Meeting Minutes--
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 3/1/11_ by a vote 4-0-1_
7:00 p.m. – February15, 2011
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman Richard Hersom, Vice-Chair Kevin Geraghty, Clerk Michael Chizy, and Member Ryan Fattman
Selectman John Hebert is absent
Also in Attendance: James Smith, Town Administrator & Debbie Jacques, Administrative Secretary
Chairman Hersom calls the meeting to order at 7:00 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Forum: No comments
BOS minutes from 2/8/2011: Selectman Geraghty motions to approve as presented, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 3-0-1: Selectman Hersom abstains as he was absent from 2/8/11 meeting.
**Public Hearing**
All-Alcohol General On-Premise Liquor License for PV Food & Beverage Services LLC @ 95 Armsby Road, Sutton
Clerk Chizy reads the Newspaper notice: Present is Atty. Joseph Antonellis, Elizabeth Stropshire and John Magill Jr. TA Smith begins by saying it has been a pleasure working with Atty. Antonellis and the Magill’s, they have done a tremendous amount of work at Pleasant Valley and are close to getting their Certificate of Inspection. Atty. Antonellis addresses the BOS and says they are well on their way to getting what has been requested by the Building Commissioner and Fire Chief. Atty. Antonellis goes on to say the Magill’s were trying to honor commitments that had been scheduled by the previous owners, he is asking for the BOS to continue this hearing until the next meeting scheduled for March 1st, as all issues should be resolved within the next 10-14 days. Atty Antonellis says that they have laid 16,000 feet
of waterline to the building and this should be in the building by this Friday; also in the works is a proper working fire alarm system. Pleasant Valley has been a gem to this community and the Magill’s would like to make it a gem again. The Magill’s own and operate Highfields Golf Club in Grafton. Selectman Chizy says he is glad to have the Magill’s in town, Highfields is a very well run organization, he expects this will be the same. Selectman Geraghty welcomes the new owners to town and looks forward to the restoration of PV he also states that he respects the Towns inspectional services, Selectman Fattman welcomes Magill’s to town, Chairman Hersom echoes all sentiments, he has had positive experiences with the Magill family in the past and welcomes them as the new owners of PV. The Public Hearing is continued at this time to the next BOS meeting.
Statewide Police Mutual Aid Agreement: TA Smith states this is a recent law past at State level. After review of the agreement, Selectman Chizy says this is real good for the Town of Sutton to get hooked up with; it is a benefit when we need support. Selectman Geraghty feels that any type of pooling resources is a benefit; we should opt in and take advantage of what it provides. Selectman Fattman asks how this Mutual Aid worked before; (Chief Maynard in the audience states a handshake) Chairman Hersom supports this Mutual Aid agreement. Selectman Fattman moves that the Town join the so-called “statewide mutual aid agreement” established under MGL Chapter 40, §4J to create a framework for the provision of mutual aid assistance among the parties to the agreement in the case of a public safety incident. The assistance to
be provided under the agreement shall include, but not be limited to: fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, transportation, communications, public works, engineering, building inspection, planning and information assistance, resource support, public health, health and medical services, search and rescue assistance and any other resource, equipment or personnel that a party to the agreement may request or provide in anticipation of, or in response to, a public safety incident, Selectman Geraghty seconds passes 4-0
Presentation of FY12 preliminary budget power point presentation: TA Smith presents the FY12 preliminary budget stating it is a work in progress. The FY12 budget it $25,929,473, up 4.6% from FY11. Currently there is a budget gap of $175,000. TA Smith states that maintaining town services while getting cuts from the State has been a challenge but thus far we have been successful in doing so. Also in the presentation was a brief review of the Capital Plan were borrowing for the new Middle School/High School was discussed; Revenues such as the Manchu Library, the ELC Solar photovoltaic SREC program, Health Dept regionalization and the proposed cell tower proceeds are a positive for our town; Expenditures such as employee benefits (Health Insurance, Pension and Unemployment) were briefly discussed as there will be a significant increase in
insurance premiums of 11.6%, a pension increase of 11% and $120,000.00 in unemployment. TA Smith goes on to say the school will face another difficult year due to the $300,000. Of stimulus money gone as well as a reduction in State Aid. The reduction of 5 teaching positions is being discussed. The 2 enterprise funds (Sewer & Transfer Station) are both holding steady. At this time discussion is opened to the BOS: Selectman Chizy says well done, good job with the information we have. Selectman Geraghty says the presentation was very very professional, it is a concise analysis that was well presented but it is still in motion. Kevin states that we are faced with a choice of balancing the budget on the backs of employees. We have to continue to be creative. Selectman Fattman thanks Jim for the superb presentation as well as TA Smiths stewardship; Ryan goes on to say we are in a better position than a lot of communities. Chairman Hersom shares Kevin’s sentiments and will wait
until the final numbers come in to comment but does say that an area of concern over the past few years is the Pension and employee benefits, they border on being unsustainable.
Noting that due to the Town Administrator not feeling well, Chairman Hersom states that with all due respect to the Town Administrator, Chairman Hersom would like to postpone the Town Administrator update as well as the Executive Session to a future meeting (TA Smith leaves the meeting at this time)
Announcements:
*Selectman Fattman announces that the play Taming of the Shrew was postponed from last week to this week
*Chairman Hersom announces that the Blackstone Valley Women’s Club will be hosting a Wine Tasting event on March 4 at the Dudley Gendron to benefit the Sutton Food Pantry
Selectmen’s Round Table:
No items under round table
Selectman Fattman motions to adjourn, Selectman Geraghty seconds passes 4-0 7:55pm
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