Board of Selectmen
November 19, 2007
Community Hall Annex
6:00 p.m.
Present: Donald R. D’Auteuil, Douglas C. Briggs, Leroy Clark, Joseph Becker, Sheila Dibb and Nancy Macaruso, Secretary.
Treasury Warrant #11, Police, Fire, DPW payrolls were signed.
REPORT OF TOWN DEPARTMENTS:
DPW:
Mr. Christianson respectfully requested the Board sign the Winter Operations Plan for 2008. Mr. Briggs moved the Superintendent’s recommendation. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Christianson requested the Board’s permission to post the Water Operator’s position. Mr. Briggs moved the job posting. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Christianson respectfully recommended the Board sign the contract with Weston & Sampson to prepare the bid documents for Phase 1 & 2 Inflow/Infiltration repairs. Mr. Briggs moved the Superintendent’s recommendation. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Christianson respectfully recommended the Board consider setting up an informational session with the State Ethics Commission. Mrs. Dibb and Mr. Clark are in favor and would like employees to attend in the evening on their own time. Mr. D’Auteuil disagrees and would like it to be a mandatory meeting. Mr. Becker feels an evening meeting would be better for all part-time boards and committees who would like to attend. State Ethics will be contacted to inquire whether days or evenings are better and also if there is a cap on the number of attendees. Mrs. Dibb will submit the name of someone she has heard speak in the past from the State Ethics Commission.
Chairman D’Auteuil read a decision from the ZBA regarding Demond Pond ROW being a private driveway easement and since it is private, Mr. D’Auteuil does not want the DPW plowing or sanding. Some discussion. Mr. Briggs moved to notify the inhabitants of Demond Pond ROW that due to the recent ZBA ruling of Demond Pond Row being classified as a private driveway easement, no Town monies can be expended on private property and the Town will cease all plowing and sanding on January 1, 2008. Mr. Clark seconded. Discussion – Mr. Becker is not comfortable with the motion and would like to wait until next year. Mr. Briggs, Mr. Clark, Mrs. Dibb, Mr. D’Auteuil – aye. Mr. Becker – nay. A letter will be forwarded from the Board of Selectmen’s
office. Mrs. Dibb would like to make a new motion to extend the ceasing of plowing/sanding of Demond Pond ROW to February 1, 2008. Mr. Becker seconded. Mrs. Dibb & Mr. Becker, aye. Mr. Briggs, Mr. Clark and Mr. D’Auteuil, nay. Motion failed.
POLICE:
Chief Baril submitted his winter parking ban (December 1, 2007 – April 1, 2008). Mr. Briggs moved the Chief’s parking ban recommendation. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Chief Baril submitted a resignation from Stephen J. Evans effective Friday, November 23, 2007. Mr. Briggs moved to accept the resignation of Stephen Evans. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Chief Baril stated that all Class I, II, and III license holders are in compliance with their auto limits. He also informed the Board that he placed canisters in 20 locations around Town for donations to the Jimmy Fund (Dana Farber) and raised $734. He stated that he will be bringing forward a revised/updated copy of rules and regulations list after he attends a training session in order to bring them up to accreditation standards.
FIRE:
Chief Ruchala submitted paperwork for signature from the Regional Emergency Planning Committee (Northern Worcester Region) to continue the process of compiling a plan and that Rutland will continue moving forward in working toward it. Mr. Briggs moved to authorize the Chairman to sign. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
The Fire Chief informed the Board of a simulator driving session through MIIA and that 37 employees attended and he will contact Mrs. O’Brien concerning an insurance credit.
Chief Ruchala also informed the Board that Brad Bemis will be returning as a full-time paramedic/firefighter.
Chief Ruchala announced that a Holiday Pot Luck will be held Thursday,
December 20, 2007 at noon at the Fire Station for all town employees.
The Fire Chief would like the Board to sign a conflict of interest waiver. Mr. Briggs moved to sign the waiver. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker questioned the Chief on the NIMS training to which the Chief replied that it is still being pursued.
Mr. Clark questioned the Chief on the ambulance certification – the Chief responded that the certification is up to date.
The MDU (District 8) trailer is in Town and he was informed that he received a $3,500 grant for the maintenance, upkeep and supplies for it.
OPEN SESSION:
7 pm – Mike DiBara (RDIC) spoke on renewable energy (wind generation) at Rutland Heights Hospital, CTMS, Glenwood Elementary School, Muschopauge Pond and the DPW yard. He asked the Board for permission to set up a subcommittee – one member from RDIC, Planning Board, DPW, Building Department, Finance Committee and the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Dibb would like one member to be a Rutland resident. Mr. DiBara will come back to the Board with the list of names. Mr. Briggs moved to authorize the formation of the subcommittee. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
7:07 pm – Continuation of a dog hearing (Fox/Morse): Animal Control Officer, Richard Clark, stated that he has received 3-4 calls regarding the dog being found in a neighbor’s yard (the homeowner has given permission to have the dog in his yard and the dog’s owner was present). Richard Clark recommended continuing the hearing until February 25, 2008 at 7 pm. Mr. Briggs moved the recommendation of the Animal Control Officer. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
7:15 pm – Discussion with Randy Jordan (Moderator), Barbara Sbrogna (Finance Committee) and Sally Hayden regarding the budget (preparation & presentation) for fiscal year 2009. Mr. Jordan would like to see the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen work together on the budget and to come to an agreement sometime before the Annual Town Meeting. Lengthy discussion between all parties, including the suggestion by Sally Hayden to have all department heads present at the Annual Town Meeting along with anyone who has an article on the warrant. Discussion on holding the Annual Town Meeting at the Glenwood Elementary School took place to which Mr. D’Auteuil stated that parking for the elderly could be a problem. A meeting will be set for Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at the
Library to begin discussions on the budget.
CORRESPONDENCE:
· Letter from Attorney Cranston regarding Chapter 61A letters. He states that he does not agree with sending all information to outside agencies before the Board decides if all requirements have been met. Mr. Briggs would like a copy of the letter from Town Counsel sent to the Land Conservancy for their information.
· Bay Path School is seeking representation for the collective bargaining process. Mr. D’Auteuil will attend the meeting on Tuesday, November 27th.
· Audit for CTMS & Naquag School. Mr. Briggs moved to authorize the Chairman to sign. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
* Mrs. Dibb would like the Board of Selectmen to decorate a tree for the Historical Society’s Festival of Trees.
* Mrs. Dibb would like to have a duplicate set of back up tapes kept at an off-site location. Mrs. Hayden will speak to Horace Moody.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Briggs moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission Contract on the build-out analysis. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Mr. Becker would like to know what the Town is foregoing in order to pay for this before signing. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark informed the board that he tried speaking to other Towns regarding their procedures in constructing a sewer treatment plant and no one would speak to him until an exploratory committee is formed. Mr. Becker would like to know how other town committees were formed.
Mr. D’Auteuil will send a letter to DCR concerning the sewer negotiations on the sewer use agreement.
Mr. D’Auteuil wished the Town of Rutland a Happy Thanksgiving.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Briggs moved to adjourn. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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