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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 08/30/00 Present: RECE\VEO r",1' (' f"lr':r C\CE 1lwn\\ CLt\,\) U. r 00 S[P -1 ~H 8~ 09 HAHSr ìEl...O MÞO.SSf:..C\\USt.11S Chairman David M. McCarter; Clerk Bradford E. Wills; Selectmen Amos M. Robinson, Louis P. Amoruso and Daniel Donovan. John O. D'Agostino, Town Manager Board of Selectmen Minutes August 30, 2000 The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. The Town Manager announced that: · AT&T (formerly MediaOne) ascertainment meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night at 7:30. Attorney August will be present. · Mill Street Sewer Extension project is proceeding well. The second phase of the project is on schedule and due to start today. The first phase was expected to take 3-4 days and was done in a day. The second phase is more complicated. Staff has met with the School Dept. and the bus company to coordinate re-routing of that area. This stage includes Plowshare and Millfarm and the detour is limited and easily negotiable by the bus company and residents. Children will be picked up at the end of the respective streets. No kindergarten children will be affected by the re-routing. Selectman Robinson asked the Town Manager to double check with the School Department to be sure Kindergarten children will picked up on their streets. Motion: To go into Executive Session to discuss strategy related to land acquisition and to return to Open Session at the conclusion. (Amoruso-Wills) Roll Call Vote: Robinson, aye; Wills, aye; Amoruso, aye; McCarter, aye Selectman Donovan was not present for the vote. The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:43 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1. Warrant No. 10 - $1,751,890.31 Motion: To approve and sign Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 1 (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor, with Chairman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll; Selectman Robinson abstaining from School Department payroll and invoices; Selectman Amoruso abstaining from Parks and Recreation payroll Passes 1. Executive Session Minutes of August 23, 2000 Selectmen's Meeting Motion : To approve (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes 2. Open Session Minutes of August 23, 2000 Selectmen's Meeting Motion : To approve (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes Town Manager and Staff: . Memo from Ron Webster, Fair Housing Committee Chairman, requesting the Selectmen appoint Michelle Powell to the Fair Housing Committee because they are having a problem getting a quorum for their meetings. Motion: To appoint Michelle Powell to the Fair Housing Committee (Donovan-Wills) - discussion followed, with it being noted that even though it is not specified in the Charter, it would be better to advertise the position and open it up to anyone who might be interested. The motion and second were withdrawn and the opening will be advertised · Memo from Kurt Gaffney, Water Operations Manager, recommending that the water ban be lifted Town Manager D'Agostino noted water levels are higher than normal and lifting the ban on September 5th after the Labor Day weekend would still give residents time to put in new lawns. Clerk Wills questioned why the ban could not be lifted immediately if water levels are sufficient. He noted it's an enterprise account and we could use the revenue. The Town Manager advised him we need time to give people notice and get the signs down. Selectman Amoruso stated Labor Day weekend would be a prime time for people to work on their lawns and he's not sure the need to get the signs down should delay lifting the ban until September 5th. Motion: To lift the water ban effective September 5th (Wills-Donovan) All in favor. Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 2 Residents: . Letter from the Farrell Family at 65 Winter Street re: request for a "Go Slow - Children" sign and a decrease in the speed limit on Winter Street Memo from Ptlm. Lance Lawson was received, recommending a "Go Slow - Children" sign as requested MassHighway will not allow reduction in the speed limit without an extensive traffic engineering study paid for by the town and submitted to them for review-with no guarantee they will then change an existing speed regulation. Motion: To accept Ptlm. Lawson's recommendation and approve the "Go Slow" sign and request that the Chief have increased review of the traffic speeds in that area to enhance the effectiveness of the sign (Amoruso-Donovan) All in favor Passes Chairman McCarter called for questions and comments. There were none forthcoming. The Public Hearing on the alleged open air parking violation of Karl Clemmey at 875 South Main Street, originally scheduled for July 19, 2000 and continued, was opened at 8:00 p.m. Motion: To open public hearing (Amoruso-Donovan) All in favor Passes Chief O'Neill and Lt. Figueredo, of the Police Department were present to report on the alleged violation of June 17th. Lt. Figueredo noted that at 4:22 p.m. on his way into the Tweeter Center, he observed approximately twenty cars parked at furthest end of the Clemmey lot with no detail officer on site. After completion of roll call he returned to the lot to speak with Norton Officer Fonseca. Officer Fonesca reported that when he arrived for detail duty at 4:30 p.m., there were forty-two cars in the lot. He stated that he had talked to Karl Clemmey, Sr. and advised him of the violation. Mr. Clemmey reportedly told him the cars belonged to his friends. He then advised Mr. Clemmey he could not open the lot until the arrival of a detail. Chairman McCarter noted the violation was cited as paragraph 5 of the regulations. The Chief then summarized the paragraph. He noted the lots cannot open without a detail and it's been the practice to not allow the lots to open without Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 3 a detail present. Operators of the lot are required to get in contact with the police and arrange for detail officers. Selectman Donovan stated he believes Rule 18 also covers the violation. The Chief noted that giving less than 48 hours notice that the lot will be open is not a big problem, but that is the regulation. Clerk Wills noted the purpose of a police detail is for safety--mostly when patrons are leaving the lot. The Chief noted it is for traffic going in and out and everything in between. Clerk Wills asked, hypothetically, if the lot owner has to pay for a four hour block of detail coverage if there are twenty cars on the lot, ten belonging to people who might have come a long distance and arrived early and pulled in, and another ten belonging to people who work there. The Chief stated there are rules and they're there for a reason. He said they wouldn't be here for one car because someone came from two states away and arrived early. They're in the business of public safety. Selectman Amoruso asked to hear from the Clemmeys, noting the Steve Miller Band was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. that night. Karl Clemmey introduced his son William, who lives at 98 Deerpath Circle, and Attorney David Gay, 73 Washington Street, Taunton, who would be speaking on his behalf. Attorney Gay responded to the alleged violation, acknowledging this is an established public hearing in accordance with the rules and regulations and they had received proper notice. In the meantime he said they also requested to be advised of the specific violation they are charged with and received by fax a memo from the Chief noting the violation of paragraph 5 - patrons present prior to the arrival of the police detail. On May 3, 2000 the Board issued a license to operate a commercial lot, with the license being subject to all the regulations established January 1, 1999. The regulations state the number shall be determined by police and hours set by Police of Chief or his designee. There is nothing in that paragraph that says that the parking lot cannot be open until a police officer is there. Paragraph 4 says an attendant shall be on duty....unless otherwise instructed by Police of Chief. He stated the allegation is not true. The parking lot was open and there was an attendant on duty. Making all the cars wait out on the street would create a public safety problem. From the Police report it appears the only problem was that there was no police officer there yet. He further noted that one to two cars per minute coming into the lot at that time is not a safety issue. The report submitted by Officer Fonseca states that at 16:25 hours there were 30 vehicles; at 18:00 there were 190. Nothing is mentioned about a safety problem. Until you establish a regulation that you cannot open a lot until there is an officer on duty, there is not a violation. The previous violation was before these rules were Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 4 adopted. He asked that the complaint be dismissed, noting it is without merit and he cannot find anything in the regulations that say what the Chief would like it to say. Clerk Wills asked how many cars are those of people working there. William Clemmey said there are from one to six or seven, but typically two to three cars. He stated the key thing is that at 4:30 p.m., it's better to let them pull in rather than to keep twenty cars on the side of Route 140. Chairman McCarter asked if any notice was given, orally or in writing, as to what time detail officer is required? ' Attorney Gay pointed out that Mrs. Clemmey had a discussion with the Chief right after this event. He is not aware that they've ever had a problem scheduling an officer and is not aware of their being notified of such in writing. Selectman Amoruso stated that if there were cars there at 4:22 p.m. and the regulations state the lot shall be open no more than three hours prior to the event, which was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. on the date in question, clearly there is a violation. Attorney Gay responded that the detail officer was clearly planning to be there at 4:30 p.m. If the Police Department felt the lot was opened too early, they could have cited that. He further stated that although technically they may have violated the regulations in that regard, it is their understanding that at the Tweeter Center there are 300-400 cars in there before the officers arrive. George Dentino, Gladiola Terrace - stated he has no reason to believe the police are not interested in the public safety, but thinks common sense should prevail in lieu of regulations. He pointed out that approximately 25-30 cars were queued up and not allowed into Mr. Clemmey's lot last night. He said he believes that causes a safety hazard and it is in the best interest of Town and the police officers to get the cars off the main thoroughfare. The whole reason the officer is there, according to the Chief, is safety. Making the traffic flow is in the interest of safety. Chief O'Neill noted Section 5 clearly states the Chief of Police or his designee will set the hours of duty. It's in there in black and white. It is not ambiguous. Selectman Donovan asked if this is the first time this has happened, to which the Chief replied it has happened three or four times prior to this. Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 5 Clerk Wills asked if the officers here this evening are on overtime. The Chief noted he is salaried and stated that Lt. Figueredo and Officer Austin are present on Great Woods' clock. Clerk Wills said he thinks the Police Chief and Town Manager deserve respect, but thinks this is an abuse of power and a waste of taxpayers' money. As a Chief, you have to have "people" skills and this should have been worked out. Chief O'Neill stated he takes great exception to Clerk Wills saying it's an abuse of power. He noted these are the rules and it's their duty to enforce them. The hours for the satellite lots have been set and it's a licensing issue. He further noted his belief that cars are lined up early because all the signs are out there as if they are open. The lot owner puts a flag out when he really is open, but concertgoers don't know that is when it is officially open when it appears to already be open. He said we have had times when an officer arrives late or when they've had people lining up and we've given them permission to open. Selectman Amoruso asked the Chief if he has had this conversation with Mr. Clemmey prior to this year. The Chief stated he has. Attorney Gay reiterated that what the Chief wants it to say, it doesn't say. He said they have detailed notes about meetings and there have not been any this year. He noted the meeting with the Town Manager was June 23rdn after the violation. Clerk Wills apologized for his previous remarks, but repeated his belief that you should be able to pick up the phone and resolve things and not let it get to this point. The Chief replied he has done that for years. Motion: To close public hearing (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes Motion: To dismiss the violation (Wills-no second) Motion: To give Mr. Clemmey a written warning to make sure this doesn't happen again (Donovan-Wills) Clerk WIlls noted he wanted to throw out the violation because he's not sure it is a violation. He then withdrew his second and Selectman Amoruso seconded the motion 4-1 with Clerk Wills opposed Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 6 The Public Hearing on the alleged open air parking violation of Karl Clemmey at 875 South Main Street, originally scheduled for July 19, 2000 and continued, was opened at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Clemmey was represented by Attorney David Gay. Lt. Figueredo reported that this violation occurred on Saturday, July 1st on the night of a free event. It was a Family Fun Night with fireworks scheduled at 9:30 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. Officer Austin observed two cars at the Clemmey lot. At 9:00 p.m. there were more cars in the lot and the gate was open. He advised the detail officer to inform Mr. Clemmey of the violation, and asked him to remove the cars and close the gate. Mr. Clemmey refused. He then notified the Chief. There were 5,000 patrons at the Tweeter Center to watch the fireworks, creating a lot of outbound traffic. Mr. Clemmey did not contract to have us work that night. Dan Clemmey questioned why they couldn't have the lot open. He informed Officer Austin that he would close the lot. Shortly thereafter Officer Austin informed us that he refused to close the lot and hindered him in his duty. Officer Austin said he was there, but did not see any money exchanged. It was just the Clemmey family and relatives. Mr. Clemmey also allowed another Mansfield resident to park there. Clerk Wills asked if it is a violation to use the lot for personal use if the gate is closed. The Chief stated it's a licensed lot, noting the distinction between this lot and the lot across the street at the professional building is that this lot is licensed and comes under certain regulations. The unlicensed lot is private property over which we have no control unless directed by the owner. He stated it is not the responsibility of the Police Department to call the owner and check to see if they are friends. The same thing happened last year and it affected the traffic negatively. He stated he is more concerned with the violation we just handled than this, but it is a licensed premise and you have to abide by the rules. Chairman McCarter noted the Chief's contention is that it was open as a commercial lot, yet nobody witnessed any money being exchanged. He suggested that raises a question as to whether it was being operated as a commercial parking facility. Clerk Wills reiterated that this was a free concert. The gate was not open in the beginning and they were not charging. Selectman Amoruso stated he thinks the issue is if you can have a licensed property and use it for personal use. He said he understands the safety issue and is concerned about what was a trespass issue across the street. He said he is also concerned that anybody who owns property and invites people onto it should have Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 7 the right to do that unless they are in violation of a specific rule and he cannot find that. The Chief noted that if they had been given the courtesy of a phone call, this would not have happened. Selectman Donovan asked if the Clemmeys closed the lot when they were asked to do so. Lt. Figueredo responded that they did not. Selectman Donovan said in that case he believes there was a violation of Rule 18. The Town Manager noted that "planned event" refers to an event at the Tweeter Center. The Chief stated they would like to be able to walk out of here with an understanding of what the rules are, noting that the repeated violations indicate there is a misunderstanding or misapplication of the rules. Attorney Gay responded it is a commercial lot when it's opened for business and it's then subject to the rules and regulations. When it's not, it's private property. All that were there were the friends of the Clemmey family. There was no solicitation of business and he doesn't understand why it came to this point. Filing a complaint and ordering people to leave twenty minutes before the fireworks were to start was not, in his opinion, reasonable when cars were lined up all along the road to watch the fireworks and that was allowed. Bill Clemmey noted they have been advising the Chief when we would be open within 48 hours and have called every time they've needed a detail officer. By their not calling in this instance, it's a clear indication that we were not opening the lot. Selectman Donovan advised Mr. Clemmey that if he had closed the gate, it would not have been a problem. He could have let people in and then closed it. The Chief suggested the matter can be ended if all involved have a clear understanding that the Police Department must be notified when the lot is being opened and that, when it is open, the police have an unfettered right to go onto the lot. Motion: To close the public hearing (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes Motion: To dismiss the charge with the understanding that this lot was not open and with a pledge from the Chief to work together. (Amoruso-Robinson) Chairman McCarter stated he believes this is a misunderstanding, but in the future if this were to happen, the Chief should be notified it would be open for family use. Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 8 He advised the Clemmeys that if they're going to invite members of the public to park there, they need to notify the Chief 48 hours in advance. Selectman Amoruso stated in support of the Chief that it is necessary to have the police present when the lot is open and to allow the police free access. If it is a private party, there is no violation-just bad communication. He supported the Chief in his expectation to have an officer there when the lot is open. Vote: 4-1 (Donovan opposed) Passes Street Alteration Public Hearing The Public Hearing for the alteration of the following streets was opened at 9:15 p.m. : Geneva Street, Judy's Lane, Bellview Drive, Fisher Lane, and Barbara Road. Clerk Wills read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Sun Chronicle. Motion: To open pubic hearing (Donovan-Amoruso) All in favor Passes DPW Director Lee Azinheira made note that in addition to the newspaper advertisement, abutters to the streets were also notified by hand delivery of notices. Mr. Azinheira showed maps of the streets proposed for alteration. He noted the alterations were planned two years ago as part of the reconstruction. Geneva and Bellview are 30 feet, the others 26 feet. They are significantly wider than the current standard 24-foot width. Reducing the paved area will reduce the cost of construction and future maintenance in plowing, as well as the amount of run off. He advised those present that he is here to answer questions before the Road Commissioners make a final decision. Highway Operations Manager Mark Cook was present with DPW Azinheira to address the issues raised. It was explained that the pavement will be reduced six feet on average. Cape Cod berm will be installed on both sides of the roads and the remaining area on each side of the road will be loamed and seeded. Discussion followed, with residents raising the following issues: · Will parking be allowed on both sides of the street · Reduced street width will result in cars having six feet less pavement to swerve to avoid hitting children in the street · The school bus uses the big loop as a turnaround and this will no longer be possible · Who's going to move the mailboxes Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 9 · Will the basketball hoop be moved · How residents will get their mail during the time the mailboxes are down during the reconstruction · If the drainage problem at Geneva and South Main Streets will be corrected · If the street should be all repaved, only to have it dug up to put in sewers · Will the current sidewalks be replaced and will the rest of the streets get sidewalks · What is the economic benefit of doing this; how long is the pay-back · When would the work be started Residents speaking were: · David Curelop, 1 Bellview Drive · John Robbins, 10 Judy's Lane · Jim Thibeault, 10 Geneva Street · Emery Visconti, 23 Bellview Drive · Gary Bershad, 9 Geneva Street Selectmen, the DPW Director and the Highway Operations Manager considered the issues raised. It appeared that the consensus of the residents present was they want the paving left at its current width, which would mean there would be no replacement of sidewalks or additional sidewalks installed at this time. Motion: To close the hearing (Wills-Donovan) All in favor Passes Motion: To repave street as is (Donovan-Wills) All in favor Passes Bruce Montgomery, General Manager of the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, and Tom Bates, Production Manager, were present to discuss the two alleged curfew violations. Chief O'Neill and Lt. Figueredo presented their reports. Lt. Figueredo reported that during the concert at Tweeter Center on July 13th he was in the police compound area and could hearing the concert going on at 11:00 p.m. When the music stopped, he looked at his watch and it was 11:02 or 11:03 by his watch. On August 22nd he was again in the police compound. One instrument kept playing. He recalled looking at his watch and it showed 11:02. He called dispatch and they said 11:01 p.m., so that's the time he reported. Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 10 Town Manager D'Agostino asked if there was any reason why he didn't call dispatch to check the time on the July 13th curfew violation as he did on August 22nd. Lt. Figueredo said he was sure it was past 11:00 on that occasion. Selectman Robinson asked if it is their custom to synchronize their watches upon arrival at The Tweeter Center. The Chief and Lieutenant responded in the negative. Bruce Montgomery introduced Tom Bates, Production Manager, who deals with the performers and their managers. Mr. Montgomery assured the Board they take the curfew very seriously and Mr. Bates works diligently to see that it's adhered to. He explained their procedures for tracking the records of performances across the country and stated they're monitored well in advance of their coming to Mansfield. He noted they don't have an atomic clock. The have, however, turned the sound power off and the house lights on when a performer starts a song after 11 p.m. If they're doing a song and it will run over 2-3 minutes to finish, they prefer to pay the fine rather than disrupt the good time people are having. Mr. Bates reported that in one instance a performer had problems with tuning his guitar all night and actually stopped during the song to re-tune. At the Creed event, the performance ended 10-15 seconds before 11. They finished, went and took their bows, and that part ended about 30 seconds after 11. Mr. Montgomery went on to explain it happened by about 30 seconds at the Who concert. At the Creed show the actual performance ended before 11, but there was one guitar left on in error when it was put on the stand, and it was the feedback from that instrument that was heard. He stated there are certain artists that will not stop, but they do everything they can to prevent this from happening. Selectman Amoruso noted a one-minute time period is difficult and is something they'll have to look at during the licensing process next year and work out a solution. Selectman Robinson suggested that if you have someone you know will go over, you have them one year and don't invite them back the next year. Chairman McCarter stated the explanations appear to be legitimate. Motion: To give them a warning (Donovan - no second) Motion: To dismiss both incidents with no finding (Amoruso-Wills) 4-1 (Donovan opposed) Passes Clerk Wills raised the issue of security for the upcoming Phish Concerts, stating he has given it additional thought since the previous week's executive session. He asked that consideration be given to leaving the parking lot open all night for public safety purposes and allowing their guests to camp there, instead of letting the guests out onto the streets. Mr. Montgomery suggested people without tickets would want to come for the camping event. He noted both concerts are sold out, Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 11 and with the event taking place in September, there will be more local people. Clerk Wills noted Tweeter Center has the facilities to keep them down there and consideration should be given to the residents living in the vicinity and the problems they've had in the past with the attendees of this concert roaming around town and camping out in people's yards uninvited. Mr. Montgomery noted he is providing both Mansfield and Norton police coverage throughout the night at Tweeter's expense and doesn't think these people create a public safety issue. Chairman McCarter noted they are a general nuisance and he think it's feasible and plausible to keep the nuisance on the Tweeter Center property instead of having them running all over town. He noted the Police Chief has advised the Board as to what his plans for security are. Clerk Wills noted the 200-300 that would take advantage of camping in the Tweeter lot would be the ones that would be roaming around town. Mr. Montgomery suggested there would be more than that if they knew they could stay, noting that no place they go permits them to stay overnight and he doesn't think zoning would allow the Tweeter Center to do so. Clerk Wills stated we know the history of this crowd, and staying down there with police watching them in the parking lot would be better than allowing them to bother the residents in town. He noted the 25,000 people leaving the venue and going out onto the streets are not all going home. Selectman Amoruso reminded the Board that they were assured by the Police Chief in executive session that he has a plan in place. If that plan does not work and the town has the same problems this year that we did last year, he would never support having them back here again, particularly not for two concerts. Motion: To keep the lot open after the performance (Donovan-no second) Chief O'Neill stated he appreciates the Board's suggestions in trying to mitigate the problem for the townspeople, but it's just plain bad medicine to encourage them to stay. The noted there's what's known as a "rave" and to have them stay with no show to keep them busy, despite whatever is done to prevent it, will result in a rave. Raves have resulted in assaults, drug overdoses and deaths. Once the word gets out, they'll come from everywhere just for the event. They have an underground network like no other, and if it got out that we'll allow them to stay, it will be all over. The vast majority of them have some form of transportation, but they are nomadic. Chairman McCarter said the Board is concerned that they will be pushed from one place to another. Mr. Montgomery responded that most of these tickets are sold to local people and most will go home and sleep in their beds. If we allow them to stay, they will. The Chief acknowledge they will have problems, but stated we have to look at this as the lesser of the evils. People on South Main Street have to let us know immediately when the dog barks or people hear something in their Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 12 yards following the concert. He noted he didn't get any letters about people camping in their yards, but he knows they were out there. Cumberland Farms one night after a show left their doors open and the kids went in and helped themselves. It was not the Phish fans. It's not the same 20,000 people there each night. Selectman Amoruso pointed out that if the Board votes to put them there and there is a death, we would be responsible for it. Chairman McCarter noted the Board can only make a recommendation. It's up to the Police Chief as to how to handle the public safety issue. The Chief stated keeping them on the grounds is not going to stop them from going out into the neighborhoods and foraging. He acknowledged that what he proposes may be seen as an evil, but it's definitely the lesser of the two evils. He said there will be issues, but most of them have a place to go to. We've had them here before and they have been a nuisance, but not necessarily a public safety problem. Motion: To recommend to the Police Chief that further consideration be given to keeping the Tweeter Center lot open and allowing attendees to stay there overnight (Donovan-Wills) 3-2 with Amoruso and Robinson opposed. Passes The Chief said he will give it consideration, but sees nothing but problems with that plan. Clerk Wills said he believes the recommendation is in the best interest of the town, noting if they're that bad, they're going to be a nuisance to the residents and businesses of town. He stated last year they had trailers and generators and he saw tents set up the next morning along the side of Route 95. He pointed out if they are nomads and don't work, then they'll go to the local grocery stores and help themselves. The Chief reminded the Board that there will be extra police on the streets throughout the night in Mansfield and Norton at Tweeter's expense. Mr. Montgomery said he would discuss the Board's recommendation with his security people. Selectman Robinson stated he doesn't believe it's good to disclose public safety plans. He noted public safety should be handled by our public safety officials and we should listen to the Chief. Police Chief Arthur M. O'Neill was present to discuss the following Police Department matters: Job Description Of The Part-Time Police Department Secretary Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 13 The Chief reported he proposes to hire a second part-time person, instead of making the current part-time person full-time, and is looking for someone with a bookkeeping background to assist with handling those duties and leave his secretary more time to be an executive secretary. He noted it will also save the Town money on benefits to have the part-time positions. This person would provide both accounting and secretarial duties. The two part-time positions would make up the one full-time position approved. The Town Manager said the job description has gone through the administrative review and an attempt was made to set it in the same format as our other job descriptions. The duties and reporting functions were reviewed. The 11:00 p.m. meeting curfew was reached at this point. Motion: To continue with the meeting until to 11:15 p.m. (Donovan-no second) Motion: To finish the items of the Police Chief before us for discussion (Amoruso-Wills) 4-1 (Donovan opposed) Passes Selectmen Amoruso said he would like to see a college degree "preferred" Selectman Robinson suggested leaving the requirement at high school education with an associates degree preferred. The pay range is between $8.01 and $11.90 per hour. The desire is to find the best qualified candidate. It was also suggested to keep "or any other equivalent combination of education and experience" a part of the job qualifications clause. Selectman Amoruso suggested "high school graduate with two years office experience or Associates Degree preferred, or any other equivalent combination of education and experience." Motion: To change the requirement to "high school graduate with two years office experience or Associates Degree preferred, or any other equivalent combination of education and experience." (Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor Passes Motion: To approve the position for the part-time secretary, with the individual reporting to the Chief of Police (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes . Regional Police Academy Tuition The Chief advised the Board the tuition for the Regional Police Academy used to be $1,8000, with communities having a choice of requiring the recruits to pay the tuition or the Town could pay the tuition. When paid by the Town, the tuition amount was then deducted from the Cherry sheet. It has been the policy of past boards to pay the $1,800. He noted we will be sending a new recruit soon, and the Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 14 tuition is now $1,900. Tuition is now also a retained revenue account. The Town can pay the tuition, then the officer can reimburse the Town at $100/month; however, there is nothing that would force an officer to continue paying back the tuition if he leaves. The Chief suggested the Town could have a recruit sign a contact with the Town saying he or she would pay if they leave the Town before 19 months. Other alternatives would be to have them pay themselves as the cost of getting the job, or have them pay and the Town reimburse them after 19-24 months of service. Selectman Amoruso said he would like to see them pay and we pay them back if they stay. Discussion followed as to the various ways this could be handled. It was noted that there currently is no money budgeted to enable the Town to pay the tuition. It was suggested that it could be requested at the upcoming Special Town Meeting. The Town Manager reminded the Board that once the officer becomes a union member, it's a bargaining issue. If he comes with a master's degree, it's base plus 251'0. He stated he would rather get the money from the individual or do 50/50 split, since we don't have the money budgeted at this point. Motion: To pay upfront and get the money back from the individual at $100/month (Donovan-Robinson) All in favor Passes It wI'll be necessary to have Town Counsel drawn up such a contract. Motion: To have the individual pay from week one. (Donovan-Robinson) All in favor Passes Motion: To adjourn at 11:15 p.m. (Donovan-Robinson) All in favor Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of August30, 2000 15