PALMER TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, February 9, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Town Council Meeting Room, Palmer Town Building
Minutes
1. Meeting called to order by Council President Michael Magiera at 1902
2. Roll Call:
a. Present: Town Manager Matthew Streeter, George Backus, Michael Magiera, David Whitney, John Dinuovo, Roger Duguay, Jr., and Philip Hebert.
b. Councilor Barry arrived late
c. Paul Burns absent
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Consent of the Agenda Order-Requested by President Magiera to move item “7c “ to Item 4-unanimous consent
5. Visitors Comments (for items not on the agenda)-None
6. School choice: Mrs. Mary Salzman
a. Mr. Magiera-Several months ago a couple came in to discuss school choice pertaining to their children
b. Mrs. Salzman: School choice is:
i. Voted by all schools in state each year
ii. We have always voted no in past years
iii. We receive $5,000 per pupil for out of town students
iv. Cost is over 11,000 per pupil
v. If we go over class size limits we generate contractual issues with teachers and have to pay teachers extra
vi. Students would have to go into lottery to fill available class slots
vii. If we take one student by lottery we also have to take the rest of his family
c. Other districts near us have school choice; their Special Education budgets are not as large as ours
d. School has huge budget issues especially with Special Education budget
e. Mr. Magiera: over $6,000 in the hole per student to start? Mrs. Salzman: yes
f. Mr. Magiera: not singling anybody out, general blanket statement [concerning school choice]
7. Old business:
a. Hearing 7:00 PM – Ordinance 2009-02 - Stormwater Regulations (Small Development)
i. No witnesses present, no discussion
ii. Mr. Magiera: Close public hearing
b. Second Reading Ordinance 2009-02 – Stormwater Regulations (Small Development)
i. Moved by Mr. Backus to waive reading, except for changes, seconded by Mr. Dinuovo
ii. Section 1A read by Mr. Whitney
c. Vote – Ordinance 2009-02 – Stormwater Regulations (Small Development)
i. Moved by Mr. Whitney to enact ordinance as written, seconded by Mr. Backus
ii. Voted to enact ordinance as written, unanimous consent
d. Minutes of Preceding Town Council Meetings – December 8, 2008 and January 12, 2009
i. December 8, 2008
1. Reviewed page by page
2. Line 79: Mr. Whitney: if instead of in
3. Line 1: Spelling of Mr. Whitney’s name
4. Moved by Mr. Hebert to accept minutes as corrected, seconded by Mr. Duguay
5. Voted to accept as amended, 5 Aye, no Nay with Mr. Duguay abstaining
ii. January 12, 2009
1. Reviewed page by page
2. Item 7A on page 2-correct spelling of Mr. Kaczmarczyk’s name
3. Item f1 on page 4: correct spelling of counsel name
4. Item on page 5: correct vote tally to 5-4 against; Mr. Streeter does not vote with the council
5. Item N on P. 6: correct apostrophe
6. P. 8 item 10A, spelling of Ms. Zawadzki
7. Last sentence on P. 8 spelling of Dr. Paist
8. Moved to accept minutes as amended by Mr. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Duguay
9. Voted to accept as amended, 6-0 unanimous
8. New Business:
a. First reading Ordinance 2009-03 Zone designation change – Breckinridge St.
i. Read by Mr. Whitney
ii. Public hearing opened at 1920
iii. Mr. Warren Thompson representing Monson Savings Bank at 64 Breckinridge speaking against the change
1. Monson Savings Bank has lost sale of the property at 64 Breckinridge St. due to pending change
2. Monson Savings Bank believes change construes spot zoning
3. Change is a detriment to Mr. Thompson’s client and serves no public benefit
iv. Mr. Backus: Change will benefit town of Palmer
v. Mr. Thompson: This change will be a detriment to my client
vi. Mr. Streeter: there will be a hearing at planning board
vii. Mr. Magiera: Hearing closed at 1927
b. Resolution 2009-18 – Amend Parking Rules & Regulations
i. Read and moved by Mr. Whitney
ii. Second by Mr. Dinuovo
iii. Discussion: Mr. Streeter: This amendment is needed to correct safety issues
iv. No rules currently on the books concerning marked bus stops
v. Voted to amend: unanimous-7/0
c. Resolution 2009-19 – Transfer to various accounts
i. Read and moved by Mr. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Dinuovo
ii. Discussion: Mr. Streeter:
1. Actually to cover funds for clerk’s position as it was moved from accountant’s office to treasurer’s office; oversight in prior budget
2. $100 is to cover expense for a state-required manual for sealer
3. Voted 7/0 unanimous
d. Manager’s appointment-License Commission/Board of Assessors
i. Mr. Whitney: Subcommittee voted previously to approve list presented to us; Mr. Jasak and Mr. Burns as Assessors and Mr. Magiera as License Commissioner; vote was 3-0
ii. Mr. Streeter: Previous manager let full-time assessors’ terms lapse; created problem in office
iii. By reappointing part time assessors to positions this allows recusal while maintaining a quorum for action.
iv. Mr. Whitney moved to affirm the action of the subcommittee to appoint Mr. Jasak and Mr. Burns as assessors to the board, seconded by Mr. Backus
v. Vote 7/0 unanimous
vi. Mr. Whitney moved to affirm the action of the subcommittee to appoint Mr. Magiera as License Commissioner, seconded by Mr. Dinuovo
vii. Vote: 6 Aye, no Nay votes with Mr. Magiera abstaining
e. Discussion FY 09 Budget
i. Mr. Magiera: Governor has cut budget by $243,000 this fiscal year
ii. Mr. Streeter:
1. Palmer’s share of shortfall is $243,225
2. Originally came from lottery funds ($2,490,000); reduced by 10%
3. Looked at entire budget to see what could be cut
4. I have made recommendations per sheet supplied to council
a. Reduced departments fairly by percentages
b. Best and reasonable method to do what’s right to get through these reductions
c. Dr. Paist at Pathfinder is working to save with us
5. Recommendations:
a. Hold off until FY 2010 on hiring Recreational director would save $20,000
b. $42,000 marked for ADA for town building can be used to adjust shortfall
c. Council on Aging position paid by CDA: position’s insurance currently paid by town can be renegotiated to save $1,900
d. Clerk expenses can be saved because they came in under budget for election
e. Other cuts are available depending on Pathfinder actions and revenue variations
f. School budget cuts-health insurance for teachers, clerks, and nurses was budgeted pending negotiations; unexpended monies can be used to cut reductions at the will of the Council.
6. We can weather these reductions without too much pain
iii. Mr. Hebert: Should we have laid Council on Aging person off? Mr. Streeter: no; it is a needed position and town has covered costs of insurance in absence of grant coverage for last two years
1. Grant originally didn’t cover insurance costs
2. We are reworking grant to cover insurance costs for the employee
3. Mr. Whitney: First 4 cuts on the list are the only ones necessary; rest of cuts on the list are only if necessary later and we don’t need to cut them now? Streeter: yes, only if necessary. Everything has been looked at
iv. Mr. Backus: Disturbed about possible Memorial Day cut, also opposed to $10,000 Veterans Services benefits cuts.
v. Mr. Streeter: asked everybody to contribute fair share to cuts
1. Agreed to use as last resort
2. Vet Services won’t be crippled if cut
3. Applaud Town Clerk who found funds available
vi. Mr. Backus: Vet Services are reimbursed 75% by state
vii. Mr. Whitney: to reiterate; the top four items on the list are the only ones recommended now, the rest are potential cuts but we don’t need to make them now
viii. Mrs. Salzman:
1. $300,000 savings from unions wasn’t money that just appeared; that was money for the unions who hadn’t changed their insurance yet.
2. Those funds are available to the town
3. If used they leave the town $57,000 in the black
4. I don’t understand why we’re cutting
ix. Mr. Streeter: Preliminary numbers I have from accounting were closer to $200,000; there is still the possibility that we will need to hire people or have people join insurance, but I wanted to be more conservative than this
x. Mrs. Salzmann: Mr. Charko found 8 people on insurance roster who are not in our district
xi. Mr. Whitney: We are paying for 8 people not employed by town? Mrs. Salzmann-Yes; we don’t know about how long this has been going on. This is first year that we have had list. They may be people who have passed; etc; I am trying to get names of these people
xii. Mr. Backus: We should go to insurance company
xiii. Mr. Streeter: Not for council action until future meeting
xiv. Mr. Magiera: Has there been action by other participating towns re Pathfinder assessment? Mr. Streeter: Not yet; actions must go through Pathfinder board
xv. Mr. Magiera: Dr. Paist is making Pathfinder budget presentation on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:30 at Pathfinder; please e-mail Pat Kennedy if attending
xvi. Ms. Barry: ADA building was not funded last budget
1. Council voted to rescind funding for this and funds reverted to stabilization fund, so this is not a real cut
2. Some of these proposed cuts are not from actual budget that was voted
xvii. Mr. Whitney: If things continue, we can expect more bad news before July 1. Is this the whole contingency list of cuts? Mr. Streeter: No; other things can also be looked at.
xviii. Ms. Barry: Council needs to vote before June 30 to reduce budget. We have to confirm your recommendations
xix. Mr. Streeter: No action as to be taken tonight; we can revisit these at a later meeting
9. Subcommittee reports: none
10. Town Manager’s Report
a. Met twice with Monson’s Town Administrator to resolve a billing dispute
1. Monson is in breach of contract for failure to pay current assessment
2. Monson considers some items charged in assessment beyond items included in joint system contract
3. In July we reopen negotiations to extend that contract
4. We are working to reach agreement
5. Ms Barry: Does contract spell out things discussed? Mr. Streeter: No
6. Ms. Barry: What quarters are in arrears? Mr. Streeter: 4th quarter of 08 and first two payments of 09
ii. Fire district charges, per state statute:
1. Billing and collection services, salary of assessor and collector
2. Charges have not changed since 2003; seven years at same rate
3. Not an accurate indicator of actual costs, as costs have increased but assessments have not
4. Meeting with fire districts to discuss increases in fees
iii. Cable advisory committee meeting in this room next Wednesday Feb. 11 at 2 PM in this room
1. Public discussion regarding cable services by Comcast
2. Information will be useful in licensing renewal
iv. Energy Audit program
1. Mass DOE Resources is funding Energy Audit Program
2. Provides technical assistance to towns
3. Consultant will visit three public schools , Town building, Memorial Hall, and Wastewater treatment plant to seek ways for the town to save money
4. Paid for by state
5. Mr. Hebert: All the buildings? Mr. Streeter: Only schools and buildings mentioned, not DPW, Parks building, or other stuff.
6. National Grid is tied into plan
7. Will notify us of possible grants for energy savings
v. Mr. Hebert: Should we be looking at redoing contract?
1. Mr. Streeter: Monson wastewater contract was made in 1974; needs renewal
2. New contract will address current issues, including dispute resolution and arbitration
3. We can’t just turn off the pipe; we are working collaboratively with them to address issues for next 20-30 years of contract.
4. Mr. Whitney: is there flexibility in contract for expansion of capacity? Mr. Streeter: no, we are nowhere near maximum capacity
5. Our flow has gone down significantly due to plant closures; our costs have gone down whereas their costs have risen
6. They are sending 25% of total effluent, but paying currently 18% because of payment formula used to calculate costs
7. Mr. Dinuovo: How are residents and businesses charged back from Monson vs. what Palmer citizens have to pay? Mr. Streeter: I can find out; our fees are higher because we have additional costs
8. Mr. Whitney: We are working to reduce storm water overruns. Are we getting overruns from Monson? Mr. Streeter: I can find out.
vi. Mr. Magiera: Schedule Town Councilor replacement meeting for 2/19 @ 1830
1. Invite individuals who have expressed interest to speak
2. Lean agenda
11. Councilor’s roundtable:
a. Mr. Hebert: none
b. Mr. Duguay: Maryanne Rigali was a great loss to our community and will be missed
c. Mr. Backus: Welcome to president; you are doing a great job
d. Ms. Barry: none
e. Mr. Dinuovo: Mrs. Rigali and Jane Golas, former town historian will be sorely missed
f. Mr. Whitney: Two pairs of shoes that won’t be easily filled; Maryanne Rigali didn’t move to Palmer; she happened to Palmer and we’re all the better for it.
12. Mr. Magiera Moved to adjourn; Mr. Whitney seconded,
13. Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote @2010
Respectfully submitted by:
Ramon M. Dole
Recording Secretary
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