Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
January 7, 2010
Regular Session 6:00 pm
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley
Budgets
The Board voted to approve the budgets as recommended by the Town Administrator with the exception of the Selectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer/Collector and Harbormaster budgets.
Ms. Burns suggested the Fire Department budget be increased by $100,000 to keep North Station open
She recommended that the Board review the plan to fund Capital at $2 million. She also suggested reducing that figure to $1 million and instituting a transfer station fee for additional revenue.
Mr. Riley asked if an override of $1.5 million, which would mean $90 per household on average, would be a preferable route rather than a transfer station fee of $200 per household. Both Mr. Rabuffo and Mr. Riley expressed the need to see what the capital requests were prior to consideration of reducing the capital budget.
Mr. Rabuffo said he and Mr. Killory had a discussion last week about the student population. It seems logical that some new growth money should be directed toward the schools. The Community Planning Department indicated that December was encouraging. Perhaps some moneys could be found that could be thrown back in the mix. Mr. Rabuffo noted that there are some things in the school budget that are systemic. The target of a class size of 20 and the hiring of experienced teachers which are a cost to the town.
The Selectmen’s Budget as presented does not include Friday closing but does include staff reductions of 4 hours in HR Director’s schedule and 17.5 in licensing secretary’s schedule. Mr. Paicos pointed out that the office is not overstaffed as it stands now but this recommendation accommodated the Board’s request for a 5% reduction. The reduction in the clerical salary is $22,252 and the Human Resource Director’s reduction is approximately $10,000. The Board agreed to hold off on this vote until next week.
Accountant Budget
Mr. Paicos said he originally recommended reduction of clerical staff in the Accountant’s Office which he will withdraw. He would, however, like to see departments input accounts payable and payroll directly. There are savings at the department level particularly when the departments can see budgets directly. He did recommend a $5,000 reduction by transferring the cost of OPEB study into actuarial fund. The $5,000 line item for the celebrations should be eliminated. The cost of administrative support services could be transferred to the ambulance fund if the state comes back and says fine to the offset receipt account.
Harbormaster Budget
As recommended the budget has no funds for the assistant harbormaster. The Harbormaster has recommended fee changes that would increase the mooring permits by approximately $170,000. The Harbormaster is requesting $40,000. This increased budget reflects a tremendous workload to ensure that the fees are paid.
Voted - to adopt budget as recommended. Mr. Paicos and Mr. Alexiades can revisit this at a later date.
Naming Policy Development Committee Update
Mr. Costello explained that the Committee had solicited input from townspeople. It seems that there is no limit to the capacity to name things. Comments that have been received include a strong feeling that renaming existing entities is not a good idea. It has also been the consensus that it is inappropriate for an existing employee to have something named after them. The Committee is hoping to achieve a balance between those projects that require some review and those projects that should be approved by the Board of Selectmen or Historical Commission. The Committee found that eleven towns have naming policies. The Major issues are public buildings and public land. There are smaller items such as benches and plaques. The police would have control of plaques in the police station, similarly with the fire dept, etc. Ms. Burns commented that it sounds as if there are some things that should go to town meeting and a narrow level of things between those referred to town meeting and the small things that people might feel uncomfortable about leaving it to the departments. Initially the hearing would take place at the departmental level and then if there was an issue it could be appealed to the Board of Selectmen who could serve an appellate role. In cases of buildings or public land it should go to town meeting.
Selectmen/Town Administrator Reports
Mr. Paicos said a departmental fee manual has been prepared by Ryan Poyant who is interning for the town. He reported he had recently conducted a meeting with the landfill consultant. The Town is under a Consent Order for capping of the landfill. There are two issues – a small area of contamination at the landfill and some material at Hersey Street that may need to be removed. It is hoped that capping can begin this summer or next fall.
Mr. Rabuffo said the outside auditors are moving along with the management letter. The interim audit committee will meet Saturday morning. Mr. Riley reported that the Harbor Task Force started the initial process of creating an overlay district for future uses. They are looking at public and open space areas. There are two possible articles – one on open an official space throughout the town regarding concession stands and a second pertaining to open space at the harbor in relation to a marina or restaurant in open space.
Voted - to approve the minutes of June 1, 2009.
Voted - to renew the Class I License of Best Chevrolet, 128 Derby Street, expiring January 1, 2011.
Voted - to grant the request of the Conservation Commission to consult counsel as submitted.
Voted - to renew the Automatic Amusement Device License of Lima Sports d/b/a South Shore Sports Center, 55 Recreation Park Drive. This license is restricted to the 15 games listed on the license.
Voted - to sign the Activity and Use limitation sign-off for Bare Cove Park Foundation Abatement Project Construction completed in 2009.
Meeting adjourned 9:20 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk