Selectmen Minutes

January 10, 2006

Bourne Veterans’ Memorial Community Center

239 Main Street

Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

 

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Board of Selectmen

 

Date                                      Time                 Location

Tuesday                             7:00 PM              Bourne Veterans Memorial

January 10, 2006                                            239 Main Street         
                                                                        Buzzards Bay, MA  02532

                                                                                                                  

 

1.           Call to Order

 

2.           Salute the Flag/A Moment of Silence for our Troops

 

3.           Approval of Minutes

 

4.           Public Comment – Non Agenda Items 

 

5.           Correspondence

 

6.           Lucia Fulco – Charter

 

7.           Revenue Report and Forecast

 

8.           Treasurer – Bond Signing

 

9.           Licenses/Permits:

a.  Request from Trading Post Lounge for a private party

b.     St. Margaret’s Church – Festival

c.     Temporary Closures – Port O’Call, Stir Crazy, Beachmoor, Sagamore Inn

d.     Permit to Move Building

 

10.       Re-sign Shellfish Regulations 

 

11.       Extend Oyster Season – Monument Beach only

 

12.       Road Name Approval – Crane Lane

 

13.       Collaboratives’ Governing Board – Appointment 

 

14.       Ambulance Rates

 

15.       Town Administrator’s Report

 

16.       Selectmen’s Reports

 

17.       Adjourn

 

Attendance:

Town Administrator

Thomas M. Guerino

 

Board of Selectmen:

Carol A. Cheli, Chairman

Galon “Skip” Barlow, Vice Chairman

Richard E. LaFarge, Clerk

W. Thomas Barlow – not present

Linda M. Zuern

Call the Meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.

Board of Selectmen’s meeting was called to order at 7PM.

Salute the Flag/A Moment of Silence for our Troops

Approval of Minutes

Selectman LaFarge made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman G. Barlow to approve the minutes of December 10, 2005 as presented. UNANIMOUS VOTE (4-0) 

Public Comment – Non-Agenda Items

Mr. Schofield spoke about the electrical program for the Cape and solarizing our schools.

Correspondence

Selectman LaFarge reviewed the correspondence.  Selectman Zuern thanked the Firefighters for their efforts with Homeless for the Holidays.

 

Lucia Fulco – Charter Review Committee

Ms. Fulco thanked the Board for having her and reported that the committee has been meeting almost weekly with a wide variety of people and public comment has been taken at every meeting.  Survey forms are available at the Town Hall, Community Center, and via E-mail.  Tomorrow night there will be a public hearing at 6:30 at the High School library for the purpose of taking public comment.  The proposed charter amendments will be amended from the floor.  Copies of approved amendments will be sent immediately to the AG.  Would appreciate an article on the warrant for a special act of legislature.  Article can ask for a special 2006 election for the purpose of adopting these charter amendments instead of our regular election or the special act can request the legislature to let us place on the November 7th, 2006 state election ballot those charter questions that are approved at Town Meeting.  September 8th is the deadline.  Bypassing the election altogether would be preferable. 

AG and Community specialists believe that since these articles are not revising the charter, the legislature might allow us a special act to incorporate them without a referendum ballot.  Selectman G. Barlow asked about the amendments stating that the Board knows nothing about them.  Ms. Fulco replied that they are being formulated at this time.  Selectman Barlow wanted to know what she was so positive about and wondered what the big problem was.  Was the first charter that bad?  Not at all, Ms. Fulco replied.  Selectman Zuern explained that the process could be passed without going to ballot in November and thanked Ms. Fulco and the committee for their efforts, especially with so little time.  Ms. Fulco provided copies of what she discussed.  Bill Marco suggested a public meeting to encourage dialogue and get more input from the public.

Treasurer – Bond Signing 

Treasurer Linda Marzelli asked for a vote on the presented bond.  Each piece of the note might not necessarily mature at the same time.  Selectman LaFarge questioned the length of time to mature and Linda explained.  Selectman LaFarge MOTIONED to award the $6,190,000 Town of Bourne Massachusetts General Obligation Bonds dated January 15, 2006 and maturing January 15, 2007 – 2025 to UBS Financial Services, Inc. at a true interest cost of 3.829325% as set forth in a document prepared by Ropes and Gray LLP, Bond Counsel to the Town.  Chairman Cheli SECONDED.  UNANIMOUS

Revenue Report and Forecast 

TA Guerino began by discussing revenue forecasts; where we are today, what we hope to expect from the Commonwealth for FY07, and how it plugs into the Board of Selectmen’s directive to have the budget come in at a rate no greater increase than 6% depending on the revenue, overall, including fixed costs.  What we find to date is that we are fairly well on-target.

Finance Director Lynne Burchill presented a PowerPoint presentation on Revenue and Other Sources.   She discussed the revenue sources used to fund the budget every year; property taxes, overrides affect on levy limit, new growth, estimated tax rate, expectations for State aid in 07, specifically identified in handouts for first 6 months of 2006.  All other line items are presented for last year as well as this year.  Two spreadsheets were shown illustrating what the override did to the property taxes, and what it would have done without it.   The override elected in November is a permanent addition to the levy limit.  Drastic cuts would’ve resulted had the 2.5% override not being voted in. There is a 1.2 million increase in property taxes.  A history of property tax values was presented.  Growth is estimated to stabilize in value from 2006 to 2007. 

TA Guerino said all revenue forecasts are conservative in an effort to be realistic.  As we get closer to Town Meeting that becomes more definite.  TA Guerino stated that State Aid was not concluded by the Senate.  Confident that the work on our state-owned land would be $85 million, we have not assumed that the percentage we are going to be reimbursed will not rise.  Same figures as the Commonwealth used last year – same rate.  Chapter 90 money will go up a lot – not a lot to do with our operating budget.  Interest income on general fund investments is expected to increase.  Slightly more money in bank, but more interest is being earned with  $61,000 in interest earned for the first 6 months of 2005 and $232,000 estimated for the first 6 months of 2006.  Short-term interest rates may stabilize over the next 6 months.  The Stabilization fund has a balance of $1.6 mllion. We estimate receiving at least as much as we received in the previous year.  Ms. Burchill said she would keep TA Guerino apprised. Selectman Zuern asked for a comment on the bond.  Ms. Burchill and Ms. Marzelli both had lengthy conversations with Standard & Poores and based on financials, both rating agencies were concerned about what the numbers looked like at June 30th before the override.  Now it looks fairly reasonable.  Pleased with what has been accomplished since June 30th.  Although they are concerned, they believe we are going in a favorable direction.  Moodys: AA3 rating S&P A1 rating.   

Selectman LaFarge asked if the budget was actual for the whole year.  Ms. Burchill said it was.  The biggest commitment is the Motor Vehicle excise, which doesn’t come in until the end of January, and the Marinas.  Doing better than last year by a small amount. 

TA Guerino said there won’t be a great deal of recommended borrowing.  Capital is an area that the Town has to start funding carefully.  He is formulating this in the budget plan now. 

Licenses/Permits

Trading Post Lounge requested permission to close their establishment on February 5, 2006 for a private Super Bowl party for its employees. 

Selectman Zuern MOTIONED to approve closing for the Super Bowl Party on February 5, 2006, SECONDED by Selectman LaFarge, UNANIMOUS.

St. Margaret’s Church requested permission to hold a Festival June 19-25, 2006 in the Chamber or Commerce Park.  A Certificate of Insurance naming Town as co-insured was requested, as well as CORI reports for all operators. 

Selectman G. Barlow MOTIONED to approve the Festival on June 19-25, 2006, SECONDED by Selectman LaFarge, UNANIMOUS.

Temporary Closures (Port O’Call, Stir Crazy, Beachmoor, Sagamore Inn)

Port O’ Call would like to close on Mondays and Tuesdays until further notice.

Selectman Zuern MOTIONED to allow the Monday and Tuesday closures, SECONDED by Selectman LaFarge, UNANIMOUS.

Stir Crazy requested permission to close between December 19, 2005 and February 1, 2006.

Chairman LaFarge MOTIONED to allow the closure between December 19, 2005 and February 1, 2006, SECONDED by Selectman Zuern, UNANIMOUS.

Beachmoor would like to be closed for the period of January 1, 2006 through March 28, 2006. 

Selectman Zuern MOTIONED to allow the closure between Janaury 1, 2006 and March 28, 2006, SECONDED by Selectman LaFarge, UNANIMOUS.

Sagamore Inn would like to alter their winter hours from six days a week to Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  In the spring they would go back to six days a week

Selectman LaFarge MOTIONED to allow the reduction to three days a week, SECONDED by Selectman Zuern, UNANIMOUS.

TA Guerino asked Chairman Cheli if she wanted a special meeting called regarding establishments requesting closures.  Selectman G. Barlow stated that as long as Nancy Sundman was notified that would be sufficient.

NOTE:  Selectman G. Barlow requested a notation be made that he abstained from the restaurant closure votings

Permit to Move Building

Jeffrey Tonello requested permission to move a building from the Sagamore Rotary to 148 State Road, Sagamore.  TA Guerino asked for an approval subject to approval from Commonwealth.  Permission to move the building was MOTIONED by Selectman LaFarge, SECONDED by Selectman G. Barlow, UNANIMOUS.

Re-sign Shellfish Regulations

Chairman Cheli sees shellfish!  An error was made in the cost of shellfish licenses for Senior Citizens.  The fee should have been $10 and not $15.  The revised regulations were signed.

Extend Oyster Season – Monument Beach only

A request was presented to extend the Oyster season.  Selectman G. Barlow provided an illustration depicting where oysters have been deposited by strong winds on Monument Beach.  Charlie Miller agreed with Selectman Barlow.  The next three Sundays could be used to harvest these oysters starting January 22nd – February 5th.  Mr. George Weinert disagreed that the season should be extended.

Selectman Barlow MOTIONED to extend the oyster season from January 22nd – February 5th 2006, Selectman Zuern SECONDED, UNANIMOUS.

Road Name Approval – Crane Lane (Crane Circle)    

Catuamet Coves LLC requested a road name approval.  Crane Circle was selected as the correct name. 

Selectman LaFarge MOTIONED to approve the name Crane Circle.  Selectman Zuern SECONDED, UNANIMOUS.

Collaboratives’ Governing Board – Appointing Peggy Fantozzi

TA Guerino asked if Town Representative openings should be advertised.  Selectman LaFarge explained that they should be.  Ms. Fantozzi’s resume will be kept and Chairman Cheli praised it as superb.

Ambulance Rates

Chief Klueber requested an increase in the base rates as recommended by our current billing company. Chairman Cheli stated that the rate increases aren’t that drastic.  There was question about what happens when a citizen can’t pay for services.  Waivers have been given.  At no time does a Bourne resident go without service.

Selectman Zuern MOTIONED to approve the ambulance rates as presented, Selectman G. Barlow SECONDED, UNANIMOUS.

Town Administrator’s Report 

TA Guerino supports Chief Klueber’s recommendation that fulltime Firefighter/ Paramedic Brandon J. Ferro, and temporary Firefighter/EMT, Brandon G. Floyd, be hired as soon as possible.  Overtime has been expensive so a waiver of the fifteen-days has been requested. 

Selectman G. Barlow MOTIONED to waive the fifteen-days, Selectman Zuern SECONDED, UNANIMOUS. 

Monument Beach:  The insurance company is reserving its right to insure or not insure. Meeting with the local representative prior to the report being submitted to Massamont.  The coverage is limited since in the past docks and piers have not been covered.  A number of grants may be available.  It may be eligible for Emergency management.  TA Guerino requests that the Board of Selectman send a letter to the governor to declare a State of Emergency for December 9th, 2005 at Monument Beach due to the damage caused by a severe windstorm on that day.  This puts MEMA on notice, and makes the problem at Monument Beach more noticeable.  The Marina will be open so people can access their boats, but the gas pump may still be a problem.  Once a report is received from the insurance adjuster, TA Guerino will apprise the Board.

Department Head Meetings:  To address financial problems meetings are being held monthly. Last week a list of priorities was reviewed and five sub-committees were set up.  Are we utilizing what we are paying for right now, and does it make sense to consolidate or eliminate some of them?  One was a joint purchase deal and procurement system. There are purchases made between the Town Hall and the School Department that we could join up on.  Very pleased that the departments are working cross-departmentally in a pretty open way. 

Mr. Cubellis received a folder that opens a thirty-day period on comment on a 300-unit piece given to the Town Planner and Planning Department for review and comment.  The Board will see the comments prior to it being sent back for amendments.  Selectman G. Barlow suggested that Coreen and Mr. Cubellis be brought in for an open forum. A traffic report was requested from Bob Mumford, and before a good analysis can be done the report is needed.  Selectman LaFarge wants to know if the traffic will be worse, and the data has not been obtained yet.  Selectman Zuern agreed that Mr. Cubellis should come before the Board.  Chairman Cheli believes that if we bring him in for a dialogue a change could be made from his 40B plan to something more beneficial for the town.  Selectman LaFarge reminded the Board that a traffic report has been sought for a year and we still don’t have it.  He believes it is a ploy that Mr. Cubellis is using to advance his position.  Selectman LaFarge wants the facts.  Selectman Zuern believes we could wait five years for a traffic report and in the interim a 40B-housing unit would already have been built.  Selectman Zuern MOTIONED to bring Mr. Cubellis in before the Board of Selectmen, Selectman G. Barlow SECONDED, VOTED 3-1.

TA Guerino said the Board should have a proposed rate structure for sewers and development fees.  We have looked at several different ways of doing the fees so that the Board will have something looked at by the Engineers.  It will be a plan that will fit the Town of Bourne, not just a template from somewhere else.  The Board of Sewer Commissions will be meeting next week.  The budgets will be before the Board on the 24th – and they will be tight.

Selectmen’s Reports

Selectman G. Barlow:  Attended many holiday events, met with a lot seniors and discussed lot of issues.  He attended the Holiday Splash at the Marine Center – there are three large turtles that can be watched on the monitor and lots for the kids to do.  In addition, he attended a ribbon cutting at Air National Guard Recruiting Center which was special for him since his son is a recruiter for the Air National Guard. 

Met with Capital Outlay Committee.  Committee has made preliminary selections.  There is a lot that has reached the must-have level, but the money is not there for the capital projects, so there is a lot of pressure on the TA and the Finance Director to go find the money.  He worked with Diane Flynn on a display of limited edition automobiles for the Museum of Fine Arts.  Worked on several local cable TV programs.  Assessed damage to Monument Beach Marina pier.  The office is gone.  It looks bad on the beach but looks much worse when out on the boat. 

In addition, he spoke about Eagle Scout Justin Runyon, of Pocasset, MA.  On behalf of the Board and the community he congratulated him on his accomplishments.

Selectman LaFarge:  Spoke about Eagle Scout Justin Runyon and where he got his good character – from his father.

Selectman Zuern:  She saw the turtles at the Marine Center.  One of them is off medication.  The Marine Center is having a Ball this Friday and she encouraged viewers to buy tickets.  She went to the Cape Cod Selectman’s Meeting in Hyannis. She discussed bills at the House.  She mentioned Health Care, Chapter 70, Home & Auto Insurance, and whether the State will pick up the tab or employers.  Need to bring the cost down no matter who pays for it.  Suggested that the State Representative come in for discussion.  Went to the LAPC meeting last night, and reminded people that cell phones don’t work in a power outage.

Chairman Cheli MOTIONED to adjourn at 9:05PM, Selectman LaFarge SECONDED, UNANIMOUS