Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 1/2/2018 by a vote of 4-0-1
Selectman Kenney abstains/absent from 12/19/17 meeting
7:00p.m. – December 19, 2017
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman Jesse Limanek, Vice Chair John Hebert, Clerk David Hall and Selectman Raymond Plante Jr.
(Selectman Michael Kenney absent)
Town Administrator James Smith & Deb Jacques, secretary
Chairman Limanek calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
Public Forum: N/A
Selectman Hall motions to accept as presented the December 5, 2017 meeting minutes, Vice Chairman Hebert seconds passes 4-0
Recognition: Girls Sutton Varsity Soccer Team: Players called by name and then Selectman Hall reads the recognition.
Revised OPEB Policy: TA Smith asks the BOS to consider revising the OPEB policy by adding 10% of certified free cash from the prior fiscal year to the current policy. The current policy was adopted one year ago but we are looking for additional ways to address the problem. TA Smith states this would help us deal with the unfunded OPEB liability. So if there is $200,000. of free cash certified at the end of the year, $20,000. would go into the OPEB trust. Vice Chair Hebert feels this is a great move, once again we are ahead of the curve. A few years ago we did not know what OPEB was but we have been aggressive and this policy will help us in the end. Selectman Hall asks where these funds would go if they did not go into OPEB, TA Smith replies this year the Capital Plan will be funded with free cash. Dave says we have
had some pretty high free cash years, TA Smith agrees but says we won’t see a repeat at that level. Dave does agree with and supports this revised policy, Dave goes on to say this policy is a suggestion it is not binding, and it directs us. Selectman Plante says this is the right thing to do. Chairman Limanek says OPEB is a liability, this debt has to be paid. This is appropriate for checks and balances. This is a sound policy for a long term problem. Jesse thanks Jim and Tim for their work on this issue. Vice Chair Hebert motions to approve the revised OPEB Policy Selectman Plante seconds passes 4-0
TA Update:
- FY19 budget process- Depts. have all submitted Capital Plan requests which TA Smith is now compiling and prioritizing. Expect a large capital plan (approx. $1.4 million) due to outstanding commitments (Goddard Lodge, LED lights at Gilmore Dr. and antennas for Public Safety). A draft will be submitted to the BOS and Fin com in January.
- Police Station premium- the town received a net premium of $368,000. Some of this may be used for the Police Station. We may also be required to give the residents a portion back over a 20 year period through tax recap. ($18,000. Per year /20 years). We may be able to include the bay that was previously taking off the project.
- All members tonight agree this bay is important to the Police station and it would be good to have included in the project.
- Cell Tower at Town Farm road- some equipment has been delivered to the town, John Arthur has informed TA Smith work will begin in January. This may include a pole hearing before the BOS.
- Town Hall Christmas party took place earlier today, good time had by all.
Selectman announcements/Correspondence/Round table
- Chairman Limanek thanks Waters Farm for the Christmas luncheon last week.
- The Police Station project had a ground breaking on Friday Dec 15th.
- Food Pantry- in need of basic needs
- Happy Hanukah/Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Selectman Plante motions to adjourn, Vice Chair Hebert seconds passes 4-0 Meeting adjourned 7:40 pm
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