Minutes of Meeting – January 7, 2009; meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: RN Sandlin; L Messana; J McNinch; KR Flynn; S. Pavlosky.
MOTION by LM, seconded by RNS to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of December 17 as presented. 5/0 vote.
Members of the Fire Department appeared before the Board to discuss their proposal for a new stipend program for the volunteers. The Board stated that the FY10 budget does include a new line item of $30,000 for a new stipend program at a 50% rate. However, the Town is hopeful to be able to fully fund the program in FY11. The Firefighters expressed their appreciation to the Board, and explained that they would probably exclude drills and just pay for calls. As an update on things, the Board was informed that the new pumper is almost ready to ship, and that Chief Clifford is inspecting it now, with delivery by the end of the month. Also, a grant was awarded for fire station exhaust for all of the bays; congratulations to Chief Clifford on his efforts.
MOTION by LM, seconded by KRF to appoint Michael D. Lane as a lieutenant in the Fire Company, replacing Jake Pyra who resigned. 4/0 vote with RNS abstaining.
MOTION by RNS, seconded by LM to approve an amendment to the Library Lease increasing the length of the term from 10 years to 20 years as approved by the voters at the 08 Annual Town Meeting. 5/0 vote.
Old/New Business: LM proposed that the Board relinquish their annual stipends, a savings of $15,000. RNS brought up the Affordable Housing Trust and asked to have Town Counsel review the language. The TM updated the Board on grants the Town has applied for: $80,000 for an exhaust system for the Fire and Ambulance bays; $95,000 for energy efficiency improvements; submission of $26M in infrastructure projects to the state as part of possible federal stimulus funding. He also mentioned that the Town will be receiving a new COA van in August.
The issue of relinquishing the Board’s annual stipend was discussed earlier in the Selectmen’s meeting. The Board would like to eliminate the stipends for all officials, and will send a memorandum to the Assessors and Board of Health informing them of this proposal. It was agreed that snow would only be removed from the sidewalks during regular working hours, and not as overtime. It was agreed to have Dan Clifford and Chris Long meet with the Board to discuss the overtime situation in the Fire and Ambulance Departments. It was also agreed that the police will call Jeff Vincent who will make the decision as to when salting of the roads is necessary.
The TM presented the Board and the FinCom with his proposed FY10 Town budget.
By roll call, SP, LM, RNS, KRF and JM voted to go into Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. to discuss current negotiations with personnel.
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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