Palmer Town Council Meeting
October 13, 2009
Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Vice-President Paul Burns.
Roll Call – Councilors George Backus, Paul Burns, Barbara Barry, John DiNuovo, Roger Duguay, Phil Hebert, Karl Williams – Present. Councilors Ray Remillard, Michael Magiera – Absent.
Consent of the Agenda Order – Motion by George Backus, second by Phil Hebert to accept agenda. Unanimously approved.
Visitors Comments – None
Minutes of Preceding Town Council Meetings
July 8, 2009 – Motion by George Backus, second by John DiNuovo to approve. Voted 5-0-2 with Councilors Barry and Hebert abstaining.
August 10, 2009 – Motion by Phil Hebert, second by John DiNuovo to approve as corrected. Voted 7-0-0.
August 27, 2009 – Motion by Roger Duguay, second by John DiNuovo to approve as corrected. Voted 6-0-1 with Councilor Williams abstaining.
September 2, 2009 – Motion by George Backus, second by Phil Hebert to approve. Voted 6-0-1 with Councilor DiNuovo abstaining.
September 14, 2009 – Motion by Phil Hebert, second by Karl Williams to approve. Voted 6-0-1 with Councilor Duguay abstaining.
September 28, 2009 – Motion by Karl Williams, second by Phil Hebert to approve as corrected. Voted 5-0-2 with Councilors DiNuovo and Duguay abstaining.
Old Business
Resolution 2010-07-Accepting Property at 302 Boston Road as Conservation Land – A motion was made by Barbara Barry to have the Town Manager get estimates for performing soil borings on this property prior to Council accepting this property. Second by George Backus. Voted 6-1-0 with Councilor Hebert opposed.
Fall Leaf Program – Matthew Streeter reported on the Fall Leaf Program. This program is an effort to assist Palmer residents with a location to dispose of their leaves and yard debris. The DPW will collect bagged leaves at the Burleigh Park Leaf Pit off Old Warren Road on weekends from October 17th – November 22nd from 10 am to 4 pm. A temporary employee will be hired at an hourly rate of $8 to oversee the leaf pit on these weekends. Rules and Regulations for this program are attached to the Town Manager’s Report dated October 13, 2009.
The Town Manager reported that there is a possibility of continuing this program in the spring. Councilor Duguay commented that next year we should look at charging for this service. He also questioned commercial vehicles not being permitted. Councilor Hebert questioned the use of DPW employees at an overtime rate.
New Business
Town Audit – Thomas Scanlon Jr. from the CPA Firm Thomas J. Scanlon, CPA & Associates was present to discuss the Fiscal Year 2008 Audit Report and Management Letter. Each Councilor was provided a copy of the Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Statements, Management Letter and Single Audit. Mr. Scanlon provided an overview of the purpose of the audit and then discussed the Material Weaknesses of the Town which are outlined in the Management Letter.
Resolution 2010-11 – Approval of Warrant for Biennial Election – Motion by Barbara Barry, second by John DiNuovo to approve the warrant. Voted 7-0-0.
Resolution 2010-12 – Approval of Transfer for Special Elections – Motion by Barbara Barry, second by John DiNuovo to transfer $11,750 from the Reserve Account to the Elections & Registration Account to cover the costs of the December State Primary and January State Special Election. Voted 7-0-0. It is expected that some or all of the costs of these two elections will be reimbursed by the State.
Resolution 2010-13 – Designation of Liaison to State Ethics Committee – Motion by Barbara Barry, second by John DiNuovo to appoint Patricia Donovan, Town Clerk, as liaison to the State Ethics Commission as per Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009. Voted 7-0-0.
Resolution 2010-14 – Acknowledging Resignation of Recording Secretary – Motion by Paul Burns, second by John DiNuovo to acknowledge the resignation of Ramon Dole as the Council Recording Secretary. Voted 7-0-0.
Sub-Committee Reports – None
Town Manager’s Report – The Lion’s Club is celebrating 60 years of service and a proclamation is being issued to them from the Town. A letter was received from Dr. Paist looking for a representative from the Town to participate in union negotiations with Pathfinder staff. Council discussed and felt that Mr. Streeter should serve as the Town’s representative. The Memorial Hall Project is approximately one month behind schedule. A spending freeze has been implemented due to the uncertainty of the State’s finances and the likelihood of 9C cuts during this fiscal year. Two informational meetings have been scheduled in regard to the CSO Phase IV Project and the upcoming debt exclusion vote. The dates are October 21st at 7pm and October 24th as noon. Both meetings will be held at the Town Hall.
Councilor’s Round Table
Roger Duguay – Questioned the light being installed at Chudy’s Corner and whether is would be a blinking or full light.
Phil Hebert – All departments are getting hydraulic studies done. Comments in newspaper by Councilor Burns regarding Representative Smola and Senator Brewer were not representative of the feelings of Councilor Hebert
John DiNuovo – Concerns regarding the traffic on the Mass Pike and the backup that occurred on a recent evening. Requested that the Police Chief contact the State regarding the flow of traffic and the light at the Pike entrance/exit
Paul Burns – Reminded everyone to get out and vote on November 3rd
A motion was made at 8:25 to go into Executive Session per MGL Chapter 39 Section 23b(3) To discuss collective bargaining and litigation and to adjourn immediately there from. Roll call vote Backus, Burns, Barry, DiNuovo, Duguay, Hebert, Williams – all voted yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Barry
Council Clerk
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