HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MAY 5, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Steven's Memorial Library.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart;
Mark J.T. Caggiano; Wendy Wakeman; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Executive Session to discuss
pending litigation on Campion Hall and Collective Bargaining. The Board would return to Open Session at 7:30
PM. Vote approved 5-0.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Vote: Wendy
Wakeman yes; Donald Stewart yes; Mark Caggiano yes; James Xenakis yes; Rosemary Smedile yes. Vote
approved 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve the minutes of March 31, 2003,
Open and Executive Sessions; April 7, 2003, Open and Executive Sessions; April 14, 2003, Open Session; and
April 22, 2003, Open Session. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Town Wide Clean-Up Day Recognition.
The Town Manager commended Tina Klein, chairman or the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the DPW and the
250 volunteers who participated in the Earth Day Cleanup. The Town Manager asked the Board to consider
sending thank you letters to these groups for their work and efforts on behalf of the Town.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to send thank you letters to participants.
Vote approved 5-0.
Booster Club Little League Opening Day Ceremony.
Booster Club Little League sent an invitation to the Board of Selectmen to attend Opening Day at Hayes Stadium,
on May 10, 2003 at 12:30 PM. Tom McEvoy will be honored at the opening ceremony.
Community Preservation Committee—Felipe Schwarz.
The Town Manager asked the Board to consider appointing Felipe Schwarz, a member of the now defunct Open
Space Committee, to the Community Preservation Committee as an interim Board of Selectmen appointee.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to appoint Felipe Schwarz as interim Board of
Selectmen appointee to the Community Preservation Committee. Vote approved 5-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to move into licensing. Vote approved 5-0.
Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street—One-Day Liquor License.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve the following one-day licenses.
Vote approved 5-0.
1. Pamela Swarbrick, Palm Inc. BBQ, May 9, 2003, 12:30 PM —4:30 PM — Beer and Wine Only.
2. Julia Stitson, Mother's Day Brunch, May 11, 2003, 11:00 AM —3:00 PM— Beer and Wine Only.
3. Carly Baker Wedding Reception, May 17, 2003, 5:30 PM — 10:30 PM—All Alcohol.
Board of Selectmen Minutes May 5, 2003 2
Transfer of Liquor License, 733 Turnpike Street.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve the transfer of a liquor license from
Jasmine Restaurant, 733 Turnpike Street, to Wong Choi Inc. d.b.a. Jade Abacus, Dong Nguyen, Manager.
Vote approved 5-0.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to move out of licensing. Vote approved 5-0.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Memorial Day Parade Route.
Wendy Wakeman made a Motion, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the request by Edward Mitchell,
Director of Veterans Services, for changing the parade route and the help of the Police Department for blocking
off the appropriate roads temporarily to accommodate the parade. Vote approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
FY03 Third Quarter Financial Report.
Town Accountant Lyne Savage reviewed the budget status reports for revenue and expenses for the third quarter
ending March 31, 2003. As an aggregate, the revenues are all within or above the target percentage of 75%. Ms.
Savage pointed out some concerns on a few revenue estimates that are running slightly lower than the target:
Lien Certificates, Tax Title Account, Payment in Lieu, and Ambulance Service Fees. Other revenue sources such
as Building Permits and Interest Income are coming in at higher than projected levels and could offset any
potential short fall in the revenues. In reviewing expenses, several line items may result in deficits come the end
of June. At Town Meeting on May 12, the Town Manager may request transfers from the General Fund Budget to
absorb these deficits.
Preparation for May 12th Town Meeting.
The Town Manager reviewed some additional information on Warrant Article 12, General Fund Appropriation,
FY04. After the Mass House Ways and Means Committee released their FY04 budget, with budget cuts of 20%,
the Finance Committee, School Committee and Board of Selectmen met to discuss an additional $724,601
shortfall that was not anticipated.
The Finance Committee's recommendation was a figure somewhere in the middle of the Governor's budget and
the House Ways and Means budget, for a shortfall of $474,201.
The Town Manager recommended that any additional budget reductions be allocated between the School and
Municipal operations on a 2/3 school, 1/3 municipal, based on the relative size of the respective operating
budgets. The Town Manager provided the Board with four options for consideration based on cuts of 15%to 20%
in state aid. He recommended an option, which assumes a 15% cut in state aid, resulting in $250K less for the
Town.
Selectman Xenakis said that the cuts were not fair and all departments were not treated equally with distribution
of funds. He stated that the rate of increase for the school department has been far more than the municipal
department over the last three years. This trend has caused municipal departments to be staffed at bare
minimums and more cuts to Police and Fire Departments would devastate safety services to the Town. The Town
is in a mess with the House Ways and Means budget because our Town funds are well over foundation, where
most other communities don't and our Town is being penalized for this. If the Town reduces services any deeper
it would revert to levels back in the 1970's.
Selectman Wakeman agreed with him saying that the Town has been more than generous to the school
department's budget in previous years and also in this forthcoming year. But this is not the time to change things
now and the fair thing to do is to go forward.
Mike Bierne, President of the Fire Fighters Union asked that before the Selectmen made a motion on cutting any
positions within the Fire Department to discuss this with the Union.
Board of Selectmen Minutes May 5, 2003 3
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to accept the Manager's recommendations
outlined in Option #1, a total of NJ=in further adjustments to the budget recommendation at Town Meeting
on May 12, 2003. Vote approved 4-1. James Xenakis opposed.
The Town Manager explained Warrant Article#9 adjustments to the FY03 fiscal budget regarding a transfer of
funds to take care of the employee health insurance deficit. The Finance Committee voted not to recommend
transferring money from the stabilization fund to address the anticipated FY03 health insurance deficit, but to
transfer$305,000 from Free Cash. Therefore, I recommend the Board accept the Finance Committee's
recommendation.
Warrant Article#9 Amend General Fund Budget, FY03.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to AMEND Warrant Article#9 and concur with
the Finance Committee's recommendation of adjustments to transfer$305,000 from Free Cash to cover deficits.
Vote approved 5-0.
Warrant Article#11 Prior Year Bills.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to recommend favorable action on Article 11.
Vote approved 5-0.
Warrant Article#13 Capital Improvement Plan Appropriation Fiscal Year 2004.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to recommend favorable action with
modification on Article 13. Vote approved 5-0.
Warrant Article#15 Water Enterprise Fund Appropriation, FY04.
Warrant Article#16 Sewer Enterprise Fund Appropriation, FY04.
Warrant Article#17 Stevens Estate Enterprise Fund Appropriation, FY04.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to recommend favorable action with
modification on Articles 15, 16, and 17. Vote approved 5-0.
Warrant Article#34 Authorization to Lease Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to recommend NO Action on Article 34.
Vote approved 5-0.
Sam Ameen, 33 Coventry Lane, had a question concerning what action the Town is taking about reducing the
high cost of employee health insurance.
The Town Manager said that the Town is doing two things. The Town is advocating to State Legislators to make
changes in the state law that would require municipal employees to pay an increased percentage toward their
health insurance cost. Also two or three months ago the Town initiated meetings with the employee Insurance
Advisory Committee and presented various options to reduce health insurance. All 16 Town Unions would have
to agree in order to adopt any changes to the present plans. This could be a potential savings of$400,000 for the
Town.
Massachusetts Producer Take Back Campaign.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to support the Massachusetts Producer Take
Back Campaign to manage discarded computers and CRT's. After discussion, the vote failed 2-3. Wendy
Wakeman, James Xenakis and Donald Stewart Opposed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Bathing Beach Fees.
Richard Gorman was not in attendance to address the Board regarding the recommended Stevens Pond Fees.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to TABLE this business to a future meeting.
Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes May 5, 2003 4
Lake Cochichewick Water Withdrawal Permit.
William Hmurciak, Director of Public Works provided a report from the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection. A permit has been issued for surface water withdrawal from Lake Cochichewick. The
report suggests that the Town begin planning a process for an additional water source during the next twenty-year
permitting period, which begins December 1, 2024.
Selectman Xenakis asked Mr. Hmurciak to provide the Board with the Water Watch report on a monthly basis.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
TOWN MANAGER'S COMMENTS
On Tuesday, April 29, 2003, Bill Hmurciak, Keith Mitchell and the Town Manager met officials with Mass Highway
to discuss the Old Center Traffic Improvement project. There will be a follow up meeting at Senator Baddour's
office with the Mass Highway Commissioner on Monday, May 5, 2003
Chairman Smedile and the Town Manager will be meeting with the Headmaster of Brooks School this Friday, May
9, 2003, to discuss town-school relationships. A similar meeting with Merrimack College is scheduled to take
place on May 18, 2003 after their commencement exercises.
ADJOURNMENT:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM.
Vote approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board