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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-05-12-BOS-min i Lf(o SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 12, 1981 The Board of Selectmen met at the M I T Faculty Club on May 12 at 9 00 A.M. Those present were Alfred Busa, Chairman, Mrs Battin, Mrs Miley, Mr Crain and Mr Politi Also present was Town Manager, Robert Hutchinson Mr Busa called the meeting to order to discuss concerns and ob- jectives of the Board for the ensuing year noting that these would be voted upon at a subsequent Selectmen's meeting The Board reviewed its goals of this year and outlined objectives in the following areas 1 Center Revitalization The Board will continue the Central Business District Committee Center Revit- working with Mrs Battin and the Town Manager for a phased implementa- alization tion of the parking program for the Center Additional proposals will be considered for future town meetings while the Board continues to en- courage utilization of LEXPRESS The Manager will pursue alternate park- ing facilities during this phasing in process, e g , Arts & Crafts Center, Hancock Church, Old Belfry Club, etc 2 Financial Planning Financial Planning a The Board accepts the Manager recommendation that each year an estimated five year tax rate will be submitted to the Board based upon estimated expenses and revenue b The Board will continue to investigate the appointment of a committee to review efforts to increase the tax base and/or other sources of revenue in light of restrictions of Proposi- tion 21 and the like c Service charges for tax exempt property will be investigated by the Manager as well as development of a service modifier for what it costs to serve new industry The Manager will check with the Municipal Association in this area, particu- larly in regard to recommendations concerning tax exempt • institutions 3 Board of Selectmen Committees/Accordant Policies Bd/Selectmen Committees/ a Establish review of charges and make-up of committees to see Accordant if charges are still relevant Policies b Board felt that it should convene a meeting of its committees in the fall just to share with each other general information and meet with them in circumstances other than a formal appear- ance before the Board It is a way to acknowledge the work of many of our citizens groups I -2- c The Board also said that it should establish a meeting with the Planning Board to review mutual areas of concern such as street policy and installation of fire hydrants d Mrs Battin pointed out that a committee would be necessary to review the by-laws of the Town as many of them are out of date Mr Politi agreed to chair this committee e Mr Crain emphasized that it wasimportant that the positive relations with the School Committee be maintained and that the issue of building maintenance is an appropriate item to be taken up this year particularly as we look as cost consolidation f Mr Politi suggested that the Board as it looks at its commit- tees consider the appropriate role of Town employees assigned to sit on committees as in some areas their roles should be one of strictly technical assistance in order to lend objectivity to the process He raised this issue with particular reference to Adams School The Board said this should be considered and would be done so in their review process g It was agreed by the Board that the school conversion process should be moved along so that reports are filed on Muzzey and Adams in a timely fashion for Town Meeting Mr Busa will chair the Muzzey Committee and Mr Crain will chair the Adams Commit- tee Selectman Politi asked if the Comptroller appears on any regular basis before the Board of Selectmen to insure that the appropriate safefuards exist for the Board and the Town. It was acknowledged that Mr Perry, the Comptrol- ler, does appear before the Board, but that this could be even more formalized to meet any concerns in this area On a day to day basis the Comptroller ans- wers to the Manager consistent with the jub description for the position Mr Crain suggested that we continue to focus on increased efficiency of all employees with continued monitoring of employee absence Town Manager Hutchinson pointed out this would continue and that the Town has a record second to none in this area The Board agreed that the commitment to employ- ee development should continue with this combined emphasis on employee produc- tivity In conclusion, Board objectives for the following year were summarized as follows SELECTMEN'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - Fiscal Year 1982 GOALS OBJECTIVES DEADLINE A. Center Revitalization 1 Implementation of Central Business 6/30/82 District Plan by June 30, 1982 B Financial Planning 1 Town Manager should submit by 12/1/81 September 1, 1981 a five year projected tax rate t /q8 -3- Selectmen's Meeting May 12, 1981 III GOALS OBJECTIVES DEADLINE 2 Board to investigate appointment of committee to review efforts to increase tax base and/or other sources of revenue 3 er to st8te service c es or ta* ex mpt property and service modifier 7/1/82 C Selectmen Committees 1 Review charges and make-up of Committees 3/82 2 Convene meeting of all Selectmen Committees Fal1/1981 3 Meet with Planning Board to re- view mutual areas of concern Fall/1981 4 Establish committee to review and update Town By-Laws 7/20/81 5 Town Manager to work with School Department concerning feasibility of centralized building mainten- ance 7/82 6 Appoint committees and establish charges for the conversion of Adams School and Muzzey School Reports 5/11/81 on Adams School and Muzzey School conversions for start of Town Meet- ing, 1982 3/82 Respectfully submitted, ,,L)4410"C‘k 401111 .--C)1..1 Robert M. Hutchinson, Jr Town Manager 1 1 VOID