SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
JULY 9, 2001
The Board of Selectmen met this evening with Chairman William Hardin presiding. In attendance were Jeffrey Tufts, Patricia Webster, Carla Goodwin and Town Adm. Kevin Paicos.
Selectman Leo Harlow absent.
On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 6/25/01.
Hardin noted all paperwork is in order. Mr. Marcus was not present at this time. On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to table this item until Mr. Marcus arrived.
Hardin read the request.
Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, to approve the waiver as requested in the letter from NRT, was not voted at this time.
Tufts noted that we have waived fees for temporary signs, tents, etc., but not for permanent structures, for either NRT or other groups including churches. Goodwin noted the past request that was refused was for a church in Town. Tufts noted he was aware of another group, not a church, that made a similar request many years ago and it was denied because it was a permanent structure. Tufts gave a brief explanation of why the Board has not waived fees on permanent structures in the past.
Vote on the motion did not pass with a 1-3 vote.
Webster noted the Board needs to do housekeeping and look at the policy book. Webster suggested reviewing one policy each meeting.
Hardin read the request. On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin the Board voted unanimously to approve the request for the use of the Town Seal from the Historical Commission.
On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to take a yard sale request under emergency conditions.
At this point in the meeting Chairman Hardin left during discussion and voting.
Tufts read the request. On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve a Yard Sale for the Girl Scout Troop 642, to be held on 7/28/01, from 9AM until 5PM, at the Covenant Congregational Church parking lot and to waive the fee.
At this point in the meeting Chairman Hardin returned.
On Webster’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously by roll call to re-appoint Elizabeth Verity to a three-year term on the Fair Housing Committee.
On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously by roll call to re-appoint Philip Barske to a three-year term on the Canoe River Advisory Committee.
Webster noted the letter received in April RE: proposed new legislation for senior tax programs. Webster gave a brief explanation of each of the three proposals. Webster asked the Board to endorse the second and third pieces of legislation. Goodwin noted the senior tax classification was reported out already and not favorably.
On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin the Board voted unanimously to draft a letter to be sent to our representatives in support of items 2 and 3 of the Essex County letter.
Tufts questioned if the owner of the properties in question, were notified. Paicos stated no. Hardin suggested the Board listen to what the people in attendance have to say and then hold a meeting with the owners of the properties. Paicos gave a brief update on the status of the Dirt Piles on Turnpike Street, and the Junkyard on Turnpike Street. Paicos noted there has been some enforcement on both situations and the Town feels both sites are in violation of the towns by-laws. Paicos noted there is pending court action on one and we are not far from filing on the other site. Hardin noted that it is a fundamental right that if someone is accused they have the right to face their accuser. Hardin noted we are aware of the problems and we have taken some legal action at this time. Webster noted she agrees that it is unfair to discuss this issue without the owners being present. Webster noted she doesn’t think the Board should discuss this without parties involved and that a meeting should be set up at a later date when all parties have been notified.
John Hess, Cedar Heights Condo Assoc. noted there have been several blatant violations of by-laws, an unprotected swimming pool, unregistered vehicles, collection of junk in front yard, etc. Mr. Amirault noted we seem to have a protected class in Easton. Amirault noted he called the Fire Dept. and they told him you can’t call on certain people and didn’t like the way he was treated. Amirault noted this is a way for wealthy landowners to circumvent the laws. Tufts noted that not every day do we get requests to act as zoning enforcement officers, and we are trying to be careful about this issue in a public meeting. Tufts stated to not notify the subject of a discussion on Cable and in written minutes, we could have a problem. Tufts noted he would hate to have this be his property or other family members’ property. Tufts noted we need to pressure the Town Administrator to do more enforcement on these two sites. Tufts noted the “junkyard” property has been that way his whole life and he can’t explain why. Tufts noted that zoning issues get pushed when people complain and if people don’t complain they don’t usually get addressed. Tufts also noted that another problem is that these types of issues fall apart at the level of the courts, when judges don’t want to deal with it. Tufts noted that the Board will tell the Town Administrator to do what he has to, to get these situations resolved. Hardin noted it took 10 years to resolve another similar site in Town. Paicos noted there are a number of situations in Town with large scale violation, approx. 6. He noted that in January he convened a meeting with the major Dept. Heads and Town Counsel and discussed these issues as a group. Paicos noted we don’t have the resources to attack all of these simultaneously, as it involves filing of action in Superior Court. Paicos noted that in Superior Court it is difficult to get a judge to treat the junk by-law violators seriously. Paicos noted he has inventoried 5 or 6 and has begun vigorous action on Howard Street and we are not yet done with major changes there. He noted second on the list is a location on Pine St and third is the “dirt piles”. Paicos noted that the owner of the dirt piles has come forward wanting to work with the Town. Paicos noted the Building Inspector filed an enforcement order on that property. Paicos noted the owner appealed the order, and the Building Inspector gave the owner 60 days to comply, which expires mid August. Paicos noted that in response to a question by the ZBA, Town Counsel has given an opinion that there is a violation on the property of the “dirt piles”. Paicos noted he is hopeful the owners are serious and working in good faith to abate the condition completely, but if they fail, we will go to court. Goodwin noted that it was on 5/15 of last year that we started the process RE: “dirt piles”. Paicos noted the so-called junk yard is the 4th on the list and next to be addressed. Paicos noted that if the Board wants to advance this we will move aggressively on any property but the so-called junk yard is scheduled for this fall. A resident noted that in the interim before action is taken in the fall, what will be done to address the 50# drums of materials that are burning on that property. Hardin suggested calling the Fire Dept. when this happens. The Resident stated they won’t come. Paicos gave a brief explanation of the recent problem a resident had with the Fire Dept. in relation to the Junk Yard property, and apologized on behalf of the Town for the behavior of the Firefighter. Paicos noted that Chief Blye will respond to any future requests for issues of burning at that site. Paicos stated that if the problem happens again, the resident should call the TA’s office. Tufts noted we can start now with a notice from the Building Inspector RE: pool, work being done at night, burning items on the property. A Resident noted the Board of Health stated we can’t tell people how to live. Paicos noted he has filed complaints with the Board of Health on that property and nothing has been done or acted on. Maryann Wasco noted an addition was made at that property, and questioned if they applied for a building permit. Paicos noted that issue along with all others will be part of the total investigation of the site to be done in the very near future. A
Resident noted that an 18 Wheeler is on the property, and left running day and night. A Resident noted there is a lot of propane tanks on the front of that property and expressed concern if there were to be an accident there and someone hit the tanks, there could be a volatile substance in them. A Resident noted that people are living in a camper on that property also. Paicos will move forward with enforcement, per the Board’s instructions.
None.
On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster the Board voted unanimously to approve the refinance request subject to Town Counsel’s review and approval based on the conditions of the affordable unit agreements and past practice.
(2) DPW CONTRACT AWARDS (WATER DIVISION)
Wayne Southworth, Jack Marsh in attendance.
On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the contract with MHQ Municipal Vehicles at an amount of $27,482, for the purchase of a service utility truck.
On Webster’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously to award the water meter contract to Badger Meter for an amount of $79,585.
Janet Linehan in attendance.
Hardin read the memo from Linehan and the need for an alternate polling place on 9/15/01, to replace the K of C. Hardin noted that Linehan is proposing the SE Regional School cafeteria and needs the Board to vote on this. In response to a question from Tufts, Linehan gave a brief explanation of her notice to residents RE: the voting place change. Hardin noted the need for a large sign placed at the K of C, to notify voters of the change from K of C to SE Regional for the 9/15/01 election.
On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to move the polling place from K of C to the SE Regional School for the 9/15/01 election.
Hardin gave a brief explanation of the need for this item on the agenda and the preparation for the cuts in the event the override doesn’t pass. Tufts noted we have to look at major program changes, and stated it is not wise to cut, for example, 14% out of each budget. Tufts noted we need to assess each service and see what we need to do and what can be cut. Tufts noted we need to look at this for the $1.4M in cuts, between the Fire, DPW, Police and Town Hall. Tufts stated he thinks the Board needs to focus, and that no matter what we do we’ll be criticized, but we need to be aware that what we say will be cut, will in fact be cut. Tufts noted that possible cuts, as he sees it could be one of the ACO’s which would reduce services, not completely eliminate it. This would cut the nights and weekend service, and that is the type of cuts/services he is looking at. Tufts noted that the DARE program would have to go. Tufts noted we need officers on the road before we have them in classrooms. Tufts suggested shifting management personnel and re-doing the detective contingent. Tufts noted that non-mandated items in the Fire Dept. need to be removed.
Hardin noted we don’t have any superfluous positions in Town. Hardin noted that before when we were faced with this situation, we privatized trash collection, and maybe we could look at privatizing existing services.
Webster noted we need to look at the past 5 years and the new positions at Town Hall. Webster noted the Board of Selectmen and all elected officials should consider not taking salaries and health insurance, which would add up to $25,000 in salaries and what ever the cost of health insurance is. Webster noted we haven’t made any staff changes in police and fire since 89 and 87 respectively. Webster noting the Dispatchers, stated maybe we need to look at getting rid of that, as it hasn’t saved us any money. Webster
suggested combining clerical positions; maybe payroll software could cut down on the time and people in DP to do the job. Webster noted there are a lot of line items that should be looked at, and if eliminated could save a position.
Goodwin noted she used a philosophical point of view. She noted the school piece comes easier, as it is add-ons. Goodwin noted that public safety depts. must be looked at. Goodwin noted possible cuts in Recreation, Library, Clerical positions, COA, reducing streetlight budget in DPW, realigning Forest, Trees and Parks Division, cutting ambulance, DARE, ACO, Pool. Goodwin noted she saw it as reducing Town Hall by $300,000; Fire by $300,000; DPW by $350,000; Police by $300,000. Again Goodwin noted the difficulty for the General Government is that the Schools piece is add-ons, and we are needing serious cutting of existing budgets. Goodwin noted that next we need to format a questions(s) for the ballot.
Tufts noted he doesn’t think we can come up with a set cliché, i.e., “last in = first out”. Tufts noted the reason for those positions were due to identified needs and we need to look at how programs are changed by reduced services, nights, weekends, etc., and can we live with it. Tufts noted this is the third time I’ve had to sit here and make cuts. Tufts noted we can identify areas and turn this over to Paicos for further review of the ramifications of proposed cuts, i.e., unemployment costs.
Hardin noted he can’t imagine people not voting for the override. Hardin noted the people expressed the need for our services and he thinks they will come out to support and preserve those services. Hardin noted we could privatize the ambulance service, and that could be taken over in a day. Hardin noted he doesn’t want to do that but that costs a big chunk of money. Hardin noted the cost to the Town is between $700,000-800,000 and we only recover approx. $300,000-400,000. Hardin noted we have a K-9 officer in Town and we could use the State Police or a surrounding Town’s service if necessary. Hardin again stated he really believes the people will step up to the plate and vote for the override. Hardin noted he is not opposed to not paying elected officials and has suggested it himself, in the past.
Paicos noted he has done a lot of research on the ramification of cuts and the ambulance doesn’t look like a great deal financially at first blush anyway, and gave a brief explanation. Paicos noted there may be a stipend to the Town RE: privatizing. Paicos noted the bottom line of ambulance privatizing is not a good money saver. Paicos noted a cut in the Fire Dept. as a percent cut of the override is approx. $300,000 and that could be retrieved by rotating closing of stations. Paicos noted we would need OT costs that are required by 3 stations being kept open 24-7. Paicos noted it is hard to quantify how many weeks closing would have to be, as it involves 17 different OT factors. Paicos noted that is the way to do the cuts in the Fire Dept., eliminating one position and closing on a rotating basis, one station vs. the three being always open.
Paicos noted in the Police Dept., eliminating one of the
ACO’s, the DARE program, reducing the detectives by 2 ½; deleting the Crossing
Guard program; and two patrol officers would be subject to layoffs. Paicos noted he is not sure the unemployment
liability on these proposed layoffs and noted we have approx. $80,000 in the
unemployment trust fund to help offset this liability.
Tufts noted that not filling vacant positions over the summer needs to be
figured into the total liability.
Goodwin questioned if streetlight could be cut. Paicos stated by 1/3rd = $40,000.
Goodwin questioned what the savings would be by eliminating forest/parks. Paicos noted $150,000 is the budget, but we can’t eliminate all the budget because we need a Tree Warden and some money for tree trimming due to storms. Paicos noted the summer laborers would have already been expensed so the probable savings would be $100,000.
Goodwin questioned reducing snow and ice. Paicos noted we can change the criteria for plowing, and can decide not to hire contractors. Paicos noted the streets won’t be cleared as fast and may require more school closing days, but this budget could then be reduced by $60,000. Paicos noted we have a vacant position in the DPW. Paicos noted that presuming the Assistant Superintendent position will be filled in-house, this would then leave one vacant laborer position. Goodwin noted that amounts to approx. $270,000 out of DPW.
Paicos noted he has identified 4 or 5 departments that can’t be touched statutorily and we have already cut one clerk in one of those depts.
Hardin noted people need to know these cuts and the effect they will have on public services.
Webster questioned Data Processing stating that we had been told it would go back to only one person, and
questioned if we could do that. Paicos noted that 60% of DP services are going to the school now, noting that in the last few years we picked up all the schools financials and payroll. Paicos noted this dept. is an extraordinarily bad place to make a cut of an employee.
Webster questioned how much of the salary does the school pay or supplement for the DP services. Paicos noted that off budget there is a formula that lists credit to the Town for this service. Paicos noted we’re not charging the school for actual services they get. Paicos noted we are very dependent on computers now and it is not realistic for a big cut or for the loss of one of the two employees.
Paicos noted the Recreation Dept. could be cut, but not the pool budget. Paicos noted that recreation programs are good to have for quality of life, but is not a mandated service. Paicos noted a clerical vacancy in the Town Hall is equal to $30,000; the vacant Building Inspector position is $35,000; the COA transportation program could be cut by $30,000; the COA Outreach Program could be cut by the vacant part-time position for another $10,000. This makes the total at Town Hall $185,000 and with another $75,000 out of Library = $260,000.
A. Bundy gave a brief explanation of the ramifications of cuts to library services and yet still being able to maintain accreditation. Bundy noted that a $75,000 cut is impossible; $50,000, would be hard; $25,000 would be manageable if absolutely necessary. D. Churchill noted we are a community and need to stay together. Churchill noted Library usage is at a record level and we are trying to gear up for the addition and any cuts would make operating very difficult. Churchill noted the Library is under salaried and we entered into an agreement to raise salaries but the Town welched on it and it has left the Library strapped. Churchill noted that twice in the last 6 months we lost employees due to salary amounts. Churchill noted they just instituted a pension plan for employees. Churchill again stated we need to stay together as a whole community. Churchill stated municipal government is bare bones as it is and we have good people running our departments.
Hardin noted the need to get the message out to the whole
community to vote for this needed override.
Paicos noted that Easton’s library is the second lowest per capita budget in
the State. Paicos noted that 51% is
Town share of budget and 49% is Corp. share of budget. Paicos noted that whatever the cuts to
Library, we can’t upset the formula or else we jeopardize the $1.9M grant and
the $4M from Corp., or it could affect the anti-aid agreement.
Goodwin asked Paicos to figure the amount we can cut without jeopardizing the anti-aid agreement.
Tufts questioned if there is a level of staff required when the library is opened. Bundy noted she won’t allow any opening without a minimum of two people being present.
Tufts suggested maybe looking into the Recreation office re-locating at the branch which would allow for other people being in the building and could allow for more hours being open for library hours, and no one would be alone.
Tufts noted Paicos needs to take these suggested cuts and go crunch the figures and come back to the Board with actual dollar amounts.
Hardin noted he doesn’t want to have to make the cuts but we must make this list. Hardin noted we are in a position of hiring a new person in the Veterans Dept. but the State is mandating this and we’ll recover over $100,000 from the State in reimbursements.
Hardin noted we need to look and see what we can afford to do without. Hardin noted we need to get the townspeople behind the override.
Paicos noted whatever cuts we must be able to articulate to the voters clearly and to translate cuts into services. Paicos noted people need to understand what they will lose with not passing the override.
Hardin noted he would really hate to see the DARE program cut as this shows children that police officers are their friends.
Webster noted there are depts. that haven’t even been talked about, such as Planning. Webster noted when Carol retired we hired a Planner and a full time clerical position and we need to look at eliminating one of those positions. Webster noted eliminating the Planner will save approx. $61,000.
Webster stated she understands putting out emotional issues for the override to pass, but station closings proposal has been voted on by Town Meeting three times. Webster noted it is a mistake to use the fire study and station closings as potential cuts. Webster noted she would rather get rid of Dispatches vs. police officers. Webster noted the Dispatchers cost $180,000 alone.
Paicos noted that a dispatcher costs only a percent of what police officers cost and it makes no sense to pay police higher salaries to dispatch.
Webster noted Dispatchers make $29-32,000 and police officers make approx. only $10,000 more than the dispatchers. Paicos noted new officers that are coming in now have education inventive costs, which costs much more than $10,000. Paicos stated why pay an officer to sit at a desk to dispatch when if they are dispatching, they are only able to do just that, dispatch. They are then stuck at that desk. Paicos noted there are a lot of extra programs running in the police dept. that are paid for by grants.
Webster questioned who pays for the Family Violence Task Force. Paicos noted the detectives are doing most of the work and the detectives are proposed to be cut.
Webster questioned if Paicos is looking at the Lieutenant and Deputy and the elimination of one of those.
Paicos noted that by eliminating the Lt. we would only save approx. $6,000 and how do we translate that to what it means to the homeowner in terms of services.
Webster noted we need to list cuts by department and amounts and send that notice to voters with explanations.
Paicos noted nothing on the list is more sacred than another. Paicos noted Town Meeting just voted all these budgets and they are all priorities. Paicos noted the Board must look at public safety with large scale cuts as they account for 80% of the entire budget.
Webster noted she understands the need for cuts but smaller cuts could be made in whole budgets. Webster noted we need to make radical cuts in Town Hall. Webster noted we have positions that were created at Town Hall that haven’t been created in the Fire Dept. Webster noted we could cut one of the two secretaries in the Police Dept., and we could cut one of the two secretaries in the Selectmen’s Office. Webster noted we need to look at our Town Hall budgets. Webster noted we added a Planner and an Assistant Town Administrator and it will make people mad if Town Hall isn’t affected.
Paicos noted we looked at every line in the budget and have already proposed $300,000 worth of cuts in Town Hall. Paicos again noted that the Library, COA and Recreation already have proposed serious cuts.
Webster stated that to eliminate the entire Recreation Dept. is a mistake, that is pushing the kid button because people want to have their kids in sports, etc. Webster noted this won’t fly if we don’t have serious cuts in Town Hall such as the Assistant Town Administrator, Planner and other positions in Town Hall including clerical.
Hardin noted he have to have a Town Planner, we ran into problems in this Town with growth because we didn’t have the Planner.
Tufts questioned what is the status of the dispatchers, dispatching for the Fire also. Paicos noted there has been a software problem in fire which prevents the full central civilian dispatch. Chief Bates noted they are coming out next Wednesday for software training so the systems will be compatible. Bates noted we are just perfecting training now. Chief Blye noted we only have 6 dispatchers currently and there is not enough for full dispatch. Paicos noted we need 9 ½ dispatchers for full central civilian dispatch 24-7. Tufts noted he heard these reasons for almost 8 years now. Tufts noted we have had roadblocks all along and he feels they are artificial roadblocks.
Goodwin noted she agrees closing fire stations is too volatile and that’s why she went with the privatizing of the ambulance service. Goodwin noted she heard issues from the whole Board and they need to be considered. Goodwin questioned if the Board can make a philosophical approach to the cuts for the ballot question. Goodwin noted it is premature how we would put together question(s) now. Goodwin noted that Paicos will come back to the Board.
On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve 1 Vehicle for Hire License for Greg Marcus of A-1 Chauffeur Connection.
None
None.
JULY 9, 2001
D. Murphy asked if the Selectmen receive money each year and health insurance. Webster state yes, the amount is $1,800. per year, per Selectman.
D. Murphy questioned if Paicos had any possible estimate on the number of layoffs being proposed. Paicos noted the amount is approx. 8-12 between the 3 major depts., and Town Hall.
At 9:50PM, on Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.
APPROVED_______________________________
DATED_______________________________