HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-12-19-BOS-min SELECTMEN'S MEETING
DECEMBER 19, 1979
Those present were: Mrs. Miley, Chairman, Mr. Kent, Mr. Busa, Mrs. Battin
and Mr. Crain. Also present was Mr. Hutchinson, Town
Manager and Mr. Empey, Acting Director of Public Works
The following accounts were reviewed by the Board.
5000 DPW Office - Question was raised about the provision of safety shoes
to employees. Manager pointed out that this was a contractual item.
Mr. Kent asked if this might apply to Library personnel.
5150 Engineering - Increase for registration.
5250 Town Building Miintence -
320-06 and 320-07 - energy accounts Board members flagged these
areas to insure that they might be enough. The Manager pointed out
that a 20% increase had been estimated in the electricity area
(4$9,000) and that an estimate of 90% had been utilized in anti-
cipating a $ 23,000 increase for heating costs.
373-10 Repairs and maintenance to buildings and structures..The
Manager reviewed the following items for proposed maintenance:
$8,000 for replacement of windows in Cary Hall utilizing insulated
glass; $4,350 for roofing at the Visitor's Center; $1,000 for storm
windows on 22 windows at the Visitor's Center; $2,300 for a number
of other maintenance items. The Board asked for the detailed sheets
in this area so that they could better assess the maintenance cos-
potents. The Manager did advise the Board that this account would
be increased because of maintenance items listed in the Fire,
Library and other public budgets being moved into this area.
Selectmen Busa asked if the replacemnt of the Town Hall windows was
the full window. The Manager stated that he did not know and would
find out. The Board asked for a review of some of the energy data
that the Maintenance Department has put together. The Manager
pointed out that it was considerable and he would provide that infor-
mation to them.
5400 Highway Maintenance - Selectmen Crain questioned the reduction in
375-15, paving program, to $100,000 as this means that the program
is reduced because of the impact of inflation and the recognition
of asphalt as anoil derivitive The Manager pointed out that he had
recognized this but it was one of numerous areas cut back in order to
find a balanced tax rate.
5450 Road Machinery - 262-03 energy increased $35,000. Board members asked
if this was enough in light of current and anticipated increases.
The Manager said that he had allowed for an increase to $1.04 a gallon
for disel and gasoline. Current price was 850/gallon. These accounts
may have to be revised further upward because of the iastablity of
fuel prices.
261-02 Vehicle supplies The Manager referenced cost of parts and
past experience.
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371-10 Proposed $50,000 increase - $35,000. His involved the pro-
posed rebuilding of a sweeper, dump truck, Huff engine and our
dozers. The Manager said he would provide the detail sheets sub-
mitted by DPW in this area The Manager advised the Board that he
would be asking for an additional $13,000 in this area as estimates
have just come in for a computerised gasoline system which would
provide additional contrels for vehicles operated from the DPW barn.
5500 Snow removal - No snow this year.
5550 Traffic Bags. and Street Signs - No comments.
5640 Street Lights - The Manager pointed out this area is currently in
good shape and could absorb a modest increase. Recommended no
change in the $250,000 appropriation.
5700 Sewer maintenance - The Manager pointed out increased costs, energy
and parts for 9 pumping stations.
5800 Garbage collection - The Manager reviewed recommended deletions as
program isn't cost effective and he was once again recommending
combined garbage/trash collection for the Town as part of our solid
waste program.
5850 Sanitary Landfill - Th Manager pointed out costs stable with *ajar
increase in 515-08 for additional trainage work that would have to
be accomplished as part of the sloes out program. Mr. Espey[ pointed
out that substantial sums of money have been saved by fill being
brought into the landfill from various contracted jobs.
5900 Water Maintenance and Water Services 274-09 meters. The Manager
reviewed expected increase of $20,000 based upon an assumption of
about 350 new units of housing and development demands on the Town.
The Manager pointed out that the whole meter area and program was u
under review by the new Sewer and Water Superintendent, Mr. Spiers
Mr.Empey noted that bids have been opened for meters and the cost of
a meter was now $95.00.
299-18= The Manager pointed out that this was now being carried in
capital as proposal for completer refurbishing of two water towers
was now deemed to be a capital item because of the magnitude of
expense and frequency of occurence. Mr. Hutchinson pointed out that
proposals have just been received for an automated water billing system
that would involve another $20,000 on top of the $64,347 requested.
Board members asked for an update on the falser meter program after
the manager reviews this with Mr. Empey.and Mr. Spiers.
6000 Parks 320-12 -energy. Increase estimated because of opening of new
pool.
6050 Ensect Suppression - The Manager advised that he had deleted money
for mosquito control feeling that this could be the focus of a
separate article based upon past debates. Board members stated that
they wanted to insure that debate could take place but questioned whether
this might not even be done under the existing operating budget
rather than a separate article. Mr. Hutchinson stated that ha
believed that it could and would review it with Counsel.
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6100 Shade Trees - The Manager pointed out that major increases were for
replacement of the tank on a hydraulic sprayer, planting of larger
trees and an estimated $1,000 in account 281-04 for additional
plantings beyond the current lanscaping proposed for the swimming
pool. Landscaping is not as comprehensive as it might be in the
pool proposal and the contingency fund is limited. Board members
questioned the practice of providing additional monies for land-
scaping that should have been in the pool project and flagged this
area for additional consideration.
The Manager reminded the Board that heavy typsy moth infestation is
expected this year necessitating additional use of chemicals. Board
members noted some dialogue about types of chemicals that are utilized.
The Manager stated he would review this with the Parks division. The
Board raised the question about why there are not more monies for
trees because of heavy losses consistent with the request of Mr. Williams,
the Conservation Commission Chairman, at one of their meetings. The
Manager said he would review this with Mr. Mazzerall of DPW again
but felt that the Town'S planting program remained adequate.
6150 Dutch Elm Disease - No Comments.
6400 Cemetery Division - The Manager renewed again energy costs and the
cost of minor operating equipment was now carried in this area,
particularly for items such as sharpening movers, chain saw repairs,
to expedite repairs. Beard members asked how the progress was going
on the addition to the Cemetery building. The Manager and Mr. Empey
advised that specifications were complete and it was scheduled to go
out for bid in the near future. The Manager stated he would give an
updated report of the timetable for the addition as Board members
considered it unfortunate that the facility was not underway prior to
winter.
Board members concluded the meeting with a re-emphasis of concentration of
enerty estimates recognizing the Major escalating factors in this area and
asking the Manager to summarize some of the cuts that he had made in the
interests of a stable tax rate recognizing that some of these items are a
deferral and will cost more later. The Manager said he would prepare that
list.
The Board agreed that it would review its goals at the next meeting of the
Selectmen concentrating on overall goals for the Board integrated with
immediate and long-range financial planning.
The meeting concluded at 10100 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M Hutchinson, Jr.
Town Manager