Board of Selectmen’s Minutes
February 12, 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.
Call the Meeting to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
Approval of Minutes
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to approve Selectmen’s minutes of February 5, 2008 as amended. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve joint meeting between Board of Selectmen and Trustees of Bourne Veterans’ Memorial Community Center minutes of February 5, 2008 as submitted. VOTE 5-0.
Announcements
Several announcements were made of upcoming events. Recognition of the Selectmen’s Pollution Task Force was made.
Public Comment - Non-Agenda Items
None at this time.
Selectman Conron reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office.
TA Guerino noted the Regional Transit Group in Attleboro will discontinue the Gatra bus service in Bourne and other towns. TA Guerino will write a letter to the Attleboro Transit Group requesting to keep the service in Bourne.
TA Guerino noted the GASB/OPEB report of Segal & Associates is complete and will be reviewed at a later date for review and comment. A copy of said report was given to the Finance Committee.
Issue raised on Acceptance and Improvements to Private Ways. Discussion held.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to re-activate the Acceptance and Improvements to Private Ways Committee. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to set formal hearing date for Courtyard Entertainment License on March 18, 2008 at 7:30 pm and to notify all abutters. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron read into record handout re: Administration/Public Safety and Good Order of the Government on Chapter 140 Licenses, Section 183A (Concerts, dances, exhibitions, public shows, etc.; license; application; suspension or revocation; rules and regulation.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to open Warrant for Annual Town Meeting on February 12, 2008 and close on February 20, 2008 for the May 5, 2008 Town Meeting in accordance with the Town of Bourne Charter. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to open Warrant for Special Town Meeting on February 12, 2008 and close March 20, 2008 for the May 5, 2008 Special Town Meeting in accordance with the Town of Bourne Charter. VOTE 5-0.
Discussion of Citizen Petition re: Noise Bylaw. Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to form a subcommittee of two to investigate the noise bylaw and consider as an article in the Town Meeting. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to adopt the new Town Administrator’s Review Procedure and Format - January 31, 2008 version.
VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to conduct Goals Session on March 11, 2008 at 6:00 pm between the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator, and at that point discuss Town Administrator’s goals. VOTE 5-0.
Linda Marzelli discussed Debt Service Review. She also reviewed included bonds list re: Elementary School and the Library expansion.
Discussion held on future meeting between Selectmen, Finance Director and Town Administrator re: addition of debt exclusion.
Chm. Mealy asked to see graphs of debt as drops down for said discussion.
TA Guerino reviewed the Health Trust and Current Expenditure Overview. Discussion held on when the Selectmen can set rates. TA Guerino noted not setting rates until other healthcare options are explored.
Selectman Ford raised issue of Selectmen goal re: Health Trust using free cash and stabilization vs. trust fund
policy in an effort to where is solvent. Group Insurance funding, Town should
have a policy that town keep adequate funding and only to be used for group
insurance, similar to the funds kept for the employees contribution.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to recess meeting for five minutes. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to reconvene meeting. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Travel allowance - increase from $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 and monthly expenses.
Discussion held. Selectman Conron raised issue with handout of questionnaire re: surrounding towns and how they address Selectman salary, reimbursement and expenses.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to adopt additional $2,000.00 for travel allowance supporting Article as drawn up by the Town Administrator. VOTE 3-2 with opposing votes from Conron and Mealy.
Fiscal Impact Study - TA Guerino discussed recommended $5,000.00 for consultancy, but cautioned as it is limiting from outside consultants.
Discussion held. Chm. Mealy suggested to take under consideration, review and discuss at a future meeting.
Selectman Ford suggested to adopt TA recommendation of $5,000.00 and address if an emergency arises.
Professional Development - has been reduced.
Finance Department
Accounting – increase in office expense due
to addition of payroll.
Assessors – increase due to outside
consulting services.
Treasurer – Human Resources moved to
Treasurer.
Data Processing (MIS) – decrease in
personnel.
Discussion held on website re: Selectmen
minutes and also discussed viewing Selectmen meetings on town website.
Health
Minor increases for vehicle maintenance;
replace typewriter (for ledger books) and fuel costs. Director salary level increase (M-7 to an M-8).
Community Building
Utility costs adjustments. Electricity re: NSTAR billing discussion held. Building fees go back to the General Fund.
Town Administrator’s Report
TA Guerino attended hearings in Boston re: Donovan case.
Capital Outlay meeting is tomorrow night.
Encourages public to pick up Town Reports at Town Hall.
A suggestion of the School Building Committee representative (Dr. John Harrington) update the Board.
Selectmen’s Report
Selectman Zuern and Selectman Ford attended ISWM Working Group meeting. She also noted the passing of one of Bourne’s oldest citizen Francis Sylvia.
Selectman Ford attended the Wastewater Committee. He also attended the Selectmen’s Association Meeting on February 8, 2008.
Selectman Conron commented on written policies written by Bill Griffin. She attended the Library Building Committee and the Conservation Committee meeting. All Selectmen attended the Selectmen and Counselor’s Meeting of Cape Cod. Lastly she attended the casting group for the play and the Finance Committee meeting.
Selectman Conron commented on the EPA wishing to speak to the Board re: reorganization of clean-up at MMA.
Discussion of Targeted Override (safety and police) for future agenda.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Respectfully submitted - Lisa Groezinger, sec.