Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2002
Present: Judy Murdoch, Catherine Kuchinski, Daniel Webster (late), Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones. Also present, Executive Secretary E. Winn Davis and Management Assistant, Meredith Scozzari.
7:40 p.m. Vice Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and announced that the Chairman would be late. She read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule
I. Set Salaries for Elected Officials and Department Heads – The Town Clerk and Highway surveyor were present to discuss their salary increases. After a brief discussion, the Board decided to first address the stipend elected officials which include the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Board of Assessors, Planning Board, Water Commissioners, Moderator and Tree Warden.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Jones to increase the Stipend Employees salaries by 2.5%. Voted 4 – 0 (Webster absent)
The Board took up the matter of the Town Clerk. Mrs. Harris informed the Board that she has submitted a budget with a 3% salary increase.
MOTION by Jones, second by Murdoch to increase the Town Clerk’s salary by 3%. Voted 4 – 0 (Webster absent)
Mr. Harris informed that Board that he has submitted a budget with a 4% salary increase. He indicated that the Finance Committee has accepted the budget with no negative comment regarding the salary. Ms. Kuchinski indicated that she was in favor of 4% due to the additional workload. Mrs. Murdoch and Mrs. McSweeney sited the fact that the Selectmen set a limit of 3%. Mr. Jones indicated that he favor a 3.5%. Mr. Harris was informed he could appeal to Town Meeting for the additional increase.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to increase the Highway Surveyor salary by 3.5%. Voted 4 – 0 (Webster absent).
II. Set polling hours – The Town Clerk recommended setting the polling hours from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for the May Annual Elections on Saturday, May 18th. Mr. Jones inquired as to the possibility of opening at 9:00 a.m. to accommodate soccer parents and residents who set out early on errands. Mrs. Harris indicated it would cost approximately $300.00 to be open the additional hour.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to set the polling hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on May 18th. Voted 4 – 0 (Webster absent).
III. Salary for Department Heads – Board discussed the salary of the Management Assistant. The Executive Secretary provided the Board with his recommendation for the department heads. Wage & Personnel has reclassified and upgraded the Management Assistant’s position to an Executive Assistant and has adjusted the salary range from $15.00 – $24.00. Mr. Davis explained that his research indicates the lower end of the salary range for comparable positions is $37,000, which would be his recommendation. The Board discussed the increase and cited difficulties getting such a large increase passed at Town Meeting. All members agreed the position should pay more. Ms. Kuchinski indicated she would support $35,000 and the Board agreed.
8:10 p.m. Mr. Webster arrived.
Mr. Webster joined the discussion and indicated he would support the $37,000 salary.
MOTION by Jones, second by Kuchinski to set the salary for the Management Assistant at $35,000.00 Voted 4 – 1 (Webster).
IV. Presentation for new high school – School Committee members Peter Muise, Jim Haggerty and Betty O’Sullivan were present with Dr. McEwan and Sharon Andrew to explain the financing for the new high school project. Dr. McEwan and Mrs. Andrew spoke regarding the feasibility study process and various meetings with the financial personnel of both Whitman and Hanson. Mr. Muise explained the various options of financing from Level Service, Level Service with Reserves, to Declining Debt Service and Declining Debt Services with reserves. After a lengthy presentation the School Committee requested the Board review the information and they will return at a later date with a visual presentation on the project.
V. Returned to Department Head Salary Increases: The Board discussed the Building Inspector’s increase and Mr. Davis’s recommendation of 2.75%.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to increase the Building Inspector’s salary to 2.75% and pay the $2,000.00 stipend upon completion of his Building Commission Certificate. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Davis recommended a 2.5% increase for the Treasurer/Collector.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Jones to increase the Treasurer/Collector’s salary by 2.5%. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Davis recommended a 3% increase for the Town Accountant. Mr. Davis explained that she has been a real team player and has been very responsive.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to increase the Town Accountant’s salary by 3%. Voted 5 – 0.
The Board discussed the Executive Secretary’s salary increase. Mrs. Murdoch pointed out that the office has been involved in some very large projects and the workload has increased over the last few years. She recommended at 4% increase. Mrs. McSweeney concurred. Mr. Jones favored a 3 – 3.5% increase. Ms. Kuchinski agreed with Mr. Jones. Mr. Webster felt there was some unresolved issues and recommended 2.5% to 3%. Mr. Davis thanked the Board for its support but recommended no more than 3% as that was the limit of the Board’s recommendation to other departments.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to increase the Executive Secretary’s salary by 3%. Voted 5 – 0.
VI. Request for Bottle Drive – Whitman Hanson Track Boosters annual bottle drive Saturday, April 6, 2002 .
MOTION by Jones, second by Murdoch to grant permission to the Whitman Hanson Track Boosters for a bottle drive on April 6th. Voted 5 – 0.
VII. Declare Surplus Items – Request from the Memorial Field Trustees to use the bricks removed from the Library/Senior Center sidewalk to be used as fill in bricks for the Memorial Field Walkway.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to declare the bricks at the Senior Center as surplus and to allow the Memorial Field Trustees to use the bricks for the walkway. Voted 5 – 0.
VIII. Executive Secretary’ Report – Mr. Davis indicated that the Senior Center Feasibility Study Committee has formally voted to sign the architectural contract with AKRO. He suggested authorizing the Chairman to sign the contract with AKRO.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Jones to authorize Chairman Webster to sign the AKRO contract in the amount of $31,000.00. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Davis briefly reviewed the warrant and capital improvement items highlighted in the March 5th memo. Chairman Webster recommended holding the funding request for the Senior Center Article and getting a report from the committee first. Ms. Kuchinski suggested the same for the Police Station article. The Board viewed the cover for the Town Report.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Jones to use the flag photograph courtesy of Bill Tonra as the cover for the 2001 Town Report. Voted 5 – 0.
Mrs. Murdoch announced that AKRO will be giving a presentation on the Senior Center on Monday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
10:10 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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