Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2008
Present: James Armstrong, James Egan and Jesse McSweeney. Christopher Colclough absent. Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
7:35 p.m. Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that he signed warrants for period ending January 24, 2008 – Payroll Warrant 30 in the amount of $104,415.67; Expense 30 - $49.666.47; Expense 30A - $443,489.95; Expense 30B - $19,558.31. Period ending January 31, 2008 he signed Payroll Warrant 31 - $117,307.16. Expense 31 - $24,514.02; Expense 31A - $487.00; Expense 31B - $20,898.49; Period ending February 7, 2008 he signed Payroll Warrant 32 - $102,602.79; Expense 32 - $1,8947,437.13; Expense 32A - $18,585.44 and Expense 32B - $10,731.70. Mr. Finglas indicated that he is scheduled to meet with the Administrative Professionals, Highway and Dispatcher’s unions on Tuesday, February 26th to receive their proposals. He is preparing a decision on the fire grievance his heard recently and will be setting dates to meet with the Fire Union regarding contract negotiations. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he received a letter from Superintendent John McEwan
regarding teacher contract negotiations. A Selectman is invited to sit on the negotiation team. Mr. Finglas distributed an outline of a report he will be submitting to the Board on a monthly bases. He also distributed the financial report from the Town Accountant.
Item II Open Annual Town Meeting Warrant - Mrs. Marini suggested that the warrant should close on March 11th at which time all the proposed articles will be presented to the Board.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Armstrong to open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 3 – 0.
Item III Discussion of relationship between TA & Board of Selectmen – Due to Mr. Colclough’s absence, the Board agreed to table the discussion until the full Board was present. By consensus the Board agreed to review the Special Town Administrator Act in sections. The Board will review on Section 3 at the next meeting.
Item IV Policy Review
Policy 5 – 1 Personnel - Alcohol & Controlled Substances – The Board requested that the most recent policy from the Department of Transportation be used to update the current Town Policy.
Policy 5 – 2 Personnel – Employees w/ AIDS - The Board discussed at length the title of the policy and suggested that the policy title be changed to communicable diseases. After brief discussion the Board requested Mr. Finglas check with the Town’s physician, Jordan on the Job or the Department of Public Health for a new policy.
Policy 5 – 3 Personnel – Equal Opportunity – The Board suggested that reference to the State policy be included in the Town Policy. There was discussion as to changing the title from Policy to Policy Statement when incorporating State mandated regulations.
Policy 5 – 4 Personnel – Family & Medical Leave – The Board reiterated that this policy is also mandated by State and Federal Law. The policy should be revised to include a link to the State Law regarding the Family Medical Leave Act.
Policy 5 – 5 Personnel – Hiring Policy – Mrs. Marini pointed out that there was no actual Hiring Policy on record, only a letter from the former Executive Secretary to the Board dated in 1993. She provided the Board with a copy of the Town Administrator’s Recruitment & Hiring Procedures as a template. The Board requested that an updated job description be drafted by the relevant body prior to hiring and the a representative of the relevant body participate in the resume review.
Item V Approve Minutes
Reg. & Executive Session – December 18, 2007
Reg. Session – January 22, 2008.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by McSweeney to approve the regular and executive session minutes of December 18, 2007. The Executive Session minutes to be held until the matter is resolved. Voted 3 – 0.
The minutes of January 22, 2008 were held until Mr. Colclough was present.
Item V I Licenses – One Day Liquor – Camp Kiwanee
Robin Hill of Alexandria, VA on March 22, 2008 from 1 – 6 p.m. to renew vows.
Linda Gosselin of Hanover on April 12, 2008 from 12 – 5 p.m. for a Bat Mitzvah
Richard Ronan of Hanson on March 29, 2008 from 7 – 12 p.m. for a SURPRISE party
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Armstrong as printed. Voted 3 – 0.
Item VII Resignations - Mr. McSweeney announced that he would be resigning from the Board effective March 7, 2008. He read a letter he had sent to the Town Clerk.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Egan to accept with much regret Mr. McSweeney’s resignation. Mr. Egan and Mr. Armstrong thanked Mr. McSweeney for is service to the Town and expressed their enjoyment while working with him. Mr. Finglas also thanked Mr. McSweeney for his hard work. Voted 3 – 0.
Mrs. Marini informed that Board that the vacancy will have to be placed on the ballot which will require a vote of the Board
MOTION by Armstrong, second by McSweeney, to place the remainder of the term, one year, on the May Annual Election ballot. Voted 3 – 0.
Item VIII Committee Reports Maquan School Feasibility – Mr. Armstrong reported that the committee meets regularly. They have reviewed several drawings and plans. Phoenix Committee – Mr. McSweeney indicated that the committee is moving forward. The plan is to educate the public on the budget process. School Budget – Mr. Egan reported that he attended the school committee budget meeting on Saturday. There are no definitive numbers at this time. CPA – The committee is organizing to educate the public on the process and a kick-off meeting is scheduled for March 6th.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Armstrong to adjourn. Voted 3 – 0.
8:55 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 3 - 0
March 11, 2008
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