SELECTBOARD MINUTES

Regular Meeting, Selectboard Office

March 11, 2008

6:00 p.m.

 

Present:  Nancy Allen, Christine Durgin, Rick Marsh

Others present:  Joe Mitko (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull, Mahar representatives Mike LeBlanc and Dana Kennan, AFC members Dave Davis, Fred Richards, Jim Regan, Ross France, and Bob Bellefeuille, Bill Purple, Veteran’s Agent Neil McGuirk, Virginia Newman, Diana Cooley, Dana Robinson

 

Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.

 

1.                  MINUTES

Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of March 4, 2008.  Nancy Allen seconded the motion.  Christine Durgin entered the meeting at 6:13 p.m.

With amendments, the Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2.                  MEETING WITH MAHAR REPS. DANA KENNAN AND MIKE LEBLANC

Nancy Allen stated that is a preview meeting to get a sense of the budget and what is going on.  Mike LeBlanc stated that Mahar is presently looking at a 3.9% total budget increase.  Salaries are up 3%, transportation is up 15%, and health care is up 12%.  He further state that these increases are offset by special needs.  The new director has been working hard toward cost savings while at the same time providing the same services.  Petersham will be responsible for approximately 12% of the total proposed net budget of $4,985,816.  It will need to be confirmed if the construction debt is added into the figure.    

 

It was noted that a workshop will be held at Mahar on Saturday, March 15, to discuss the FY09 assessment process.  Selectboards and AFCs from all four towns have been invited.  Nancy Allen and Christine Durgin will attend.   Rick Marsh will try to attend. 

 

Dana Kennan stated that Petersham has 102 students in 7-12 for which it is responsible.

 

3.                  BUDGET MEETINGS

A.                 VETERANS’ AGENT (#49)

Veterans’ Agent  Neil McGuirk and Petersham rep. to the Veterans’ Board of Directors Bill Purple met to discuss the proposed budget and services offered by that office for Petersham residents who are veterans.   Neil McGuirk stated that he currently has a caseload of approximately 40 individuals who collect benefits and also works with veterans from the VA.  He is also working to have grave markers provided for all veterans going back to the Revolutionary War.  Rick Marsh stated that he will work with the Legion to ascertain the number of markers to be needed over the next year.  Neil McGuirk stated that he also visits Petersham residents in their homes, but that outreach could always be better.  The Board noted that the Town should be aware of all resources that are available.  Petersham’s 6% share of the budget showed an increase of $305.43 to $3,312.43.    

B.                 TAX COLLECTOR (#17)

Tax Collector Virginia Newman provided a 5% increase in salary stating that the first year she worked for the Town, she forwent the wage increase, and the position has not been given the increase bump that other positions have.  Postage was increased by $500 and field trips were increased by $50.  The excise software for $2,100 was deleted.  Sending out quarterly taxes was discussed.  Virginia Newman stated that if that were to take place, the position would need to become full-time.  Nancy Allen asked that she think about create ways to keep money moving through the Town.  The Board stated that in completing the FY07 audit, the Auditor had been pleased with the performance of the office.  Although a sheet was created by the AFC, Virginia Newman stated that Bank Fees (#18) has been closed out last year. 

C.                 FIRE

Under Fire Department budget (#34), Fire Chief Dana Robinson presented the following wage increases:  20% for the Chief, 15% for the Assistant Chief, 8 ½% for firefighters, 8% for captains, and 7 ½% for chief officers.  He noted a $500 increase in fuel oil and kerosene, $100 increase in building repairs, $100 decrease in supplies, $500 increase in equipment repairs and $500 increase in gas and diesel.  The budget also includes a special article of $4,000 for the cascade system which was ‘voted to take no action’ at the last Annual Town Meeting.  The Forest Warden account (#36) was level-funded at $25.  

 

The AFC asked if the Fire Department held fundraisers.  Chief Robinson stated that the Fire Department Association did fundraise for scholarships, to support the antique vehicles, a relief fund, and the over 80’s Christmas bouquets.

D.                 TOWN CLERK

Town Clerk Diana Cooley presented a 4% increase in salary, both for herself and for part-time office help (#20).   She stated that the $500 stipend for the 2010 census would be sufficient.  Line items that have increased are:  Dues, up $25; Postage, up $50; Dog tags, $30; Advertising, $30 (possibly for zoning by-laws); Town census, up $150; and seminars, up $100.  Vital Statistics (#22) was level-funded at $75.  Election and Registrations (#23) showed a $2,600 increase in wages, a $50 increase in postage and added $1,000 to program the HAVA voting machine.  Printing of the HAVA ballots would fall under the Town’s Printing account. 

 

4.                  STM/ATM WARRANT

Christine Durgin moved to open the June 2, 2008, Special and Annual Town meeting warrants to close by noon on Friday, April 18, 2008.   Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 

 

5.                  HEALTH INSURANCE

Christine Durgin moved to renew the FY09 Town employees MIIA Blue Cross Blue Shield health benefits proposal for July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009 with an increase of .7%; family plan being $1095.03, individual being $421.17.  Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 

 

6.                  APPOINTMENTS

Christine Durgin moved to appoint Charles Berube to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee as the Petersham Center School representative through June 30, 2008.  Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 

 

7.                  CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the following:

• A request from the Wachusett Medical Reserve Corp in Hubbardston to sign an agreement for their free services should a disaster strike.  The Board asked that the Emergency Management Director be contacted as to his wishes concerning this matter.  The subject will be tabled until a response is received. 
• The Beacon, March 2008
• Invitation to the Franklin County Selectmen’s Association quarterly meeting.  No one will attend. 
• Email from Chris Eaton, MA Audubon Education Coordinator at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary and Town resident.  She asked that the Board approve the installation of seven (7) street signs around Town painted by the 3^rd -6^th graders at PCS.  These Highway Dept. recycled signs would read “caution turtle crossing” and would be installed by the Highway Dept.  Christine Durgin moved to grant permission to Chris Eaton to continue with the PCS project and for installation by the Highway Department of signs for a temporary period of four to six months, for the crossing of turtles.   Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 
• Notification of the April 1, 2008 Mahar FY09 budget hearing
• Notification from Senator Brewer and Rep. Gobi that the Legislature has agreed to increase FY09 State aid to cities and towns.  Petersham’s share is not available at this time. 
• Notification of the MMA spring Legislative Breakfast series.  The Board agreed Dale Bull will attend the Leominster meeting, April 11. 
• Notification of a Storm water Runoff workshop April 10 in West Boylston.  The Board agreed that the Highway Department should attend and in order to avoid overtime, Norman LaPointe should represent the Town.
• Snow account budgets for the last several weeks

 

8.                  PERMITS

Rick Marsh moved to renew the following business permits and Christine Durgin seconded the motion:

-Wanda Dickson, Landscape Nursery, for a landscape and horticultural business located at 232 North Main Street;

-Laurel Guillen, Spectacular Science Productions, Inc., for a business located at 108 South Street providing writing and consulting services in various media;

-Karen K. Davis, Sweet Water Farm, for the operation of a farm selling organic lambs and organic hay. 

The Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

9.                  OTHER BUSINESS

Christine Durgin moved to sign a reserve fund transfer for the Town Clerk in the amount of $986.44 to cover the March 3 election worker wages.  Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

A letter was submitted for signature by the Board to Ms. Hilary Eustace, MA Division of

Safety concerning her seminar last week in Athol about the new Trench Safety law which Highway Supt. Norman LaPointe attended.  Mr. LaPointe listed a number of questions regarding the new law and asked that the Board forward the letter.    Christine Durgin moved the Board sign and send the letter to Ms. Eustace.  Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

The Board received from Dale Bull a compilation of sources of income for Town departments and committees.  Nancy Allen asked the Board to look the responses with an eye as to where fees might be too low. 

 

Nancy Allen stated that a building projects folder has been created and presented a first draft of the Town Hall painting project specs.  Nancy Allen, Rick Marsh and Dale Bull agreed to meet the next day for review.  Nancy Allen stated she is working on the specs for the Town Hall windows repair.     

 

Beginning times for the March 18 and March 25 Selectboard meetings were changed to 6:30 p.m.

 

10.              ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Rick Marsh moved to adjourn.  Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Fredrik A. Marsh, Clerk