Selectmen’s Meeting ~
March 10, 2009
Present: ~Donald Howard, Stephen Amico, James Egan, Christopher Colcough and James Armstrong. ~Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant. ~~
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 for week ending February 26th he signed Payroll Warrant 35 in the amount of $104,633.56; Expense Warrant 35 - $37,583.61; Expense Warrant 35A - $19,060.07. Week ending March 3rd he signed Expense Warrant 36 in the amount of $27,018.66; Expense 36A $46,194.01; Expense 36B $5,717.11.
Budget Update – Mr. Finglas reviewed the FY09 budget and explained that State aid has been cut by $142,000.00. He informed the Board that through efforts and commitments made by department heads they have reduced the deficit by $54,696.51. He recommended that Board approve the transfer of $87,303 from the MTBE funds to balance FY09 budget. He explained that the matter will be accomplished with two or three articles. Mr. Armstrong was not in favor of using MTBE funds to balance the budget. He would prefer to use stabilization. The Board discussed the matter at length weighing the pro and cons of stabilization and MTBE funds.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to accept the Town Administrator’s recommendation to balance the budget through MTBE Funds and/or Stabilization. Voted 5 – 0
Maquan School Heating problem – Mr. Finglas presented the Board with a letter from Dr. McEwan regarding the heating system in the Maquan School gymnasium. He is requesting the Board’s support for funding of $12,280 for the repair and determination that it be considered as an emergency capital item. Mr. Armstrong explained that the regional agreement requires the communities to fund projects over $10,000. The Board agreed that the agreement should be amended and increased from $10,000 to $25,000.00. Mr. Finglas pointed out that approval of this funding would increase the amount of the FY09 deficit. Mr. Armstrong felt that the Town should only pay for the steam coil replacement of $10,730.00
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to fund the replacement steam coil in the amount of $10,730 and declare the repair an emergency. Voted 5 – 0
Increase dog licensing fees – Mr. Finglas informed the Board that the Town Clerk and Animal Control officer recommended increasing the dog license fees for neutered dogs from $5.00 to $10.00
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to increase the dog license fee for neutered dogs from $5.00 to $10.00. Voted 5 – 0
Cynergy Training request for Road Race – Keith Brown of Cynergy Training has requested permission to conduct a charity road race on Saturday April 4th at 10:00 a.m. starting at Maquan Street and finishing with a picnic at the Indian Head School.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to grant permission for the road race subject to the approval of the police department and the School Committee. Voted 5 – 0
Item II Re-Visit Warrant Articles - Mrs. Marini informed that Board that an article had been received from the Community Preservation Committee. They had been working on a draft which needs to be included in the Annual Warrant.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to open the Annual Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to accept the CPC article as printed. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to close the Annual Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
Draft Article Page 10 – Proposed by the Assessors and Treasurer/Collector. Assessor Cindy Long explained to the Board that the article refers only to personal property with a value of $1,000.00 or less. This article would give the Assessors permission not to bill for personal property valued at less than $1,000. Last year the amount of revenue received for personal property valued at less than $1,000 was $111.58. She explained that the Town cannot lien personal property and it is more work to send out bills and collect on them than the value of income gained.
Draft Article Page 12 – Representatives from the Recreation Commission were present and requested that the Board reconsider its decision not to include their article on the warrant.
Recreation Commission member Joe Baker indicated the Board was given incorrect information when it made it’s decision not to include the article on the warrant. Chairman Egan indicated that there is no money available for Recreation. The Commission requested the Board reconsider its vote.
MOTION by Armstrong to reconsider – no second. The matter was not reconsidered the article will not appear on the warrant.
Mr. Baker warned the Board that the matter was not over and that they will take whatever measures necessary to get these funds.
Item III -Annual March Reappointments – Terms to Expire 3/31/10
Bernard DeLory – Animal Control
Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Agent
Dana Larsen – Assistant Veterans’ Agent
Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Burial Agent
Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Graves Officer
Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Services
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to reappoint as printed. Voted 5 – 0. Mr. Finglas noted for the recorded that he recommends the reappointments.
Item IV Resignation/Appointment
A. Ron Grattan – Resigning from the Conservation Commission - Mr. Grattan submitted a letter of resignation to the Town Clerk on March 3, 2009 effective immediately.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to accept with regret Mr. Grattan’s resignation from the Conservation Commission effective immediately. Voted 5 – 0
- Bonita Saltzman – Historical Commission – Mrs. Saltzman submitted an application for appointment to the Historical Commission.
No motion was heard. Ms. Saltzman was not appointed to the Historical Commission.
Item V Hanson Girls Softball ~ Opening day parade request – Hanson Girls Softball has requested permission to hold an opening day parade on April 26, 2009 from the new police station to the L.Z. Thomas Field.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to approve the opening day parade on
April 26, 2009. Voted 5 – 0.
Item VI Minutes - Approve minutes of February 10, 2009
MOTION by Amico second by Armstrong to approve the minutes of February 10, 2009 as printed. Voted 5 – 0.
Item VII Committee Reports – Mr. Amico reported on the Brockton Power Plant. The Power Plant attorney was at the last meeting. The group has requested written confirmation of each Towns’ stance on the matter. Mr. Finglas inform Mr. Amico that a letter has been drafted. The next meeting is at the end of March. Community Garden – Mr. Armstrong indicated that the community garden will be back this year at the same location behind the BCI building on High Street.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
8:40 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 - 0
March 24, 2009
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