Board of Selectmen
Minutes
May 5, 2008
Leo F. Blair
Timothy A. Clark
Lucy B. Wallace
Ron V. Ricci
Peter E. Warren
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Chair, Lucy Wallace in the Town Hall meeting room.
Leo Blair started the meeting by stating the School Committee voted in favor of a $200,000 override question with no request for an additional $65,000.
Library Trustee Pete Jackson stated he felt the town should be given a choice. He is in support of a $200,000 override question with additional questions for the Library and COA. He stated the Library stands by their original request of an additional $11,950 in funding. Pete explained the need for additional funds is to provide coverage with regards to PTO time. He also explained there may be sporadic closures due to coverage even with the additional funds. He maintained any dollar amount less than what is requested will result in less than level service.
Carlene Phillips requested an additional question for the ten hour increase in the COA Directors hours. The increase would result in $12,505 in additional funds. She explained the increase in the population of elderly in town warrants this request. She reminded the BOS that the article was passed at town meeting in March. Charlene feels by offering a choice it is facilitating an option for the town to make the decision. Charlene did state she would not support having a decrease in the initial override amount to accommodate the additional articles.
Peter Warren stated it is important to realize the financial constraints the town is under. He commended the school committee for making the tough decision they had to make with regards to their initial request. Peter suggested reducing the $200,000 to accommodate the additional requests from the COA and Library. He feels uncertain if voters would vote for the override with additional articles. Peter does agree with presenting citizens a choice and he said he would consider approving ballot with two additional articles.
Tim Clark asked Leo Blair about a methodology for Finance Committee to take away from this meeting. Leo explained he was looking for a target number. He would suggest this be recommended to the Finance Committee and then the BOS would act on their recommendation as to the methodology. Tim explained the responsibility of the town boards to provide a budget to meet a level of service that continues health in public safety along with providing services expected by taxpayers. Tim strongly urges the board to put the COA and Library as separate questions if they are not considered necessary and included in Omnibus budget by the Finance Committee. Tim confirmed he does not think two additional questions would adversely affect the initial $200,000 question.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
May 5, 2008 page 2
School Committee Chair Stu Sklar said to accept the COA and Library requests it would result in a $12.60 increase on average tax bill. Stu did confirm an additional article from the School Committee would not be put forward because the committee did not vote for it and he also stated he felt the $200,000 was the right number.
Ron Ricci also commended the School Committee for supporting a maximum override of $200,000. Ron suggested reducing the $200,000 to accommodate the additional requests from the COA and Library. Ron requested a review of the IRS form 990 which lists assets and income for library trustees. Ron strongly feels there must be one clear choice and that the $200,000 override number is that choice.
Lucy Wallace supports having a $200,000 override question with two additional questions for the COA and Library. Lucy felt from the survey it was evident citizens want a choice. She said it would be arrogant to not include the two additional items. Lucy confirmed she does not think two additional questions would adversely affect the initial $200,000 question.
Leo Blair stated the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee along with the Finance Committee have to recommend to the voters in good faith a budget the town can operate on with some reduction in level services which has been a painful process. Leo’s feelings from talking with voters are an understanding of increased costs to operate the town but concern over decisions made in the past. In moving forward with a new board the challenges will be to avoid these budget situations in the future. Leo expressed his great care for the schools in town. Leo confirmed the high cost of labor and insurance costs that are now coupled with increased energy costs are of great distress. Leo expressed his concern with over reaching in what is asked for. We may get rejected and if that happens there is no plan B. The plan B would actually be a no
override scenario which will be extremely hard. Leo supports the $200,000 override number with possibly two additional articles with regards to COA and Library to offer a choice to the citizens.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Holly Rothkopf of 14 Old Boston Turnpike Road suggested composing a decision at a certain level that is what is essential for the respectful appropriate running of our town. Presenting an override and then offering choices on additional requests showing a certain level of respect to the requestors and to the voters.
Lorin Johnson of Still River Road explained he feels people in town are looking for change probably due to the economic conditions we are all in. He also expressed the need for citizens to know what their taxes are paying for and a better understanding of a very complicated process.
Laura Martineau of Stow Road explained a concern regarding the initial number for the budget always being very high and as the process continues the number gets smaller. She feels this may make people loss faith and proves less credible. She also suggested the possibility of having the town meeting and elections later in the year so the public can be presented with a real number.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
May 5, 2008 page 3
Deborah Skauen- Hinchliffe of 221 Still River Road does not support the override. She feels there is fat in the budget.
Stu Sklar of Scott Road suggested expanding the Elderly and Disabled tax fund to help more people and to make it more of a community chest type program.
On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted to forward requests from the Council on Aging for $12,505 and from the Library for $11,905 in addition to our previous recommendation of a $200,000 override to the Finance Committee for their consideration.
ANNUAL EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENTS – On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted to appoint the list as presented without appointing the Ambulance Service and with additions Julie Doucet as given with reserve officers and DPW.
On a Clark/Wallace motion, the Board voted to continue agenda at meeting on Tuesday, May 6th at 7:30 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned 10:20 A.M.
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