Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
May 23, 2005
The Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Easton Town
Offices, Selectmen’s Office, 136 Elm Street with Chair Colleen
Corona presiding. Also
in attendance were Selectmen, Charles King, Colleen Less,
Irwin Cohen and Town Administrator Martha White. John Haederle
was not present. 7:00pm.
Constable application – Brian Bishop
On Less’ motion, seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to approve Brian Bishop as a new constable.
King-Bishop,
Cohen-Bishop, Corona-Bishop, Less-Bishop.
Discussion with Bristol
County Mosquito
Control (BCMC) regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) concerns
Wayne Andrews and Superintendent of BMSC and Priscilla Collins,
Entomologist/Wetlands Coordinator from BCMC were present. Andrews distributed information. Andrews explained the mosquito cycle and Easton’s
habitat, specifically the Hockomock Swamp
area and the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. BCMC will be doing surveillance in Easton
because of the risk of EEE. There are a
lot of concerns for public health, especially this year. Collins explained that testing done early would
help gather information about the viruses that may spread from mosquitoes to humans. The BCMC will test the adult mosquito
population and the larva. The public
should use mosquito repellents and should read the labels carefully. The public should try to avoid mosquito bites
at all times. The state has a website with
very informative information. www.mass.gov/dph.wnv/wnvl.htm. King asked about the different areas of Easton
and if one end of town would be more at risk.
Andrews spoke of the 10 – 15 mile radius. He spoke of the greater risk at dusk. King asked if pets are at risk. Andrews suggested little to no risk for dogs
and cats. Horses and pheasants are at risk.
Corona suggested that this
information could be posted on the town’s website. White will research if we can add the state’s
link to our website. Less asked about
spraying. Andrews referred to the
state’s plan and how things depend on how much of the virus is found. BCMC is prepared to spray if needed.
Proposed amendment to contract for Baldwin
Street water line
White explained the request for the
amendment to provide the curb to curb resurfacing instead of patching. White noted that the project would be funded
out of the Water Department budget.
On Less’ motion, seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to approve the contract amendment to P.J. Hayes, Inc., not to extend
the contract dollar amount over 25% of the original contract, $20,259.32. .
Annual town meeting warrant review
Article 28
White spoke of the Capital
Planning Bylaw. Less asked for
clarification of the current process. White explained the current process and
the process after the bylaw is voted at town meeting.
On King’s motion,
seconded by Cohen, the board voted
unanimously to recommend Article 28.
Article 31
On Less’ motion,
seconded by Cohen, the board voted
unanimously to recommend Article 31.
Article 32
On Less’ motion,
seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to recommend Article 32.
Article 33
White referred to the
attached memo on the Capital Budget dated 5/18/05. Less asked if
the Conservation Commission issues have been resolved for the Moreau Hall
paving project. White explained that the
drainage issues are being resolved.
White explained the funding sources.
On Less’ motion,
seconded by Cohen, the board voted
unanimously to recommend Article 33.
Article 34
On Less’ motion,
seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to recommend Article 34.
Peter Tremouliaris, dba Easton
Sunoco – Class II application – 720 Depot
Street
Corona read the
hearing notice.
Peter Tremouliaris was present. White explained the application for five
vehicles. White updated the board on her
efforts to obtain a five-foot strip of land from Sunoco at this location to
help with the five corners intersection project.
On Less’ motion, seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to approve the Class II license for five vehicles as submitted
by the applicant.
Approval of Minutes
On Cohen’s motion, seconded by King, the board voted
3-0-1 to approve General Minutes dated 5/16/05. Less
abstained.
Public
participation
None
The board took a brief recess at 7:50pm and reconvened at 8:00pm.
FY’06 budget discussion
COA Director Dolores Kent and Recreation Commission Chairman
Mike McDonald were present. White spoke
of the recent failed override proposal and the need to make cuts to the FY’06
budget. Both the Finance Committee and the
Selectmen voted to use $550,000 in reserves to help address the shortfall. Additional Chapter 70 aid and a modest
increase in charter revenues were noted. See budget change memo #4 for details. White discussed the proposed cuts in
Recreation, Council on Aging, Selectmen, Town Clerk, Police, Fire Alarm Budget,
Land Use, and Veterans budget, Library and employee health insurance. White spoke of the inability to cut more public
safety. White suggested that the only
way to make the necessary cuts would be to cut personnel. White spoke of the fact that by cutting a
person, you are cutting services. The
cuts proposed in Recreation are over $77,000.
The part time clerical position will be eliminated and the Program Director
will be funded out of revolving or gift accounts. White spoke of the profit and
loss statements recently done with the Recreation Department, which was helpful
in determining which programs will continue. The Program Director will be the
only staff person left in that department.
White spoke of the need to continue to fund the pool this year. Last year the pool almost broke even. White spoke of the COA budget and the need to
reduce it $87,275, which is about a 50% cut.
The effect of these cuts is the loss of the full time Outreach Coordinator.
The hours of the clerical position will be reduced along with the Director’s
hours. White explained the function of
the Outreach Coordinator. The original
proposed cut to COA was greater but other cuts were made in various departments
to help mitigate the cuts. White asked
the board to focus on the service impacts within the COA and Recreation
departments. Corona
noted how devastating it is to have to make these cuts when we should be
expanding services. Less suggested that
the children and the elderly would feel the effect of
the failed override. Less stressed her
frustration. Less suggested cutting the
library budget to help lessen the cuts in COA and Recreation. White spoke of the difficulty in cutting the
library funding and how it jeopardizes the state certification. White referred to the agreement with the Library
Board of Directors and the Selectmen and how it was agreed that 51% of the
library budget would be supported by the town.
This was agreed to prior to the construction project. She spoke of the town’s original agreement
that the town would increase contributions and the fact that the commitment has
not been fulfilled. Given this fact, the Library Directors feel that they have
already taken a cut over the last 3-4 years.
White did get confirmation that we could jeopardize some state grant
money if the library budget is cut. Corona
noted that many libraries are in the same situation. The libraries are strained
throughout the state. McDonald spoke of
the absence of the Recreation Director’s position and the current commission is
questioning why they serve as volunteers as services are being cut. One third of all Recreation
programs will be cut. The loss of the secretary will impact the Program
Director’s duties. The commission feels
that their roles are limited with respect to bringing on new programs for the
community. The commission has asked that
the Selectmen look down other avenues for the cuts. Corona
spoke of the cuts on the school side, which also affects the kids. The board thanked the commission for all
their hard work. King asked if there are
any opportunities for public and private groups such as Lions and the Knights
of Columbus. The board was not sure but acknowledged
the sponsors that help with the recreation groups. Less reiterated the value of the sponsors
supporting our current recreation programs such as T-ball.
Kent
spoke of the 50% budget cut. She spoke
of the Outreach Coordinator and driving program cuts. These cuts will affect the
elderly and their need to get to appointments.
Donations and grants have been used in the past to help fund part time
drivers. There will not be enough full
time money for the full time driver. Kent
spoke of the new vehicle received by a grant.
Donations for the past few years were used to achieve the required 20%
match. This year the state paid 100% of
the state grant leaving some money in the gift account. The remaining money will be earmarked for the
transportation program for next year.
This will keep the bus on the road 32 hours per week. Other donations will help fund approximately
ten driving hours per week. This is a
significant reduction from 60 hours per week down to approximately 40. White reiterated that there does not appear
to be enough money to fund more than 20 hours per week for FY’07. Kent
again stressed the concern for the following year and not having enough driving
hours for the program. She expressed
concern with the ability to get the state funding to keep the lease vehicle
because of the decrease in hours. This
cut will increase donation costs to the senior citizens. Other fees will have to go up to continue to
run other programs. The COA Director and
the part time clerk will now take the calls for the Outreach Coordinator. Both employees will be taking on additional
tasks with reduced hours. Kent
noted the delay in getting services that they need. This will be a dramatic impact on the
elderly. Cohen asked if the Finance
Committee would be reviewing the budgets again. White suggested that they would
need to consider the budgets that White has suggested cutting. Cohen referred to “nickeling and diming” and
is concerned with the perception on what we are doing to the Council on
Aging. Cohen suggested that the Finance Committee
might be able to bleed some other budgets that they would not have considered
in the past. Corona
noted the difficulty in making the cuts and the cuts have been recommended in
places where revenues are not being generated.
White agreed that they have looked at all departments and the difficulty
in recommending cuts. Corona
referred to the following year and does not see the situation improving. Less asked about health insurance and pay
raises on the municipal side of government. She asked for the percentage in
increase between FY’05 and FY’06 on the general government side. White referred to the town’s operating budget
increasing approximately $16,000. Less
noted that the Finance Committee reviewed every inch of the budget and could
only cut so much. Corona
suggested using free interns from Stonehill
College and utilizing their talents
and they gain experience. The community
needs to understand that these are tough times. Kent
stated that that the programs that they are proposing to offer next year are
based on donations and anticipated grants.
They may not be able to offer all the programs. Less summarized that the cuts are community
based and are directly felt by the elderly residents who generally stay within
the community and the kids who utilize the after school programs. Kent
further noted that the COA currently provides transportation to day care approximately
5 days per week. The number of days will
be reduced to 2 next year. These cuts
will directly impact the working families of the elderly. The families will now have to provide
transportation to doctor’s appointments and day care. Kent
agreed with Recreation’s suggested to find additional money to help fund the
department. King asked about
donations. Kent
explained the community groups that have contributed in the past and encouraged
any interested groups to send money, even if they have a specific area that
they would like to donate. Kent
also noted that the monthly motor coach trips would be cut due to the
elimination of the Outreach Coordinator.
The monthly newsletter will continue to be published but there will be
no money to mail the newsletter as of 8/1/05.
Newsletters will be mailed to those who subscribe;
others will need to pick it up at various locations.
The board agreed to wait to vote on the operating budget until
town meeting unless a special meeting is called for next week. The board will hold Thursday, June 2nd
open as a possible meeting date.
Town Administrator’s notes
White updated the board on the Fire Department’s loss of the
Advanced Life Support (ALS) license. The responses to the deficiencies were
submitted last Friday. The Department of Public Health (DPH)
will be in touch with us by Friday of next week. All the deficiencies have been or are in the
process of being corrected. The DPH will need to come back out for an inspection.
Press notes
None
Selectmen’s notes
Corona reminded
everyone about the Memorial Day Parade Monday, gathering at 1pm.
On Less’ motion,
seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to adjourn at 8:55pm.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary Southworth
_________________________________
Approved
_________________________________
Date