BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 7, 2006

MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM

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

 

The Board opened the meeting at 7 p.m. and voted unanimously, buy roll call, to enter Executive Session to discuss real property and contract negotiations.  The Board entered open session at 8:24 p.m.

 

Interviews for Municipal Facilities Committee: The Board invited the candidates to come forward and express their reasons for wanting to serve on the Committee.

 

Mr. Michael N. Hartnett, 20 General Henry Knox Rd, stated that while he has no experience as a building contractor he has many years of experience in bridge and highway construction.  He is currently an on-site construction foreman for Mass Highway and has many years experience working with contractors and construction contracts.  On questioning from the Board he stated that the biggest challenge will be Fayville Hall and expansion projects in general, because of opposition from residents.  He understands architectural plans and deals daily with specifications for contracts. 

 

William Harrington, 4 Richards Rd, stated he is interested in what the committee is doing.  He runs his own business and helped design a 100,000 s.f. building.  He is on the renovation committee of the Pilgrim Church.  He has no construction license but has done some construction and carpentry work.  He said that a challenge will be Cordaville and Fayville Halls.  He is available for meetings and would like to help the committee in any way he can.

 

Mr. Christensen commented that a permanent building committee might be a better way to oversee contractors and construction.  Mrs. Phaneuf felt that they should discuss that with the Municipal Facilities Committee and see if the committee can be expanded.  Mr. Challen stated that he would like to hear from the committee before making a decision.  Vera Kolias, Town Planner, was asked to poll the Municipal Facilities Committee.  Ms. Kolias informed the Board that all committee member terms end in June and that one member will not be seeking re-appointment.   Mr. Christensen suggested that they make an appointment for the current position and consider recommendations for future vacancies.  Mrs. Phaneuf commented that the committee needed to be expanded to handle the volume of work.  Mr. Challen made a motion to appoint Mr. Hartnett to the Municipal Facilities Committee, with a term to expire on June 30th, 2006.  The motion was approved unanimously. 

 

Regular Business

The Board approved the minutes of the January 3, 2006 meeting, 2-0; Mrs. Phaneuf abstained. 

 

Merit increase for Beth Rosenblum, Conservation Administrator: The Board feels that she is a valuable employee and appreciate her efforts but felt that a 5% increase was too much at this time, on top of a 3% increase in July.  This is an increase of .59 cents and will bring her hourly salary to $20.03, effective March 3rd, 2006.  The Board unanimously voted the 3% increase.

 

Grade promotion for Tamara Hadley, Town Clerk’s Department:  This item was tabled to a future meeting as the Board felt that they did not have sufficient information at this time.

 

Sign contractor authorized Signatory Listing for State Contracts:  This is required for Chestnut Hill Farm CR Purchase.  Ms. Kolias informed the Board that this was the final document to be signed for the grant.  It was voted unanimously to designate Janice Conlin, Town Administrator; Roger Challen and Bonnie Phaneuf as signatories.  Mr. Christensen signed the document.  

Ms. Kolias asked if the Board would sign a $4,500 contract for the open space plan for the Conway School.  Mr. Christensen felt that they should have Town Counsel look over the contract before they sign.  It was moved and voted unanimously to have Mr. Christensen sign the contract at a later time, if Town Counsel so advised.

 

Mail Received

The Advisory Committee requested a meeting.  Mrs. Conlin will arrange a meeting.

 

Other Business

Mrs. Conlin mentioned that the Cingular representative was asking that they sign a commitment before they could see a contract regarding the communications flagpole.  The Board felt that a 5 year contract at the current price was still on the table.  The representative had refused this previously but had not made a counter offer.   They felt that he should either accept this or terminate discussions.

 

Mrs. Phaneuf felt that the Board’s Town Report should be revised to list Vera Kolias, Town Planner.  She also felt that they should thank the department heads for their assistance.

 

Mrs. Phaneuf questioned the process for selecting a new Town Administrator.  She strongly suggested that acknowledgements be sent to all applicants.  Mr. Christensen noted that it should be a policy of Town Hall to acknowledge receipt of applications.  Mr. Challen suggested that it could be done by email, if an email address was provided on the application.

 

Mr. Christensen received a request to attach a sign, to the existing signs, to acknowledge the 2005 Algonquin soccer champions.  He suggested that the requestor be notified that the Board was thinking of setting a time limit on posted signs.  He also felt that the positioning of the sign should be coordinated with the DPW.

 

There was some discussion on recapturing funds from prior town meeting articles.  They felt department heads should be asked to justify why unused funds shouldn’t be recaptured.

 

WARRANTS

210

$153,515.92

2/10/06

TOWN PAYABLES

211

$200.00

2/8/06

MONTHLY TOWN PAYROLL

212

$23,341.18

2/8/06

FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL

213

$80,338.23

2/8/06

TOWN PAYROLL

214

$395,310.59

2/10/06

SCHOOL PAYROLL

TOTAL

$652,705.92

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary H. Lowell, Recording Secretary