Present was Edward Melanson, Chairman, Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman, Ellen Friedman, Member, and Dan Winslow, Member. Jack Hathaway, Member was absent.
Ed Melanson called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. at the Town Hall in Room 124 welcoming new members Ellen Friedman and Dan Winslow to the Board.
Mr. Melanson began with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting and deferred to the next item on the agenda since no one from the public was in attendance.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting with a review the Boards’ Wednesday meeting schedule, noting that the first meeting of each month was usually designated as a televised session and the second as a work session. After a brief discussion and to accommodate all Board members it was agreed to adjust the meeting schedule from Wednesday to Monday at 7:00 pm.
The meeting continued with Mr. Melanson circulating the list of priority items he originally created and submitted to Board members at the inception of the of the Department of Public Works and the creation of the Interim Board of Public Works. He elaborated noting that within the past year, the Board had addressed several items on the list but that there were still some areas that required attention. He pointed out that finalizing a defined organizational structure for the Department was a priority as we move into the budget approval process, noting capital planning is also a part of the budget process, which in the Water division involves setting water rates.
Harvey Nasuti clarified for the new members that they were appointed to an interim board that would dissolve within one and a half years, unless the Board of Selectmen were to extend the term allowing the Board of Public Works to continue with their efforts in accomplishing the goals for the Department’s transition.
Mr. Melanson continued noting that an overwhelming majority of the Boards time has been spent addressing water issues as a result of poor system maintenance, lack of long term planning, lack of staffing, and rate structure issues. He noted that the Highway division appears to be operating in an organized manor within the financial constraints set forth by the fiscal budget, commenting that the creation a public out reach program is something that should be looked into for the future.
Harvey Nasuti continued with a brief summary of the water resource issues the Board has been discussing: entering into an agreement with the Town of Millis for the right to purchase water; reviewing the Towns options with regard to Well#3; reviewing the option for installing a second well at the Gold Street site.
Mr. Melanson commented that the Town’s water resources are an issue and establishing what the Town’s real demands are, what type of user constraints will be necessary, how we can increase the number water users and establish new water sources. He also noted this would require an extended discussion to establish a policy as we move forward. He continued noting that in the fiscal 2006 budget a conscience effort was made on system maintenance as opposed to capital expenditures. In the fiscal 2007 budget we would like to balance water rates and capital expenses to assure rates do not increase for the water takers. The Director of Public Works and our consultant from WhiteWater, Inc., Russell Tierney will bring their recommendations to the Board for review.
Mr. Melanson continued noting that Department staffing issues still required attention and would be addressed as part of the organization structure discussions.
Mr. Melanson expressed his thoughts for setting the direction of the Board of Public Works which, in part was to set up the infra structure for the Department, he commented that the day to day functions of the Department should now become the responsibility of the DPW Director allowing the Board to look to the future for setting long term goals.
At 8:00 p.m. Ed Melanson moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel contracting and will not return to our regular meeting and will adjourn the meeting from there. Dan Winslow seconded. A roll call vote was taken.
Ed Melanson, aye; Harvey Nasuti, aye; Dan Winslow, aye; Ellen Friedman, aye, and it was so voted.
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