Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2005
Present: Robert Forte (late), Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski and Rebecca Coletta. (Jesse McSweeney - absent). Also present Executive Assistant Meredith Marini. (Executive Secretary Michael Finglas absent)
7:45 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Alliance. Chairman Kuchinski indicated that in light of the late start the agenda would be moved to the Street Acceptance hearings.
Item I Street Acceptance Hearing –
Holmes Terrace
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to open the Street Acceptance Hearing. Voted 3 – 0.
Chairman Kuchinski introduced Scott Petersen and thanked him for moving the matter forward. Mr. Petersen indicated that the neighbors contracted Land Planning to layout and bound Holmes Terrace in accordance with the street acceptance requirements. Other Holmes Terrace residents were present and deferred to Mr. Petersen. The plan was displayed. The Planning Board and Highway Surveyor have no problem with the acceptance.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to close the hearing. Voted 3 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to accept the Order of Layout for Holmes Terrace as presented. Voted 3 – 0.
Meadow Lane
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to open the Street Acceptance Hearing. Voted 3 – 0.
The Board reviewed the plan. Mrs. Marini indicated that the Planning Board recommended acceptance of the street as it is in compliance with all subdivision regulations. No representative from R&R Construction were present.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to close the hearing. Voted 3 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to accept the Order of Layout for Meadow Lane. Voted 3 – 0.
Item II Chairman Kuchinski read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. She announced that Mr. Finglas was not available for the evening and the Board would be signing Payroll Warrant #42, Expense Warrants 42A, 42B and 42C. Ms. Kuchinski received an invitation from the Pembroke Watershed Association to speak at their meeting on May 21st, which she has accepted.
7:55 p.m. Mr. Forte arrived.
Item III The Conservation Commission requested the Board’s approval to transfer funds from the Notice of Intent line for supplies.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve Conservation’s request for a transfer of $250.00 from the Notice of Intent fund. Voted 4 – 0.
Item IV. Approve Special Town Meeting Article 1 – 27 - The Board reviewed the Special Town Meeting Warrant holding the following Articles for further discussion with the Finance Committee:
Article 4 Legal Expense
Article 5 Bounding Town Forest & cemeteries
Article 7 Memorials
Article 9 Computers
Article 10 Band Concerts
Article 17 Fire Expense
Article 21 Finish Penn. Avenue
Article 22 Triennial Recert.
Article 23 Recreation Grant
Article 27 – Change Town Forest to Conservation property. Mrs. Marini informed the Board that Town Counsel has several issues regarding this article.
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to pull Article 27. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend the remaining articles not held.
Voted 4 – 0
Approve Annual Town Meeting Article 1 – 37 - Mrs. Marini informed that Board that the Capital Improvement Committee requested that Articles 21 (refurbish Engine 2) and Article 24 (refurbish Engine 3 & the Rescue) be combined into one article. Capital Improvement Chairman, John Norton explained the request for consolidation.
Article 8 – Revise use of Lot for the new police Station & Article 9 – Construction of new police through a debt exclusion.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend Articles 8 & 9. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 1 – Accept Town Report – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0.
Article 2 – Compensating Balances – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to recommend. Voted 3 – 0 - 1 (Forte)
Article 3 – Hear Police Station & Gov. Study committee reports – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 4 – Elected Officials’ Salaries - MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to level fund the salaries of the elected Boards and Commissions. Voted 4 – 0.
The Board discussed the salary for the Town Clerk, Highway Surveyor and the Tree Warden. A lengthy discussion ensued with the Highway Surveyor and the Town Clerk. Discussion was tabled to address a scheduled Executive Session with Town Counsel.
8:30 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski announced the Board would be going into Executive Session.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to go into Executive Session under Item #3 to discussion litigation strategies and union negotiations. Roll Call – Gallivan aye, Forte aye, Kuchinski aye, and Coletta aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:57 p.m. Returned to Open Session.
Mrs. Gallivan from the Finance Committee was present to discuss the articles and the budget. She indicated that the budget was $75,000 out of balance. The Board continued its discussion regarding the elected officials salaries.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to increase the Town Clerk’s salary by 5% for a salary of $51,700, and increase the Highway Surveyor’s salary by 3% for a salary of $62,000.
Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to increase the Tree Warden Salary to $2,400.00. Voted 4 – 0
Article 5 – Held
Article 6 – WHRHS Debt – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0
Article 7 – Deputy Collector Revolving Fund – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 10 – Building Maintenance - MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0.
Article 11 – Chapter 90 - MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0.
Article 12 – Grade private ways – MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0.
Article 13 – Defibrillators – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0.
Article 14 – Accept MGL Ch. 32 – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend.
Voted 4 – 0.
Article 15 – Carbon Monoxide Detectors – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 16 - Accept Capital Improvement Plan – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 17 – Set up Capital Improvement Fund – MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend the remaining Capital Improvement Articles 18 – 26. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 27 – Guardrail – Hold – The Board discussed the feasibility of using Chapter 90 funds. Mrs. Marini to check with the Highway Surveyor.
Article 28 – Assessors Exemption – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended all the revolving account articles – Articles 29 through Article 32. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend Articles 33 and 34, acceptance of Meadow Lane and Holmes Terrace respectively. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 35 - South Shore Women’s Center – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 36 – Cape & Island Legal Services – MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to Pass over. Voted 2 – 2 (Kuchinski & Coletta)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to Refer to Town Meeting. Voted 4 – 0.
Set Salaries for Appointed Officials – The Board discussed the salaries for the Town Administrator, Executive Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, the Town Accountant, Police Chief, Fire Chief and Director of Elder Affairs.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colette to level fund the Treasurer/Collector’s salary.
Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Forte)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to level fund the Building Inspector’s salary.
Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan to increase the Town Administrator’s salary and the Executive Assistant’s salary as printed in the budget request. The Board discussed the Town Administrator’s line and the need for a definitive job description for the Town Administrator’s job
Mr. Gallivan withdrew his motion. The matter tabled until April 26th.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte (for discussion) to increase the salaries of the Town Accountant, Fire Chief, Police Chief and Director of Elder Affairs by 3%.
The Board discussed the increase. Mr. Forte felt the evaluations varied and the top performers should be rewarded with higher increases. A lengthy discussion ensued.
Mr. Gallivan withdrew his motion and Mr. Forte withdrew his second. The salary discussion was tabled to April 26th.
Executive Session – Chairman Kuchinski announced the Board would be going back into Executive Session under Item #3 contract negotiations.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to go into Executive Session under Item #3 contract negotiations with union and non union personnel. Roll Call – Gallivan aye, Forte aye, Kuchinski aye, and Coletta aye. Voted 4 – 0.
11:55 p.m. – Brief Recess
12:41 a.m. Returned to open session.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
12:42 a.m. Meeting adjourned.
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