Minutes of Meeting – February 6, 2008; meeting called to order at 5:30 pm.
Present: RN Sandlin; JH Pumphrey; S Pavlosky; RT Akroyd. Absent: L. Messana.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RTA to accept the Minutes of January 23 as presented. 4/0 vote.
Our auditor, Tom Scanlon, appeared before the Board to go over the FY07 audit. He stated that, overall, it was a good, clean audit. The Town closed the year with a healthy fund balance due to revenues being some $677,000 more then conservatively estimated, and expenditures coming in some $218,000 below projections. He stated that on a scale of 1-10, the few findings were perhaps a 2, relatively minor. He suggested that the Town put together a Policy and Procedures Manual; he also suggested that the Town institute a Risk Assessment with an annual review to identify any potential problem areas.
Denis Lesieur, Library Director and Lois Lenehan, President of the Library Board came in to give an update on activities at the library through the first half of this fiscal year as well as to go over the initial draft of their proposed FY09 budget. They are seeking a level-funded appropriation from the Town. Fundraising is doing well and on target. Eastover will be hosting a community event in the fall for the Reading Park. Print circulation is down, as is typical with most libraries. The Board membership is up to 20 members now, with just two vacancies remaining. The Board has been performing excellent outreach.
MOTION by RTA, seconded by SP to appoint Ed Lane to the Finance Committee, replacing Joanna Roche. 4/0 vote. There were two strong candidates and the Board appreciated their willingness to serve.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RTA to approve a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $6479.97 for Fire Equipment Maintenance and Repair. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RTA to appoint Anthony Salvatore as a Special Police Officer for the Town. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RTA to grant a one-day A/A license to the Community Center for 3/29 from 6:30-10:30pm in the ballroom, and to waive the required fee. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by JHP, seconded by RTA to grant a one-day A/A license to Eastover Resort for 2/9 from 5:30pm-1:00am at Tally Ho. 4/0 vote.
MOTION by RTA, seconded by JHP to show the Town’s support of those employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserve by signing a certificate of support. 4/0 vote.
RNS informed the Board that Pam Mackie has resigned from the Planning Board. Since her term will expire in May, it was agreed to wait until the election to fill the vacancy. MED to send letter of appreciation.
Volunteer Firefighter Stipends: Several firefighters came before the Board to discuss the idea of stipends. They feel that due to increasing expenses such as gas, and the fact that they are taken away from their family, justifies the need for a small stipend for their services. It is hoped that this incentive may produce better participation during the graveyard shift. They proposed the following: Minimum qualifications: annual CPR certification, 1st Responder Certification every 3 years, Hazardous Material Response annually; $10 per call, with a $1000 cap, plus each training session. With fifty volunteers, the Town could be looking at $50,000 maximum. Seventy-five percent of the membership currently has the 3 basic training requirements. The committee working on this is
comprised of Jeff Lynch, Bill Colvin, John Garrity and Mike Lane. The BOS thanked the volunteers for their service, praising their recent quick response to the Curtis. The Board agreed to hold future discussions about stipends with the committee.
Old/New Business: None.
Meeting adjourned at 6:40pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Assistant to Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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Mary Ellen Deming
Town of Lenox
Town Hall - 6 Walker Street
Lenox, MA 01240
phone: (413) 637-5500
fax: (413) 637-5518
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