BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting November 4, 2013
Lower Level Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Littell & Blessington, Lynn Nicholls and residents
First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of October 21, 2013 as written.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Littell moved to approve the minutes of October 30,, 2013 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Christine Psathas asked how to go about getting signs to direct people to the Registrar’s office, noting that there are currently none in the building. Ms. Psathas added that tomorrow will be the first day of “election day registrations” and explained the process of how people can go about registering to vote on Election Day, noting the importance of having the signs visible. First Selectman Mailhos stated that we will look into purchasing some signs for the building.
Ms. Psathas thanked the Board of Selectmen for their hard work and dedication over the past few years, noting that they work hard. Selectman Blessington thanked the Registrars as well. He then asked Ms. Psathas to clarify the Election Day registration process again. Ms. Psathas stated that registrations will be processed in the lower level only. The people will have a private spot where they can vote and place their ballots in a locked ballot box in the same location. The She noted that they expect to be in constant contact with Registrars in other Towns tomorrow. Discussion was held on how the upper level workers will communicate with the Registrars who are in the lower level. Ms Psathas added that she is thankful that they are only in one building.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated report:
*Facility Feasibility Study –WFD Chief Millix is waiting for a reply from the consultants in regard to a meeting to present their findings.
*Performance Contracting – various crews have begun work around HMS, CES, TOB and the Senior Center. First Selectman Mailhos noted the new lights in the conference room and sensors in some of the rooms. We should begin to see energy savings within the next electricity billing cycle. Next phase will be the building envelope projects.
*Personnel Policy Review –edits are being made to the policy and is expected to be on the November 18 agenda.
*Turnpike Road Phase II – Bids were received today and reviewed. The Town Engineer and Public Works Director will review and bring a recommendation to the Board in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the Town Engineer will begin preparations for Phase III.
*Bus Lot Trailer – The new trailer is slated to be delivered on December 6th. The electrician and plumber will be on site to hook everything up. In the meantime, Public Works crews will be working on the drainage issues in the lot.
*Senior Van – WRTD has delivered the new van. It has been moved to Public Works to have the lettering removed. In the meantime, the seniors are looking into having the van painted.
*Transfer Station – the SWAC ordinance was amended and passed at the Town meeting held on 10/22/13.
Public Works:
Lynn recapped the Turnpike Road Phase 2 Project. We received 11 bids, ranging from $ 415,140 to $228,857. The Town Engineer will review the documents and will bring a recommendation to the BOS in a few days. First Selectman Mailhos noted that the money has already been appropriated. Lynn added that she would like to get started on the project as soon as possible.
Lynn stated that the crews will begin working on the drainage issues at the bus lot tomorrow.
Also, one half of Polster Bridge has been closed, leaving it to one lane of traffic. Lynn noted that the commercial traffic is no longer allowed on the bridge due to its state. She has notified State DOT and Stafford Officials of this change. The reason is because the beams are starting to rot underneath. She has begun applying for grants to assist with the repairs.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she received another complaint about the stone wall at the intersection of Route 320 and Mirtl Road. Lynn stated that is under the jurisdiction of the State DOT, who has been notified and will have a surveyor check the site lines to make sure they are within compliance.
New Business
A. Referendum on November 7th – Teacher’s Contract
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the referendum will be held in a few days (Thursday, November 7th) and she reviewed the Selectmen’s minutes from three years ago, when the contract was brought to referendum via a petition. The minutes reflect that the Selectmen made a statement in support of the teacher’s contract. She was wondering if the Selectmen wanted to do it again this time.
Selectman Blessington stated that there is a lot of unhappiness about the timbre of the Town Meeting that was held on October 30th. and referenced a cheap shot made by the Superintendent who told Mr. Latincsics to ask his wife to answer the questions. Selectman Blessington added that he felt Superintendent Harding was not answering the questions that were being asked and he was not pleased with the feeling he got from the teachers; there was the “let them eat cake” attitude; and no one was listening to the complaints.
Selectman Blessington added that the teachers getting raises is going to happen and he would’ve counseled people that it wasn’t a good idea to sign the petition. He added at the meeting there was a feeling that those who signed the petition were told to sit down and shut up. He then noted that the teachers are getting a good raise and there are a lot of taxpayers who have not seen a raise in a few years; perhaps had their hours cut or are making less then they did than five years ago. Selectman Blessington then said when teacher’s salaries go up, taxes go up; he clarified that they are exercising their right. He also wanted to clarify that these are not people who hate kids, but they are being portrayed as monsters who hate children and teachers and that is the message he got from that Town Meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos said thinks the people who brought the petition understand the process and the part about going to arbitration. She then cautioned that if the contract is rejected and goes to arbitration it will most likely not get us a better result, noting that it is actually a good contract. She added that the fight should be with the state about the binding arbitration laws, not our local teachers. She added that the extra $20,000 to go to arbitration will cause a tax increase. She noted that part of the current contract deal is that we are going to have some retirements and a reduction in staff, adding that Superintendent Harding plans to propose another zero budget this year, next year and the year after that. She added that the insurance concession is a main factor in the deal; as all of the
teachers are now going to the HSA option. Alan Ference clarified that the raises ($104,000) was based on current staffing, which will most likely be reduced or have changes made to it in the beginning of the school year. Mr. Ference then added that he was looking for the reason behind calling the referendum; what the issue was with the contract and no one seemed to have any complaints as to why it should be rejected. He then added that there was obvious misrepresentation as to what they were signing. Mr. Ference noted that some people were troubled once they heard the real story at the meeting; and asked if their names could be removed from the petition and it was not fair that they were misled in the first place.
Selectman Blessington asked Mr. Ference the details of the contract. Discussion was held on the raise increases. Mr. Ference clarified that the increase will cost more money, but it will cost even more if it goes to arbitration. He then noted that the people who sit on the Board of Education are affected by the tax increase like the rest of us. He then added that he sat on the negotiating board, and he was the biggest critic of the numbers, but the contract falls in where the awards in other Towns are coming out.
Selectman Littell said the one thing that is easily forgotten is once you get to the agreement of the contract, it is based on the last best offer; and it is doubtful that the last offer by the town was at zero. It is hard to speculate but it is doubtful that it is going to come back from arbitration with zeros.
Mr. Ference stated that people get emotional and passionate on both sides when it comes to Board of Education discussions at budget time. Selectman Blessington agreed and clarified that he thought from the beginning that it was a mistake to challenge this and he is going to vote no, but he wants to rehabilitate the reputation of those who feel differently. Alan Ference said it is a shame if that is the way it is being perceived and added that he wished there was articulation as to why it should be rejected.
B. Tax Refund
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $214.23 to GMAC; C/O Ally Financial, Louisville, KY for a credit of a sold vehicle.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Old Business
A. Youth and Family Services Director Salary Discussion
Selectman Littell stated that he has not had time to review the documentation that was sent to him at the last meeting and he thought it would be discussed in executive session. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that we can only meet in executive session if we are discussing an employee’s performance; noting that we are just talking about a pay grade for a position.
First Selectman Mailhos reiterated that this is a unique situation where there is funding to offset the cost of the salary increase and the inequity of the hourly rate of pay is way off of what other Towns pay. Selectman Littell asked where it fits in the budget. First Selectman Mailhos said the special fund in that line item makes money off of the programs that she holds and it keeps growing. She added that she would like to use $3,000 from that fund to increase the salary line item and then in the future wean it off by a few thousand dollars each year. Selectman Littell said he understands that there is an inequity but would like to defer to the BOF to have their say. He warned that if the BOF decides not to fund it, the BOS budget will be affected. Selectman Blessington asked where the money
for next year will come? First Selectman Mailhos would like to recommend taking $3,000 from the special fund in January to cover the rest of this year. In the meantime, when planning for next year we take $3,000 out of there and increase the bottom line to $2,000 and the following year, take $1,000 from that; which is similar to how we’ve handled the Library’s endowment fund over the last several years.
Alan Ference cautioned that it should be verified that it is an appropriate use of the fund. Selectman Blessington stated he is not a big fan of supplemental funds; the right thing to do is to take the salary from the salary line item. First Selectman Mailhos will bring this to the Board of Finance. Selectman Blessington stated he will also go to BOF to explain his view point on how it should be funded.
Good & Welfare
Selectman Blessington reminded everyone that tomorrow is Election Day.
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone of the referendum on Thursday.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that Catherine Vonasek passed away last week. She was 99 years old; she will send the family a card.
Kelly Trueb asked if CIP requests have been sent out yet. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she thought the Business Manager might be waiting until after the election and the Boards are settled.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
