Minutes
Board of Selectmen
January 31, 2005
Attending: Chair Linda Burt, Russell Sandblom, Joy Brookshire, Kenelm Collins, and Peter Whitlock, Administrator Sheila Vanderhoef, Fire Chief Olson, DPW Superintendent Steve Douglas, and Town Accountant Jane Wall.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Burt. She asked for public information. Administrator Vanderhoef mentioned that the Fire Chief and the DPW superintendent were attending to update the Board on the Towns response during the recent blizzard. Administrator Vanderhoef further stated that Police Chief Hedlund, Civil Defense Director, was ill and unable to attend.
DPW Superintendent, Steve Douglas explained to the Board that his crews had worked continuously throughout, to ensure that emergency personnel could provide services, to clear, reclear and widen streets and intersections. Steve also mentioned the work of the National Guard which helped to clear intersections along Route 6, Bridge Road and Herringbrook Road. Steve also informed the Board that he had some breakdowns which he and his staff were attending to this week. Overall his crews had opened all of the town roads and many of the parking lots by the end of the week.
Fire Chief Olson then thanked the National Guard for their help and informed the Board that the Police and his department had received calls for persons without power who wanted to be relocated to heated facilities. Most were relocated by their choice to the local Sheraton or relatives and friends in other parts of town, even though our emergency plan was in place with a shelter open and staffed at the Senior Center.
Members of the Board asked questions and expressed their appreciation of the efforts of the department heads, employees, and Town Administrator during the time, and further, on a motion by Selectman Brookshire, seconded by Selectmen Collins it was voted that a letter be sent to all involved in the effort.
Selectman Brookshire then updated the board on the Cape Light Compact’s initiative, where it will be offering service to all of the Cape and Islands for a preferred rate. The initial rate will be slightly higher than the Nstar rate but it is expected to decrease and remain stable. The Nstar rate is expected to vary and increase.
Administrator Vanderhoef, introduced a Mr. Ross Lasley who had e-mailed questions about the affordable housing proposal on the Roach property. Mr. Lasley presented a detailed chronology of events and communications with New Boston. His specific complaints were that he was unaware of the development behind him; he wanted to buy the lot that directly abutted his property at the rear; he wanted copies of the floor plans and pro forma of the developers. He continued that while he was not opposed to affordable housing, he did not think that the Town had hired a reputable firm to do the work. The Board responded by informing Mr. Lasley of the long and public process which had included Town Meetings, as well as numerous Selectmen meetings. He was also informed that the project would
have a 40B permit hearing on February 24, at which Mr. Lasley was welcome to speak.
The Town Administrator then summarized various changes that had been made to the capital plan, the long term debt schedule and levy and debt projections.
Capital plan: The Town Administrator pointed out to the Board various changes that had been made since the initial review. Those changes included, a $20,000 reduction in the first year lease cost of the engine, and the increase in the water treatment system costs for town hall.
The Elementary School debt had been reduced from 8.4 million to 5.2 million to reflect our estimate of the Town share of the debt. The state had confirmed that it will fund its share in a lump sum so it will not be necessary to bond that amount. The Board had a brief discussion on the timing of the bonding. The Town Administrator reminded the board that the Treasurer has expressed reluctance to bond before the exact amount is known. The Town Administrator had asked the treasurer to look at bonding sooner rather than later to save on the interest rates. It is expected that interest rates will increase and the town will be bonding at the higher rate.
The Municipal Water Project was estimated as a first bond on $4 million and that debt schedule was shown with a 30-year bond.
The library renovation was shown as a debt starting in FY08 for $4 million.
The Town Administrator pointed out that the management of debt was designed to keep the tax rate as stable as possible while acquiring and completing necessary projects.
The Town Administrator then reviewed the tax rate implications of the various debt timing options and showed a twenty-year scenario of debt to operating ratios. The impact of the proposed debt scheduling as presented is that the debt will not exceed 10% of annual operating based on various assumptions about budget growth.
A recommendation that the Selectmen consider staggering the addition of new personnel over a two-year period was discussed. The recommendation was to hire two of the four firemen requested, provide $25,000 to purchase assistance from the County for the health agent, and add the clerical assistance to the Administration department. This $140,000 additional cost is included in the levy work sheets.
Finally the capital needs of the Nauset Region were discussed. The Board was told that the towns of Brewster, Wellfleet and possibly Orleans would need an override to fund the capital needs. With the Town’s excess levy capacity, it was recommended by the Administrator that the Nauset Capital be funded in that way and not be made subject to an override.
Looking forward, the Town Administrator reviewed with the Board the projections for FY07 and FY08, pointing out that with even a modest annual budget increase of 4.5%, the town would need an override in that year.
After some additional discussion of Article 12 in general, the board on a motion by Joy Brookshire, seconded by Kenelm Collins, voted 5-0 to forward to the Finance Committee a budget of $16,220,696.
On a motion by Selectman Collins, seconded by Selectman Sandblom, voted 5-0 to support the FY06 capital acquisition plan (article 13).
On a motion by Selectman Collins, seconded by Selectman Whitlock, voted 5-0 to support the Five Year Capital Plan FY07-FY11.
And further the Board voted to add $63,000 to the operating budget to manage the building, health, and planning records using a “laser fiche” record storage and retrieval system.
The Chair then asked for Selectmen’s information, to which Selectman Whitlock offered the Cape Cod Selectmen’s meeting on Friday, February 19.
The Board then, at the request of the Town Administrator and on a motion by Selectman Whitlock, seconded by Selectman Brookshire, voted 5-0, to confirm the declaration of a state of emergency on Sunday, January 23, declared by the Chair at the request of the Town Administrator by telephone that day. The Town Administrator told the Board that the estimate of expenditure for staff so far is about $40,000. But these costs were incurred over the period of about five days. MEMA is considering permitting reimbursement for a 48-hour period only.
The Town Administrator reminded the Board that the Chamber would be coming in February to discuss operation of the Information Booth, and an upcoming warrant article asking the town to plow private roads..
The Board signed the MOU with the park service and the Eastham police as per the request of Chief Hedlund.
On a motion by Selectman Sandblom, seconded by Selectman Brookshire, the board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
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