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March 10, 2011
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011

In attendance:  Marion V. McEttrick, Robert C. Sweeney, John M. Shields, Kevin J. Mearn, Town Administrator, Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary

  • The Board convened a meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 6:30 p.m. in the John A. Cronin Conference Room.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the February 17, 2011 meeting minutes as written.
  • The Board confirmed March 17, 2011 as its next meeting date.
  • The Board met with DPW Director Joseph Lynch who presented his assessment of the operational structure of the Department of Public Works.  Mr. Lynch presented his proposals to improve areas of concern such as operational deficiencies, employee morale, opportunities for cross-training, work place safety and crew assignments during employee absences.  Mr. Lynch stressed that this proposal would require approval by the Personnel Board, the Board of Selectmen and could require bargaining with the MPEA labor association.
After a lengthy discussion, John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted to approve the following recommendations of the Director of Public Works/Town Engineer:

  • Elimination of the W7B and W7A distinction in the wage scale and convert back to simply W7
  • Elimination of a W7 position.
  • Creation of a W6 position.
  • Reclassification of the Level 10 Manager of Street and Traffic Lights/Maintenance position to a Level 8 Manager of Street/Traffic Lights and Special Projects and approval of a revised job description
  • Creation of a Level 6 Administrative Assistant position in the Public Works Department and approval of a job description.
  • Reclassification of the Level 4 Draftsman position to Level 6 GIS and CAD Operator/Engineering Draftsman position and approval of a revised job description.
  • Creation of an Engineering Intern (Seasonal) position and approval of a job description with the following pay scale:  $13.50, $14.00, $14.50, $15.00.
John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the transfer of Central Business Office Level 9 Business/Procurement Manager Darlene McGrath to the Public Works Department, Level 6 Administrative Assistant position.

  • The Board met with resident Charles Gamer and discussed the Town’s role in assisting disabled residents.
  • The Board met with Planning Director William Clark who updated members on the following current projects:  the wind turbine project; the East Milton Parking and Access Study, activity of the Wireless Telecommunications Design Review Committee; the Green Communities Grant; the rental of the East Milton Library property, the Governor Stoughton property and the HOME program.  Mr. Clark also updated the Board on the current business of the Planning Board.
  • Robert C. Sweeney moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to accept a Federal grant for $122,848 to purchase breathing apparatus for the Fire Department, acknowledging that the Town is responsible for 10% of the grant or $12,284 which will be paid from the Fire Department budget.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to forward to the Warrant Committee a Reserve Fund Transfer request in the amount of $18,825 for approved veteran benefits.
  • Robert C. Sweeney moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a recommendation of the Traffic Commission to install, in the spring, a crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signs at the corner of Valley Road and Central Avenue.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the updated versions of the Sexual Harassment Policy and the Anti-Harassment Policy of the Town as prepared by Town Counsel in accordance with current guidelines of the EEC and the MCAD.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointments of John A. Hassan, 150 Windsor Drive, Whitman, Kurt S. Sager, 100 Holland Avenue, Stoughton, John J. Davis, 15 Woodside Drive, Milton, and Normand Racicot, 83 Lester Lane, Weymouth, to the Board of Directors of the Wollaston Golf Club and to forward the pertinent paperwork to the ABCC for it’s approval.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the display of the Milton Garden Club’s Perennial Sale banner on the grounds of the Library between April 23 and May 7, 2011.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the use of the Baron Hugo Gazebo for the following Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Park and Recreation’s Summer Band Concert Series:  June 7, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 (rain date) and Thursday, June 9, and June 16 (rain date) for a special kids concert.
  • Robert C. Sweeney moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointments of the following residents to the Cultural Council to serve through May, 2011:  Laura Cannata, 170 Centre Street; Veronica Guerrero-Macia, 16 Craig Street, Aatiyah Paulding, 14 Belvoir Road #2, Elizabeth Neville, 5 Cliff Road, Tosin Olariyar, 222 Blue Hills Parkway.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 8:35 to suspend the Selectmen’s meeting to convene a meeting in Open Session of the Trustees of the Governor Stoughton Fund to review an appraisal form for an RFQ of the Town Farm and to enter Executive Session to consider a request for financial assistance and to return to Open Session for the purpose of adjourning the Trustees meeting and to reconvene the Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
  • The Selectmen’s meeting was reconvened at 9:15 p.m.
  • John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 9:15 p.m. with Marion V. McEttrick voting yes, Robert C. Sweeney voting yes and John M. Shields voting yes to enter Executive Session for the purpose of conducting collective bargaining strategy in preparation for negotiations with union and non-union personnel and contract negotiations believing that discussion on these topics in Open Session may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and to return to Open Session only for the purpose of adjournment.
18.     John M. Shields moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 10:15 p.m. to adjourn.