HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 1998
CALL TO ORDER: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman;William B. Duffy,
John R. Leeman, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; David M. Torrisi; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to accept
the amended minutes of September 21, 1998; vote approved 5 — 0.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to accept the November 2, 1998 minutes;
vote approved 5 — 0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Board of Selectmen Meeting. Keith Mitchell announced that the next Board of Selectmen meeting will
be held on November 16, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. continuing discussion on the budget process and to hold the
tax classification hearing.
Reminder. Parks &Recreation Director, Bill McEvoy, reminded residents that public skating has begun
at Brooks School on Sunday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Agenda Addition. Keith Mitchell added an agenda item under New Business; Selectmen designees for
Town Manager evaluation subcommittee.
"Phillips Lane". Mr Paul Brucato, 345 Osgood Street requested that the Town pave the street behind his
home. There was a discussion regarding the situation, and the fact that drainage was also necessary.
D.E.P. Meeting. The Town Manager updated the Board on the D.E.P. meeting. The Town Manager
stated that he has a verbal agreement from a representative of the D.E.P. to meet in the immediate area in
November to present a cumulative impact study. A peer review from the Dept. of Public Health is being
completed before the D.E.P. meeting is scheduled.
William Duffy noted that a letter should be sent to James Coleman, Assistant Commissioner of Waste
Prevention,to invite him to conduct the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Request to Use Public Property—Veteran's Day Parade—November 11, 1998. Donald Stewart made a
MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the request to use public property for the Veteran's Day
Parade; vote approved 5 — 0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Proposed FY 2000 Budget Policy Statement. The Town Manager gave a summary of the Budget Policy
Statement. It provides for a 4.2%increase in revenue; after payments for other items,the increase is 3%.
Another area in the policy statement is to prepare for a major building and facilities projects.
Additionally, free cash of$1.3 million achieved by the end of FY'99 and
Board of Selectmen Minutes November 9, 1998 Page 2
another goal of establishing a Stabilization Fund of approximately$2 million by June 30, 2001. Long
term debt is also addressed.
Mr. Duffy made some editorial changes to the Budget Policy Statement. He stated that his changes did
not change the direction or substance of the Statement.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve William Duffy's amendment;
vote approved 5 — 0.
Mr. Duffy noted that the Board should be focusing on a one year budget process rather than five year
budget projections.
The Town Manager discussed the correction regarding total revenue available,the conservative budget
for solid waste tipping fees and the fact that the Essex County Retirement System is going out of
existence.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve the FY 2000 Budget Policy
Statement as amended by William Duffy as well as the understanding that Appendix A will be amended
to be more accurate; vote approved 5 — 0.
The Town Manager stated that the audit report will be presented on November 16, 1998,the CIP on
December 7, 1998 and the FY'00 budget on December 14, 1998.
NEW BUSINESS:
Home Consortium Grant Agreement. The Town Manager stated that the Home Consortium is a funding
source for support of home improvements. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,
to accept the grant agreement; vote approved 5 — 0.
Selectmen Designees to Budget Advisory Group. The Town Manager noted that Keith Mitchell and
David Torrisi are the current designees. David Torrisi suggested that with his election to the legislature
he may be unable to attend all meetings. John Leeman volunteered to be the designee. William Duffy
made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the appointment of John Leeman to the
Budget Advisory Group; vote approved 5 — 0.
Selectmen Designees for Town Manager Evaluation Reports. Keith Mitchell said that he has most of the
evaluations back and would like to go over the results with the Town Manager in a subcommittee format
and then in an Executive Session. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to
appoint Keith Mitchell and David Torrisi as the Selectmen designees for Town Manager evaluation; vote
approved 5 — 0.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Traffic and Speed in Old Center. William Duffy noted that he observed an accident in the Center, and he
believes that it is urgent to expedite matters. Keith Mitchell said that everyone will not get what they
want. David Torrisi said that one partial solution would be to have more police monitoring in the area.
Board of Selectmen Minutes November 9, 1998 Page 3
The Town Manager said he does have a draft of the scope of services for traffic assessment and will
review with the Board.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into
executive session to discuss collective bargaining regarding the firefighters contract;vote approved 5 — 0.
Ann M. Keating
Acting Secretary John R. Leeman, Jr., Clerk of the Board