SELECTBOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting
May 6, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Present: Nancy Allen and Rick Marsh. Christine Durgin entered the meeting at 6:55 P.M.
Others present: Paula Lundgren (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull, Laura Johnson, AFC members Jim Regan, Fred Richards, Bob Bellefeuille, Ross France, and Dave Davis, Moderator Bart Wendell
Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
1. MINUTES
The meeting minutes of April 29, 2008, were tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
2. MEETING WITH POLICE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE
This matter was tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
3. MEETING WITH AFC AND MODERATOR
Using the 5-6-08 draft, the following discussion ensued: Add after the Building Inspector’s revolving account, a Board of Health account taking $8,000 from that revolving fund and reverting it to the General Fund. Article 22. will ask that $8,000 be taken from the Consolidated Cemetery Fund I and II. Articles 28. and 29. to pay principals and interest on Mahar and PCS will be raise and appropriate articles, as last year, although this source of funding was questioned by all. It was agreed that the AFC will discuss this matter with the Treasurer. and Article 30. increased the COA account by $100 to $850. Article 31. for a deposit into the Stabilization Fund was left in the warrant and blank at this time. Appropriation for Article 33. Transfer Station will remain at $55,000. Article 35. for Transfer Station wells and monitoring was discussed. BOH chair Fifi Scoufopoulos informed the Board that no specs are available at this time for the wells required to be installed at the Transfer Station, but she hoped to have something by next week. The $11,500 figure previously submitted is within the estimated cost range. Article 34. Transfer Station Stickers will not change except for increase in the cost of the sticker. Residents having difficulty affixing stickers to their bumpers will be dealt with on an individual basis. Article 36. for the Police cruiser will come out of the Police Stabilization Fund, as Article 38. for the Highway Department truck will come from that department’s Stabilization Fund. With regard to the ‘not recommended’ articles for Police and Fire, the chiefs have requested that those articles remain on the warrant. Articles 44. and 45. will be as listed under Town Hall Painting.
Nancy Allen stated that she had spoken with Accountant Jean Joel who stated that she would be sending information about the disappearance of the Enterprise Fund Free Cash by the end of the week.
The AFC asked for the kilowatts used by the Town. A 20% figure was plugged in but the AFC feels a 30%-40% figure might be more in line. A general feeling was that it would be in the Town’s best interest to lock in a rate now instead of waiting for the contract to end in December.
AFC Dave Davis stated that he attended the PCS budget hearing and feels there is room in the budget for the requested l% decrease of $13,250.
Rick Marsh moved the Selectboard not take salary increases in FY09. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. ATM WARRANT
Christine Durgin moved to open the June 2, 2008, Annual Town Meeting warrant to add a Board of Health Revolving Account. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Christine Durgin moved to close the June 2, 2008, Annual Town Meeting warrant. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. TOWN HALL KITCHEN SINK
Installation of a sink in the Town Hall kitchen was discussed. One bidder, Whittier Plumbing, has provided all information requested. Although requested twice, D&B Plumbing has not provided references and Assured Plumbing has not provided prevailing wages. With prevailing wages, Whittier Plumbing has submitted a quote of $9,694.00. After looking at a number of accounts, it was agreed that funding could come from the following accounts: Town Hall and Town Office Maintenance Account, $4,000; Town Hall and Town Office Expenses Account, $1,000; Board of Health Expenses Account, $3,000; and a Reserve Fund transfer of $1,700.
6. TOWN HALL PAINTING
Bid requirements for the four bidders were reviewed. Alpha Contracting provided all documentation requested. Diversified did not provide a certificate to submit the contract and J&D did not provide the certificate to submit the contract or a bid deposit. M&J provided all paperwork, but was disqualified as the bid was not received in time. The lowest bidder, Alpha Contracting, has given a total price of $88,000 for the three bids. The following appropriations from various funds will provide $67,526 toward the goal: Town Hall and Town Office Maintenance Account, $35,000; Town Hall Windows, Paint and Repair, $5,000; Town Hall Dome Restoration Account, $4,807; 250th Anniversary Account, $151; and Insurance Reimbursement Account, $22,568. A suggestion was made to vote a capital outland exclusion of $21,000 to cover the balance.
Another discussion followed for the painting of the four sides of the Building which would exclude the steeple and dome. That total appropriation of $54,000 could be pulled from: Town Hall and Town Office Maintenance Account $35,000; Town Hall Windows paint and Repair Account, $5,000; and Insurance Reimbursement Account, $14,000.
It was agreed to put both articles on the warrant, noting that the first option would require a ballot vote.
7. PERMITS
Rick Marsh moved to renew the following business permits and Nancy Allen seconded the motion:
-Karen Bellefeuille, Room to Create, for a business of ascertaining clients’ needs and desires for their living space and using clients’ belongings to achieve balanced arrangement;
-Lisa Freden, LMHC, for the operation of an office for the practice of psychotherapy located at 4 New Salem Road;
-Petersham Country Club, for the sale of soft drinks at 240 North Main Street.
With Christine Durgin not present, Rick Marsh and Nancy Allen VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
Rick Marsh moved to grant a new business permit to Laura Johnson/David Granquist, Bald Hill Farm, LLC, for the business located at 57 Birch Drive of forestry and land clearing. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With Christine Durgin not present, Rick Marsh and Nancy Allen VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
8. SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE
The summer meeting schedule of the Selectboard was set as follows:
June 10 and 24, July 8 and 22, August 5 and 19. September meeting dates will be discussed at a later time.
9. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the following:
10. OTHER BUSINESS
Rick Marsh moved to sign a Reserve Fund transfer in the amount of $7.99 for Dog Officer expenses. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chief Legare submitted for signature a request for a traffic study at three locations in Town by MRPC. Rick Marsh moved to accept the requests. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Fifi Scoufopoulos volunteered to take old computers and related items that are currently in the Town Office Building attic to Electronicycle in Gardner. The Selectboard agreed that the equipment was no longer of any use to the Town and should be recycled.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION – PENDING LITIGATION
9:05 p.m.- Nancy Allen stated the Board would be going into executive session to discuss pending litigation and that business would not resume in open session upon completion of executive session. Christine Durgin verbally moved to go into executive session. Rick Marsh verbally seconded the motion and the Board verbally VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. At 9:15 p.m. the regular session continued.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Rick Marsh moved to adjourn. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fredrik A. Marsh, Clerk