SELECTBOARD MINUTES

Regular Meeting

April 4, 2006

Selectboard’s Office

7:00 p.m.

 

 Present:  Clint Shaw , Alf Berry , Nancy Allen

Others present:  Joe Mitko (ADN), Dale Bull, Maryann Walker, Peter George, David Granquist, Chris Paul, AFC members Bob Bellefeuille, Dave Davis, Jim Regan, Ross France, PCS Committee members Laura Webber and Chuck Berube, PCS Supt. Pat Martin, CIPC Chair Becky Legare

 Chair Clint Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 1.                  MINUTES

Nancy Allen moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of March 28, 2006.  Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  

2.                  MEETING WITH MARY ANN WALKER , RE:  TOWN HALL KITCHEN 

Maryann Walker presented information to the Selectboard for installation of a new commercial dishwasher with a pump for the Lower Town Hall kitchen.  She has spoken with two plumbers who confirm that a pump will be required due to the location of the appliance in the building.  The cost of the dishwasher with pump is $3195, plumbing work and installation will be $3908.60 and carpentry work will cost $600, for a total of $7703.60.

 A discussion followed regarding the possibility of a dishwasher being available from Center School .  Jim Regan volunteered a pump that is now at the Country Store.  Compatibility will be checked for the two.  It was noted that the dishwasher must be installed by the end of June or the kitchen will not be available for any activities in the Town Hall requiring food. 

 .                  VOTE MEMBER TO PCS COMMITTEE

Clint Shaw thanked the three candidates who have shown interest in the PCS Committee position and noted that a lot of consideration has gone into the decision.  He then stated that according to MGL 41:11, this vote is a roll call vote.  Therefore, he asked each member of the PCS Committee and the Selectboard for their vote.  Chuck Berube voted for David Granquist ; Laura Webber , David Granquist ; Alf Berry , Chris Paul ; Nancy Allen , Chris Paul ; and Clint Shaw , Chris Paul .   All Board and Committee members welcomed Chris Paul to the PCS Committee.  This vote is valid until the next annual Town election in March 2007.

 4.                  FY07 DEPARTMENT BUDGET MEETINGS

a.       PCS

PCS Committee member Chuck Berube stated that the budget represents an 11% increase from Town appropriations last year.  He noted that 7.2% of that increase is for two special needs students and an additional cost of $79,000 which was not budgeted for in FY06 has been spent.  With a $35,000 discrepancy, the Committee was unclear on how it had arrived at the special needs portion of the budget and will get back to the AFC.  He stated that the circuit breaker account and a grant covered the unanticipated amount.    A large portion of the increase can also be attributed to heat and electricity.  Raises for professional staff include a 3% raise plus steps which average out to about another 2%.  Non-professional staff have also been given a 5% raise due to under compensation.   Supt. Pat Martin stated that incoming school of choice should be approximately $57,600, being 12 students at $4,800 each.  The AFC requested expenditures to date.  Pat Martin stated that the information would be available by Thursday.  The PCS budget hearing is Monday, April 10.

  b.      CIPC 

CIPC Chair Becky Legare described to the AFC how the CIPC had been created.    Becky Legare stated that approximately $340,000 in capital improvement planning had been submitted.  She stated that of the projects submitted, five have been prioritized.  They are:  Third year of three-year lease for police cruiser, re-roof the Highway Department salt shed, repair and paint the 1997 Ford brush truck transferred from the Highway Department to the Fire Department, purchase of Fire Department Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), and repair and paint all Town Hall windows, interior and exterior.  Two requests, being the addition to the Police Station and replacing the Town Hall roof, have been recommended for debt exclusion.  Clint Shaw noted that a debt exclusion requires a ballot vote and due to the urgency of replacing the Town Hall roof, he suggested that this item be pulled from the debt exclusion.  It was noted that the AFC needs to remain in communication with the Selectboard so that everyone is in agreement.

 c.       TOWN BUDGETS

Dale presented the Selectmen’s budget (2) with a 5% salary increase, consistent with that requested by PCS.  A merit increase of $.50 per hour was requested for part-time office help.  It was noted that this was the increase given to another employee as money was available in the budget.  Dale also included extra days of office coverage for her vacation time.  Postage was increased to $400.  Dues, bonds, seminars, and advertising were level-funded.  An additional $100 was added to materials and literature.  Legal fees (3) was increased by $5,000 to $14,000 to cover Master Plan/zoning by-laws.  Administrative Coordinator (6) wages was increased by 5%, again in line with that requested by PCS, with a merit increase of $.50 per hour after six months.  Dale noted that this position is the lowest paid in relation to area towns and provided documentation.  Administrative Coordinator overtime (7) added ten hours.  The Central Telephone System (9) was decreased by $600 to $9000 and is to include all phones, dsl being installed, and wireless phones.  Dale noted that this is a difficult budget to predict in that since the move back into the Town Office Building , every phone bill has included some type of repair, so a flat rate of what it will cost each month has not been established.  The Audit (10) is still awaiting response from the Treasurer as to if the Town must continue being audited.  Town Hall and Office Building Maintenance (11) was level funded at $5,000.  Printing (16) increased toner to $400, and added $300 for printing of by-laws for the special town meetings.  The AFC report was level–funded.  Printing of by-laws was increased by $25 and $810 was added to cover printing of the three election ballots. Town Hall and office Expense (28)  includes estimates for oil and propane based on the last six years’ average gallonage.  Electricity was decreased by $1900 to $5100.  Copier maintenance contract was cut for 150,000 copies.  Toner, fax cartridges, online service and petty cash were level-funded.  Office supplies were increased by $300 and postage included three boxes of envelopes.  Cleaning contract services include the 5% increase.  Insurance coverage (39) includes an increase of $900 in workers comp to allow for increase in personnel and payroll.  Police/fire accident increased $5000 due to the McNamara bill, an unfunded mandate which provides a one-time $500,000 payout to any part-time police, fire, or EMS personnel killed on the job.  Property/casualty increased $2000 to cover new vehicles under the policy.  Care of Common (56) includes the fist year of a contract with Barnes Landscaping for $5995.   High-tree work-common (61) is level-funded at $l to keep an account open to allow for any grants that may become available.  Two new accounts were requested; computer services for $1000 to cover repairs for all departments and Health Insurance for Retirees.  As different amounts are paid by the Town for active and retired employees, a separate account was suggested. 

 5.                  POLICE CHIEF CONTRACT

In compliance with the contract between the Town and the Police Chief, Clint Shaw stated that the Town does plan to negotiate a renewal contract with the Police Chief which expires June 30, 2007.   Alf Berry made the motion to negotiate the renewal contract and Nancy Allen seconded the motion.  The Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 

 6.                  ATM/STM WARRANT

The warrants were tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.   

 7.                  LEDGEVILLE SCHOOL/MANDELS

The Board responded to the Mandels letter requesting up to a 20 foot easement width around the Ledgeville School and stating that upon receipt of that confirmation, Town Counsel would be contacted to draw up the easement, the cost of which to be shared by  the Town and the Mandels.  

 A discussion followed regarding the legality and inability of the Town to give or sell at less-than-market value the School to the Historical Society. 

 8.                  HARVARD EASEMENT

In a telephone conversation with Edythe Ellin , Director of Administration at Harvard Forest , Ms. Ellin confirmed with Dale that Harvard would be financially responsible for Town Counsel’s review of the easement created by Harvard .  Upon receipt of that information, all documentation has been forwarded to Kopelman and Paige . 

 9.                  FOLLOW UP ON GRANGE LETTER

Nancy Allen stated that in discussions with Grange member Ruth Bassingthwaite , Ruth clarified that the Grange would like to plant a shrub at the monument on the South Common as a gift to the Town.  It was agreed to advise Rexine Barnes , Barnes Landscaping, of the planting, to ask her advice regarding the subject, and that she contact Ruth Bassingthwaite regarding this matter. 

 With regard to the permanent sign installation, the Grange will be tabling this matter for the time being pending additional information. 

 10.              CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the following:

 11.              OTHER BUSINESS

Nancy Allen moved the Selectboard sign a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $113 to cover the cost of removal of trees felled during recent storms in the West Road Cemetery .  Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 

A meeting with the Selectboard and the AFC was scheduled for April 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Selectboard office. 

12.              ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Alf Berry moved to adjourn.  Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Nancy S. Allen