Present: Edward Melanson, Donna Putt, Deborah Robbins , Jack Hathaway, Remo Vito, and Mary Ellen Brooks
Absent: Harvey Nasuti
Convened 6:05 p.m. in Room 124, Town Hall
Mr. Melanson opened the meeting.
Mr. Melanson began the Open Public Forum asking Mr. John Olivieri if he wanted address the Board. Mr. Olivieri inquired whether any action had been taken on his requests for minutes of meetings. Ms. Brooks informed the Board of some suggestions Town Counsel had forwarded regarding accepting minutes of the former Board of Water Commissioners. Mr. Melanson asked Mr. Olivieri exactly which minutes did he want and he responded May, June and July. Mr. Melanson asked Ms. Brooks to provide Mr. Olivieri with the minutes from May, June and July. Mr. Melanson stated he wanted to come up with a policy regarding the access of file info in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and Homeland Security.
Mr. Melanson deferred the acceptance of the January 5, 2005 Meeting Minutes to the next meeting.
Mr. Melanson discussed the hand-out notes Mr. Nasuti had provided the Board regarding his meeting with Mr. Vito to finalize DPW Interim Director and staffing. Mr. Hathaway informed the Board both he and Mr. Markel had discussed salary and stipends with Town Counsel. Mr. Hall had suggested, since Mr. Vito is under Personnel By-Law, a contract be written with the stipulation that should he not get the Director position the worst that could happen is for him to revert to his old position. Mr. Hathaway stated that the Highway Foreman and the Executive Assistant position suggested increases would have to go through the Personnel Board.
Ms. Brooks discussed with the Board the exasperation the Water employees have regarding the lack of information they’re being provided. Ms. Brooks went on tell the Board that to date no one has sat down with the Water employees to discuss any job changes or reporting changes. Mr. Melanson stated that if Mr. Vito is put in the Interim Director he would make those organization decisions but the Water Department will stay separate as it is now. Mr. Vito reiterated the frustration felt over the last 6 months but feels now we can go forward and deal with the day to day.
Mr. Melanson discussed the salary increases of the Interim staff. Mr. Melanson recommends a 7½ % increase for Mr. Vito and additionally a 5 % for both Highway Foreman and Executive Assistant, which should be forwarded to the Personnel Board along with a list of additional duties. Mr. Melanson asked Mr. Vito if a 7½% increase would be acceptable to him. Mr. Vito gave an affirmative response.
Mr. Hathaway will forward a note, through Mr. Markel, to Mr. Hall asking a contract be drafted to include the language and conditions the Board requests included in the Interim Director contract. Mr. Hathaway suggested Mr. Vito go to the Personnel Board regarding the salary increases for both Highway Foreman and Executive Assistant.
Ms. Robbins made a motion to give Mr. Vito an approximately 7½ % increase in pay to $80,000 per annum as Interim Director on a personal services contract. Mr. Hathaway second. Three votes in favor. Ms. Putt abstained. Motion so moved.
Mr. Vito briefed the Board on the three candidates he interviewed for the Water Superintendent position. Mr. Vito informed the Board one applicant stood out as he had the licensing, hands on water experience, and was willing to relocate. All three applicants lived fairly far away. Mr. Vito informed the Board he didn’t see any candidate being a Superintendent but rather a Foreman or Lead. Mr. Melanson indicated the feedback he received from Mr. Nasuti was very similar to Mr. Vito’s. Mr. Melanson suggested, before any offer is extended to an individual, the candidates deemed most interested in come before the Board. Ms. Brooks informed the Board there are 3 more applicants. Mr. Melanson reiterated the need of hiring a licensed individual based on statements made by DEP at a meeting he
attended. Mr. Tierney briefed the Board on his reviews of the additional applicants.
Mr. Melanson and Mr. Tierney discussed the meeting they both attended with DEP on January 7, 2005. Mr. Tierney explained the 2 Notices of Non-Compliance DEP will issue to the Town. One is for a lead failure and the second is for the failure to notify the public about the sampling failure. DEP is requiring bi-weekly water quality sampling for PH, Temp, Orthophosphates, Alkalinity and Conductivity at six sample sites and the two wells at the point of entry into the system. Mr. Melanson informed the Board he had discussed with Mr. Masel, DEP, Mr. Vito’s C1 license and how it can not be used as the primary licensed operator. Mr. Tierney to inquire about using it for secondary license.
Ms. Robbins left at 7:00 pm.
Mr. Melanson asked Ms. Brooks to set up interviews for the Director’s position on January 28, 2005, between Ms. Putt, Mr. Hathaway and himself with Misters Nota, Priest, and Bates.
Mr. Melanson inquired about the testing results of the meter from 24 Kingsbury Road. Mr. Tierney informed the Board the meter was working at 99.5% accuracy.
Mr. Vito provided the Board a list of action items for their review and discussion. Mr. Vito suggested sending a letter of intent to Millis initiating interest.
Ms. Putt asked Mr. Tierney for an update on the Mill River Project and Wrentham State School connectivity. Mr. Tierney met on January 11, 2005, with a representative of the School and he feels they want too much in return for the water. Mr. Tierney mentioned another alternative could be Millis. Mr. Tierney concurred with Mr. Vito on first drafting a letter of intent to Millis and Medfield, as per Ms. Putt’s suggestion. Mr. Tierney stated he’ll talk with Franklin regarding Mill River Project.
Mr. Melanson discussed Mr. Vito’s list by prioritizing action items, i.e., budgets, inventory, finding alternative water sources are first and issues relative to retaining contract services are not high on the list. Mr. Melanson continued citing an additional priority, i.e., meet with Personnel Board.
Mr. Vito queried the Board about moving the Water vehicles down to the garage and have the Water Operator report to and check in at the garage. Mr. Vito went on to say he’ll discuss with the Operator his day to day schedule and operation. Mr. Vito stated he wants to continue to have the office at Town Hall.
Mr. Melanson continued discussing Mr. Vito’s list stating the item to secure consultant services he would like to put on hold.
Mr. McFeeley informed the Board that the Board of Selectmen have set February 28, 2005 as the date for the public hearing for the rate setting. The Board of Selectmen will be looking at the Board of Public Works for some recommendations.
Mr. Vito recommended the Board review the need of having a Cemetery Commission which was abolished. Ms. Putt suggested discussing with the Board of Selectmen the idea of creating an ad hoc advisor to the Board of Public Works.
Mr. Vito and Mr. Tierney discussed the GIS and mapping. The initial costs went from $16,000 up to $28,000. Mr. Vito provided the Board members a copy of the proposal for review. Mr. Melanson pointed out the Board of Selectmen signed the contract. Ms. Putt stated the Board of Public Works would have to notify the Board of Selectmen of any amendments.
Mr. Melanson discussed the Cingular interest in putting an antennae on tank. Ms. Putt mentioned Mr. George Hall, Town Counsel, had prepared previous RFP. Mr. Melanson expressed an interest for this could be a revenue generator for the Water Department.
Mr. Vito discussed with the Board the 2 letterheads that were created. The Board critiqued.
Mr. Melanson requested Ms. Brooks cancel the next Board Meeting of February 2, 2005 and tentatively reschedule for February 3, 2005. Mr. Melanson will confirm with Ms. Brooks.
Mr. Melanson stated the plan for the clerical staff was to put them under one small group to service Water, Highway and every other Division under the DPW. Mr. Melanson reiterated the need for the Director to define rolls and write job descriptions. Once done the Board can then go forward to the Personnel Board for approval.
Ms. Putt questioned the last paragraph of Mr. Nasuti’s notes referring to eliminating the Water Superintendent’s position. Mr. Melanson stated the job was advertised as a Water Superintendent and the job description had been approved by the Personnel Board so that was the direction he believed the Board was going. Mr. Vito stated if the Board goes with a Foreman the Personnel Board would not be involved because the position would come under the Union. Mr. Vito explained to the Board that they were looking not to eliminate but postponing hiring a Superintendent and rather hiring a Foreman with the licenses. Mr. Vito stated a high level Foreman could be brought in with the ability to grow. Mr. Vito felt bringing another Superintendent in may be too much management.
Mr. Vito reiterated the new DEP regulations requiring the operators in the stations to be licensed.
The Board discussed the structure of the Department of Public Works.
Mr. Melanson stated there is a sense of urgency to hire and then transition WhiteWater, Inc. to get the new hire up to speed. Mr. Melanson wants the best candidates interviewed so that a selection can be made. Mr. Vito will review with Mr. Tierney the additional 3 applicants and see by the next meeting if a decision could be made.
Mr. Vito requested the Board allow him to open negotiations with the Union about entertaining the idea of the Water Division employees joining. Under the existing contract there was left a condition to re-open negotiations with the DPW.
Ms. Putt made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Hathaway second. Vote in favor unanimous.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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