September 15, 2009
Present was James C. Lehan, James M. Tomaszewski and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator. Robert J. Garrity was absent.
Jim Lehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
Gail Bernardo, Town Clerk was present. Jack explained that we need to discuss election dates and protocol with Gail. The State called an election on Dec. 8th, and Jack was concerned about the 35 day requirement. Gail said the Town will save more money with the January election.
Jim said the reason we had to do it before January was the road article. It has to be voted before we set the tax rate.
Gail said January 19th is the January election. Jack will talk to Kathy Reed and see what their feedback will be on that. It will delay our third quarter bills.
Jim asked Jack to pursue the roads because we are committed. Jack would like to put the two major building projects on in January. We would probably need an operating override and we could put the roads on then. Jim T. said we owe the road article to the people because it was our fault. He hates to move them again.
Jim L. would like to have one election in January. Jack will check into it.
Jim told Gail our intent will be to do this in January. He is not in favor of delaying the tax bill. Both members agreed and said they would rather have the $200,000 later. It was decided to take December off the table entirely because we are not going to delay the tax bills.
Jim L. will call the Birkners tomorrow regarding the road article.
The language needs to be final by 11/3. It cannot go on a special ballot.
FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Jack reviewed the rough draft of the warrant.
ACTION ITEMS
Jim Tomaszewski moved to approve a request from Kevin O’Sullivan to use the Transfer Station on Saturday, September 26th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to conduct a follow up survey following his Norfolk Energy Awareness Day. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to grant members of the KP Volleyball team permission to sell raffle tickets as a fundraiser at the Transfer Station on Saturday, 9/26 and 10/3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be one adult and 2 or 3 team members present at one time. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jack asked the Board to review the crosswalk request from residents on Boardman Street. Jim Tomaszewski moved to approve a crosswalk on Boardman Street along with an appropriate crosswalk sign in front of the school. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Jack said that he met with Julie Siewko, Town Accountant for the balance sheet and she is way ahead of schedule by putting in a lot of overtime. Julie also is way ahead of schedule with the Schedule A. Jack noted that both Julie and Assistant Town Accountant Mary Noris have been putting in much overtime to keep things going. A huge commendation to both of them.
Jack said free cash will be about $50,000. He said with a $35,000 reimbursement, we will have about $84,000.
Jack said the State has already hinted at mid-year cuts. Jack said he has no idea what it will be, but it’s coming.
Jack reported nothing new at all on the KP budget. No news on the teacher’s contract. Jim wants to stay on top of this.
Jack reported contracts and what is open and what is settled.
OTHER BUSINESS
Jack said we are paying about $14,000 a month on unemployment. He said some of it is dropped off, and we have enough budgeted.
The new phone system that we have will be online within two weeks.
Jack will call Walpole about setting up the meeting on Everett Street.
Jack went into Boston for the TIP program last week and we are online with the state budget and advertising this week for the Rt. 115 project. He said they will start in the spring. It is an $8 million project funded by federal and state. They have committed. He said he will bring the rendering of the Rt. 115 project in to the 28th meeting, and let the people see it.
Jim L. said that he and Jack went to the Conservation Commission meeting and they voted to start schematics on the playground under the Kunde Trust.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to close the fall town meeting warrant. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jack said we should consider a campaign committee for the Public Safety building.
Jim L. said he would like to leave a portion of every meeting to answer questions from residents. We must have your name as we will not address anything anonymous. Jim T. said limit it to emails and we will answer within the first hour of our meeting.
At 8:14 p.m., Jim Tomaszewski moved to go into executive session for the purpose of pending litigation. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Jim Lehan, aye; and Jim Tomaszewski, aye. The Board will only return to open session to adjourn the meeting.
At 8:40 p.m., being no further business, Jim Tomaszewski moved to adjourn the meeting. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of September 15, 2009.
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James M. Tomaszewski, Clerk
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