Board of Selectmen
February 28, 2006
Library Meeting Room
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Dale Donovan. Selectmen present included Michael May, Ira Wood and Jerry Houk. Helen Miranda Wilson arrived at 6:18 p.m. Town Administrator Tim Smith also attended.
The Board considered the grievance filed relative to the denial of the request for reclassification of the DPW Administrative Assistant position. Wellfleet Employees’ Association (WEA) attorney James Norton requested that this matter be heard in open session. The Town Administrator outlined the grievance procedure noting that this grievance should have been filed within ten days of his denial in October. Donovan reviewed the Board’s options noting the timing issue. The Town Administrator recommended that the Board continue this hearing and then deliberate. May disclosed that his wife is a member of the WEA. There was consensus to go forward with the hearing and not make a decision this evening. Mr. Norton addressed the Board indicating that it was his understanding
that the time limits were protected due to an agreement between the parties; that the matter before the Board is whether the DPW Administrative Assistant position should be reclassified; and reviewed the reclassification process suggesting that the DPW position was rated too low for accountability, judgment and complexity and the education requirement. Wilson arrived at 6:18 p.m. Discussion included the duties of the DPW position, the Assistant Town Administrator’s assertion that the DPW Administrative Assistant duties in the reclassification job questionnaire are usually performed by a higher level position and the analysis used in the comparison of the DPW position to the Fire Department Administrative Assistant position. The Town Administrator indicated that the DPW Administrative Assistant duties are not unique and the position has the same type of job responsibilities as other administrative assistant positions noting that several duties discussed, i.e.
Chapter 90 reimbursements and budgets are a department head responsibility and that job descriptions are developed to indicate minimum responsibilities. Mr. Norton suggested that the functions performed by an employee should be included in a job description, that the DPW position should be rated higher due to the severity of the consequences associated with errors and that the duties in the job description are improperly rated under the rating system. Donovan noted that the Board has twenty-four days to make a decision. The Town Administrator indicated that the crux of the issue is the grading of the position; Mr. Norton responded that the position has been improperly evaluated.
The meeting was recessed at 6:58 p.m.
At 7:03 p.m. the Board held a public hearing to consider amendments to the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Herring Alewives in the Town of Wellfleet. Wilson moved and Donovan seconded a motion to accept all the amendments as worded by the Herring Warden. Herring Warden Carl Brievogel discussed the State imposed three year moratorium on the taking of herring. He announced the upcoming Friday and Saturday Herring River clean up beginning at Bound Brook Island and noted that fire management staff from the Park Service will be burning the brush piles. Donovan outlined the proposed changes in the regulations. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
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Announcements:
· The Town Administrator indicated his appointment of Jane Tesson as Acting Town Accountant. On a motion by May, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to approve this appointment.
· Wood reported on the Sea Babies Infant Daycare facility ribbon cutting at the Senior Center.
· Donovan announced that the Billingsgate basketball tournament will be held March 17-19 and volunteers are needed.
· Donovan announced the Wellfleet Community Forum program on the Transfer Station, past, present and future scheduled for this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Library.
· Donovan announced that the Open Space Committee is applying for grants for monies to assist in funding land purchases approved by Town Meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to send a letter to all appropriate legislators developed in conjunction with the Open Space Committee.
The Board discussed:
a) Appointment of Full-time Dispatcher – on a motion by May, seconded by Wood, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Rose Marie Fiske as a full-time dispatcher.
b) Wastewater Collaborative Appointment – on a motion by Houk, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Emily Beebe to the Wastewater Collaborative.
c) Appointment of Beach Administrator – the Town Administrator indicated his appointment of Steven Larsen as Beach Administrator.
d) Fire Department Appointments – Interim Fire Chief Silverman indicated his promotion of Joseph Cappello, Shawn Clark and William Grozier to the position of Fire Lieutenant. On a motion by Wood, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to approve these promotions.
e) Gull Pond Lease Specifications – Suzanne Thomas outlined the proposed changes. On a motion by Wood, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the specifications subject to the addition of language allowing for a three year contract with an option for renewal of up to two additional years.
f) Application for Road Cut, Excavation, Tunneling or Boring Under a Public Road – on a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of Long Point Electric, Inc. to run electrical service in conduits under the road at 100 East Main St.
g) STM/ATM Articles:
· Special Town Meeting:
o Rescind borrowing authorizations – on a motion by May, seconded by Wood, the Board voted unanimously to place this article on the STM warrant.
· Annual Town Meeting:
o Authorization for disposal of Town equipment – on a motion by Wilson, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to place this article on the ATM warrant.
o Stabilization Fund – on a motion by Houk, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to place this article on the ATM warrant.
o Accept MGL Chapter 32B, §18 – on a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to place this article on the ATM warrant.
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o Chapter 90 – on a motion by Wilson, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to place this article on the ATM warrant.
o Zoning Bylaw amendments (amend Sections 9.2, 6.3.13, 6.11, 5.4.2, 6.3) – on a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to place these articles on the ATM warrant.
o Charter amendments – Donovan moved and May seconded a motion not to place this article on the ATM warrant. Discussion included the process, amendments being introduced on town meeting floor, Town Counsel’s recommendations, addressing the amendments at a future special town meeting scheduled for this purpose and losing qualified committee members by restricting non-resident taxpayers from serving. The Assistant Town Administrator noted the letter to the Board signed by ten department heads indicating concern with the proposed changes and the process. On the motion, the Board voted 3-2, with Houk and Wilson voting against.
o CPC – Committee Chair Peter Hall outlined the division of CPA funds. On a motion by Wood, seconded by Donovan, the Board voted unanimously to recommend the STM article for allocation of CPA funds. On a motion by Houk, seconded by Wood, the Board voted unanimously to recommend the STM article for CPA funds for the Gull Pond Affordable Homes project. On a motion by Wood, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to recommend the ATM article for allocation of CPA funds.
o Snowplowing – DPW Director Mark Vincent noted that the comprehensive inventory of roads is nearly completed. He outlined and the Board discussed three options: Option A – plow only Town roads; Option B – plow all public and private roads; Option C – plow all public roads and all paved private roads that meet DPW requirements. Discussion included the need for an additional sweeper and the pros and cons of using private contractors. On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to accept Option C. On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to use private contractors as
outlined in Option C. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by Wood, the Board voted unanimously to place articles on the ATM warrant to purchase and outfit a new road sander, to fund one new DPW position and to appropriate funds for contract services.
h) Agreement Between the Town of Wellfleet and the Children’s Place Sea Babies – on a motion by Wilson, seconded by Houk, the Board voted unanimously to accept the contract between the Town of Wellfleet and the Children’s Place Sea Babies as drafted and to specify the “Town” as the “Board of Selectmen” in Articles 5 and 6.
i) DPW Gate Attendant position – discussion included the interview process. On a motion by Wilson, seconded by Houk, the Board voted 3-1-1, with Donovan voting against and Wood abstaining, to veto the appointment of Ms. Savin as the Transfer Station Gate Attendant.
Correspondence – Wood presented the correspondence report and noted:
· Information from Lower Cape Cod Community Development Council re: retirement of Gwen Pelletier and appointment of Elizabeth Bridgewater as Executive Director.
· Applicants for Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Health Care Campus Options
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· Letter from Brewster Board of Selectmen re: amendment to extend the room tax to private homes – on a motion by Wilson, seconded by Donovan, the Board voted unanimously to send this letter with the additional attached information to the Finance Committee and task them to consider it.
On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 2, 2006 as printed.
On a motion by Wood, seconded by Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 11, 2006 as printed.
On a motion by Wood, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 14, 2006 as printed.
On a motion by Wilson, seconded by Donovan, the Board voted unanimously to attach the two pages of interview questions to the minutes of February 11, 2006.
Future Meetings/Agendas – schedule Board appointments.
On a motion by Wilson, seconded by May, the Board voted unanimously at 9:45 p.m. on a roll call vote (Houk, Wilson, May, Wood, Donovan – yea) to enter executive session to discuss litigation and the acquisition of real property and not to reconvene in open session.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Smulligan
Administrative Assistant
Dale Donovan, Chair Michael May Ira Wood
Helen Miranda Wilson Jerry Houk
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