Selectmen’s Meeting ~
March 24, 2009
Present: ~Donald Howard, Stephen Amico, James Egan, and James Armstrong. ~Christopher Colclough absent. 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 Dollars for Scholars – Michael Ganshirt of Dollars for Scholars was present and requested that the Board declare April Dollars for Scholars Month and requested permission to erect a fundraising thermometer on the Town Hall Lawn.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to declare April as Dollars for Scholars month and grant Dollars for Scholar permission to erect a fundraising thermometer. Voted 4 – 0
Item II Green Hanson - Green Hanson has submitted a request to use Town Hall Green for an Earth Day event on April 25th 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with a rain date of April 26th .
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to grant Green Hanson permission to hold the Earth Day Event on the Town Hall Green on Saturday, April 25th. Voted 4 – 0
Item III Town Administrator’s Report
WH Track – Annual Bottle Drive 4/4/09 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Mr. Finglas informed the Board that the Whitman Hanson Track Boosters will be holding their annual bottle drive on April 4, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Disclosure of Peter Daley – Mr. Finglas informed the Board he received Disclosure of Financial Interest by Municipal Employee from Sgt. Peter Daley. Mr. Finglas explained that the Disclosure has been filed due to the fact the Sgt. Daley at times may be required to issue overtime to his son. Chairman Egan will sign the disclosure as the appointing authority.
Mr. Finglas informed the Board that for period ending March 5th he signed Payroll Warrant 36 in the amount of $134,496.71. Week ending March 12 he signed Payroll Warrant 37 in the amount of $116962.07, Expense 37 - $44535.64. For week ending March 19th he signed Payroll Warrant 38 in the amount of $101,051.04; Expense 38 - $202,060.00; Expense 38A - $28,375.29 and Expense 38B - $17,792.13.
Budget – Mr. Finglas distributed two budgets to the Board along with an updated forecast and spreadsheet indicating his recommended cuts. Mr. Finglas indicated that he has been informed by the Union representative that not all the unions will be willing for forego their contractual increases. Mr. Amico inquired whether Mr. Finglas spoke directly to the union members. Mr. Finglas indicated that he spoke with the AFSME representative only. Mr. Finglas recommended that the Board approve Budget B which includes a three percent increase for all the staff and union personnel. He indicated that $54,000 in overlay, a reduction in the reserve fund account by $10,000 and increasing the use of the ambulance fund from $224,000 to $290,000 would help with lowering the deficit. Mr. Finglas
recommended using MTBE fund and stabilization fund to balance the budget. Currently there is $892,779 in stabilization and $650,468 in the MTBE funds.
Mr. Finglas provided the Board with a history of the use of the stabilization fund from 2005 through 2008. Mr. Armstrong expressed his concern with using the stabilization fund. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that a bill has been filed in the legislature to allow communities to use Chapter 90 funds to offset the FY09 Snow & Ice Deficit.
Mr. Amico was concerned about depleting the ambulance fund and feels the funds should be reserved for the purchase of a new ambulance.
Mr. Finglas pointed out that the building commissioner will be paid on a per inspection basis.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the salaries and health benefits for part-time elected officials. Members from the Board of Assessors, Planning Board, Board of Health and Water Department were present for the discussion. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that $33,000 is paid in salaries for the elected officials and $70,000 is paid for health benefits.
Water Commission Bruce Young suggested the Board adopt a Home Rule Petition to “lock in” the current elected officials and not allow any newly elected official to participate in the insurance. As an alternative, health benefits would cease at the end of the part-time elected officials current term. According to Mr. Young, none of the part-time elected officials would be eligible for COBRA. Mr. Armstrong suggested a Home Rule Petition for zero funding of part-time elected officials, but allow them to stay on the Town’s insurance plan and pay 100% of the cost. There was debate as to whether a Home Rule Petition could be passed by July 1st.
After a very lengthy discussion and input for all the participants, the Board agreed to pursue a Home Rule Petition with an article in the Special Town Meeting Warrant to allow Part-time elected officials participate in the Town’s health insurance plan, but pay 100% of the costs.
The Board discussed other options for reducing the budget. Don Ellis inquired if the Town plans to sell any Town owned land as a revenue source. Mr. Armstrong suggested looking at the non-mandated bussing line and requested permission to discuss the matter with Bill Sweeney for the School Department. Mr. Egan was not in favor of reducing the line for this budget cycle. Mr. Armstrong also suggested closing the transfer station one day a week as a possible savings.
Mr. Amico pointed out that the WHRHS assessment was wrong the correct number should be $6,652,393.00. The adjustment brought the deficit to $347,000.00.
MOTION by Howard, second by Armstrong to approve Budget B, as amended in Line 113 with a deficit of $347,000 to be taken from stabilization and the MTBE funds. Voted 3 – 1 (Amico)
Mr. Amico requested that Mr. Finglas speak directly to the unions regarding the foregoing their increases.
Item II Close Warrant & Review Articles – Water Commissioners Phyllis Bickford, Mary Lou Sutter, Bruce Young and Joseph Duffy were present along with Water Superintendent Neal Merritt to discuss the water department articles and the funding source of MTBE funds. Mrs. Bickford pointed out the article for the conservation program will be funded through the water surplus account. Mrs. Bickford explained that the three remaining articles Water interconnection for $200,000; Water Mains for $125,000 and Crystal Springs for $125,000 are all projects which have been placed on hold for several years. Each project will benefit the rate payers. The commissioners believe the MTBE funds should be used for these projects as the funds are a one time only event. They do
not feel the monies should be used for operating budgets. The water rates were last increased three years ago. There was a lengthy discussion as the to the use of the MTBE funds. The Board requested that the Commissioner prioritize the articles. The commissioners determined the order of importance to be Crystal Springs, Water Mains and the Interconnections. The Board requested the Commissioners consider funding half of the Interconnections through water surplus. The Commissioners agreed to consider the request and would discuss the matter on Wednesday, March 25th.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to recommended the Crystal Springs project Page 7 of the draft warrant. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to recommend the Water Mains project
Page 6 of the draft warrant. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to recommend $100,000 from MTBE and $100,000 from Water Surplus for the Water Interconnections project, Page 5 of the draft warrant. Voted 4 – 0
The Board reviewed the warrant articles for the draft warrant dated March 24, 2009
Page 1 Selectmen Unpaid Bills $1,000.00
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 1. Voted 4 - 0
Page 2 Selectmen Reduce FY09 Budget Line $20,912.00
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 2. Voted 4 – 0
Page 3 Selectmen Reduce FY09 Budget $24,397.80
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 3. Voted 4 – 0
Page 4 Selectmen Reduce FY09 Budget with MTBE, Stabilization Free Cash
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 4. Voted 4 – 0
Page 9 Selectemen Replenish Stabilization
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 9. Voted 4 – 0
Page 10 Selectmen Fund Dispatchers Contract $8,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 10. Voted 2 – 2. Mr. Armstrong indicated that he hasn’t seen the contract and is uncomfortable moving forward. MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to HOLD. . Voted 4 – 0.
Page 11 Selectmen Utilities $5,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 11. Voted 4 - 0
Page 12 Selectmen Norfolk Aggie Tuition $9,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 12. Voted 4 – 0
Page 13 Selectmen Custodial Wages $7,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 13. Voted 4 – 0
Page 14 Selectmen Disposal Wages $
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 14. Voted 4 – 0
Page 15 Selectmen Maquan Boiler $10,710
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 15. Voted 4 – 0
Page 16 Selectmen Replenish Stabilization
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 16. Voted 4 – 0
Page 17 Highway Street Sweeping $6,380
Mr. Finglas indicated that he would recommend to the Highway Surveyor that he go directly to the finance committee when his funds are depleted.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to HOLD page 17. Voted 4 – 0
Page 18 Highway Chapter 90 Articles
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 18. Voted 4 – 0
Page 19 Highway Trench Regulations
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 19. Voted 4 – 0
Page 20 Selectmen Treasurer Fines
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 20. Voted 4 – 0
Page 21 Selectmen Wage & Personnel Compensation
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 21. Voted 4 – 0
Page 24 Capital Imp. By-Law Change
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 24. Voted 4 – 0
Page 25 Police Marijuana By-law
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 25. Voted 4 – 0
Page 26 Police Marijuana Fines
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend page 26 Voted 4 – 0
Page 27 Petition Sex Offender
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to HOLD page 27. Voted 4 – 0
Page 28 Petition Fund Caretakers $29,243.00
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to HOLD page 28. Voted 2 – 2
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard NOT to recommend page 28. Voted 2 – 2
Item V One Day Liquor License – Request from Debbie Sullivan of Hanson for a one day liquor license on Sunday, April 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Bridal Shower.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to approve the one day liquor license as requested. Voted 4 – 0
Item VI Whitman VFW Post – Request from Whitman VFW Post for permission to conduct their Annual Poppy Drive at Shaw’s Supermarket May 16 & 17, 2009 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to approve the Annual Poppy Drive for the Whitman VFW as requested. Voted 4 – 0
Item VII Minutes - Approve minutes of March 10, 2009
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to approve the minutes of March 10, 2009 as printed. Voted 4 – 0
Item VIII Committee Reports – The Board will be hosting the next meeting with the Area Selectmen on May 14th at the police station. Power Plant – No meetings to report according the Mr. Amico. Mr. Howard indicated that he is still working on the retention and detention ponds. No meeting yet regarding the SEMASS contract.
Item IX Executive Session- – Chairman Egan announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under exemption #3.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to go into Executive Session under exemption #3. Roll Call – Howard aye, Amico aye, Egan aye, and Armstrong aye. Voted 4 – 0.
11:00 p.m. Brief Recess
11:05 p.m. Returned to open session.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
11:06 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant.
Voted and Approved Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Colclough
May 19, 2009
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