MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
WORK SESSION
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 3:15 p.m.
Present: Linda S. Burt, Chair; Kenelm N. Collins, Vice Chair;
Russell H. Sandblom, Clerk; Martin F. McDonald and
David H. Schropfer
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Selectman Collins moved to end the Executive Session at 3:12 p.m., and to return at this time to Public Session and then later to return again to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litigation. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. Selectman Collins, yes; Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman McDonald, yes and Selectman Sandblom, yes.
Selectman Burt called the Public Session to order at 3:15 p.m.
Ms. Vanderhoef informed the board of Selectmen that a strong gas odor forced an evacuation
of Town Hall earlier today. The Fire Department and Keyspan responded immediately, and after inspection gave the “all clear.” Employees were then allowed to reenter the building. The suspected cause remains unknown. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that Town Hall and all Town buildings do not have good evacuation plans or drills and will be working with the Fire Department to develop same.
Budget Review - Overall
Ms. Vanderhoef asked the Board if they would like to go over the budget page by page or if they
would like specific questions addressed. The Board opted for discussion related to specific questions.
Elementary School - Custodial Hours
The Board of Selectmen discussed their concerns related to the possible cut-down of custodial
hours of one custodial position at the Elementary School. Selectman Collins noted that if anything, there should be an increase in custodial hours to assure the smooth running of the new building.
Fire Department - Call Firefighters
The Fire Department’s Call Firefighter budget was revisited. The amount of $10,000 that
was there last year was not in the present budget. Selectman Schropfer felt it important to
keep a portion of this in the FY 08 budget under review. Selectman McDonald also felt that this would help in recruitment efforts by the Fire Department.
Selectmen Schropfer, noted that $2,500 was used for this purpose last year. At this time, he would recommend putting $2,500 in the budget for Call Firefighters. The Board of Selectmen agreed.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to reinstate $2,500 into the Fire Department Budget for
FY 08 (Call Firefighter) to be removed from free cash. Selectman Sandblom seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
FLEX Ridership
Selectman Sandblom, at this time, voiced his concerns regarding the actual ridership numbers of use on the Flex buses and wondered if the Town’s expenditures for this project were justified. Selectman Burt noted that one years’ statistics will not suffice in rendering a comprehensive review/decision. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she has requested statistics be broken down by cost per rider miles and will share that information with the Board of Selectmen as soon as it is received.
Natural Resources/Hemenway Facility.
The Board of Selectmen discussed options which included: the pros and cons of closing the Hemenway Facility for one year as opposed to keeping it open; options related to managing the facility; competition; the possibility of committing personnel exclusively to this site from April to October; the value of the educational component attached to the Hemenway Facility; possible negative effects of closing for a season and consideration of the option of making the output of the Hemenway Facility available to local taxpaying fisherman, etc.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that from this discussion it appeared that the Board of Selectmen’s intention was to consider selling production stock back to the local taxpaying fisherman, and that before further consideration of such a policy, the Board would like to hear from Mr. Henry Lind, Natural Resources Officer, as to his opinion on this matter.
The Natural Resources Budget, at this time, will be kept in place “as is.” The Hemenway Facility will be kept open for this season. Options related to increasing revenues by charging visiting groups will be recommended to Mr. Lind. Mr. Lind will return to the Board of Selectmen for further discussion of the aforementioned.
Adult Day Care Center
A prior request had been made to consider making an existing part-time position at the Adult Day Care Center into a full-time position. At this time, the Board of Selectmen feel that the timing is not critical related to this request.
The Board of Selectmen by consensus agreed to leave the part time position “ as is” for this year, and will take this under consideration again next year.
Selectman Sandblom noted that philanthropic initiatives and increased volunteers be encouraged as regards to the Council on Aging. Selectman Sandblom thought a public thank you to individuals who contribute be considered, perhaps via the newspaper. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she will discuss this with the Treasurer, Ms. Joan Plante, to see how a gesture of gratitude can be generated from that office.
Selectman Burt noted that the many efforts the Board of Selectmen are making now to keep things under control will be far-reaching as we look into the future and face a possible over-ride next year.
Selectman McDonald noted that he is interested in reviewing the debt retirement section. Ms.
Vanderhoef will be happy to go over that area with Mr. McDonald in depth, as well as with
other Selectmen as requested.
All matters having been considered, Selectman Schropfer made a motion to go from Public
Session at 4:45 p.m., and to return to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of
litigation and not to return to Public Session. Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectman Sandblom,
yes; Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes and Selectmen McDonald, yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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