Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Board of Selectmen Present: Kenneth F. Troup
October 26, 2006 Panny Gerken
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
WARRANT
# 07-9 $95,256.26
#07-9A $147,253.92
BANNER REQUEST
The Board of Selectmen reviewed and approved the request of Emmitt Brewington for a banner for the play Murder by Death to be held at the Nashoba Regional High School at 7:30 p.m. on November 17 & 18th, 2006. The banner will be on display from November 10-19th, 2006.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, Mr. Troup, as chairman, executed a conflict of interest disclosure form for Susan Tripp, member of the Council on Aging and Cultural Council. The Council on Aging has requested funds from the Cultural Council. Ms. Tripp will recuse herself from the discussion.
CAPITAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Town Secretary Linda Day reported that Mr. Benjamin can not meet with the Board on Thursday, November 2 because he will be traveling. The Board of Selectmen will invite Mr. Benjamin to their meeting of November 16, 2006.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department would like to trade in their old guns for new weapons. Police Chief Alfano has found a dealer that will give them $330 per gun. They have found a company that will give them a substantial discount for their new weapons but are still $3,100 short. Murphy Insurance Company has offered to donate this difference. The Board of Selectmen approved of this purchase but asked that Ms. Ross seek Advisory Committee approval also since the Advisory Committee is responsible for disposal of town property.
TOWN NURSE
Ms. Ross informed the Board of Selectmen that she had notified the Board of Health of Town Nurse Brooke James intent to resign at the end of the fiscal year. Ms. Ross invited the Board of Health to the Selectmen’s meeting to discuss this matter. Ms. Ross was informed by a Board of Health member that the town nurse does report to the Board of Health and her resignation should have been given to them so that they could determine what the recommended course of action should be. Town Clerk Betsy Cussen provided Ms. Ross with a history of the town nurse over the last 32 years. It appears that the town nurse has been hired by the Board of Health although there is nothing that states they are the appointing authority. The Board of Selectmen recommended that the Board of Health take on the task of determining what course of action should be taken to replace the town nurse and make their recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen also recommend that the Board of Health obtain input from the residents and seniors of Bolton.
RESIGNATION
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen accepted a letter of resignation from Joanne Jenkins, Treasurer dated October 20, 2006 and effective October 25, 2006. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes)
TREASURER POSITION
Ms. Ross recommended that the Treasurer’s position become a full time position (35-40 hours). She stated that there is too much work and responsibility for this position to be a part time position (24 hours/week). Ms. Ross would like portions of the human resources functions to be incorporated into this position. On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen approved of the Treasurer’s hours being increased to 35-40 hours per week and that the added responsibilities formally include benefits administration. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes)
Ms. Ross also recommended that the Treasurer, Accountant and assistants be located in the town hall. The positions are too critical to be located in a separate building from the Town Administrator. The Board of Selectmen took this recommendation under advisement, noting the already severe space limitations in town hall and would like time to think about it and look at alternatives for board and committee meetings, trailers, or other approaches to meeting the space requirement. A schedule of meetings held in town hall along with the square footage of the first floor will be provided to the Board of Selectmen.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into executive session under Chapter 39, Section 23B (3) at 7:15 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The Board will reconvene to open session. (Roll Call: Troup - yes, Gerken – yes)
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to reconvene to open session at 7:45 p.m. (Roll Call: Troup – yes, Gerken – yes)
BOSTON MUTUAL
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen approved of contracting with Boston Mutual for a new retiree and life insurance policy, effective October 15, 2006.
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to raise the life insurance benefit for town employees and retirees to $10,000 effective January 1, 2007.
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to reimburse the retirees and employees their contributions made to their life insurance during the period from July 2005 to October of 2006 when there was no coverage in affect.
Meeting adjourned.