Board of Selectmen Minutes
March 20, 2006
Chm. Ryan convened the meeting. Present: Alan Ryan Chm., Michael Collins, Louis Arcudi Selectmen; Eugene Phillips, Joe Sweet and Jim Carroll Finance Committee; Jack Farrar Road Commissioner; Chief Garland, Officer Donald Martin, and Artie Maggiore, videographer.
MSDV to approve minutes of March 6, 2006 executive session.
Chm. Ryan noted there was an interesting article in the Northeast Municipal Forum regarding merit of pay and has asked Mr. Phillips to pass this along to the School Dept.
Selectmen Arcudi would like to attend the workshop regarding 40B projects that will be held on Friday March 31, 2006 at the Radisson in Milford. Mr. Phillips will be passing along a reminder to Steve Gallagher from the Zoning Board to see if he will be attending.
MSDV to appoint Shayna Davidge as part time dispatcher for the Hopedale Police Dept.
There was a brief discussion regarding a memo from the Police Chief about two bylaw changes pertaining to unreasonable noise and new parking violations. It was decided to pass over this memo until the next Selectmen’s meeting to give them time to review the memo. There is still time to do this before the Annual Town Meeting Warrants are due back. Joe Sweet of the Finance Committee suggested to the Selectmen adding a bylaw regarding the times Town Boards meet. He feels some Board schedule their meetings too late and with some much information on their agendas the meeting are running very late. Mr. Collins also suggested some Boards meet more often if there is need. Mr. Phillips requested all Boards be sure to place a meeting date and time before they mail out their abutters letter because
residents are confused about when public hearings will be held.
Chm. Ryan noted Comcast’s contract will be up for renewal next year but the renewal process should be started now. Mr. Phillips has a copy of the contract for the Selectmen to review prior to renewal.
Mr. Phillips updated the Selectmen on the status of the contract with Peter Westcott on the Fire Station. Mr. Phillips said a check will be cut for $8,543.00 to Mr. Westcott and there is currently a punch list valued at $5,114.00 which will be paid out as the work is completed. Mr. Phillips asked the Board for approval to conclude the rest of the contract with Mr. Westcott and it was granted. Chief Garland informed the Board of a public open house for the newly renovated Fire Station scheduled for Sunday May 7, 2006 at 11:45 with a brass band concert and the ceremony beginning at 12:30. Chief Garland will be contacting the school and sending out formal invitations this week. Rep. Parente and Sen. Moore will be in attendance.
Mr. Phillips received a call from Rep. Parente indicating that as a result of a call from one of the Selectmen in Mendon, she had filed a bill in legislature to allow municipalities to set their own rate for a salary for the Code Compliance Hearing Officer. Currently it is set at $2,500.00 by the state regardless of the size of town. Rep. Parente expects to present it to general body shortly so Mr. Phillips suggests the Selectmen hold off on appointing this individual for now. We can’t issue violations currently, but if this drags out and becomes an issue Chief Garland will need to issue the violations.
Jack Sinns from Unison Site Management spoke with the Selectmen about an offer they are willing to make to the Town regarding the cell tower site atop the water tank near Steel Road.
Chm. Ryan presented the review of Town Coordinator Gene Phillips. He explained how the review process works and went through the consolidated review from the three Selectmen. Each member scored Mr. Phillips on his relationship with the Board (commendable), fiscal management (satisfactory), professional skills and abilities (commendable), community public relations (satisfactory), and personnel administration (satisfactory). Chm. Ryan along with the rest of the Board noted they have enjoyed working with Mr. Phillips this past year and feel they presented him with a positive review.
The Selectmen were to meet with the Road Commissioners but there was some uncertainty weather or not they should be meeting in executive session. Mr. Farrar feels they should go into executive session to start discussions and if it is decided it should not be discussed this way it will be tabled until the next meeting.
MSDV to move into executive session not to reconvene. RCV: Alan Ryan Chm. –Aye, Michael Collins –Aye, Louis Arcudi –Aye.
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Alan J. Ryan Chm.
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Michael E. Collins
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Louis J. Arcudi
HOPEDALE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Moved, Seconded, Discussed and Voted ** Roll Call Vote
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