to approve the Selectmen’s Meeting schedule for 2008 as follows:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING SCHEDULE 2008
Wednesday, January 2 Tuesday, May 6 Tuesday, September 2
Tuesday, January 8 Tuesday, May 13 Tuesday, September 9
Tuesday, January 15 Tuesday, May 20 Tuesday. September 16
Tuesday, January 22 Tuesday, May 27 Tuesday, September 23
Tuesday, January 29 Tuesday, September 30
Tuesday, February 5 Tuesday, June 3 Tuesday, October 7
Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, June 10 Tuesday, October 14
Tuesday, February 19 Tuesday, June 17 Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, February 26 Tuesday, June 24 Tuesday, October 28
Tuesday, March 4 Tuesday, July 8 Tuesday, November 4
Tuesday, March 11 Tuesday, July 22 Tuesday, November 11
Tuesday March 18 Tuesday, November 18
Tuesday, March 25 Tuesday, November 25
Tuesday, April 1 Tuesday, August 5 Tuesday, December 2
Tuesday, April 8 Tuesday, August 19 Tuesday, December 9
Tuesday, April 15 Tuesday, December 16
Tuesday, April 22 Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, April 29 Tuesday, December 30
Board of Selectmen -2- December 4, 2007
M/Walsh, s/Hamilton, a unanimous vote, move to approve Chief of Police John Cowan attending the Las Vegas Seminar.
CORRESPONDENCE
Board requested that the letter from Massamont Insurance Agency regarding safety and loss control visit be reviewed by George Samia and a report be given to Board next week.
REMINDERS
Town Hall Holiday Schedule:
Closed – Friday, December 21, noon
Closed – Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25
Closed Tuesday, January 1
Mrs. McNulty congratulated the Kiwanis Club on another successful Christmas on the Common and the Ad Hoc Committee for their work on the Christmas Parade. Board members commented on the successful day.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Marcia Weidenfeller, Town Clerk went over the various functions within her department. Noted following important dates:
December 14 - Census will be sent out
February 5 – Presidential Primary (change of date)
January 16 – last day to register for Primary
April 12 – Annual Town Election
May 12 – Annual Town Meeting
Noted need for Election Workers; registered Republicans can contact Robert Alexander and registered Democrats can contact Robert McCarthy; unenrolled voters can contact Town Clerk. Noted hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 9/10 p.m. for workers; all are paid and meals are provided.
Mrs. Weidenfeller thanked Asst. Town clerk, Paula Keefe and Clerk Dina Livingston for their work and all employees in Town Hall Departments for their cooperation.
A discussion was held regarding passports.
Board noted that they are looking at a February 25, 2008 Special Town Meeting; Mrs. Weidenfeller stated that the date was okay with her. Mrs. Grabau will check with town Moderator and Middle School.
Mrs. McNulty thanked Mrs. Weidenfeller for working with the girl scouts on a recent visit to Town Hall; noted that the girls were impressed with the old records.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Jane Haines, Director of Elder Affairs presented a video regarding the mission and activities of the Council on Aging, the office staff’s duties, various services offered, need for new quarters, activities, etc which are unavailable due to space restrictions.
Mrs. Haines gave an overview of the services and activities offered at this time and the number of persons using same. Noted new motto for COA is Everybody Benefits; noted approximately 2500 seniors in town at this time.
Thanked all the departments for their assistance during the year.
Board of Selectmen -3- December 4, 2007
A discussion was held regarding SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) and the various services offered.
Mrs. McNulty noted that the Coins for the Community drive is now going on. It was noted that there are many persons within this Town seeking services such as fuel assistance, food pantry, etc.
OPEN FORUM
Thomas Hoisington asked the Board if they have any answer regarding his complaint on the noise from the Nutty Irishman Restaurant. Stated that he had sent a letter as requested by the office staff and has not heard anything. Board stated that they would look into the matter.
M/Walsh, s/Hamilton, move to close Open session and go into Executive Session for the purpose of contract negotiations, personnel issues and possible litigation and will not be returning to Open Session.
VOTE: Yes – McNulty, Walsh, Hamilton; a unanimous vote in favor.
Open Session adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
_______________________________Clerk
Board of Selectmen
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