Board of Selectmen
October 1, 2012
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Leroy C. Clark, Chairman; Peter Letsky, Vice Chairman; Joseph R. Becker, Sheila H. Dibb and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary. Michael Pantos arrived at 9:07 pm.
Mr. Letsky moved to sign Treasury warrant #7 and payroll. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Letsky moved to accept the minutes from September 17, 2012 as presented. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
DPW:
Vacant position created by the foreman will be posted internally for 5 days. Mr. Kellaher recommended moving Jon Brown from equipment operator (sewer) to equipment operator (laborer 1) effective immediately. Mr. Becker moved the Superintendent’s recommendation to move Jon Brown from equipment operator (sewer) to equipment operator (laborer 1) effective immediately. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous. The sewer position will be posted internally first.
Above-ground fuel storage tanks bid – MECO Environmental Services, Inc. was the lowest bidder and recommended by the Superintendent contingent upon favorable reference checks. Mr. Becker moved the Superintendent’s recommendation of MECO Environmental Services, Inc. for the above-ground fuel storage tank work pending reference checks. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous. Work will commence within two weeks of notification.
Primary building demolition – F.A. Moschetti & Sons, Inc. was the lowest bidder and recommended by the Superintendent upon favorable reference checks. Work will consist of burying the foundation; bricks to be saved. Mr. Becker moved the Superintendent’s recommendation of F.A. Moschetti & Sons, Inc. for the primary building demolition pending reference checks. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
HVAC unit from the primary building will be relocated to the Community Center. Some discussion.
Mr. Kellaher informed the Board that he had a recent walk-thru at CTMS with Mr. Letsky and it went well. The check for the elevator inspection at Glenwood has been received at DPS but has not been recorded yet.
The Superintendent attended a walk-thru of the Wood House with Scott Davis. A boiler efficiency test will be done tomorrow. There are a couple of minor cosmetic issues that can be done in house; blown-in insulation is needed.
Community Center parking – Mr. Letsky walked through a few areas with the DPW Superintendent and discussed different scenarios and took some measurements. Some discussion – will be placed on the back burner for now. Addison Redfield reminded the Board that this would have to come before the CIPC before going further.
GSA – Government surplus purchasing; lengthy discussion. Several department heads have been listed as eligible to receive government surplus with Mr. Kellaher as the lead person. Mr. Becker moved to appoint Gary Kellaher as the lead person for the GSA. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous. Some discussion on procurement officers.
POLICE:
Acting Chief Knipe stated that the second phase of security for Dispatch has been approved through MIIA including the cameras for the fuel tanks at DPW. There will be live Dispatch monitoring at all entrances.
Car #5, a 2007, needs a transmission which was under warranty. The transmission is slipping on the chief’s car, a 2005, and will be sent out soon.
Some of the officers have gone through the updated ethics training. Sergeants Friberg and Monaco attended sergeants’ training in Marlboro. Officer Downey completed six weeks of accident reconstruction and has been certified.
Chairman Clark questioned the Chief on the amount of overtime by the full-timers. Some discussion on overtime and private details; the Chief will look into.
FIRE:
Acting Chief Knipe informed the Board that he’s still waiting on the elevator inspection. High water alarm sounded in the oil tank, but was caught in time before oil was delivered. Furnace was re-fired and lines were cleaned. October is Fire Prevention month; annual open house scheduled for October 13th 9 am – 1 pm at Fire Station. Fire pump testing scheduled for October 19th. Acting Chief Knipe will be on vacation October 14 – 17; Deputy Lowe will be in charge in his absence. The chief’s vehicle will be disposed of through a training exercise using the “Jaws of Life”.
Nathan Kenney recommended Heidi Graff & Sean Bohdiewicz as part-time dispatchers. Interviews being conducted presently for the full-time position. Ms. Dibb moved Heidi Graff & Sean Bohdiewicz as part-time dispatchers per the dispatch manager’s recommendation effective immediately ($16.13 per hour). Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Kenney would like to meet with his liaisons soon. Some discussion on the lead dispatcher position which is now vacant.
Regarding the fire chief candidate interviews that were recently held, Mr. Clark would like to hold a second round of interviews with candidates Brad Weber and Seth Knipe. Mr. Becker and Mr. Letsky are in agreement. After some discussion, Ms. Dibb moved to schedule interviews on October 11th at 6 pm with Mr. Knipe and 7 pm with Mr. Weber. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous. Letter of regret will be sent to the third candidate, Mr. Moran, thanking him for his time and interest in the fire chief position.
OPEN SESSION:
Darryl McCall, Director of Operations for the WRSD, came before the Board to discuss the school bus use of the access road from RHH to CTMS and the lag time it takes between pick ups at the two elementary schools. Mr. McCall apologized to the Board for not responding to the numerous times the Board tried to contact the District prior to the start of school. The morning route is not an issue, but the afternoon takes longer. After some discussion, an officer will be placed at the intersection of Main & Maple to allow for quick passage of the buses from Naquag to Glenwood.
Members of the Agricultural Commission, as well as some local farm owners, were present to discuss the article proposed for the special town meeting pertaining to the excise tax on farm machinery and animals. Alyce Johns, Admin. Assessor, explained to the Board that the Assessors’ office has not been able to fairly assess everyone with animals and/or machinery as not everyone lists it, therefore the Assessors are recommending doing away with this particular excise tax. It is unfair to the people who are forthcoming about their animals and equipment. Will be added to the warrant with discussion to be had on the town meeting floor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter received from the Oakham Selectmen is response to our letter proposing a shared service agreement for fire and ambulance services between Oakham and Rutland. They informed that they are not interested in consolidating services at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker explained that the special town meeting articles were to be discussed and voted on tonight, but due to the fact that receipts are only done through March and the E911 grants have not been reimbursed yet, the warrant cannot be set at this time. We will be in a better position to set the warrant if the meeting is pushed out two weeks. The special town meeting set for October 29th will include the three solar articles only and another special town meeting will be set for November 13th for the remainder of the articles.
Brian Stidsen, Deacon at St. Patrick’s Church, came before the Board for appointment as the public safety chaplain. Father Jim Kerrigan was never sworn in so no resignation is needed. Mr. Becker moved to appoint Deacon Stidsen as public safety chaplain. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb moved to include the three solar articles only (attached) on the special town meeting warrant scheduled for October 29th with the cost of the meeting covered in equal parts by the three solar companies. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Letsky moved to enter into executive session for Reason #2: To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel; and 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 to return to open session for adjournment purposes only. Mr. Becker seconded. Becker aye, Letsky aye, Dibb aye, Clark aye.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Letsky moved to adjourn. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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