TOWN OF MILLBURY
Board of Selectmen Minutes
Municipal Office Building – Selectmen’s Meeting Room
February 10, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Present: Board of Selectmen: Acting Chairman Joseph F. Coggans, Jr., Kenneth I. Schold, Francis B. King. Chairman Plante absent.
Robert Spain, Town Manager; Brian Turbitt, Tom Reilly, The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and concerned citizens
Acting Chairman Coggans opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Acting Chairman Coggans announced that Chairman Plante wanted to convey to the people that he is thankful for the cards and he is doing better.
Anna Lewandowski-Senior Circuit Breaker Program
Ms. Lewandowski was here to let the citizens know that we are back in business for the circuit breaker program. You can get $930.00 per person. Need to fill out tax forms this year to get stimulus check. Bring proof of income, sewer, and tax bills. If you did not get stimulus last year-can apply for it this year. Anyone who turns 65 in 2008 can come into the Senior Center this year.
Executive Session
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to move into Executive Session at 7:07 p.m. under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraphs 3 to discuss collective bargaining or potential litigation.
Selectman Coggans, Jr. - Yes
Selectman Schold - Yes
Selectman King - Yes
Acting Chairman Coggans stated that the Board will leave Executive Session to vote on an issue and conduct other business.
The Board returned to open session as 7:10 p.m.
Motion made by Selectman Schold to authorize the Town Manager to pay a settlement in the amount of $22,500, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Appointment of Poll Workers*attached is list of names.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to concur with the appointments of the poll workers and substitute poll workers. Selectman King abstained on Marie Kosiba.
Motion carried unanimously for all other workers. Carried 2-0-1 for Marie Kosiba.
Selectmen’s Meeting – 2/10/09 Page 2
Drainlayer Renewals
-Barrows Contracting, Inc.
-Mason Construction, Inc.
-Knapik Builders, Inc.
-F & G Construction, Inc.
Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the above listed Drainlayer renewals, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Computer Usage Policy
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to approve the computer usage policy.
Motion carried unanimously.
Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to approve the minutes of the Tuesday January 27, 2009 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to Approve and Release the minutes of the January 27, 2009 Executive Session.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to Release the minutes of the April 13, 2004 Executive Session.
Motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Report
Status of budget: We are facing a 1 mil 4.5 deficient-has to be zeroed out before presenting budget. Property tax levy-can only be increased by 2.5%-working with $90,000 as new money. Free cash-already ½ mil lower than last year. Local receipts-excise taxes, Wheelabrator, death certificates, investment income, any misc. fee that the town receives-running at about 4.3 mil -behind this year as well; State Aide-Governor cut aide for ‘09 $214,000-we think we will be ok for ‘09 because of previous cuts and steps already taken and 2010-cut $637,000-we are taking a conservative approach this year-not using numbers that are not there. Toughest financial year this town has faced in decades. We are looking at everything to try to save money-will take a lot of years to recover from
this. Open to any suggestions.
Chairman Plante wants to meet next Tuesday, February 17 solely to discuss the budget issues.
Letter from Mr. Hagstrom-after 33 years will resign effective April 24, 2009.
Selectmen’s Meeting – 2/10/09 Page 3
Motion for special election within regular election to fill the two year unexpired term on the Board of Assessors made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Acting Chairman Coggans wishes him and his family well in their endeavors and thanks him for his great service.
Update of snow and ice-so far we’ve spent $273,000+ and it is only Feb. 10. It will go up and continue to go up-showing a $90,000 deficient-have already declared an emergency. Last year covered deficient from overlay account-not enough money in there this year. By law we have to pay it back the by the next fiscal year. With cuts and deficient it is not looking good. Last year we were more than $160,000 in hole.
Chief asked to appoint Benjamin T. Holmes from Whitinsville as a new part-time dispatcher.
Motion to appoint Benjamin T. Holmes as a part-time dispatcher made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Schold to concur with the appointment.
Motion carried unanimously.
Financials for ambulance service are here.
We have been taking on workers for community service projects-commends the DPW director for taking on this project and helping them out.
Mail
Letter from Walter Hagstrom regarding resignation from Board of Assessors read.
Citizens Speak
Marcia Landry-85 Miles Street. She proposed a cost saving measure for the town. Elected and appointed officials should not receive benefits. In 2003 a policy was enacted to stop that but grandfather people already receiving the benefit. She thinks it will save at least $82,000 a year.
Acting Chairman Coggans stated that these are difficult times and they will do what they have to do. Selectman King stated that we are looking into all different options.
Anna Lewandowski spoke regarding budget crunch time-Millbury does an excellent job in their school dept. Possibility of combining issues, retirement and not filling job, eliminating position, top heavy in management, she believes that Section 4-2(d) of the Charter has been overlooked in two cases.
Steve Gallant-resident of Auburn-co-chair volunteer for relay for life cancer walk-18 hr walk sponsored team members-relay for life for central south county-25th anniversary for this walk. He is asking Millbury to join in the relays. American Cancer Society of Worcester has info.
Anna Lewandowski-wanted to let the people know that the charter review committee-members appointed do not have to be from the committee appointing them.
Selectmen’s Meeting – 2/10/09 Page 4
Executive Session
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to move into Executive Session at 8:06 p.m. under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraphs 3 to discuss collective bargaining or potential litigation.
Selectman Coggans, Jr. - Yes
Selectman Schold - Yes
Selectman King - Yes
Acting Chairman Coggans stated that the Board will leave Executive Session solely to adjourn; no other business will be conducted.
The Board returned to open session as 10:00 p.m.
Adjournment
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hayes, Secretary, Bd of Selectmen
Joseph F. Coggans, Jr. __________________________
Kenneth I. Schold __________________________
Francis B. King __________________________
Its Board of Selectmen
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