BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OCTOBER 11, 2005
MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM
Present: William Christensen, Chairman; Roger Challen, Bonnie Phaneuf, Janice Conlin, Town Administrator.
Interview for the Scholarship Committee: Jane Giorgio, 153 Main St, was interviewed and appointed to Scholarship Committee, term to expire on June 30, 2008.
Municipal Facilities Committee came before the Board to take action on the first project on the Facilities Plan at the next Town Meeting whether it is a Special this fall or at the Annual Town Meeting in April. Town Planner Vera Kolias hand out a draft article that proposes to appropriate the sum of $375,000 to be used to develop engineering and architectural plans and studies for the renovation and construction of a new municipal facility at Cordaville Hall and to further fund a site feasibility study for the public safety complex as per the 2005 Municipal Facilities Plan. Selectmen Phaneuf suggested that the both projects be in separate articles. $325,000 for Cordaville and $50,000 for feasibility study for Fayville Hall. Then she suggested that the funds for Cordaville hall be increased to $350,000. She would rather the committee return money to the Town than have to go back for additional funds. Mr. Challen suggested that perhaps $325,000 would be adequate since the committee had already increased the amount suggested by the consultant.
A motion was made and seconded to split the proposed article into two articles, one for each project; $350,000 for Cordaville and $50,000 for public safety. Mr. Christensen amended the motion to $325,000 for Cordaville. Amendment passed 2-1. Main motion passed 2-1. Mr. Boland asked whether the design for Fayville Hall could be utilized to save money. The committee would look into that.
Town Administrator Search Committee- A packet including a list of questions, the present job descriptions and other town administrator job descriptions, human resources director job descriptions and a salary survey were given to Selectmen and the committee. The Board then responded to the submitted questions as follows:
1. The Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen is covered by the Town’s liability coverage.
2. The Board prefers that the Town Administrator live in Town but does not require it.
3. The Committee should advertise in the ICMA and MMA newsletter, on the cable and internet and in a local paper.
4. The Board will consider relocation assistance to be determined at a later date.
5. There should be an overlap period of at least a month.
6. The person should be hired on a full time basis (three year contract) and not on an interim bases. They should be informed that a committee is being formed to study the form of government.
7. The Committee will send questions regarding items to be included in the job description to discuss with the Board of Selectmen.
8. The Board of Selectmen would like 2-4 finalists to be interviewed by them.
9. The Board is in favor of investigating an assessment center for the hiring process.
10. The Board would like a training session on the do’s and don’ts of interviewing.
11. The minimum qualifications need to be determined.
12. The salary range will be $85,000-115,000.
13. Town Department Heads should be part of the hiring process.
14. The employee contract will be negotiated by the Selectmen with the assistance of counsel.
15. The Committee will ask for prior performance reviews and typical work product.
Public Comment
Peter Bemis appeared on behalf of Joseph Tassia, owner of 35 Ted Lane. He submitted a letter dated October 7, 2005. In that letter, he states that he would like to discuss with the Board the current policy with regard to building permit applications. He stated that there was a recent ZBA decision on 17 White Bagley Road that he felt brought closure to the “new reading” of frontage. He does not understand why the Building Inspector continues to seek Town Counsel’s opinion. It appears to him also that the Board of Selectmen is endorsing that policy. He also pointed out that Mr. Tassia’s application has been held and not acted on for more than 60 days. He knows his legal recourse his to appeal to the Zoning Board but he does not want to do that due to the added administrative time.
Building Inspector Peter Johnson was present. He stated that each application is site specific. An application may be similar to another but have different issues that are not identically the same.
It was made clear to Mr. Bemis by the Chairman that the Board of Selectmen has encouraged the Building Inspector to utilize Town Counsel if he needs his assistance to make a decision. This is entirely up to him. The Board of Selectmen does not get involved in zoning decisions. The Building Inspector is the Zoning Administrator for the Town and it is not appropriate for the Board to be involved.
The Board requested that the Town Administrator contact Town Counsel and ask him to render an opinion on this issue by end of the week.
Other Items of Discussion
1. The Board approved the Executive Session minutes from July 6, 2005. [Not to be released]
2. The Board approved a transfer station sticker for a senior citizen without a vehicle so that her son may dispose of her trash. They also approved a sticker for an individual who is unable to pay and lives in subsidized housing. She will only receive the sticker if the Housing Authority does not pick up her trash.
3. The Board appointed Robert P. Jachowicz, 7 Prentiss Street, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, for a term to expire June 30, 2007.
4. The Board accepted a $75.00 donation for the Ambulance donation account.
5. The Board approved the request for road closure for block party on Wildwood Drive on October 16, 2005 subject to co-ordination with public safety departments.
6. The Board approved a Southborough Unscheduled evening on March 9, 2006.
7. The Board approved a parade permit for the Fire Department Halloween parade.
8. The Board authorized the Town Administrator to request for permission from MWRA for access to their property on November 6, 2005 for a fall hike.
9. The Board tabled the request for no parking zone on Middle Road. The Selectmen instructed the Town Administrator to schedule an item on the next meeting and notify all abutters south of Rt. 9 within 300 ft. of the new dealership.
10. The request for Rotary Signs was tabled.
11. The Board place Doreen Ferguson, Administrative Secretary for Recreation, on unpaid medical leave through January 3, 2005.
12. The Board placed Lt. Christian Dano of the Fire Department on injured on duty leave effective Oct. 9, 2005. Ms. Phaneuf abstained from the vote.
The Board moved and seconded a motion to go into executive session at 10:45 pm. The vote to do so was by a roll call vote and was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m.
WARRANTS
|
89 |
$87,808.47 |
10/7/05 |
SCHOOL PAYABLES |
|
90 |
$116,125.93 |
10/7/05 |
TOWN PAYABLES |
|
91 |
$21,488.41 |
10/7/05 |
SCHOOL PAYABLES |
|
92 |
$543.35 |
10/7/05 |
SCHOOL BLDG. PROJECT |
|
93 |
$178,811.12 |
10/7/05 |
SCHOOL PAYABLES |
|
94 |
$80,154.74 |
10/5/05 |
TOWN PAYROLL |
|
95 |
$23,344.79 |
10/5/05 |
FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL |
|
96 |
$69,071.57 |
10/5/05 |
DEDUCTION REPORT (SCHOOL) |
|
97 |
$392,962.79 |
10/7/05 |
SCHOOL PAYROLL |
|
TOTAL |
$970,311.17 |
|
|
|
98 |
$83,077.97 |
10/14/05 |
TOWN PAYABLES |
|
99 |
$22,219.76 |
10/12/05 |
FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL |
|
100 |
$75,536.81 |
12/12/05 |
TOWN PAYROLL |
|
TOTAL |
$180,834.54 |
|
|
Janice C. Conlin, Town Administrator