Town of Warwick Selectboard November 25, 2013 Minutes Members present: Dawn Magi, Nick Arguimbau Member Absent: Patricia Lemon Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa Fratangelo Calcari, Assessors Clerk Beth Gilgun, Assessor Keith Ross, Arline Lincoln Vanderstelt, A. George Day, Jr., Alana Day, Jon Calcari, Paula Lundgren Robinson (Athol Daily News) I. Call to Order Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in Town Hall. Public Comment None. Minutes Arguimbau MOVED to approve the minutes of November 12, 2013 as printed. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. IV. Presentations and Discussions 1. Recognition of Residents with Many Years of Service to the Town--Magi recognized key contributors to the Town's history who were unable to attend the recognition event on November 2, 1013 by listing their various contributions and handing them certificates of recognition for their service. Magi recognized Arline Lincoln Vanderstelt for her 32 total years of service in seven different capacities. It was noted that Ms. Lincoln Vanderstelt is still active on four committees. A. George Day, Jr. was recognized for his twenty-four different positions held in Town through the years for a total of 314 years of service to Warwick. It was pointed out that Mr. Day currently serves the Town in nine different capacities. Magi also recognized Alana Day for her service on the Cemetery Commission. 2. Chapter 268 Section 20D Exemptions -- Arguimbau MOVED to declare the position of Fence Viewer as Special Municipal Employee. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Arguimbau said that he does not like the list of suggested motions supplied by Town Coordinator Young, as he received a complaint after the last meeting from someone who felt that suggested motions constitute a violation of Open Meeting laws. Arguimbau made it clear that while this is not a violation, it could have that appearance to the public. Young said that his suggested motions are designed to complete agenda items, and pointed out that he does not consult with any Board members in formulating the motions. Magi said that she finds the suggested motions to be very helpful, and reminded everyone that these motions are suggested and not mandatory. Young said that suggested motions are given to each Board member at the meeting and that they are not seen before then. Magi MOVED to grant MGL Chapter 268 Section 20D exemptions to Brian Miner and Brad Matthews so they may, in addition to holding contracts with the Town to mow and/or plow snow and serving as firefighters, also serve as uncompensated fence Viewers. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. 3. Tax Classification Hearing--Magi opened the hearing at 6:15pm. No reasons were offered not to continue to tax all classes of property at a single rate. Assessor Keith Ross said that the single tax rate is most efficient for Warwick. Assessor's Clerk Beth Gilgun explained that there is no industrial property in Town; all property is classified as residential/agricultural. She explained that by law tax classification must be done every year. Magi MOVED to close the Tax Classification Hearing at 6:17pm. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Magi MOVED to tax all classes of property at a single tax rate. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. The necessary paperwork was signed and given to the Assessor's Clerk. Young noted that the tax rate is $18.33 per $1,000 of valuation. 4. Whipple Class II and Class III License Renewal -- Arguimbau MOVED to grant Rodney Whipple two license renewals of Class II and Class III licenses. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Young explained that this is done annually. Proof of insurance has been provided and the payment of license fees has been made. 5. Recreation Committee Appointment-- Magi MOVED to appoint Kerry Cooke to the Recreation Committee for a term ending June 30, 2014. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. 6. Part-Time Highway Driver/Laborer Hourly Pay Rate Correction--Young explained that the vote taken at the November 12, 2013 meeting was based on a miscalculation of the hourly rate for a Highway Truck Driver/Laborer. Accountant Janice Barrett had sent Young a memo that identified the current rate for Highway Temporary Help to be $16.86 rather than the previously voted $16.94. Arguimbau MOVED to correct the Highway Driver/Laborer hourly rate to $16.86 per advice of the Accountant for the purpose of maintaining pay equity. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. 7. PVRSD "Invitation to Collaborate" on Defining Capital--Young said that the School District has invited us to collaborate on the definition of capital by attending a meeting to be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at PVRHS. He said that the Buildings and Energy Committee felt that someone from the Finance Committee should attend, but no one has volunteered. Arguimbau said that he would attend if transportation could be provided for him. Magi said that she would attend and provide transportation for her fellow Board member. Young said that he would post it as a Selectboard meeting for the purposes of discussing definitions of capital. Posting is required because a quorum of the Board will attend the meeting at PVRHS. Magi MOVED that Nick Arguimbau and Dawn Magi be the Warwick representatives for the meeting December 4th at the Regional High School to discuss the definition of capital. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. 8. Selectboard Reports--Arguimbau said that he read an article in the MMA Advocate on the subject of electronic records and documents. He said that while he felt that we are in compliance with respect to Open Meeting laws, he feared that we were not in compliance with respect to the Public Information Act. He noted that public records must be removed from private computers within a certain timeframe. Arguimbau asked that this issue be placed on a future agenda for discussion on what needs to be done to bring us into compliance. Young said that he will do some research to identify a plan currently in use that can be tailored to fit the Town's needs. 9. Coordinator Report --Young said that he had exchanged more correspondence with the Veterans Service District. He noted that he will have to meet with the Finance Committee for a Reserve Fund Transfer to cover the $902.25 pro rated assessment for FY14. Young said that he conducted an exit interview with Highway Superintendent Tim Kilhart before he left to begin his new job in Hubbardston. Young said that he would transform his raw notes into a report for the Board. Young said that he will furnish Magi and Arguimbau with past definitions of capital for them to have for the December 4th meeting at PVRHS. 10. New and Other Items Not Reasonably Anticipated Prior to Posting Notice--None. V. Adjournment At 6:45 pm, Magi MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari