Board of Selectmen
May 5, 2008
Community Hall Annex
6:00 p.m.
Present: Donald R. D’Auteuil – Chairman, Douglas C. Briggs, Leroy C. Clark,
Joseph R. Becker, Sheila H. Dibb and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary.
Treasury Warrant #23, Police, Fire, DPW payrolls were signed.
Minutes: Mr. Briggs moved to accept the minutes of April 22, 2008 as presented. Mr. Clark seconded. Mr. Becker would like the minutes amended to note that Paul Mattson (Cable Advisory Committee) will be submitting a proposal for a camera set up for meetings at the Annex. Vote unanimous. Mr. Briggs moved to accept the minutes of April 29, 2008 as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Briggs moved to accept the Executive Session minutes of March 24, 2008 as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Briggs moved to accept the Executive Session minutes of April 22, 2008 as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
REPORT OF TOWN DEPARTMENTS:
DPW:
The Superintendent recommended the Board award the bid for sewer main inflow & infiltration repairs to New England Pipe Cleaning Co. of Watertown, CT (lowest responsible bidder). Some discussion. Mr. Briggs moved the Superintendent’s recommendation. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Christianson requested the Board sign the Chapter 90 reimbursement request form for work completed on Muschopauge Road. Mr. Briggs moved Mr. Christianson’s recommendation. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Christianson requested the Board sign the Chapter 90 Project Request form for resurfacing and related work to the lower end of Maple Avenue. Mr. Briggs moved the Superintendent’s recommendation. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
DPW Superintendent Christianson requested the Board approve two line item transfers for gas, diesel and repair parts ($5,000 from Highway Supplies to Machinery Maintenance Supplies and $5,000 from DPW Wages to Machinery Maintenance Supplies). Mr. Briggs moved to approve the line item transfers as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Mr. Becker asked Mr. Christianson to forward a description of the transfers to the Finance Committee. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Christianson informed the Board that a request for a sewer extension for five dwellings has been submitted.
Request for Proposals for architectural work at the Primary Building has been completed and are due May 29, 2008. An expense report for work done at the Primary Building is continuing to be worked on and will hopefully be complete by the end of the month.
Mr. Christianson submitted updated/revised proposed water and sewer budgets. He has forwarded them to the Finance Committee. Some discussion. He also stated that he has re-posted the Water Operator’s position.
DPW Employee Handbook (smoking) was discussed.
DPW Superintendent requested the Board’s permission to advertise for the disposal of a 1995 Ford F-350. Mr. Briggs moved to advertise. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Letter from Fontaine re: Glenwood School (Consent Order) – Mr. D’Auteuil will try to contact Joe Bellino (DEP) to discuss the cutting of timber and the wetlands being crossed. Mr. D’Auteuil has spoken to Kurt Leslie (forestry consultant) and he informed Mr. D’Auteuil that the job was done according to the plan.
No decision was made to move forward with an approved low-interest loan to build a water tank – Mr. Christianson will request a deadline extension and if it gets turned down, a special town meeting may held before June 30, 2008 to make the appropriation. Lengthy discussion.
Mr. Clark asked Mr. Christianson if keys to certain town buildings could be left in the Annex. It was decided that Mr. Clark would sign the key out as needed.
POLICE:
Chief Baril presented line item transfers ($5,000 from Account # 5120 to 5130 and $2,800 from Account # 5120 to 5400). Mr. Briggs moved to approve the interdepartmental transfers. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Mr. Becker asked the Chief to send a description of the transfers to the Finance Committee. Vote unanimous.
A Citizen Police Academy will commence Tuesday, May 6, 2008 for eight weeks in Town Hall basement and the Selectmen are invited to partake.
The Chief informed the board that he has secured 75 bicycle helmets through the grant program and will be in possession of them by June 30, 2008.
Police Chief training in Leominster – in service police training will be able to be done online beginning next year. He will be on vacation next week; Sergeant Friberg will be in charge while he is away. Mr. Becker and Mrs. Dibb asked the Chief to have representation at the Annual Town Meeting should questions arise.
FIRE:
Chief Ruchala informed the Board of an electronics problem with the ambulance which has been resolved.
A SAFE Grant for $3,850 has been awarded for their SAFE program.
The Fire Brigade donated radios to the tanker and ladder trucks. An article will be placed on a town meeting warrant to accept the radios. A thank you letter will also be sent to the Fire Brigade.
Mr. Clark questioned the Fire Chief on the status of the Verizon tower to which the Chief replied that the drawings are being worked on and it is still moving forward.
The tanker will be on display for three days at the Big E fairgrounds during the New England Chiefs Conference in June – the manufacturer suggested it be displayed and will cover the transportation costs – mutual aid will be used as back-up while the tanker is away.
OPEN SESSION:
6:30 – Pole hearing (Turkey Hill Road) Mr. Becker removed himself from the hearing. Mr. Briggs read the description. The DPW Superintendent is satisfied with the placement. A Verizon representative explained that a customer was building a new home and pole lines needed to be extended to reach the house. With no questions from the public Mr. Briggs moved the placement of 9 new jointly owned poles on the easterly and westerly sides of Turkey Hill Road (Verizon Job No. (AC3GR). Mr. Clark seconded. Vote 4 – 1 with Mr. Becker abstaining.
Arline Drive Road Hearing continuation – Planning Board submitted a letter recommending favorably on acceptance as a town road. Mr. Christianson has no issues with the road as long as the Planning Board is satisfied. Mr. Briggs moved to lay out Arline Drive (Phase II) per the recommendation of the Planning Board and DPW Superintendent. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. D’Auteuil announced the hearing has been closed.
Dick Williams questioned an article placed on the ATM warrant by the Conservation Committee concerning the collection of fines pertaining to the enforcement of rules and regulations. Mr. D’Auteuil explained that more information was needed and that it would be put on a future warrant. Some discussion.
Addison Redfield informed the Board of a Candidates’ Night being sponsored by the Rutland Business Association on Thursday, May 8th at 7 pm at the Library. Representative Evangelidis will be the moderator.
CORRESPONDENCE:
CMMPO is holding a meeting on May 7th at 7:30 pm. Route 68 and Pommogussett Road projects were discussed. Mr. Becker asked Mr. Williams if a letter would accelerate the process. Mr. Briggs suggested sending letters to Rep. Evangelidis and Senator Brewer’s offices to contact the Treasurer’s office on releasing the money. Letters will be sent. Chief Ruchala stated that the Route 56 Project is extremely important and should not be dropped.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mrs. Dibb informed the Board that she is in contact with Horace Moody on the network backup. She further stated that the Town could save approximately $20 a month for internet service with a faster speed. She is also working with Mr. Moody on an email hosting package. Mrs. Dibb moved to sign the contract with Charter for lower internet service subject to review and concurrence with Town Counsel. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote 3-2 with Mr. Briggs and Mr. D’Auteuil abstaining.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Briggs stated that the Finance Committee would like a copy of the wage matrix; and is also proposing a 3% increase in wages. Lengthy discussion. Due to the settling of the police union negotiations, Mr. D’Auteuil moved to adjust wage increase to 4% for all other town employees. Mrs. Dibb seconded for discussion. Mr. D’Auteuil aye, the rest of the Board voted nay. Mr. Becker moved to adjust the wage matrix per the recommendation of the Finance Committee to 3%. Mr. Briggs seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mrs. Dibb stated that two people have given right of ways to Wachusett Greenways to continue the rail trail through their properties and feels they should be recognized at the Town Meeting or at least have letters sent to them thanking them for their generosity. She said the Moderator is in agreement. She knows of others who have received awards and would like them recognized as well. Mr. D’Auteuil informed Mrs. Dibb she could work with the Moderator.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Briggs moved to adjourn. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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