Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2004
Present: Robert Forte, Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski, Jesse McSweeney and Rebecca Coletta. Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and executive assistant Meredith Marini.
7:31 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. She read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule
Item I Citation to Cynthia Bowman – Chief Hoyt introduced Cynthia Bowman. Mrs. Bowman was cited for saving the life of Samantha Taverna on August 23rd. Chief Hoyt informed the Board that Samantha was choking on a jaw breaker when Mrs. Bowman came to her rescue. Chairman Kuchinski read a citation from the Board which was presented by Chief Hoyt.
Item II Chief Savage – Recognition of Officers – Chief Savage was present with Lt. Gredler, Sgt. Gene Andrews, Officers Michael Casey, William Casey and Daniel Godwin and dispatcher Brian Cranshaw and their families. Chief Savage recommended the Board place letters of commendation in each of their personnel files for their outstanding and professional actions during a home invasion at 16 Spring Street on August 28, 2004. Chief Savage indicated that the officers’ and dispatcher’s quick and calm responses and prudent judgment to the situation averted a potential injures to all the parties involved.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to issue letters of commendation to the officers and dispatcher for their actions as described by Chief Savage. Voted 5 – 0.
Item III Review Warrant Articles – The Board and the Finance Committee reviewed the warrant articles with the proponents. The Library Trustees were present along with the Library Director Nancy Cappellini. Leslie Prario spoke on behalf of the Trustees, requesting an increase in hours for the reference librarian from 15 to 25 hours per week. The individual in the position is seeking benefits for which she is currently not eligible. The increase in hours would make the position more attractive as 4 individuals have left the position in the last 5 years. The library is staffed with 7 employees, 5 part-time, 2 full time. The Board, Trustees and Finance Committee discussed maintaining State regulations.
Mr. McGovern pointed out that increasing hours or adding position in the middle of the year is not a good fiscal policy. Mrs. Gallivan of Finance pointed out that the Library had requested the additional hours during the last budget cycle, but the committee held the line on additional hours and staff to avoid layoffs.
Conservation Article – Mrs. Marini advised the Board that she and Mr. Finglas spoke with Attorney Goldberg of Kopelman & Paige and she recommended deleting the Notice of Intent line as a funding sources. She indicated that the Conservation Commission has control over the line and it doesn’t need Town Meeting approval to use the funds. Mrs. Marini recommended leaving the article on the Warrant for Town Meeting discussion, as hiring a full-time conservation agent would have impact on future fiscal year budgets both in salaries and benefits.
Camp Kiwanee – Ann Marie Bouzan informed the Board’s that the 20 years old roof at the caretaker’s house needed to be replaced. They have received an estimate of $3,000. The commission is requesting the funding in order to get the project complete before winter. Mr. McGovern inquired as to the use of the revolving account. Mrs. Bouzan indicated that the revolving funds are used for upkeep of the rental properties.
Water Commission – Mrs. Sutter informed the Board the article would transfer fund from Water Surplus to investigate other sources of water.
By-law Change – Mrs. Marini indicated the Attorney Goldberg recommended deleting the two articles referencing Chapters 30B and 149 as the Town is required to follow those Mass. General Laws. Attorney Goldberg forwarded proper verbiage for the amending the Town’s General By-laws.
Police Department – Chief Savage informed the Boards that the existing scanning equipment will not work on newer vehicles. He has requested $5,000.00. The Chief has also requested $3,000 for a new air conditioning condenser for the police station. Replacement parts were need three times during the summer. Chairman Kuchinski encouraged the Chief to look into working on the Police Station construction.
Library Article – Mr. Sutter inquired as to the feasibility of filling the vacation hours at the library with overtime as it may be less expensive than paying for benefits. Mr. Finglas to get the figures.
Item IV Executive Secretary Report - Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he has amended the recycling grant application to include rain barrels. He has spoken to Attorney Peloquin who has offered three dates to meet with the Police Union. The Roller Coaster Road Project is out to bid and is on schedule to be completed in December. Dr. John McEwan has requested a meeting with the Board on September 28th and has offered a tour of the high school to the Board on Wednesday, September 29th at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Finglas indicated that he signed Financial Expense Warrants 11A, 12, 12A, 12B, 12C and Payroll 12. He is working on a new reporting system with the Town Accountant, which should be completed in the next few weeks.
Item V Old Business - Discuss Government Study – Chairman Kuchinski indicated that the Planning Board appointed Gordon Coyle as its designee to the committee.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to appoint Mr. McSweeney as the Selectmen’s designee. Voted 5 – 0.
Five residents applied for the four seats on the committee. Applications were received from Robert Sutter, Prec. 2, Richard Edgehille, Prec. 3, Jerome Thompson, Prec. 3, Robert Cioffi Prec. 3 and Peter Muise Prec. 2. The office did not receive any applications for Precinct 1.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to appoint Peter Muise of 80 Cross Street at the Citizen at Large. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Coletta, second by Forte to appoint Robert Sutter of 264 Brook Street as the Precinct 2 resident. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to appoint Jerome Thompson of 531 Elm Street as the Precinct 3 resident. Voted 5 – 0
Nomination were taken for the additional resident to cover the Precinct 1 slot.
Nomination by McSweeney, second by Forte to nominate Robert Cioffi of 438 Main St.
Nomination by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to nominate Richard Edgehille of 115 South Street.
Taken to the Vote – two votes were received for Robert Cioffi (Forte & McSweeney) and three votes were received for Richard Edgehille ( Gallivan, Kuchinski & Coletta)
Mrs. Coletta recommended appointing Mr. Cioffi as a non-voting alternate member in the event one of the voting members resigns.
MOTION by Coletta, second by Gallivan to appoint Robert Cioffi as an alternate non-voting member of the Government Study Committee. Voted 5 – 0
Item VI New Business - Approve meeting minutes – Tabled until 9/21
Item V II Appointments & Resignations – The office received an application for appointment from Christine King 33 Baker Street to fill the unexpired term of Jean Marie Smith on the Recreation Commission – Term to expire on 6/30/07.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to appoint Christine King to the Recreation Commission to fill the unexpired term of Jean Marie Smith. Term to expire on 6/30/07. Voted 5 – 0
Item VIII Committee Reports – CATV – Mrs. Coletta indicated that the committee will be reviewing contracts for the non-profit organization and upcoming Cable contract. Chairman Kuchinski recommended the Board table additional committee reports until September 21st.
Item IX Executive Session – Chairman Kuchinski announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Exemptions 3 Strategies with respect to Collective Bargaining and negotiations with non-union personnel and Exemption 6 to consider the purchase, exchange, taking etc. of real estate.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under Exemptions 3 & 6 as described. Roll Call – Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Forte aye, McSweeney aye, Coletta aye. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. McSweeney indicated that he would recuse himself from participation of discussion regarding Exemption 6.
9:10 p.m. Brief Recess
10:20 p.m. Returned to open session – One vote taken
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0 ( Mr. McSweeney left during Executive Session).
10:21 p.m. Meeting adjourned
| 
