Board of Selectmen
December 29, 2011
7PM
Members Present Tom Twining, George X. Pucci, Paul R. DeRensis
Staff Present Diane Moores
Reading of the Agenda
Move to approve the Agenda as presented.
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Selectman Reports/Future Agenda Items
Selectman Pucci asked that a discussion surrounding Revolving Funds be placed on an upcoming Agenda and to invite Departments that are interested in the discussion.
Police Chief Richard Thompson
Budge FY13
Chief Thompson presented his FY 13 Police budget to the Selectmen. It was noted that the budget is not consistent with recommendations made by Advisory.
Chief Thompson stated that as in the past the overtime budget line has increased due to the fact that there is an officer that is on medical leave/injured on duty and until that issue is resolved his overtime has increased.
Selectman DeRensis asked the Chief about moving his department over to the Pittman Schedule and the Chief responded that until his department is fully staffed he is uncomfortable with moving forward with that schedule.
The Board thanked Chief Thompson for such a detailed budget presentation.
Conservation Commission
Michael Lessor, Conservation Agent
NOI (2)
Budget FY13
Commission member Mike Lessor and the Conservation Agent discussed with the Board the two Notices of Intent that they were bringing forward. The Agent stated that the first Notice of Intent deals with making some housekeeping changes to the Wetlands by-law and the second Notice of intent is for authorization of setting up a revolving fund for Wetland Filing Fees. The Agent noted that this revolving fund would be strictly for fees collected under the Wetlands By-law and be used only for staffing and other activities necessary for the administration and enforcement of the Wetlands-Bylaw.
Chairman Twining asked various questions regarding who would authorize the expenditure of the funds from the revolving account, would the board need to have a full vote before any expenditure’s are made? etc.
Selectman Pucci stated that he would like to have a broader discussion with regard to revolving funds and asked that this be an Agenda item for a future Board meeting and invite all who are interested in setting up a revolving funds be present for the discussion.
The Board then discussed the Conservation Budget with Mr. Lessor and the Agent and it was noted that the budget is consistent with Advisory recommendation.
Chairman Twining asked Mr. Lessor to go before the Personnel Board to discuss and review the job description of the conservation Agent that was previously approved by the prior Personnel Board.
CM&D Budget FY 13
Ed Wagner
Ed Wagner appeared before the Board to discuss the CM&D budget for FY13.
Selectman DeRensis stated that the budget being presented is not consistent with the recommendations that are being made by the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Wagner stated that he has placed a more realistic number in the snow and ice line item. Ed stated that historically the snow and ice budget was for $83,000 and if you run a three year average the actual number is approximately $220,000.00, which is a $127,000 increase from last year.
Selectman DeRensis stated that State law makes an exception that allows for deficit spending for snow and ice. Selectman DeRensis stated that historically the town has always deficit spent with the approval of the Board and then any deficit spending is voted on at annual town meeting.
Selectman DeRensis stated that if you put the full amount of money that you estimate spending during a normal winter and it turns out that we have a mild winter then the money in the snow and ice budget has been tied up unnecessarily.
Selectman DeRensis stated that there are too many variables to make an accurate decision on how much money to fund the snow and ice budget. Selectman DeRensis stated that the way this budget is being presented is asking the Board to put an override question on the ballot for $150,000 which would be asking all of the Town taxpayers to go to the ballot and to vote for $100 more a year on every persons tax bill to pay for this when in fact we may not go over at all this since so far the winter has been extremely mild.
Mr. Wagner also stated that the other increase in his budget is in the amount of $23,500 which he put into the tree trimming line item that was removed last year. Mr. Wagner explained that last year he supplemented that line item with monies leftover from other articles.
The Board asked Mr. Wager to readjust his budget in the snow and ice line item to reflect what was previously budgeted for.
Mr. Wagner also informed the Board that he is seeking approval from the Board to spend $3,500 to purchase a new vehicle lift attachment. Mr. Wagner informed the Board that there is approx. between $16,000-$17,000 in the CM&D building line item and asking the Board for permission to purchase this piece of equipment from that source of funds
Motion
Move to approve the purchase of a new vehicle attachment lift for the CM&D garage in the amount of $3,500 from the CM&D building fund
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Josh Buckler, Fire Chief
Sherborn Fire Department budget
Chief Buckler appeared before the board to present the Fire Department Budget for FY13. Chief Buckler stated that he has increased the Call Firefighter/EMT line item to $212,020 in order to fulfill the FLSA requirements.
Chief Buckler also informed the Selectmen that under contractual services he has added a Computer Maintenance Line item for $7500.
Chief Buckler also informed the Board that he has reduced his Ambulance Equipment line item from $10,000 to $2,500 now that the Department has purchased a new ambulance.
The Board asked Chief Buckler to see the Personnel Board to find out what the obligations and commitments are for FY13.
Appointment
Financial Levitation Committee
Move to appoint Terence Driscoll to the Financial Levitation Committee for a 1 year term to expire June 15, 2012.
Moved George X. Pucci
Second Paul R. DeRensis
Approved 3-0-0
Warrant #17
The Board discussed the Warrant 17. Selectman DeRensis had an objection to the adjustments being made of a prior approved Warrant regarding the Town Clerk’s payroll.
Motion
Move approval of Warrant #17 with the exception of Voucher #8.
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Motion
Move to adjourn – 10:15 PM
Moved Tom Twining
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
The following documents from the meeting may be obtained in the Selectmen’s Office.
Agenda
Police Dept. Budget
Notice of Intent – Conservation
Budget-Conservation
CMA&D Budget
Liquor license permits
Stable licenses
Class II licenses
Appointment to the Financial
Internal Borrowing relative CSX
The DVD of this meeting may be viewed at the Selectmen’s Office.
Minutes Approved: January 19, 2012
| 
