Selectmen Minutes

June 27, 2006

Bourne Middle School

77 Waterhouse Road

Bourne, MA 02532

 

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Attendance:

Town Administrator

Thomas M. Guerino

Board of Selectmen:

Linda Zuern, Chairman

Galon “Skip” Barlow, Vice Chairman

James Sloniecki, Clerk

Judith Conron

Call the Meeting to Order

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M.

Salute the Flag/A Moment of Silence for our Troops

Approval of Minutes

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the minutes of June 6, 2006 as presented. UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Public Comment – Non Agenda Items

Rick Howe, School Building Committee Chairman, presented an update on the status of the new school.  He cited the report presented to Town Meeting.  The building is completely designed and sited. Agreement made with abutter Sam Laruso for land takings. The town has offered up a buffer to widen the road to add lanes to make the road safer.  He spoke of the meeting with MassHighway and the design work almost complete on the intersection.  The design work on the access road leading into the school is finished.   They now need to enter into agreements with the abutter and MassHighway who is reimbursing the Town for all the access road and on the intersection of Route 6.  The amount to be reimbursed is between $6-8 million.  He said they are meeting monthly with MassHighway and there is a necessity for the presence of a Selectman at those meetings.  The next meeting is scheduled for July 18. 

 

Phyllis McLaughlin spoke on Bourne’s Representative of the Cape Cod Commission.   Ms. McLaughlin went on record as saying she has not being impressed with the number of times Ms. Tinkham has appeared before the Selectmen.  She thought John Johnson was a superb representative. 

 

Chairman Zuern said Ms. Tinkham did attend another meeting with the Board, but because she serves on a sub-committee for the CanalSide Task Force, she was not able to say too much.  Some things cannot be said unless they go into a formal meeting.   

 

Correspondence

Selectman Sloniecki read the correspondence.

All correspondence is available for the public to look review. 

  1. TA Guerino addressed the letter from Sorenti’s on the stonewall.  TA Guerino contacted MassHighway and at this point in the contract, it cannot be done. 
  1. Selectman Barlow asked if a follow-up was being done.  TA Guerino asked the auditor’s to pull out services rendered for the money spent based on invoices so that it can be concluded that the money spent was done so appropriately. 

Selectman Barlow wanted the opportunity to speak with the auditor’s as a representative of the Capital Outlay Committee.  He said there were at least 2 serious financial issues that he would like them to have.

TA Guerino said they would have the final audit in the packet for July 11 and after that the auditor’s would be coming in and make a presentation jointly with the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee on the audit.

FF.       The baseball association and the DPW are working on to better define the boundaries and to            ensure that the plants will not be damaged.               

II.             Selectman Conron would like further discussion on the Barlow’s Landing and Shore Road intersection and 4-way stop signs.  Chief Ford will be before the Selectmen on July 11th for further discussion.

GG.      The Police Chief is looking into the request for a “No Jake Brake.”      

F.             Selectman Conron asked if the Land Court remanded to the Board of Selectmen “for the limited purpose of amending the Decision to reflect the subject property as being Parcel 15 and a portion of Parcel 13.1”, needed to be handled by Town Counsel. 

Town Counsel will address this at the July 11th meeting.

Chairman Zuern noted that there were several vacancies on Boards and Committees and anyone interested to contact the Town Administrator’s Office.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Certificate of Vote

Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Barlow to call for a Special Town Meeting on October 2, 2006.  UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to call for a Special Election on October 4, 2006.  UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to vote the debt exclusion ballot question on the August 9, 2006 Special Election.  UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Note Signing

Selectman Sloniecki made a MOTION, and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to award the note. 

The $5,344,002.00 Town of Bourne Bond Anticipation Notes Municipal Purpose Loan dated July 11, 2006 and maturing July 11, 2007 to Parker Hunter at a net interest cost of 3.848% as set forth in a document prepared by Ropes & Gray LLP, Bond Counsel to the Town and to be inserted into the minutes of this meeting.  UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Licenses /Permits

  1. 6:30 p.m. Mezza Luna Restaurant – Transfer of Stock and Change in Officers

Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the transfer of Stock and Change of Officers. UNANIMOUS VOTE Selectman Barlow recused himself.

 

  1. Subway – Common Victualer License

Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the license transfer to Jampee Enterprises, Inc.  UNANIMOUS VOTE.   Selectman Barlow recused himself. 

 

      c.  Temporary approval was given to the Bourne Yacht Club for a tent for the 4th of July weekend at the Bourne Marina.  Police and Fire have signed off and there has be assurance given that there will be no alcohol, the tent will be made available to the public, the insurance is in place and the ownership of the tent remains with the Bourne Yacht Club Membership

 

Committee Appointments

Appeals Board

Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reappoint the Appeals Board Members.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     `:

Judith A. Riordan             June 30, 2009

Timothy M. Sawyer             June 30, 2008

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Barlow to reappoint Associate Members of the Appeals Board until June 30, 2007.

 

Robert Gaynor                                                 

Wade M. Keene                                     

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Cape Light Compact Committee

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reappoint Robert Schofield until June 30, 2007.  UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Conservation Commission

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reappoint  members of the Conservation Commission until June 30, 2009.

 

Robert Gray

Melvin Peter Holmes

Susan J. Weston

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

It was noted that there was one applicant, Beth Adkins-Perry who has indicated that should a vacancy occur, she would very much like to serve.

 

Associate Members

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reappoint the Associate Members of the Conservation Commission until June 30, 2007.

 

Michael Leitzel

Michael Gratis

Elizabeth R. Kiebala

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Constables

Selectman Sloniecki made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to reappoint the Constables until June 30, 2007.

 

John A. Ford, Jr. 

Lee M. Gresh

Russell Tinkham, Jr.

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Planning Board Associate Member

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reappoint  Michael Leitzel as an Associate Member until June 30, 2007. 

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Shore & Harbor Committee

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to reappoint Shore & Harbor Committee Members until June 30, 2009

 

Stephen F. Mealy

Charles Miller

David Wiggin

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Veteran’s Graves Officer

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reappoint Thomas Barclay as Veteran’s Graves Officer and thank him for his services.

 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Town Administrator’s Report

The Town, in conjunction with the BFDC and John Lipman from the CCC, is applying for a small $30,000.00 smart growth technical assistance grant for creating, reviewing and working with current business people and potential developers on how to revitalize and construct in flood zones. 

There was damage done at Buzzards Bay Park as the Carnival, sponsored by St. Margaret’s Church, was breaking down and moving out.  The Carnival owners will reimburse the town for the damages incurred.  

A seawall in front of Chester Park washed out with part of it falling over, and another leaning. The TA is working with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Commission to get an emergency order to shore it up.  They will be looking for a long-term fix as the next budget season comes forward.

Fire Fighter Kelly Weeks was promoted to Lieutenant and Lieutenant Joseph Carrara was promoted to Deputy Chief, pending the approval of the Board of Selectmen.  

Selectman Barlow made a  MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to confirm the appointments of Lt. Kelly Weeks and Deputy Chief Joseph Carrara.  UNANIMOUS VOTE

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Slonieck to support the appointment of Jeremy L. Gata as Firefighter/Paramedic, effective July 6, 2006. 

UNANIMOUS VOTE

TA Guerino recommended the appointment of Linda Marzelli to the position of Interim Finance Director/Accountant while going through a formal search process for a full-time permanent replacement for Lynne Barrett. 

He looked at various scenarios in which this could be filled, i.e., out source firm, appointment of a part time accountant and  inhouse. 

In speaking with the Department Head and Linda Marzelli, he felt comfortable in bringing this recommendation to the Board of Selectmen on a 6-12 week basis as an Interim. 

Ms. Marzelli’s background, education and experience were reviewed and he can find no reason why she should not serve for the 6-12 week period.  A Committee has been put together to review the resumes.  The Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Town Administrator from Yarmouth will begin the search process the first week in July.  The Committee will be unified in their recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for the full-time permanent replacement in that position.

He further stated that under the current Charter, the appointment is that of the Board of Selectmen.  He spoke with Town Counsel and even though the Town Administrator makes appointments of a temporary nature, they felt that it made sense for the Selectmen to concur even though it is a short term/intermittent basis.  

Selectman Barlow made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to appoint Linda Marzelli the interim Finance Director as recommended by the Town Administrator for the interim period up until such time as the Board of Selectmen appointments a permanent person.

Selectman Conron offered the following comments on the appointment of an interim Finance Director/Accountant. 

“I make these comments because I think it is our obligation as Selectmen to only support courses of action that are in the best interest of the town.

These comments are for the record.  The matter of appointments can be a delicate matter and I do not want my words misinterpreted.

My understanding is that a search process for the interim finance director was not undertaken in order to save money.  I do not believe that the cost savings is a greater benefit to the town than the liability of operating an understaffed finance department. 

I believe it may take several months to find a suitable permanent finance director and I do not think we can afford as a 50 million dollar business to be without an experienced Massachusetts Town Accountant /Finance Director during that period.

Our Finance Department has served us well because each person is well qualified for their position.  In carrying out the various activities related to the financial security of the town, we utilize 3 key people, the Town Administrator, the Town Accountant/Finance Director and the Treasurer.  These jobs are distinct and not interchangeable.  In fact, by law, the Treasurer may not also be the town accountant.

In this particular situation, our new town administrator is not by background a financial expert and if you move the Treasurer to the Town Accountant/Finance Director position, the net result is two people involved in a steep learning curve.  In addition we would have lost our experience and qualified Treasurer.

Again I emphasize that we are a 50 million dollar business and I think we must  have experienced people in the key financial positions.

I would like to suggest that the Town Administrator contact INTERIM MANAGEMENT SERVICES or some similar firm and hire an Interim Town Accountant.  The bottom line of my comments is that I think we should keep the appropriate employees in their position and add an experienced interim accountant.  I don’t think we should run with one less person.

Madam Chairman, I would like to amend the Town Administrator’s request with the following motion.

I’d like to make a motion to instruct the Town Administrator to extend the search process by contacting firms such as INTERIM MANAGEMENT SERVICES in order to hire an Interim Town Accountant with in depth municipal accounting experience.  I would also move that the Chairman of the Finance Committee assist him in this search and hiring process.

There was discussion on the original motion made and the letter read into the record from Selectman Conron.

Hal DeWaltoff went on record as saying the Finance Committee has not met on this.  He offered his own thoughts regarding the appointment. He said he did not think it was a good idea to have one of the candidates for the position be appointed as the interim. He felt it wasn’t fair to the process and made it “too political”.

On the MOTION made by Selectman Barlow and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki it was VOTED 3-1 to approve the hiring of Linda Marzelli as Interim Finance Director/Town Accountant.

Selectmen Barlow, Sloniecki and Zuern “Yes” – Selectman Conron – “No”.

Other Selectmen Business

 

Selectmen’s Reports

Selectman  Sloniecki announced that the “Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has named Bourne resident Philip Malouin as MS Parent of the Year 2006.  The MS Parent of the Year award is presented by the Central New England Chapter to recognize those parents who have multiple sclerosis for going above and beyond the daily struggles of their disease to make a truly meaningful contribution to the quality of life in their local community, in addition to the lives of their loved ones. 

The award is presented only to those who live the Chapter’s territory, which covers Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  And, it is commonly presented to only one parent each year.

Diagnosed with MS in 2000, Philip is one of 13,000 individuals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are known to have multiple sclerosis.

Phil is doing well, and although he lives with nearly constant fatigue, he does not sit idle.  Phil is heavily involved in the lives of his children, and in offering quality youth athletic to the children of Bourne.

A member of the Bourne Youth Baseball Board of Directors, Phil Malouin also coaches basketball and soccer, and he volunteers for St. Margaret’s Church youth group, the Jaguars.

Phil Malouin is an example to us all.  No matter what life throws in your way, preserve, take care of yourself, and give of yourself to others”.

Selectman Sloniecki will attend the dinner in recognition of his award and asked if anyone saw Phil, congratulate him.

Selectman Barlow attended the Council on Aging’s Men’s Breakfast where Admiral Gurnon explained the wind turbine and how they received it and the savings to the Academy in electricity.  He also attended the appreciation day at the Hoxie School sponsored by the PTA. 

Selectman Conron spoke of the goals setting session scheduled for June 28th from 3-6 p.m. at the Community Center and that the meeting is open to the public.  She hoped the Board would feel comfortable inviting Dr. Harrington to attend as he is running as an unopposed candidate.  

Selectman Barlow agreed that it was an excellent idea for him to attend.

Chairman Zuern attended the MMA graduation and acknowledged the 2 graduates from Bourne and the awards ceremony on Thursday, June 29th at 1:30 p.m. at the Hoxie Field for Katelyn Haglof who won the $20,000 “Diamond in the Rough” essay contest. 

Chairman Zuern mentioned the passing of Bob Dean last week. Mr. Dean was the Town’s representative on the Cape Cod Commission for several years. 

Adjourn

Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to adjourn meeting at 7:10 p.m.  UNANIMOUS VOTE