HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: Keith Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman; John R. Leeman, Jr.;
Donald B. Stewart; James M. Xenakis; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager; (William B. Duffy, Jr. not
present).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the Minutes of
September 27, 1999 (Executive and Open Session); vote approved 4— 0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident Comment. Mrs. Fink gave a list of towns and the percentage of education funding to the
Chairman of the Board.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move into Licensing; vote approved 4—
0.
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church— Church Bazaar. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by
Keith Mitchell,to approve two one-day beer and wine licenses for a Church Bazaar at Jaffarian Hall on
October 15th and 16th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; vote approved 4— 0.
One-Day Alcohol Licenses. Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill, 723 Osgood Street,
requests the following one-day liquor licenses:
Foster Rehearsal Dinner October 8, 1999 7:00 p.m. — 11:00 p.m. beer and wine
Martin Wedding October 9, 1999 12:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. all alcohol
Differ Halloween Party October 10, 1999 7:00 p.m. — 12:30 a.m. all alcohol
John Leeman made a MOTION seconded by Keith Mitchell,to approve the above one-day liquor
licenses; vote approved 4— 0.
Den Rock Liquors. Donald Stewart stated that Den Rock Liquors has a liquor license that is inactive and
the matter should be addressed.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to send a letter to the owner of the license
stating that the status of this license will be examined for renewal and he should meet with the Selectmen
to discuss this; vote approved 4— 0.
Handicapped Issues. Donald Stewart said that there are still some establishments that have not complied
with ADA requirements. These issues will be addressed with license renewals.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move out of Licensing; vote approved 4
— 0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes October 5, 1999 Page 2
OLD BUSINESS:
FY 2000 Budget:
The Town Manager reviewed these trends from FY 1995 through FY 1999. He stated the official results
for FY 1999 will be given to the Board within the next week or two.
He said that in 1995 there was an unreserved fund balance that was slightly negative. In 1996 there were
significant surpluses in a couple of key areas. This was due largely to the Edgewood Retirement
Community and a large surplus in Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. Since that time the Town has seen the
fund balance reduced.
He said the auditors have frequently commented on the payroll accrual. In 1995 there was a$250,000
payroll accrual which was rolled over from a previous fiscal year. In 1998 it was reduced to $150,000
and in the preliminary report this has been eliminated.
He stated that a Health Claim Trust Fund was created in 1998 and when this was accounted for separate
from the General fund the deficit has been reduced to approximately$34,000.
He further said that in FY 1999 there is a revenue deficit of$208,000.
In FY 1996 there was a significant income growth from Edgewood Retirement. This one time event was
rolled into a prediction for the following year. As a result of this, a deficit was realized in FY 1997. In
FY 1997 there was a large surplus in investment income that offset the building permit deficit. The
investment income was built into the 1998 budget but less income was realized.
The Town Manager said there was a mixed bag in both water and sewer receipts.
He concluded by saying that the trend analysis showed a history of relying on revenue sources that are not
predictable or sustainable.
John Leeman asked if these decisions were conscious decisions. The Town Manager felt that there was
too much attention paid to the total instead of individual components. Michael Garron, Finance
Committee, said that the Committee never looked at a number of years in setting the budget but only the
prior year.
The Town Manager stated that the revised total revenue for FY 1999 is $46,653,980 with a resulting
reduction of$159,981. This included reductions in taxes as a result of growth, reduced local receipts and
eliminating a Chapter 90 transfer. Additions since May include NESWC Tip Fee assistance and FY
1999 supplemental Lottery revenue. He also said there are two additional amounts to be raised, one is a
snow and ice deficit of$268, 546 and a net General Fund revenue deficit of$160,000. This increases the
projected shortfall in FY 2000 to $588,527. There is a possibility that other state funds could help to
reduce the deficit, but other options must be explored in order to reduce appropriations.
The Town Manager said the Charter provides that in order to call a Special Town meeting,the earliest
date would be November 22, 1999 and the latest would be December 6, 1999.
The Town Manager reviewed the water and sewer sources and uses summary and the potential revisions
for FY 2000. In the Water Enterprise Fund, revenue has been reduced by$113,511 and expenditures
have been reduced by$113, 769. In the Sewer Enterprise Fund, revenue is reduced by$146,804 and
expenditures are reduced by$147,000.
Board of Selectmen Minutes October 5, 1999 Page 3
Water and Sewer Rates, Fixed Assets and System Development Charge Stud . The Town Manager said
an RFP was issued and two proposals were received. He stated that the proposal that was chosen was
submitted by Consultants to Management. The proposal is divided into three sections: 1.
Recommendation on rate options; 2. Inventory of fixed assets; and, 3. Study of what the true system
development charge should be for new developments.
Keith Mitchell said that in deference to Selectman Duffy,the vote should be postponed until
October 12, 1999.
Old Center Traffic Study— Short-Term Recommendations. Sergeant Fred Soucy, Traffic Safety Officer,
said the Old Center Traffic Committee has agreed upon a number of short-term recommendations
(attached).
Donald Stewart said that wherever crosswalks are installed,the curbing must be removed to comply with
ADA Regulations.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the short-term
recommendations with Donald Stewart's amendment that all crosswalks meet ADA Regulations; vote
approved 4— 0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust Borrowing. The Town Manager said this is a legal
certificate that was overlooked at the time the Board approved the borrowing and asked for approval.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve the MWPAT; vote approved 4—
0.
Policy—Board of Selectmen Role in Litigation and Settlement Decision. The Town Manager said that
he and Town Counsel met to discuss Selectman Duffy's proposed policy. In general it is fine but there
could be difficulties meeting the specifics. He said at the October 12, 1999,meeting a quarterly report
would be given to the Selectmen highlighting the nature of the dispute in each case and status.
Settlement of Claim—JRJ Construction. The Town Manager stated this was a claim by a subcontractor
on the Middle School project and has been mediated.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the settlement; vote approved 4
— 0.
Wheelabrator. The Town Manager referred to an article in the Eagle Tribune. This article indicated that
Wheelabrator will be involved in a law suit to overturn the State mercury standard. The draft letter to
Richard Filago at Wheelabrator states that they have already agreed to comply with the State law.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to send this letter to Richard Filago; vote
approved 4— 0.
ADJOURNMENT: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to adjourn the
meeting at 8:45 p.m.; vote approved 4— 0.
Ann M. Keating
Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board