Board of Selectmen                
Meeting Minutes  
June 23, 2008

Present: Selectmen; William Martell, Edward Martin and James Huber, Administrative Assistant Kim Leahey,
Chief Fleury, Judith Eiseman
Meeting called to order at 6:07 p.m.  

KESTRAL TRUST

Judith Eiseman attended the meeting to solicit the Board’s signatures acknowledging to the Massachusetts Conservation Partnership Program the purchase of the Gould property and the conservation restriction that is to be granted to the Trust in regards to it. The Program, through a grant, will reimburse the Kestral Trust $50,000 for the purchase upon the Board’s and other entities’ signatures.
Selectman Huber began a lively discussion regarding the Town’s need to have a “Master Plan” in part so that tax-generating properties are not encumbered and taken off the rolls. He also suggested that a policy be put into place whereby the Selectmen would meet with the various town committees, specifically the Conservation Commission and Planning Board, at least quarterly in order to be made aware of ongoing projects, etc; he further suggested that a Roundtable meeting be held in September with all committees to initiate this process.
Eiseman stated that the taxes, because the property is backland, are minimal and that the land is best suited to be Conservation land because it will not perc. She also informed the board that, since the Kestral Trust, a non-profit organization, now owns the property, no taxes will be realized whether or not the Board agrees to sign the document. In addition, since Selectman Martell strongly suggested that in the future the Board will refuse to sign anything unless they have had thirty days in which to review it, Eiseman informed the Board that the Trust is working on the “Keyes Family project” and two others.

The Board signed the document presented by Ms. Eiseman; Jim Huber made a motion that, in the future, the Board requests that any paperwork which requires the Board’s signature, particularly around the transfer of property, be presented at least thirty days in advance so that the Board has the opportunity to review it before agreeing to sign.  Ed Martin seconded, motion passed unanimously.

APPOINTMENTS
The Board prepared to make appointments to various boards and positions in Town. Selectman Huber felt strongly, in regards to Town employees, that the Board should not reappoint anyone without having had the opportunity to review a current job evaluation. In response to Huber’s question regarding employee evaluations, Police Chief Fleury said that it “was not a common practice” in law enforcement to do yearly evaluations because the refinement and resolution of any issues is an ‘ongoing’ process. Also, Huber stated that it is his belief that the Personnel Board had drafted a “universal” evaluation form to be used; he suggested that Leahey contact Sharon Downs and ask. Leahey agreed.

Huber made a motion that all evaluations of Department Heads and other full-time Town employees should be done by May 1st and then be made available for review by the Selectmen before reappointments in June. Ed Martin seconded, the motion passed unanimously.

Ed Martin made motions individually for the appointment of the following people to the positions described, Jim Huber seconded the motions, all motions for appointment passed unanimously. All appointments were made for one year terms except for the appointment of Dana McDonald to the Conservation Commission which was made for a three year term:

Selectmen directed Leahey to draft a letter to former Veteran’s agent Rod Raubeson regarding the Board’s decision not to reappoint him and thanking him for his years of service. Kathleen Pollard, the Agent for Amherst will now also service Pelham.

MISCELLANEOUS
Jim Huber made a motion to allow Donald Clark to post a sign at the Rhodes Building regarding the Lion’s Club Chicken Barbecue scheduled to be held in the Town garage in September. Ed Martin seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Huber informed the Board that he will be out of town for the next two weeks. He provided Leahey with his cell phone number should there be any need to speak with him.

Minor discussion had regarding whether or not the Fire Chief is a “strong chief”. Police Chief Fleury, while acknowledging that a previous Board had gone through the motions to rescind the “strong chief” designation, it is his belief that former AA Mary Comtois did not follow through with the final step of notifying the Legislature and, therefore, the Chief remains a “strong chief”.

In regards to the Police Cruiser Committee; Ed Martin and Ed Fleury will be on the committee. Leahey told the board that former board member Rich Hall has expressed an interest on being on the board. Leahey learned from Selectmen that Personnel Board member Gordon Palley has also expressed his interest.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Kim Leahey