BOARD OF SELECTMEN

February 22, 2005

MEETING MINUTES

Present:  Bonnie Phaneuf, William Christensen, Janice Conlin, Town Administrator

Absent:  Roger Challen

The meeting convened at 5:00 P.M. in the McAuliffe Hearing Room.

 

SEIU meeting:  Dawn Michanowicz spoke on behalf of the Union, joined by Richard Mattioli.  Members feel their concerns have not been heard and had questions regarding the contract, following 18 months of negotiations.  The members thought retroactive pay would have been disbursed by now.

 

Richard Mattioli asked why are we having a special town meeting and not funding through the reserve fund?  Labor counsel said it should be ratified by TM to be binding.  If town meeting votes it down, the contract must be re-negotiated [Mr. Christensen said he would support it and hoped it would pass].  Mrs. Conlin said if year 1 is not funded, the following years could be in jeopardy.  The Town is obligated to fund in the ensuing years if Year 1 is funded.  MS. Weston, SEIU agent, was told by labor counsel that to incorporate the MOA [memorandum of agreement] into the existing contract, he was waiting until after town meeting to finish this.  The Board of Selectmen wants it to be signed before town meeting.  They also asked if the MOA could be signed after town meeting, and the main contract before?  Mr. Christensen said the reserve fund isn’t the appropriate way to fund these increases. 

 

Ms. Michanowicz asked why Article 5 of the annual town meeting is needed?  Mrs. Conlin noted that to isolate the funding in the warrant article, it is simpler to reduce this by taking action on an article instead of lowering every budget by a certain amount [if the article did not pass].  It was noted that the decrease in health insurance budget will be a savings every year.  It was also noted that if the special town meeting votes yes, but the annual votes no, the department head will have to find the funding within their budget [this could potentially mean layoffs or a reduction in hours]. Mrs. Conlin explained that Mrs. Phaneuf would transfer the funds from the article before July 1st into the department salary lines.

 

Conservation Administrator:  The Board unanimously approved $18.06 per hour as a starting rate for Beth Rosenblum.  Ms. Rosenblum will attend her first meeting on March 3 and report to the Town House on March 14, 2005.

 

Buildings & Grounds FY2006 budget

·          Tractor:  if approved, the reduction will come off the budget and will show a savings in future years. If we postpone purchase of the tractor, that means funding another $30,000 in grounds maintenance services.  If we have an override for tractor, employee, extra mower [they need to all be approved].  Exclusion for the tractor, budget override for employee and extra mower.    Need a chart that demonstrates how the financing of different options. 

·          Capital Budget:  they want to merge all maintenance monies in one article.  This would eliminate the article Mr. Diaz carries for town house maintenance.  If he had a lump sum, it would be easier to manage and transfer as he deems necessary.  This would mean reducing the maintenance lines in some budgets for other town facilities.

·          Custodians: Town custodians cannot fill in for school custodians.

·          New employees:  they will not work more than 19 ½ hours per week, and will not be benefits eligible.

·          Choate Fund:  used by Recreation to offset/purchase items above and beyond their budget.  Can this funding be used to compensate for the budget reductions?

·          Arts Center:  The Town does not fund any costs for this building.  They consult Mr. Diaz as needed.  From a liability perspective, Mr. Diaz should be more involved in the maintenance of the building.

·          Electrician:  If approved, this employee could handle tasks such as the fire alarm inspections, etc for both town and school.  Mr. Christensen will discuss this with the school committee the benefits of a town employee on hand for such tasks.

·          Heating at Cordaville Hall:  Did not budget for the elderly clientele which require a warmer building than most.

·          Mr. Christensen suggested a web based program to control all town buildings from one site.  Yankee is the firm used by the school department.  Mr. Diaz is exploring this.

·          The Board discussed how the Facilities and Youth departments could better utilize the office space they need, including the potential of using the lower level at Cordaville Hall.  Would Chapel of the Cross be amenable to the Town using portions of this space?  Mr. Diaz said he could make efficient use of Station 2.  He needs office, shop and storage space.  Mr. Diaz will make a report on costs to upgrade Station 2 to make it code compliant.  At a minimum, it could be used for warehouse storage and workshop space.

 

254

$2,093,158.52

02/25/05

TOWN PAYABLES/ALGONQUIN

255

$379,685.89

02/25/05

SCHOOL PAYROLL

256

$76,258.86

02/23/05

TOWN PAYROLL

257

$22,420.89

02/23/05

FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL

258

$4,759.38

02/23/05

MONTHLY TOWN PAYROLL

259

$198,507.02

02/23/05

DEDUCTION REPORT

260

$794.29

02/25/05

NEXTEL

TOTAL

$2,775,584.85

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Vanessa D. Hale, Assistant Town Administrator