Board of Selectmen
April 1, 2013
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Leroy C. Clark, Chairman; Peter J. Letsky, Vice-Chairman; Joseph R. Becker, Sheila H. Dibb and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary. Michael S. Pantos, Clerk was absent.
Ms. Dibb moved to sign Treasury warrant #20 and payroll. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb moved to accept the minutes from March 4, 2013 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb moved to accept the executive session minutes from March 14, 2013 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb moved to accept the minutes from March 18, 2013 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb moved to accept the executive session minutes from March 18, 2013 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
All the minutes from February were held until the next meeting.
DPW:
The superintendent explained that the Board of Health and the school system have a program set up for recycling fluorescent bulbs – a shed is located at Naquag. The custodian in charge of the program has left and they would like Mr. Kellaher to take over. Mr. Kellaher will contact Mr. McCall.
Stormwater Management line item was reduced to zero. $2,800 is needed for the collaborative. Mr. Kellaher stated that there is money left in this fiscal year and he is recommending moving forward. Mr. Becker moved to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement for Matching Grant Funds (2013 CIC Grant) between Spencer and Rutland subject to Town Counsel review ($2,833). Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Kellaher will forward to Attorney Cranston.
Christmas Tree Lane & Forest Hill Drive – Mrs. Kane has offered her property for free to use as an easement. Mr. Kellaher would like permission from the Board to explore it further. The Board approved.
Rutland Heights Hospital property was marked with seven “No Trespassing Dusk to Dawn” signs today.
Street sweeping has begun. Ms. Dibb asked if the residents could be notified beforehand when their streets will be swept. Mr. Kellaher will do his best to notify residents.
Lengthy discussion on street lights and the possibility of turning some off as there will be a shortage of funds this fiscal year. The police chief would like at least 50 to remain on in certain areas. The superintendent has been in contact with National Grid and will gather more information – will be added to next agenda.
Countryside Estates – Some discussion on the condo unit the town has ownership to. Sally Hayden is looking to auction it off in May. Mr. Kellaher stated that a tremendous amount of work is needed inside and it would take ten days to two weeks with two of his people working on it full time. He will get prices for a company to come in to clean.
After some discussion, the laborer vacancy in DPW will be posted internally for ten days.
Randy Jordan / Hold Harmless Agreement – Some corrections are needed on the agreement before the Selectmen sign it. The DPW Superintendent stated that Dick Williams brought his attention to this matter initially due to the conditions of the road. Mr. Becker moved to sign the agreement pending noted changes which include the researching of AKM Environmental Holdings LLC, possible removal of all Jordan names, replacement of Williams’ name with estate of William Williams – Richard Williams, executor and removing all reference to the fuel tank. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous. Once the agreement is finalized, it will be signed without another meeting.
Mr. Kellaher stated that the snow & ice account for FY 2013 is in the black. The superintendent commended his employees for their dedication and for being innovative in completing tasks which ultimately save the town money.
Superintendent Kellaher read a statement pertaining to the fuel issue between the Town and Bill’s Garage. Mr. Becker stated that he is still bothered with the lack of notification to Bill’s Garage. After some discussion, Mr. Kellaher will contact Mark Moisio to discuss the possibility of meeting in the middle somewhere (either by fuel usage/exhaustion or a timeline/cutoff date).
FIRE:
Chief Weber stated that he received a $2,900 Cert grant (matching with in kind services) for employee IDs. The Chief is working on his guidelines and will have them for the next meeting. He is also working on the job descriptions and promotion processes. He informed the Board that he had two back to back ambulance calls which ultimately resulted in missing two transports as mutual aid had to be called. Some discussion on ambulance receivables.
POLICE:
Five officers’ vests will be expiring and cost $900 apiece; the grant will cover the cost. FY 13 grant ($4,700) will cover the rest of the vests.
Dispatch applied for a development grant $572,563 to cover the second phase of the radio system, installation and updating of work stations and a server. PING reverse 911 system has been added for all towns.
Animal Control – kennel location in Rutland has been identified on Barrack Hill Road. The Chief will talk to the Board of Health about the necessary 18 x 20 building as they were involved in getting a shed for the fluorescent bulbs.
OPEN SESSION:
Paul McKenzie, CM Geeks, came before the board to present his company / IT services. He will do a network assessment on all town buildings & departments – will notify all department heads.
Norm Anderson, Planning Board By-law Subcommittee, came before the Board with a Wind Turbine By-law seeking permission to contact Town Counsel. He will set up a public hearing prior to annual town meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Blue & Gold Boy Scout Banquet April 6th at Naquag. Mr. Pantos will attend.
Letter from Holden Selectmen looking for support in requesting an independent audit of the 2012 WRSD budget. Ms. Dibb moved that we join in requesting the audit by sending a letter to Suzanne Bump. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker moved to place the following question on the annual town election ballot:
- Shall the Town of Rutland vote to have its elected Treasurer/Collector become an appointed Treasurer/Collector of the Town? Yes _____ No _____
Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to place the following ballot question on the warrant:
- Shall the Town of Rutland be allowed to assess an additional $38,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of purchasing and equipping one(1) Ford Police Interceptor vehicle for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013? Yes _____ No _____
Ms. Dibb seconded. Some discussion. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb moved to place the following ballot question:
- Shall the Town of Rutland be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition Two and One-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to purchase and equip a new ambulance?
Yes ____ No ____
Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 3 in favor, 1 opposed. Motion carried.
Ms. Dibb moved to place the following ballot question:
- Shall the Town of Rutland be allowed to assess an additional $30,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of purchasing firefighter turnout/bunker gear and to purchase new communication equipment for the Public Safety and Regional Dispatch Centers for the fiscal year beginning July first 2013?
Yes ____ No ___
Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 3 in favor and 1 abstention. Motion carried.
Annual Town Meeting warrant will not be signed until the warrant is set.
OLD BUSINESS:
Lengthy discussion on the FY 2013 budget. Mr. Becker suggested inviting John Rokicki and our school committee representatives in to meet and discuss the proposed amendment to the WRSD agreement further. Will send invitation with April 8 & 11 as possible dates.
Mr. Letsky 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 to return to open session for adjournment purposes only. Ms. Dibb seconded. Letsky aye, Dibb aye, Clark aye, Becker 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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