Selectmen’s Minutes
January 9, 2007
Bourne Veterans’ Memorial Community Center
239 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
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Attendance:
Thomas M. Guerino
Board of Selectmen:
Linda M. Zuern, Chairman
Stephen F. Mealy, Vice Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Clerk
Judith Conron
John J. Harrington
Call the Meeting to
Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
Moment of
Silence/Salute the Flag
Approval of Minutes
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the Minutes of October 10, 2006 as presented. VOTE 4-0.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to approve the Minutes of October 17, 2006 as presented. VOTE 3-0-1 (abstention from Selectman Harrington).
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Minutes of October 24, 2006 as amended. VOTE 4-0.
Public Comment –
Non-Agenda Items
Not at this time.
Correspondence
Selectman Sloniecki reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office for review.
Comments on
Correspondence
TA Guerino talked about the District Highway Director Mr. McCourt’s request for signage for the Flyover to read “Sagamore Beach Village” on both sides of the Sagamore Bridge. No objections by the Board and TA Guerino will draft a letter to Mr. McCourt.
TA Guerino noted that the KI pills are now available at the Town Hall’s Board of Health Office in case of a nuclear accident. Once paperwork is filled out, the BOH will distribute the pills. All KI pills will be distributed to the schools.
Watershed Agreement Discussion
Don Liptac and Lee Davis of the Natural Resources Conservation Services – USDA in Hyannis are requesting the Board’s approval. All 15 Cape towns are needed to sign on. Barnstable, Harwich, Chatham and Bourne are all currently outstanding.
Projects listed: 1) Cohasset Narrow’s – State road run off; 2) Benoit’s Pond Dam and Beals’ Pond Dam; and 3) Salt marsh restoration in six (6) sites (not broken down at this time).
Discussion was held.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to endorse the Watershed Agreement. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Licenses/Permits
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the 5K Road Race on May 20, 2007 from 8 A.M. – 12 P.M. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by V. Chm. Mealy to approve the Beach Plum Baker Change of Manager per comments depicted by the Fire Department (exit signs, emergency signs). UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Baseball Parade on April 28, 2007. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by V. Chm. Mealy to approve the closing of the Cape Boulevard, LLC for the months of January, 2007; February, 2007; and the and the first two (2) weeks in March, 2007, resuming March 18, 2007. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the closing of the Beachmoor from January 8, 2007 – March 29, 2007 for cleaning and repairs. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
f. It’s Good to Go
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by V. Chm. Mealy to approve the closing of It’s Good to Go from January 3, 2007 – January 30, 2007 for electrical and plumbing repairs. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Budget Discussion
TA Guerino reviewed the budget as a progress report. The revenue side while up ($1.2M), it is not up to the degrees in the past.
New Growth – reflects the falling real estate starts to show (up $321,000).
State Aid - level funded based on State Rep. Murray’s discussion and Governor Patrick’s shortfall discussion. This number has to be conservative.
School Construction - (up $76,000) due to the excellent record keeping of the Schools.
Excise Motor Vehicle - increased to reflect more accurate numbers.
General Fund (ISWM) - may be adjusted at a later date.
Ambulance Fund - level funded (up slightly) to compensate for the increase in Medicare reimbursement.
Free Cash – ($700 - $750) will have no impact on revenue stream.
Other Department Revenue Income – (down $15,000)
a. mooring fees
b. tennis user fees
c. school department fees
d. cruiser fees (detail), etc.
On the Expenditure Side, TA Guerino requested Department Heads to come in with a modified budget. This budget is a reasonable budget, comparable to last year.
Health Insurance – (4.5% increase). Due to good management by Benefits Coordinator.
Public Safety – 3 new police officers
Overtime/Fire Department – up to be sure of all stations are covered. The recommendations of the Fire Dept. from last year were reviewed. This report will be written within a couple of months.
Shared Costs – (up 4.47%) primarily all insurances, school and town. This number is $60M.
Selectman Conron requested to see the increases of the Shared Costs to give a look back (5 years).
Upper Cape Tech (UCT) – bond anticipatory. The UCT is meeting on January 11, 2007 on their budget. TA Guerino is not sure it is firm.
Administrative Services (up 5%) – the whole town is included, some consulting done.
In summary, TA Guerino stated that this budget is very frugal, coming in at 4.49% including the Police, Fire Dept. OT and the anticipation of cost of living increase.
Budgets are due on January 15, 2007 without Capital. Capital is requiring an additional week.
Pothole Money – 60% going to the schools, 40% to offset the shared costs the schools have.
Public Comment
What percent do Town Employees contribute to health insurance? 25%. Chm. Zuern noted that if the employee contribution were increased, the salaries would need to be increased (the majority of other towns are consistent to Bourne). As far as the percentage, you need to look at the whole picture.
V. Chm. Mealy stated that 84 cents out of the tax dollar is spent on Administrative Services., Public safety, Debt services., insurances and School Department:
4.1% - Admin. Services
14.0% - Public Safety
8.6 cents – Debt services
20 cents – Insurances
37 cents – School Dept.
Town Administrator’s Report
Monument Beach – the seawall is almost complete and under budget. The current cost is $34,000 - $35,000 and will be a little more once complete.
Gray Gables – work done to keep the storm water run off water down. This will buy time until engineering work can be done.
Next week’s agenda will discuss the budget and how it is presented to get to the Finance Committee on February 1, 2007. No final figures, but various scenarios will be discussed.
Other Selectmen Business
Not at this time.
Selectmen’s Reports
Selectman Conron noted the article for the Mass. Campaign for Open Government with regard to town websites need to include pertinent information for the public. She requested a balanced budget be put onto the website.
V. Chm. Mealy requested the Transportation Advisory Committee be reviewed to increase the number of members to nine (9). Open discussion is requested to rekindle the participation. Selectman Conron also noted that there is no alternate spot to fill in if Selectman Sloniecki cannot attend the meetings in the Joint Transportation Committee.
V. Chm. Mealy noted the Bourne Community Inc., a non-profit organization which has the opportunity to give 38 students (5th and 6th graders) to participate in boating and boating education with the environment. Their website is www.BourneCommunity.org.
Selectman Harrington stated he will not be running for re-election in April due to conflicts in his professional practice. He will have open office hours tomorrow (1/10/07).
Chm. Zuern mentioned she attended two meetings last night (1/8/07). One was the Police Dept. TV live show. Two people were apprehended and hope that this will cut down on the recent break-ins in Cataumet. She also attended the DNR Ad Hoc Review Committee meeting (1/8/07) to see where the committee was as far as a recommendation to the board.
Tickets for the Snowflake Ball (BBVA) are on sale. The proceeds will go to the BBVA and the Bourne Youth Council equally. The BBVA’s website (www.bbva.org) to view items for bidding on the silent auction.
Chm. Zuern also reported on the crime increase of 8% overall. She said to use good judgment and common sense to try to get that number down.
Discussion held about the DNR Ad Hoc Review Committee Draft Report to the Selectmen. TA Guerino mentioned that this report will have some budget impact. The consensus of the Board was to not comment at this time and wait to receive the report. A note will be sent to Paul Bushueff stating such and to come forward to the Board with their final presentation.
Adjourn
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to adjourn. UNANIMOUS VOTE. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Groezinger, sec.