Present: Edward Melanson, Harvey Nasuti, Jack Hathaway, Remo Vito, and Mary Ellen Brooks
Absent: Donna Putt, Deborah Robbins
Convened 6:00 p.m. in Room 214, Town Hall
Mr. Melanson opened the meeting.
Mr. Melanson began the Open Public Forum asking Mr. John Olivieri if he wanted to address the Board. Mr. Olivieri brought to the Board’s attention a June 27, 2004 newspaper article “Norfolk Water Quality Improved”. Mr. Olivieri discussed his opinion regarding water quality improvements and access to water office files. Mr. Olivieri went on to express his displeasure with the “Draft” minutes of the former Water Commissioner Meetings. Mr. Vito suggested Mr. Olivieri sit down with him and go over all the minutes. Mr. Olivieri informed the Board he wanted to sit down with someone who could point out all the violations to the Open Meeting Laws and some of the defamatory things he feels were said about him and Mr. Vito. Mr. Vito again suggested he’d go over all the minutes with Mr.
Olivieri so he could point out any omissions. Mr. Melanson pointed out to Mr. Olivieri that this Board has no control over anything that happened prior to September 2004. Mr. Melanson explained to Mr. Olivieri should he have some specific edits to the draft copies of the Water Commission Meeting Minutes that he can substantiate they might be included. Mr. Olivieri went on to say that the Board of Public Works minutes should be published like Medfield’s. Mr. Melanson informed Mr. Olivieri that all of the accepted minutes of the Board of Public Works are posted on the Virtual Norfolk Web page. Mr. Melanson explained that everyone he’s interviewed for either DPW Director or Water Superintendent had mentioned they read the minutes from the web page. Mr. Hathaway asked Mr. Olivieri to edit the draft minutes he’d received and the Board would attach his comments to the minutes.
Mr. Timothy Walsh, Norfolk resident, addressed the Board regarding his concerns that a Water Superintendent was not being hired. Mr. Walsh explained his position that a Water Superintendent rather than a Foreman was needed in dealing with the health and safety of the public. Mr. Vito explained the “Superintendent” is on hold, the whole organizational structure is being reviewed and the treatment side will be outsourced. Mr. Vito went on to explain dialogue with DEP and an eventual meeting with them to present a one year organization plan. Mr. Vito reiterated the outsourcing of the treatment and the hiring an Operator for the distribution. Mr. Walsh, being a Public Works employee of Westwood, expressed his concerns and shared his experience with outsourcing, i.e., costs, lack of continuity, etc.
Mr. Melanson explained the numbers did not support Mr. Walsh’s concerns but rather showed a savings. Mr. Melanson went on to explain the goal is to hire a person with both distribution and treatment licenses. This person would keep track of the outsourcing but could be afforded the time, approximately one year, to get up to speed and learn all about the system without all the pressures of the title “Superintendent”.
Mr. Walsh concluded that outsourcing vs. hiring Town employees from the enterprise fund seems more costly. Mr. Nasuti explained the immediate need is to get someone in with the proper licenses so that the need to have WhiteWater, Inc. would be eliminated. The pumping stations need to be operated by a licensed person. Mr. Melanson reiterated that DEP stated in a meeting they would not accept a license from anyone in an administrator roll.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting by stating the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the draft FY06 budget and provide a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for water rates.
Mr. Melanson discussed the water rate study completed 1 ½ years ago. Mr. Nasuti indicated the study is in effect for 3 years to be reviewed after that time. Mr. Nasuti suggested the Board recommend to the Board of Selectmen to adopt the current rates based on that comprehensive study. Mr. Melanson explained the Board should first discuss and review the FY06 budget as a basis.
Mr. Vito explained to the Board the FY06 Water Enterprise Budget Request. Mr. Vito discussed the figures for Salaries, Expenses, Engineering/Contract Services, Purchase Water, Fuel & Utilities, Projects, Indirect Costs and Debit Service. Mr. Vito informed the Board this budget covers the Town with DEP, allows for maintenance and bringing people on board.
The Board reviewed and discussed pay scales in the surrounding towns for water operators, superintendents and foremen.
Mr. Vito informed the Board he’d talked with Mr. Paul Diamond, Board of Certification, explaining the Town had no licensed operators. Mr. Diamond indicated to Mr. Vito this is a DEP issue not the Board of Certification. Mr. Vito in turn discussed with Mr. Nick Zessoules, DEP, Northeast Regional Office, the issues and the procedures. Mr. Vito informed the Board a letter was forwarded to Ms. Madelyn Morris, Deputy Regional Director, as instructed by Mr. Zessoules, describing actions taken by the Town to stay in compliance with 310 CMR 22.11B, presently and in the future.
The Board discussed revenue received last fiscal year and current year to date receipts. Mr. Hathaway explained revenue projections and the procedures dealing with excesses or shortfalls.
Mr. Hathaway made a motion to accept the $1,221,397 FY06 Budget for the Water Division for the Water Enterprise Fund. Mr. Nasuti second. Vote in favor unanimous. So moved.
The Board discussed the November 2003 Water Rate Study. Mr. Melanson discussed the possibility of pursuing revenue from cell towers to help reduce the rates and review fire protection costs.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to retain the current rate structure as stated on Summary page #2 of November 2003 Water Rate Study. Mr. Hathaway second. Votes in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to accept as written the Meeting Minutes of January 5, 2005. Mr. Hathaway second. Votes in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Hathaway made a motion to accept as written the Meeting Minutes of January 19, 2005. Mr. Nasuti second. Votes in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Melanson asked Ms. Brooks to post accepted minutes on the web.
Mr. Vito discussed with the Board various Articles to be included on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Hathaway informed the Board members that all Articles will be presented to Town Counsel.
Mr. Vito discussed with the Board information he received from the Personnel Board regarding reclassification and an evaluation for Executive Assistant and Highway Superintendent. Mr. Melanson discussed the changing of responsibilities, juggling of positions and the new structure. Mr. Hathaway discussed the Town Hall clerical employees’s voting to unionize and how this may impact contracting non-union personnel. Mr. Hathaway suggested the Board have a wait and see approach on deciding on the Highway Superintendent position.
Mr. Melanson discussed a letter he received from the Personnel Board approving a request to adjust step placement of Department of Public Works.
Mr. Vito discussed his contact with Millis regarding a possible connection. Mr. Vito explained the Board needs to draft a letter of interest addressed to the Board of Selectmen at Millis regarding the purchase of their water. The Millis Board of Selectmen will then vote and if approved we’ll then be contacted.
Mr. Vito informed the Board he’d contacted the DPW Director in Franklin regarding well #3. Mr. Vito indicated he’ll contact Dufresne-Henry for an update on their involvement. Mr. Vito recalls Mr. Fitzgerald, Franklin DPW Director, was going to ask Tate and Howard to do a hydraulic study for us to connect to Millis. Mr. Vito went on to say at the time Tate and Howard was doing the Medway/Millis connection. Mr. Vito indicated he’s not discussed this with anyone from the State except with Representative Mr. Richard Ross regarding pursuing the State well.
Mr. Vito will draft a letter to Millis and e-mail to Board members for their review.
Mr. Melanson discussed Norfolk’s proposed Well #3 and Franklin’s concerns regarding any impact on it’s well #5. Mr. Vito reiterated the need to further discuss with Dufresne-Henry regarding status.
Mr. Nasuti suggested first pursuing the Mills connection and the Wrentham State Well rather than Well #3 in conjunction with Franklin’s Well #5, which may not happen.
Mr. Melanson indicated he’d like to see a map that shows where this well is specifically and then Franklin’s wells, Medway’s wells and any other well that may be impacted by this well. Mr. Melanson discussed utilizing this map as a basis to direct the Boards decisions of pursuit. Mr. Vito will discuss with Mr. Garry McCarthy, Dufresne-Henry, the availability of mapping and models, etc.
Mr. Nasuti suggested to Mr. Vito to co-ordinate a meeting with Dufresne-Henry and he’ll sit in to spearhead and discuss Well #3.
Mr. Vito reiterated the need for the Board to discuss the other Divisions of the Public Works, i.e., Highway Budgets, vehicle replacement program, etc.
The Board signed the Water Collector’s commitments.
Mr. Nasuti inquired about the status on interviewing applicants during his absence. Mr. Vito discussed having the rates in place in accordance with the Union. Mr. Vito suggested re-advertising for an Operator and include salary scale and required licenses.
Mr. Vito indicated he wanted to send letters to everyone that applied and include text about hiring an Operator at this time
Mr. Melanson discussed the need to have both the Superintendent and Operator positions taken off the “Career Opportunities” part of the Virtual Norfolk Web Page. Mr. Vito will repost and advertise the Operator position only including the salary scale and the requirement for licenses.
Mr. Melanson addressed two suggestions e-mailed to him from Ms. Robbins, Board Member, regarding the need for the Board to vote authorizing Mr. Vito to sign the Water Division invoices and the advertising of the Operator position.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to authorize the Interim Director of Public Works to sign all non-contract purchase vouchers under his purview up to $5000 and to sign off any contract purchases with the exception of any extraordinary or one time major purchases, e.g., a plow. Mr. Hathaway second. Vote in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Hathaway made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Nasuti second. Vote in favor unanimous.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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