Town Of Sutton Board of Selectmen |
Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 4/17/2018 by a vote of 3-0
(Vice Chair Hebert absent)\)
7:00p.m. – April 03, 2018
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman Jesse Limanek, Vice Chair John L. Hebert, Clerk David Hall and Selectman Michael Kenney
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 March 20, 2018 meeting minutes, Vice Chair Hebert 2nds passes 4-0
Selectman Hall motions to accept as presented the March 20, 2018 Executive Session minutes, Selectman Kenney 2nds passes 4-0
**Public Hearing** Pole Hearing Hutchinson Road- Hearing notice read by Selectman Hall: TA Smith requests this be continued as there is continued discussions between MA Fish & Wildlife and NGrid. Chairman Limanek declares this hearing continued.
**Public Hearing** 187 Eight lots Road 61A property-hearing notice read by Selectman Hall: TA Smith says Boards and Commissions have chosen to pass on the 1st right of refusal for this property. Present is the landowners Attorney Mel Chacharone. Atty. Chacharone states this is the 4th piece of property being sold for a house lot on Eightlots Road. Hearing no questions or comments from the BOS, Vice Chair Hebert motions to close the public hearing, Selectman Hall 2nds passes 4-0. Vice Chair Hebert motions to not exercise the town’s option under MGL Chapter 61A for 4.71 acres of property located at 187 Eight Lots Road Map #28 Parcel 46 Selectman Kenney 2nds passes 4-0
The new Sutton 4th of July Parade Committee: present is April Brown and Jonathan Rocheleau. Mr. Rocheleau states the idea of a 4th of July Parade came from a facebook conversation and there were a lot of positive comments. April and Jonathan formed a committee and have held one meeting. They are looking for guidance and do not know if it will occur this year or next year. Chairman Limanek opens it up to the BOS for opinions: Vice Chair Hebert thanks them for coming in and says we cannot say a definite no but with the short timing he suggest a year or two for advanced planning. John states several years ago there was a non-town sponsored event which did not go well and the organization was brought to court for the town to be reimbursed for police details/ems. John goes on to say prior to the
event there will have to be a 1 million dollar insurance binder in the TA office and if the event is planned for the holiday the Police detail rate is time and a half with a minimum of 4 hours. If the event goes to the school, there will have to be a custodian on duty, porta potties and parking would also have to be addressed. John feels there are a lot of positive things about this but it does need more structure. Something else to think about would to notify surrounding towns that also hold parades. Selectman Hall the theme is a great idea, the feedback on facebook shows this is something the town would like to see. It is something that would grow, mature over time. Vice Chair Heberts comments come with a lot of experience as he was the former Police Chief. Selectman Hall says he supports this and strongly encourages the idea but we have to be cautious. Selectman Kenney says thankyou this is a fantastic idea, you have started the ball rolling and already have a committee.
The community would love this but if it is held prematurely and falls apart it would be too bad. Get all your ducks in line, years down the road this could be a complete success. Chairman Limanek echoes all the comments and says this is a wonderful idea. The posts were all positive and widely embraced. This would benefit the town in the long run if done successfully. You have to think about how you will cover the costs associated with this, you also have to talk to the Superintendent regarding use of the school grounds. Also think about contingency plans should it rain and sponsorship to ease the burden. You have started with great framework, with a little more effort and time it would be a success. If the momentum is in your favor come back to us next year. April and Jon thank the board and say it is a relief to them to put off. The BOS all thank them for coming in.
HMO contribution for new hires upon retirement: TA Smith presents to the BOS a request to adopt a provision that any new hire from July 1, 2018 and after will pay 50% of their retiree health care when they retire at any age. Current employees will be grandfathered in and when they retire prior to age 65 they will only pay 30% of their health care until they reach 65. This change will help with the town’s long term OPEB liability. Although not required to negotiate with the unions, TA Smith has discussed at the IAC meetings and there were no issues. The teamsters have accepted this, it is on the Police union’s docket. Vice Chair Hebert says that since the OPEB liability was brought to our attention several years ago we look for ways to offset the liability. John is in favor of this. Selectman Hall is in favor
of this idea, it was discussed a short while ago this is a step in the right direction and grandfathering in the current employees is a good way to go about it. Selectman Kenney 100% supports this, this is going in the right direction and it is being done in a fair way by grandfathering in the current employees that we cherish and respect. This was done very well. Chairman Limanek agrees with this, if we take away benefits that were promised in the past it would not be fair to current employees. Employees starting after July 1 will be at a higher pay rate than the current employees started at and this will give them chance to plan ahead. This step is being proactive thank you for the work put in to this. Selectman Kenney motions to adopt the 50/50 retiree healthcare provision for any new hire after July 1st, 2018 Selectman Hall 2nds passes 4-0
TA Update:
- FY19 Budget: the final budget will be presented at the next BOS meeting (4/17)
- Primetals has agreed to relocate in Sutton at 85 Gilmore Drive. Thank you to all that had a hand in this including the town meeting as it required town meeting approval for the TIF.
- Payment from Wireless Edge- we received the 1st payment of $32,670.94. Starting April 1st we will receive $2750. Escalating at 3% annually. This revenue will be transferred to the OPEB trust fund at the Fall Town meeting. NGrid is expecting to do the ole work next week to get the cell tower up and running.
- Milling and paving the M route- DOT District 3 will begin milling and paving from the Douglas line up to the Central Tpk area. This is a 2 million dollar job that we are not paying for. Once the sidewalk from the school to Shaw is complete, they will come back and complete to the Church. We thank John Hebert for his active role in CMRPC.
- Manchaug Village Historic District has been listed in the National Register of Historic places thank you to Jen Hager for her work in this.
- Construction of the Blackstone Street Bridge is scheduled to begin, the Depot St Bridge will be resurfaced 1st as the alternate route.
Announcements/Round Table:
Selectman Hall would like to recognize the Finance Committee for the hard work they do. Kudos to the Chairman Jeff Bannon, he does a great job.
Chairman Limanek thanks all involved in the recent Finance Committee meetings, they ask some tough questions. Jesse reads the list of needed items for the Mike Chizy Food Pantry.
Selectman Hall motions to adjourn the meeting, Vice Chair Hebert 2nds passes 4-0
Meeting adjourned 7:55 pm
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