Memorial Town Hall, 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
Ph. (978) 352-5755 color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Memorial Town Hall
Third Floor Meeting Room
10/3/11
6:00 PM - Workshop
7:00 PM – General Meeting
Selectmen Present: C. David Surface, Chairman; Gary Fowler, Clerk; Philip Trapani; Stephen Smith; Stuart M. Egenberg
Others Present: Michael Farrell, Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant
Absent:
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6:00PM BoS Workshop-2nd Floor
Mr. Surface called the meeting to order at 6PM.
Selectmen Goals for 2012-Update
Mr. Smith stated that he would like to see a reasonable solution for a new school and a senior center, evaluate overall change for a seniors tax reduction, work on a CoA budget, increase Economic Development. He stated that he would like to revisit inter-department services as this did not pass at the ATM.
Mr. Surface gave out copies a document with all members’ goals. He stated that he would like to revisit the goals every few months and see where the board stands. Mr. Trapani went over the document to see if he captured everyone’s goals.
BoS Goals:
Mr. Egenberg-Strategic Plan
Mr. Smith-Senior Services
All-Economic Development
Communications in town and with constituents- Mr. Fowler, Mr. Egenberg, Mr. Surface
Legislature- Mr. Surface
Board interaction- Mr. Surface
Finances- Mr. Surface
Government Study- Mr. Fowler and Mr. Egenberg
CIP- All
Objectives:
School- Mr. Surface & Mr. Smith
Evaluations
Union Contracts
Communication
State Mandates
Healthcare
Discussion on goals and making the list doable
Mr. Surface stated that some items are strategic initiatives instead of goals and these items may take years. Mr. Trapani stated that all members can work on some items but also each member can work on individual items. He stated he would put bullets under initiatives and list what can be done in FY12.
Mr. Fowler asked if they can have a dream and have a capitol projects and jobs tax percentage similar to CPC with matching funds to towns from the State. Discussion Board stated this would be great if the State would agree to this.
Mr. Surface stated that this document will show what the board is working on.
Mr. Egenberg stated that he will be sending the agenda out with bullets of what was accomplished at the meetings to the press.
Mr. Surface asked to meet at 6PM on October 17th for a final planning session.
Mr. Farrell asked about the Strategic Plan formant and what community they used. Mr. Egenberg stated that he used Natick. He stated that it would cost over $25K for a formal RFP. Mr. Surface stated that he thought we would be doing this on our own. Mr. Egenberg stated that he talked with the company that did the plan for Natick and received some figures. Mr. Trapani stated that they hoped not to exceed $50K but did not want to go back to the town for more funds. Mr. Farrell stated that they used Suffolk University for the 2003 Strategic Plan. Mr. Farrell stated that they may want to talk with Suffolk, McCormick Center, and private companies and that they will need a scope of services. Mr. Fowler asked if we got anything done from the last plan. Discussion
Mr. Fowler moved to recess the workshop and to reconvene at 7:00PM in the 3rd floor meeting room. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
7:00PM General Meeting-3rd Floor
Pledge of Allegiance
Board Business
Warrant to be signed
Minutes September 12, 2011
Mr. Trapani moved to approve the minutes of September 12, 2011. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Town Clerk memo on legislation on primaries
Mr. Surface asked that this be put on the next agenda.
Economic Development Committee to discuss Economic Target Area
Ted Kottcamp, EDC; Nick Cracknell, Town Planner; Jim Lacey were present
Mr. Kottcamp stated that they are requesting the BoS approval to submit a plan to the State for an Economic Target Area. He stated that Priority Development sites and 43D was approved and implemented next is the target area for tax incentives. Mr. Surface asked would it give us funds for capital improvements. Nick Cracknell stated that he met with Peter Milano from the State and no downside for the town. He listed the opportunities with the ETA. He stated that the Town can not use the TIP without an ETA. He stated that here are 11 criteria that they have to meet and will work with Peter Durkee and if we cannot then reach out to neighboring community. He stated that if they do not hear in two weeks then it may be that Georgetown is too small. He stated that the MVPC is
assisting the EDC with the application. Mr. Surface asked if accepted will it help with transportation issues. Mr. Cracknell stated no work needed on National Ave but Carleton Drive would need a lot of work. Mr. Kottcamp stated getting on the list would be important. He stated that the State likes regional projects. Surface asked if Mr. Fowler being a member of the EDC had anything to add. Mr. Fowler stated he does not see anything negative with this plan and it gets us more in the picture. Mr. Smith asked when they would have the application for the ETA. Mr. Cracknell stated that he would the get the ETA to BoS in two weeks and then to the State in December. He stated if joining up with another community it may take a few more weeks. He stated that it does not take the State long to approve. Mr. Farrell asked if the 200 acres have to be contiguous. Mr. Cracknell stated no.
Letter from the Police Chief regarding the generator at the M/H School.
Mr. Surface read the letter from the Police Chief. Mr. Surface asked Mr. Farrell to draw up a warrant article. Mr. Fowler stated that with the $1.2mil override the Schools should be able to support the $1,000 in their budget. Mr. Trapani stated in the Mother’s Day Flood a lot of seniors came to the High School and there was not enough power to open the kitchen and some need electricity for oxygen, etc. He stated if no power for a few days we need a shelter to support a large amount of residents. He stated the School generator was for the School not for a shelter. Mr. Smith stated that this is to find if the size is adequate or if they need to update. Mr. Surface asked Mr. Smith to look into this and see what the issue is.
Mr. Farrell explained that they had planed on a new generator at the Public Safety Building and when the company came out stated need an interface and the existing generator was adequate for the entire building. He stated he supports the Police Chief recommending they look into updating the unit at the High School under Emergency Management. Mr. Smith stated that this is not a School issue but a Town safety issue.
Liquor License Regulations & Fees
Mr. Surface asked Mr. Farrell about the Liquor License Regulations. Mr. Farrell stated that K & P put together these regulations for the Town and that they would have to hold a public hearing to approve. Mr. Surface asked the members to review for a public hearing and for a draft to be sent to license holders. Mr. Farrell stated they should also look at fees and update. Mr. Fowler asked Mr. Farrell to look at fees and make a recommendation.
Mr. Surface stated that the Traffic Committee asked to be moved to the October 17th meeting to discuss Parking Recommendations.
Selectman’s Report
Fire Chief Review
Mr. Surface distributed the review but stated that he has not met with the Fire Chief.
Legislative breakfast update
Mr. Surface stated that he and Mr. Fowler, and Mr. Farrell attended a legislative breakfast in Haverhill on Friday. He stated that they had a good meeting. He stated that they did talk about getting budget numbers earlier from the State.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Farrell stated that in their packet is the August and July expenditure report. He went over the report with the board.
Mr. Farrell stated that he attempted to have a CIP meeting last week and did not have a quorum at the meeting. Discussion on members Mr. Farrell stated that at the last ATM the bylaw was changed so the FinCom can vote without a CIP recommendation. Mr. Surface stated that it is still important to have a recommendation from CIP.
Mr. Farrell stated that the Town has $599K in new free cash in addition to the $350K in the FinCom reserve account. Mr. Farrell stated that he knows the board would like to follow the SOP that they adopted last year. Draft warrant given out to the board.
Discussion on capitol fund and how to add funds in and take funds out. Mr. Farrell stated that they need a 2/3rd vote to go in and to go out
Executive Session to discuss union negotiations.
Mr. Fowler moved to go into Executive Session to discuss union negotiations and not to return to open session. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and a roll call vote was taken and approved by a 5-0 vote.
Next meeting, Monday, October 17, 2011 at 7:00PM, Town Hall, 3rd Floor meeting room.
General meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM
Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.
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