Meeting Minutes--
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on--------------- _ 12/02/2008 _by a vote _5-0__
7:00 p.m. – November 18, 2008
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Michael Chizy, Chairman; John Hebert, Vice-Chairman; Richard Hersom, Clerk; Kevin Geraghty & Ryan Fattman, Members
Also in Attendance: James Smith, Town Administrator; Debbie Jacques, Administrative Secretary
Chairman Chizy calls the meeting to order at 7:00 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
No comments under Public Forum.
Selectman Fattman motions to approve October 28, 2008 minutes, Selectman Hebert seconds, passes 4-0-1
Selectman Hersom motions to approve November 4, 2008 minutes, Selectman Hebert seconds, all in favor passes 5-0
Appointment of Police Officers: Chief of Police Dennis Towle is requesting the appointment of 2 full time officers: William Jacques and Michael Mcgee. These two appointments will fill the open positions left by Officer Jesse Bonardi and Officer Justin Bennes who left the positions in September to take jobs out of town. Chief Towle and Lt. Perry informed the board of the 100+ man hours that went into the hiring process. Chief Towle pinned William Jacques, Michael Mcgee was pinned by his wife Jenny. Both were sworn in by the Town Clerk Laura Rodgers. The BOS offered congratulations to both officers.
Holiday opening schedule for Alcohol License holders: TA Smith presents to the board the pouring hours for the upcoming holiday season. Selectman Geraghty motions to ratify the revised pouring hours for the Town of Sutton, Selectman Herson seconds the motion, all in favor passes 5-0.
Town Treasurer/Collector Cheryl Ouillette is present to request the signatures of the Board of Selectmen to borrow and issue bonds of notes for the amount of $509,205.00 in capitol improvements (Article 5). Cheryl informs the board that the winning bidder of the BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) was the Bank of Western Massachusetts with an interest rate of 2.87%. Selectman Hersom motions to authorize this transaction, Selectman Fattman seconds the motion, all in favor passes 5-0
Review of Blackstone Valley Regional Economic Development Council: TA Smith begins the discussion on the draft of the 1st phase of the participation agreement. If the BOS approve this to go forward, it would have to be placed on the town meeting warrant. If this passes at town meeting, it cost approximately $9,600.00 a year (one dollar per resident). All are in agreement that more information is needed. Selectman Geraghty questions the funding collaborative between the community and the chamber as well as the matching funds from the business community. Selectman Fattman states that regional economic development is a good idea and questions the return on investment. Selectmen Hebert and Chizy attended the 11 town meeting and feel it is leading us in the right direction but more work needs to be done. Selectman Hersom
would like a detailed assessment from TA Smith.
Financial discussion re: FY08 year end & FY10 preliminary: TA Smith reviews the timeline for the FY2010 budget process. Included in this discussion is the capitol plan, certified free cash and the Town Accountant, Tim Harrison’s report for FY2008. Tim is present to answer questions. TA Smith states it is early in the budget process for FY2010 and he will have to be as conservative as possible. Tim states he is hearing a lot of doom and gloom for the next fiscal year. TA Smith explains that is why the highway position has been frozen as well as a position at the school. Jim will have additional information on this at the Tri Board meeting scheduled for December 1st at 7:00. Selectman Geraghty requests a breakdown showing the debt roll off for the December 1st meeting. TA Smith agrees this information is
important as it would be a snap shot for the next two years. Selectman Hebert discusses the importance of the excise tax that is paid by businesses in town for their fleet vehicles. Selectman Fattman agrees that capturing the excise tax on these vehicles is so important to the town.
Town Administrator Update:
Tri Board meeting Monday, December 1st @ 7:00pm
Open Meeting Law training for all boards and commissions very important now with the taping of all meetings
Thanks to the Sheriffs office for the scraping and painting of the railings along Manchaug Dam & bridge.
Town hall to be closed the day after Thanksgiving (November 28th)
Town Auction held today, both properties sold for minimum bid price
Jen Hager attended an Interagency Permitting Board meeting in Boston and reported back that the state had approved the priority development site and also awarded $100,000.00 for in house GIS software, a regional sewer extension feasibility study with Northbridge, a definitive road way plan with Douglas and an eastside conceptual road way plan with Northbridge.
Announcements:
Selectman Fattman announces that the girls soccer team is in the semi-finals playing tonight, he wishes them well.
Round Table:
Selectman Geraghty: commented on the meeting with the DCR and thanks Rep. Jen Callahan for her tireless support. Kevin also thanks Jim Smith and Jen Hager for their presentations.
Selectman Hebert echos the comments made by Kevin and feels DCR was very impressed with the Town of Sutton.
Selectman Hersom states it was the best 2 hours spent and offers thanks to Rep Callahan.
Selectman Chizy thanks all involved and agrees that the 2 representatives from DCR seemed very impressed with the projects.
Haring no further discussions, Selectman Fattman motions to adjourn the meeting, Selectman Hebert seconds the motion all in favor passes 5-0
Meeting adjourned 8:27pm
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