SELECTBOARD MINUTES

Regular Meeting

March 18, 2008

 Selectboard Office   

6:30 p.m.

 

Present:  Nancy Allen and Christine Durgin

Not present:  Rick Marsh

Others present:  Joe Mitko (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull, Mahar Supt. Reza Namin, Mahar reps. Dana Kennan and Mick LeBlanc, AFC members Fred Richards, Ross France, Bob Bellefeuille, Jim Regan, and Dave Davis,  Monty Tech Supt. Culkeen, Monty Tech rep. Ed Simms, Cemetery Commission members Jan Bedau, Glenede Albertine, and Ken Levine, Fire Chief Dana Robinson

 

Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

1.                  MINUTES

Christine Durgin moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of March 11, 2008.  With amendments, Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Christine Durgin moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of March 16, 2008.  With amendments, Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

The March 16, 2008, minutes refer to a change in holidays and holiday pay.  Nancy Allen presented proposed changes stating that a policy needs to be created to handle those employees who work a modified work schedule and the taking of vacation time.   This subject will be revisited at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 

 

2.                  BUDGET MEETINGS

The AFC, along with the Selectboard, reviewed the House 2 local aid figures.  There was confusion as to the Additional Assistance and the FY09 Transportation Aid @$88 million. 

A.                 MAHAR BUDGET MEETING

Mahar Supt. Reza Namin provided a draft FY09 budget with backup information, stating the budget hearing would be April 1.  He explained page 1 which showed a four-year budget comparison, beginning with FY06.    Major projected budget increases for FY09 are 15%, transportation; 12%, health insurance; 3%, contractual obligations.  He noted that Mahar has worked hard this past year to decrease its Special Education budget and showed a decrease of $179,575 between FY08 an FY09.   Dr. Namin stated that he wanted to present a bottom line budget.  FY09’s budget will not request Additional Assessments.  He stated that Mahar spends a great deal of time generating revenue and writing grants.  Ross France questioned the source of the Transportation/ Debt assessment.  Dr. Namin stated that this figure comes from the 3000 (Other School Services) and the 8000 (Transportation) accounts.  Dr. Namin stated that there is a 4.05% increase in the net budget.  Petersham’ share at this time will be $786,600. 

B.                 MONTY TECH BUDGET

Supt. James Culkeen stated that Petersham’s assessment is up, partially due to an additional student for FY09.  The entire budget is up 5.6% or $1.2 million.  He stated that the building is in excellent condition even though it is 37 years old.  Because of its condition, that unfortunately, works against the school being eligible for any grant funding for the building.  He stated that there has been a severe increase in the cost of supplies, ie steel, copper, metal, and lumber.  School of Choice incoming is down as the School has not been accepting any school of choice students for the past four years due to the large number of district students applying for the 350 freshmen openings each year.  Although the budget hearing has not been held, Petersham’s share at this time is $32,796.

C.                 CEMETERY (#59)

Cemetery Commission chair Jan Bedau presented a budget of $18,964 and a warrant article of $3,000 to cover the balance of the Care of Cemeteries contract.   As the contract for the final year of a three-year contract is $19,764, it was agreed to amend the budget to $16,764 for contract expenses and $200 for Cemetery Commission expenses.  The Commission asked to carry over the balances in the following accounts:  Cemetery expenses, computerizing of cemetery records, and cemetery repairs.   The Commission discussed the opening up of more of the East Street Cemetery.  Jan Bedau stated that they are still seeking someone with stone expertise who has the time and interest to work on the broken stones in the cemeteries.  Ken Levine stated he is researching the best way to restore stones. 

D.                 CIPC

CIPC members Nancy Allen, Dave Davis, and Dana Robinson presented two recommendations for FY09.  The first recommended budget requested $104,700.  The second budget added an additional $10,000 to vehicle stabilization accounts.  An additional $15,000 was requested to enable painting of the entire Town Hall Building.   Nancy Allen stated that the Bandstand must be made handicap accessible and $5,000 has been requested for that construction.  Dana Robinson  stated that he hoped a steady amount of funding will go into the vehicle stabilization accounts so the Town can start to have a vision of financing large truck replacements.   He stated that a new engine will cost between $250,000 and $300,000.  He has sought out grants but to date has been unsuccessful. 

E.                  AFC

No budget was presented. 

F.                  SELECTBOARD

Budgets were tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting. 

 

3.                  PERMITS

Christine Durgin moved to renew the business permit for Doreen Frost, Petersham Chiropractic, for the operation of a chiropractic office located at 30 Hardwick Road with restrictions signed by the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated December 19, 2006.  Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 

 

4.                  CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the following: 

• BOH response to the Board’s memo concerning the Town paying for trash pickup at a resident’s home.  The BOH noted that the mortgage company has reimbursed the Town for the $325 charge. 
• City and Town, March 2008.  The Board asked that a copy be forwarded to BOA concerning the article on Assessment of Poles and Wires on Public Ways.
• Boston Globe article, March 16, 2008, “Spending is voted down across NH”. 
• Transportation Today newsletter, March 2008
• Letter of resignation from Bob Legare from the Bandstand Committee dated March 14, 2008
• Letter from Mass State Lottery Commission advising Petersham of a new venture, KENO to go, which the Petersham Package Store is license to conduct under State law

5.                  OTHER BUSINESS

The specs for painting the Town Hall should be ready by next week for review by the Board. 

 

It was noted that a request has been sent to the Sheriff’s Office regarding that office painting the Town Hall shutters.

 

Nancy Allen asked that the Moderator and Town Clerk meet with the Selectboard sometime in April to discuss the possibility of changing the Town Meeting quorum.  Dale Bull stated that she, as Asst. Town Clerk, the Town Clerk, and the Moderator have already discussed setting up an initial meeting and will schedule to meet with the Board soon after. 

 

Dale Bull stated she has received a request from a Town resident for use of the Town Hall by a group of young people.  Use is being sought for music composition.  The Board agreed to revisit the matter at the next regularly scheduled meeting, with an eye to setting some guidelines for the group. 

 

6.                  ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Christine Durgin moved to adjourn.  Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Christine J. Durgin, Vice-chair