Selectmen’s Meeting
January 21, 2003
Present: Robert Forte, Cathy Kuchinski, Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones. Also present Executive Secretary E. Winn Davis and Executive Assistant Meredith Scozzari.
7:35 p.m. Chairman Catherine Kuchinski called the meeting to order and read the announcements.
I. Hearing w/ Fire Union – Fire fighter Ken Caron was present to discuss the Fire Union’s grievance regarding the lack of six months notice of a change in schedule pursuant to Section 5.2 of the contract. He indicated that the Fire Chief presented the Fire fighters with two different schedules, one dated January 2002 and one dated July 2002, which reflected 24-hour shifts. Mr. Jones recapped the negotiation process. He pointed out that the Board extended the 24-hour shift on three occasions (June 30, August 30 and November 30) as an act of good faith during negotiations, while writing the union a letter retaining all rights specified in the contract.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to deny the grievance regarding the 10/14 schedule change as the six month notice provision doesn’t apply as it was negotiated in the previous contract. Voted 4 – 0.
II. Vote Snow Emergency – Chairman Kuchinski read a letter from the Highway Surveyor requesting a snow emergency pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 31D.
MOTION by McSweeney, second Forte to declare a Snow Emergency pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 31D. Voted 4 – 0.
III. Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Davis advised the Board that he has received a letter of resignation from Ann Collins, the senior clerk in Conservation. The job has been posted.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to accept with regret Mrs. Collins’ resignation and a letter of thanks to be sent. Voted 4 – 0.
* State Budget: Mr. Davis has received an e-mail from Lt. Gov. Healy requesting suggestions regarding the budget shortfall. Mr. Davis offered curbing the mandated costs for mandated services, Mrs. Gomez recommended a 10 – 15 year deferral of the shortfall costs, the State intervene in the medical co-pay grievances, Ms. Kuchinski suggested the Quinn Bill funding, and 40B issues.
* Stillman 61A Land: Mr. Davis reviewed the timetable for the Stillman 61A property. The Board discussed establishing a study committee, such as the Open Space Committee, to analyze the pros and cons of a potential purchase of 22 acres off Elm Street prior to Town Meeting. Mr. Jones suggested that a member of the Board of Assessors and the Finance Committee be part of the study committee to balance the Town’s interest.
MOTION by Jones, second by Forte to establish a study committee consisting of the Open Space Committee, one member of the Board of Assessors and Finance Committee to review Mrs. Stillman’s 61A release request. Voted 4 – 0.
* Photo ID’s: Mr. Davis informed the Board that he will be working with Craig Finley at the WHRHS and the Police Chief in producing photo ID’s for the regulatory officials of the Town: police, fire, building inspector, health agent, water personnel, library personnel and assessors.
* Network meeting: Mr. Davis indicated that the Network Committee would be meeting on Monday, January 27th. He has forwarded the Board members a link to the Town of Westborough’s site, which includes a GIS link through their Virtual Town Hall website. He will be presenting the concept to the Network Committee. Mr. Davis is waiting for a proposal from the contractor. The Board requested a list of layers, which are included in the program.
* Wage & Personnel: Mr. Davis reminded the Board that Wage & Personnel will be meeting on Thursday. The Board must petition Wage & Personnel regarding the Joint Labor Relation Commission’s decisions on the library and recreation positions. Ms. Kuchinski and Mrs. McSweeney will be present.
IV. Vote and Set salary increases for Department Heads and Elected officials – The Board discussed the salaries for the full-time and part-time elected officials. Ms. Kuchinski, Jones and McSweeney indicated that they would prefer to give the funds to the full-time elected officials and would forego in increase as a part-time elected official. After a lengthy discussion the board voted to level fund the part-time elected officials and increase the salaries of the Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor by 3%.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to recommend level funding the part-time elected officials. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to recommend increasing the Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor 3%.
Mr. Forte offered an amendment to the motion to 2.5%. No second. Motion failed.
Voted 4 – 0 for 3% for Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor.
Appointed Officials – Board tabled discussion on the Treasurer/Collector until she returns from vacation.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones for a 3% increase across the Board except for the Executive Assistant to receive 3.5%.
MOTION by Mr. Forte, second by McSweeney to amend the motion to include the Building Inspector and Director of Elder Affairs in 3.5%. He pointed out that the Director has not received an increase since she was hired last February. Mrs. Gomez indicated that the Director received a 3% increase in July. The Highway Surveyor, Executive Secretary and Fire Chief commented on the Building Inspector’s performance.
Mr. Forte withdrew his amendment. Mrs. McSweeney withdrew her second.
MOTION by Mr. Forte to amend original motion to included a 3.5% increase to the Building Inspector. No second. Motion fails.
MOTION by Jones, second by Forte to amend original motion for a 3% increase across the Board and a 3.5% increase for the Building Inspector, Executive Assistant and Town Accountant. Explanation of the motion was that it followed from the performance evaluations recently completed by the Board members. Voted 4 – 0 on the amendment.
Voted 4 – 0 on the original motion as amended – 3% increase to the Director of Elder Affairs, Executive Secretary, Fire Chief, Police Chief and 3.5% increase to the Building Inspector, Executive Assistant and Town Accountant.
V. Discussion Regarding Commuter Parking Lot – Highway Surveyor Richard Harris, Police Chief Edward Savage and Fire Chief Allen Hoyt were present to discuss the potential of taking over the commuter rail parking lot. Mr. Davis updated the Board regarding his survey. He indicated that Stoughton and Sharon operated their own lots, which are considerably larger than the Hanson lot. Mr. Davis estimated that the revenue generated from the lot per day based on 95% capacity for five day per week would be $105,000.00. Mr. Harris sited various expenses, which the Town would incur with respect to plowing, landscaping and cash collection. He also inquired about liability insurance on property, which the Town does not own. After a lengthy
discussion the Board tabled the matter until February 11th for more information. Mr. Davis to obtain figures on liability insurance, lease information, bids from the MBTA and lighting costs. Mr. Harris will follow up on bid information from PA Landers and equipment costs. The Police Chief and Fire Chief indicated that there would be no impact to their departments if the Town took over the maintenance of the lot. Chief Savage did indicated there would be considerable costs if the Town segregated a section for Hanson residents only. He would need a man to police the section and check permits.
Director of Elder Affairs Salary – Mrs. Gomez returned to the Board and indicated that in fact the Director of Elder Affairs did not receive an increase last July although the COA budgeted for one. She has a note from the Executive Secretary that the Board did not vote an increase. Mrs. Gomez respectfully requested the Board reconsider the Director’s salary increase.
MOTION by Forte, second by Jones to amend the salary increase for the Director of Elder Affairs from 3% to 3.5% for discussion. Ms. Kuchinski and Mrs. McSweeney not in favor of the increase. Mr. Forte spoke on behalf of the Director. Voted 2 - 2 (Kuchinski & McSweeney against) Tie – the motion fails. Director of Elder Affairs to receive 3% increase.
Flag Policy – Mr. Davis presented the Board with the flag policy. Lengthy discussion regarding inclusion of appointed officials under protocol section (a). The board was in favor of including “or full-time current town employees” after Policeman or Firefighter in section (b).
9:45 p.m. Bob Forte left meeting
Flag policy discussion continued.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to implement flag policy protocol as presented with the inclusion of “full time current town employee” in section (b). Voted 2 – 1 (Kuchinski)
Committee Report/Action Requests – Mr. Jones indicated that the School Building plan was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mrs. McSweeney indicated that the Water Department met last week. The 40B negotiating team will be meeting on Jan. 30th and a new hearing on Depot Village is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5th.
Executive Session – Chairman Kuchinski announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Item #3 – clerical union impact bargaining.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to go into Executive Session under item #3. Roll Call – Jones aye, McSweeney aye, Kuchinski aye. Voted 3 – 0.
9:50 p.m. Brief Recess
10:05 p.m. Back in open session – Chairman Kuchinski announced that no votes were taken. She announced that two clerical employees in the Treasurer/Collector’s office would receive a one-time training stipend in the amount of $75.00 for the training of the issuance of transfer station stickers and trip tickets.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to adjourn. Voted 3 – 0.
10:10 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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