Board of Selectmen
November 15, 2011
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Joseph R. Becker, Chairman, Michael S. Pantos, Vice-Chairman and Leroy C. Clark. Sheila H. Dibb and Peter Letsky were absent.
Mr. Clark moved to sign Treasury warrant #10 and payroll. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from November 1, 2011 as presented. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the executive session minutes from November 8, 2011 as presented. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the November 8, 2011 minutes as presented. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
DPW:
Superintendent Kellaher met with MEMA, FEMA and MassDot and updated the board on the reimbursement from the October snow storm. He has the numbers from the police department but has not received the Fire Department’s yet. Will be shooting for 75% reimbursement now and the 25% later.
POLICE:
Chief Haapakoski informed the board of some recent grants he has acquired. He stated that the refurbished cruiser was delivered today but will be sent back for painting. He is very pleased with the results. Warranty is for three years, unlimited mileage.
The Chief submitted a letter stating that he has reviewed his budget and feels he has the money to fund a ninth officer for the 11 – 7 shift. He explained the need and the monetary benefit to hiring a full-timer vs. using overtime to fund the shift. He hopes to hire from within and has two interested part-timers. With one employee coming off a family health insurance plan, he can fund the health insurance for the additional officer. Mr. Pantos moved to authorize the chief’s request in hiring a full-time officer for the 11-7 shift effective immediately. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Short discussion on regionalizing animal control services. Oakham will be contacting us and Holden may be interested as well. Chief Haapakoski suggested sending a letter be sent to Oakham & Barre to see if they are still interested. Chief will contact Holden.
FIRE:
Chief Ruchala was not in attendance.
OPEN SESSION:
Clealand Blair, Sr. and Attorney Kiritsy came before the Board requesting the Town exercise its right to plow his roads in his Bear Hill development which is unaccepted at this point. He explained that it was voted back in 1966 that the town was to plow private roads. He further stated that the residents pay the same amount of taxes as people living on accepted roads. Some discussion. The DPW Superintendent informed that he drove through the development today and the roads are in no condition to be plowed by the town at this time. He further stated that the bridge in the development is unplowable. Mr. Pantos will go on a site visit with Mr. Kellaher. The Board will take under advisement and continue on the next Selectmen’s agenda on November 28th.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Chairman Becker summarized a letter from Dr. Pandiscio regarding the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Initiative. The superintendent is requesting all member towns hold special town meetings prior to mid-January to raise and appropriate the needed funds for wireless infrastructure in all district schools and to provide 1500 internet-ready devices for students. A one million dollar budget has been set as it represents the amount of the debt authorization for oil remediation that has not been spent. Mr. Pantos suggested a regional selectmen’s meeting (including Dr. Pandiscio and school committee members) in order to ask questions and gain more information. He also suggested looking into refurbished units and also the possibility of applying for grants. Mr. Clark feels the one
million dollars should come back to the towns. Mr. Becker feels the timing isn’t right. A letter will be drafted and sent to Dr. Pandiscio requesting possible meeting dates and cc’d to WRSDC.
Letter from Richard Fox read and discussed pertaining to his dog Shadow and the behavior clinics. The Board still has not received a detailed progress report / assessment – letter will be sent requesting same.
OLD BUSINESS:
Email from Blake Lamothe from the Palmer Redevelopment Authority re: The Central Corridor Rail Coalition and the attempt to reinstate passenger rail service to Palmer, MA. The Board has no inclination to take action at this time.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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