HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-06-22-BOS-min 554
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
III JUNE 22, 1979
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the
Telephone Training Center in Marlboro, Mass., on Friday, June 22,
1979 at 9 30 a.m. Chairman Miley, Mr. Buse, Mrs. Battin, Mr Kent
and Mr Crain; Mr. Hutchinson, Town Manager were present.
The Board conducted a wide ranging discussion involving the
following areas
A. FINANCE AND TAXATION POLICY - The Manager advised the Board
he would be working on during the summer an update of a five-year
tax projection once State aid and Cherry Sheets are available. The
Board advised the Manager that it had reservations about raising fees
such as the water rate to assist in efforts towards property tax
stabilization, requesting more information on how the water system
could be more self-supporting. The Manager said that data was being
developed now for an enterprise system approach consistent with the
audit recommendations, yet also recommended that rates go up on a
gradual basis if necessary rather than inconsistent fluctuations in
the rate. Use: fees will be addressed in the five year tax projection.
The Board advised the Manager that they wanted periodic reports
III from the Board of Assessors about the status of revaluation: so that
this sensitive matter could be closely monitored The Manger said
he would design an appropriate reporting system and report back to
the Board.
It was pointed out that the utilization of E&D should be con-
sidered closely as it relates to next year's budget and the budget
after that which would involve the new tax rate under revaluation
B. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Sanitary Sewer Program - The sewer program seemed to be
functioning well The Manager did say that he would have a recommended
revised ass sment policy within 30 days. The Sewer Advisory Committee
has worked out well as a structure to interact with citizens and the
Board on 4 proposed sewer program.
Solid Waste - The Manager said that the Solid Waste Advisory
Committee would have a report ready by September 30 reviewing tonnage
commitments, legal questions and any alternates other than NESWC
This would give the Board 60 days for review.
Conservation/Development - The Board raised concerns about
the level of maintenance that the Town was expected to provide for
its growing conservation property and lands in general The Board
'$7
Selectmen's Meeting -2- June 22, 1979
felt that this should be a matter for discussion dealing with groups
such as Conservation and Recreation. The general reaction was that
the appearance of our public lands should be improved but that the
development of new items such as trails in conservation properties
should be a development matter rather than a maintenance matter.
C. HOUSING - Mr. Buse pointed out that the minority report
regarding the housing policy statment had never been officially
accepted It was agreed that Mr. Zabin should be contacted to
convene the housing group again to reaffirm its position on the
majority and minority reports and that the Board should clarify whether
it is accepting and adopting the report as part of its housing assis-
tance plan.
It was agreed that the Town is moving in the right direction on
housing and that the Board as a whole will try to cooperate with
efforts towards balanced housing while sometimes possibly disagreeing
on the approach to that balance.
D SCHOOL CONVERSION - The Board stated that it felt that Parker
School should remain with its original concept with up to 30 units
being allowed for development confined to the existing structure with
25% to be committed to low and moderate income housing. The Board
said to continue the process with Munroe School with a particular
emphasis on investigation of the viability of a senior citizen center
The Board said it would continue to work for a balance on the School
Conversion Committee while utilizing appropriate neighborhood interests
as resource groups within the decision making process. It was agreed
that a single committee should be maintained with appropriate involve-
ment in each school, e.g., neighborhoods, in the process. The Board
asked Mrs. Miley, the Chairman of the Board, to contact the developers
of Hancock School to clean up remaining problems there. The Manager
was requested to contact the Hancock School condominium owners regard-
ing their feelings about the paint.
E. HUMAN SERVICES - Mrs. Battin advised the Board that she and
Mr. Crain would have a draft of a charge for a Human Services Committee
during August or September The Board agreed it did not want to have
duplicating committees in this area. Mrs. Battin further agreed to
continue to work on the goal setting process, specifically re scheduling
dates because of the delay of a long Town Meeting. The Board indica-
ted to the Manager that they wanted to assure that the Traffic Safety
Committee was working through the Board rather than responding to
specialized requests.
F. PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION - Salaries - Upon motion duly made
and seconded, it was voted to adopt the pay plan as submitted by the
Manager, with the understanding that the Building Commissioner's
position should be reviewed under a reclassification process prior
Selectmen's Meeting - 3 - June 22, 1979
to any additional adjustments beyond the range.
It was agreed that Mrs. Miley will continue as a member of the
School Sites Conversion Committee
The Manager left the meeting at this time in order that the
Board could discuss his evaluation and that of Mrs. McCurdy
Upon motion duly made and 1ise6onded, "it wa; !'voted to grant a
6% adjustment for the Executive`"th erk and the 2$6wn Manager Employees
would be advised of their performance evaluations by the Chairman It
was agreed that it had been a productive year and that the Board would
continue to address the wide range of goals discussed at this meeting
and continue to test how these goals were being addressed
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at
2 45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
fi,44*(1.01Z14 ...„, dy;
Robert M Hutchinson, Jr.
Town Manager