BOARD OF SELECTMEN

DECEMBER 6, 2005

MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM

Present:  William Christensen, Chairman; Roger Challen, Bonnie Phaneuf, Janice Conlin, Town Administrator, Vanessa Hale, Assistant Town Administrator.

2006 Annual Licenses:  Liquor, Common Victualler, Entertainment and Class I and II Licenses were discussed and approved unanimously.  The Board signed all the 2006 licenses. 

Cable Committee:  Committee has been in negotiations with Verizon to offer service inside Southborough.  The Board endorsed a waiver which Verizon requires to avoid a national advertisement.  This request was deemed reasonable by the Board and the sample letter and legal advertisement were approved.   

Video Broadcasting System: The committee then discussed televising public meetings held in the McAuliffe hearing room and asked the Board to award a bid to “Access AV.”    The meetings will be filmed using volunteers.  The timeline will be to negotiate a contract and start filming public meetings early this spring.  The Board voted unanimously to award the contract for a video broadcast system to Access AV of Concord, NH for $19,985. 

ZBA appointment:  The Board met with candidates to fill the seat of Thomas Starr, a term to expire on June 30, 2006.  Current alternates, Sam Stivers and Regina McAuliffe both wished to be appointed as a regular member.  The Board felt they did not need to re-interview Mr. Stivers, Mr. Estella or Mrs. McAuliffe.  The Board did meet with Mr. Lundberg.  He has lived here for one year, and is from Northborough, he is a non-practicing attorney, has bought an area business, was a clerk on state Supreme Court [the final stop for all appeals] while briefing judges on these issues, and possesses an analytical ability when it comes to zoning due to his skill set.  He reinforced the need for constant balancing between development and adhering to the rules the town has set forth.    He has the time and expertise and would like to volunteer.  Mrs. Phaneuf motioned to appoint Mr. Stivers as a regular member.  This vote was unanimous.  Due to the vacancy of Mr. Stivers, an alternate seat has become vacant.    Mrs. Phaneuf motioned to appoint Mr. Estella, he’s very dedicated and has been before the board 3 times for appointment.   Mr. Estella stated he would like to see Mr. Leonard volunteer in another capacity.  Mr. Challen stated it would be a loss to lose Mr. Estella’s efforts on the committees he currently serves and feels he deserves this appointment.  Those words were echoed by Mr. Christensen.  Mr. Estella was appointed unanimously to fill the seat of Mr. Stivers.  Mrs. Phaneuf asked if Mr. Lundberg would review the DCR document with Recreation which needs to be re-negotiated.

FY07 Budgets

Fire:  Mrs. Phaneuf recused herself for the salary discussion and moved to the rear of the room.  The following discussion ensued.

• Increased 7.89% , 88% is per union contract, mostly personal service items
• Personnel is 89% of the budget
• Energy and maintenance increased somewhat
• Office supplies-using more paper, cartridges
• Dues increase for professional association
• Decreases:  EMT stipend, in state travel, food service, etc
• $260,000 in OT, straight time is $930,000.  Cannot cover all shifts with current staffing which is why OT is required.  What does it take to cover all shifts with straight time?  $152,000 is scheduled OT [leave coverage].  How many people are allowed to take vacation per shift?  This point should be made during next negotiation session in FY07.  Mr. Christensen sees scheduled overtime purely as understaffing. 
• Mrs. Conlin asked that utilities be broken down further
• Mr. Christensen suggested that OT be reduced by $20,000
• Repairs cannot be done in house by the DPW mechanic on fire apparatus
• The Board suggested the Fire budget be revisited at a later date
• Capital projects:  would like to replace the 1999 Chevy pick-up truck with a F-350 [only vehicle that can tow certain equipment] Can he find a used vehicle? 
• Discussion of purchasing a container to house seasonal equipment to make more room in the Fire Department bay-Mrs. Phaneuf wants the antique cruiser moved out of the garage to make more room since its owned by the Police Association

Board of Selectmen:  The Board discussed changes to this budget, many of which revolve around who is appointed as the next town administrator.  The Board level funded the administrator’s salary since they don’t have a final candidate yet.  After discussing the proposal for a recording secretary in the FY07 budget, the Board agreed to ask Advisory for $1,500 to implement this change now.  

Other Operations:

• Add FY05 Request data and get YTD expenditure reports to attach
• Bonnie wants to know what percent of the budget has been spent thus far. 

Legal:  This budget was level funded.  Town Counsel has asked for a rate increase.  

Regular Business

Acting Superintendent:  Mrs. Conlin read into the record a legal opinion dealing with extending the appointment of Karen Galligan as Acting Superintendent of DPW beyond three months.  This opinion referred this issue back to the Board of Selectmen under their appointing authority.  Mrs. Phaneuf moved to extend this appointment to June 30, 2006 or until a permanent appointment is made.  Motion approved unanimously.   

Reserve Fund Transfer:  Ms. Hale discussed a request for $12,905 for fees relating to the recruitment of town administrator.  An RFP has been issued for an assessment center; this cost will be known by mid December.  Other costs included in this total are advertising, a pre-employment physical and other miscellaneous fees.  The Board stated their support for this transfer.  This will not be discussed by Advisory until early January. 

Warrant:  The Board voted to open the special town meeting warrant and close it on December 13, 2005; the warrant will be signed on December 20, 2005.  Send notification to the newspaper and post on cable and the web site. 

Other Items of Discussion

Lift Bus license:  The Board acknowledge receipt of the letter and tabled this matter for further review. 

Chapel property:  The Board was notified the Bishop’s Conference may be vacating this space which is adjacent to Cordaville Hall.  He could take new space if we would pay him $3,500 for office, furniture and copier.  Can it be used for public space if there is no bathroom? Basilio will contact him and ask for all items to be itemized so a true cost can be understood.  Move to purchase furniture and equipment at the annex if he vacates the premises no later than January 1, 2006.  We will send an informational letter to Advisory.   The motion was approved unanimously. 

Other Business

• The Board reviewed questions received from the CPC Committee for their hearing on December 8 which shall deal with the Chestnut Hill Farm request.
• The Board voted by roll call to enter Executive Session at 11:15 p.m. with no intention of returning to open session.      

151	$107,752.44	12/9/05	TOWN PAYABLES
152	$38,818.20	12/9/05	DEDUCTION REPORT
153	$90,474.73	12/7/05	FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL
154	$81,261.98	12/7/05	TOWN PAYROLL
TOTAL	$318,307.35

Respectfully submitted,

Vanessa D. Hale, Assistant Town Administrator