Nov_24_2008

Board of Selectmen APPROVED 12/08/08
Meeting Minutes
November 24, 2008

Present: All Selectboard members, Kim Leahey, Fred Vanderbeck, Gazette reporter Mary Carey, Lieutenant Gary Thomann, Christopher Rice, David Goldin, Alice Suprenant.

Meeting called to order by Chairman Martell at 6:02 p.m.

Approval of Minutes:
November 3, 2008 – Selectman Huber motioned to accept, Martin seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Huber asked, in reference to a discussion which occurred at the meeting of November 3rd, if a “formal motion” could be made to ascertain and initiate the measures recommended by John Trickey and the Finance Committee in order to raise the town’s bond rating to AAA. Short discussion, no action taken.

November 14, 2008 – Executive Session minutes: Chairman Martell made a motion to accept the minutes, Selectman Huber seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Liaison reports:

Police Dept: Martin reported that Lt. Thomann, in the absence of Chief Fleury, had passed out statistics for the previous month.

Fire Department: Martin also reported that Chief Murphy had prepared and supplied him with an “Operational Analysis” report. Martin, having only just received it, had not had time to review it.

School Committee: Huber noted that on Saturday, December 6th, the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will host a Four Towns meeting. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the fiscal realities facing each town, the impact on our school districts, and ways to deal with potentially substantial reductions in education revenue. The meeting is scheduled for December 6th at the Middle School from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Huber, Vanderbeck and Trickey will be attending. Martin said that he would also attend and Martell said that he will go, if possible.

Library: Huber reported that Library Director Novitt is concerned about the money for the computer match. Huber reports that $1,200 to $1,500 is needed by March of 2009. Huber also reported that Novitt had inquired about the possibility of applying for a credit card for the Library’s use. Huber had discussed the idea with Treasurer Edna Holloway and Accountant Gail Weiss and was told that it is not possible.

DPW : Martell reported that the “new hire”, Paul Ritter, had started today (November 24, 2008) and wondered if he would have a first day of salting and sanding given the anticipated weather for the evening.

Town Offices: Martell also reported that the town offices were “quiet and running smoothly”.

Other Business:

Selectmen decided to change the date of the December meeting from the fifteenth to the eighth. They noted that there would be five weeks between scheduled meetings but stated that they would call a ‘special’ meeting if something should arise in the interim.
It was further decided that the December eighth meeting would be a Classification Hearing for the assessor’s office. Leahey promised to alert Assistant Assessor Martha Leamy to the meeting date.
Selectmen decided to have the annual “Roundtable” meeting on January 12, 2009.

Huber asked if a large calendar could be bought to be put on the wall so that dates could be easily read and plans made based upon those dates. Leahey said she would look into buying a dry erase calendar.

Assessor Dave Goldin asked “how much” does the town need to raise from taxes? He asked so that various “scenarios” could be proposed to the board regarding the upcoming budget. Selectmen felt that looking to last year’s budget would be an accurate indication of the monies needed.

Appointment:

Lieutenant Gary Thomann proposed appointing current Reserve Officer Christopher Rice to the department as a part-time officer. He reported that Rice has been working in the department since 2006 and is a 2004 graduate of the Police Academy. Thomann informed Selectmen that the anticipated Community Policing Grant would cover part of Rice’s compensation. Selectmen felt that the appointment of Rice was a good idea; Huber motioned to change Rice’s status from a Reserve Officer to a Part-time Officer effective immediately. Selectman Martin seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Amherst Road:

Leahey informed Selectmen that DPW Superintendent Adamcek had requested that the Board vote to alter Amherst Road and then forward the plans to the Planning Board for their review. Adamcek reports that this is the “first step” in the process as explained to him by Town Counsel.

Martin motioned to alter Amherst Road as per the plans in Adamcek’s possession and to forward same to the Planning Board. Huber seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Citizen’s Comments:
None

Old Business:
None

New Business:
Administrative Aide Leahey told the board that her mother is very ill and she may have to take some time to travel to Rhode Island. Selectmen assured her she would be allowed to take whatever time she needed.

6:30 p.m.: Chairman Martell announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session to “discuss the mental or physical condition of a town employee”. He also stated that the meeting would not reconvene in open session.

Selectmen Huber voted to go into Executive Session.
Selectmen Martin voted to go into Executive Session.
Chairman Martell voted to go into Executive Session.