March 5, 2007
Present was James C. Lehan, Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jim Lehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Present was Julie Siewko, Roxanne Verdeaux, Holly Merritt, Lorraine Foley, Paul Vito and Mark Haigh, all members of the Insurance Advisory Committee.
Julie spoke on behalf of the committee. She asked the Board to consider increasing the town’s share of contribution on health insurance to 60%, which would be a 2% increase. She said this would be approximately $40,000. Julie felt we could hire better employees with a better contribution. She said that most towns are paying more, and we are one of the few towns on the lower side. In 2009, the State may offer the town to be on their plan. Or we may have a variety of plans. Julie said we are on MIIA, and we have the lowest increase of any town in the state this year – 1.7%.
The Board all agreed to look at this and see if it is feasible. They all mentioned how tight the budget is. Jim suggested that it be worked into a “fixed” expense over a period of years.
ACTION ITEMS
Jonathan Smith moved to approve the annual parade for Norfolk Baseball on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 12 noon beginning at the H. Olive Day School. Rain date of April 28th. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to approve Redwood Circle as the name for a new street off of Day Street requested by Bruce Johnston. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to deficit spend the Snow and Ice budget per the request of Butch Vito, DPW Director. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Jack read the Bi-Weekly Calendar.
CAPITAL OUTLAY COMMITTEE
Present was John Bermingham, a member of the Capital Outlay Committee. Jack Hathaway told the Board that Arlie Sterling had phoned and was detained in an airport in New York and wouldn’t make it to the meeting. John Bermingham gave a brief update and noted the projects that they chose to fund as capital requests this year.
EARTH REMOVAL RENEWAL, HUGO EQUIPMENT, INC., 240 Dedham Street
Present was Hugo DiMartino, owner of the property.
Hugo told the Board that he has been having difficulties with the seasons. Between the rains and the frost, he is not able to move as fast as he expected. He said he is running out of time with the earth removal permit and would like an extension.
Jack said that any issues with the Building Commissioner have been worked out. Bob suggested an as-built, and the Board needs to discuss if they want to have it now or at the end of the project.
Ramesh asked if he is making progress with Con Commission. Hugo said yes, and he has a meeting with the Planning Board. He said it is out of his control, and he has been held up by the committees.
Ramesh asked if 6 months is enough. Hugo said that should be perfect, and would give him enough time. Jim asked how he felt about the as-builts. Hugo said that it is straight in the way the plan calls for, and he feels that to have one now is premature. He said it is dug up and it is starting to take shape. But he needs to move material to get it in shape where he needs it.
Hugo said that the property in question for permits is flat. He needs the back property for the earth removal permit.
He will loam and seed the property for any areas not under construction. Six months – September 15th. He is willing to provide as-builts when the earth removal is complete.
Jonathan Smith moved to extend the earth removal permit to Hugo DiMartino, Hugo Equipment, Inc., to September 15, 2007, with terms as set in the current earth removal permit with the exception of the following: the Board of Selectmen will be provided with as-built drawings no later than September 15, 2007, and that all site construction areas not completed by September 15, 2007 be covered with a minimum of 6”. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Jack noted that we are still looking for members for the regionalization committee. We are renaming it the re-engineering committee.
Jack mentioned Call & Wait and that they mentioned at a Conservation meeting that they are interested in applying to sell used trucks on the site. The Board agreed they could apply.
Jack discussed cleaning up the Buckley & Mann property and putting an article forward.
Jack reviewed the public safety building and the status of that.
Jack discussed a pumper truck that was damaged at the fire in Millis. Ramesh questioned why this is not covered in a mutual aid agreement.
Jack discussed the temporary housing for the public safety. We need to dig a trench in order to do a septic system, and we are waiting for the ground to thaw.
Jack attended a meeting last Thursday regarding GATRA. Norma Shruhan and Georgia Jones from the Council on Aging also attended. He said everyone feels more comfortable now with this service.
Jack reported he attended a meeting at Caritas Norwood and they are now out of the 911 service. The diversions (ambulances rerouted to other hospitals) are continuing. They will still take cardiac, pediatric and women in labor. Chief Bushnell said the diversions are a little bit better, but not much.
Jack did talk about Southwood, and there are no plans. The funding from the State is gone and they are working with legislators to try to get it back. They invested $5 million into the property and want that back. They have had four deals that have fallen through due to the contamination.
Jack said they need a debriefing with the PBC. The Board asked him to send a copy of the letter from the Inspector General to the PBC.
Jonathan explained what he meant by KP cutting $34,000 from capital requests.
Jim mentioned the Medical Safety group being formed by Board of Health using community residents.
Jim gave the Board a breakdown of how the budget forum will go next week.
At 9 p.m. being no further business, Ramesh Advani moved to adjourn the meeting. Jonathan Smith seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of March 5, 2007.
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Jonathan P. Smith, Clerk
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