BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 7, 2006

MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM

 

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

 

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 

Senator Pamela Resor:  The Senator feels that there is strong support for local budgets but not enough support for the level of funding proposed for Chapter 70.  They are looking to uncap the lottery and the Town should see an additional $102,000+ from the removal of the lottery cap.  The Senator asked how the Board felt about 40B, 40R and 40S – it was the consensus of the Board that 40R was more for cities with a higher population density.   Mrs. Phaneuf asked about funding for building projects for senior housing and was informed that there is none.  The cost of health care is a big issue for all cities and towns.  There is a way for towns to join the State health care programs but they would have to agree to the same split.  The State has discovered that most towns are resistant to that.    Mr. Boland, of the Advisory Board, asked about rewarding school districts with strong programs for special education students.  The Senator felt that it would be difficult to do merit performance rewarding as it is difficult to measure differences in programs and said that she felt that the State should take over all funding of special education.  Mr. Boland asked about funding for technology in schools and it was suggested that they could go for a PILOT or grant program but that they would be competing against school districts with less access to technology.

 

Anita Hagspiel, National Grid – energy conservation programs:  Ms. Hagspiel gave an overview of the programs offered by National Grid to aid commercial and municipal properties with energy conservation.  She introduced Mr. James Lavoie, who has been working with Basilio Diaz, Ffacilities Manager, on reducing energy costs for the gymnasium at Trottier Middle School.  Mr. Lavoie provided the Board with a copy of the proposal that was approved by the School Committee and signed by the Superintendent of Schools.  The measures taken have decreased the wattage for the gym by 64%.  Mr. Lavoie is now working on a plan for the rest of the school building.

 

At 8:15 p.m. the Board voted unanimously, by roll call, to enter Executive Session to discuss union contracts and real property, and to return to open session at the conclusion of Executive Session.    

 

Regular Business

 

 

The Board approved the following minutes by unanimous vote:

·          December 20, 2005

·          February 14, 2006

·          February 21, 2006

Executive Session

·          February 7, 2006 [not to be released].

 

The Board voted unanimously to appoint Michael Ossatin as Reserve Police Officer; to start at $11.82 per hour with the term expiring on June 30, 2006.

 

Request for Chairman Christensen to sign SBAB Maintenance Agreement for school projects:  Mr. Christensen signed this form. 

 

Award contract for Town Administrator Search Committee consultant services for $8,500.  The Board voted unanimously to award a contract for consulting services to the MMA Consulting Group. 

 

MAIL RECEIVED

Municipal Waste Reduction [PAYT]:  The Board noted receipt of this grant which requires adopting the PAYT program. 

 

Historical Commission:  The Board accepted, with regret, a letter of resignation from Donald Leavitt resigning from Historical Commission.

 

SEIU evaluations:  The Board discussed the evaluation of Cynthia Foster.  The union did not feel this evaluation was handled in a timely manner and asked for a reconsideration.  After a vote to reconsider this employee’s merit increase, the motion failed due to a second. 

 

Public records request:  The Board discussed a request for e-mail correspondence between selectmen. 

 

Department of Conservation & Recreation:  The Board reviewed a letter from DCR forwarding to the town a PILOT payment for $214,591.85.

 

PILOT:  The Board unanimously accepted a payment of $1,329.50 payment from Charter Communications for tax remittance. 

 

 

 

Mail Received

 

 

WARRANTS

234

$28,406.40

3/8/06

FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL

235

$78,943.01

3/8/06

TOWN PAYROLL

236

$434,274.69

3/10/06

TOWN PAYABLES

237

$397,200.51

3/10/06

SCHOOL PAYROLL

TOTAL

$938,824.61

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mary H. Lowell, Recording Secretary