SELECTBOARD MINUTES

Special Meeting with AFC, PCS Committee, Regionalization Committee

June 5, 2006

Present: Clint Shaw, Alf Berry, Nancy Allen

Others present: Joe Mitko (ADN), Dale Bull, AFC members Ross France, Jim Regan, Dave Davis, and Bob Bellefeuille, PCS members Laura Webber, Chris Paul, and Chuck Berube, Regionalization Committee members Gary Orcutt and Mike LeBlanc, PCS Principal Rebecca Phillips and PCS Supt. Pat Martin, Mahar Supt. Reza Namin and Mahar teacher Michael Roche

Chair Clint Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. in the PCS Library.

1. REVIEW ATM/STM WARRANTS

The entire warrants with motions for the June 5, 2006, Special and Annual Town meetings were reviewed. Moderator Richard Nickless recommended a small change in the wording of Article 49 which is the debt exclusion article for the Police Station work.

2. VOTE ON DEBT EXCLUSION

Nancy Allen moved that the Selectboard recommend use of a debt exclusion as a method of paying for the renovation/addition work at the Petersham Police Station for the Annual Town Meeting article. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. REVIEW TOWN COUNSEL’S OPINION OF LETTER DATED MAY 31, 2006, WITH FOUR REGIONALIZATION QUESTIONS

The Selectboard reviewed the opinion from Town Counsel concerning four regionalization questions sent on May 31, 2006. Clint Shaw summarized answers to the questions stating that the Selectboard has the authority to negotiate and sign a new regional school district agreement and has oversight of the regionalization process regarding the Quabbin Regional School District. On the question of asking the other Quabbin member towns to revote if they have already voted their approval, he declined answering citing a conflict of interest as Kopelman and Paige also represents Quabbin District towns of Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree and Oakham. With regard to the last question of if all five Quabbin District towns vote to approve Petersham’s entry in the district, what are the next steps of the regionalization process, Town Counsel’s opinion is the submission of a request by the Regional School Committee to the DOE for a reorganization needs conference in accordance with 603 CMR 41.02.

4. SIGN CHAPTER 90 CONTRACT

Nancy Allen moved to sign the Chapter 90 contract for $157,441. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Town Clerk Diana Cooley certified the signing.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

The Selectboard reviewed a copy of a letter sent to the AFC from Assessor Jean Robinson stating that the salary amount of the Assistant Assessor was calculated incorrectly and is short $500. AFC Chair Ross France stated that the hours will need to be adjusted for the Assistant Assessor to accommodate the salary voted by the AFC.

6. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Alf Berry moved to adjourn. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy S. Allen, Clerk