Present was Edward Melanson, Chairman, Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman, Jack Hathaway, Member, Ellen Friedman, Member, and absent was Dan Winslow, Member
Ed Melanson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at the Town Hall in Room 214.
Mr. Melanson opened with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting by recognizing Donna Jones, who thanked the Board for televising their meetings on cable TV noting that it is best to use the rooms equipped for the broadcast, the selectmen’s meeting room and the library meeting room, when it is completed. She continued by saying that only one meeting would have the ability to broadcast live if there were two meeting scheduled at the same time.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2005, Mr. Mr. Melanson seconded, and it was so voted.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2005, Mr. Hathaway seconded, and it was so voted.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting reading the items noted for discussion and decision deferring the discussion to Mr. Vito for an update of the water billing issues. Mr. Vito began with a question that had come up with regard to the definition of a Basic Charge. He continued noting that a resident had informed him that she was currently being charged for two Basic Charges – noting that there is only one water service/meter at her location. He requested that the Board consider reimbursing the resident fifty dollars for one Basic Charge. Based upon the current water rate study, a Basic Charge is defined as a fee for the right to use water and should be charged per service. He noted that the basic Charge is billed twice per year as part of the water billing process. It was brought to our
attention that this is not the case at several locations. We are in the process of polling the system to acquire an accurate account of how many services are affected. Mr. Nasuti made a motion to reimburse the resident fifty dollars for one Basic Charge to be reflected on the next billing cycle as recommended by the DPW Director, Mr. Hathaway seconded, and it was so voted.
Mr. Vito continued with the discussion of billing issues requesting a credit for two residents to off set demand charges which would be reflected on the next billing cycle, noting that usage issues had been resolved. Mr. Vito requested a credit in the amount of $143.77 and a credit against the demand in the amount of $109.49. Mr. Nasuti made a motion to accept the recommendation for the two credits as requested by the DPW Director, Mr. Hathaway seconded, and it was so voted.
A report on the Landfill - Leachate Ponds was the next item for discussion. Mr. Vito advised the Board that it will be necessary to approach the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Board for a Reserve Fund Transfer. The Department of Environmental Protection mandates regulating the level of the ponds to a 75% capacity. The Board agreed to have Mr. Vito proceed with the Request for Reserve Fund Transfer by notifying the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Vito continued with an update on the status of the Evergreen Wireless Bid Security - after a short discussion Mr. Nasuti made a motion to release the Bid Security for Evergreen Wireless as submitted, Ms. Friedman seconded, it was so voted.
Report from the DPW Director - Project Updates:
Rockwood Road and Cleveland Street - problems with the pavement installation will be corrected in the spring; Millis Water Connection – after a brief discussion the Board decided to set up an executive work session with Dufresne-Henry tentatively for Tuesday, January 10th at 6:00 p.m. prior to setting a meeting with the Town of Millis; Town Center Project – clock to be installed on December 20th, walks at the town hill are completed near the Library, walks near the veterans section and 911 memorial to be completed in the spring, T.I.P. punch list to be completed in the spring of 2006; Whitewater consultant, Russell Tierney will submit a report on the progress of the water main valve testing and hydrant testing, we should receive a report of the propagation study by January 15th in association with the wireless meter program;
water billing, indirect costs and staffing requirements need to be determined as we prepare the FY-07 budget, we will be submitting budgets to the Board for review in January; Public Hearing for Tree Removal has been scheduled for the Seekonk Street and Cleveland Street Intersection Correction, chapter 90 funding has been approved for this project.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting with a discussion for setting the organizational structure and organizational chart of the Department of Public Works. After a lengthy dialogue, it was determined that the issue remained, whether to include two Superintendents (Highway and Water) in the structure or one (DPW). It was agreed to continue this discussion at the next meeting with revised organizational charts depicting both scenarios, including employees and salaries.
At 9:25 p.m. Ed Melanson moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel contracting and would not return to the regular meeting; the meeting would adjourn at the end of the Executive Session. Jack Hathaway seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Jack Hathaway, aye; Ed Melanson, aye; Harvey Nasuti, aye; Ellen Friedman, aye, and it was so voted.
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