BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 20, 2006

APPROVED

 

Present:  Peter S. Cunningham, Chair; George F. Dillon, Jr., Vice Chair; John L. Saball, Clerk;

Mihran Keoseian, Member; Mr. Joshua Degen, Member; Jeff Ritter, Interim Administrative Officer and Kathy Newell, Office Assistant.  

 

Chairman Cunningham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Surrenden Farm Update

Mr. Cunningham reviewed that he, Mr. Jay Prager, Mr. Badge Blackett, Mr. Jay Prager and Mr. Steve Babin had attended a meeting in Boston with the Land Use Committee to discuss the idea of the State holding the conservation restriction.  It was clear given the limited amount of money they have to spend, they have to show there is significant conservation value and is critical to the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife.  There were good discussions especially the water infrastructure and instead of the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife owning Lot 8 South in fee, would be the Town owning the property and the DFW holding the conservation restriction valued at $1,200,000.

 

Mr. Blackett stated that his impression of the meeting was that it was very good and there was a great cooperative spirit and flexibility  on the ownership issues of the land and what it is to live with the DFW.  Mr. Blackett stated that he had received notification that the Wharton family had given a nice five-figure grant and the town wide appeal had gone out today.  They are currently processing draft paper deeds, closing statements and the conservation restriction should be wrapped up quickly.  The closing is set for December 19, 2006

 

Surrenden Farm Project Financial Plan

Treasurer/Collector Christine Collins was present for this portion of the meeting.

 

Ms. Collins reviewed the following:

• Concerned about paying down the debt quickly, matching CPA funds from the State come in October
• $510,000 was supposed to be set against the principle for the land, so we dont have to borrow as much, but there was never a vote taken to appropriate money out of the fund.
• $1,500,000 bond; $125,000 bond short term
• Appropriation didnt happen for FY07
• There are a lot of moving parts and she would not recommend short term borrowing of the entire amount, $5,650,000.  She would recommend moving the due date out to July and give the town the opportunity to appropriate the money.  She is still going to structure it so there is a payment in FY08.
• Ms. Collins noted that this has been a learning experience and there should be one person responsible for all the financial aspects.  Ms. Collins also asked if there should have been an application from the Surrenden farm Land Use Committee for the $510,000.

 

Review Special Town Meeting Warrant (December 11, 2006) and Take Positions on Articles

Article 1  5 in support

Article 2-  5 in support

Mr. Degen qualified his support of Article 2 contingent upon receipt of forth coming documentation.

 

Mr. Dillon stated that the needs of the Town Forest Committee and both water departments had been accommodated and the conservation restriction would allow that which has occurred on the land for the past 87 years to continue and allow the Town Forest to be used as a water source if necessary.

 

Mr. Ritter noted that there would be some revisions i.e. remove appropriate from article 1.

 

Other Business

Selectmen Liaisons

This agenda item was moved to a later date.

 

Disposal of Surplus Computer Equipment (Library)

Mr. Dillon moved to declare the following computer equipment as surplus:

 

      (2) Dell Optiplex GX 1 Computers, tag #s 165J8 and &UVKRD

      (1) Dell PowerEdge Server, tag #1544Q30B

      (2) Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 890C printers, serial #s US77H120C5 and US7C113031

      (1) Hewlett- Packard Fax900 fax machine, serial # JPA4411335

      (1) Citizen iDP receipt printer, serial # 81039627

      (1) Dell M781p CRT computer monitor, serial #MX-0957VU-47801-07F-H0LZ

      (2) Dell P780 CRT computer monitors, serial #s MX-06271R-47741-06N-305H/305L

      (1) Dell M781mm CRT computer monitor, serial # MX-0426PF-47801-06D-B0E5

      (2) Dell D1025TM CRT computer monitors, serial #s 83621407 and 1289466

 

Seconded by Mr. Saball.  Unanimous vote.

 

Review/Approve Regular Session Minutes of November 6, 2006

Mr. Dillon moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes of November 6, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  4 in favor, 1 abstention (Degen).

 

Appointment  Jeff Ritter  Insurance Advisory Committee

Mr. Dillon moved to appoint Thomas Orcutt to the Insurance Advisory Committee for the one year unexpired term, term to expire June 30, 2007.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  Unanimous vote.

 

Report of the Interim Administrative Officer

Mr. Ritter reviewed his activities of the week.

 

Selectmen Liaison Reports

Mr. Cunningham reviewed the work being done by the Blue Ribbon Governance Committee.

Mr. Cunningham stated that the Board members had perambulated the boundaries of the town.

Mr. Saball stated that it had been an enjoyable day.

Mr. Dillon stated that on Tuesday he had attended the first meeting of the Station Avenue and a lot was accomplished.

Mr. Degen stated that the Planning Board at its last meeting had awarded contracts for wetlands studies, traffic impacts and storm water management for Station Avenue.

 

Mr. Dillon moved to enter into Executive Session at 8:01 p.m. in accordance with MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B, for the purpose of discussing real estate and will not reconvene in Open Session.  Seconded by Mr. Saball.  Roll Call Vote:  Dillon  yes; Saball -  yes; Keoseian  yes; Degen  yes; Cunningham  yes.

 

 

 

 

Approved:  _____________________________                   _________________________________

      John L. Saball, Clerk                                 respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Kathleen Newell

                                                                                    Office Assistant

 

 

 

 

Date Approved:  February 12, 2007