Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on2/18/2014 by a vote of 4-0 Selectman Chizy absent
7:00 p.m. – February 4, 2014
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman John Hebert, Vice Chair Kenneth Stuart, Selectmen Michael Chizy, Richard Hersom & David Hall
Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques, secretary
Chairman Hebert calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
No comments under Public Forum
Selectman Hersom motions to accept as presented January 21, 2014 meeting minutes, Selectman Hall seconds passes 4-0-1
Selectman Stuart abstains
Public Hearing: Pole Hearing Barnett Rd/Quabbin Path: Clerk David Hall reads the notice as posted in the 1/16/14 Millbury Sutton Chronicle. Present from NGrid is Steve Soucy. Mr. Soucy says this has changed from JO (joint occupancy) to a SO (sole occupancy) as Verizon has declined occupancy until the new home owner chooses provider. Hearing no comments or concerns, Selectman Chizy closes the Public Hearing, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 5-0. Selectman Stuart motions to authorize permission to National Grid to install 1 SO pole #14-1 and anchor from the centerline of the Quabbin Path/Barnett Road as shown on National Grid plan#15822694, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0
Public Hearing: Pole Hearing Manchaug Rd/Reservoir Ave: Clerk David Hall reads the notice as posted in the 1/16/14 Millbury Sutton Chronicle. Steve Soucy with NGrid is present. Mr. Soucy says this pole is to upgrade the service to Manchaug Fire Station from 1 phase to 3 phase to support the Solar project. The Selectman review comments from the Highway Foreman that requests a small tree be removed prior to work. Mr. Soucy replies he will check into it, by removing the tree the pole could be placed at a better angle. Hearing no comments or concerns, Selectman Chizy closes the Public Hearing, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0. Selectman Hersom motions to authorize permission to National Grid to install 1 SO pole at Manchaug Road and Reservoir Ave. after National Grid removes the tree located to the left of existing
pole 8-1 as noted by the Highway foreman as shown on National Grid plan #1627002, Selectman Hall seconds passes 5-0
Melanson & Heath FY13 Audit: Town Accountant Tim Harrison presents Scott McIntyre and Alan Goodwin. Scott McIntyre begins by saying this will be a quick overview, most importantly the audit went very well. The books and records are in good working order with no significant audit entries. Scott reviews the long term balance sheet which shows the OPEB liability, the Fund Balances and the Revenues and Expenditures. He then goes into the Management letter which discusses recommendations by the Auditing Firm. The recommendations include Formal Dept. Receipt Policies & Procedures, a Student Activity Fund Audit and creating a Central Procurement File. The Town’s response to these recommendations is included in the letter. Selectman Chizy says it is nice to hear we are in good shape, which is due to our financial
team and their hard work. Selectman Stuart says since he has been on the board he realizes the financial fiscal responsibilities by our financial team, there are tough decisions to be made. Ken gives credit to Jim Smith and Tim Harrison for the balanced budget. Selectman Hall says it is good to get a clean bill of health; there is a lot of hard work to keep all of the books and records clean and up to date to pass the audit. Dave asks for clarification on usage of the free cash and the recommendation for a Student Fund audit. Chairman Hebert concurs with the BOS comments; he is confident and comfortable with the auditor’s complete assessment. We can be very proud of the numbers. Thank you to Jim and Tim and the financial team.
Sutton Housing Authority appointment: Richard Lindstrom is present to request the Board appoint Daniel Rice to the open seat. This would be until the May 2014 Town Election as it is an elected seat. Present is Dan Rice of 21 Hutchinson Road. Selectman Hall thanks Dan for volunteering; hearing no further comments Selectman Chizy motions to approve the request to appoint Dan Rice to the Sutton Housing Authority with a term to expire May 26th, 2014, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 5-0
Request to overspend snow & ice budget FY14: Present is Highway Superintendent Mark Brigham. TA Smith says this is an annual request as we tend to underfund, we need the BOS to authorize to spend in deficit. Selectman Stuart asks where the funds come from if they continue to spend in deficit, Jim responds that it would either come from excess appropriations or OLF recap. Selectman Hall says we encourage you to overspend, Chairman Hebert says it is important as there are a lot of nuisance storms, the cost of over time, and the cost of salt. Mark Brigham states we have currently spent $80,000.00 on salt. Hearing no further comments, Selectman Hall motions to authorize the overspending of the Snow & Ice budget FY14, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0
Town Administrator Update:
- Middle School/High School update: TA Smith says Town Counsel is continuing to negotiate with Westin Surety over the final tender agreement. There will be a special BOS meeting to present the proposal as soon as it is ready.
- Budget update: the Gov. released budget, he has level funded lottery aid and gave a $37,000. Increase to chapter 70. School choice went up by $28,500.00. Robert Deleo (Speaker of the House) committed that the House would do better than the Gov. numbers. Jim will be presenting a preliminary budget to the BOS on February 18th, 2014.
- RK Centers: Jim met with David Baker (representative from RK) Once the sand has been removed from the property we will lock the entrance gate so we will no longer have access to it. RK has agreed to not charge any fee for this property.
- Highway Superintendent: Interviews were held on Friday, Jan. 31st. A second interview will be held on Friday, February 7th.
Announcements:
- Selectman Hall congratulates the Girls indoor track for the win of the 100th consecutive dual meet. He also congratulates Jesse Cardin for breaking her own record for a mile run (5.22.37)
Round Table:
- Selectman Hersom questions why the Sewer Commissioners have not met in awhile. TA Smith says they are meeting next week; normally they do not meet over the summer months. We had a couple of the commissioners resign (David Gravison and Barbara Bessette), Neal Crites filled one of the positions and the second vacancy is being advertised.
- Selectman Hersom asks about the 3 recent resignations from the Sewer Dept. Is something going on there? These are good people. TA Smith agrees that they were quality employees and he was disappointed to see them go but they were all individual situations. We are currently looking for a secretary and a laborer.
- Selectman Hersom announced that with mixed emotions he will not seek re election, he is not walking away from the town he will still be committed to helping the town but feels he can be more help by not being constrained.
Chairman Hebert thanked Rick for getting this information out in case someone would like to pull papers. John says Rick had helped him when he was new on the BOS; Rick has an intelligent way of thinking, thank you for your service.
Selectman Stuart thanks Rick for always offering his insight, Rick speaks his position with eloquence after he thinks through his words. Rick is valuable member of the BOS, Ken hopes he reconsiders.
Selectman Hall says Rick always has a constructive view of the issue and he has gained a lot with Rick’s presence on the BOS.
Hearing no further comments Selectman Stuart motions to adjourn, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0
Adjourned 7:50pm
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