Memorial Town Hall, 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
Ph. (978) 352-5755 z Fax (978) 352-5727
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
Memorial Town Hall
Third Floor Meeting Room
12/20/10
7:00 PM
Selectmen Present: Philip Trapani, Chairman; Evan O’Reilly; Gary Fowler; C. David Surface, Clerk; Stephen Smith
Others Present: Michael Farrell, Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant;
Absent:
_______________________________________________________________________
Call to Order
Mr. Trapani called the meeting to order at 7:07PM.
Board Business
Request by the Police Chief to appoint Adam Raymond as a Reserve Officer
Chief Mulligan and Adam Raymond were present
Chief Mulligan gave some background information on Mr. Raymond and his time as a reserve dispatcher. He explained that he has a passed physical, is an officer in NH and passed the tests in MA to be an officer. Mr. Trapani welcomed Mr. Raymond to Georgetown.
Mr. O’Reilly moved to appoint Adam Raymond as a Reserve Police Officer with a term to expire June 30, 2011. Mr. Surface seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Warrant & Minutes
Mr. Trapani stated that the warrant was in the office for signatures.
Mr. O’Reilly moved to approve the minutes of November 22, 2010. Mr. Surface seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Board Business
Request from the Highway Surveyor for a vote to do snow removal on unaccepted roadways which are open to the public.
Mr. Trapani stated that they have received a list of unaccepted roadways from the Highway Surveyor that he is asking for a vote to plow. He stated that the town has been working to accept some of these streets but it is a long process especially the older streets. Mr. Fowler stated that he thought that Tiger Row had been accepted. He asked about Maureen Lane and if this road was meant to stay private. He stated that the board should review how this is handled and put a policy together. Mr. Trapani stated that they need to discuss this with Mr. Durkee. Mr. Surface asked that Mr. Durkee give an estimate of how long we have been plowing these streets. He stated that there have been law suits over plowing and spending town funds for unaccepted streets. Mr. O’Reilly stated that
the town should review the liability if we do damage to a street. Discussion on private ways
Mr. O’Reilly moved to allow the Highway Surveyor under MGL Chapter 40 §6 to plow unaccepted roadways which are open to public use as presented. Mr. Surface seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Tri-Board Meeting
Present
BoS: Philip Trapani; Evan O’Reilly; Gary Fowler; C. David Surface; Stephen Smith
FinCom: Sandy Gerraughty; Andy Belliview; Jim Lacey; Chuck Dickson
School Com: Anne Donahue; David Bjork; John Bonazoli; Anne Blythe; Carol Jacobs, Superintendent; Terry Wiggin, School Business Manager
Mr. Trapani stated that this meeting tonight is to discuss our Fiscal Outlook and Beyond.
FinCom and School Committee were called to order.
Mr. Trapani stated that the Chairs, Town Administrator, Superintendent, and School Superintendent have been meeting monthly to discuss the budget.
Mr. Farrell presented a powerpoint presentation:
Revenues: Mr. Farrell explained the numbers in the spreadsheet, Taxes, State Revenues, Other Revenues. He stated the numbers will be more accurate as we get closer to Town Meeting in May. Mr. Smith asked if these numbers have any stimulus funds. Mr. Farrell stated that there are no stimulus funds in this number.
Expenses: Mr. Farrell explained the figures and stated under Town Services he added as requested by the board a 2% increase for raises for Town Employees. He stated that this equals $53,780. He stated that the Education Services will have an increase of 12.3%. He stated that health insurance will have a 11-13% increase and a pension increase of 8%. Mr. Surface asked how the stimulus funds were used. Mr. Wiggin explained how the funds were used in the past year budget. He explained that stimulus funds equaled $800k and he is anticipating increases in school energy costs and maintenance costs.
Net School Spending: Mr. Wiggin explained that he worked on these figures with the State and these are projections the final numbers will not be out until the end of February. He explained what Net School Spending is and how calculated.
Mr. Surface stated that if we level funded the school it would meet net school spending. He stated that they now know they will not have a net school spending issue. Mr. Smith asked about net School spending numbers. Ms. Jacobs stated that if we have Town and School cuts they will have to add funds to the unemployment account. Mr. O’Reilly asked about employees that were brought in under stimulus funds and if they were under contract and if they would still get unemployment benefits. Ms. Donohue stated that anyone hired would be eligible for unemployment benefits. Mr. Smith asked how state funding has decreased. Mr. Wiggin stated that funding statewide has been cut by $2 billion and he explained the local cuts. Mr. Lacey asked what the amount the state was giving the town in
the past. Mr. Farrell stated at the max it was $6mil now we are down $1mil.
Projected Deficit: $1,778,815
And Beyond: Mr. Farrell showed that the deficit will continue to go up over the next few years. Ms. Gerraughty stated that this is with the same level of services. Mr. Farrell stated that Health Insurance costs will continue with an 11% increase each year. Mr. Surface stated that is without changing to GIC. Ms. Gerraughty asked if they had numbers on how GIC is doing. Mr. Farrell stated that the only towns to do good were the towns who were self insured and he explained the costs.
Mr. Smith stated that if you fix the $1.7mil deficit then there is only a $200k issue each year. Mr. Dickson stated that you can not be sure of the state funds. Ms. Gerraughty stated that the change does not add to any losses that we already have taken to town services and school programs. Mr. Surface stated that this does not cover any cost for a new school.
Discussion on insurance and plan design. Mr. Surface stated that even thought the State has plan design it is not easy to make changes to plans. Mr. O’Reilly stated that the State has the option to make changes but they do not allow the towns the same option. Mr. Surface stated that we have to find a way to ease the pain if we can.
Anne Donohue explained the Teachers contract, salaries, and step increases. Ms. Jacobs stated that the contract saved $600k over three years and there is no retro. Mr. Smith asked what the net increase in salary for all groups would be. Ms. Jacobs stated that there is a $600k increase in salaries. Mr. Wiggin stated that the raises are from 7-8%. Mr. Wiggin explained how the salaries were given over the last two years. Ms. Gerraughty stated that tonight we are letting people know that there is a budget issue. Mr. Surface stated that he agrees that we are letting people know where we are at now not waiting until May. Mr. O’Reilly stated that contracted increases are part of the problem with were we are at. Ms. Blythe stated that they still need to meet net
school spending. Mr. Fowler stated that the State needs to come out and explain how we meet Net School Spending. Ms. Gerraughty stated that we have to look at priority based budgets. Mr. Smith stated that Georgetown has been doing better then other towns. Mr. Farrell stated that the problem is we are catching up with other towns. Mr. Surface asked what do we do to meet this $1.8m deficit.
Mr. Trapani left the meeting.
Ms. Donohue stated that the School Committee looked at making up the deficit and it would mean a $125K cut per grade. She stated that NEAC stated that if the maintenance issues not addressed at the High School they would be on probation. Mr. Surface stated that they can put us on double probation but we only have so much money. Mr. Dickson stated that there is only so much you can do and threats will not do anything. Mr. Surface stated that he would hope they would see what we are doing. Mr. Bjork stated that they do not work in a vacuum and asked what is the impact if we do not have the accreditation. He stated that the Schools do a lot with a little money. Mr. Dickson stated that this will not be an easy task to get in budget. Ms. Gerraughty stated that they would like to
hold a Community Budget meeting on January 22, 2011 from 8AM -12PM. She stated that they will post the meetings so the public is aware as they need to be involved and pay attention. Ms. Jacobs stated that it is the hope that residents will come out so we can see what the public wants.
FinCom and School Com moved to adjourn.
Mr. Surface moved for a 5-minute recess. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Board Business
License Renewals
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Common Victualler licenses for Barisal Convenience, Inc dba Richdale Convenience to expire December 31, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Common Victualler licenses for Charles C. Dame Lodge AF & AM to expire December 31, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Surface disclosed that he is a member of the Charles C. Dame Lodge.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Common Victualler licenses for Pizza Factory to expire December 31, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Wine & Malt Liquor License for Pizza Factory to expire December 31, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Appointments
Mr. O’Reilly read a letter from Mr. Trapani recommending Joshua Nisenbaum for appointment to the Capitol Improvement Committee.
Mr. Surface moved to appoint Joshua Nisenbaum to the CIP committee as the Selectman’s appointment with a term to expire June 30, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Disclosure of Financial Interest by Mark Unger, Wire Inspector
Mr. O’Reilly explained that Mr. Unger works for the town, has a business in Town, and does work for the Town.
Mr. Surface moved that the Selectmen/Town have been duly notified as required under G.L. c 268A, §19(b)(1) that Mark Unger and employees perform electrical work for the Town and determine that the interest is not so substantial to likely affect the integrity of the services. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Next Meeting Monday, January 10, 2010 Executive Session at 6:00PM and Regular meeting at 7:00PM.
Mr. O’Reilly extended a Happy Holiday from the board to all residents.
Mr. Surface moved to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00PM.
Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.
Minutes approved January 10, 2011.
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