Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2003
Present: Robert Forte, Catherine Kuchinski, Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones. Also present were Executive Assistant Meredith Scozzari. (Executive Secretary E. Winn Davis absent)
7:40 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and announced the vote of the Executive Session of March 4, 2003 approving the Lieutenant’s contract. Board signed the contract.
Swearing in of Lt. Richard Gredler – Chairman Kuchinski introduced Chief Savage who introduced Lt. Gredler. Town Clerk Sandra Harris swore in Lt. Gredler. Lt. Gredler’s wife Ann pinned on his Lieutenant bars. Several police officers and family members were present.
Joint Pole Hearing – Main Street – Bryantville Center – Steve Haybelt was present on behalf of Mass Electric.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to open hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
Mr. Haybelt informed that Board that Mass. Highway will be installing traffic lights and reconfiguring the intersection in at Rt. 27 and Union Streets. Consequently the pole must be moved 16 ½ feet.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to grant the easement for a joint pole location at Main Street and move Pole #2D 16 ½ feet southwest as outlined on the plan. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to close hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
Review Warrant Articles with proponents – Board reviewed the warrant articles with proponents.
Highway – Pages 7 & 8: Highway Surveyor Richard Harris explained the Stormwater articles. The $238,000 requested funds would be borrowed and the Town would be obligated to reimburse 2% over 20 years. Mr. Harris indicated that the Drainage Committee article on page 8 would be referred to the Special Town Meeting Warrant, as the funds will be needed in May. The $20,000 requested would repair drainage problems on Town owned land only.
Water – Page 39: Water Superintendent Glen Doherty indicated that the Water Commissioners are requesting $125,000 be transferred from their surplus line for DEP approval to draw water from Crystal Springs. The Commissioners currently has $390,000 in water surplus. They hope to draw an average of 864,000 gallons per day.
Police – Page 23: Chief Savage presented the police station renovation article. He indicated that while he doesn’t believe this is the year to commence the renovations, it was the Feasibilities Study Committee’s intention to leave the decision to the voters. The amount of construction is three million dollars. Chief Savage also reviewed the articles the Capital Improvement Committee is sponsoring on the Police Department’s behalf. Page 32 – leather gear in the amount of $14,000. The Chief indicated that the current nylon equipment, gun belts, holsters etc. has out lived its longevity. It was economical at the time of purchase; however, leather lasts considerably longer. Page 33 – radios in the amount of $25,000. By 2006
the FCC will require the radios to be on low band. Page 34 – computers in the amount of $10,000. There have been several problems with the current server, which needs to be replaced. Staff is maintaining the computers and server.
Assessors – Page 19: Cost of living exemption for seniors. Currently there are 35 recipients. Page 20 Increase gross receipts for 65 and over to $40,000. This article allows qualified residents to defer their property taxes up 50% of the total value of their homes at 8% interest. Eleven residents have requested deferral this year. The Boards discussed the article at length. Mr. Forte sited concerns that seniors could loose their homes. Mrs. Long indicated that liens are placed on the property but it is not the Assessor intent to displace the homeowners. The taxes would be collected upon sale of the property. Page 21 increase the income limit of $13,000 for individuals and $15,000 for married couples for residents 70 or over by July 1, 2003 to qualify for
an exemption.
Jean-Marie Smith – Monthly Report – Discussion G&O and salary adjustment – Mrs. Smith reviewed her monthly report. She indicated that there were several confidential issues in the report and requested that Board members to contact her privately to discuss the report. She indicated there are several programs being cut due to the lack of grant money. She reviewed her goals and objectives. She provided the Board with a copy of the September and October 2001 reports, which highlighted the positions, descriptions and sources of staff funding. She will prepared specific job descriptions for each of the positions and work on the description and guidelines for the Council. Maintaining essential programs during the financial crunch was her second goal. Her
final goal was to continue her education. Mrs. Gomez was present and discussed funding for Mrs. Smith’s increase for FY ’03. Mrs. Gomez informed the Board that the finance committee budgeted $36,050 to accommodate at 3% increase. Consequently, if the Board chose to award the 3% increase to Mrs. Smith, there would be funds available to pay her. The Board discussed the matter. Mr. Forte suggested that the upcoming fiscal years maybe too tight to accommodate increases. Mr. Jones indicated it was important to bring and maintain the salary to a proper level.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to recommend a salary increase effective March 10, 2003 for the Senior Center Director paid at a rate of $36,050.00 from that date forth. Voted 4 – 0.
Mrs. Smith inquired about having the pay retroactive to her anniversary date in February. The Board denied the request.
Open Special Town Meeting Warrant – Closing Date – April 1, 2003
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to open the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 4 – 0.
Parade Request – Kevin Keane of Hanson Little League – Opening day parade on Saturday, April 26th at Town Hall. – Assemble at 11:00 parade kicks off at 12:00 to Botieri Field.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to approve the Little League parade on Saturday, April 26th. Voted 4 – 0.
Resignation – Michael King’s resignation from Conservation Commission.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to accept with regret the resignation of Michael King from Conservation. Voted 4 – 0.
Approve Minutes – February 4, 2003 & February 11, 2003 regular session and February 25, 2003 & March 4, 2003 regular & executive session
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to approve regular session minutes of February 4 & 11, 2003 and regular and executive session minutes of February 25th and March 4th. Voted 4 – 0.
Committee Reports – Mr. Jones reported that the school building committee will be meeting on Thursday. Last Thursday’s meeting was canceled due to snow. Mrs. McSweeney reported on the Zoning By-Law Committee. They are looking into developing a Town center and addressing the cluster zoning issues. Mr. Forte indicated that there was no quorum for the Betterment meeting. The ZBA negotiated a walkway to the Commuter Rail through the back of the property at Depot Village, but did not require a sidewalk to be constructed, as requested by the Selectmen and other Boards. The Water Commissioners did not have a quorum. Chairman Kuchinski indicated that the Open Space Committee will be making a presentation to the Town meeting on the Stillman property.
Announcements – Chairman Kuchinski read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Executive Session Earl Wilson – Military leave & Firefighter Grievance – Chairman Kuchinski announced that Board would be going into executive session under Item #3 regarding negotiation with union and non-union personnel.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to go into executive session under item #3. Roll Call – Jones aye, McSweeney aye, Kuchinski aye, and Forte aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:22 p.m. Brief Recess
10:20 p.m. Returned to open session – no votes taken.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
10:21 p.m. Meeting adjourned
| 
