Town of Bernardston Board of Selectmen

Transcription

1 Town of Bernardston Board of Selectmen MEETING MINUTES: for the meeting of Select Board Members Present: Robert R. Raymond, Chairman Virginia M. Budness, Vice-Chairman Louis J. Bordeaux, Clerk Others Present: Paul Luther, Town Clerk Stanley Garland Chairman Bob Raymond called the meeting to order at 3.02pm. Bob announced the meeting is being broadcast by BNCTV. Warrants (week ending October 10, 2014) Bob asked for a motion to approve the Payroll Warrant in the amount of $31, Motion by Lou to approve, second by Virginia. Motion carried. Bob called for a motion to approve the Vendor Warrant in the amount of $24, Motion by Lou to approve, second by Virginia. Motion carried. Minutes Regular Meeting of October 1, Motion by Virginia to approve as written, second by Lou. Motion carried. Calendar & Announcements Bob read aloud the calendar and announcements. Building Permits Bob read the residential and commercial permits issued for the month of September. Citizen s Concerns None. Appointments 3.05pm Mark Fitzpatrick Central Franklin County Veteran s District Mark Fitzpatrick appeared before the Board to explain the pending merger between the Central Franklin County Veterans District and the Greenfield Veterans District to form a new entity known as the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services District. The new district will encompass all Franklin

2 County towns and the Town of Plainfield. Veteran s assessments to local towns are 75% reimbursable from the federal government. If the merger does not take place, localities will receive only a 50% reimbursement rate. The proposed budget of the new district is approximately $125,000. Bernardston s operating assessment will raise from $3,357 in FY15 to $4,167 in FY16 based on a $115, 000 operating budget. The City of Greenfield is providing a $10,000 grant to the new district. Expanded service hours and enhanced technology highlight what the new district will offer local veterans. In order for the Town to join the new district, the Board will need to vote to withdraw from the Central Franklin County Veterans District. Membership in the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services District would be effective 7/1/15 (FY16.) Motion by Lou to have the Town of Bernardston withdraw from the Central Franklin County Veterans District and join the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services District will be effective 7/1/15, second by Virginia. Motion carried. New Business Election Warrant Town Clerk Paul Luther presented the November 4 th state Election Warrant for Board signature. Motion by Virginia to sign the 2014 state Election Warrant, second by Lou. Motion carried. Time-Off request Motion to approve an employee request for time-off by Virginia, second by Lou. Motion carried. Bernardston Fire & Water District The BF&WD issued a notice to the Board regarding DEP recommendations for amendments to the Town s zoning bylaws. Specifically, DEP recommendations pertain to Section 4300 Water Protection District. Any amendments to the zoning bylaws are promulgated by and through the Planning Board. The Planning Board is copied on the correspondence. Country Corner Store Sunday Alcohol Hours The state Alcohol Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) issued a notice that all package store licensees may begin selling alcoholic beverages beginning at 10:00am instead of Noon effective October 23, However, local package stores must still seek local licensing approval. The Country Corner Store submitted paperwork for approval to sell alcohol on Sundays. Motion by Lou to approve the application of the Country Corner Store to serve alcohol on Sundays at 10:00am effective October 23, 2014, second by Virginia. Motion carried. Library Pond Fountain The Board discussed dedicating a plaque to the late JohnWiegand, Keets Brook Rd, to be erected by the Library pond. The fountain was donated by John to the Town, and he was a strong advocate for its operation on an annual basis. The Town Coordinator will cost out the options for an appropriate recognition plaque. Motion by Virginia, second by Lou. Motion carried. Resignation Virginia presented a letter of resignation from the Board of Selectmen effective December 1 st. Bob read the letter aloud. Virginia will be relocating to Delaware in the near future. 2

3 She said her husband s health has been in decline and it has been increasingly difficult to remain involved in Town affairs. Her resignation from the Selectmen also means resignation from the FRCOG, Town Building Committee and CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee. Bob and Lou expressed their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for Virginia s service to the Town over the past 9-years. Former Selectmen, Stan Garland, also expressed his gratitude to her while serving with Virginia. Her post will remain open until the next local election on May 4, Having won reelection for a 4 th term this past May, there are 2-years remaining on Virginia s current term which will be open for candidates at the March 2015 caucus. Board Of Health - The BOH issued a statement to the Board notifying them of a change in the rate of pay for the Clerk at $14.75 per hour effective September 3, The BOH cited a FRCOG salary/wage survey which noted the current wage of $13.75 to be the second lowest in the County. The BOH FY15 budget would not be affected in terms of an increase by the new rate. Bob expressed concern about the ripple effect of an action such as this not being part of the annual budget process. He cited a mid-term increase to the COA Director position at a Special Town Meeting to circumvent the budget process. He said he was not opposed to the increase, but was unsure of the ramifications to other board and committees. Stan Garland stated that unless this situation is detailed in the Town s Personnel Policy, it would be handled on a case by case basis. PVRS Superintendent/FRCOG Stan Garland stated to the Board the pending retirement of current PVRS Superintendent Dayle Doiron provides an opportunity for the district to consider combining the position with another school district as a means to cut operating cost. In addition, Stan reported the FRCOG is moving their retirement funds from the Franklin Retirement System to the state retirement system. The FRCOG is asking member towns whether to use any savings from the move to increase staff or not. The Board asked that Stan report back to the FRCOG that no increase in staff is desired. Old Business Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the Town s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. The Town is now eligible for grant funding through FEMA for mitigation measures. The plan is good for a 5-year period and needs to be updated within 5-years to remain eligible for grant funding. The plan was drafted and submitted by the FRCOG and the local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Committee. ZBA/Conservation Commission Clerk Susan Malley, the ZBA and Conservation Commission first choice for the Clerk position, declined the post. Bob McCollum, ConComm Chair and ZBA member, submitted a recommendation to the Board to appoint William Cardoropoli as the ZBA/Conservation 3

4 Commission Clerk. Lou motioned to appoint William Cardoropoli as the ZBA/Conservation Commission Clerk effective at an hourly rate of compensation of $13.50 per hour, second by Virginia. Motion carried. Land Leases Two land leases were presented for a 2-year extension pursuant to Annual Town Meeting approval last May. Bob felt the leases should be for a 5-year period now rather than extend for 2-years and seek bids in This would maximize the time for the lease holders to invest in the properties. Motion by Virginia to put the 2 leased properties out for bid for a 5-year period effective December 1, 2014, second by Lou. Motion carried. The Town Coordinator will follow up with DEP to know their position on the spread of the white ash organic fertilizer proposed by Mike Snow. Master Plan Steering Committee Town Coordinator, Hugh Campbell, submitted a suggested membership of the Master Plan Steering Committee as follows: Planning Board (2) Board of Health Board of Selectmen Privates Sector (2) Open Space/Recreation/Natural Resources At-large residents (2) The ideal membership would be between 7 and 9 members. The Town Coordinator will serve exofficio and provide staff support to the project. John Lepore has already been appointed to the committee on October 1, Motion by Virginia to allow the Town Coordinator to recruit members to the MPSC based on the suggested membership, second by Lou. Motion carried. Charity Lot Parking Area John Lepore reported to the Board the progress made on October 11 th in clearing an area at the Charity Lot for vehicular parking. John sought permission to speak with the Highway Supt., regarding some light grading and spreading of wood chips on the area for erosion control. In addition, there is approximately ½ load of cordwood at the lot that could be used as firewood for the needy. Finally, Virginia suggested signage be placed near the location to alert residence of the entrance to the Charity Lot. The Town Coordinator will ask Highway Supt. Gary Wetherby to be in touch with John. Cushman Park Bob noted the outfall area may need additional dredging further towards Scott Swamp. If the Highway Dept does not have the equipment to reach the area, excavator Bob Deane may need to be called. 4

5 Bernardston Elementary School A) Computer Lab Carpet Gail Healy, Assistant Supt of PVRS, reports the carpet in the BES computer lab is fraying in several places. The carpet was newly laid in August. Arrangements are being made with the contractor to repair or replace the carpet. B) Roof Leak Gail Healy also reported PVRS paid the bill to repair a hole in the roof structure by RCI Roofing for $ A recent inspection by RCI of the interior of the building revealed a hole in an area of the structure that was not part of the roof replacement project in the fall of C) Pergola The Board recognized the efforts of volunteers who constructed a pergola at BES; DiGeorge Builders, Barnard Concrete, Leader Home Center and Joe Sabolevski. Scott DiGeorge led the project. Town Coordinator Report Hugh Campbell reported on the following matters: Landfill Testing The new permit was issued by DEP for annual testing. Huntley Associates submitted a quote for the service at $7, The Town has $6,202 currently available for testing. A request for the balance was approved by the Board to be sought from the Finance Committee through a Reserve Fund transfer. Adjourn With no further business to be discussed, Lou made a motion to declare the meeting adjourned at 4.33pm, Virginia seconded. Motion carried. Attest: Hugh Campbell, Town Coordinator, Chairman, Member, Member Robert R. Raymond Virginia M. Budness Louis J. Bordeaux 5