TOWN OF RUTLAND - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, April 27, 2015
Rutland Public Library
6:00 pm
Present: Joseph Becker, Vice Chairman, Wayne Walker, Leroy C. Clark, Ms. Sheila Dibb, Diane M. Cook, Administrative Secretary. Michael S. Pantos, Chairman arrived at 6:15pm.
Call to order at 6:02pm by Mr. Becker.
Mr. Clark made a motion to accept the minutes of April 7, 2015. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Vote was not taken as Mr. Walker and Mr. Becker requested corrections to both the regular and executive session. Minutes for April 7, 2015 will be resubmitted once corrections.
Ms. Dibb made a motion to approve the minutes of April 13, 2015. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Mr. Becker requested an amendment to correct discussion on the grant reimbursement requests. Vote was unanimous to include the amendment as stated.
Ms. Dibb made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 13, 2015 Executive Session as presented not to be released to the public. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Mr. Clark abstained. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 15, 2015 Executive Session as presented not to be released to the public. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Mr. Clark abstained. Vote unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS (6:00pm): Wachusett Region Lease/Maintenance Agreement
- Mr.Scanlon reviewed and discussed the agreement terms with the Board as well as the items provided by Town Counsel, Mr. Cranston.
TREASURER: Rebecca Tuttle, Treasurer/Collector
Insurance Advisory Committee Recommendation for health and dental benefits for FY2016.
- Ms. Tuttle presented her findings from the Insurance Advisory Committee’s recommendation for Health & Dental benefits for FY16. Health, Dental, Life and FSA are the 4 components being reviewed. May 1st is the deadline.
It came down to MIIA or Fallon. MIIA initially came in high. Fallon came in with a reasonable 2% increase. Just 2 hours before the committee were to vote, MIIA came back with a 3% offer. Committee is recommending Fallon. Plans are very similar – little changes.
- Dental insurance will remain with MIIA with a 3.1% increase.
- Review of changing the active employee’s life insurance which will mean an increase of $600 to the town.
- Review of an increase to the FSA maximum contribution from $1,500 to $2,500. Town’s cost will remain at $100 per employee contribution.
- Ms. Tuttle stated that there was a meeting which included retirees to address their concern.
- Representative from Fallon reviewed information to determine which providers and PCP’s are being used and found that it was 80% UMass and 20% St.Vincents. So they structured their plan offer to cover the employees’ current providers and PCPs.
Direct Care and Select Care are the two options which will allow the employees to have the best selection and to keep a similar coverage. There is a client service advocate who would be available to all employees during the roll-out.
Ms. Dibb commented that if we had the Dental High option, it is almost $19k of the $31k of the increase.
Fallon Representative responded to a question by Ms. Dibb regarding the difference between using a broker and going directly to the insurance company. Fallon has have found a niche in the municipal market. If we went with a broker, the Fallon rate would stay the same. Broker commissions come out of a general fund.
Ms. Dibb made a motion to accept the rates submitted by Fallon Community Health Plan for health coverage for FY2016. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker made a motion to take the advice of the Health Care Advisory committee in regard to the dental plan and will stay with the current plan at a 3.1% increase with MIIA. Mr. Clark 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous. Ms. Dibb noted that in coming back with such a great price from Fallon, we still have to come up with the money to cover the increase.
Mr. Becker made a motion to accept recommendation for an increase in the active employee life insurance to $10,000. Ms. Dibb 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Dibb made a motion to increase the FSA to $2,500. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
COA: Mr. Pantos read the request from the Board to appoint Cathy Corcoran as Outreach Coordinator and acknowledged Ms. Palmer and Ms. Ferradino from the board.
Mr. Clark made a motion to appoint Cathy Corcoran as permanent Outreach Coordinator to be paid at an OAD3, Step1, rate of $16.94 from the town matrix to take effect on April 27, 2015. Mr. Becker 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
OPEN SESSION:
Dick Williams addressed the board:
- He made a query regarding the possibility of creating a solar farm on the landfill. He wanted to be sure the Board realized that the town does not own the property.
- Both sides of Main Street have stumps left from National Grid. He would like to see them removed and stated that National Grid should have removed the stumps by now. They should not be left to rot. They will look especially bad now that we will have new sidewalks in town.
- Mr. Williams spoke with the supervisor of the sidewalk project. MA DOT has an ADA grant for $1M and are spending $400k right now in Rutland. They would like to be urged to continue to Glenwood Road with the sidewalks. The foreman indicated that he wouldn’t mind spending another couple of weeks here to finish this job.
- Mr. Williams requested the board or the DPW director write a letter to urge them to continue on through Glenwood Road.
- Ms. Dibb brought up the matter of the remaining crosswalk and stated that it is in a worse place than the crosswalk that has been moved.
Discussion ensued regarding tree stumps and crosswalks. Mr. Pantos suggested that Mr. Kellaher take the lead in addressing the sidewalk matter. Ms. Dibb said that that she would go with Mr. Kellaher if there is a meeting tomorrow. If a letter is needed, the board will provide it.
Mr. Walker made a motion for the Board to draft a letter, if needed, to National Grid and MA Dot to address the problem with the stumps and the crosswalks. Mr. Pantos 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
FIRE: Chief Brad Weber
- Chief Weber referred to a letter to the board wherein he identified a deficit in his wage account of about $10,000. The deficit is in good part due to the new two-hour minimum overtime requirement which is part of the union contract.
Chief Weber is pulling back on all expenses as much as possible and is planning on meeting with FinComm on this matter.
POLICE: Chief Haapakowski
- Few weeks ago he spoke with the Board about 2 radios which needed replacing. He was able to retrofit some old radios for $1,200 instead of $4,800 and they are working well.
- Weekend of the Yard sale went well.
- Chief Haapakowski commented on the crosswalk matter and stated that now is the time to fix it or someone is going to be hit. Mr. Becker asked if the Chief can be included in on the fact finding mission and safety communications with National Grid and DOT along with Mr. Kellaher.
DPW: Gary Kellaher, DPW Superintendent
- Regarding the paving of Irish, Barrack and Bushy – the supplies have been purchased.
- Mr. Pantos read a message from a resident who requested that residents of the adjacent streets of Cameron and Demond Pond be notified of the information meeting as their only access is through Irish Lane. Mr. Pantos so directed.
- Sweeping has begun and has the clean up for town commons and ball field.
- Mr. Kellaher made a statement. “In light of recent newspaper publications that came about last week. (I) extend my sincerest apologies to the town for this black mark. To the best of my knowledge, everything was done properly including working with the attorney at the time. (I give a) heartfelt apology for the bad publication in the paper. I assure all departments, employees, residents and the board, and especially Mr. Becker as you did not condone this, (… that everything was done properly…). I would never let this happen. Mr. Becker has been nothing but helpful. …. from the bottom of my heart.”
Mr. Clark made a motion to provide Mr. Kellaher with a vote of confidence. It was agreed to have no second or vote because of the pending executive session.
NEW BUSINESS:
Bargaining for non-union employees.
- Mr. Becker stated that the primary reason for addressing this matter, is to try and complete deliberations for budgetary implications so that other budgetary matters can be completed. One item to be discussed is to finally grant a step increase. The current wage matrix has been in place since 2011. Some positions took 3 to 4 years to get up to par. Some positions have been at the same step since then. Instead of doing a COLA, Mr. Becker suggests leaving the Matrix as is, but progress people within the Matrix. The impact for this would be $48,000 and does not include department heads. It is two weeks from town meeting so a decision needs to be made soon. A COLA would be in the neighborhood of $22,000. 3% COLA was done last year. Year before there was a mid-year implementation.
- Mr. Walker stated that the bargaining units are following through with the steps. Ms. Dibb asked if this is the time to do the COLA or should we wait for the Town Administrator to give a solid review. Mr. Walker believes the non-bargaining employees have been short-changed.
- Mr. Clark made the point that the employees involved are the employees who keep the town running. Mr. Becker stated that the FinComm is looking for direction from the BOS so they can continue their budgetary work. This request for Step increases would be effective July 1, 2015.
- Mr. Kellaher stated that he is working on budget and would like to discuss plan of action. Where is the appropriate venue? The DPW budget is prepared based on Steps not COLA. Mr. Walker stated that that schools get what they ask for and this small unit of employees keep getting bypassed to pay others. Mr. Becker made a motion to review bargaining for non-union employees for FY16. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update on Town Administrator
- Mr. Pantos informed the public that Mr. Jenkins has provided the town with a contract for the Town Administrator. The new Town Administrator will arrive at 6:00pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 with the formal meeting starting at 7:00pm.
- Ms. Nartowicz tendered her resignation to the Town of Sunderland on Tuesday and has agreed to a start date of June 1, 2015 with the Town of Rutland.
OPEN SESSION:
Mr. Becker recognized and thanked Mr. Kellaher for his earlier statements. Mr. Becker acknowledged that a reporter was here for the Telegram. This reporter has a good history with the town. Mr. Becker’s comments are to a different reporter. Mr. Becker then read a statement which addressed the current matter up for executive session as well as his stepping down from the Board of Selectmen (see attachment).
After Mr. Becker read his statement, there was a standing ovation. Mr. Pantos attests to Mr. Becker’s moral character and hopes he will return to the BOS soon. Ms. Dibb then read a statement (see attachment).
Ms. Dibb made a motion for a recess to allow all to spend a few minutes to extend well wishes to Mr. Becker. Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. Vote unanimous.
Ms.Dibb then made a motion to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION: Reason # 1: To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual – State Ethics Violation - DPW Superintendent only to return to open session for purposes of adjournment.
Mr. Walker 2nd the motion. All AYE. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Cook, Administrative Secretary
Board of Selectmen - Town of Rutland
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