Memorial Town Hall, 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
Ph. (978) 352-5755 size:9pt;color:#000000;">BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
Memorial Town Hall
2/13/12
6:00 PM – Executive Session
2nd Floor Meeting Room
7:00 PM – General Meeting
3rd Floor Meeting Room
Selectmen Present: C. David Surface, Chairman; Philip Trapani; Gary Fowler, Clerk; Stuart M. Egenberg
Others Present: Michael Farrell, Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Stephen Smith
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6:00PM-EXECUTIVE SESSION
To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
Call to Order
Mr. Surface called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
Pledge of Allegiance
Appointments & Approvals
Request for a Common Victualler’s License for R. Bouley, Inc. dba Sal’s Pizza and White Farms Ice Cream to expire December 31, 2012.
Robert Bouley explained that they plan to open a Sal’s Pizza and White Farms Ice Cream at 70 West Main St. He stated that they also have the same in Ipswich. He stated that they plan some minor renovations and will open April 1st. Mr. Fowler asked if they are leasing the property. Mr. Bouley stated that they are leasing with the option to buy. He stated that they would like to support the town sports teams and the town.
Mr. Trapani moved to approve the Common Victualler’s License for R. Bouley, Inc. dba Sal’s Pizza and White Farms Ice Cream to expire December 31, 2012. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Warrant & Minutes
Mr. Surface stated that there is a warrant to be signed.
Minutes January 23, 2012 General and Executive Session
Mr. Fowler moved to approve the General Session minutes of January 23, 2012. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote. Mr. Trapani abstained.
Mr. Fowler moved to approve the Executive Session minutes of January 23, 2012. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote. Mr. Trapani abstained.
Board Business
Draft ATM Warrant for May 7, 2012
Mr. Surface stated they have the draft warrant. He asked Mr. Farrell is there are any other articles or petition articles. Mr. Farrell stated that these are the usual consent articles and the deadline for articles or petitions is February 27th. He stated that they can add placeholders and later make a decision on articles.
Mr. Farrell stated that the FinCom is in favor of a Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund to be added to the warrant. He explained the fund to the board and what this means. He stated that the town has an $18Ml retirement liability and the town is allowed to have this unfunded liability because we pay as we go. He stated under GASB they want the towns to fund this liability and they are giving the town 30 years. He stated that this is fund is a start and by setting this up we get credits and the law is written that they may make payments to the account.
Mr. Surface stated that they can put funds into this account and this is a moving target and a great start for the town and our accountants would applaud the town for this. Mr. Farrell stated that this lowers the unfunded mandate.
Mr. Egenberg asked if there would be a set amount to be put in the fund. Mr. Farrell stated that as he reads the legislation they may make payments.
Mr. Surface stated that it would be sound fiscal management to fund this account. He asked when they would have the numbers on funding. Mr. Farrell stated that the town is due for our accrual audit and it should be done this spring.
Mr. Fowler asked what employees this covered. Mr. Farrell stated all employees, School, Light, Water, and Town employees. Mr. Farrell stated it does cover retiree health benefits for Teachers. Mr. Surface stated plan design will make a change in the liability amount. Mr. Farrell stated that the town also requires employees of retirement age to sign up for Medex which also benefits the town.
QECB Application-Authorization for Town Administrator to sign
Mr. Surface stated Mr. Farrell has an Energy Bond Grant for them to look at. Mr. Farrell stated that the ESCO is finishing and explained that this grant has just come available and they may be able to get some funds. He stated that the tax credits allow them a 3-4% interest rate but with the grant they would qualify for .05-1% interest. He stated that with the lower interest rate our money will go further and they will be able to fund more energy projects. He stated that the cost is driven by the savings. He stated one of the keys of the bonds is that the projects must be shovel ready and we are ready to go. He stated that the majority of the savings are at the Schools. Mr. Surface stated that there are some projects at the Pennbrook School and asked if there is savings with the
School Building project coming. Mr. Farrell stated that the items at Pennbrook are for ventilation and lighting and the school will still be in use for 4 years and the savings is over 5 years so it will be worth doing. He is asking that the board allow him to sign the final document as it is due on Friday and they are still in the works on the application.
Mr. Trapani moved to allow Mr. Farrell to sign the DOER Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds Application. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion.
Mr. Fowler asked when the work would be done. Mr. Farrell stated the School items would be done over the summer they want to go forward as soon as possible. Mr. Surface asked when we will hear if the application is approved. Mr. Farrell stated 6-8 weeks.
The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Request from the Holocaust Center, Boston North, Inc. requesting the Selectmen to sign a proclamation and participate in Holocaust Awareness Week and “Days of Remembrance”, April 12-21, 2012.
Mr. Trapani moved to approve the proclamation and participate in Holocaust Awareness Week and “Days of Remembrance”, April 12-21, 2012. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Town Administrator’s Report
Budget Update
Mr. Farrell stated FinCom has been meeting with departments. He stated that CIP met and is passing on one item so far. He stated that they will be meeting next week again. He stated that with not funding items for years there is a pent up list from departments.
Mr. Surface asked how budget looks at this time. Mr. Farrell stated that the current budget is good and there was only one line the unemployment line that he saw an issue. But he stated that the last bill was less and if the bill stays the same we may be okay.
Mr. Fowler stated that he would like to talk about the capital fund and options on funding in the warrant. He stated he would like to have more funds going into this account. Mr. Trapani stated that the board does have a policy on funding this account. Mr. Farrell stated that the FinCom is in favor of funding the capital account.
CATV
Mr. Egenberg stated that Chris Southwick and CATV Staff have been working so the town can have live streaming of CATV live programming. Mr. Fowler stated if he was in Florida he could watch the meeting live from a computer. Mr. Egenberg stated yes from any computer. He explained that the link to the CATV webpage is on the left side of the Georgetownma.gov home page.
Mr. Surface stated that the next meeting is Monday, February 27, 2012 at 7:00PM, Town Hall, 3rd Floor meeting room.
Mr. Egenberg moved to adjourn. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.
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