Board of Selectmen  APPROVED FEB 9, 2009
Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2009

Present: Chairman Martell, Selectman Huber, Selectman Martin, Lt. Thomann, D. Goldin, F. VanDerbeck, K. Leahey

Meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m.

Approval of Minutes:  Selectman Martin motioned to accept the minutes of the meeting held on January 12, 2009; Selectman Huber seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Liaison Reports:
Fire Department: No report

Police Department: No report other than a brief mention of the electric company requiring police details within town to try to rectify issues caused by the ice storm of December 11, 2008. Lieutenant Thomann remarked that Amherst PD is open to covering shifts.

Library: The Trustees are looking for new ways to raise money; one idea has been to “suggest” a donation for use of the Ramsdell Room. Director Adam Novitt wondered if a TV could be purchased and used to have “showings” in that room (i.e. Super Bowl, etc.). Adam also expressed his feelings regarding use of the Library; he feels that anyone living in Pelham should be able to use the building but, a method of prioritizing ‘events’ needs to be established. There was also discussion regarding whose responsibility it would be to open and close the Library for after-hours use and also, if the Town’s insurance policy would cover claims during hours when the Library is not ‘officially’ open; is additional insurance needed? Would someone from the town or library need to be present for every event/meeting?  Would any usage fees go to the Library or to the Town? Would the fees cover the cost of heating and lighting the space for use? It was established by the Selectmen that a revolving fund would need to be set up for fees and that that would have to be voted upon at Town meeting.

Schools: Selectman Huber reported that he had been to meetings where FY10’s budgets had been discussed. Huber said that “at this stage” budgets are expected to be level-funded. Huber spoke of the need to “wean off of School Choice” students and the revenue that it brings to the town. Selectmen agreed that a coordinated plan needs to be developed regarding School Choice students. Bill Martell suggested that Selectman Martin draft a letter to School Committee Chairwoman Tracy Farnham asking for a five-year plan for School Choice students.

DPW:  Martell reports that the Highway Department has been “out straight” with the recent weather events and that Superintendent Adamcek has requested that a “Snow Emergency” be declared in order to ‘deficit spend’.

Town Hall: Martell reports that the Hall is running smoothly.

New Business:

• Snow Emergency: Ed Martin made a motion to declare a snow emergency; Huber seconded; motion passed unanimously.
  
  
• Vehicle disposal: Selectmen asked Leahey to look into placing a notice regarding the disposal of the non-functioning vehicles; i.e. the two green pickup trucks now parked at the Rhodes and the Chevrolet Tahoe formerly used as the police cruiser.

• Town Meeting Calendar: Selectmen set the Town Meeting Calendar as follows and will it have it posted on the website and at the usual places:

• Statement from the Board: Chairman Martell read the following statement:

“The Pelham Board of Selectmen would like to announce that we have accepted the resignation of Police Chief Edward B. Fleury effective March 16, 2009. Under the terms of the agreement that was reached between Chief Fleury and the Board of Selectmen, Fleury will be utilizing vacation leave for the remainder of his time with the Pelham Police Department and Lieutenant Gary Thomann will continue to serve as the acting Chief of Police.  The Board feels that the acceptance of Fleury’s resignation is in the best interests of the Town and a necessary step in the process of moving forward.”

• Statement: Martell stressed that Fleury’s resignation had been reached by mutual agreement. Martell also noted that Lieutenant Thomann would continue as “Acting Chief” for the foreseeable future.
• Selectmen asked Acting Police Chief Thomann to come to the next meeting and bring a copy of his proposed Marijuana Law protocol.
• Leahey let Selectmen know the results of her research into the cost of printing tickets for non-criminal violations (i.e.; marijuana law, burning permits, trench permit, etc.). Copy Cat Print Shop in Amherst can print them economically (about $300 for ten books of fifty citations each), after discussion,
  Jim Huber motioned to purchase ten books from Copy Cat Print Shop; Ed Martin seconded; motion passed unanimously.
  
  
• Selectmen asked Leahey to get in touch with Town Counsel Jeanne McKnight to inquire if a bylaw is needed in order for ‘anyone’ to write ‘tickets’ for non-criminal infractions.
• Lt. Thomann informed Selectmen that he is pursuing Mutual Aid agreements with both the Belchertown and Amherst Police departments.
  Ed Martin made a motion to sign Mutual Aid agreements with Belchertown and Amherst in regards to the Police Department; motion passed unanimously.
  
  
• Library Director Adam Novitt informed Selectmen that in order for the Library to receive $3,900 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation the Town must pledge $1,300 in funds by March 15th. Novitt stressed that right now all that is needed is the commitment to allocate the money to the Library. Novitt said that the grant will be used to purchase computers and that the purchase must be made by September according to the terms of the grant. Selectmen agreed to request the allocation; they will take it up at their next scheduled meeting.

Huber motioned to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.; Martin seconded; meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Leahey
Administrative Aide