February 9, 2009
Present were Ramesh H. Advani, James C. Lehan, and Robert J. Garrity. Jack Hathaway arrived at 8:50 p.m.
Ramesh Advani called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and read the agenda contents.
TAX RATE HEARING - Continued
Ramesh Advani opened the hearing at 7 p.m. and noted that this hearing was continued from January 26, 2009.
Rob Garrity moved to continue this hearing to February 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
WATER RATE HEARING – Continued
Ramesh Advani opened the hearing at 7:15 p.m. and noted that this hearing was continued from January 26, 2009.
Remo Vito was present. He presented another handout where he tried to consolidate area towns and information.
He showed current and proposed. They will do a master plan this year as it hasn’t been done since 1992. It was a goal of the Board of Public Works, but it was never done. Butch said they did find the fire commercial fees can go down dramatically. They adjusted the fire commercial fees to $1,636 for all 3 sizes.
Rob said that he went over this with Butch and this wasn’t an arbitrary fee. When you set a fee, you have to account for it. The fire service rate of $1,636 was pulled out of an old study. They found it in some documents.
The Board had a lengthy discussion with Butch regarding all of the fees.
Jim said he is concerned about being competitive with Wrentham’s rates due to where all our commercial is on Rt. 1A on the Wrentham line.
Jim Lehan moved to establish the residential hook up fees 1” service to $2,850. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to establish the commercial fire service hookup, the 4”, 6” and 8” as stated, $1,638. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Rob Garrity moved to establish the 2” commercial service rate hookup at $5,700. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Butch said they talked about the 10% late charge. They want to standardize it same as the town billing and use flat fee of $5.
Jim Lehan moved to eliminate the 10% penalty charge and make our late fee consistent with the tax late charge. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Butch said with the five year payment plan, a resident can apply to pay for 5 years, subject to interest at a rate determined at time of request. It wouldn’t exceed 5% maximum. Jim said this would only be for an existing home, such as someone who had to replace a pipe and needed flexibility in paying for it. Not for financing for new construction. Jim recommends we bid it. Butch said there are two separate things here. One is a new connection. One is corrosive pipes.
Rob Garrity moved to allow the connection fees to be paid over a five (5) year period with interest collected per the Treasurer. Jim Lehan seconded. Ramesh Advani clarified that this is for all connections – residential and commercial. It was so voted.
Mr. Coleman stated about was there a study that showed the rates that have been voted the last 3 years. Is the water dept. making money, losing money or what? Jim said the analysis shows we are breaking even.
Rob Garrity moved to set the water rates for FY’10 as reflected in the FY’09 rates: $4.75 per 1,000 gallons – 0-15,000 gallons; $5.70 per 1,000 gallons – 15,001-35,000 gallons; $7.41 per 1,000 gallons – 35,001-50,000 gallons; $10.37 per 1,000 gallons – over 50,000 gallons. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to close the water rate hearing. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim discussed a failed well or pipes. We need to create a mechanism whereby we would do the work, and charge them and recover the money through billing. Butch said we need to start a line item in the budget to be voted at town meeting, and have a sum of money to do this. We need to charge interest. Jim wants to see this within the Water Department budget.
Jim said we said we would waive the fee. Butch said in 09 fiscal year, we would apply this as a credit on their 09 bill. Everyone who incurred that cost will be refunded. Butch will send letters to notify the residents that they will be credited.
ENERGY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Rob Garrity moved to appoint the following people to the Energy Committee: Tara Henrichon, term to expire 6/30/11; John Olivieri, term to expire 6/30/11; Rita Advani, term to expire 6/30/12; Robert Lombardi, term to expire 6/30/12; and Ray Angelone, term to expire 6/30/12. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Marian Harrington read the Bi-Weekly Calendar.
OLD BUSINESS
Regarding Everett Street, Jim explained that it wasn’t the Walpole Selectmen hindering the truck route, it was the State. He said the stop sign is more complicated. We have to jump through time consuming hoops. We can’t just put them up.
Jim wanted to discuss the articles that the Selectmen is going to submit. He was concerned about CPC. He is all for it, but said we are in tough economic times and many taxpayers cannot afford it. It’s a substantial amount of money. He said should we give the residents a say. We could lower it to 2%. It’s up to the taxpayers, and if we don’t bring it forward, no one else will.
Ramesh said he would be in a position to lower it from 3% to 1.5%. But he does not want to eliminate it. The value of the assets are going to go down, too. The Board all felt it was worthwhile putting it on the warrant.
Ramesh is concerned about ALS services. He does not want to see this go, and wondered if we could have a regionalized ALS service. Since Norwood has certification, can we say with public funds we would help fund so the ambulance service stays intact.
Chief Bushnell stopped in and answered the Board’s questions regarding the Fire and ALS.
Jack Hathaway arrived, and said regarding the School Building Committee, they will have a walk through for architects to come in. They had twenty tour the building. The Committee will be bringing an article in the fall.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack reported that our Health Insurance is up 7%.
At 9:29 p.m., Ramesh Advani to go into executive session for the purpose of contract negotiation discussions. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Rob Garrity, aye; Ramesh Advani, aye; and Jim Lehan, aye. The Board will not return to open session except to adjourn the meeting.
At 10:05 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 February 9, 2009.
James C. Lehan, Clerk
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