Selectmen’s Minutes
January 16, 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 Harrington MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the Minutes of December 18, 2006 as presented. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Minutes of December 19, 2006 as presented. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Harrington MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the Minutes of January 9, 2007 as amended. VOTE 5-0.
Public Comment –
Non-Agenda Items
Mark Tirrell – State Budget – Urged the Board to weigh in on the ‘no thanks’ for gambling and gaming as a revenue source for the Commonwealth. Also, a ‘no thanks’ for the local meals tax.
Correspondence
Selectman Sloniecki reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office for review.
Comments on
Correspondence
Mello Electric is a small electric firm who was the subcontractor at the Community Building. The town paid the main contractor, who in turn failed to pay his subcontractors. The town honored their contract with the main contractor and that the subcontractor is not an obligation to the town.
Vice Chm. Mealy noted the Zoning Bylaws limit the number of building permits to 120 per year. In 2006 there have been 74 issued. This bylaw was written to control the growth in the town.
Licenses/Permits
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Mealy to approve the request for the new road name Honora Court. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Budget Discussion
TA Guerino introduced two proposals for FY08 for the Board to consider. Both meet the requirements of Section 7.1. TA Guerino’s first proposal uses $750,000 from the reserve fund. The second proposal uses no reserves, which is not sustainable though balanced.
In 2010 an override will be requested. The number of the override will be determined at a later date. That number will be put in a trust fund (i.e. reserve fund) and have the commitment not to draw down more than 15-20%. This is a workable plan and reasonable which impacts the voters not for another two fiscal years as opposed to one.
TA Guerino is recommending a $750,000 for capital expenditures and $750,000 for general operating expenses.
TA Guerino said that there is some work to do, this budget is a place to start and can be amended. He also thanked Nancy Sundman and Debbie Judge for their efforts in the budget, as well as Carol Johnson and Cheryl Campbell.
Discussion held. There was a consensus from the Board that Public Safety is important for the Town (police and fire are about half the cost, and the schools and health make up the other half).
Selectman Conron was concerned that this proposed budget will work only if an override is successful and could be in a worse state. TA Guerino noted to look at the incremental reductions in services each year and that the Board determines the level of service.
Chm. Zuern suggested looking into other sources of energy to help balance the budget. It was noted that this is more of a long-term area by TA Guerino.
TA Guerino handed out the Summary Budget. TA Guerino reviewed line-by-line items up through Ambulances. The remaining items will be discussed at a later meeting.
The Selectmen’s budget – adds in consultations
TA’s budget – at this time is up for negotiations.
Finance Dept – shifted costs.
Assessors Dept. - cut $10,000 proposal for an on-line system
Tax Collectors – $7,200 for lock box
Data Processing – up due to the licensing of the Microsoft software and replacement of machines.
Board of Appeals – mailings augmented from the Town Meeting as proposed
Economic Budget – no coordinator until FY09
Fire – fire inspector position eliminated. V. Chm. Mealy noted that the cost of the new Sagamore Fire Station costs $34,000 more to operate than the old fire station.
Public Comment
Discussion held about the town paying for the training of the police officers. It was concluded that it is more cost effective to pay for the training, than to pay the salary of a seasoned police officer.
Joan DeLapa – inquired about energy audits. TA Guerino noted that the schools and the Town Hall have been done.
Hal DeWaltoff (FinCom Chair) – discussed the bare bones budget on a personal level. At some point we will have to ask the town for more money.
Elinor Ripley (FinCom V-Chair) – asked for all to keep an open mind and come up with some solutions. She also stated going to the public for an override and set the money aside.
TA Guerino noted that there are two differences between the proposed budget and the FY07: 1) reserves level and 2) health insurance. He also stated we are in a better financial place today, which deserves further discussion.
Transportation Advisory Committee Discussion
V. Chm. Mealy MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the proposed Transportation Advisory Committee compose of a total of 7 members:
1 member of Public Safety
1 member of Public Works (Superintendent or designee)
1 Cape Cod Commission staff member
4 At-large positions. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Pan Mass Challenge Signs
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the erection of 3-4 Pan Mass signs. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Town Administrator’s
Report
TA Guerino requests the Board waive the 15-day period for the new Fire Dept. hire of Jonathan Bean.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to waive the 15-day period for the new Fire Dept. hire of Jonathan Bean. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Other Selectmen Business
None at this time.
Selectmen’s Reports
Selectman Sloniecki discussed the Crystal Ball Financing and how informative it was. It is nice to have the Town of Bourne committed to open lines of communication.
V. Chm. Mealy reported on the Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting which addressed the changes in the municipal law, in particular, the flexibility to change the town budget similar to the school’s process. It was an excellent opportunity for exchanging information on a first hand basis. He also thanked TA Guerino and the Dept. heads for their efforts in the budget.
Selectman Conron mentioned that Margo Fenn called her with regard to the Cape Cod Times article. Selectman Conron told Ms. Fenn she would forward to TA Guerino to discuss further.
Selectman Conron discussed the Planning & Construction of Bldg. and other Facilities (currently Mashpee uses) for a point of interest with helping the School Building Committee. This would need to have a bylaw change and requested to discuss for a future agenda.
Chm. Zuern discussed
the meeting she attended on the base as an SMB member. The Air Guard is looking
into the process of swapping real estate to make necessary changes resulting
from the BRAC decision. She asked TA Guerino whether the town could speak with
Senators and Representatives for a reconsideration of their vote supporting
this decision. Also, perhaps the Commanders could come to speak to the Board.
TA Guerino will speak with appropriate people personally.
Chm. Zuern noted the
Citation to Karen Sigmund and welcomed her as the new Postmaster in
Pocasset. She also attended an Eagle Scout ceremony where T.J. Bilodeau received
an Eagle Scout Award. His project was the renovation of the basement into a
conference room at the Pocasset Community Building.
Chm. Zuern noted that the "Spotlight on Bourne" interview with Admiral Gurnon will be held on January 17, 2007 at 7:30 pm.
Chm. Zuern mentioned Bob Parady's resignation from the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board, effective April, 2007.
Chm. Zuern reminded people of the February 10, 2007 Snowflake Ball and tickets are still available. 93 donated items are available for auction which can be seen on line and open for on-line bids.
Chm. Zuern lastly noted the Buzzards Bay Village Association’s walking tour with the Selectmen will be on January 17, 2007 at 1:30 pm.
Adjourn
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to adjourn. UNANIMOUS VOTE. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.