HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN MEETING MINUTES
MAY 19, 2008
6:00PM WRHS Cafeteria
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly N. Ferguson, James Jumonville, Kenneth O’Brien, Joseph Sullivan
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
The Chairman opened the meeting at 6:05PM.
Discussion of Warrant Articles
The Board discussed Warrant Article 6-3 (Public Safety Budget). Discussion focused on the replacement of a 95’ SUV for approximately $42,000.
Sel. O’Brien commented that he was troubled by the proposed replacement of the SUV. He said that the Fire Department budget already included the replacement of a fire truck and the addition of 9 full-time firefighters. Additionally, the town stepped up to funding the new Public Safety Building. He said he felt that the department could recycle a police cruiser to replace this vehicle and put the brakes on spending. He said he would support replacing the vehicle in the 2010 budget.
Fire Chief Jack Chandler said that he had requested a vehicle in the 2008 budget that did not make the cut. This explains the request for two vehicles in the 2009 budget.
The Board focused discussion on the establishment of a green vehicle/fuel efficiency policy. Sel. Ferguson said that the green vehicle/fuel efficient policy is in its final draft. Sel. Ferguson said she would like to see the vehicle replaced with a hybrid or smaller car. The Town Manager said that the purchase of the vehicle would be included in this policy. Chairman White said that he had two concerns regarding the replacement of the Fire Department vehicle: 1. The type of vehicles the town owns/purchases and their lack of fuel efficiency; and 2. The entitlement program that seems to exist where employees get a car to take home. He said that the proposed SUV was to be for the Fire Safety Officer because he will have more management responsibilities, but at what point will it stop? He said that the “hand
me down“ process does not mean that the replacement vehicle needs to be the same. While it is true there is no policy, the town hasn’t bought the vehicle either. He said that the Board should review the policy on why employees should get a vehicle. He said that the town is not Enterprise or Hertz.
The Town Manager commented that the Fire Department would add 9 full-time firefighters and the expansion of the Fire Safety Officers new supervisory duties should be recognized.
Chief Chandler said that this employee would be expected to respond to fires after hours. He said that he did not have a problem with a vehicle policy, but suggested that the policy actually be in place prior to purchasing any vehicles or making any decisions on who should receive a vehicle. The vehicle in question is 13 years old and unsafe to be on the road.
The Fire Department Stabilization Fund was discussed. The Manager explained that this fund is not meant for the purchase of cars and SUVs. It is meant for the replacement of fire trucks. Included in the ’09 budget is the purchase of a new fire truck, which will be paid for in cash, entirely from the FD Stabilization Fund. Chief Chandler said the Fire Department has not replaced a vehicle in 3+ years. Sel. O’Brien suggested that the Town establish a fund for these vehicle purchases. He said that he questions many charges from the fire department Budget this year and that the Board needs to hold the line on spending where it is doable.
Sel. Sullivan said that he intended to support the recommendation of the administration for the purchase of the replacement vehicle.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO AMEND WARRANT ARTICLE 6-3 (PUBLIC SAFETY/FIRE DEPARTMENT) AND ELIMINATE THE 42K VEHICLE PURCHASE.
Sel. Ferguson said that she would make the amendment on the Town Meeting floor.
Sel. Jumonville left the meeting to attend the Finance Committee meeting at 6:25PM.
The Board agreed to recess for 10 minutes to allow Sel. Jumonville to return to the discussion of Warrant Article 25 (CRA Building).
The meeting resumed at 6:45PM.
Sel. Jumonville reported that the Finance Committee determined that they did not have enough information to make a decision on Warrant Article 25 and decided to take no action.
Town Counsel said the Board could support the authorization of the taking of the property for $1 and the appropriation ballot vote would be made at a later date.
Attorney Bill Ritter, representing the CRA, asked to clarify the situation. The Board agreed to hear from Mr. Ritter. Mr. Ritter requested that the Board take no action on the Warrant Article. He said that the ultimate goal of the CRA is to produce the best facility for the residents. However, there are serious financial and legal commitments to the proposal. He said the CRA wants to cooperate with the town, but the Warrant Article sends the wrong message at Town Meeting.
Sel. Jumonville commented that there had been nothing mentioned that could not be addressed after the vote on the town meeting floor. He said that the building is badly deteriorated and any efforts made by the Town should not go into a non-town owned building.
Sel. O’Brien said the Board agreed to delay discussion on this Warrant Article at their 5/5/08 meeting. Chairman White reported that on May 13, 2008 at the Reorganization Meeting, the Board voted 4-0 to support Warrant Article 25 in order to go forward with discussions but not necessarily purchase the property.
Town Counsel said that the Warrant Article would have to pass by a 2/3’s vote to approve and then seek an appropriation.
Chairman White said he spoke with Al Berg with the Finance Committee, who voted to take no action on the Warrant Article. Mr. Berg opposed the Warrant Article because it doesn’t do anything; it involves no money, no liabilities, and no plan for the town. Sel. Ferguson said that a committee should be formed to research the process – a collective/joint venture process. She said that a resolution to the problem would not be solved by eminent domain. Chairman White said he was in favor of forming a committee and bringing the subject back at the next town meeting. However, he said he would support the original motion in order to support Sel. Jumonville’s efforts to save the facility. The Board discussed whether to take a reconsideration vote regarding the 5/13/08 vote. Sel. O’Brien
said he did not intend to support the Warrant Article.
A motion made by Sel. Sullivan and seconded by Sel. Ferguson to reconsider the May 13, 2008 vote to support Warrant Article 25 (CRA Facility) was discussed.
Sel. Sullivan said he was committed to finding common ground, but would like to see a committee formed to research the project. Sel. Ferguson concurred and said that the project needs to move forward quickly.
Chairman White asked if Sel. Jumonville would consider taking no action on the subject? Sel. Jumonville said that he would not and reiterated that there was nothing that couldn’t be accomplished after the vote.
The Chair said he respected that decision but said that he did not want a battle on the Town Meeting floor and asked him to reconsider. He said he would appoint Sel. Jumonville to the Committee.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO RECONSIDER THE MAY 13, 2008 VOTE TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 25 (CRA FACILITY). (OPPOSED: JUMONVILLE.)
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO PASS OVER WARRANT ARTICLE 25 AND FORM A COMMITTEE STAFFED BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, THE CRA, AND CITIZENS AT LARGE.
Recess to Town Meeting
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECESS TO TOWN MEETING AT 7PM AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION AT THE END OF TOWN MEETING FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MAY 19, 2008 MEETING AT 10:05 PM.
Approved: June 2, 2008 as amended
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