Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of December 15, 1998
Selectmen Present: Chairman Peter Jones, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Charles Flynn and Executive Secretary Joseph Nugent
I. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. by introducing Jim Tuffo, Finance Committee Chairman. Tuffo explained that the Finance Committee will be meeting every Tuesday Evening during January and February to go over budgets. With the new bylaw effecting them they will need to have budgets ready for review in March.
II. The Board reviewed staffing requests: (Jones requested a chart of these added requests.)
A. Planning Board requested to keep the additional 3 hours for the administrative assistant in the office. Flynn would like to know if the additional 3 hours in the office have accomplished so far.
B. Treasurer/Collector Carole McCormack had given the Board a memo regarding the office staff. McCormack would like to restructure the Collector’s Office to have an Assistant Collector - 35 hours, Assistant Treasurer - 32 hours, Clerk - 24 hours. These changes are due to computerization and changes in the law.
C. Library:
1. Request for an increase in the Youth Services Librarian’s hours from 25 hours a week to 35 hours a week, also to increase the salary from 13.29/hr. to 16.00/hr.
2. Request to add a Systems Technical Services Librarian at $16.00/hr for 35 hours a week. This position will replace the union position of Technical Services Associate.
3. Request for the addition of a part-time reference Librarian for 15 hours a week at $16.00/hr. This position requires a bachelor’s degree but prefers a Masters in Library Science.
4. Request to increase custodial position hours from 12 to 15 hours. This request is due to increased usage of the library.
D. Building Department is requesting an additional 7 hours a week for Clerical Staff.
E. Elder Affairs - Request Administrative Assistant work 35 hours. (an increase of 15 hours)
F. Recreation Commission- requesting an increase in the hours of the Rental Agent. The increase is for 10 hours per week for the three month span from May 15 - August 15. Due to an increase in camp use.
G. Board of Appeals: Increase of 10 hours per week for the Administrative Assistant due to increased work load.
H. Board of Selectmen’s Office - Nugent asked for an increase in 11 hours per week for the Management Assistant Position. The Office will be taking over Wage and Personnel and Finance Committee work. The Web Site will also be more work for the Office.
There was discussion regarding the requests for staffing increases. Murdoch pointed out that although the Departments may need the extra hours now they should know there may come a time when they do not need these hours anymore. Flynn referred to the Planning Board’s request for extra hours, he would like clarification from the Planning Board if they have been able to catch up with the extra hours so far.
III. Nugent reviewed the preliminary budget with the Board:
Computer Line - This line is increased to $15,000 for new services. There was some discussion regarding using the Schools to help with the computer services. Insurance Line - added $5,000 for building and vehicle insurance. Vehicle - Level funded.
Printing - Level Funded, Legal Line - Level Funded, Supplies - Level Funded,
Engineering reduction - $12,000, Demolition Line - Level Funded , Town Audit - Level Funded, Utility Line - Level Funded, Town Buildings - expensed are up slightly to reflect supplies, building maintenance, equipment repair, Selectmen’s - increased, Executive Secretary- increased from contract adjustment. All budgets need to be submitted to the Finance Committee by December 31, 1998. There was some discussion regarding the staffing increases.
IV. Kuchinski suggested the new Street Safety Committee be appointed. The Committee would be responsible for improvements of private ways, developing sidewalks, street lights (prioritizing a street lighting program for the town), investigating soft shoulder areas. The Board discussed the possibility of including drainage in this committee. The Consensus was to leave drainage out of the committee for now. Webster would like to see the committee consist of five members - 1 voting member from each precinct, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Highway (nonvoting), Police Chief (non voting). Jones would like to see the Police and Highway voting members. Jones will ask the Highway Surveyor if he would like to serve on the committee. The Board
will vote at the next meeting.
V. Negotiations: The Board has to negotiate with the Dispatchers, Fire Department, and the five Wage and Personnel positions that may be looking for contracts. Webster pointed out that he would rather have the Board dictate the salaries for these positions and leave the benefits to the Wage and Personnel Board to avoid a contract. Murdoch explained that these 5 positions have had trouble going through too many channels attempting to negotiate their pay raises and that is why they are asking for a contract. There was discussion whether a Board of Selectmen Member could be appointed to the Wage and Personnel Board to speak on behalf of the Selectmen.
VI. Warrant Dates - The Annual Town Meeting Warrant will open on December 29, 1998 and will close on March 30, 1999. The Special Town Meeting Warrant will open on February 9, 1999 to close on March 30, 1999. All Articles should be submitted to the Selectmen by the 23rd of March for review.
VII. Request from Russell King, Police Chief regarding replacing the Lieutenant which will trigger a Sergeant replacement. Ask the Police Chief to attend the January 12, 1999 meeting.
VIII. Open House at the new Middle School on Monday, December 21, 1998 from 7-9pm
Jones read announcement from library regarding holiday hours.
IX. Request for Executive Session: Motion by Webster to move into a brief executive session regarding Price of the Plymouth County Property 2nd by Murdoch. 5-0 Roll call vote Murdoch, aye, Kuchinski, aye, Webster, aye, Flynn aye, Jones aye.
X. The Board entered back into open session to announce no votes were taken in Executive Session. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Flynn, 2nd by Kuchinski. 5-0 vote
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