July 9, 2007
Present was Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, and James C. Lehan. Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator was not in attendance.
Jonathan Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and read the agenda contents.
EMPLOYEES INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Present were committee members Holli Merritt, Roxanne Verdeaux, Julieanne Siewko, Lorraine Foley, Paul Vito, and Mark Haigh. Kevin Roake was not present.
Holli said they were disappointed that they never got a response to their proposal. Jim asked that no one – not a Selectman or the Town Administrator had responded? Holli replied no. The Board apologized.
The committee did a power point and explained their reasons for wanting our rate to be higher than our current 58%.
Roxanne asked that a goal be that they look at the health insurance rate. They have asked the Board to consider 75%.
Jim apologized that he didn’t get a reply to them. It was inappropriate. Jim said they worked hard and deserved a response. He explained that there was a ½ million dollar deficit and they were trying to get a balanced budget. They did not “find” money for the school, but used reserves and free cash, which now is very low. Jim agreed this needs to be fixed. He said he agrees with everything said.
Ramesh said that he agreed that we need to work this up. We haven’t done anything. He apologized as well. Ramesh felt it would be a great idea that we talk about this when we do our goals. We should have a liaison to the Employees Insurance Committee and someone from the Advisory Board become involved. Ramesh said that we have a multi-year vehicle plan that we created and we have the same thing for the school computers. We could do it for people as well. Holli said she gave us one already. Ramesh said is true, but that we need to all work on this together. You have a plan, but we all need to look at it. Ramesh agreed that we need to keep our current employees as well as hire new qualified employees. We need to make a start.
Jonathan agreed that this needs to be worked on, and said that when we do the budget process, which will be soon, we should do this.
Jim suggested that he would be Insurance Advisory Committee liaison and work with them and said that we should work independently and come up with a solution. Jim said it’s a single issue. Jim said we need to sit down and come up with a recommendation.
Ramesh asked if you are supportive that we work to increase the percentages to a higher percentage. Yes, they are all supportive of increasing the percentage.
Ramesh said we should work on increasing it, but could not tell you to what percent. He said he is in favor of an increase, though.
Holli said they would like us to build the budget with the increase already in there. Ramesh would like an Advisory Board member included in these discussions.
DENNIS MARGUERITE - 40B PROJECT
Dennis Marguerite was present to discuss a possible 40B project he is considering.
Mr. Marguerite said that he wasn’t aware that we had an Affordable Housing Committee. He has spoken with Sarah, our Chairman of AHC and will attend a future meeting.
Jonathan suggested that he discuss this with the AHC first, as they have done a lot of work and should review this with him first and then come back to see us.
His property is on Maple Street and he proposes 24 homes, of which 6 will be affordable. Mr. Marguerite said the market price is $500,000. He is not sure what the affordable will be, but $175K through $212K. They will be 4 bedrooms.
ACTION ITEMS
Jim Lehan moved to approve the Rodman Ride for Kids scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2007. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to waive the building fees for two tents installed by the Recreation Commission at the Freeman Centennial School for the sports camps and free summer playground. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve a Pledge of License for Narain Swamy of Norfolk Fine Wine & Spirits, 206 Dedham Street. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the borrowing on the pumper truck as follows: The pumper truck as voted in May 2007, Article 11 shall have a useful life of at least 10 years, as required under Chapter 44, Section 7 (9). Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
TRANSFERS
Jim Lehan moved to approve a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $9,629.61 for FY07 invoices for the temporary trailer at the Fire Department. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
The Board discussed transfers within departments. Jim Lehan moved to approve a transfer of $11,000 from salaries to consultant with the Finance Dept. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the transfer of $5,768 – DPW: from Water Salaries to Water Expenses ($1,424) and Water Fuel & Utilities ($4,344). Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
APPOINTMENTS
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Sarah DelMastro to the Affordable Housing Committee, term to expire 6/30/08. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Paul Terrio, Precinct 1 to the Community Preservation Committee, term to expire 6/30/10. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Richard Connors, Precinct 4 to the Community Preservation Committee, term to expire 6/30/10. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Elizabeth Sundquist, Elisabeth Vallee and William Atwater to the Council on Aging, terms to expire 6/30/10. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Matthew Rovendro to the Council on Aging, term to expire 6/30/08. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint William Domineau, Thelma Ravinski and Betsy Pyne to the Historical Commission, terms to expire 6/30/10. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Suzanne Burns and Marcia Johnston to the Historical Commission, terms to expire 6/30/09. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to appoint Anthony Mastroianni as Veterans’ Agent, term to expire 6/30/08. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim said he would like Jack Hathaway to start the process now on the same relationship for Veterans’ Agent but a local alternative with the same financial considerations. He will follow up with Jack.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Jonathan Smith read the bi-weekly calendar.
BOS LIAISONS
The Board discussed having joint liaisons. Ramesh agreed it should be a team approach with all the school systems. With KP, we may want to reach out and perhaps Jim and Ramesh be joint liaisons. They need to reach out to the Wrentham and Plainville Selectmen as well. Jim commented he cannot meet on Tuesdays. Ramesh would like to attend the meetings together as much as possible.
The Board agreed on the following liaison designations:
Jonathan Smith
Advisory Board
Cable
Capital Outlay
Personnel Board
Public Safety
Zoning Bylaw Study Committee
Jim Lehan
Affordable Housing Committee
Department of Public Works
Community Preservation Committee
Council on Aging
Historical Commission
Insurance Advisory Committee
Library
Norfolk County Advisory Board
Permanent Building Committee
Recreation
Ramesh Advani
Conservation Commission
Board of Health
Master Plan Sub-Committee
Planning Board
Roundtables
Southwood Development
Zoning Board of Appeals
SCHOOLS Jointly shared by Ramesh and Jim
Norfolk Schools
King Philip
Tri-County
Metropolitan Area Planning Council Jack Hathaway
MBTA Jack Hathaway
GOALS
Jim said one of the priorities this year is to integrate the BPW successfully into main stream town government. A great deal of gratitude to the volunteers who served on the BPW board for 3 years, plus the prior years that several of them served on the Ad-Hoc Committee implementing and designing this whole process. One of our goals should be continuing to build on the success of that committee and integrating it into the normal departmental process that we have in place in town government.
Ramesh suggested we develop a comprehensive multi-year plan to address the health insurance costs of employees townwide. Target to not only have it complete, but to present it at the fall town meeting as a preamble to whatever we do in the spring town meeting. We could do a joint committee report.
Ramesh would like to establish a collaborative budget process working with the schools and the town government portion of the budgets. He feels we should aim for a balanced operating budget, but unless we look at all the numbers, unlike the previous year where we said we will work with all the boards and committees to present a balanced budget with no operating overrides. Based on the numbers we looked at last year and the year before when we were projecting out multi-year financials, Ramesh is not so sure we could put down a goal like that. Jim agreed that we cannot put down a goal like that, but there has to be a goal around finances. He said that it does need to be framed in a way that we are doing our utmost to minimize all of the costs associated with operating our town. And doing it in a way that is fully
transparent and defendable to the community. The cost really isn’t complicated, but it can be if people don’t have faith and understanding of where these dollars are spent. We have worked hard to provide that foundation and we just can’t stop.
Jonathan said budgets can have a purity of choice that in fact, other things aren’t going on. All it takes is as a taxpayer he feels that something over here isn’t right so he isn’t going to trust them and vote for anything. Someone else sees something somewhere else and they do that. All those little things add up and become a chorus of cynicism and rejection and it’s very hard work to keep that from happening. Ramesh will play with this and frame the goal.
Jim wants to build on the communication goal we had last year. He has heard several times over the past few weeks that we as a board, whether it is the Town Administrator or us, it doesn’t matter, but we are not diligent in replies to people that have sent inquiries to us. This isn’t good. Those that want a response should have one. We need a process in place so it doesn’t slip. We failed at this one.
Ramesh wanted to form a work team of people to look at re-engineering. Maybe have one group to work with Dan’s new group that can look at non-tax revenue generating ideas to improve services, rather than having several committees. Jim said the two committees should work together. Ramesh would like a goal around this.
Jim also wants a separate goal for grants. We need to be far more aggressive for seeking alternative sources for grants.
Ramesh discussed goals around planned residential and commercial development. We have an EDC, we could talk about looking at implementing whatever proposals they come up with or promote that. Their target they were given was to identify, look at the market and look at what needs to be done. Specific things relative to that and the town center, Southwood property, Shire development, etc. This is very broad and now we are working on specific things.
Jim told Ramesh that on any goal, whatever he can quantify, give a specific responsibility and a specific timeframe and look for a specific outcome. Even several bullets under a single goal.
Ramesh said the other goal is relative to large Capital projects – public safety building, new schools, etc. Jim suggested the school be put in a collaborative way. We can be supportive and that’s all we can be. We can’t do anything for the timing or the implementation of that. Jim said the public safety has to be in there as it is our responsibility. Jim said we all need to work together. Put something in there about timing and how we fund it and how we do expiring debt. Frame something as a goal and include the schools.
Ramesh will work with these goals and put it together for the Board.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board discussed the Town Clerk situation. Marie is leaving as of July 27th. There are alternatives. It will be on the agenda for the 23rd so that we can discuss this.
The Board discussed the longer term, having it an appointed position rather than elected. They all are unanimous. Jonathan said we could do it rather than a Charter review – jump start it for the fall town meeting for a home rule petition.
They need to do a short term solution to deal with the vacancy on the 23rd and long term would be the process.
Jim wants to move on the Affordable Housing Trust and will talk with Jack about this when he returns.
At 9:26 p.m., being no further business, Jim Lehan moved to adjourn the meeting. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of July 9, 2007.
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Ramesh H. Advani, Clerk
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