Board of Selectmen’s
Minutes
January 15, 2008
Bourne’s Veteran’s
Memorial Community Center
239 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
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Attendance:
Thomas M. Guerino
Selectmen:
Stephen F. Mealy, Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Vice Chairman
Judith W. Conron, Clerk
Linda M. Zuern
John A. Ford, Jr. (excused)
Call the Meeting to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
Approval of Minutes
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve minutes of January 8, 2008 as amended. VOTE 4-0.
Announcements
Several announcements were made of upcoming events.
Public Comment - Non-Agenda Items
Patrick Marshall, Library Director, noted Governor Administration’s grant of $100M bond includes libraries on the waiting list. Town of Bourne will receive $2.8M (Legislature Authorization number H4455). No public hearing listed for authorization to date.
TA Guerino clarified that bond submitted by the Governor’s Administration provides a 15% increase, but does not necessitate increase in Town of Bourne’s match.
Mr. Marshall also distributed the FY2007 Value of the Library to the citizens.
Selectman Conron reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to approve one day beer and wine license to the MS Society on June 28, 2008 from 12pm-9pm for National MS Society. VOTE 4-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to appoint Thomas Curtis as a member of Alternative Energy Committee with term through July 30, 2008. VOTE 4-0.
Municipal Finance Relief Act of 2007 on agenda for Board to consider to support. Selectman Conron read into record summary of said Act.
Selectman Conron noted first initiative requesting State to give back lottery amount that was cut. She noted second initiative is the Governor putting emphasis to increase education funds. Selectman Conron also noted formula for Local Aid has yet to be determined.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to support Municipal Finance Relief Act of 2007 as presented. VOTE 4-0.
B.F.D.C. – Update
Not discussed tonight.
Selectman Zuern noted working with Selectman Conron in drafting the Town Administrator’s Evaluation before presenting to the Board.
TA Guerino noted updating and calling out what needed/not needed on future agendas to the Board moving forward.
Town Administrator’s Report
TA Guerino noted dredging at Phinney’s Harbor commenced.
DPW Superintendent, Town Planner and TA Guerino interviewed Construction Engineering Firms for Feasible Study passed at Town Meeting. Contract awarded to Gannet Fleming Engineering. Study to be done by the third week of April for brief presentation to be made at Annual Town Meeting in May.
TA Guerino briefly reviewed Budget handout.
All Town Departments, excluding School Department (discussions continue), TA recommends for FY09 a 2.25% reduction from original budget requests.
TA Guerino noted the FY09 budget is up $1.5M over previous year, for a total of approximately $50M.
TA Guerino’s Budget Message will be on next week’s agenda. He also noted there will be some turn backs, but not as much as last year.
Chm. Mealy suggested Board members review budget packet and e-mail TA Guerino any budgetary questions out of the normal scope for discussion at next meeting.
Selectman Conron requested Revenue Forecast discussion next week. She also wanted to discuss Healthcare.
TA Guerino noted next week’s discussion of override in Budget Discussion, but will not get into detail.
Chm. Mealy noted addressing additional funding to meet the Town’s requirements.
TA Guerino noted Capital Improvement Plan provides a better grouping of either by Department or function of expenditures.
Discussion held of budget changes, particularly in the Police Department, and the Board’s authority.
Selectmen’s Report
Selectman Conron attended Capital Outlay Committee. She also attended the Mass. Municipal Association meeting. She briefly attended the Trade Show. Selectman Conron attended Women’s Elective Luncheon and also attended two workshops: Department of Local Assistance; and Easy Being Green – Managing Energy Costs. She attended Cape Cod Selectmen’s and Counselor’s General Meeting, the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Meeting, and the MMA Business Meeting.
Selectman Zuern attended Upper Cape Tech School Committee (TA Guerino to copy and hand out UCT budget packet at the next meeting). She also attended the Alternative Energy Committee meeting. She took pictures of the dredging in Monument Beach.
TA Guerino and Chm. Mealy recognized Mike Leitzel in dredging projects.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Groezinger, sec.