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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 11-21-1977BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A November 21, 1977 9 - 7:30 P.m. Call to Order Light Commissioners' business Review of Balance Sheet Status of Arrears Accounts M!.sc.� -Bug I ness 0 - 7:50 p.m. Selectmen's Business Correspondence Clerk's Folder Ron Dubuc- Leon Grant's sewer permit Discussion of Unemployment Act. Town Manager's Report Bid award of Surplus equipment Fairfield Optical Building Board Reports Pending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cabot Pond - Mr. Provost War Memorial Fuel Tank Estimates Town Insurance BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting November 21, 1977 Present: Light Commissioners, Robert DeLong, Frank Colella, David Clemmey and Antonino Caponigro. Town Manager William Metropulos, Light Department Director James Hall, Light Department Manager Diane Hunt, Bookkeeper, Geraldine Lemieux and Recording Secretary Mary Truczinskas. (Commissioner Titus absent) The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. The Balance Sheet was reviewed and Commissioner DeLong wanted to thank Diane Hunt for getting it out early this month. Everything was found to be in order. The Deliquent Commercial accounts were reviewed by the Board and it was noted that the list has decreased considerably. A memo from the Light Department regarding Billing Equipment was the major business that the Light Department wanted to discuss this evening. At the moment the Light Department has only one billing machine which is unreli- able and should something happen to cause it to go "down" they have no backup and bills will have to be done by hand. At this time the Light Department is asking the Board of Light Commissioners to consider the purchase of a small com- puter to meet their needs for billing and some management reports. Commissioner DeLong noted that the Computer Committee was a Town Meeting appoint- ment and was under the assumption that they would report back to theTox,1w,'leetJng- but they (Computer Committee) have been going under the assumption that the Light Department was going to purchase it and Commissioner DeLong feels that it should go bofc ro the Town Meeting. Commissioner DeLong questioned the progress of the Computer Advisory Committee at this point and Diane Hunt reported that the Committee was in the process of drawing up specifications initially for utility billing requirements and the requirements of other town departments were to be considered for the storage capability of computerization. Commissioner Caponigro questioned whether there has been any contact with service bureaus and Mr. Hall answered that they had contacted Arlington Trust and received no follow -up from them. However, Mr. Hall said that the Town of Groton has gone on computer with a service bureau and he will get in contact with them to see how it is working out. Mr Hall further said that the Light Department is in "dire" need of a billing machine because the present one is so old that parts cannot be bought for it, should the machine break down. Commissioner Colella said that he did not think the Town at this time could afford it, and that it should be brought to the town's people to vote on. He further questioned Gerry Lemieux if she could see any problems or foresee any crisis at the moment . Mrs. Lemieux said that they have had mdmor problems and there is a need for something better. Commissioners asked Mr. Metropulos how he felt. Mr. Metropulos said that he recom- mends going after a computer not only for the light department but for the whole town. It's a matter of programming for good management, budget, inventory control and in keeping up to date on meter repairs and replacements. As a growing town that's the way we have to look at it to make it more effective. The computer should have -1- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting November 21, 1977 Page 2 the capacity to add onto. We should proceed with the Light Department and at the Town Meeting ask the voters to attach to Town to the computer. Mr. Metropulos said that it would cost somewhere in the vicinity of $20,000 to $25,000. Commissioner DeLong moved that the Town Manager proceed to prepare specificiations for bids for a computer that will do the work of the Light Department now with the capability to "add on" to do the Town's work and to get prices from service bureaus for cost comparison and hopefully S.E. Regional School will be included. Sec- onded by Commissioner Caponigro, Voted 3 -1 (Commissioner Colella opposed) Commissioners discussed having a booklet enclosed with the light bills. A sample of one that the Marblehead Light Department issues was looked at by the Commissioners and all thought it was a good idea. However, Commissioner DeLong felt that some of the wording in the booklet should be changed and Mr. Hall said that we will be printing up our own with our own ideas. A bill in the amount of $2547 from ELEMCO for parts to rebuild the load top changer for the High Street Sub - Station was discussed. Commissioner Caponigro moved that this bill be approved under emergency nature, seconded by Commissioner DeLong. * Voted 4 -0. Commissioners completed the Light Department business. * * ^,. Water Superintendent Ron Dubuc met with the Selectmen along with Leon Grant to discuss the extension of a sewer main down Creeden Street. Ron Dubuc approved saying that the elevations are sufficient. Selectman DeLong moved.that we request permission from the State to do the work with the stipulation that It is no cost to the Town. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Selectman Caponigro made a motion that we grant permission to Leon Grant for sewer connection not to exceed 45 gallons per day on Wood Avenue, that this connection be made through Creeden Street, subject to State approval. This motion received no second. Selectman discussed with Ron Dubuc a bill from Scott Associates, Inc. regarding Well #2. Scott and Associates are submitting a bill in the amount of $1605.00 for rebuilding and re- installing the pump. Three quotes were received and Scott Associates were the lowest. Selectman Caponigro moved that the bill be approved for work under emergency nature and authorized Ronnie to have Scott Associates do the work. Seconded by Selectman DeLong. Votdd 4 -0. Selectman Clemmey suggested having an article inserted at the next Annual Town Meeting to qet the bid limit raised'to maximurh $2000. The limit.-is now settat $1000. Ronnie said that everything is going good, that they only have about 3 weeks to go on the Back Bay Brook. Selectman Colella said that he wants Church Street done as -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT C014MISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting November 21, 1977 Page 3 as soon as possible(regarding paving) and Ronnie told him that Church Street will be the first street on the list to be done. Bidsi'for the surplus equipment from the Highway Department were discussed with Thom Bonome. Four pieces of equipment were put out for bid as follows: One (1) International Dump Truck Model A200 1952 Ser. #11 -1991 One (1) State Body Jannell 12' Ser. #11- 1001 -S One (1) Huber Roller Model 4343 One (1) Grace Drag Broom Model #MB 105 Thom Bonome recommended all the bids. Selectman DeLong moved that we accept all the high bids on the equipment. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Selectman Caponigro moved that Thom be authorized to sell the state Body (in the event that the high bid from John Rocha;, Jr. is withdrawn) for anything but not to go below $60.48. Seconded by Selectman DeLong. Voted 4 -0 Selectmen agreed to tear down the wooden part of the Fairfield Optical Building because in order for the sprinkler system to operate they would have to put heat into the building. The building will not be insured after December 1, 1977 with- out the sprinkler system operating. Selectman Delong moved that the Town Manager be authorized to have the wooden structure torn down. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Selectman took under advisement the application of a license for a rooming house at 296 No. Main Street. Selectman Clemmy said that he would like a report from the building inspector for the next Selectmen's meeting. John S. Rougeau and John D. Slade are the applicants. Letter from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding a policy statement on Land Treatment of Municipal Wastewater. Selectman Delong said that he spoke with Chad Maurer and was told by Chad that it will not involve this area. Correspondence from the Comm. of Mass. regarding Out -of -State Motor Vehicle Regis- tration, of Massachusetts residents who register their vehicles in other states to avoid paying the excise tax. A list of suggested procedures are attached to put a halt to this lawlessness. Copy of the letter will be sent to the Police Chief. Selectmen signed the permit for the All Alcoholic Package retail store at 1.Vi,lla Street- formerly known as the IGA. ( Selectmen discussed with Thom Bonome the status of the landfill site, asking him how much longer he felt there was room for dumping. Thom answered about two more years, and that gravel would soon be needed. Discussion followed about where to buy the gravel. -3- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting November 21, 1977 Page 4 1 Town Manager's Report - Mr. Metropulos said that he met with Mr. Collins and Mr. Gearhart of the school department and Joan Cutillo to discuss the Unemploy- ment Compensation as to whether we should go for the contributory or reimburse- ment method. The contributory method is to of the total wages for the first 2 years. The projected wages for next year is $5.5 Million, so the estimated cost will be $55,000, whereas the total cost for reimbursement would be estimated to cost around $93,000. Selectman DeLong moved that we:adopt the contributory method, seconded by Select - man Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Mr. Metropulos said that he spoke with Mr. Oliveria regarding the picking up of leaves and he said that his men have picked up as many as 25 bags at at time. Mr. Metropulos said that a public telephone is going to be installed in the Town Hall on Monday 11/28/77. Board Reports - Selectman Caponigro moved that we go into Executive Session to discuss the reputation and character of an applicant. Seconded by Selectman DeLong. Voted 4-0. Roll Call Voted Taken: DeLong; yes; Colella, yes; Clemmey, yes; Caponigro; yes. The Board will not be back into open session. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. In Executive Session the subject matter was the review of Town Engineer applica- tions with the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager. Background of the appli- cants were reviewed so that the Board of Selectmen would be appraised of the in- tegrity and capability of applicants. It was agreed that the Town Manager is the appointing authority and a vote of the Board of Selectmen was not required. Meeting was adjorned on motion by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman DeLong. Voted 4 -0.