Board of
Selectmen’s Minutes
March 11, 2008
Bourne’s Veteran’s
Memorial Community Center
239 Main Street
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Thomas M. Guerino, Town Administrator
Stephen F. Mealy, Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Vice Chairman
Judith W. Conron, Clerk
Linda M. Zuern
John A. Ford, Jr.
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm.
Capital Plan – plan developed and draft will come to the Annual Town Meeting (or handed out if doesn’t make the Voter Handbook). A public hearing request was discussed. A presentation request to the Board before the ATM was made.
Revenue projections – issue reviewed and municipalities are limited. Spreadsheet requested for the last 5 years. Review request of parking fees, including short term guests – TA Guerino will discuss with Harbormaster.
Integrated financial plans – waiting for capital to be implemented to the rest of the assumptions, and are ready to move forward.
Working with Mass Technology Collaborative re: methane bubble and turbines at the landfill. If successful, it will be at the next Special Town Meeting for alternative funding sources. Senator Murray’s office working on the town’s behalf.
Coastal Resources – put together a committee and turned over to DNR, will meet this week (Coastal Resources Committee). Request of AmeriCorp to work with DNR. The assistance of the Eagle Scout working on another town project was also suggested. Phase II grant for Conservation Pond (approximately $60,000.00) will also have an impact on the coastal resources.
Wastewater management – TA Guerino met with TA of Wareham and discussion held after Wareham Town Meeting (April 25, 2008). Wareham TA will supply invoices for backup to bring to Bourne’s Finance Committee and how relates to the IMA.
BFDC (March 18, 2008 to the Board of Selectmen) and Steering Committee (March 25, 2008 to the Sewer Commissioners meeting) will meet re: what has been accomplished relative to wastewater (Mr. Seaver’s report, nitrate loading).
Human Services Committee is up and running.
TA Guerino noted economic vitality of Bourne and to put more focus on all Bourne village centers, not just Buzzards Bay.
TA Guerino suggested adding an Article in Special Town Meeting to request monies for consultant work. Discussion held. Put on agenda for next week.
Assure adequate staffing in public safety departments – discuss next week with Chief Baldwin.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to close Goals Session. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Regular Meeting Called to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve Executive Minutes of February 28, 2008. VOTE 4-0-1 with abstention from Selectman Ford.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to approve minutes of March 4, 2008 as amended. VOTE 4-0-1 with abstention from Chm. Mealy.
Kathleen Donovan raised issue with request of phone number while obtaining a dump sticker. TA Guerino will discuss with Brent Goins to revise.
Joe Agrillo raised issue on cable costs and inquired on the status of the cable committee.
Selectman Conron reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is one file in the Town Administrator’s Office.
TA Guerino raised issue with the Constable application and noted three (3) to serve the needs of the town is sufficient at this time. He will file application.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve Entertainment License - General Amusement License request for the Cartwheels II per Board of Health (applicant stated no food – okay as long as no food service or retail food); and Fire Department (will need inspection prior to opening); pending CORI check; routing slip; and $75.00 fee. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve annual request for Cape Cod Canal Regional Chamber of Commerce summer concerts at Bridge Park every Thursday beginning July 3, 2008 through August 28, 2008 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. VOTE 5-0.
In summary, Fire Department recommends the addition of the title Deputy Chief of Operations. They are looking for nine additional fire fighters to the current staffing. The purpose of response to Fire Staffing Report is to educate Selectmen and the public. They would like to reject report and recommend the Fire Chief make his proposal.
TA Guerino will work with Mr. Greene, the Fire Chief and the Consultant Group to bring forth a single document to the Board in the future.
TA Guerino noted wanting clarification on consultant group vs. Fire Department. He also noted sending the Fire Staffing Report to DIG for a response.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to recess meeting. UANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to reconvene meeting at 8:50 pm. UANIMOUS VOTE.
The consensus of the Board is not in favor of taking money out of the reserve fund.
Total reductions totaling $83,000.00. The School Committee has not yet voted on these reductions. Mr. LaFleur speculated that the school would like to reduce the fees as a priority.
TA Guerino reported State Aid figures netted the same amount as last year.
Susan Barakini (PTA) raised issue with textbooks and not replacing them. She also discussed fundraisers and that the PTA will provide childcare at Town Meeting.
Joe Agrillo, Ann Marie Siroonian and Kathleen Walton oppose the school fees.
Chm. Mealy suggested to go back and review budget and address additional funding to for fees and the after school program.
Discussion held. For the Board’s consideration, TA Guerino noted using the GASB-45 monies to address $83,000.00 shortfall, as there are no pending retirements.
Mr. Lavoie further addressed the transportation and athletic fees. He also raised issue with the healthcare costs.
Mary Jane Mastrangelo is opposed to the fees and asked how to address.
Chm. Mealy noted being open for a joint meeting between Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and School Committee to address shortfall.
Butch Frias (Middle School Headmaster) commented on Middle School library cuts.
Charlie Miller commented on two distinct budgets.
Selectmen Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to defer
Items 11 – 17 to next week. VOTE 5-0. (Preliminary Town meeting article review; First review of Financial Policy Amendment for Health and Dental Insurance; School Building Needs – Name Access Road; and Article balances).
Chm. Mealy noted next week’s meeting will begin with a continuation of Item 10 then address Items 11-17.
Adjourn
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 pm. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa A. Groezinger, sec.
Department input - little input from the members of the Department.
Scope of work – not enough time put into this portion
Statistical information – facts not submitted by any addendum or attachment
Proposed structure and plan – not considered and no reference to recognized national standards.
Preliminary findings – false alarms are deemed “false” after responding to a call. Some calls were omitted and not considered important.
Multiple Service calls – EMS related and not reported as such and unrealistic. Also, FY07 calls would be higher if simultaneous calls were included into the average.
TA Guerino inquired on when there are multiple units out, a new call- in system with 2-hour increments (didn’t have one prior to July 2007). Mr. Greene noted new call-in system only helps presently if all three stations are tied up on calls.
Over 55 population - increasing and have population with needs and assistance and report noting calls are stable is unjust.
Fire Department organization – Fire Inspection officer not instituted and want to go on record as in support of position.
Comparable dept. issue – total personnel in other towns there is a significant difference
and not comparable; should compare staffing in each individual station. No dispatcher reported, only referred to secretary in report.
Additional staff request – not always available, due to staffing issues.
Consultant’s report on Otis – used Otis as an example to meet the “2 in/ 2 out” is not just Otis and are other areas that assist.
Shifts – looked at 2007 and 95% of the time were at eight-person minimum with resources available.
Rapid intervention team (RIT) – not part of the actual fire fighter force and are there to assist. Resources of Otis will be limited.
Town’s fiscal situation and noted being frustrated working with current staff. They suggested grants to help hire fire fighter (options as consideration).
Recommendation of staffing issues on organizations outlined on the last few pages of the report.
Staffing issues – moving staff around is not unusual for the required second paramedic
Call Department (call volunteer) – report didn’t report Call Department accurately and didn’t report on a nationwide basis.
Assistant Chief title – Deputy Chief title follows organizational structure. No job description was listed. Salary base needs to be reviewed.
Recommendations – organization chart can address later.
Call force eliminated – don’t recommend eliminating
Statistics – put in vehicles respond to incident, but don’t write up different vehicles as different incidents.
Call volume change – people are not only summer residents, and have increased significantly.
Study Group - Joe Carrara noted no solicitation from study group for report. He raised issue with the following: