Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2023
Town Hall Annex & Virtual Via GoToMeeting
Attending: Karen Cruise (KC), Richard Bisk (RB), Robert Cumming (RC), Town Administrator Sherry Patch (SP)
Call to Order
KC called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
Approval of Minutes
KC moved to approve the minutes of 4/26/2023 as amended. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted: 3-0.
Public Comment
Ed Cichon of 28 Radford Road expressed concern regarding the Police Department’s comfort dog proposal and vacation carryover request. Mr. Cichon stated that the Town should not have to pay for a comfort Dog and that employees are more productive when vacation time is used.
Appointments
KC moved to appoint Deb Cary to the Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee. Term to expire 6/30/26. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0.
New Business
Karen Rossow requested permission to hold a small gathering on the Common on May 10th to honor the 110 households that participated in the Earth Day Clean Up. The celebration. The celebration will include music, games, and refreshments. KC moved to support the request for an Earth Day Celebration. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0.
Karen advised that a lot of the trash that was picked up was empty nip bottles and cigarette butts. The board discussed banning the sale of nips. SP will look in to process for banning the sale of nips.
Discussion Police Department Comfort Dog Proposal
Chief Patriarca and Officer Holly Doyle discussed the Comfort Dog proposal they submitted . Chief Patriarca spoke in support of the proposal stating that it would be a good fit for the community and school. Chief Patriarca advised that most of the costs would be privately funded. Board members were supportive but expressed some concern regarding costs for medical care, training and insurance. RB asked what would happen to the dog if Officer Doyle were to leave the department. Officer Doyle advised that the dog is paired with Officer and would remain with the Officer, and that she would personally contribute to the cost of the dog as well. KC stated that a contract or agreement would need to be in place.
KC moved to approve investigation of a comfort dog for the Police Department as long as it does not impact the town budget. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0.
Police Chief Request for Police Department Vacation Carry Over
Chief Patriarca requested that the board approve vacation carry over through October 31st in order to address limited staffing and contractual obligations. The current contract language requires vacation to be taken by July 1st. Chief Patriarca advised that one full-time officer is currently attending the academy, and another is going out on FMLA. Chief Patriarca advised that he does not want to make this a practice. KC moved to approve the Chief’s request for vacation time carry over through October 31st. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0. Board members thanked Officer Doyle for her initiative
Fire Chief Contract Renewal
KC gave an overview of the one-year contract renewal between the Town and Chief Bennett. KC noted the salary increase of $2500 and that the Chief has not had a salary increase since 2012. There is also a stipend for health insurance costs. KC moved to approve the contract pending approval by Town Counsel. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. RB note that the one-year renewal is not a reflection on the Chief’s performance, but to allow the board time to consider recommendations from the MRI Report.
Discussion Proposed Policy Boston Post Cane
RC discussed his draft police proposal for the Boston Post Cane. RC advised that the cane is usually given out at the Memorial Day Celebration. RC has done some research on other towns’ policies and recommends that the board establish a criteria. KC asked for a recommendation on the number of years a person should be a resident in order to be eligible to receive the cane. The board discussed a 10- or 20-year residency requirement. KC moved to adopt the policy to include a 20-year residency requirement. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0.
Citizen of Year Award
The board asked to hold discussion until the end of the meeting and that attendees leave as the award will be announced at the Annual Town Meeting and they would like it to be a surprise.
Discussion Use of ARPA Funds
The board discussed the use of ARPA Funds . RB stated that he leans towards setting aside for capital requests and using other funds that would require a Town Meeting vote for the public safety building. RC agreed. KC stated that it would tie our hands. RC agreed. RB expressed concerns if the ARPA funds were taken back.
Discussion Public Safety Building
KC stated that she has reached out to Caolo & Bieniek for prints that will be displayed at the Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast at Station #2, the library, and Council on Aging and also a set to display at events including the STEM event at the Thomas Prince School in June. KC would also like to hold a couple of informational meetings before the Town Meeting. The board scheduled a Pre-Town Meeting event at the Community Center on June 7th at 6PM.
Indemnification of Public Officials
KC advised that Town Counsel has advised adoption of a bylaw, which upon a finding would indemnify officials up to $1M. RB and RC support this bylaw as it would not just indemnify the selectboard but any elected or appointed official. KC Moved to request that Town Counsel draft a bylaw for vote at the Annual Town Meeting. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0.
Correspondence/Communications
KC reported on an email received from Council on Aging Chair Wendy Pape regarding a recent Financial Team Meeting to discuss the Council on Aging’s FY 24 budget request. KC advised that she and SP did not support the request to remove the carpet and install flooring as it is more of a want than a need at this time. The Council would like to remove the carpet and install flooring for line dancing and easier cleanup after art classes. Wendy was also upset that the meeting was held virtually. KC has responded to the email that she is supportive of the work being done by the Council. It was also noted that the Parks & Rec request for upgrades to fields was denied.
Town Administrator Reports
SP advised that the Invitation for Bid for replacement of the water tank at the Thomas Prince School went out today. SP reported that much of her time over the past several weeks has been focused on meetings with the Financial Team, Union negotiations.
Selectboard Reports
KC stated that last night’s budget meeting (Police) was very good. She would like to post the slides and a link to the recording on the Town website. KC will draft a Town New announcement.
RB reported on the Waste and Recycling Committee’s efforts to save money on trash removal and reduce truck traffic. The Committee was looking at having a small transfer station at the DPW, but DEP was not approving new ransfer stations. The committee is now looking at the old landfill as a potential site since it may already have approval. However, a water supply is needed. RB stated that he has attended union negotiations. The goal is to finish by May 18th. RB asked if the board would like him to continue on as he will no longer be a selectboard member after May 9th. KC moved to authorize RB to continue on until the end of the bargaining session. RC 2nd. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RC: aye; KC: aye, RB: abstained. Voted 2-1 abstaining. KC moved to appoint Peter Giumette as the Advisory Committee representative to negotiate the Union Contract Renewal. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted: 3-0.
Outstanding Citizen of the Year
The board discussed the nominations for Outstanding Citizen. The winner will be announced at the Annual Town Meeting. Also, discussed the need for a policy and criteria for the award.
Executive Session
KC moved to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining position. Also, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel; to actually conduct collective bargaining and contract negotiations with non-union personnel pursuant to the provisions of; of G.L. c. 30A, §21, ¶3. Police Union Negotiations. The chair declared that an open session could have a detrimental effect on the Town’s bargaining position, and to review and possibly approve minutes of a prior executive session called to discuss strategy with respect to litigation (PFAS) and (Fire Chief Negotiations) pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 30A, §21(a), ¶3. RB 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded. RB: aye; RC: aye, KC: aye. Voted 3-0. KC announced that the board will not return to an open session following the executive session.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch
Town Administrator