Accepted Minutes: February 22, 1994 - Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch, Robert Andrews, Joseph
Frisoli, Acting Chair, and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk. Also
attending: Joseph Nugent, Executive Secretary to the Board.
I. Announcements: Frisoli called the meeting to order at 7:35pm
with these announcements: (1) Police Chief's memo noting award
of $9,300 grant from the tobacco tax monies for an after-school
program. Chief Berry thanked Town Planner Noreen O'Toole for her
assistance with the grant. (2) Police Chief memo commending the
Highway Department for fine road work done during snow storms.
Motion 2/22/94.1: move that the Chief's memo be sent to the
Highway Department file and be posted for all employees to see.
Motion made by Andrews with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried
4-0. (3) Frisoli congratulated Sean Dynan (Hanson) and
______________ (Whitman) for their Division II State Wrestling
Championship. Motion 2/22/94.2: move that letters of
congratulations be sent to these students. Motion made by
Andrews with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0.
II. Finance Committee Request: Although not on the agenda, Robert
Sutter, present Chair of the Finance Committee requested a moment
to read a even-dated memo to the Board of Selectmen requesting
the Board of Selectmen place an immediate hiring freeze into
effect. Selectmen took the memo under advisement and will wait
for the full recommendation on budgets from the FinCom. This
would allow each department have the time to make presentation to
the Board of Selectmen for their requests.
III. Library Trustees - Thomas Hall discussion: Arlene Finn,
Faith Mosher appeared before the Selectmen to discuss a proposed
plan for the Memorial to Elijah Thomas et al. The plan would
have unspecified initial expenditures from the principal for a
matching name plate over a side room in the new library; the room
to be equipped with audio-visual machinery and/or furniture and
security devices; annual event in the arts and humanities; the
purchase of a piano. It was noted that this plan has not had an
official vote of the Library trustees. The trustees were asked by
Tom Dahlberg if the purchases met the criteria of a permanent
capital expenditure. When Murdoch asked if there was any input
from the Thomas Hall Memorial Committee on this plan, Bruce Young
commented that the plan had been presented to the committee but
that no dollar figures had been supplied and that the Trustees
had not desired discussion. He informed the Board that the
Memorial Committee wanted a memorial at the site included and
wanted a permanent fund for the arts and humanities. Both the
Library Trustees and the Memorial Committee were asked to jointly
meet to iron out any problems looking for a plan to be submitted.
IV. Departments requesting Additional Staff positions for FY95:
Nugent gave budget approach update to the Board. He withdrew the
request for additional position (receptionist) at the Town Hall.
Kuchinski noted that answering machines in departments might be
investigated. Representatives from various departments (Library,
Senior Center (Elder Affairs), Police, Building Inspector, Board
of Health) to have the chance to make presentations. Barbara
Ramey, Library Director requested the hiring a Children's
librarian for the position of Assistant Director as well as
increasing the number of hours open to the public in the evening;
John Dias and Pam Fasci spoke on behalf of the Senior Center
looking for a permanent van driver for the van purchased with the
recent NYNEX grant which was delivered February 18, 1994. This
position would be a combined one - full-time position (35 hours)
driver/program aide who would drive elders to appointments as
well as taking care of the senior Day Care Program rides, deliver
meals-on-wheels and would be available to do chores at the
center. Discussion centered on job description (CPR trained), pay
($8/hour), expenses to run the van ($2,000 including insurance
for the two vans); Board of Health wants the hours for the health
agent to be increased. Chief Berry spoke to adding position of
DARE in case school budget does not cover it and joined Building
Inspector Grover asking to increase clerical staff hours. Mr.
Frisoli offered that maybe the Town should be opened another day.
V. Board of Assessors re change of classification for position:
The Assessors are looking too reclassify a clerical position
(Senior Clerk) within their office. Questions to be answered are
does this open up the entire contract? How does it affect the
clerical union? Is there a more proper time for this type of
reclassification? Assessors invited to come back with more info.
VI. Board of Health - Transfer Operation: FinCom and Board of
Health invited for this agenda. FinCom not attending. Board of
Health present with a memo of the operational figure analysis for
the fiscal years of the trash fee. The monies are paying the
expenses of the project. Kuchinski stated the purpose of this
meeting was to address the fact that this was a temporary fee for
only a short time. Board of Health has put out request for bids
for curbside pick-up. We do not reach the maximum tonnage under
the SEMASS agreement. If additional people come onto the system
there is no penalty. Even though they do not want the user-fee,
the Board of Health is not currently considering any change to
the fee system unless residents put a question on the ballot for
an over-ride or on town meeting warrant. Board of Health will not
take the lead on this issue. Consequently, unless residents do
something there is no plan to take the Town off the user fee.
VII. Monthly Budget Review: Frisoli summarized the various
departments making the usual observations on overtime budget
bottomline management. Frisoli noted that the figures for the
highway snow budget are not yet presented.
VIII. "No Smoking Policy": The drafted policy is for buildings
only however the concern on vehicles was mentioned. Motion
2/22/94.3: move to adopt the No Smoking Policy as presented for
all buildings under the control of the Board of Selectmen. Motion
by Murdoch with second by Andrews. Motion carried 4-0. The
Board directed Executive Secretary to place the policy as an
article on the Town Meeting warrant.
IX. Fire Department Rules and Regulations: vote next meeting.
X. Policies and Procedures: remains under review.
XI. Request by Colonial Retriever Field Trial Club: The Colonial
Club annual requests Sunday shoot times. Motion 2/22/94.4: move
to authorize Sunday shooting for April 24 and May 15 by the
Colonial Retriever Club on the Cape Cod Cranberry Company
property. Motion by Andrews with second by Kuchinski. Motion
carried 3-0-1 (Murdoch).
XII. Open Warrant for May Special Town Meeting: Motion 2/22/94.5:
move to open the Warrant until April 5, 1994 (8pm) for the May 2,
1994 Special Town Meeting. Motion by Andrews with second by
Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0.
XIII. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Harbester matter: Nugent
reported there will be a site inspection on April 30th. (2) Wagon
Realty Trust land donation: information is being gathered for the
Board to review. (3) Northstar Program: Nugent to check on
applying to obtain surplus military equipment.
XIV. Executive Session regarding Police Contract Negotiations:
Motion 2/22/94.6: move to enter Executive Session (under
exception #3) for purposes of collective bargaining strategy for
Police Negotiations. Motion made by Murdoch with second Andrews.
Roll Call: Murdoch: Aye; Andrews: Aye; Frisoli: Aye; Kuchinski:
Aye. Motion carried 4-0.
Re-entered Open Session for purpose of adjourning the Public
Meeting. Motion 2/22/94.7: move to adjourn. Motion by Murdoch
second by Andrews. Motion carried 4-0.
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