Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2010
Regular Session 7:00 PM
Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
Present: Bruce Rabuffo, Chairman; Laura M. Burns; John A. Riley; Ted Alexiades, Interim Town Administrator; and Betty Foley, Assistant Town Administrator
Chairman Rabuffo called the meeting to order and announced that this is the last scheduled meeting of 2010. He also announced that at the end of this meeting the Board of Selectmen will adjourn to executive session to discuss pending litigation and will not return to open session.
1. Questions from the Public: There were no questions from the public. Chairman Rabuffo provided an update on the Cohasset wind turbine issue and confirmed that as previously voted the Board of Selectmen sent one letter to the Cohasset Planning Board and a separate letter to the Trustees of Reservations. Ms. Burns reported on her attendance at last night's Cohasset Planning Board meeting and noted that there was a great deal of public comment.
2. 375th Anniversary Committee Presentation: Justine Thurston, the Chair of the 375th Anniversary Committee, along with Meg Robbins, Secretary, and Laurie Burnaby, Treasurer, reported that the Committee has closed its books, no Town funds had been used, and that monies would be sent on for the 400th anniversary. They presented to the Board of Selectmen a framed photograph of the Fourth of July fireworks, a framed citation from the Governor declaring September 11th as Hingham Day, and framed citations from the Representatives and Senate.
Voted - A motion was made by Ms. Burns and seconded by Mr. Riley to express appreciation to the 375th Anniversary Committee with gratitude and thanks on behalf of the Town. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
3. Signing of School MSBA Initial Compliance Certificate: Chairman Rabuffo stated that this item is in follow up to Dr. Galo's recent presentation regarding the Middle School and the timeline presented with respect to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The Initial Compliance Certificate outlines 26 separate codicils of responsibility and is necessary to begin the process. Discussion followed regarding this being an initial stage, the long process with respect to the feasibility study, future opportunities of the Town to weigh in with its concerns, and that a formal vote on a signature was not required. The consensus was in support of signing the Certificate. Chairman Rabuffo executed the Certificate and presented the originals to Dr. Galo. There was no public comment.
4. Budget Hearings:
Board of Assessors: Mr. Alexiades opened the discussion, summarized the amounts of the FY 2011 budget and the FY 2012 budget request, and recommended the FY 2012 request which is a 6.84% decrease over FY 2011, predominantly in the area of consulting. Lane Partridge of the Assessor's office stated that the budget essentially is level funded and explained his calculations. Discussion followed regarding the cyclical nature of consulting services, the tri-annual recertification process, the upcoming review in FY 2012, in-house procedures, and the use of an outside consultant for commercial valuation.
With respect to forthcoming needs, Mr. Partridge noted there may be some capital items needed in the future. There was no public comment. No formal action was taken by the Board.
Recreation Commission: Mr. Alexiades opened the discussion, summarized the amounts of the FY 2011 budget and the FY 2012 budget request, noted that the Commission's budget is payroll only, and recommended the FY 2012 request which is a little over a 10.5% increase over FY 2011. Mark Thorell, Director of the Recreation Commission, explained the calculations, the inclusion of only the Director's salary, and the new projects the Commission expects to take on. With respect to any forthcoming needs, Mr. Thorell mentioned there are a few future projects. There was a general consensus to start the dialogue regarding these projects at a future date. Chairman Rabuffo provided an update on the Ward Street project and anticipated upcoming discussions. There was no public comment. No formal action was taken by the Board.
Bare Cove Park Committee: Mr. Alexiades opened the discussion, summarized the amounts of the FY 2011 budget and the FY 2012 budget request, and recommended the requested FY 2012 budget which represents a .46% increase over FY 2011. Patty Coyle, representing the Committee, addressed the Board. With respect to forthcoming needs, Mr. Alexiades noted the Committee's request for a vehicle, the practice of recycling vehicles from DPW, and that the vehicle issue would be addressed in the capital budget. Discussion followed regarding site and the areas maintained by the Committee. There was no public comment. No formal action was taken by the Board.
Library: Mr. Alexiades opened the discussion, summarized the amounts of the FY 2011 budget and the FY 2012 budget request, noted an additional amount requested by the Library, and recommended a portion of the additional amount requested with an overall 2.4% increase and a level services budget. Dennis Corcoran, the Library Director, addressed the Board of Selectmen, noting a slight increase in the level services budget due to step increases and longevity payments, the reduction in the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) membership fee due to a revision of the formula, personnel modifications in order to meet the budget, meeting the state mandated minimum operating hours, and the need to apply for a waiver from the municipal appropriation requirement for the third year in a row. Discussion followed regarding waiver applications, waivers requested in other communities, the OCLN assessment fee, the prior formula, the newly revised formula, and fundraising. Ed Siegfried, Library Board Trustee, commented on fundraising programs in place, how funds are utilized, funding provided from the Trustees' budget, hours of operation, materials purchased, the municipal appropriation, and waivers. With respect to forthcoming needs, Mr. Corcoran discussed the recent completion of a five year plan, the impact of the digital world, and the desire for improved access and operating hours. Chairman Rabuffo acknowledged the presence of Trustees Charles Abbott and Michael Barclay in the audience. Discussion continued regarding potential ramifications of waiver applications, the importance of not cutting the Library's budget disproportionately as compared to other department budgets, operating hours and funding for next year, a labor relations issue associated with Sunday operating hours, a possible donation from the Rhode Island Foundation, and the contingency of the donation on a contribution from the Town. Mr. Bob Falvey provided public comment commending Mr. Corcoran for his years of service. Discussion continued regarding e-books and their impact on the Library's operations, long-term changes, a transfer of monies from the Reserve Fund, and the concurrence needed from the Advisory Committee.
Voted - A motion was made by Mr. Riley and seconded by Ms. Burns to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Library salaries account in the amount of $10,000 to supplement the salary requirement for Sunday openings. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
5. Audit Committee Financial Report: Mr. George Alexakos, Chair of the Audit Committee, addressed the Board of Selectmen, summarized the purpose and formation of the Committee, and stated that the Management Letter Dated June 30, 2010 prepared by Powers & Sullivan did not identify any deficiencies in internal control that are considered to be material weaknesses. Mike Mulligan, representing Powers & Sullivan, stated that the audit went smoothly and that the records are in excellent shape. Sue Nickerson, Interim Town Accountant, also was present. Discussion followed regarding the next round of audits. Mr. Alexiades summarized the purpose, contents, effective date and date of coverage of the Management Letter, noting that state law requires management to respond to the Management Letter. Mr. Alexiades also summarized the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2010, noting the need to submit the CAFR to the Government Finance Officers Association. Mr. Alexakos presented the Committee's charter for the Board's review and approval. The general consensus of the Board was to review and discuss the charter at a later date.
Voted - A motion was made by Ms. Burns and seconded by Mr. Riley to accept the financial statements and Management Letter as submitted and submit them on behalf of the Town. A vote was taken and all were in favor; the motion passed.
6. Budget Hearing:
Police: Mr. Alexiades opened the discussion, summarized the amounts of the FY 2011 and the level services FY 2012 budgets, noted an additional amount requested by the Department, and recommended the level services budget which represents a 1.1 percent decrease. Chief Mills addressed the Board of Selectmen with respect to the level services budget, commenting on the method of calculation, the Regional Dispatch Center, reduction in salaries, vehicles, radios, in-state travel, tires, and the computer service contract. Discussion followed regarding vehicle fuel, the contract for fuel purchase, the number of current detectives, staffing practices, the line item for the computer service agreement, the line item for ammunition, and grant opportunities. Chief Mills addressed the Board with respect the additional budget request, commenting on a 1980 study comparison, the number of officers, the number of liquor licenses, neighboring communities, additional motor vehicles on the streets, population, summary of activities, the table of organization of the Department, additional duties at the Shipyard and Derby Street Shoppes, being critically low in staff, a request for four office in 2009, the time consuming nature of training, a chart of comparisons, and the increase in calls for service. Discussion followed regarding concern over the large number of calls at the Shipyard compared to the percentage of build out, Avalon Bay, The Launch, the number of eating and drinking establishments, shift replacement overtime, increased demands on services, and increasing the involvement of the management at Shipyard establishments. Mr. Bob Falvey provided public comment regarding staffing levels. No formal action was taken by the Board.
Harbormaster: Mr. Alexiades recapped the FY 2011 budget, the FY 2012 level services budget, and an additional budget request, and recommended the level services budget which is an 11% increase. Harbormaster Ken Corson reviewed the level services budget request and explained the additional expenses as well as the increase in revenues. Discussion followed regarding funding requests for the change in status of the Deputy Harbormaster position, part-time wages, mooring permit enforcement, calls for service, maintenance, and training. No formal action was taken by the Board.
Dispatch: Mr. Alexiades stated that this budget is level funded from last year and expected the numbers to decrease with opening of the regional dispatch station. No formal action was taken.
Animal Control: Mr. Alexiades recommended the level service budget, which is an approximate 4.6 % increase predominantly due to step increases. No formal action was taken by Board.
7. Executive Session.
Voted - A motion was made by Ms. Burns and seconded by Mr. Riley to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and not to return to open session. A vote was taken by roll call and showed as follows: Chairman Rabuffo – yes, Mr. Riley – yes, Ms. Burns – yes. The motion passed.
The open session adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Laurie Zivkovich
Clerk Pro Tem