BOARD OF SELECTMEN

OCTOBER 25, 2005

MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM

 

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

 

6:00 p.m.        Executive Session:  To discuss purchase of real property.  The Board returned to open session at 8:00 p.m.

 

Clare Curran re: Merit Increase for Denise Kofron, Staff Librarian:  Ms. Curran spoke to the Board supporting this employee.  She has done extensive professional development, on her own time, even though she only works 20 hours per week.  She works 90% in the Children’s Library, other tasks include brochures, computer assistance and public relations.   The Library Trustees want to go on record for this request even though the board has not been giving personal rates.  The Board suggested if the Trustees think she’s deserving of a personal rate, they should create a higher classification for an employee such as this. There was a motion in favor of granting a personal rate to Denise Kofron.  The motion failed unanimously.     

 

Recreation re: Merit Increase for Doreen Ferguson, Administrative Secretary.  This item will be continued to November 8, 2005. 

 

Request for no parking zone on Middle Road:  Chief Mauro stated that a normal fire lane has a width of 18 feet. Portions of Middle Road at its narrowest point is 20 feet.  Because parking by delivery trucks on Middle Road to access the Cadillac/Hummer dealership was raised as a concern at the last Planning Board meeting on the issue, and because of the new location of the fire lane access to the dealership, the Chief suggests No Parking from Route 9 along the property line of the Cadillac/Hummer Dealership on both sides of Middle Road.   Mrs. Phaneuf stated that she is a resident of Middle Road.  Emergency access has been moved to the front of the parcel.  Mrs. Phaneuf does not want to impede residents who have a home business in this area by prohibiting parking.  Mr. Leeds, an abutter, stated that landscaping by the owner should prevent people from parking in this area.  Steve Morgan, an abutter, added there is no precedent for a ruling like this; however, Chairman Christensen indicated there was a precedent in the form of the No Parking zone that was instituted in anticipation of T station parking issues.  It was noted Verizon has an access box in this vicinity and they need to be able to park there.  Other residents said they have not witnessed any problems.  If it becomes a problem when the business opens, we can address it then and take action.  Mr. Challen said waiting makes sense, especially since its still a pending zoning issue.  The Board took no action.  The Board told the chiefs they would have support of the board if a threat developed.       

 

Payment in Lieu of Taxes Committee:  This committee has analyzed what donations in lieu of taxes are received by institutions in town and what other in kind services are provided. It was noted private school students utilize the TLC shuttle service which is partially funded by the town.  Mr. Cibelli, Assessor, said there have been properties recently purchased by the educational facilities which are now off the tax tolls.  The New England Center for Children [NECC] has consistently increased PILOT based on taxes of those properties before they bought them.  The Fay School bought 6 Middle Road and is looking at 2 other properties; equal to $25,000 in lost tax revenues.  Mrs. Phaneuf recommended sending this report to all of the agencies represented in the report for comment and convening a meeting following that receipt.  Chief Mauro told the Board in his analysis, he looked at the number of calls and assessed the cost benefit analysis of providing this service to come up with a cost per call for type of response.  Mr. Hill from St. Marks stated there are 33 students [of staff] in Southborough schools.  The golf course pays $25,000 annually in property taxes.  Mr. Hill welcomes the opportunity to discuss the report in depth and re-convene this meeting at a later date.  The Board voted unanimously to distribute the report and ask the agencies to meet with the PILOT committee in order to promote further dialogue.   

                                                                                                                                                    

REGULAR BUSINESS ITEMS

Approve the Executive Session minutes from October 11, 2005. [Not to be released] and October 11 regular meeting minutes.  Approved unanimously.

 

Award diesel fuel and gasoline bids:  The Board reviewed the bids received with varying prices, recognizing that 0.21 tax per gallon must be added for either scenario [fixed v. escalation].  Ms. Galligan, Acting DPW Superintendent, asked if they both are ultimate vendors approved by DOR, we need to verify this.  All prices will be in effect for one year or until another contract is awarded.  Motion to award contract to Burke for diesel at the Boston low price of $2.25 with escalation plus 0.21, conditional on the DOR approval.  Motion to award a contract for unleaded to Burke at $1.95 with escalation plus 0.21.  Both motions passed unanimously. 

 

Winter Parking ban & Inclement Weather policy:  The Board unanimously approved this annual policy.  The Board discussed delegating this annual task to the town administrator.

 

Assessment Report of Police Incident on 9/20/05:  Chairman Christensen noted that since this incident involved Chief Webber, Town Counsel was asked to perform an assessment of the incident.  Counsel’s report was read into the record.  This incident involved a foot pursuit which Chief Webber responded to involving a known criminal.  When he intercepted the suspect behind Shrubs & Trees, Chief Webber fired a warning shot to prohibit the suspect from fleeing further since he stated he “was not going back to prison.”  He made it clear he did so in light of his close proximity to a day care center and a dense residential neighborhood.  The suspect was immediately apprehended.   The report concludes by stating that although the warning shot is not explicitly provided for in the departmental policies and procedures, the Chief reacted in a manner which he judged was in the best interest of public safety.  The Board made it very clear that the Chief acted within his discretion and applauded him for his quick action and regard for protection and safety. 

 

Meeting Calendar:  The Board will meet November 8, November 15, November 29, December 6 [annual licenses] and December 13.

 

Appointments

·          Appoint Donna McDaniel, 54 William Onthank Lane, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee, for a term to expire June 30, 2007. Approved 3-0.

·          Appoint Vera Kolias as representative to the I-495 Transit task force.  Approved 3-0.

 

Energy Conservation:  After reviewing a memo on energy conservation, Mrs. Phaneuf suggests 68 degrees be the temperature setting although Cordaville Hall should be higher.  Computer sleep modes should be evaluated.  The Board suggested asking for employee suggestions on the memo.  The Board endorsed these efforts. 

 

FMLA leave:   Leave was approved unanimously for Andrew Remillard [DPW], effective October 17, 2005.    

 

The Board approved the buy back of a cemetery lot purchased in 1994.  Motion to approve purchase from Marjorie Curtis for the sum of $____.  Approved unanimously. 

 

MAIL RECEIVED

The Board accepted, with regret, a letter of resignation from Personnel Board member Tim McHugh. 

 

A letter of resignation from John Boland, Superintendent of Public Works, effective October 31, 2005, was read into the record.  The Board accepted this notice with deep regret and spoke highly of Mr. Boland’s efforts over many years, especially his fine leadership and monitoring of immense growth.  They then discussed the pending transition in DPW; whether Ms. Galligan can be made Acting Superintendent  indefinitely.  Mrs. Conlin suggested she and Karen meet with Russ Millholland to discuss the departmental structure.  It was also noted Mr. Boland would like to participate as much as he is able in this transition.  Mrs. Phaneuf also would like to participate on behalf of the Board.      

 

Letter re: intersection of Route 9 and White Bagley Road.

 

·          Letter re: drainage issue on Parkerville Road. This correspondence was referred to DPW for their assistance and review.

 

·          Accept $350 donation given to the Southborough Fire Department.  This was approved unanimously. 

 

The Board discussed new legislation requiring civil citations for fire/building violations [non criminal complaints] which necessitate a municipal hearings officer.  This cannot be someone in the fire or building department.  A training session is scheduled for November 3rd.  Can Town Counsel serve on an interim basis?   Chief Mauro will try to recruit a volunteer.  

 

Ms. Garcia has submitted an application to the CPA to restore a wall at 9-11 and to address parking; she did not request approval of the Board of Selectmen.  This item will be discussed on November 8.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.

 

WARRANTS

101

$25,080.75

10/19/05

FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL

102

$76,572.90

10/19/05

TOWN PAYROLL

103

$71,074.10

10/19/05

DEDUCTION REPORT (SCHOOL)

104

$401,350.58

10/21/05

SCHOOL PAYROLL

105

$218,949.31

10/21/05

TOWNPAYABLES

106

$891.09

10/21/05

NEXTEL

107

$1,501.34

10/21/05

VERIZON

108

$11,581.18

10/21/05

SCHOOL CAFTERIA

109

$87,581.18

10/21/05

SCHOOL PAYABLES

110

$102,944.05

10/21/05

SCHOOL PAYABLES

111

$194,854.40

10/21/05

SCHOOL PAYABLES

TOTAL

$1,192,612.86

 

 

 

112

$3,000.00

10/26/05

MONTHLY TOWN PAYROLL

113

$28,804.65

10/26/05

FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL

114

$84,706.88

10/26/05

TOWN PAYROLL

115

$583,363.14

10/28/05

TOWN PAYABLES

TOTAL

$699,874.67

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Vanessa D. Hale, Assistant Town Administrator