January 26, 2009
Present was James C. Lehan, Robert J. Garrity, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator. Ramesh Advani was absent.
Jim Lehan opened the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
TAX RATE HEARING CONTINUATION
Jim Lehan opened the hearing. He stated that the Tax Rate hearing began on December 15, 2008 and was continued until tonight. Rob Garrity moved to continue the tax rate hearing until February 9, 2009 at 7 p.m. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
ANNIKA LANGE, MMA ESSAY WINNER
Annika Lange and her father were present. Jim Lehan explained that Annika was the winner of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Essay Contest. She was chosen out of 2200 student entries. Annika was present at the MMA Conference in Boston this weekend where she read her essay. The Selectmen were present at the conference as well, and Annika received an award and a $300 prize. Annika read her essay at the meeting.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack read the bi-weekly calendar.
ZONING BYLAW STUDY COMMITTEE
John Weddleton expressed his interest in filling a vacant spot the Selectmen has on this committee. Rob Garrity moved to appoint John Weddleton to the Zoning Bylaw Study Committee, term to expire December 31, 2009. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
WATER RATE HEARING
Remo Vito, DPW Director was present.
At 7:20 p.m., Jim Lehan read the public hearing notice and opened the hearing.
Butch Vito gave out a handout that showed area communities that he did a comparison on for water rates. He said that we are in the same range. Butch told the Board that if they have an issue with any of the rates, let him know and he’ll go back to the community and see how they figured it. He said that some towns have different ways of calibrating their water and the different systems. You have to consider that. We are a young system. We only came online in the 80’s. Butch said that looking at the rates of the different communities isn’t the whole story.
The Board reviewed the commercial connection fees and the fire connection fees with Butch. The Board felt that the fees were out of line with area communities.
Butch will come back with a recommendation. He will look at these and see what can be done. Jim wants to see the capital plan. They are a ways away. Butch wants to treat the fire services separately and do the capital plan.
Rob mentioned alternate energy for DPW.
Rob Garrity moved to continue the water rate hearing to February 9th at 7:15 p.m. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith told the Board that the Comcast contract expires September 30th. He said the Committee is conducting working negotiations to see where they stand. Hopefully, it will be a speedy settlement.
ADVISORY BOARD – BUDGET
Arlie Sterling, Jim Tomaszewski and Patrick Snead were present from the Advisory Board.
Jack reviewed the budget.
Jack said that the Governor announced state aid cut in lottery of 9.74% which is a $116,000 cut.
Jack said that on Wed., Jan. 28th, we will receive Cherry Sheet. There is a 7.1% reduction in state aid, which includes Ch. 70. It comes out to a 28% cut in lottery with a total $340,637 cut.
The Board had several options. A wage freeze is one.
Rob Garrity moved to direct the Town Administrator to enter into negotiations with the unions under the purview of the Board of Selectmen for purposes of renegotiating FY’10 contracts, or take any other action relative thereto. Jim Lehan seconded. Jim offered a friendly amendment to authorize the Town Administrator to request the unions to reopen negotiations concerning their current contracts. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Jack suggested the Selectmen meet with him and the Labor Counsel to discuss this. He will contact the Board with a date.
Jack discussed the trailer acquisition by Chief Bushnell.
Jack said that Plainville wants to organize a committee of Selectmen and a School Committee representative. Jim Lehan said he would volunteer. Rob Garrity moved to appoint Jim Lehan to this committee. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jack said that Habitat for Humanity wants to partner with us on a couple of projects. He explained a meeting he had last week with them and the Affordable Housing Trust.
At 10:35 p.m., being no further business, Rob Garrity moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of January 26, 2009.
James C. Lehan, Clerk
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