SELECTMEN’S MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2003 5:30 P.M.
In attendance: Marion V. McEttrick, James G. Mullen, Jr., Charles J. McCarthy, David W. Owen, Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary
The Board approved the minutes of the March 18/19, 2003 meeting and the minutes of the March 24, 2003 meeting.
Diane DiTullio Agostino, Town Meeting member from Precinct 8, asked the Board to request “backup numbers” from the School Department on its budget figures.
The Board met with David Colton, DPW Director regarding his recommendations on his 2003 Paving Program. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the following improvements to be funded and constructed under the DPW’s 2003 Paving Program:
Reconstruct Reedsdale Road including sidewalks between Brook Road and Canton Avenue at an estimated cost of $290,000, of which $225,000 will be from Chapter 90 funds and $65,000 from the water capital budget.
Resurface Canton Avenue from Hemlock Drive to Brush Hill Road at an estimated cost of $85,000 to be funded from Chapter 90 funds.
Resurface approximately 500 feet of Adams Street southeasterly from the intersection with Canton Avenue at an estimated cost of $35,000 with Chapter 90 funds.
Also, to approve and sign a Chapter 90 Project Request Form and Environmental checklist for the Reedsdale Road and Canton Avenue projects.
The Board discussed Trash Sticker fees and the possibility of having the sale of stickers taken out of the DPW office and sold in the Library or the Collector’s Office. The Board deferred a decision on these issues until it can determine if there are any legal implications involved in selling the stickers at the Library and until it has had a chance to speak to Treasurer Kevin Sorgi regarding this issue. The Board agreed that it is a good idea to continue selling the stickers in the Town Hall but made no decision on raising sticker fees.
James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted to approve an extension of the authorization for the placement of a temporary stop sign on Hope Avenue at its intersection with Cedar Terrace Street an additional period through 30 days from the date of this vote.
The Board met with IT Coordinator Jim Sgroi to discuss the damage done by hackers to the Town server. The Town incurred $15,173 worth of expenses in responding to and resolving this problem. Of that amount, $11,234 is being requested from the Reserve Fund and the balance will come from available funds. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of the Information Technology Department for $11,234 from the Reserve Fund, and to forward this request to the Warrant Committee.
The Board discussed the use of the $335,575 received in FY ‘03 Bond Premium payments from the financing of the school building project. Treasurer Kevin Sorgi has suggested that these bond premium revenues be used to offset the costs of interest expense associated with the Bond Anticipation Notes for this project. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted to approve the use of $335,575 in bond premium revenues to offset the costs of interest expenses associated with the Bond Anticipation Notes for the School Building Program in F.Y. ‘04.
7. The Board also discussed the $150,000 in Arbitrage Revenue from the School Building Project. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to apply $150,000 in Arbitrage Revenue to the School Building Project debt service in FY ‘04 and to include an article in the Special Town Meeting Warrant for the distribution of these funds if necessary.
8. The Board discussed the Warrant Committee’s “Final Votes” on the budget request of the
various Town Departments.
9. The Board reviewed the Annual Town Election Ballot and discussed correspondence from Michelle Tassinari, Legal Counsel for the Secretary of the State (Elections Division) regarding a vote of the Board at its March 28, 2003 meeting. It is the opinion of Ms. Tassinari that the vote of the Board on March 28, 2003 to rescind a previous vote on March 24, 2003 (to put a non-binding referendum question regarding the retention and re-use of the 1909 wing of Milton High School) is not valid. General Law states that a non-binding public opinion advisory question may be placed on the ballot by a vote of the Board at least 35 days before the election. The 35th day before our Town Election was March 25th, 2003. There is no
process for removing any ballot questions after the 35th day before the election. Consequently, the non-binding referendum question regarding the retention of the 1909 wing of the high school will remain on the ballot. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Election.
10. The Board reviewed the warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the Warrant for the 2003 Annual Town Meeting.
11. The Board reviewed the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. The Board agreed to place an additional article on this warrant to address the spending of $150,000 in arbitrage revenue from the School Building Project if necessary.
12. James G. Mullen, Jr. moved, Charles J. McCarthy seconded and the Board voted to approve the request of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to use Town ways and sidewalks for a fund-raising event on Saturday, May 3, 2003.
13. Chair Marion McEttrick announced the date of this year’s Milton Pride Day event, Saturday, April 26th, and invited all residents to help with this annual effort.
14. Selectman McCarthy responded to Diane DiTullio Agostino’s earlier request for backup information to the School Department budget. Mr. McCarthy stated that the budgets get submitted to the Warrant Committee, not to the Board of Selectmen and therefore the burden for details should be on the Warrant Committee.
Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 7:40 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 for the purpose of discussing real estate and to return to public session only for the purpose of adjournment.
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