Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2005
Present: Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski and Jesse McSweeney. (Robert Forte & Rebecca Coletta - absent). Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini.
7:35 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Alliance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Executive Secretary’s – Mr. Finglas informed the Board that April 19, 2005 he signed Payroll Warrant 43 in the amount of $84,961.06, Expense Warrant 43 for $34,022.93 and Expense Warrant 43A for $14,212.89. Week of April 26, 2005 he signed Payroll Warrant 44 in the amount of $88,209.28, Expense Warrant 44 for $1,424,946.12 and Expense Warrant 44A in the amount of $17,045.17.
Mr. Finglas reported the he received a call from Michael Dunn concerning the reconstruction of the Roller Coaster Road intersection. Mr. Finglas referred Mr. Dunn to the Highway Surveyor and he will follow up with Mr. Harris on Wednesday.
Mr. Finglas indicated that he, Chairman Kuchinski and Mr. Gallivan interviewed 8 candidates for the Building Inspector’s position. The group has recommended three candidates for the Board’s reviewed. By consensus the Board agreed to set the interviews on Tuesday, May 10th.
Mr. Finglas reported that union negotiations were on going and recommended the Board go into executive session for an update.
Schoolhouse #4 Historic Designation - The office was notified that Mass. Historical is reviewing the application for School House #4 to be designated on the National Historic Register. A hearing is scheduled for June 8, 2005. The Historical Commission is compiling the package for submission.
Hanson Cub Scouts Spring Sign-ups - Hanson Cub Scouts has requested permission to use the Town Hall Green for Spring Sign-ups on Sat., May 21st from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve Hanson Cub Scouts using the Town Hall Green on May 21st for Spring sign-ups. Voted 3 – 0.
Item II New Common Victualler’s License –David Libby of 1407 applied for a Common Vitualler’s license for a food business, Dave’s Dogs. He has received the approval from Zoning and all the other departments.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve a common victualler’s license to David Libby of Dave’s Dogs at 1407 Main Street. Voted 3 – 0
Item III Old/New Business - Set Salary Appointed Officials – Mr. Gallivan reviewed the process discussed at the previous meeting and recommended the Board reconsider its prior recommendations.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to reconsider Article 4 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 3 – 0
The Board briefly discussed the increases for the Highway Surveyor, the Town Clerk and the Tree Warden salary.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to recommend a 5% increase for the Highway Surveyor for an annual salary of $63,129.00. Voted 3 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to recommend a 5.7% increase for the Town Clerk for an annual salary of $52,000.00. Voted 3 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to recommend the Tree Warden salary at $2,400.00. Voted 3 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to set level fund the salaries for the remaining Elected officials. Voted 3 – 0
Item IV. Special Town Meeting Review
Article 23 – Recreation Grant – Recreation Commissioner Wes Blaus and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Bouzan were present to explain Article 23 and the grant request. Mr. Blaus indicated that the grant is reimbursable. The Town must commit and spend the funds and the Foundation would reimburse the Town. The Board recommended the Recreation Commission get firm figures for improving the water front access and present the project at a future Town Meeting.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to Refer Article 23 to Town Meeting.
Voted 3 – 0
Article 21 – Bound Pennsylvania Ave. – Mrs. Marini informed the Board that due to lack of funding the Planning Board will pass over article 21.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to Pass Over Article 21. Voted 3 – 0
Article 17 – Fire Expense – Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the Finance Committee voted not to fund the article.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to Pass Over Article 17. Voted 3 – 0
Item V. Annual Town Meeting Review
Article 26 – Monponsett St. Guard Rail – Mr. Harris informed the Finance Committee that he will install the guard rail using Ch. 90 funds.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to Pass Over article 26. Voted 3 – 0
Article 5 – Budget – The Board discussed setting the increases for the appointed officials.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney (for discussion) to increase the Police and Fire Chiefs’ salaries by 3% to $81,955 and $75,377 respectively. Mr. McSweeney felt that the Fire Chief has improved over the past year and deserves a 3% increase. The Police Chief has performed consistently. Mr. McSweeney recommended a 4% increase for the Police Chief.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to amend Chief Savage’s increase to 4%.
Voted 3 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to increase the Police Chief’s salary by 4% and the Fire Chief’s salary by 3%. Voted 3 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney (for discussion) to increase the Town Accountant’s salary by 5% to $60,676.00.
Mr. Gallivan indicated that the Finance Committee has recommended the 5% increase. Mr. McSweeney pointed out that Mrs. Gomez would be retiring in December and would not be here for the entire fiscal year.
Voted 2 – 1 (Kuchinski)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to increase the Director of Elder Affairs salary by 3%. Voted 3 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney (for discussion) to increase the Executive Assistant’s salary as recommended by the Finance Committee a 16.88% increase. The Board discussed the increase and the hours for the part-time position. Ms. Kuchinski was not in favor of such a large increase. After lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled until Town Meeting and the Board requested specific figures for the part-time position.
Line 32 – Executive Secretary Wages –
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to increase the Executive Secretary’s wages to $85,000 as printed in the budget. Mr. Gallivan was informed by the Finance Committee that they would recommend the $85,000 based on the Draft Job Description. There was lengthy discussion as to the ceiling of a line and advertising of the position.
Voted 2 – 1 (Kuchinski)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to change the title of Line 32 from Executive Secretary to Town Administrator and Line 33 from Executive Secretary Expense to Town Administrator Expense. Voted 3 – 0
Item VI Tri-Town Lions request for Memorial Flag – Madeleine Swanson of the Tri-Town Lions requested permission to erect the annual Memorial Flag at the Fire Station.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the Memorial Flag fund raiser at the Fire Station from Memorial Day to the 4th of July. Voted 3 – 0.
Item VII Licenses - One Day Liquor License – Camp Kiwanee – Professional Bartending Sat. May 7th – Comedy Night for Recreation.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve a one-day liquor license to Professional Bartending for Saturday, May 7th. Voted 3 – 0.
Item VIII Executive Session - Chairman Kuchinski announced that the Board would be going into executive session under item #3 to discuss strategies for contract negotiations with union and non-union personnel. Roll Call – Gallivan aye, Kuchinski aye, and McSweeney aye. Voted 3 – 0.
9:30 p.m. Brief Recess
10:00 p.m. Return to open session.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to adjourn. Voted 3 – 0.
10:00 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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