Present was Edward Melanson, Chairman; Ellen Friedman, Member; Dan Winslow, Member; Vida Holmes, Member. Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman was absent
Ed Melanson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Town Hall in Room 214.
Mr. Melanson opened with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting by recognizing John Olivieri, who had three concerns for the Board to consider; first: the tie-in with the Town of Millis which he noted was on the agenda for tonight, second: hydrant mitigation problems; and third: review the rates charged to residents serviced by out of town water supplies. Mr. Melanson thanked Mr. Oliveri for his concerns and assured him the Board would review them at a later date.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting deferring to Mr. Vito for the DPW Project update. Mr. Vito continued with the following update: the 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. Rockwood Road and Cleveland Street - problems with the pavement installation will be corrected in the spring, pavement core samples have been taken; Police-Fire-School-Recreation Concept: Rockwood Road at Boardman Street traffic study was performed and in conjunction with the new school an access road was being planned. A road work network would be needed. He pointed out the plan is very conceptual. Mr. Vito commented that he does not support the concept. Wireless –
a draft lease was emailed to Mr. Vito by Cingular Wireless and would be submitted to the Board for the next meeting; we did contact Verizon regarding the generator but have received no response to date. The Board advised Mr. Vito to review the Wireless RFP and resubmit proposals with a scheduled opening of March/April 2006.
Mr. Melanson inquired whether the Board had any comments on the packet items: Mr. Winslow commented on a report submitted to the DEP regarding Lead and Copper, questioning whether the results were positive or negative. The question was directed to Gary McCarthy of Dufrenes-Henry who assured Mr. Winslow that it was a good report. Mr. Winslow requested a set of guidelines for future reference. Mr. Vito advised the Board that he would have Water Consultant, Russell Tierney prepare the information for them.
Mr. Vito continued the discussion with his comments on the request to deficit spend the snow budget had been submitted to the Board of Selectmen for approval. Generally we maintain a salt inventory early in the season due to salt shortages that occurred a few years ago and decrease the inventory further into the season. Our Snow and Ice Budget is currently $123,000 and should be between $180,000 and $200,000. The snow budget is one of the only budgets we are allowed to deficit spend.
He continued with the Landfill - Leachate Removal noting that due to the excessive fall rains it has been necessary to have the Leachate Ponds pumped more frequently. Normally it’s not necessary to request funds until spring; but due to the excessive rains and the costs associated with pumping, we have submitted a reserve fund transfer request to the Board of Selectmen. Also, in fiscal 2007 capital funds were budgeted to review the costs for installing a roofing system over the Leachate Ponds which would remedy pumping the ponds so frequently in the rainy seasons.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting with Board Business and the discussion of the Department of Public Works organizational structure. Organizational charts were submitted to the Board for review and Mr. Vito went on to explain each chart, page one depicts the Highway Department if the merge did not occur, page two depicts the Water Department if the merge did not occur, page three depicts the Department of Public Works with two superintendents and page four depicts the Department of Public Works chart with one superintendent. Mr. Vito noted that he supports page four - a DPW structure with one superintendent. Mr. Melanson went to explain that the chart on page four made the most sense to him. The individual at the top of the organization who has the vision of the department and is responsible for attending
Board meetings, answering to the Board of Public Works and Board of Selectmen, researching and grants; next there is a day to day supervisor more of a hands on person with a highway and water background and works directly with the Foremen who oversee the different divisions (Highway, Solid Waste, Grounds Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance and Water). The management structure would be streamlined. Mr. Vito commented that this structure would support inter-division assistance within the Department of Public Works without using outside contractors. After further discussion Mr. Winslow made a motion that the organization of the DPW be as reflected in the fourth page of the hand out, with a solid line below the level of Foreman to emphasize the linkage of all laborers with the DPW Superintendent shown as a Grade 9 or 10 and budgeted at $60,000.00 for the purpose of the upcoming budget cycle as recommended by our DPW Director, Mr. Melanson seconded, and it was so voted.
At 8:50 p.m. Ed Melanson moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing negotiations in association with the Town of Millis water connection and would not return to the regular meeting and would adjourn the meeting at the end of the Executive Session. Jack Hathaway seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Ed Melanson, aye; Dan Winslow, aye; Ellen Friedman, aye; Vida Holmes, aye, and it was so voted.
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