Board of Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2002
Mr. Merritt opened the meeting by introducing the Board, Jim
Boudreau, and Susan Mills, Treasurer/Collector
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the Board approve the agenda as written.
Second by Mr.Gaynor.
Susan Mills was present to inform the selectmen about an error on the part of the vendor who prints and mails the Real Estate and Personal Property Tax bills. A batch of 500 bills did not get sent out. Susan Mills is asking the board to adopt legislation enacted this year that allows cities and towns using a quarterly tax system to extend the date
of mailing. This legislation states that as long as they are sent out by January 31st, they will be due 30 days from date of mailing.
The board discussed what action should be taken regarding the vendor's error. This will be discussed in further detail at a later date.
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the board to accept Chapter 203 Section 19 of the Acts of 2001. Second by Mr.Gaynor.
Update from the personnel board, which is made up of town administrator Jim Boudreau and Jane Stout. The board is looking for an other member if anyone is interested.
The personnel board did make a change to the personnel by-law that authorizes the board to hire above the first step. That is new this year. They have had several requests to do this, mainly from the library. They have found that it makes a big difference in attracting qualified candidates. The board is now going to start the process for the 2002 Town Meeting. The Personnel Board sets the salaries of all nonunion/non contract personnel. They will also look at
the compensation of Town Clerk and the compensation for the Sealer of Weights and measures upon their request.
The Personnel Board normally meets once a month.
Chief Rosebach and Chief Galvin were invited in to discuss their budgets.
Chief Rosebach discussed his budget first which consists of Career Firefighter, Call Firefighter, and Ambulance.
Upon Advisory Board request a level service budget was submitted.
The only increases where in the career wage line and in the building and equipment maintenance line.
Chief Rosebach asked that serious consideration be given to a
mid-management assistant/fire prevention officer. This position would come from within but would be replaced with a new firefighter.
The Fire Chief also requested an article to fund the outsourcing of our ambulance billing. Presently the administrative secretary cannot keep up with the volume of billing. The chief believes that this will produce
cost saving benefits. He will go into detail with the advisory board.
$1,368,629 budget has been submitted to the advisory board.
Chief Galvin was next to discuss his budget.
The Emergency communications budget was submitted level funded except for a $500.00 increase for uniform allowance.
The Chief and officers salary and wage increase indicates a contractual increase.
Another issue is that the salaries do not reflect an increase that will be negotiated in the 925 contract for dispatchers. It reflects steps and levels. Bottom line police salary budget is a contractual increase in officers.
The overtime line is basicly the same amount but includes the contractual pay increase.
Currently three recruits in the academy, which will bring us up to full staff of 23. This should reduce overtime. But cost us $6,000 up front to put the officers into the police academy.
Overtime is so high because of the number of vacations that the officer's receive,and sick time.
Chief Galvin has requested that a new position be created to assist the
Police Chief. It would be a position to be filled within the existing
staff. Approximate cost to the town would be about $20,000. This is not
reflected in the current budget and would be a management non-union
position.
The governor is proposing to do away with the Dare program which will be another issue that the police department will need to deal with.
Community policing budget is also being reduced by the state.
The copy machine maintenance line increase is basicly for computers. This increase reflects the Police Department's software maintenance agreement with the state. We will also have laptop computers in the cruiser that will have a maintenance agreement.
The motor vehicle line has increased because this is the year that we buy three new cruisers instead of two.
The police department budget is a level service budget.
NEW BUSINESS
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the Board approve the request from the Silent Chef for a one-day license to serve all alcohol at an event to be held at the Cushing Center on Saturday, March 2, 2002 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Second by Mr. Gaynor.
Unanimously Voted.
MOTION: Mr Mariano moved the board approve the request from Professional Bartenders for a one-day license to sell all alcohol at an event to be held at the Cushing Center on Saturday, February 2, 2002 between the hours of 6:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Second by Mr. Gaynor
Unanimously Voted.
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the Board to set the date for Annual and Special Town Meeting in 2002 for Monday May 13,2002 at 7:30 PM at The Norwell Middle School Gymnasium. Second by Mr. Gaynor.
Unanimously Voted.
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the Board to open the warrant for the Annual and Special Town Meeting , tonight January 23, 2002.
Second by Mr. Gaynor.
Unanimously Voted.
As of today, the plan will be to close the warrant on February 6th.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Real estate taxes are due
Department of Education - Mr. Jim Boudreau gave an up-date on the Department of Education's cut in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The Board will continue to work on receiving our anticipated funding.
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