Memorial Town Hall, 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
Ph. (978) 352-5755 -family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Memorial Town Hall
Third Floor Meeting Room
7/26/11
7:00 PM
Selectmen Present: C. David Surface, Chairman; Gary Fowler, Clerk; Philip Trapani; Stuart M. Egenberg
Others Present: Michael Farrell, Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Stephen Smith
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Call to Order
Mr. Surface called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Surface welcomed back Mr. Trapani from his medical leave.
Board Business
Approval of Penn Brook Elementary School Feasibility Study Agreement
Mr. Farrell explained that this has been a long process and that the School Department has been working with MSBA to bring the FSA forward. He stated that the FSA has been reviewed by legal counsel and that MSBA does not allow any changes to the contract. He stated that this will allow the town to receive funds from MSBA. He stated that Mr. Surface and Mr. Fowler attended a meeting in Boston at the MSBA and selected an Architect. Mr. Surface stated that he feels that the MSBA will be good to work with.
Mr. Trapani moved to enter into the agreement with the MSBA and authorize the Chairman, C. David Surface to sign the Feasibility Study Agreement as presented on behalf of the Town. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion.
Mr. Fowler asked that the Selectmen be the contact and are kept informed in the process. Mr. Farrell stated that the BoS are the contracting authority and Town Counsel has the Selectmen contact information in his legal certification of the document.
The motion was approved by a unanimous vote 4-0.
Selectmen’s Report
Selectmen Goals for 2012
Mr. Surface asked to hold off on this until the next meeting.
Town Bounderies
Mr. Fowler stated that he meet with the Rowley BoS and discussed walking the Town Bounds. He stated he will meet with one of the Rowley board members to walk the bounds and will contact other towns to walk additional bounds.
Town Administrator’s Report
FY 11 Preliminary Budget Closeout Report
Mr. Farrell stated that he has good news. He stated that revenue came in $78K higher then projected. He stated that the Tax Collector/Treasurer had a 99 percent collection rate on taxes. He stated that this was a great job by staff in these economic times. He stated that the General Fund will get back $400K in unspent funds and this go to free cash. He explained that $200K was from the Health Insurance line and that we knew this line had additional funds and have adjusted the line for next year. He stated that with health insurance plan design this may give the town some additional savings. He explained why the Health Ins. line has been over budgeted. He stated that the other large contributor was $52K from the FinCom Reserve Fund, also funds from Assessors, BoH, and Fire
Department. He stated that it is not that they get too much money but that they are prudent. He stated some towns have a use it or loose it mentality which is not good. He stated that the Town has $354K in the FinCom Reserve Fund and will be pushing $900K in available Free Cash. Mr. Surface stated that they need to look at CIP and remember that they are in negotiations with Unions. He asked the board to look at the BoS SOP and see where they can fund. He stated that he would like to book a meeting in August to look at the budget with the FinCom.
Mr. Egenberg asked if in the future unfunded liabilities could be funded from this money. Mr. Surface stated that this would have to be a vote at town meeting. Mr. Surface stated that he would like to see some funds go to the Stab Fund. Mr. Egenberg asked about funds going to the downtown for sewage, lighting, etc. Mr. Surface stated that that is a good point and but we need a plan.
FY12 Cherry Sheet Changes and Budget Impact
Mr. Farrell stated that our State funds from the Cherry Sheet have changed by $26K but to compensate in calculating new growth the assessors now have $81K instead of $50K so we are still ahead $5K. Mr. Surface stated Rep Lyons says we may be getting some funds back maybe $40K. Mr. Fowler asked that usually these funds would not come back to the town but this year they may. Mr. Farrell stated that is correct and we should know in August.
Health Insurance Plan Design Update
Mr. Farrell stated that the Governor signed the Health Ins. Plan Design Bill and that the bill will allow towns to make changes to their plans without the Unions agreement. He stated that there will still be a process to go through before a change. He stated that what changed is to allow the town to change plans with varying deductibles, co-pays, etc. Discussion on how this could be implemented. Mr. Surface asked if the State will help with how to implement. Mr. Farrell stated that the town will have to adopt the legislation and then the administrator goes out to get a plan and then brings to Ins advisory Board, then an Employee Insurance board with 30 days to negotiate if no agreement then a committee of one State appointed, one Town appointee, and one Union appointee and this group
has 10 days to come to a decision so a total of 40 days. Mr. Surface asked how many retirees are on the plan and the percentage. Mr. Farrell stated that you want to know who is on Medicaid.
Mr. Trapani stated that he wants to let the public know that they are not going after the unions but they are doing the same as the public sector is to keep the health care costs of the town down.
Appointments
Economic Development Committee Appointments
Mr. Trapani moved to appoint Richard Williams to the EDC with a term to expire June 30, 2012. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Trapani moved to appoint Paul Pagliarullo to the EDC with a term to expire June 30, 2012. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Veterans’ Agents letter from the State
Mr. Surface stated that the town is in compliance with this letter. Mr. Trapani stated that he serves as the board liaison and Mr. Hart as Veterans’ Agent does a great job.
West Street Culvert
Mr. Surface asked that Mr. Durkee come to the next meeting to discuss and to let the neighbors know.
Evaluations
Mr. Surface asked the board to work on the evaluation of the Fire Chief before the next meeting.
Mr. Surface asked for a motion to go into Executive Session.
Mr. Trapani moved to go into 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 and will not return to open session. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion and a roll call vote was taken.
Mr. Fowler-yes
Mr. Surface-yes
Mr. Egenberg-yes
Mr. Trapani-yes
Next meeting Monday, August 8, 2011 at 7:00PM.
Meeting adjourned.
Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.
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