 |
NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015
TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman Donovan opened the public meeting at 6:01pm. In attendance were Selectmen Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Chairman, James L. Doggett, Vice Chairman, Matthew A. Burrill, Lawrence B. Foote, Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was audio taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated December 4, 2014, December 9, 2014, December 16, 2014, December 17, 2014 and December 23, 2014
Foote moved to approve the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated December 4, 2014, December 9, 2014, December 16, 2014, December 17, 2014 and December 23, 2014. Second by Melvin. Doggett moved to amend the December 16th minutes under Letter H: Municipal Complex Committee “work of the committee done over the past 18 months to determine the needs” versus “over the past couple of months”. Foote moved to accept the minutes as stated with the amendment to the December 16th minutes. Second to amend by Doggett, motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to accept the Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated December 4, 2014 and December 9, 2014. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
- Cont review of 2015 Budget, Default Budget and Warrant Articles
Fire Chief John Alcaidinho was present to discuss the final wording on a warrant article from the department to enter into a long term lease/purchase agreement to purchase a fully equipped Tank Truck. The cost after a reduction of $5,000 trade in value comes to $350,000 and to use $235,000 from the Fire Apparatus & Equipment Capital Reserve Fund as a down payment. This lowers the amount to $104,394.00 payable over 7 years at a rate of $16,946.00 annually. This agreement does not contain an escape clause; 3/5 majority vote required for passage.
The Board was in agreement to support this article and thanked the Chief for incorporating the buyout and a multiple year lease agreement for this purchase.
The Board made a minor revision and approved the final warrant with the tax impact language for the Public Hearing scheduled for Monday, January 19th. The Board discussed getting legal advice on the town renting property at 8 Merrimac Road; what we can and cannot do with the property.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
The Board reviewed proposed Fire Department Standard Operating Policy and Procedures. The Board discussed that the Board of Selectmen have the final say in the hiring and firing per the town’s policies therefore we need to be cognitive of the department policies. An option discussed is to possibly contact legal services to get an analysis of how things are best run with town and department policies i.e. a pyramid showing the top being the town’s policy which then falls down to the department policies.
The Board signed a Notice to Intent To Cut Wood Or Timber for Map 007-06-006 & 006-08-006. Doggett moved to approve. Second by Melvin, motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Donovan adjourned the meeting at 7:27pm. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Winglass, Office Manager
| |
