BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

August 16, 2006

MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM

Present: Roger Challen, Chairman; Bill Boland, Bonnie Phaneuf and Jean Kitchen, Town Administrator.

 

The Board opened the meeting at 6 p.m. and immediately entered Executive Session by roll call vote.  The Board reconvened open session at 7:40 p.m. 

 

1 Cordaville Rd: After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Town Counsel, Vera Kolias and Brian Ballantine to sign the Purchase and Sales agreement and to transfer the property at 1 Cordaville Rd. to the Housing Authority.

 

65 Southville Rd: Peter Johnson, Building Inspector, advised the Board of the process necessary to demolish the building.  He has received quotes ranging from $9,000 to $14,460 for demolition.  It was decided that he should wait, as the building is in no immediate danger of collapsing, and appropriate funding at the fall town meeting.

 

Petition by Teleport Communications Boston (TCB) for placement of conduits along Northboro Rd: Joe Agresta explained the nature of the work to be done.  Mr. Boland was concerned about digging up a road that was in good condition and what the condition would be when the work was done.  The Board felt that the road should be repaved when the work is done.  The Board voted unanimously to continue the public hearing by TCB to the Sept. 5, 2006 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in order for TCB to report back to the Board what additional work they could assume.

 

Women’s Veteran’s Park: Irene Tibert and Lisa Braccio presented their ideas for a Female Veteran’s Memorial Park.  The Board were supportive of the project but suggested that Ms. Tibert and Ms. Braccio wait on deciding on a parcel of land until the design process was completed for the renovations of Main Street.  The Board felt that a parcel more appropriate may become available after the Main Street project is complete.

 

Board of Selectmen – Goals and Objectives:  Ms. Kitchen suggested that the Board may benefit from an off-site workshop.  They tentatively agreed on holding the workshop on the last Monday and Thursday of September.

 

Other Business

Bond Vote:  The Board unanimously voted to execute bond documents, in the amount of $5,420,000, to mature on 12/1/06 and to convert to long term with an interest rate of 3.674%.

 

Eminent Domain:  The Board voted unanimously to take, by eminent domain, a parcel of property owned by Paul C. Smith and Holly L. Smith, Trustees of the Smith Family Trust.  The property consists of 285 sq. ft. and is designated as Assessors Map 8 Parcel 109.

 

 

Personal Rates

Paul Cibelli, Principal Assessor and Patrice Kline, Administrative Assistant, presented their case for a 1% personal rate for Phyllis Auricchio and a 2% personal rate for Patrice Kline.  Mr. Challen and Mr. Boland did not agree with the need for personal rates while Mrs. Phaneuf was in agreement.  The motion failed.   

 

Mr. Challen stated the board has not been in favor of personal rates and felt the economic state of town does not merit it. Mr. Cibelli cited efforts over last two years for single property valuation [data entry, calls, mailings] which brought $29,000 in savings on contract work.  Ms. Kline did the majority of the work with Mrs. Aurrichio.  Mr. Boland met with Mr. Cibelli and said he makes a compelling case for the town’s cost savings. His position stems from the contract language; he agrees the employees have been maxed out for some time but does not support the theory of the personal rate system.  He also noted 58% of SEIU is in the same position.  He may have considered it more if she weren’t getting anything at all but has received cost of living adjustments. 

 

Mrs. Phaneuf commented the Board is being asked to acknowledge performance of these employees.  Mrs. Phaneuf supports both requests.  Mr. Challen does not and would rather see a structure in the contract that allows for a one time award or “bonus.”  Mr. Boland wishes to stay within the confines of the contract language.  The Board was questioned why they signed a contract that included this provision if they wouldn’t approve it.  Mrs. Phaneuf made a motion to support these requests, Mr. Boland and Mr. Challen did not second the motion and the request failed.     

 

The request for merit increases for Staff Librarians Patricia Ellis and Heidi Lindsey were tabled to the meeting of September 5, 2006.

 

Consent Agenda

The Board voted unanimously to:

 

Other Business

The Board voted unanimously to appoint Richard Rock to the Tree Warden position with a term to expire June 30, 2009, and with a stipend of $2,600 per year.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

 

 

WARRANTS

11

$548,351.27

7/28/06

TOWN PAYABLES

12

$3,760.98

7/28/06

SCHOOL CAFETERIA

13

$21.08

7/28/06

VERIZON SELECT-SCHOOL FY06 ENCUM.

14

$27,858.00

7/28/06

SCHOOL PAYABLES

15

$227,201.06

7/28/06

SCHOOL SUMMER SALARIES

16

$89,805.43

7/28/06

SCHOOL PAYROLL

17

$87,963.35

7/26/06

TOWN PAYROLL

18

$24,835.21

7/26/06

FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL

19

$3,500.00

7/26/06

MONTHLY TOWN PAYROLL

TOTAL

$1,013,296.38

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary H. Lowell

Recording Secretary