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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-7-1996BOARD OF SELECTMEN i ( MINUTES February 7, 1996 Present: Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, Selectmen Colella, Pasquale, and TS William F. Williams, Town Manager Christopher Marion, Assistant to the Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Warrant No. 33 - $2,570,380.48 MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 33 in the amount of $2,570,380.48. (Robinson - Colella) Chairman Royle abstained from all Board of Health items, and Clerk Ronald abstained from Voucher No. 9135. PASSES. B. Licenses and Permits • Application of Cheryl Buck to serve on the Fair Housing Committee MOTION: To appoint Ms. Buck to the Fair Housing Committee. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. • Application of 1. Adah Brill -Cass to serve on the Animal Welfare Committee MOTION: To appoint I. Adah Brill -Cass to serve on the Animal Welfare Committee. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. • ACME /Cleveland Open Air Parking Facility License Approved January 31, 1996 MOTION: To sign the license in accordance with MGL Chapter 148 for 175 Chauncy Street for ACME Cleveland for an open air parking facility containing 172 spaces. The license is non - transferable. (Ronald - Colella) WITHDRAWN. Although the above motion umas withdrawn, the license was signed A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was a mote was not needed to sign the already approved license. C. Minutes of January 24, 1996 MOTION: To approve the minutes of January 24, 1996. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale n,as not present for this note. D. Correspondence ACTION Town Manager and SIgJJ' ( Memorandum from Judith Scott. Town Clerk, requesting the Selectmen set polling howl for the Presidential Primary. March 5, and Town Election . March 18, from lam to 8pnm and 6am to Spin respectively MOTION: To set the polling howl as requested. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. OTHER Residew Letter to the Board of Selectmen from Maria Farrario, Northridge Road, concerning ACME Cleveland's open air parking facility license application State and Local Government Letter from Senator Keating to the Board of Selectmen thanking the Selectmen for expressing support for early passage of a Local Aid Resolution MiscellaneorrS Letter from Peter N. Garaziano, Pastor, Saint Mary's Church, thanking the Selectmen for supporting a traffic light on Pratt Sheet in front of St. Mary's Church 2. Town Manager Report • Southeastern Regional Services Group (SERSG) IMA ( Mr. Williams, Town Manager, stated that the above referenced agreement has been forwarded to Town Counsel for his review. Mr. Williams also explained the nature of the agreement to the Selectmen. • Financial Director Position Mr. Williams explained his proposal to create the position of Town Financial Director stating that the current proposal is largely a change in the title for the Treasurer /Collector. The salary will not exceed $60,000 and the Finance Department's administrative budget will be $10,000 less. If the position is approved, the proposed additional part -time and seasonal clerk positions proposed for DPW, Board of Assessors, and the Treasurers's Office will be eliminated from the budget. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning whether or not the position will be a union position, the statement "will perform additional duties as needed" should be added to the job description, and the Town Accountant should not be working with the collective bargaining unit, the Finance Director should. I. 8:00 PM Groves Dog Complaint Public Hearing ( The complainant, Paula Stearns, and the owners of the dogs, Vincent and Kathy Groves, were present for the public hearing. Jeff Collins, Animal Control Officer, was also present. Mr. Collins summarized the complaint and his findings while referencing his report dated October it, 1995. Mr. Collins stated the Groves' dogs are chained to a doghouse, he has seen the dogs often out and barking, lie has seen the dogs tangled, he believes they are taken in during the evening homy, and that the last time he saw the dogs out was January 30, 1996. Paula Stearns, complainant, stated that the dogs have barked on numerous occasions and that she does not believe the dogs are taken care of adequately by the Groves. Kathy Groves stated that she has letters from neighbors that do not agree with Ms. Stearns complaint and submitted the letters for the record. Ms. Groves also stated that the MSPCA has told her that her care of the animals is fine. Elsa Melendez, 165 Gilbert Street, stated that she used to live near Avis. Groves and that she feels the dogs should be taken away from the Groves because they are not taken care of. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments When asked by Chairman Royle if he feels the dogs are neglected, Animal Control Officer Jeff Collins responded that they are cared for within the boundaries of the Mass General Laws. Also when asked for his recommendation by Selectman Colella, Mr. Collins recommended both animals be declared nuisances because of excessive barking, the dogs be taken in the house between the hours of l 1pm and lam, and the grounds be cleaned on a set basis e.g. daily or weekly. Additional cormnents made by the Selectmen included allowing for a two -week trial basis and the possibility of the dogs barking because their chains are short and/or they are hungry. Chairman Royle closed the public hearing at 8:35 PM. MOTION: To declare both of the dogs nuisances by reason of excessive barking. The dogs must be taken in the house between the hours of I Ipm and lam at all times. The grounds must be kept clean at all times. If this is not adhered to, the dogs will be removed from the area. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale stated that he would encourage the Animal Control Officer to pursue ( the MSPCA to see if neglect is involved and that he would hope the owners of the dogs would improve the animals' conditions or give them away. 4. 8:40 PM Fire Department Budget Review Fire Chief Ed Sliney_and Deputy Chief Belevance were present for the budget review. Fire Chief Sliney explained the Fire Department's proposed budget for FY97 stating that his department is requesting the largest budget increase on the municipal side. Chief Sliney explained the Fire Department's need for four additional firefighter positions he is requesting. Deputy Bellevance explained increases in the training and personnel operations line items. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions and commented on the amount of the budget increase, other increases besides in personnel, rental lease line item increase, increase in vehicle parts /supplies, building improvements increase, last time funding for new positions was requested, why firefighters are acting as dispatchers, delay in instituting centralized dispatch, carbon monoxide detector issuance, and central dispatch location. A consensus of Board of Selectmen was in favor of Chief Sliney exploring the possibility of employing civilian dispatchers. Next, Chief Sliney explained the proposed budget increases in the Emergency Medical Services budget. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Questions from the Selectmen included the length of the EMTI classes, when classes are taken, and compensation firefighters receive while attending classes. It was suggested by the Selectmen that the Firefighters attend classes on their own time and receive a stipend once the class has been successfully completed. Two Minule Brectk 5. 10:25 PM Police Department Budget Review Arthur O'Neill, Police Chief, was present to explain this years Police Department and Animal Control budget requests. l Police Chief O'Neill stated the budgets are mainly level funded. However, additional funding has been requested for radar units, a part -time .Anmal Conrol Officer. and a part - time Parking Enforcement officer. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments lviembers of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning the number of police vehicles being replaced this year, projected life of cruisers, mileage of new crown victorias, time frame for first tune up, vehicles servicing, number of dispatchers employed by the Police Department, newly hired police officer salaries, number of dispatchers on any given shift, dispatchers training for fire dispatch, current radar system, and possibility of hiring one full -time person rather than two part-time persons for the Parking Enforcement Officer and Animal Control Officer. 6. Town Manager Report Continued • Financial Director A consensus of the Board of Selecttnen was in favor of creation of a Financial Director position. Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, and Selectman Pasquale were in favor of the position, and Selectmen Robinson and Colella were opposed. • Non - Binding Referendum MOTION: To sponsor a non - binding referendum pertaining to the Train Station ( questions. (Pasquale- Royle) (2 -3) Chairman Royle and Selectman Pasquale in favor. FAILS. 7. Selectmen A. Old Business • Selectmen Salary MOTION: To move forward with the Selectmen's salary request at Town Meeting. (Colella - Ronald) (3 -2) Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, and Selectman Colella in favor and Selectmen Robinson and Pasquale opposed. PASSES. • Finance Committee Budget Review Chairman Royle reminded the Selectmen that the next Finance Committee budget review session is scheduled for Saturday, February 10. • School Commnittee Vacancy MOTION: To make an appointment to the School Committee to fill the seat vacated by Russ Harhnen after the Town election. (Colella- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. ( 8. Adjournment - 11:05 PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Robinson- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. letXs f Sig na wre Date ofAppfoval