BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 2, 2004

REGULAR SESSION MINUTES

 “APPROVED”

 

Present:  Thomas D. Hartnett, Chair; George F. Dillon, Jr., Vice Chair; John L. Saball, Clerk; Peter S. Cunningham, Member; Virginia C. Wood, Member; Administrative Officer Jean E. Kitchen; and Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Members of the Finance Committee and Ms. Valerie Jenkins, Town Accountant were present for the budget presentations.

 

Highway Department

Mr. Tom Delaney was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Mr. Delaney reviewed a summary he prepared stating the Target #1 Expenses is level funded and includes health care costs; COLA which is part of the union contract; there is a 1% increase due to two (2) personnel replacements.  Mr. Delaney explained to achieve the Target #2 Expenses there would be no summer helpers, a reduction in the lines and signs, elimination of guardrail replacement, and a reduction in sidewalk repair.  Mr. Dillon asked Mr. Delaney what he was planning for the West Groton Garage.  Mr. Delaney stated he has been using the facility as cold storage this year.  Mr. Delaney stated he would be installing a fence to contain the rear perimeter; landscaping and septic work will take place in the spring.

 

Treasurer/Collector

Ms. Christine Collins was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Ms. Collins reviewed a summary she had prepared.  Ms. Collins stated her department had benefited from the Early Retirement Incentive; there was an overall reduction in pay rates due to lower step placement.  Ms. Collins stated there has been a decrease of hours in the budget, elimination of all but four Monday nights, utilization of the senior program, and redistribution of the workload.  Ms. Collins stated she was very comfortable with the budget.

 

Police Department

Chief of Police Robert Mulhern was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Chief Mulhern reviewed the Communications Budget, thanking April Melvin for preparing the budget and calculations for her department.  Chief Mulhern stated they have done a lot with a lot less by good budgeting by April and help from the Town.  Chief Mulhern stated the Early Retirement allowed hiring at lower levels.  Chief Mulhern stated the comparisons from FY03 to FY05 show a savings.  Chief Mulhern reviewed the Police Budget, stating he had not purchased any new vehicles; he instead took the money for one vehicle from last year and leased two (2) vehicles, which spread the payments over a three-year period.  Chief Mulhern stated "personnel generate the budget" and his department has grown over seven years to seventeen officers.  Chief Mulhern compared the two target budgets stating Budget 1 is only $15,744 higher than FY03 budget and Budget 2 is $790 less than FY03.  Chief Mulhern stated there is potential revenue through fines, court costs, and booking fees from Dunstable.  Mr. Flynn, Finance Committee Member, asked Chief Mulhern if Budget 2 meets the Target 2 goals.  Chief Mulhern stated the budget would need to be cut 34% to reach Target 2 goals.  Mr. Flynn asked what could be cut to achieve the 34%.  Chief Mulhern stated the budget could not be cut by 34% without layoffs.

 

Fire Department

Chief Joseph Bosselait was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Chief Bosselait reviewed his summary stating the increase in wages & salaries was due to the "Personnel Wage and Classification Schedule" and the fulltime Firefighter/EMT wages being added to the FY05 Budget without any transfer of funds from the EMS Department.  Chief Bosselait discussed the need for help due to a large increase in business i.e. inspections.  Chief Bosselait stated he has been reviewing the permit, inspection and false alarm fees and possibly having an increase in revenue.  Chief Bosselait stated replacement of an aboveground tank was suggested by MIIA to reduce the Town's liability, which could possibly be a warrant article item.

 

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Mr. John Walsh was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Mr. Walsh stated he had met with Mr. Hartnett, Mr. Saball and Mr. Webber.  Mr. Walsh stated the call volume has increased over the past two (2) years by 40%.  Mr. Walsh expressed concern regarding the ability to adequately train the EMT's.  Mr. Walsh stated he was asking for $16,000 for payment for training of four (4) officers and maintain current training levels.

 

Library

Mr. Michael Manugian and Ms. Kristen von Campe were present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Mr. Manugian reviewed the Financial Summary explaining the wages stay the same in Target 1 and Target 2.  Mr. Manugian reviewed a target comparison explaining the proposed cuts necessary to achieve the proposed budget numbers.  Mr. Cunningham stated there were other funds available to the Library outside of the budget and asked if the other sources could be used to maintain the programs if Target 2 is to be achieved.  Mr. Manugian stated there were other funds available.  Ms. Jenkins asked if the Target 1 budget is supposed to show Sunday hours, and if that is so the amount needs to be moved to the wages and salary line item.

 

Conservation Commission

Mr. Craig Auman and Ms. Barbara Ganem were present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Mr. Auman reviewed the budget stating some people have been moved around; three (3) parking attendants who also do water safety have been moved to the beach.  Mr. Hartnett asked how much money they would be seeking for the Conservation Fund.  Mr. Auman stated $200,000.  Mr. Auman stated Audubon had done a study in which Groton ranked 8^th in losing agricultural land and 16^th on loss of forested land.   Ms. Wood asked how much money is in the Conservation Fund.  Mr. Cunningham stated there was $213,000 in the fund.  Mr. Auman stated land is a finite resource and we need to look at this as an investment. 

 

Greenway Committee Appointment

Mr. Cunningham moved to appoint David Manugian to the Greenway Committee for the one-year term to expire June 30, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

                                                                                                                                   

Greenway Committee Charge

Mr. Cunningham moved to reduce the Greenway Committee Charge membership from ten (10) members to seven (7) members.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

Review Town Meeting Timeline

The Board reviewed the town meeting schedule.

 

Review Regular Session Minutes of January 12, 2004

Mr. Cunningham moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 12, 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

Review/Approve ALS Agreement with MedStar

Mr. John Walsh was present for this portion of the meeting.

Mr. Walsh asked that the matter be tabled until a later date.

 

Administrative Officer Update

Ms. Kitchen reviewed her AO Report stating she had received a letter from Boston Gas which indicated there are no gas lines located at the four corners intersection.  Ms. Kitchen stated that Bay Communications had reviewed the site for the cell tower and there is a possibility of another location on the site.

 

Selectmen Liaison Updates

Ms. Wood stated the Affordable Housing Task Force would be inserting a survey with the light bills.

Mr. Dillon stated there would be a meeting on Wednesday with the banks and he would be meeting with the Regional School on Friday.

Ms. Wood asked how the fire station was proceeding.  Mr. Hartnett stated it was moving along.  Ms. Wood recommended filing a letter to get approval should there be a delay because of weather.

Mr. Cunningham stated he and Mr. Saball had attended an event sponsored by NEMLEC, at which they viewed resources available to the police departments.

Mr. Hartnett announced he would not be seeking another term as selectman.

Ms. Wood reminded Mr. Hartnett he had one obligation before he left office, the charity bike ride.

 

Mr. Cunningham moved adjourn at 9:42 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Dillon.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

Approved:  _____________________________        Respectfully submitted,

                      John L. Saball, Clerk                                    Kathleen Newell, Office Assistant

 

Date Approved:  March 1, 2004