The Chair opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and announced openings on various town committees.
Citizen Participation
Dawn Padovani of 82 Rochester Road stated that she was unable to discuss her concerns about the legal opinion regarding the Police Chief contract as approved by the Board. She asked if she could submit written questions for written response. She had drafted 16 questions. Angley read the letters from Town Counsel David Jenkins regarding his attempts to contact Padovani. Ward suggested that the matter should be dropped. Grimes stated that he too had some questions regarding the legal opinion. Ward suggested, and the Board agreed that Grimes condense the request to a couple questions for counsel and that he contact Jenkins.
School Budget Presentation
School Supt. Liz Sorrell began the discussion by noting that this past year the High School achieved it’s highest SAT scores in the school’s history in a year when the national average declined. School Business and Finance Manager Matt Gillis assisted in the presentation. The following points were highlighted:
- $524,139 in staff and supply cuts;
- $384,389 in benefit increases (health ins., pension, workers comp., other insurance);
- Increase in utilities by $41,544;
- Total budget request of $261,843 or 1.26%;
- The Budget is 64% salaries, 18% benefits, 7% operations, 4% instruction supplies, 6% outside programs, and 1 % other;
- 11 teaching position are being eliminated resulting in a reduction of $484,016 of which 4 will be lay-offs and the remainder attrition;
- The district population has decreased by 156 students over 5 years.
Angley asked about the cost of student transportation. Gillis stated that he did not have comparative numbers available but that the district has always been in the bottom quartile.
Ward noted that the cost of energy was becoming a severe burden and that the Green Committee would be looking into that issue. He stated that he supported the budget request.
O’Donnell asked if there was potential revenue in the treatment plant expansion to which Gillis replied that he had applied for a permit from the state for nutrient loading that may allow them to generate some revenue from taking private sources.
Motion by Ward to support the budget proposal,
Second by Grimes
Unanimous Vote
Capital Outlay Presentation
Capital Outlay Committee Chairman Ron Clarke presented the committee report for FY 2009. He first reviewed for the Board the purpose of the committee, the past improvements made to the town’s facilities and other capital assets, and the history of equity aid and how that helped the program and the building of the stabilization fund.
Clarke complimented department heads for their understanding of the fiscal climate as well as the maintenance staff for maintaining the condition of facilities and vehicles.
The FY 2009 recommended requests included:
Fire Dept. Replace Dept. Protective Clothing $30,000
School Dept. Replace 1 Mini Bus
Replace 2 77 Passenger Buses
Replace 1 Handicap Mini Bus $240,500
MSBA Feasibility Study $ 35,200
Town Clerk Purchase Shelving for Vault $ 21,875
Purchase New Voting Machines $ 26,000
EMS Replace Ambulance $150,000
Board of Health Replace Pick-Up Truck $ 19,710
Total recommended contingent upon funding was $523,285.00
St. John’s Club One Day Licence
Motion by Ward to approve a One Day Liquor License for April 19, 2008;
Second by Casey,
Unanimous Vote
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Casey to approve minutes of January 22, February 15, and February 26;
Second by Ward,
Unanimous Vote
Appointment of Election Workers
Motion by Ward to appoint Leonard Cipullo, Roberta DeCoste, Kathy Doherty, Ana Gronberg, and Janet Neely as election workers;
Second by Casey,
Unanimous Vote
Selectmen’s Notes
Ward reported that the Cultural Council met to review it’s goals for the years; the Earth Removal By-law committee was nearing completion of work and will have a public hearing in April and the fee schedule is still and issue; and, that he suggested to the Town Administrator that a regular administrative report would be a good idea.
O’Donnell updated the Board on the proposed casino in Middleboro including the hearing on the environmental impact study. He urged people to contact their legislators regarding their concerns. He reminded people to remember the military personnel who make it possible to enjoy our quality of life.
Casey stated that he was concerned with the loss of 11 teaching professionals in the school as well as the declining technical resources available.
Grimes stated that the IDC had sent a letter regarding the IDFA. He suggested that the IDFA be invited to a future meeting of the Board. He also questioned the status of the legal services committee. Paul Johnson stated that he prepared a draft committee charge and gave copies to the Board.
Motion by Ward to accept charge as written;
Second by Grimes,
Unanimous Vote
Grimes noted that the fixcarver.com website was getting more pro and con responses.
Motion by O’Donnell to extend support to the 4 individuals who were losing their jobs in the school dept. due to budget cuts;
Second by Grimes,
Unanimous Vote
Town Administrator Notes
LaFond provided the attached report.
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