Board of Selectmen
December 8, 2011
7PM
Members Present Tom Twining, Paul R. DeRensis, George X. Pucci
Staff Present Diane Moores
Reading of the Agenda
Motion
Move to amend the Agenda by adding the temporary appointment of Tony DeLuca as Acting Building Inspector until the permanent Building Inspector returns to work.
Moved Tom Twining
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Public Comment
Nancy Hess informed the Board and members of the audience that she had the good fortune to attend the Middle School production of Beauty and the Beast and wanted to commend everyone involved in the production and all of the students who made this event so wonderful.
Jim Murphy of Bear Hill Road made some suggestions to the Board regarding changes in positions from elected to appointed personnel Administration and pension systems.
Bobby Bunton of 91 South Main Street informed the Board regarding a major beaver issue on Sewell Brook that is affecting his well which is completely under water and the water is approaching the neighbor’s septic system.
Mr. Bunton stated that he had sent a check for an emergency permit to the Board of Health in the last month and wants the Selectmen to help him solve this emergency issue.
Susan Tyler of the Conservation Commission stated that, the Conservation Commission asked the residents to come before the BOS because the issue is who is going to pay for the trapping of the beavers. It is conservation Land, but Conservation would like to see the BOS pay for the trappings. Ms. Tyler stated that this is a time sensitive issue that needs to be dealt with.
Chairman Twining stated that this is becoming a health and well being issue and BOH and the Conservation Commission needs to move on this quickly.
Chairman Twining stated that the BOS should authorizer the release of that money in the Conservation fund immediately to deal with this time sensitive issue.
Mike Lessor of the Conservation Commission came into the meeting.
Mr. Lessor stated that the Conservation Commission feels that it is up to the town to have money specifically slated for beaver issues like this as they arise, as they often do in town. Mr. Lessor stated that they have a conservation fund line item that is specifically earmarked for land maintenance. And not beaver issues.
Selectman Pucci stated that the beaver issue is on conservation land and asked why that Conservation can’t pay for this.
A discussion went back and forth on how this issue would be solved.
Chairman Twining stated that the Board would like to authorize Conservation to use funds from the Conservation fund to remedy this issue as quickly as possible and that the Board will have further discussion on having a specific line item for these very issues. Selectman Twining stated that he would be happy to meet with Mr. Lessor tomorrow to figure how they can free up some funds to that this can be dealt with quickly.
Selectman DeRensis stated that we need to take care of Mr. Bunton’s problem and needs to be addressed now and feels it is not productive for a citizens to come before the Board looking for help and then have to listen to all this wrangling about a few dollars.
Selectman DeRensis asked Mr. Lessor that if the Conservation Commission would release the money he would support a request to file a reserve fund transfer and to make whole whatever is needed to take care of the fields that the money was earmarked for. Selectman DeRensis stated that the Conservation Commission needs to release the money now and then they can move forward with the reserve fund transfer.
Motion
Move to support a reserve fund transfer in the amount necessary to replenish the Conservation Commission’s Land Maintenance budget that was used to take care of this emergency
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second Tom Twining
Selectmen Pucci stated that he will support the motion to take care of this emergency, but a reserve fund transfer needs to be a compelling case and the Board will have to review that issue at a later time.
Approved 3-0-0
Energy Committee
The Energy Committee presented to the Board of Selectmen a plaque designating Sherborn as an official Green Community which can be posted in Town and the Committee also presented to the Board a certificate signed by the Governor designating Sherborn as a Green Community and finally the Committee presented to the Board a check in the amount of $137,450.00.
John Higley of the Energy Committee stated that not only can Sherborn use these funds for energy cost savings but it does not end there, Sherborn will see the cost savings year after year from being a Green Community.
The Board thanked the Energy Committee for all of their hard work and dedication in securing the Grant.
Fire Department
Notice of Intent
$19,000 – Purchase of New Software for Dispatch Center
Acting Fire Chief Josh Buckler
John Buckler presented to the board a Notice of Intent asking for the Board’s support in the funding that will be needed to purchase new computer aided dispatching software and related computer equipment, for use in the emergency communications center.
Chief Buckler stated that due to the age and format of the current software it is unable to be loaded onto the current server at the dispatch center. The software is crucial for the operation of the dispatch center and tacking of required incident information for reporting to State and Federal fire agencies as is required by state and federal law.
The Board informed Mr. Buckler that he needs to approach the Advisory Committee and Capital Budget Committee with this Notice of Intent.
Motion
Move to support the Notice of Intent for the $19,000 expenditure.
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Fire Department
Notice of Intent
$75,000 –Sm. Brush Utility Truck and related Equipment
Acting Fire Chief Josh Buckler
Josh Buckler presented the Board his second Notice of Intent which is to ask the Board of Selectmen to support the purchase of a $75,000 small brush utility truck and related equipment.
Josh stated that this purchase would replace the current 1989 Ford F-350. Josh stated that the truck due to its age is very unreliable and has experience many breakdowns at critical times. John also stated that this truck serves multiple functions within the Department.
The Board discussed with Josh various options such as a possible lease option versus buying out right, or to looking into whether another town would have one for sale.
The Board advised Chief Buckler that he should go before the Advisory Committee and Capital Budget Committee to discuss this Notice of Intent.
Chief Buckler stated that yesterday he had received word that the Fire Department had received a $1500.00 SAFE grant from the Fire Department Services to be used for educational purposes.
Motion
Move to accept a grant in the amount of $1500.00 to be used as specified in the grant for educational purposes.
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
CM&D
Ed Wagner
Notice of Intent
$120,000 – Purchase of a Trackless MT
Ed Wagner appeared before the Board seeking their support for the purchase of a new Trackless MT. Ed informed the Board that the current truck is a 1998.
Mr. Wagner stated that this particular piece of equipment is utilized throughout the entire year, that it is a versatile piece of equipment. The Board asked Mr. Wagner to go before the Advisory Committee and Capital Budget Committee.
Approval of Warrant 14
Motion
Move to approve Warrant #14.
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Appointment
Acting Town Building Inspector
Motion
Move to appoint Tony DeLuca as Acting Town Building Inspector until such time as the permanent Town Building Inspector returns to work.
Moved Paul R. DeRensis
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Notice of Intent
Town Treasurer-Descom Hoagland
Pete Hoagland, Town Treasurer appeared before the Board to discuss his Notice of Intent. Mr. Hoagland stated that Chapter 200, Section 9A provides for an alternative procedure for the disposition of unclaimed checks. It modifies the process already being used by the town by eliminating the necessity of the Treasurer having to file a written determination each year with the Town Clerk and changing the period within which the property is deemed to be abandoned from 3 years to 1 year. This would allow the notification and claims process to begin earlier and also permits the town to retain any unclaimed funds as opposed to sending them to the State.
The Board thanked Mr. Hoagland for coming forward tonight and supports the Notice of Intent.
Police Chief Richard Thompson, Sergeant David Bento
Discussion surrounding possible Police Department Hires
Chairman Twining stated that in looking into this, because the Board is very concerned about taking on more pensions and health insurance, the Board has looked very carefully at all of these requests.
Chairman Twining stated that in speaking with the Town Treasurer and in reading his email as it pertains to the two new hires in the Police Department, it seems that taking on 2 new personnel that are currently in the retirement system and health care system it would be less expensive to hire someone already in the system than to wait until April 2, 2012.
Selectman DeRensis explained the new phase 2 pension reform done in his State role and that one of the key components of phase 2 is to change the retirement age from 55 to 60 for a big class of employees and from 65 to 67 for another group, but that essentially effective April 2, 2012 there will pensions that have a lower cost to the community so that the new hires that take place after April 2nd will cost communities less.
Selectman DeRensis stated as part of the Boards review of pensions in the Town the Board and the Personnel Board are taking a very hard look at pensions.
Selectman DeRensis stated that the report that was presented by the Town Treasurer shows that these particular hires make sense and he supports the hiring of these new oficers.
Selectman DeRensis asked Police Chief Thompson for a commitment to institute the new Pittman Schedule by the start of the next fiscal year because moving towards the Pittman Schedule will better control overtime costs.
Chief Thompson stated that his personnel are very anxious to move over to the Pittman Schedule, but that the Department needs to reach a certain staffing level so not to incur FLSA overtime. Chief Thompson stated that there is still one employee who currently has still not returned to work but cannot give the Selectmen an exact date in which this new schedule will be instituted.
Selectman Pucci clarified a previous vote taken by the Board to support the hire of these 2 new police officers.
Selectman Pucci stated that the Town Treasurer’s analysis was very crucial in order for the process of hiring these two new officers.
Board of Selectmen Minutes
November 28 2011 and December 1, 2011
Motion
Move to approve the Board of Selectmen minutes of November 28, 2011 and December 1, 2011.
Moved George X. Pucci
Second Paul R. DeRensis
Approved 3-0-0
Motion
Move to adjourn.
Moved Tom Twining
Second George X. Pucci
Approved 3-0-0
Approved: January 19, 2012
The following documents from this meeting may be viewed in the Selectmen’s Office
Agenda
Notice of Intent – Fire Department
Notice of Intent – CM&D
Notice of Intent – Treasurer
The DVD of this meeting may be viewed in the Selectmen’s Office
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