Board of Selectmen      APPROVED 1/12/09
Meeting Minutes
December 8, 2008

Present: All three Selectmen, Members of the press (Channel 40 & Channel 3 and various print reporters), David Goldin, John Trickey, Donald Clark, Alice Suprenant, Mary Carey, Lt. Thomann and others.

Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Huber made a motion to approve the minutes of November 24, 2008.
Selectman Martin seconded; motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Huber made a motion to approve the Executive Session minutes of November 24, 2008.
Selectman Martin seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Liaison Reports:
Schools: Huber reported that he had recently attended a Regional School Committee meeting and, he says, that budget development and finances should be “interesting” for FY2010, especially as towns are unsure of how much Chapter 70 monies will be available. Huber also reported that a discussion of K-12 regionalization will be on the agenda of the meeting to be held on December 18th.
Library: Nothing to report.
Energy Committee: Huber reported that the committee had overseen a “Blower test” on the Community Center (Library, Police, Fire) building recently. He reported that the test revealed a rate of 2500 cu. ft. of air/heat leakage per minute. There is currently discussion about looking into the possibility of retro-fitting the roof to mitigate the problem. Huber further reports that a $110,000 grant may be available for that purpose.
Town Offices: Chairman Martell reported no issues or problems.
DPW: Chairman Martell reported no issues or problems, and noted that Superintendent Adamcek has been using some vacation time to do some hunting. Martell also reported that the new hire, Paul Ritter, has started.
Fire Department: Martin spoke to the Fire Chief recently regarding future Capital Equipment needs. Martin spoke of the need to “squirrel away” funds for a new fire truck. Martin also mentioned that the Air Packs currently owned by the department will no longer be able to be refilled after April 2010 and, therefore, a plan will have to be made for their anticipated replacement
Police Department:  Martin reported that everything is “going smoothly” under Lt. Thomann’s leadership. Thomann concurred.
New Business: In light of Police Chief Ed Fleury’s continued absence from the department due to sick leave, Selectman Edward Martin made a motion to appoint Lt. Gary Thomann as acting Police Chief;
Selectman Huber seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Huber opened a discussion regarding the Town’s contract for recycling. Huber wanted to know if our contract with Amherst Trucking is automatically renewed every year and are there other companies that would be willing to competitively bid for the contract. The question was also raised regarding where exactly Amherst Trucking takes the recycling materials that are collected in Pelham?

Selectmen decided to put the matter on the agenda for a future meeting.
Leahey presented the proposed 2009 dates for recyclying and, after discussion;
the Board agreed that her list could be confirmed with Amherst Trucking as follows:

January 3, 2009                     February 7, 2009                    March 7, 2009

April 4, 2009                          May 9, 2009                            June 6, 2009  

July 11, 2009                          August 1, 2009                       September 12, 2009

October 3, 2009                      November 7, 2009                  December 5, 2009

Reclassification Hearing

• David Goldin, the principal Assessor, suggested that no changes be made to the tax rate for the coming year.
• Goldin also suggested, and supported, a single tax rate but did suggest that, for next year, he would like to look into what it would mean for Pelham to have a ‘split rate’.
• Goldin asked permission from the Board to get in touch with Kopelman & Paige, town counsel. Selectman Huber suggested that Goldin develop a list of questions that he would like to ask Counsel and, after the Board’s review, they would respond to his request.
• Huber also suggested to Goldin that he make some calls to surrounding towns to ask whether or not they realize more revenue from a split rate rather than a single rate.
• Selectman Martin made a motion to establish a single tax rate; Selectman Huber seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Citizens’ Comments

Regarding the status of Police Chief Ed Fleury and the Pelham Police Department, Selectmen responded:

• Fleury is on paid sick leave until January 6, 2009. That is the length of time that his physician has written an excuse for.
• Gary Thomann, having been appointed Acting Police Chief, will take over the duties of the role.
• Selectmen are in contact with Town Counsel regarding the Chief.
• There are seven officers on the department staff; Thomann is the only full-time officer; the department and duties have been “shuffled” to maintain full coverage.
• Fleury has not been terminated and that consideration that would require the Selectmen to confer with Town Counsel in order to assure that any action taken is done with respect to Massachusetts General Laws.

6:40 p.m. - Chairman William Martell announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to negotiations with non-union personnel and would not return to open meeting.

Martell voted to go into Executive Session.
Selectman Ed Martin voted  to go into Executive Session.
Selectman Jim Huber voted  to go into Executive Session.

The regular session of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Leahey