BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
October 10, 2006
MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM
Present: Roger Challen, Chairman; Bill Boland, Bonnie Phaneuf, Jean Kitchen, Town Administrator.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and, on a roll call vote, the Board entered into Executive Session. The Board re-entered open session at 6:48 p.m.
Merit increase for Jeanne Survell, Administrative Secretary, Building/ZBA Department. Ms. Survell worked part time and became a full time employee on 7/11/06. At that time she came under the SEIU union contract and her salary increased from $15.12 to $15.57. The Board feels that a 2% increase, at this time, is sufficient since she had already received a 3% increase in July. The Board voted unanimously to approve a 2% merit increase, to an hourly rate of $15.89, effective on Ms. Survell’s anniversary date of 11/14/06.
Cable Committee: Request to appoint Tara Bayko, term to expire June 30, 2007. Ms. Bayko told the Board that although she had worked for Verizon she had nothing to do with cable operations. Her expertise is in Local Area Network (LAN) phone systems. She feels that it is an advantage to have worked for Verizon. The Board voted unanimously to appoint Tara Bayko, 54 Sears Road, to the Cable TV Committee, term to expire June 30, 2007
Review Special Town Meeting Articles. The Board reviewed the attached articles for the Special Town Meeting warrant. Articles 1 through 7, 9, and 11 through 15 were left on the warrant. Chief Webber and Officer Hagen explained Article 6, regarding communication dead spots and the need for new radios. The Board feels that this article should be sponsored by the Police Department and not the Board of Selectmen. Articles 8 and 10 were pulled. Article 15 will be moved to follow Article 12. Article 16 was pulled and will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting. The board discussed that an insurance claim has been filed in an attempt to recover costs associated with damage to the Library HVAC system, Article 11. It was also stated that it might be more appropriate for costs associated with Article 11 be requested from a Reserve Fund Transfer. The board decided to leave Article 11 on the warrant at this time while they wait for a decision on the insurance claim.
Recycling Committee: Pay as You Throw. The Recycling Committee requested the support and advice of the Board in preparation of a warrant article for the spring Town Meeting. It was suggested that they meet with department heads (Health, Conservation, etc) to come up with a proposal, for PAYT, to bring to Town Meeting. Mr. Boland stated he would like to see the Committee work more closely with the DPW and the Public Works Planning Board. He stated he would prefer to give the DPW and PWPB more of an opportunity to increase the town’s recycling rate before considering a PAYT system.
Hearing: Rock Pile in right of way. Mr. David Ekberg, 5 High St, and Karen Galligan, DPW Superintendent, came before the Board to discuss an ongoing issue with a linear pile of rocks on the right of way on High St. Chairman Challen stated that the only two pertinent issues were whether the rock pile encroached on the town right of way, and if so, whether that encroachment created a hazard and thus a public nuisance. Mr. Ekberg maintains that the rock pile is not on the right of way as it is behind the berm. The DPW Superintendent stated the pile is on the right of way as the right of way extends beyond the paved roadway. She further stated that the pile was a danger to snow plows, as the drivers will not be able to see the pile when it is covered with snow. After the clarification of the right of way, Mr. Ekberg admitted the pile was therefore on it. Mr. Ekberg presented photographs of the rock pile covered with snow as evidence that it did not create a hazard. Mr. Boland stated that the photographs actually supported the position of the DPW. After reviewing the information presented to them, the Board unanimously determined the rock pile to be encroaching on the public right of way and to be a public nuisance. They unanimously voted to order Mr. Ekberg, 5 High Street, to remove the rock pile from the right of way and that it be relocated behind the existing stone wall, before November 1, 2006, regardless of weather. If not removed by then, the rocks will become town property and be removed and disposed of by the DPW.
Richard Rock: Grade change request. Ms. Galligan would like a change in grade, for Mr. Rock, from Grade 4 Equipment Operator II P.A. to Grade 5 Supervisor, Step 5. Article 27 of the AFSCME union contract states that a new classification can be created and Article 7 gives the Board of Selectmen the authority to do so, on recommendation of the DPW Superintendent. Mr. Boland feels that Article 5, which says that the classification schedule should be the one used, is contradictory to Article 7. The Board is in agreement that Mr. Rock deserves an increase as he has taken on more responsibilities and is the only one who can operate every piece of equipment. However, they would like to see a job description that actually describes his job before taking action.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Kitchen updated the Board on the regional school financing for the new construction of Algonquin and the matching funds under the Community Preservation Act.
Consent Agenda
The Board voted unanimously to approve the following:
1. The minutes from the September 26, 2006 meeting, as amended.
2. Re-appointment of Theresa E. Stephens, 262 Parkerville Road, to the Southborough Arts Council for a term to expire September 3, 2008.
3. Award RFP for Master Plan Consultant to Vanasse Hangen Brustilin (VHB) – amount not to exceed $64,000.
4. A Halloween parade permit for Southborough Firefighters Association – October 29, 2006.
5. Appointment of Rita Chad, 5 Carolyn Terrace, to the Scholarship Committee, term to expire June 30, 2007.
6. Appointment of Arthur Lamy, 12 Bigelow Road, to the Recycling Committee, term to expire June 30, 2007.
Other Business
The Board voted unanimously to approve the sale of 1 Cordaville Road for $155,000, and to enter into a Purchase and Sales agreement with Southborough Housing Authority.
The review of the goals of the Board of Selectmen was tabled to a future meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 10.23 p.m.
WARRANTS
|
71 |
$1,055.31 |
10/6/06 |
NEXTEL |
|
72 |
$490,920.88 |
10/6/06 |
TWON PAYABLES |
|
73 |
$24,128.58 |
10/4/06 |
FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL |
|
74 |
$81,088.39 |
10/4/06 |
TOWN PAYROLL |
|
75 |
$422,102.96 |
10/6/06 |
SCHOOL PAYROLL |
|
TOTAL |
$1,019,296.12 |
|
|
|
76 |
$193,265.08 |
10/13/06 |
TOWN PAYABLES |
|
77 |
$1,875.59 |
10/13/06 |
VERIZON |
|
78 |
$1,970.20 |
10/13/06 |
VERIZON – VERIZON SELECT |
|
79 |
$244,190.60 |
10/13/06 |
SCHOOL PAYABLES |
|
80 |
$11,078.95 |
10/13/06 |
SCHOOL CAFETERIA |
|
81 |
$25,073.56 |
10/11/06 |
FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL |
|
82 |
$82,835.84 |
10/11/06 |
TOWN PAYROLL |
|
TOTAL |
$560,289.82 |
|
|
Respectfully submitted,
Mary H. Lowell
Recording Secretary