Palmer Town Council
Town Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Call to order
Council President Mr. Burns called to order the meeting at 7:05 pm on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Town Hall Meeting Room 1.
Roll call
Present:~Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. Burns, Mr. Duda, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Heilman and, Mrs. Barry, Mr. Williams, Mr. Duguay, Mr. Magiera. Absent was Mr. Remillard
Visitors Comments
7:05 pm - Jolene Mastalerz shared information with the town council concerning the potential presence of mold spores within OMP School. She noted that any intrusion of water can create mold. She stated that the school must also take care of the mold problems within the school to protect children who have respiratory issues. Mr. Magiera noted his frustrations that school issues are not being handled within the school system. Mr. Duguay suggests that the Council write a letter to the school committee that this is within their realm.
Green Repair
Mr. Burns announced that the Palmer School District has preliminary approval for the State’s Green Repair Project.
Discussion: Funding for OMP School Roof
7:20 pm – Discussion: School Roof
Mrs. Kennedy announced the results for the Bids on the Old Mill Pond School Roof. The low bid was DP Carney at $372,990. Discussion ensued on how to proceed concerning the payment. Mrs. Kennedy gave an overview of the options the Council has. Option A would be to pay off the last school debt payment and pay for the roof by raising the same tax that had been in place for the last 19 years. This would require raising $710,948 from taxes, take $353,209 from the school stabilization account for the last debt payment along with $143,843 from misc. accounts, plus $410,289 from the stabilization account for the roof payment. This would leave $215,521 left in the school stabilization account. Option B would be to raise $810,948 through taxation, a $20 increase per $200,000 valuation, and take $253,209 from the
school stabilization account for the last debt payment along with $143,843 from misc. accounts, plus $410,289 for the roof payment. This would leave $315,521 left in the school stabilization account. Option C would be to raise $910,948 through taxation, a $40 increase per $200,000 valuation, and take $153,209 from the school stabilization account for the last debt payment along with $143,843 from misc. accounts, plus $410,289 for the roof payment. This would leave $415,521 left in the school stabilization account. Discussion continued on the condition of the stabilization account. Councilors gave personal opinions on the proposed funding option. Mrs. Barry commented that the council should take advantage of the current market conditions and look at other projects that need to get done. Mr. Duguay stated that the school should take accountability for the other two school roofs. Debate continued on whether or not to raise taxes to fund other projects.
Mr. Hebert makes a motion to use Option B, seconded by Mr. Magiera. Discussion continued on the motion. Mr. Magiera withdraws his second. Mr. Hebert withdraws his motion. Discussion continued on what funding option to use. Mr. Duda makes motion to use Option A. Seconded by Mr. Duguay. Discussion continued on the funding options. Motion failed 5-3 with Mrs. Barry, Mr. Burns and Mr. Heilman objecting. Motion by Mrs. Barry to appropriate $266,446 from the school stabilization account along with $143,843 from the school encumbrance and misc. accounts. Seconded by Mr. Heilman. Discussion on the motion continued. Motion failed 3-5 with Mr. Duda, Mr. Williams, Mr. Duguay, Mr. Hebert and Mr. Magiera objecting. Mr. Magiera makes motion for Option B. Seconded by Mr. Hebert. Discussion on the motion
continued. Motion fails 4-4 with Mrs. Barry, Mr. Duguay, Mr. Williams and Mr. Duda objecting. Discussion continued on funding options. Mr. Magiera makes motion to use Option B. Seconded by Mr. Heilman. Mr. Hebert motions to add an amendment to revisit issue at next meeting November 8, 2010. Seconded by Mr. Magiera.
9:32 pm - Mr. Burns called a five minute recess.
9:38 pm - back in session
Motion to amend the current motion to include revisiting the issue passes 6-2 with Mr. Duda and Mr. Duguay objecting.
Motion to use Option B carries 6-2 with Mr. Duda and Mr. Duguay objecting.
Council decides to discuss this issue at a meeting on November 15, 2010.
Adjournment of Formal Session
Movement to adjourn by Mr. Magiera, Seconded by Mr. Heilman. Motion approved 8 - 0 at 9:44 pm
Minutes submitted by: Andrew M. Golas
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Clerk: Philip J. Hebert
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