Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2009

Present: Ed Martin, Bill Martell, Jim Huber, John Trickey, Joe Larson, Fred Vanderbeck, Gwen Hubler, Dave Goldin.

Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Martell motioned to accept the minutes of the May 11, 2009 meeting/Huber seconded/motion passed unanimously.

Liaison Reports:
Police: Huber reported that the Cruiser Committee had met and made a vehicle recommendation.
Fire: No report.
Town Offices: Martin informed the Board that Collector/Treasurer Edna Holloway would be out on vacation the following week, June 1- June 4; Martin also noted that Administrative Assistant Leahey would also be out on Monday, June 1st. Martin said that Assessor’s Assistant Martha Leamy would be in the building on Monday. 
DPW: Martin reported that the department is proposing to purchase a New Holland tractor for $19,000 and a Cub Cadet mower for $4,800. Martin noted that both pieces of equipment cost significantly less than was originally projected.
Library and Schools: No report from Mr. Martell.

Cruiser Committee:
The Cruiser Committee met recently and made a decision to recommend that the Town purchase a 2009 Ford Taurus. The decision was facilitated by Committee member Johnny Whitehead whose Campus Police Dept. at UMass has just purchased this vehicle. Whitehead was able to show the vehicle to the committee. The expected cost of the vehicle is $27,000.

The Board discussed the disposal of the current cruiser. Selectman Huber suggested that the cruiser be parked on the side of one of the busier streets to act as a deterrent to speeders. Trickey and others believed that the cost of maintaining both the vehicle and the necessary insurance would preclude the Town from doing that. It was also mentioned that liability could become an issue if someone assumed that an officer were nearby to give aid in an emergency situation. Selectmen discussed methods of disposal and finally informed Admin Leahey that she could prepare an ad for the three items: the cruiser, the mower and, the tractor.

Aside: FinCom Chairman Trickey cautioned Selectmen to determine if the money for the cruiser is currently available. He suggested that they check with Town Treasurer Edna Holloway so as to avoid having to secure a short term note.

Well Away Farm (Keyes):
Kristin DeBoer of the Kestrel Trust presented documents for the Selectboard to sign in regards to the purchase by the Trust of a Conservation Restriction on the Edmund Keyes property on South Valley Road.

• Martell motioned to sign the Conservation Restriction/Huber seconded/motion passed unanimously.
• Huber motioned to sign contingent upon the review and approval of Town Counsel/Martell seconded/motion passed unanimously.

The Town will hold a promissory note from the Kestrel Trust until the State grant comes through and then the Town will reimburse the Trust for the $198,000.

Selectmen discussed briefly with DeBoer whether or not the Trust would reimburse the Town for legal expenses incurred for both this transaction and the Heplar Restriction from some months ago. DeBoer promised to present the request to her Board; Administrative Aide Leahey promised to give DeBoer the total of what the Town has been billed for Legal representation in these instances.

Budget:

FinCom Chairman John Trickey and member Fred Vanderbeck discussed the Board’s decision not to award cost of living adjustments (COLA) until the Amherst/Pelham teachers have come to a decision regarding their COLAs. Trickey then stated that the Town would bank a percentage of the payroll budget in order to ‘match’ what the teachers decide (%age-wise).

• Selectman Huber motioned to recommend the budget as proposed by the Finance Committee/Martell seconded/motion passed unanimously.

Trickey informed Selectmen that the Finance Committee would be holding an informational session to present and explain the budget and the fiscal state of affairs of the Town at 8 a.m. before the reconvene of the Annual Town Meeting.

Trickey also said that the Finance Committee is recommending the Historical Commission article that is the subject of the Special Town Meeting at 10 a.m. on June 13th.

Other Business:
Regarding a “waiver form” that the Conservation Commission had inquired about in anticipation of scheduled “work days”;

• Selectman Huber motioned to have the form reviewed by Town Counsel/Martell seconded/motion passed unanimously.

Selectmen discussed the possible regionalization of Veteran’s services and whether or not Pelham would participate in the District. Kathleen Pollard, Pelham’s agent, had let the Board know that she would be working for the district and that the cost to Pelham would increase by $675. After discussion, all three selectmen agreed that participating in the Veteran’s District would be their choice.

Citizens’ Comments:
Tom Hartman of Amherst Road felt that:

• Speed limits between Arnold Road and the town line should be reduced. Hartman felt that the area should be declared “Thickly Settled” and therefore have a speed of no more than 30 mph.  He also suggested that tickets generated along the road could be looked upon as a “revenue stream”.
• Before and after photocopies of Amherst Road should be made for each and every property and sent to property owners.
• Heavy truck traffic should be redirected off of Amherst Road; he feels that the grade of the road, the speed limit and the weight of the trucks creates a hazardous situation whereby the trucks are often, in his opinion, nearly careening out of control.
• Pelham should have its own zip code. Joe Larson and Hartman will work on drafting a letter to the Postmaster to inquire about the process. Research would also be done on how Leverett, who also do not have a post office, were able to be assigned a zip code.

• Selectman Martell motioned to close the Warrant for the June 13th Special Town Meeting/Huber seconded/motion passed unanimously.

• Selectman Martell motioned to close the meeting/Huber seconded/motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Leahey