SELECTMEN’S MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2003 6:00 P.M.
In attendance: Marion V. McEttrick, James G. Mullen, Jr. Charles J. McCarthy and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary
The Board approved the minutes from the April 14, 2003 meeting as amended.
Diane DiTullio Agostino addressed the Board regarding the structure of the School Department budget and the present fiscal crisis.
Several residents of the Pine Tree Brook neighborhood area addressed the Board concerning the replacement of the footbridge. Concerns over vandalism, destruction of property and detriment to the environment were expressed should the bridge be replaced.
The convenience of access to that area was a concern for those wanting the bridge replaced.
Emily Innes, Chair of the Warrant Committee met with the Board to discuss the implications of the House budget on local aid figures and the Town’s budget. After reviewing the figures it was determined that the actual cut to the town is almost exactly 15% and the town is favorably out of balance by $37,167 in the FY 2004 budget.
Selectmen Charles McCarthy addressed the Board regarding his concerns over the radical changes that will occur in FY 04 due to the budget cuts in the town departments. He requested that the Board of Selectmen support a motion at Town Meeting to fund budgets as listed below, in most cases, the level service budget originally requested by each department. Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to request that Town Meeting appropriate funds over and above the recommendation of the Warrant Committee in the amounts listed as contingent requests for the following departments:
Department Contingent Request
Capital $ 114,000
Building, Plumbing & Gas 3,487
Fire 94,606
MEMA 1,600
Police (including Youth) 153,403
Wire and Street Lights 7,824
Accountant 3,261
Election & Registration 2,660
Town Office Building 14,209
Information Technology 24,438
Selectmen 15,567
Veteran’s Benefits 711
Board of Assessors 6,253
Town Clerk 9,311
Treasurer/Collector 9,217
Council on Aging 15,372
Historical Commission 250
Personnel Board 1,087
Warrant Committee 1,133
Public Works & Solid Waste 103,447
Board of Health 4,262
Library 50,998
Park & Recreation 35,673
Grand Total Appropriations $672,769.
The Board discussed the replacement of the Pine Tree Bridge and decided to confer with the Police Department and the School Department before voting on this issue.
The Board reviewed the Home Rule Petition that was prepared by Town Counsel for submission to the General Court to authorize the establishment of a Milton High School Accreditation Fund. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the submission of a Home Rule Petition entitled “An Act Authorizing the Town of Milton to Establish the Milton High School Accreditation”.
James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign a construction contract with Waterline Industries, Corp. in the amount of $206,113 for the replacement of the Truman Highway Pump Station.
James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted to ratify the nomination of Matthew McIver, Chairman of the Hingham Board of Selectmen for election to the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
James G. Mullen moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted to approve the inclusion of Article 8-Water System Improvement-in the Warrant for the May 12, 2003 Special Town Meeting.
The Board discussed the relocation of the cable “hub”, which consists of all our fiber optic lines that run computer systems in sixteen different buildings and our local access channel. It has been proposed to move the cable hub to the new high school location. Jim White of COMCAST has offered to prepare an estimate of cost to do this at no cost to the town. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to authorize COMCAST to prepare an estimate of the cost of relocating all our fiber optic lines were the cable hub to be moved to the new high school location.
James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted to approve the placement of banners for the Milton Road Race at the intersection of Reedsdale Road and Randolph Avenue and at the East Milton Fire Station in anticipation of the 26th Annual Milton 10K Road Race.
Chairman Marion McEttrick announced that the first payment check for $50,000 has been received by the Town from Quarry Hills as per Section Three of the First Lease Amendment. This payment in lieu of construction of athletic fields has been deposited into a special revenue account under the control of the Selectmen.
Chairman Marion McEttrick announced the date of a meeting coordinated by the County Commissioners Office regarding the proposed widening of Route 128 on April 29th from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in Norwood and encouraged representation from Milton.
James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 8:15 p.m., with Marion V. McEttrick voting yes, James G. Mullen, Jr. voting yes and Charles J. McCarthy voting yes to enter into Executive Session to consider the purchase of real property and to discuss collective bargaining and to return to public session only for the purpose of adjournment.
James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 10:15 p.m. to adjourn.
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