Board of Selectmen
January 23, 2012
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Joseph R. Becker, Chairman, Michael S. Pantos, Vice-Chairman, Sheila H. Dibb, Leroy C. Clark and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary. Peter Letsky was absent.
Mr. Clark moved to sign Treasury warrant #15 and payroll. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from December 27, 2011 as presented. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from January 9, 2012 as presented. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the executive session minutes from January 9, 2012 as presented. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
DPW:
The Superintendent presented the updated RFP for the primary building. The showing is scheduled for February 6th at 2 pm and the bids are due and will be opened on February 23rd at 2 pm.
Mr. Kellaher has hired a professional to eradicate the beaver problems at a cost of approximately $1,100 which will come out of the highway budget.
There is an overage / surplus of money on the water tank and Mr. Kellaher would like to rewrite the article for the May town meeting by adding “and upgrades to water treatment plant and distribution system improvements”. The new water tank is complete.
Preliminary budget meeting for Upper Blackstone will show an increase of 5.6%.
Mr. Kellaher questioned the status of the non-criminal disposition to which Mr. Becker replied that it is his intent to bring it forth for this annual town meeting.
Paperwork on prevailing wage was sent to the bidders for the insulation at town hall. He is working with the building inspector on the requirements.
Regarding the Glenwood School roof work, Mr. Kellaher inquired on the insurance coverage which the District carries, not the town. Mr. Becker will speak to Peter Brennan to inform him that Mr. Kellaher will be contacting the school facilities manager.
DEP is supplying the town with three interns regarding Stormwater Management.
POLICE:
ACO grant was sent to the State House. Chief Haapakoski submitted a report from Laura Pease, ACO, on Mr. Fox and his dog Shadow. In summary, Petco does not offer the behavior classes the town was requesting. We are waiting for a response on a certified letter that was sent to Mr. Fox.
On December 29th, three officers went to Barre for training through Homeland Security. The department has gone from 200 hours of training to 764.
FIRE:
The Board signed the salary / wage adjustment per the recent contract. Some discussion. Ms. Dibb moved to accept the fire wage and salary adjustments retroactive to July 1, 2011 and will review the new employee’s rate. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Pantos moved accept the employee wage & salary as of January 15, 2012 and rates as stated for Step 1 FF/EMT/Paramedic. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ambulance billing reconciliation submitted. Some discussion.
OPEN SESSION:
6:15 – Sally Hayden & Clark Rowell came before the Board to have bond-related paperwork signed. Mr. Rowell explained each portion in great detail. Ms. Dibb moved to approve the three-page document (attached) referencing the bond renegotiation and all portions as noted and presented. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Clark moved to authorize the Chair sign the paperwork as the Clerk is absent. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous. The Board proceeded to sign 1) the no litigation certificate 2) the disclosure certificate 3) the tax certificate and 4) the bonds.
Richard Travers, Building Commissioner, came before the Board to introduce William Cassanelli of Spencer, MA as the new alternate building inspector. Mr. Pantos moved to accept the Commissioner’s recommendation to appoint William Cassanelli at a rate of pay of $30 per inspection. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Finance Committee was present to begin budget discussion for FY 2013. Joint meetings with departments will begin late February. Mr. Becker wanted to meet prior to these meetings regarding the revenue side with the Accountant, Assessor and Treasurer/Collector. Ms. Dibb suggested discussion on “big ticket” items such as the funding of a Town Administrator. Mr. Becker wanted to prioritize the backfilling of the DPW Laborer position. Mr. Clark would like to see employee hours restored to those who were cut. Mr. Pantos has interest in the increase of staffing at the fire station for midnight to 6 am. CIPC has a list for 2013 with a cruiser, fire chief vehicle, and fuel tanks as priorities. A meeting will be posted for 6 pm in the Library on February 2nd for
the Selectmen, FinCom, Assessor, Town Accountant, CIPC and the Treasurer/Collector.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Planning Board sent a response regarding the open space at Highlands Brunelle West – the open space is to be held in common ownership by a homeowner’s association of the subdivision. C & S Builders will be sent a letter stating same.
A letter from Dan Haynes, Town Accountant, was read stating that due to his partner’s retirement, the partnership has been liquidated and the town’s accounting services should be billed to him personally. He further requests that the board consider changing the appointment as well. After some discussion, Mr. Pantos has questions concerning this, so it will be added to the next agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
A letter from Peter Brennan was read regarding “authorization of last minute change orders” on the Naquag Green Project. Mr. Pantos moved to have Gary Kellaher and Rick Travers authorize and sign off on any last minute change orders on the Naquag Green Project. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Travers questioned the waiving of fees which Mr. Becker stated had been voted favorably. Authorization limits were also discussed. Addison Redfield informed the Board that there have been problems with the contractor on the Paxton School Green Project. Mr. Becker stated that he was aware of the issue.
Email from the Owner’s Project Manager on a Project Mobilization meeting at Naquag on February 2nd at 3 pm. Mr. Kellaher, Rick Travers, Peter Letsky and Joe Becker will attend.
Email from Owner’s Project Manager with a forward from the representative at MSBA involving the approval of our project budget. The amount was voted and the day before the vote was taken a higher estimate was submitted; so we have been short on funds from the beginning; we will not be reimbursed what we expected. Mr. Becker spoke to Michael McGurl at MSBA & explained the situation as it is going for approval tomorrow. He will bring it forward.
Police Chief one-year review session / goal setting and Fire Chief & DPW Superintendent six-month review session / goal setting – each to submit his accomplishments by February 6th with Board then making assessments on February 13th. Meeting scheduled for 6 pm on February 13th.
OLD BUSINESS:
A moment of silence was observed at the December 27, 2011 BOS meeting honoring James Wood, a former selectmen; a certified copy of the minutes will be sent to his family.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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