HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-10-12-BOS-min SELECTMEN'S MEETING
OCTOBER 12, 1979
Chairman Miley Balled the meeting to seder at 7:40 a.m. Those present
included Mrs. Miley, Mrs. Margery Battin, Mr. Robert Kent, Mr. Jim Crain, Mr.
Robert Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mrs. Nancy Banks, Assistant to the Town Man-
ager; Mr. Otis Brown, Chairman School Committee; Mr. Manfred Friedman, Chair-
man Planning Board; Mr. David Williams, Chairman Conservation Committee; Mr.
William Sen, Chairman Cokncil on Aging; Mrs. Marcia e;reakes, Chairman Youth
Commission; Mr. David Wells, Chairman Recreation Committee; Mrs. Ruth Morey,
Chairman Board of Appeals; and Dr. William Cosgrove, Chairman Board of Health.
Cahirman Miley briefly outlined the purpose of the meeting as a give and take.
Ibis group she noted is not a decision making body.
Mr. Williams intradused the first subject. The Conservation Commission
is concerned about the number of trees being lost due to dutch elm and old
age of Maples. The commission would like to see the amount budgeted for tree
replacement increased for one or three years to approximately $35,000 and Cons. Com
parkland set aside for an nursery. Mr. Crain suggested that we look at the Trees
public trusts and private funds for this purpose. It was noted that this
type of program would also have manpower requirements which needs to be
reviewed.
Mr. G. Friedman raised the issue of traffic studies in light of the re-
cent questions raised by the new tenants at Grey Nuns. After the Board of
Appeals review, a question was raised about limiting the use of Pelham Road. Planning
The Planning Board does not have the capability of doing traffic studies Bd. -
and feels it should have been done by the traffic safety committee. It Grey Mugu
was agreed that responsibilities in this area should be clarified. A question
was raised about traffic safety in the Center. It was suggested that this
town better mark the crosswalks, increase posting, expend enforcement and
do some public information. The Manager was asked to pursue these sugges-
tions.
Mr. Wells updated the meeting on the pool construction noting that
they expect to have water in them by Thanksgiving; and that there have been Rec./Pool
no cost overruns as of this time.
Mr. Kent told the meeting that the Library was beginning its FY 81
budget preparation and they are very concerned about fuel costs. He sug-
gested that instead of each department developing their own fuel cost Library -
projections, a single Town projection be set,for all departments. The Energy
Manager was asked to look at this. Mr. Hutchinson said that he has started Costs
the budget process among Town Departments. He has told the Department heads
to budget realistically within 4% cap, but also will be working to meet Mgr.
goals established last year and for next year's. Each department will be Budget
asked to list goals and prioritise them. On the subject of energy he noted Goals
Selectmen's Meeting -2- October 12, 1979
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that half the last staff meeting was spent on this subject. A lot is being
done particularly in the schools, which is the largest user, in terms of
delamping and reducing temperatures. Another area we are working on is
providing shelter if people are unable to get fuel.
Mr. Wells added that in terms of rising costs, we should address the
RBC. - issue of vandalism. Mr. Brown said the echools�, do require children caught
Vandalism vandalising or their parents to pay for damages and this has helped reduce
the level of vandalism. It is a continuing problem, with each new group of
students. Mr. Friedman reminded everyone that the Housing policy passed by
the Town Meeting requires a housing report to be submitted. Mrs. Feakes
also stressed the need for work in Human Services. Mrs. Battin noted that
Human Harv. Selectmen are in the process of interviewing for the Human Services
Committee and hope to make appointments shortly.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Banks
Assistant to the Town Manager
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