February 11, 2008
Present was Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, James C. Lehan and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jonathan called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Jack read the agenda contents.
BUDGET DISCUSSION
The Board discussed the budget.
The Board said that you need to stay with exactly the same budget you have now. It would either mean layoffs across the Board, or each department chooses to do how they want with their department.
Jim suggested looking at the non-excluded debt. He said that costs are coming down and we should look at a more favorable rate and save money in the long run.
Jack said there are still some more budgets to add to this. He just received the DPW, and he needs the School budgets. He will plug them in. Then you need to talk about strategies on how to close the gap. He will talk to Rep. Ross and Sen. Brown about state funding, local aid and will get back to him.
The Board will have a working session for budgets.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
ACTION ITEMS
Jack asked the Board to approve a request from the Norfolk Community League to place fundraising boxes in the Town Hall. They would be requesting donations from the public to support their various causes and plan to have them here for a year. They will also consider other key locations in town.
Jim Lehan moved to approve this request. Ramesh seconded. Ramesh and Jonathan were uncomfortable with this request, but Jim felt they are trying to help the community. Ramesh agreed but is not comfortable with donation boxes. On Feb 26th, they are meeting with NCL to discuss fundraising. He suggests we defer the decision until then. Jack suggested envelopes on the community bulletin board as an alternative.
Jim and Ramesh withdrew their motion/second. There was no vote.
Jim Lehan moved to appoint Michael Kulesza as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, completing the term of Bruce Simpson who resigned this week. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
ADA and Arts Council - appointments
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Thomas Terpstra, Kent Schenkel, Nancy Wirtes, and Brian Rousseau to the ADA, term to expire June 30, 2008. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Deanna Grimm to the Arts Council, term to expire June 30, 2011. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
BIWEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack reviewed the biweekly calendar.
OLD BUSINESS
Jack said he was talking with Sarah DelMastro and she is having trouble getting a quorum at meetings. She would like to eliminate some of the members on the committee who don't attend meetings, and appoint 5 residents instead, because maybe they won't have commitments to other boards.
Jim doesn't favor a 5 member board. He said that is solving an attendance issue, and we should have a 7 member board. Members of the ZBA, Housing and Planning Board are included.
Ramesh felt that there are three different committees (CPC, Affordable Housing Committee and Affordable Housing Trust) and the people on these committees aren't doing their specific role, and are trying to be all things to all people. They should decide at the next meeting what should be done.
Jack told the Board that he talked to the Chiefs regarding the public safety building. We need to think of working on the existing building. It was decided not to do anything for the town meeting.
Jonathan reported on the last two KP School Committee meetings he attended.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack told the Board that we received a Chapter 61A request. Cranberry Heights which is 22 lots, 33 acres - $1.1 million. Jack will check with George about the 180 day deadline. This is new from the 120 requirement.
Jack reported that Jane Wall, Director of Finance, has tendered her resignation. She will be through this week. Jack has interim plans.
The Board discussed the salary request of Gail Bernardo. Jack will talk with her.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Ramesh Advani moved to accept the minutes of November 26, 2007 - regular and executive session; December 10, 2007; December 17, 2007 - regular and executive session; and December 18, 2007 - executive session. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
At 9:56 p.m., Ramesh Advani moved to go into executive session for the purposes of contract negotiations and pending and continuing litigation. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Ramesh Advani, aye; Jonathan Smith, aye; and Jim Lehan, aye. The Board will not return to open session except to adjourn the meeting.
Jonathan Smith announced he will not seek reelection.
At 10:31 p.m., Ramesh Advani moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen's Meeting of February 11, 2008.
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Ramesh H. Advani, Clerk
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