Board of Selectmen
October 19, 2009
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Leroy C. Clark – Chairman, Cherilyn A. Bulger – Vice Chairman, Joseph R. Becker – Clerk, Nancy Macaruso – Secretary. Sheila H. Dibb arrived at 7:15 pm.
Ms. Bulger moved to sign Treasury warrant #8. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Bulger moved to accept the minutes of September 21, 2009. Mr. Becker seconded with an amendment. On page 2 regarding the dispatch position it should be noted and added to the motion “to make the position a contracted position”. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to accept the Executive Session minutes of September 21, 2009 (not to be released). Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mrs. Dibb moved to accept the minutes of October 8, 2009. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote 3 to 1 with Mr. Clark abstaining.
Senator Brewer came before the Board to discuss the economic prognostication about the current and upcoming fiscal years. Presently there is a $600,000,000 shortfall – layoffs for 2,000 state workers in the near future. Tax revenues across the board are down. 9.8% national unemployment rate. Pension funds are showing improvement. Regionalization of services and group health insurance should be looked into. The lottery’s Powerball for the state is being looked at. Mr. Becker questioned the Senator on shovel-ready projects and was told to send an email to the Senator requesting him to push for Rutland’s projects and he is happy to advocate. He has not heard of any cuts to Chapter 90 money. Quinn Bill cuts were discussed. Some questions from the audience were
answered by Senator Brewer.
REPORT OF TOWN DEPARTMENTS
DPW:
The Superintendent has the final copy of negotiations for DPW – he will send to the Board. An executive session will be scheduled.
Ads for surplus equipment – 1998 F-250 four-wheel drive pick up and 1997 Ford Explorer – no bids were received so he would recommend donating them to cancer research. If the Board wishes, he will advertise again; they would not pass inspection, and should only be used for parts. Mr. Becker stated that the Ford Explorer can be disposed of by the Board because it was part of the original article, but regarding the pick up truck he doesn’t think the board has authorization to dispose of it. Chief Ruchala stated that if the value is under $500, the Board does not need authorization. It will be looked into.
Chapter 90 update: roads are paved, drainage & catch basin work done, line-striping not complete yet – there will be $6,000 to $8,000 overrun and he and needs to file an addendum.
Mr. Clark questioned Superintendent Kellaher about sewer employees working on highway jobs and asked for clarification which he received.
The Chairman asked Mr. Kellaher how he felt about a sewer enterprise fund (similar to water) to which he replied that he would be in support of. Nothing would change except in the accounting area.
POLICE:
Senior driving program with AAA was well received. Approximately 30 people attended and it was recorded by the cable advisory group. Discussion on capital equipment requests and/or schedules. The Chief informed the Board that he will be on vacation beginning Thursday, October 22, 2009. The detectives have been busy with recent breaks in town – Detective Giglio was commended by the Chief and Mr. Becker asked to pass along a thank you from the Board as well. Halloween trick-or-treat hours are Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 4 – 8 pm. Cruisers have been winterized.
FIRE:
Chief Ruchala stated that the dispatch issue is moving along. He introduced new hire Matthew Benoit as Firefighter/EMT. The Board welcomed Mr. Benoit. Mr. Becker requested an update on the cell tower. Mr. Becker is concerned with the legal fees being incurred and would like a consensus from the Board on whether or not to move forward. Ms. Bulger stated that she is not happy with the location. This will be placed on the next Selectmen’s agenda for discussion.
OPEN SESSION:
6:40 pm – Tax Classification Hearing – Assessor, Joyce McGuinness recommended one tax rate. Mr. Becker moved a single tax rate for fiscal year 2010 per the Assessor’s recommendation. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the procurement for the Revaluation of the Town of Rutland Fiscal Year 2011 per the Assessor’s recommendation to Vision Appraisal Technology. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
7:01 pm – Continuation of a road hearing for Mr. Blair’s roads. Clea Blair, Jr. called earlier in the day to request a one-month continuation. Mr. Becker moved to continue the hearing to November 30, 2009 at 7 p.m. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Karen Goolsky re: salary matrix of Safe Place. Mrs. Goolsky feels the Safe Place employees should remain on their own matrix as well as seasonal employees. Mr. Becker explained that the five job titles were to be part of the analysis, not necessarily on the matrix unless they are completely out of whack. Mrs. Goolsky said that only four were included in the analysis – the aide was left out. Some discussion. Mrs. Dibb moved to include the aide position on the analysis review as part of Safe Place. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
7:37 pm – Tom Dufault, RDIC representative, came to the Board for a signature on the license to use the Rutland Heights Hospital property which gives the Town 24/7 access to property with no fee to the Town (approved by Town Counsel). Mr. Becker moved to have the Chairman sign the non-exclusive, long-term license to use the Rutland Heights property. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous. Per Mr. Dufault it will be kept locked and we have not received an MOA yet.
7:45 – Addison Redfield, Rutland Business Association representative thanked the Board for not raising meals’ taxes and also presented a petition signed by every restaurant owner or manager/food purveyor in town asking the Selectmen to vote to not raise meals’ taxes within the town. Mr. Redfield requested the Board vote not to raise meals’ taxes in the future as well. Mrs. Dibb does not feel the need to push it that far and does not want to place restrictions on a future board. No vote was taken.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Invitation to Planning Board meeting regarding the rezoning of the town center to be held at CTMS at 6:30 pm on October 29, 2009; everyone invited.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mrs. Dibb moved to accept the resignation of Elizabeth Robertson from the Council on Aging with regret. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker asked to pass along the Board’s thanks for all of her work.
Mr. Becker moved to appoint Rose Anne Ferrandino to the Council on Aging. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to appoint Melanie Palmer to the Council on Aging. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Local Initiative Program “LIP” for Lussier Enterprises (Campbell Hill Estates) – Mr. Becker has questions and would like to clarify with Town Counsel before signing. Will be added to next agenda.
Ms. Bulger moved that the Board of Selectmen vote to not renew the appointment of Police Chief Joseph Baril at the conclusion of his current term on June 30, 2009 and that the Board notify the Police Chief that his employment with the town will terminate one year from the date of this vote and that the Police Chief be given written notice of the Board’s action. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Third Amendment to School Lease Agreement with Wachusett Regional School District – Mr. Becker moved to sign the agreement. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Contract is now two years, not three.
Mr. Becker stated that free cash was certified today at $132,011. Discussion on debt service and debt exclusion. Line item appropriation regarding debt service needs correcting; so an article needs to be added. Mr. Becker moved to cancel the current scheduled special town meeting which was scheduled for October 26, 2009 and to reschedule the special town meeting for November 9, 2009. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker moved to add an additional article (article #12 see attached). Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker moved to sign the new Special Town Meeting warrant. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker briefly discussed the Primary Building project. He will send a letter to Senator Brewer per the Senator’s suggestion regarding the shovel-ready projects, and once he gets a response, he’ll bring it back to the Board for further discussion/decision.
Mrs. Dibb announced the Legislative Breakfast would be held this Friday in the Rutland Library and would like any and all department heads to attend.
Mrs. Dibb moved to go into Executive Session for Reason #3 and only returning to open session for adjournment purposes. Mr. Becker seconded. Becker aye, Dibb aye, Bulger aye, Clark aye.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Becker moved to adjourn. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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