Board of Selectmen
December 10, 2012
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Leroy C. Clark, Chairman; Peter J. Letsky, Vice-Chairman; Michael Pantos, Clerk; Joseph R. Becker; Sheila H. Dibb and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary.
Mr. Letsky moved to sign Treasury warrant #12 and payroll. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Open Session:
Annual review of sales books for Class I, II & III license holders:
- Kustom Fabrication – Class III, David Szczurko presented his book and related paperwork. Will submit bond tomorrow. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
- Greg’s Restorations – Class II, Greg Ward will not be seeking a Class II for 2013. He will be re-applying for his Class III. He did not have his sales book with him, rescheduled for December 26th.
- Sbrogna’s Wholesale Outlet Motors – Class II, William Sbrogna was not present but made his sales book and paperwork available for review. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
- Center Auto Body – Class II, Robert Guillotte presented his book and required paperwork. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
- Genesis Automotive – Class II, Kenneth Grenier presented his sales book and required paperwork. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
- Modern Classic – Class II, Kevin Lazaros presented his sales book and required paperwork. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
- Rutland Auto Sales – Class II, Richard Novak presented his sales book and required paperwork. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
- Mann’s RV – Class I, Jeff Wozniak presented his sales book and required paperwork. Mr. Becker moved to sign the license. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
7:30 pm – Tax Classification Hearing; Alyce Johns, Administrative Assessor, stated that the board of Assessor is recommending a single tax rate of $16.66 per thousand which is an increase of $1.36 from last year. The average home of $234,000 will see an increase of approximately $318 in taxes next year. Some discussion. Hearing closed at 7:40 pm. Mr. Becker moved to accept the recommendation from the Board of Assessors to set a single tax rate. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker questioned Mrs. Johns if the Assessors’ office would be bringing in a new software program in which the public could access their valuation on line. She stated that Vision Appraisal got too expensive and is hoping to have a different program in place by the spring.
POLICE:
Paperwork pertaining to Non-criminal disposition discussed. Chief Haapakoski explained that the Town has to wait to initiate this until the attorney general’s office approves the by-law. Will add to a future agenda.
Dangerous dog issue will be added to next agenda – Laura Pease, ACO was not present. Dog will remain in Barre until the Board addresses at the December 26th meeting.
Underage alcohol enforcement grant paperwork ($5,000) has been submitted.
Regional ACO grant paperwork has been submitted (Barre, Oakham, Paxton, Rutland).
Winter parking ban in effect from November 1 – April 1. Will add to website and cable.
The chief stated that Rutland has been awarded a grant for a shared trailer.
Discussion on the part-time police officer shifts. The Chief explained that 1600 part-time hours were available since July 1 and 1305 have been filled by part-timers – overtime used for balance. 15.6% lower this year than last year on overtime.
FIRE:
Brad Weber, newly appointed fire chief, had nothing for the Board. Personal and departmental goals and objectives will be scheduled for next meeting. Mr. Pantos questioned the chief regarding recently purchased ambulance tires.
DPW:
The superintendent met recently with Hampshire Power. Some discussion on plow contracting rates – Mr. Kellaher will review area rates and compare to Rutland then submit to the Board for approval.
Bay Path students built a shed for the new water tank controls. Mr. Kellaher stated that the students did a great job and is extremely grateful. A grant was awarded to Rutland for an emergency response trailer (fully equipped).
Mr. Kellaher informed the Board that he was called to the Library recently with concerns of a gas leak. The Fire Department was already on site and aired the building. He stated that he called his service rep, RJ McDonald, who responded quickly and diagnosed the problem. Jim Smith, Gas & Plumbing Inspector, explained the problem in detail to the Board. After lengthy discussion, Ms. Dibb moved to authorize the DPW Superintendent to begin the process of repairing boiler #1 as soon as possible. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker moved to sign the ABCC paperwork listing licensees who failed to re-apply (none listed, but still has to be returned to ABCC). Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the following ABCC liquor license renewal forms: Mr. Robertson’s Neighborhood (Still Four Corners), Ladd’s Inc., Bedrock Golf Club, General Rufus Putnam House, Vasucon, Inc., Main Street Discount Liquors, Pleasantdale Village (Colonial Package Store), Rutland Sportsman’s Club and Tavern on the Common. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Pantos moved to sign the liquor license renewal for Rutland Marketplace. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote four ayes with Mr. Becker abstaining.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the Innholder’s License for General Rufus Putnam House. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the following Common Victualler License renewals: Yang’s Kitchen, Vasucon, Inc., Toula’s House of Pizza, Tavern on the Common, Mr. Robertson’s Neighborhood (Still Four Corners), Rutland Pizza, Ladd’s Inc., KP’s Restaurant, Honey Farms, Heavy Evie’s, General Rufus Putnam House, Florabunda, Dunkin Donuts Main Street, Dunkin Donuts Barre-Paxton Road and Bedrock Golf Club. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Pantos moved to sign the Common Victualler License for Rutland Marketplace. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote four ayes with Mr. Becker abstaining.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the following liquor licenses: Mr. Robertson’s Neighborhood (Still Four Corners), Ladd’s Inc., Bedrock Golf Club, General Rufus Putnam House, Vasucon Inc., Main Street Discount Liquors, Pleasantdale Village (Colonial Package Store), Rutland Sportsman’s Club, and Tavern on the Common Inc. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Pantos moved to sign the liquor license for Rutland Marketplace, Inc. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the Livery License for B & M Concrete. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the Pool Table License, Video Arcade Machine License and Entertainment - Jukebox License for Rutland Sportsman’s Club. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the Video Arcade Machine License for “The Candy Dish”. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker explained the revised certification of salary (2% wage adjustment) for non-bargained for employees which will go into effect January 1st. Mr. Becker moved to sign the revised salary matrix / wage scale for 2% wage adjustment for non-bargained for employees. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mrs. Hayden, Treasurer/Collector & Town Clerk, was present to discuss the movement of elected positions to appointed. She announced that she will not run for re-election after her current term. If the Treasurer/Collector position moved to appointed, a special town meeting will be needed at least 60 days before the ballot/annual town meeting. She is favoring appointed vs. elected for the Treasurer/Collector position once she retires – she also favors a Town Administrator. Some discussion including holding an info session for the public to explain the process. Looking at March 4, 2013 as a possible date for a special town meeting. Some discussion on the administrative assessor position moving to an appointed principal assessor position. Mr. Pantos moved to hold a special town
meeting on March 4, 2013. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker asked Mrs. Hayden to work on an outline of the Treasurer/Collector position and core duties for the Selectmen to review. Mrs. Hayden feels the Town Clerk position should remain elected and separate from the Treasurer/Collector position.
Mr. Pantos moved to dedicate the 2012 Annual Town Report to Nathan Locke. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Regional Dispatch Director position: Communications Director Nathan Kenney has accepted the Executive Director’s position at Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch Center beginning January 2nd; his last day here is December 31st. Fire Chief and Police Chief will head the process of replacement. Dispatcher Phyllis Chartier will continue the scheduling/billing duties, Sgt. Marino will handle the grants and Chief Haapakoski will supervise the department in the interim. Kathleen Inman, Chairman of the Barre BOS, was present for discussion on the manager’s position, radios and the communication tower for Barre. Chief Haapakoski will be the “point” person and will draft a letter to area departments regarding the interview process for the dispatch manager position. Mr. Becker suggested that the Chief review this position (level, responsibility, etc.) with Mark Morse. Letter of thanks will be sent to Nathan Kenney.
Mr. Pantos 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 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 regular session for adjournment purposes. Mr. Letsky seconded. Clark aye, Becker aye, Dibb aye, Letsky aye, Pantos aye.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Dibb moved to adjourn. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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