Selectmen Meeting Minutes — January 8,
2009—7:00
p.m. — Memorial Hall
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Manners at
7:00 p.m. Other members present: Joe Judd. John Payne is away on vacation.
Diane Broncaccio, Greenfield Recorder was also present.
Acceptance of Minutes: a motion was made by Joe to accept the minutes
of December 18, 2008 as presented. Bob seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Noteworthy News: the Board of Selectmen has scheduled a special town
meeting for February 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The warrant
will be reviewed with the Moderator and the Finance Committee at 7:30
p.m. this evening.
Department Liaison Reports:
Police Department - Joe reported that he is working with the
Chief of Police and the Parking Clerk with the hopes of helping tenants
find adequate parking during the winter parking ban. Several tenants
have either been ticketed or towed in recent months. A survey has been
sent to tenement owners to determine how many tenants reside in their
building and whether or not they have adequate off-street parking. In
the meantime, the Cross Street parking lot and the Arms Academy lot can
be used without penalty while the town explores other options. Bob mentioned
a recent letter to the Editor of the Greenfield Recorder from an individual
who is wheelchair bound and having difficulty navigating sidewalks during
the winter months. Bob used the opportunity to remind residents and shop
owners of their obligation to clear the sidewalks within 24 hours of
each storm.
Highway Department - Bob reported that the highway department continues
to deal with weekly snow & ice storms. The 1997 Mack dump truck continues
to pose a problem with frequent breakdowns and the 1997 Chevy pick-up
is in the process of being repaired for an estimated $2,500 (exhaust,
bell housing, manifold and brakes).
OLD BUSINESS:
Winter Parking Ban RE: Lack of Tenement Parking
(see Department Liaison Report) - Joe reminded everyone that the winter parking ban is in effect;
so to allow the highway department to plow and maintain the town's
streets and public parking areas without the hindrance of parked vehicles.
Joe indicated that the town does not enjoy ticketing and towing vehicles.
He noted that it is the responsibility of the landlords to provide
off-street parking for their tenants however, given the numbers of
individuals who have no parking; the town is trying to find alternative
areas for overnight parking to help alleviate the problem.
7:25 p.m. Motion to recess the meeting: a motion was made by Joe to
recess the meeting at 7:25p.m. Meeting will reconvene when members of
the Finance Committee arrive. Motion seconded by Bob. Motion carries.
7:33 p.m. Meeting reconvened.
7:33 p.m. James Stacy, Town Moderator and Finance
Committee RE: Review of Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles (Lynn Benander and Laura Sandvik)
- nine articles were presented to both the Moderator and members of
the Finance Committee for their review and/or comment before posting
the February 5, 2009 special town meeting warrant. Several questions
were raised by the Finance Committee during the review process however
in the end; each member appeared supportive of every article.
NEW BUSINESS:
Joe Judd RE: Town's Cash Flow; Request to Schedule
Financial Update Meeting - before entering into budget discussions for fiscal year 2010, Joe
would like to schedule a meeting with all department heads, members
of the finance committee, the treasurer, the collector and the fiscal
officer so that everyone can be brought up to speed on the financial
state of the town. Terry will try and coordinate a Tuesday afternoon
meeting when John returns from vacation.
F.R.C.O.G. Technical Assistance Funding - the FRCOG will receive Local
Technical Assistance funding from the Department of Housing and Community
Development for projects that will promote and directly result in implementation
of regional cost-sharing and service provision. Projects will commence
in January, 2009 and John is hopeful that Shelburne Selectmen can arrange
to meet with Buckland Selectmen to discuss the possibility of sharing
services like: police, accounting/payroll, assessor's programs, libraries,
etc. Both Bob and Joe indicated support for John's proposal.
Governor's Infrastructure Investment Program RE:
Salmon Falls Observation Area - the Obama "Transition" Team is working on an economic
stimulus package for cities and towns to be used for capital and infrastructure
projects. Projects submitted must be "shovel ready" within
180 days of January 20th. Lieutenant Governor, Timothy Murray will be
accepting applications until January 8, 2009. Both Bob and Joe were pleased
to report that the Salmon Falls Observation Area project was submitted
as an Infrastructure Investment Project. Task Force members Joan Rockwell,
Mike McCusker, Margaret Fitzpatrick, Susan Flaccus and Mary Vilbon worked
very hard to meet the deadline requirements.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Request for Proposals RE: Social Service Projects - two proposals were
received in response to the town's request for social service projects.
Breezeway Farm Consulting reviewed both proposals and indicated that
both the Shelburne Senior Center Elder Self-Sufficiency project and
the Community Action's West County Emergency Food Pantry project meet
the criteria of the grant application. Breezeway Farm Consulting recommended
that the Board vote to include both social service programs in the
FY'09 CDBG application for the towns of Shelburne and Buckland. Joe
made a motion to include both the Shelburne Senior Center Elder Self-Sufficiency
project and the Community Action's West County Emergency Food pantry
project in Shelburne and Buckland's FY'09 CDBG application. Bob seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: none
ADJOURNMENT: a motion was made by Joe to adjourn the meeting at 8:32
p.m. Bob seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Mosher
Executive Secretary |
