BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011
In attendance: Robert C. Sweeney, John M. Shields, J. Thomas Hurley, Kevin J. Mearn, Town Administrator, Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary
1. Chairman Sweeney convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the John A. Cronin Conference Room of the Town Hall.
2. John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the December 7, 2011 meeting minutes as written.
3. The Board confirmed January 5 and January 19, 2012 as future meeting dates.
4. Jane Gaughan, 88 Wharf Street, addressed the Board concerning the replacement of a slate roof on a historical building that is adjacent to her home at Wharf Street.
5. Students from Ms. Marotta’s fifth grade class at St. Mary of the Hills School met with the Board to ask permission to hold a fund raising event to benefit children in Haiti.
J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the use of the Town’s streets and ways for a “Walk for Haiti” that will take place on Sunday, April 29, 2012, contingent upon approval by the Police Chief and all proceeds will benefit the Haiti Micah Project.
6. Linda Palmer, President of the Milton Animal League, met with the Board to announce a grant of $1,000,000 from the Copeland Family Foundation for the construction of a new animal shelter. After reading the letter addressed to the Animal League, Ms. Palmer copied Town Counsel so he could consult with the Attorney General’s Office regarding the process for going forward with this project.
7. The Board met with Richard Sullivan and Kathleen Hickey from Powers and Sullivan, Town Accountant Amy Dexter and members of the Town Audit Committee to review the Town’s independent FY2011 audit. Although no deficiencies in internal control were identified opportunities for strengthening internal controls and operating efficiency were presented.
8. Vicki McCarthy, Youth Counselor Emeritus, met with the Board and presented an annual report of the volunteer work she has performed throughout the last year since her retirement from the Town. Mrs. McCarthy informed the Board that funding to implement an underage drinking town meeting is available for 2012. The Board of Health is voting to determine if it will take responsibility for coordinating such an effort which has been very successful in the past. Mrs. McCarthy promised to keep the Board apprised of this effort.
9. J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve forwarding to the Warrant committee a Reserve Fund transfer request in the amount of $4,055.68 to the Police Leash Law Account to be used for repairs to the Animal Shelter.
10. John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the application of Gerard T. Ernst, 81 Belcher Circle, to the position of Substitute Traffic Supervisor, contingent upon the approval of the Personnel Board.
11. John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the reappointment of Raymond Thill and John Zychowicz to the Sign Review Committee to serve through December 2012.
John M. Shield moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Christopher Huban to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee to serve through August 2012.
12. J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the January 30, 2012 Special Town Meeting Warrant.
13. John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a check to the Town in the amount of $15,000 from the Mary M.B. Wakefield Charitable Trust as payment in lieu of taxes.
14. The Board discussed the proposed wind turbine project, the interconnectivity component with NSTAR and the purchasing of the wind turbine itself.
After discussion, John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to go forward with the NSTAR interconnectivity component of the wind turbine project and to to negotiate with NSTAR on its behalf for a fee not to exceed $400,000.
John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to order the wind turbine and to offer not more than 10% down toward the purchase price.
15. John M. Shields moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Patricia Mearn to the position of Senior Administrative Clerk in the Inspectional Services Department.
16. J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a one year contract with Deputy Police Chief Charles Paris that will reflect a 2% increase in salary and be in effect from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a one year contract with Fire Chief John J. Grant, Jr. that will reflect a 2% increase in salary and be in effect from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a one year contract with Town Administrator Kevin J. Mearn that will reflect a 2% increase in salary and be in effect from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 3012.
J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted 2-1-0 (Shields) to approve a one year contract with Police Chief Richard G. Wells, Jr. that will reflect a 2% increase in salary and be in effect from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
17. J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to appoint Town Treasurer James McAuliffe custodian of tax possession properties as provided under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 60, Section 77B. As custodian he shall have the care, custody, management and control of all property now owned by the Town or hereafter acquired through foreclosure of tax titles or acquired under Section 80 and may sell at public auction any such property.
18. J. Thomas Hurley moved, John M. Shields seconded and the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.
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