Board of Selectmen
April 4, 2011
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Sheila H. Dibb, Chairman, Joseph R. Becker, Vice-Chairman, Cherilyn A. Bulger, Michael S. Pantos - Clerk and Nancy M. Macaruso, secretary.
Chairman Dibb opened the meeting at 6 p.m.
Ms. Bulger moved to sign Treasury Warrant #20 and payroll. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to accept the meeting minutes from February 17, 2011 as presented. Mrs. Dibb seconded. Vote 3–1 with Ms. Bulger abstaining.
Ms. Bulger moved to accept the minutes from March 3, 2011 as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote 3-1 with Mr. Pantos abstaining.
Ms. Bulger moved to accept the minutes from March 7, 2011 as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Bulger moved to accept the minutes from March 22, 2011 as presented. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
POLICE:
Chief Haapakoski is recommending Laura Pease as Animal Control Officer. She is the the ACO in Barre and Oakham and lives in Oakham. She has been doing the job for five years and is certified. Some discussion on the feral cat colony in Town and that Rutland is on the list for the trap/neuter/return program. Mr. Becker moved to appoint Laura Pease as Animal Control Officer. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Per the Police chief, her salary should be the same as the retired ACO and will be certified at the next Selectmen’s meeting. She has not heard from the owner of a dog involved in a recent hearing about his choice of a trainer. The Board welcomed her to Rutland.
The Police Chief is comfortable with the law enforcement portion of the Stateweide Mutual Aid opt in and will revisit in two weeks. Mr. Becker would like to know if we can “piece meal” this opt in agreement as we have not heard from DPW or Fire yet.
The Police Lock Up has been getting use if staffing allows (104 arrests last year and 39 as of today). Per MGL, Chapter 40, Section 35 Mr. Becker moved to appoint Chief Haapakoski as Keeper of the Lock Up. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Officer duty assignment breakdown handed in by Chief.
The Chief stated that a training program for the new sergeant will be June 6-10 at Boylston Police Academy.
Harry Sechman, Chairman CIPC, commended the Chief for his efficiency in working with the Capital Improvement Committee.
The Board questioned the security at the Public Safety Building – locks have been changed and no one should have the combination. Chief Ruchala stated that he sees no issue and he and the police chief have taken care of any problems.
FIRE:
A Rad 57 (measures carbon monoxide in the blood) was acquired through Homeland Security grant.
A letter from an employee out on disability asking if the town would like representation at his review. Fire Chief will check with the attorney.
A resident informed the Board that she would like to use LoJack SafetyNet as a tracking devise for her children with autism who sometimes wander away. The company will come to Rutland and furnish the department with equipment at no charge as well as train fire & police personnel – the family would pay for the bracelet for the child. The Board supported this program.
Ambulance fees - some conversation, will add to next agenda (Chief will gather additional information).
DPW:
Street sweeping has begun starting in the center of town and working outward to be completed by town-wide yard sale.
Arbor Day for grades 5 & 6 at CTMS – sponsored by National Grid and the Town supplies the trees.
Mr. Kellaher is concerned about people applying for building permits and completing the work prior to actually obtaining the permit (specifically when checking for easements on sheds, pools, etc. prior to issuing a permit and finding out that the pool or shed has already been constructed). Rick Travers stated that the Building Department does not issue permits prior to easement and/or tax checks. Lengthy discussion.
On May 11th the DPW Employees will attend a program through MIIA and the town will receive a discount.
Letter from MassDOT notifying that the Intervale Road bridge is being replaced. Mr. Kellaher is handling and no money will be spent from town resources.
Mr. Pantos questioned Superintendent Kellaher about school delay notifications and he stated that he still does not receive notification of snow cancellations or delays from Wachusett, however, he does get them from Bay Path. It has been requested of Wachusett in the past by email and a letter will be sent to Dr. Pandiscio and cc’d to Peter Brennan. Mr. Kellaher stated that he is still in the black for snow & ice.
Memorandum of Agreement has been ratified by the Union. Mr. Becker moved to sign the MOU between the Town and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 93. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
OPEN SESSION:
Continuation of public Hearing on Morris Lane – Mr. Soucy stated that all work has been completed per the meeting last week. Norm Anderson, Chairman of the Planning Board stated that he has not had a meeting to get official vote of the entire Board. He will try to arrange a Planning Board meeting before April 11, 2011 when the Selectboard hopes to lay the road out with the plan to have it on the Annual Town Meeting warrant for acceptance. Mr. Pantos moved to continue to April 11, 2011. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Scott Davis and other members from the Historical Society came before the Board seeking support in replacing the Christmas tree on the common as it is getting too large to decorate. It also has some damage and for safety purposes should be replaced. It was suggested that they work with the DPW Superintendent to come up with a proposal. The Board supported their efforts.
Harry Sechman of the Capital Improvement Planning Committee handed the Board a draft of his Board’s recommendations for capital purchases. Lengthy discussion. The Board thanked Mr. Sechman and the Board for their work.
Michael Stoddard was recognized and he explained that he is lodging a complaint against Fire Chief Ruchala regarding his demotion. He was told to put the complaint in writing and forward to the Selectmen’s office. In the meantime, Mr. Pantos and the Fire Chief will sit down with Mr. Stoddard to discuss.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter from USDA re: Community Facilities Loan – Mrs. Dibb announced that they would be here next Tuesday at 9:30 am.
Resident letter offering a donation of land in the Cool Sandy Beach area (Pine Way). Mr. Becker stated that it is a nice gesture and thanks them but does not support the offer. Will forward to Conservation, Planning Board and Fire Department seeking input.
Letter from City of Melrose re: IT services. Some discussion. Nathan Kenney (Dispatch Department Manager) will look into it further.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker suggested whittling down the candidate list for Building Inspector and Gas/Plumbing Inspector by the next meeting and scheduling interviews shortly thereafter.
Mr. Becker gave an update on the green repair project at Naquag.
Personnel policy – discussed feedback from department heads. Common theme among all comments was the severe storm policy / state of emergency. Mr. Becker has a different understanding of a governor’s state of emergency vs. a local state of emergency. Will be continued to April 19th meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker moved to appoint Leroy “Skip” Clark as Animal Inspector to run May 1, 2011 thru April 30, 2012. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Steve Yerdon of Devereux invited the Board to its annual event at Mechanics Hall and Mrs. Dibb publicly thanked him but declined.
Memo to be sent to all departments who have articles from prior years that they will be looked at for possible close out.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mr. Becker moved to enter into Executive Session for Reason #3 – To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. And only to return to open session for adjournment purposes.
Ms. Bulger aye, Mr. Becker aye, Mr. Pantos aye, Mrs. Dibb aye.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Pantos moved to adjourn. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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