Present was Ellen Friedman, Member; Dan Winslow, Member and Vida Holmes, Member. Ed Melanson, Chairman and Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman was absent
Dan Winslow called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Town Hall in Room 214.
Mr. Winslow opened with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting recognizing John Olivieri, who addressed the Board with a request for information referring to the financial audit for the Water Division. Ms. Friedman expressed her belief that the financial audit had been performed and agreed with its importance and would check on the status of the audit.
Mr. Winslow continued with the next item on the agenda deferring to Mr. Vito for the Report from the DPW Director: Mr. Vito began with his comments on the procedure for setting the agenda for Board meetings and establishing a deadline. A draft agenda would be sent to Board members on Monday for review and we would like to set Wednesday at noon as the deadline for adding items to the agenda. Packets will continue to be delivered to Board members on Friday prior to a scheduled Monday meeting. This will allow the office staff to include the agenda in the packets. He suggested that the agenda be posted on the web and with the Town Clerk on Thursday to inform the public what will be discussed at the meeting. Mr. Vito was not clear whether this was something the Board would need to discuss and vote on. After a brief
dialogue the Board agreed with the agenda procedures Mr. Vito had proposed noting that the Mr. Melanson, as Board Chairman should be allowed to review items prior to including them on an agenda.
Mr. Vito continued informing the Board that a schedule had been established to televise the first meeting of each month leaving the second meeting as a working session. After a brief discussion the Board agreed that since they were appointed as a working Board, they would revisit the frequency of televising Board of Public Works Meetings. This would be discussed at a future meeting when a full Board was present.
Mr. Vito continued with the FY-2007 Budget Proposal, informing the Board that the Capital Budget would be completed this week and the full FY-2007 Department of Public Works Budget proposal would be completed prior to the next meeting (February 6, 2006). He continued discussing the goal to reduce debt in the Water Division which would allow for a rate reduction within the next few years; in the Solid Waste Division we have been exploring contract options for reduced tipping costs allowing the department to hold the current rates charged to users.
Mr. Vito updated the Board regarding the joint meeting with the DEP to discuss the Millis water connection noting the unconfirmed dates for the meeting were January 31, 2006 or February 3, 2006. Mr. Hathaway and Mr. Vito would be meeting with Mr. Nutting in the Town of Franklin tomorrow. Mr. Winslow commented on opening a dialogue with the MWRA as another option. Mr. Vito continued informing the Board the Town of Norfolk currently has no redundancy noting several of the options being reviewed: including establishing a satellite well at Gold Street, a water connection with the Town of Millis which would also allow for the sale of water to Franklin.
Mr. Winslow continued with Board Business:
It was agreed to supply the Board with as much information as possible in their packets to keep the keel informed. The topic of task delegation for Board members was deferred for discussion at a future meeting.
Mr. Vito discussed the bidding process for Town Projects with Board member to address concerns expressed by Ms. Friedman.
Ms. Friedman brought up questions regarding water testing including the process and requirements. Mr. Vito informed the Board we would schedule Russell Tireney, our water consultant from WhiterWater into a Board meeting to address their questions.
Mr. Winslow continued noting items for discussion at the next meeting: Millis connection update, financial audit, task delegation for Board members
At 7:40 pm, being no further business, Mr. Winslow made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Holmes seconded and it was so voted.
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