March 22, 2010
Present was James C. Lehan, Robert J. Garrity, James M. Tomaszewski and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jim Lehan opened the meeting at 7 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
Boy Scout Troop 80 was in attendance for a badge requirement. Scout Masters John Buchholz and Greg Mirliss accompanied them.
WATER RATE PUBLIC HEARING – Continuation
At 7 p.m. Jim Lehan reopened the public hearing for water rates. Jim Tomaszewski moved to reconvene the water hearing. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Present was Remo Vito, DPW Director and Robert McGhee, Highway Superintendent.
Rob questioned when the rates go into effect. Butch said July 1st.
The Board questioned the betterments that just went out. Butch said it was for Park Street and Bush Pond Road - about 42 people.
Jim L. wants to minimize this. He wants to do 5% and not have a deficit. He said we can revisit it next year or in 3 years. He doesn’t want to nickel and dime it.
Butch said there has been dropped revenue. Jim T. said we should go with 8% because the retained earnings are low. Jim L. wants to go with 5% and if we have to revisit it in a year, we can.
The Board is concerned about retained earnings being low as revenue has dropped. If we have a problem, there are no retained earnings. Rob prefers to do it yearly than to build it up.
Greg Linde, 24 Medway Street questioned about people on wells who have access to fire protection. Why aren’t they charged anything? Jim Lehan said we have talked about it and he would say most people on wells do not have access to town water.
Rob Garrity moved to set the Fiscal 2011, 5% higher than the Fiscal 2010 rate. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
The Board discussed increasing fees. Jack said that our revenue is low, too.
Jim Lehan moved to hold fees to current rate and adjust backhoe inspections to $66. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Rob Garrity moved to close the hearing. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
ENERGY COMMITTEE
Present was Rita Advani and Bill Behling, Energy Committee members.
Rita gave the Board a handout on the Landfill Solar PV Project prices. She met with the State this morning, and it doesn’t appear that the rebate will be available. If not, that makes this a marginal project. Jim asked if we bond this now, can we get the rebates in the future.
Rita said that they probably wouldn’t go forward with the project, based on the information they found this morning. They do have an article on town meeting. Butch said to tailor the article contingent on a grant and go from there. Then we are aligned to go if something happens.
Rob said that if we were a green community, there is $4 million out there we could go for.
DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REVIEW
Library
Harvey Boulay, Library Trustee, and Robin Glasser, Library Director present. Harvey said they need help so they won’t get decertified. This year they got a waiver. He said they have been working with the Energy Committee in trying to save energy. Their electric bill right now is $45,000. They feel they can save.
Robin gave the Board a pie chart. They are one of the smallest budgets in town.
Robin said a 4% cut can only be hours. They would have to cut 7 hours. They would be 41 hours. 40 hours is minimum and 39.5 is decertified. The Library survives with volunteers.
Town Clerk
Gail Bernardo present. There are not a lot of places to cut in her budget. She said she just lost a second assistant town clerk because the position isn’t full time. Gail said she had to cut her office hours so that she can get work done. Her office has already been impacted, and she can’t lose anymore staff. She said she can’t be cut 4%. Elections budget is done by the state. Cutting assistant town clerk back to 20 hrs. It is not beneficial to cut training.
Gail said she doesn’t have to offer passport services. It brings in $5,000 to $12,000 in revenue.
Gail said cutting the grade on the assistant town clerk from 9 to 8 only removes $1,000. In most towns, offices are open 5 days, with a ½ day on Friday.
Fire Department
Chief Coleman Bushnell gave a presentation on his budget and where they are.
Rob thanked the department for taking the wage freeze.
Police Department
Chief Charles Stone said he has four budgets - Animal Control, Animal Inspector, Dispatch and Police.
Chief Stone has two budgets. He would have to cut $169,000 which would mean he would have to cut two officers. He will try on the day shift not to replace and he and Jon are there.
Chief Stone said it was 1994 since he has had a new man. Three officers were laid off in 1996. Losing two men will put him back to 15 officers and 1985.
Department of Public Works
Remo Vito, DPW Director and Robert McGhee, Supt. of Public Works present.
The Board reviewed the budget with Butch and Bob.
ACTION ITEMS
Rob Garrity moved to approve the annual Connor’s Fun Run for Sunday, May 23, 2010 beginning at 10 a.m. at the H. Olive Day School, contingent on Chief Stone’s approval of police details. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
OLD BUSINESS/NEW
The Board discussed the Myrtle Street intersection and the site distance issue. A resident requested putting up a mirror.
Chief Stone said a mirror is not a legal remedy and would discourage it. Butch Vito said they are working on that intersection to relieve the site distance problem.
At 10:50 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 March 22, 2010.
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James M. Tomaszewski, Clerk
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