Present: Edward Melanson, Chairman and Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman, Jack Hathaway, Member
Convened 6:10 p.m. in Room 124, Town Hall
Mr. Melanson called the meeting to order.
Mr. Melanson began with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting. Mr. Olivieri addressed the Board with concerns regarding the Old Mill Meadow Subdivision negatively impacting Mann Pond, Mr. Melanson noted this may be a Planning Board issue and that Mr. Vito would either address his concerns later in the meeting or he would follow up for him. Mr. Olivieri also commented that he was happy with the progress of the Town of Millis water purchas, he continued his address with comments on the Medway Branch Sidewalk Project with regard to tree removal mitigation and the Pond Street Facility Master Plan revisions
Mr. Melanson addressed Mr. Olivieri regarding his interest in assisting the Board by gathering information to begin a water conservation program with the use of rain barrels. Mr. Olivieri agreed to begin putting the information together and inform the Board of his findings within two months.
Mr. Hathaway made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2005 and August 17, 2005 with minor corrections. Mr. Nasuti second. Vote in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Vito addressed the Board regarding the reassignment of the Administrative Assistant and her performance evaluation. Mr. Nasuti deferred discussion to Executive Session after the meeting.
Mr. Vito provided the Board with an updated status of action items. Mr. Vito informed the Board that Snow Removal Rates are voted annually. An increase is proposed for 2005-2006 due to an increase in labor and fuel costs. Mr. Vito explained that the contractors do fuel at the DPW Facility to allow 24 hour fuel availability, they are billed based on usage and the funds are placed in the snow revolving account which is used in the spring to offset overages in the Snow & Ice Budget. Mr. Vito continued noting that the rates proposed do not exceed state rates and that the Department works with the Board to set the rates to stay competitive with other towns. Mr. Vito also noted that the Department will be negotiating rates for large sanders due to the Vehicle Stabilization Program failure leaving a short fall of
two vehicles in the Department. Mr. Hathaway made a motion to accept the Snow Removal Rates for 2005-2006 as submitted. Mr. Nasuti second. Vote 2 in favor and 1 abstain. So moved.
Mr. Melanson continued with action items, discussing the interim positions. Mr. Vito continued by noting that the time allowed for the interim positions had lapsed. It was also noted that further discussion was needed on the Executive Assistant’s position and the Superintendent of Public Works position with regard to salary and restructuring of the Department. Mr. Melanson deferred discussion of the Interim DPW Director’s position to later in the meeting. Mr. Hathaway made a motion to extend the Executive Assistant and Interim Superintendent of Public Works until October 19, 2005. Mr. Nasuti second. Vote in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Vito reviewed packet items with the Board discussing a memo submitted to the Planning Board and water issues as they relate to new developments.
Mr. Vito provided the Board with Town Meeting Articles drafted by Town Counsel; for Wireless Leasing and to Authorize Inter-Municipal Agreement to Purchase Water from the Town of Millis and discussed the RFP for cell towers on tanks that had been reviewed and proposed by Town Counsel.
Mr. Vito discussed Valve and Hydrant Testing Program; valve testing is ongoing with proposed completion in early October, water quality flushing will occur in the Fall, and directional flushing will occur in the Spring. Mr. Nasuti will be the liaison to the Department of Public Works during the flushing process.
Mr. Vito updated the Board on the status of several projects; The Miller Street Bridge Project; completion projected for the end of September 2005; the Town Center Project is in its final phases to completion; Cleveland and Rockwood Project; scheduled for paving mid September 2005; Cleveland and Seekonk Project – begin in the Fall of 2005, complete in the Spring of 2006; Pennacook Street sub-drain to be completed before winter.
Mr. Vito informed the Board that overlays had been completed on Fredrickson Road, Briarwood Road and Shirley Lane. Mr. Vito suggested holding funds on two Water Projects, do a final betterment based on an estimated completion costs, and close them out.
Mr. Vito informed the Board the prep work for the Medway Branch Sidewalk would begin in the Spring and that he would also like to review funding to allow a water system improvement in the area.
Mr. Vito addressed Mr. Olivieri’s earlier comment explaining that the revisions to the Pond Street Facility Master Plan were for the parking area only.
Mr. Vito informed the Board that we have received the revised Water Management Act for review pertaining to the Town of Millis Water Purchase and explained the process to complete the necessary paper work with the intent to be on line by the summer of 2006.
Mr. Vito informed to Board that the Department has been working with the developer to have Christina Estates Subdivision ready for acceptance by Spring Town Meeting.
Old Mill Meadow Subdivision access area off of Seekonk Street at the retention pond will be completed with some drainage revisions and plantings by the fall or early spring, which addressed Mr. Olivieri’s earlier concern.
Mr. Vito noted the Highway Division Maintenance Schedule of Pavement Markings, Catch Basin Cleaning would begin September 1st.
Mr. Vito provided the Board with information he received regarding the Route 115 Project being put into the 2006 TIP Program. Mr. Vito explained the process and the time table of events required to start the actual project in 2007. State and federal funding awarded for this project is 2.3 million dollars. The town will fund the engineering costs.
Mr. Melanson began Board Business with the discussion of the DPW Director’s position informing Mr. Vito that if he chose, he could step out of the room during the discussion, Mr. Vito decline. Mr. Melanson continued by stating that since the DPW was established the goal has been to find a DPW Director, beginning with the creation of a job description, advertising the position to encompass a wide geographic area, for about 7 month. Approximately 8 resumes were received. The resumes were screened and formal interviews were conducted. In the mean time interim positions were appointed in the DPW to assist with the transition. That brings me to what we as a Board of Public Works are looking for in a DPW Director. Someone who can effectively communicate with other boards, committees and departments in town, someone who has a
good understanding of the town’s vision, where the direction the department is going as well as general town government and to forage relationships with surrounding communities, government agencies, and serve as a mentor, someone with a vision for an organization, someone who is business savvy as it relates to the DPW functions. An engineering degree or management degree would be nice but not necessary. Norfolk is a small community, we would be fortunate to have someone with hands on experience that understands the issues that concern us as a community on a daily basis. After discussing with the Board, we feel we have found the candidate to fill the position for the Town of Norfolk. Mr. Remo “Butch” Vito is that candidate. Mr. Nasuti made a motion to offer the position of DPW Director for contract term of 3 years subject to contract negotiation. Mr. Hathaway second. Vote in favor unanimous. So voted.
Mr. Vito expressed his gratitude and willingness to accept the challenges ahead and that he is looking forward to working with the Board and the Town Administrator.
Mr. Hathaway commented that Butch has always taken an interest in the long term planning for the Town and that he strongly supports this decision. Mr. Hathaway noted that he attended a working session with the Board of Selectmen that they also support this decision.
Mr. Melanson and Mr. Nasuti commented that Butch has performed well in the position of Interim Director noting his consistency and his concern for the community.
Mr. Melanson noted that as discussed at the previous meeting, the first meeting of each month would be televised and all others, although Open Public Meetings, would be working sessions, not televised. The first scheduled meeting in September is September 14, 2005 and would be televised. Mr. Hathaway and Mr. Nasuti discussed the lack of participation at meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to Executive Session
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