April 2, 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.
BUDGET REVIEW – REP. ROSS AND SEN. BROWN
Present was Representative Richard Ross and Senator Scott Brown.
Richard said they want to diffuse any version of the Governor’s house budget. He said they have only just begun. Local Aid, Pilot, Chapter 70 and Community Policing Grant are the ones that will affect Norfolk. Richard said to let the Governor and Legislators know that the Community Policing Grant should be protected and not taken out of the budget. Our amount is $12,000, a 2% increase over last year. House 3102 – Pilot – we will get as least as much as we received last year. He is trying to get us the additional $200,000 in prison monies that we got for Bay State this year.
Scott said he was disappointed in the Governor’s budget. He said that especially in the Chapter 70. He is $55 million short over last year just to level fund it and get us to where we were last year. The PILOT monies are positive. The transportation is important. In order to do his promises during his campaign, we are $1 billion short. Chapter 70 monies will be addressed back to get us in the 5 year plan. The lottery revenues are down. Richard said that the lottery is not being played as fully as it used to be.
Jim asked his opinion of the Governor’s budget as an impact to Norfolk. Richard said flat. Jim asked if it’s what you see is what you get? No. Scott said that it is flat but 2 to 3%.
Ramesh questioned monies to help us with the leachate landfill closure. We are using capital for that. Scott said Brownsfield money would be helpful here. Scott said money for dams, road reclamation money, Mirror Lake, etc. This bond bill is coming out June or early July. Jonathan asked if Southwood would be there. Scott said they are going to bring it up with the Governor when they meet with him next week. Scott said this is an economic development issue.
Scott suggested Wrentham Developmental Center may be a possibility to take it over and upgrade it. DOC needs a new system and we need a system, so there may be a way to marry the two and see what the outcome is.
Scott said they would like to brainstorm on this and see what they can come up with. He said he will reach out to the Congressman because he may be able to do something with the Federal budget. Scott said they are trying to marry between state and federal and local.
Jonathan mentioned the schools and operating and capital budgets.
Jack questioned the PILOT monies. He said the STAR group raised the assessments are out of date. Scott said DOR does the assessments. We got funding 100%, but with the assessments out of whack, we only got 60%. Will try to get the DOR to update assessments.
Jack said with the education funding, he feels that Norfolk is being penalized by the wealth factor.
TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Jack reviewed the Warrant with the Board.
Butch was present to talk about the BPW article regarding architectural and engineering for $110,000 regarding the building. Ramesh wanted the article removed and said he is opposed to it. Looking at it from scrutiny, the timing is inappropriate because the BPW is dissolving in 3 months and he is opposed to borrowing because he feels that this is not the right time for this.
Jonathan agreed that it has to be that the BPW dissolves and the Selectmen will own it and present it. It is a large project for the Selectmen to inherit.
Jim said that he is opposed to it too. He feels it is disjointed and is in 5 different directions and we don’t have it all together to fit the needs of all building projects in the community. Better positioned and better presented from the Selectmen because the governmental components of this comes under one body – the Board of Selectmen. It has a common vision. Jim doesn’t question the needs at all.
Jack said the scrutiny of the water dept. budget. Butch has been very forward and has asked the Capital to review and even they haven’t given it the scrutiny it needed.
BUDGET
Jack reviewed his budget recommendations with the Board.
FREE CASH
Jack updated everyone on what is going on. Jack read a statement that he had put together.
WARRANT REVIEW
Jonathan Smith moved to reopen the warrant. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to delete Article 14 and 37 on 4/2 draft. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to close the warrant. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
ACTION ITEMS
Jonathan Smith moved to approve that any excess material generated by Lot #1 located within Shire Park will not leave the overall site and will be used somewhere else within the Park. Bob Bullock has reviewed this request and is okay with it. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to grant the Friends of the Norfolk Library permission to install their banner advertising their Book and Bake Sale at their usual location on Town Hill. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to appoint Ramesh Advani as an alternate MAPC representative, term to expire June 30, 2007. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to grant David Lutes permission to hold their annual kid’s bicycle fundraiser for the Pan Mass Challenge and Jimmy Fund on Sunday, June 10th at 4 p.m. The route would be Pond View Road to Applewood to Pond View Road, same route as always. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
OLD BUSINESS
Jack reviewed the letter to a resident with the Board. He had damage to his boiler from a recent claim.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the Board.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack responded to Fire calls. Jack gave a copy of the Fire Dept. reorganization to the Selectmen to review.
Verizon representatives will be in next week to discuss their FIOS.
The Board discussed the MPO on taking part in Municipal TIP input day. Butch will attend as well as Rep. Ross and possibly Senator Brown.
TIF
Jack said he talked individually with the Board with respect to the TIF. State law allows them to come to an agreement with the Town for relief on taxes. Then they can go to the state for relief there.
Jack had a counter-proposal which the BOS reviewed.
Jonathan said what the Board wants for permitting and construction is not boilerplate. What the Board wants is within 30 days of tm approving, there be plans filed with the appropriate boards to review. Jim didn’t know if that was do-able. Jack said they would like to have a 2008 occupancy permit. He suggested that he work this out with their consultant and iron out all the issues. Jim said he didn’t see any logical reason they would have to delay.
Ramesh Advani moved to approve the proposal put in front of them for tax exemption for the TIF proposal for 10 years, subject to final information given by Jack at next week’s meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
At 10:50 p.m., being no further business, Ramesh Advani moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate record of the Selectmen’s Meeting of April 2, 2007.
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Jonathan P. Smith, Clerk
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