BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013
In attendance: Denis F. Keohane, J. Thomas Hurley, Kathleen M. Conlon, Annemarie Fagan, Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary
1. Chairman Keohane convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 10 Walnut Street.
2. Members of the School Committee and the Town Government Study Committee joined the Board. Chairman Sheridan called a meeting of the School Committee to order at 6:30 p.m.
3. Chairman Keohane introduced Zack Blake and Melinda Ordway from the Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Division of Local Services which is a state agency that oversees the financial practices of all the towns throughout the Commonwealth. Ms. Ordway and Mr. Blake were present to discuss the Financial Management Review prepared for the Town of Milton at the request of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee.
4. Mr. Blake commended the Town for its ability to maintain its bond rating during the recession, for all town departments being able to perform its duties well and for having a great school system.
The report was broken up into three areas of review, Government Structure and Organization, Budget and Financial Planning and Overall Financial Management. Mr. Blake touched on each area and the proposed recommendations by his department and the discussion was opened for questions.
Richard Neely, Chairman of the Town Government Study Committee, explained why the review was recommended by his committee and stressed the importance of knowing how other towns are handling similar situations.
Selectman Hurley agreed with the study’s recommendation to expand the responsibilities of the Town Administrator but pointed out that the procedure would be detailed and lengthy and would need to be changed by a home rule petition approved by town meeting and the state legislature.
Selectmen Conlon pointed out that school issues were not directly targeted in this review and the importance of the School Department and the Town combining services in evolving fields such as Information Technology and Human Resources. Ms. Conlon also commented on the Town Administrator and Assistant Town Administrator’s roles and wondered if the Assistant Town Administrator could provide crossover management support for the Town Administrator and the Planning Director.
Selectmen Hurley feels that additional staffing to do collective bargaining negotiations would free up the Town Administrator to perform other duties.
Chairman Keohane questioned the need to increase the size of the Board of Selectmen from three to five members. Zack Blake explained that most communities the size of Milton have five member boards to spread the burden and create broader stability, such as a board of directors model.
Mr. Neely suggested that we do a comparison with other towns which presently have five member boards.
Selectmen Hurley commented that some towns have the budget prepared by the Town Administrator and the Assistant Town Administrator (for budget and finance). He feels the role of the Warrant Committee is to be a “watch dog” and to make recommendations to town meeting.
The following residents addressed questions to the Board and the DOR representatives:
April Lamoreux, Jean Wilson, Darnell Turner, Michael Zullas, Ted Hays, Steven Affanato, Leroy Walker, John Cronin, (DPW Director) Joseph Lynch and Mary Kelly.
The School Committee adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
5. The Board discussed Article #1 of the October Town Meeting warrant (Citizens Petition to establish a Town Government Study Committee) and agreed that the Selectmen should recommend a “no” vote on this article.
6. Denis F. Keohane moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 8:22 p.m. with Denis F. Keohane voting yes, J. Thomas Hurley voting yes and Kathleen M. Conlon voting yes, to enter Executive Session to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property (the Town-owned land on Central Avenue), believing that having this discussion in open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and to return to open session for the purpose of adjournment.
7. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 10:51 p.m. to adjourn.
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