Minutes of Selectmen’s Meeting of February 27, 2007
Town Hall – Meeting Room #1
Present: Selectmen Casey, Grimes, Angley, O’Donnell, Chair Muscato, Town Administrator LaFond and A.T.A. Bouchard.
The Chair announced openings on the following committees: Finance Committee; IDC, Earth Removal Committee; and Handicapped Commission. Residents wishing to apply should contact the Selectmen’s Office. The Chair also announced the upcoming Community Forum Series.
Health Insurance Update:
Ed Burns from EBS Foran gave an update on the Town’s Health Insurance through the Gateway Health Group and covered the following topics:
· History and formation of the Gateway Health Group
· Impact of additional health plans and benefits
· Flexible spending accounts – tax free savings to employees
Group members have saved 6% on premiums over the past two years in comparison to what they would have spent if they remained with Plymouth County’s Health Insurance Program. Savings totaled over $1 million. The July 1, 2006 rate increased 10.8%, which was well below medical inflation (14%). An audit is presently being finished on the Group and they will be setting their rate for FY08 shortly. The Group would like to set up a wellness program and additional plan options with higher deductibles, but lower premiums. Burns stated that the Group has been right on target and is 100% credible with our enrollment of approximately 1700 individuals. Burns also explained the re-insurance for catastrophic claims. Jack Franey requested a copy of the audit when completed.
School Department Budget Hearing:
Present: Committee members Spencer, Kaminski, Webster, Spicer and Struski. Also present Supt. Sorrell, Business Manager Gillis and Secretary to Superintendent Metrano.
Sorrell gave a video presentation showing the programs the school has been able to offer to the students. The schools have approximately 360 employees, and they believe the budget proposal is reasonable for FY08. One of the major changes in the budget is the end of the bus fees – all students will have guaranteed transportation. This will reduce the number of students who are tardy. The end of the fifteen year retirement payments to Plymouth County since the split of the region will help pay for the reduction in revenues from the fees to fund the transportation budget.
The School Committee Budget Proposal Option I Summary is as follows:
Central Office Increase of $36,154
Utilities Decrease of $57,045
Benefits Increase of $97,255
Transportation Increase of $48,910
Special Education Increase of $110,723
Salaries Increase of $450,556
Circuit Breaker Revenue* Decrease of $150,000
Foster Care Revenue Increase of $250,000
* Circuit Breaker Revenue – Tuition is greater than $33,700 is reimbursed by State
Overall the Schools are looking for an increase of $786,553 which is a 3.93% increase over FY07’s budget of $19,997,415.
Percentage breakdown of the overall budget are:
Salaries 66%
Benefits 16%
Supplies 4%
Operations 7%
Net Tuitions 6%
Other 1%
Additional staffing requests are a .49% clerk for the guidance department and a 2 day per week career counselor.
Capital requests are for four 65 passenger buses and for a mobile laptop cart with notebook computers for the Governor John Carver Elementary School. In their original capital outlay requests there was a one ton dump truck with plow, but due to the fact that the School does not use this vehicle as much as the DPW uses theirs, the DPW will be requesting the truck and give the school their used truck. Angley explained to the audience the Capital Outlay Committee makeup and their strategy and long range planning on capital purchases for the Town.
Finance Committee Chair Scott McCaig questioned if the Town would have the resources for a 3.93% increase. LaFond stated that he contemplated a 6% increase in state aid in his budget, but at this time the Town has not received official word. At this point it looks like there would be a gap, but that we will try to do everything possible to accommodate the School Committee’s budget as it is reasonable.
Grimes thanked the School Committee for their presentation in such a positive way. O’Donnell echoed Grimes’ sentiment. O’Donnell inquired about the graduation rate and MCAS Scores. Sorrell stated that the MCAS has not improved as much as they want it to, but will continue to work on this, and have a target percentage of improvement for next year. The drop out rate has dropped by 50%. Casey stated he was pleased with the presentation.
The Chair requested that the School Committee submit to the Board of Selectmen the full budget proposal, as has been received in previous years.
Julian M. Southworth American Legion Post:
Rob Harriman of the American Legion Post came before the Board asking for their assistance and support on having the Route 44 Spring Street Bridge named after two veterans who were killed in the line of duty. One is a World War I veteran Julian M. Southworth and the other is World War II veteran Nelson J. Garnett. The Post is requesting the Town contact our state officials so this can be brought before the legislature. Motion by Angley to go forward, second by O’Donnell. Vote unanimous.
Conservation Commission Home Rule Petition:
Dan Fortier, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, came before the Board to explain the Home Rule Petition before the legislature on adding two alternate voting members to the Conservation Commission. This was approved at the Spring Special Town Meeting in 2005. Senator Pacheco wrote the Town stating that this did not get approved in the last legislative session, and before submitting it this year, a vote of the Board of Selectmen re-affirming Town meeting’s vote would be in order. Fortier explained there are times the commission does not have a voting quorum due to absences or members abstaining from voting due to conflict of interest. By adding two alternates with voting abilities it streamlines the application and decision process. Grimes motion to approve, second by Angley.
Vote unanimous.
One Day Special Licenses:
Motion by Grimes to approved two One Day Special Licenses for the Friends of the COA on March 3rd and March 17th, second by Casey. Vote 4-0-1 (O’Donnell abstained).
Woodcock & Associates, Inc. Contract:
LaFond explained that this contract with Woodcock and Associates is for the design and the development of the North Carver Water System that will include assisting with discussions with the three major landowners, legislation for the District and water rates. This could take up to 18 months before the system is in place. Motion by Grimes to approve, second by O’Donnell. Vote unanimous.
Commercial Garage License – Jamie Ferreira:
The Chair stated he would entertain motion for a show cause hearing for Ferreira on his Commercial Garage License. O’Donnell stated he attempted to visit Ferreira on reports that he had altered his license issued by the Board in order to purchase vehicles. He was told that Ferreira was in Florida until the middle of March. Motion by Angley to send a letter to Ferreira to come before the Board and to bring his license, second by Grimes. Casey suggested last meeting in March. Vote 4-0-1 (O’Donnell abstained).
Citizens Participation:
Scott Roberts, Handicapped Commission, stated that the commission really was in need of more members. The 2004 Street Listing lists eighty-six handicapped residents over the age of sixteen. They presently have three vacancies and meet six times per year. Casey recommended Roberts talk to Dan Miott at the Cable Studio to list the need on the bulletin board. It was also suggested that he talk to the Veterans Agent and the COA Director. Grimes stated the Board would work with the Commission any way they can.
Jack Franey asked for an update on the Cole Property in regards to the developer contributions. Jack Hunter stated that they needed one more commitment letter out of the three major landowners for the Community Action Development Grant for the construction of a utility in the amount of $1.5 million. This is available for water districts serving less than 10,000 people.
Selectmen Notes:
Casey stated that this is sports week and that both the boys and girls basketball teams are in the state tourney. One of the school’s wrestlers also qualified for state.
Grimes stated that he talked to Ron Clarke regarding the cable renewal. He is concerned about the length of the contract, as well as an escape clause for the Town for non-performance. He wants to review contract in depth. LaFond stated as of last Friday morning we had received a letter from Com Cast asking to push back to deadline on the RFP and that there was plenty of time to review the contract and get the comments to the attorney. He also stated that Com Cast will not budge and want ten years. Grimes asked about towns forming a co-op and believes it is something we should look into. O’Donnell asked for copy of RFP. Grimes stated the FCC if more favorable to cable companies.
Angley – nothing.
O’Donnell asked for update on litigation with BATG on Dog Pound. LaFond responded that there was nothing yet. He will be in touch with Rich Bowen by the end of the week.
Muscato stated that he drove by the Fire Department on Saturday when it was 18 degrees and they were doing training. He also stated he attended the Plymouth County Transportation Breakfast at the Radison. The new Secretary of the MBTA and Secretary on Mass Highway were in attendance. He had the opportunity to thank the Secretary of Mass Highway that we finally got Route 44 opened. The extension of the new Route 44 to the Middleboro Rotary is not even in the planning process right now. He also attended the Agricultural Commission’s meeting last night in regards to the Animal Excise Tax. Ellen Blanchard was in attendance and she told the horse owners that there was an error – the tax on machinery, saddles and other equipment applies to commercial stables or breeders
only. Horses owned for pleasure will pay an excise tax on the animal only. Muscato discussed the replacement for Jack Hunter, and that an ad has already been placed in the paper. He requested that two members of the Board serve on the screening committee. He will not serve. LaFond stated they needed input from the IDC, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen. O’Donnell remarked that it is critical to fill the position with the right person and that Hunter set the bar and that he is eternally grateful.
Grimes stated he talked to Rich Gronberg who attending the meeting of the Technical Advisory Group meeting at Plymouth Airport. He wants to get a map from the Assessors that will show the land in Carver along with runways. Muscato stated he received a letter regarding Vaughan Estates’ residents concerns.
Town Administrator Notes:
LaFond stated the Governor will present his budget tomorrow. He will be in attendance at the Fiscal Policy meeting next Tuesday and hopefully we will know the implications and that time. At the Board’s next meeting the Police/Fire Station Study Committee will be making a presentation. We will be going forward with the Police and Fire stations and there will be an article for architectural and engineering funds for the Annual Town Meeting. He also remarked that the warrant article deadline is tomorrow.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM
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