Present: Edward Melanson, Harvey Nasuti, Jack Hathaway, Remo Vito, and Mary Ellen Brooks
Absent: Donna Putt, Deborah Robbins
Convened 6:05 p.m. in Room 124, Town Hall
Mr. Melanson opened the meeting.
Mr. Melanson began the Open Public Forum soliciting Mr. John Olivieri to address the Board. Mr. Olivieri again questioned the need to have the title Water Superintendent in lieu of manager, etc.
Ms. Deborah Robbins arrived at 6:07 pm.
Mr. Olivieri made mention of the Town of Ipswich having a Utilities Department and a Water Manager. Mr. Olivieri asked the Board to reconsider using the title Water Superintendent vs. Manager. Mr. Olivieri went on to discuss physical inventory of the Water Department; having the DPW Director pick Water Superintendent or Manager; not as concerned with lead and copper issues as he is with silent ischemia from the lack of magnesium; hazardous materials the Water Departments buys should be correlated with the Fire Department. Mr. Olivieri stated he cannot access the files in the Water Department and he feels this is wrong and in violation to the Open Meeting Law and he will go to the District Attorney. Mr. Olivieri stated he was accused of being the reason the former Water Superintendent resigned and he wants the minutes
of the meeting which made that statement.
Mr. McFeeley explained to Mr. Olivieri it was not the Open Meeting Law but the Freedom of Information Act that applies to accessing the files in the Water Department.
Mr. Melanson explained to Mr. Olivieri the Meeting Minutes for the Board of Public Works are on the Web Site and tonight, if accepted, the last two meetings will also be on the Web Site. Mr. Melanson went on to explain, with the former Water Commission dissolved, clarification from Town Counsel is needed regarding unaccepted Water Commission Meeting Minutes. Once guidance is received and minutes are available they will be forwarded to Mr. Olivieri.
Ms. Robbins referred to Mr. McFeeley regarding the need for written script vs. taped meeting minutes.
Mr. McFeeley explained the tapes needed to be transcribed. The tapes are only used to help the person transcribing the minutes, not as the public record, and can be destroyed once the transcribing is complete.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting by discussing the previous meeting minutes, December 1, 2004 and December 15, 2004. Ms. Robbins made a motion to accept the minutes of December 1, 2004, as written. Mr. Nasuti seconded. Vote in favor unanimous. Mr. Hathaway made a motion to accept the minutes of December 15, 2004. Ms. Robbins seconded. Vote in favor unanimous.
Mr. Melanson discussed the status of the DPW Director, Water Superintendent and Operator job openings. Mr. Melanson asked Mr. Tierney for his input regarding the applicants received to date for Water Superintendent and Operator. Mr. Nasuti indicated he didn’t think anyone, either Water Superintendent or Water Maintenance Operator, should be considered unless they have water licenses. Mr. Tierney explained the Operator position was advertised, utilizing the Personnel Board’s approved version of position description, as not needing the licenses. Ms. Robbins stated the Superintendent position definitely requires licensing to cover us. Mr. Tierney concurred.
Mr. Melanson discussed the interviewing process. Mr. Hathaway discussed the requirement that no one can be hired above the first step without the concurrence of the Personnel Board. Ms. Brooks to set up initial interviews for 3 of the Water Superintendent applicants with Mr. Nasuti and Mr. Hathaway. Mr. Tierney to interview the Maintenance Operator applicants.
Mr. Tierney explained the lead and copper issues and his scheduled meeting with DEP on January 7, 2005. Mr. Tierney informed the Board that he was very confident he knew what caused the problems and went on to explain the 2 solutions he will propose to DEP. One is that a valve was not working properly at the Gold Street well when the sampling was taken but since has been rectified through renovations at the well. Two is that Aqua Mag is being injected at the Spruce Street well sequestering the iron and manganese and coating the water main. Mr. Tierney explained none of these actions were in place in June when the samples were taken. Mr. Melanson expressed an interest in attending the DEP meeting with Mr. Tierney.
Mr. Tierney informed the Board that New England Rural will mediate a meeting between the Wrentham State School and himself regarding the purchasing of water. Mr. McFeeley provided some history relevant to the Wrentham State School and the prison being the Town’s primary source of water before having it’s own wells.
Mr. Tierney informed the Board he responded via letter to Mr. Dick Berry regarding his e-mails to the Board of Selectmen sited concerns with MTBE.
Mr. Melanson mentioned the Board members, at a previous meeting, decided to let Mr. Markel, Town Administrator, co-ordinate and deal with the day to day oversight of operations. Mr. Melanson expressed concerns with Mr. Markel leaving there would be no one in that roll. Mr. Melanson feels there needs to be someone having oversight of the Highway and Water Departments, allowing the Board to focus on issues they were chartered to accomplish. Mr. Nasuti concurred. Ms. Robbins concurred with concept but questioned which individual would be chosen. Mr. Melanson discussed his candidate Mr. Butch Vito, Highway Superintendent. Mr. Melanson explained his work dealings with Mr. Vito over the last 3 plus years, especially while working on the Capital Outlay Committee. Mr. Melanson went on to say Mr. Vito’s
present dealings with other Departments present him as a defacto DPW Director. Mr. Melanson stated by selecting Mr. Vito as interim the Board would have more time to choose a permanent person. Mr. Melanson then referred to the other Board members for their comments or suggestions. Mr. Nasuti concurred with Mr. Melanson and reiterated the need to give the Board a year or so to find a permanent Director. Mr. Hathaway also concurred with the selection of Mr. Vito as interim Director based on his working relationship with him. Ms. Robbins concurred that Mr. Vito is more than qualified, but expressed concerns with money issues. Ms. Robbins continued with issues about Mr. Vito’s added responsibilities and the possible receipt of a stipend. Mr. Melanson suggested the Board vote either yes or on having an interim Director and extend an offer to Mr. Veto. Mr. Melanson went on to discuss and solicit comments from other Board members
regarding compensation or stipend. Ms. Robbins brought forward the unresolved issue of proportioning any compensation from the Water Department and Highway Department. Mr. Melanson reiterated the need to also resolve the proportionate issues like advertising positions and new letterhead. Mr. Nasuti suggested a split budget. The Board discussed the basis of the ratio from each budget.
Mr. Hathaway referred to Mr. McFeeley regarding the process used by the Selectmen to determine compensation in hiring, e.g. Town Administrator. Mr. McFeeley stated salary discussion does not require an Open Meeting. All Board members need to concur on what is available as monetary consideration. If any Board member had a concern then it would be discussed in an Open Session. Mr. McFeeley went on to say it’s not that you don’t want the public to hear but it’s the applicant your talking about you don’t want to hear it. Mr. McFeeley told the Board he would advise them.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion for the Board to address appointing an Interim Director of Public Works. Mr. Hathaway second. Vote in favor unanimous. Mr. Nasuti stated the next step would be to discuss pay for the position and where it’s coming from. Mr. Nasuti went on to say once the Board establishes the pay then an offer could be made to an individual for acceptance or rejection. Mr. McFeeley advised the Board, should they select a Town employee in that position it could be done very easily. If that was not the case, then the Board would have to go through the postings and all the other formalities. Mr. Melanson referred to Mr. McFeeley regarding the steps in selecting a Town employee. Mr. McFeeley responded the Town employee could be appointed in the interim. First find out if the employee
is interested and then appoint that person for a time given, e.g. three months. After the given time you may decide to renew the appointment for another given period of time. The Personnel Board would not be involved with the DPW Director position because it would be under contract. Mr. Hathaway suggested the interim position, due to issues, i.e., break in service and longevity, etc., be compensated with a stipend. Mr. Nasuti discussed the need for an agreement stipulating that should the interim appointed Town employee not fill the permanent position that person would revert back to their former position. Mr. McFeeley informed the Board this type of arrangement has been done before.
Ms. Robbins asked Mr. Vito if he was interested in being appointed interim DPW Director. Mr. Vito responded affirmatively. Mr. Hathaway suggested Mr. Nasuti meet and discuss with Mr. Vito his changing responsibilities and the stipend then report back to the Board at the next meeting.
Mr. Hathaway discussed status of the Water Department budget process. Mr. McFeeley asked the Board to review the budget, analysis it, and be mindful any need for rate increase needs to be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Melanson asked Mr. Vito the status of the Highway Department budget. Mr. Vito responded it’s presently being worked on. Mr. Nasuti asked Mr. Vito if there were any big differences. Mr. Vito responded there are increases in staffing especially in vehicle maintenance. With the new Capital Plan for Vehicles, all the purchasing and maintenance will fall under Highway, as a whole new division.
The Board discussed input and updating data for this years Annual Town Report.
Mr. Vito explained that the Highway Department is monitoring the street light account this year. Next year this would be part of the Public Works budget.
The Board discussed the creation of letterhead stationary starting with changing the word Department to Division. Mr. Melanson suggested creating and utilizing a universal Department of Public Works letterhead and citing each division and the director and superintendent’s names.
The Board discussed the Cingular Wireless request for antennae on the Water tank in back of Town Hall. Ms. Robbins informed the Board of previous discussions with Dufresne-Henry regarding attaching antennae and effects on paint. The Board tabled this discussion until the next meeting.
The Board discussed Town Counsel’s letter to the Wrentham District Court regarding Motion for Discovery. Mr. McFeeley will discuss with Town Counsel.
The Board signed Water Division invoices.
Ms. Robbins left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to adjourne. Mr. Hathaway second. Vote in favor unanimous.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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