Town of Warwick
Selectboard
December 17, 2007
Draft Minutes
Members present:  Patricia Lemon, Jim Toth, Rick Abbott Others present:
David Young, Rosa Calcari, Dawn Magi, Miryam Williamson, Janice
Kurkoski, Terry Kemerer, Jon Calcari, Paula Lundgren (Athol Daily News)
I. Call to Order 
Chairman Lemon called the Meeting to order at 6:05pm at the Town Hall. 
II. Minutes
Toth MOVED to approve the minutes of the December 13 meeting as amended.
 Lemon Seconded. VOTED.
III. Presentations/Discussions
1. Refer Zoning Changes to Planning Board - In reference to the Zoning
By- Laws proposed by the Zoning Task Force,  Young read a letter from
Ted Cady requesting that the Board to refer back them back to the
Planning Board. The letter stated that the Planning Board voted
unanimously to accept the proposed By-Laws and pass them along to the
Selectboard.

Lemon MOVED to refer the proposed By-Laws back to the Planning Board.
Toth Seconded, amending the motion to include the Selectboard going on
record to schedule a joint hearing with the Planning Board on January
16, 2008. Lemon Called the Vote.  VOTED.

2. Signing Up Town Accounts for Green Energy - Kurkoski said that green
energy will cost about 15% more than the rate for electricity from
companies such as National Grid, and that anyone may sign up. She said
that up to 60% of what residents sign up for would be returned to
Warwick, which can be spent in limited ways that promote renewable
energy. Kurkoski said that 8 more accounts in Town will mean a $400.00
bonus to the Warwick fund, which is credited quarterly. Lemon asked if
the MTC's focus is to have people install systems that will produce
power. Kurkoski confirmed this.
Williamson pointed out that for those who itemize their taxes, a tax
deduction can be taken for the amount paid for green energy in excess of
regular energy rates. Toth mentioned matching grants for communities and
low-income residents.  Lemon stated that she figured an average energy
consumption of $201.00 per month for the Town Hall, Library, Police and
Fire Stations, Cemetery and Highway garages, then asked Kurkoski for a
recommendation on which plan would be best for the Town accounts.
Kurkoski said she had not examined the figures closely enough to make a
recommendation. She noted that the initial sign-up commitment is for a
period of one year, and gave the enrollment deadline as April 30, 2008.
Williamson suggested a write-up in the Warwick Community Newsletter.
Kurkoski responded that she would submit something to newsletter editor
Andrea Woods. Lemon stated that she wanted to take this a step further
and examine the figures for discussion at the next Board meeting, as she
felt that currently there is not sufficient information on which to act.
Toth said that tabling the discussion has two advantages: allowing the
Board to formulate the numbers systematically, and doubling exposure of
the issue by getting it into the minutes of two meetings.

3. DOE Energy Audit Application - Toth credited the Building and Energy
Committee and Steve and Janice Kurkoski for being instrumental in
assisting him with the energy audit projects. This audit, which will be
free of charge, will cover more than the National Grid audit, which
focused solely on lighting issues. The DOE audit will examine energy and
oil consumption and evaluate insulation in Town Hall, Police and Fire
Stations, Highway garages, and the Library. Toth noted that Warwick will
also be evaluated by FRCOG through a service company, and the Board
recently signed the EPA Energy Pledge. Toth said there is no charge for
participating in these actions, and the Town saves money as a result of
improved efficiency. He called this a multi-pronged approach to lowering
energy costs.

Toth MOVED to authorize Jim Toth to sign the DOE Energy Audit Program
application.  Lemon Seconded.  VOTED.


4. Heritage Landscape Inventory Program - Toth explained that the two
parts of the application include a letter of interest and letters of
support. Letters of support will be forthcoming from the Historical
Society, Historical Commission, Planning Board, and Open Space
Committee. Toth noted that this program creates a planning tool for
future applications, provides structure and framework for planning
initiatives, and will help with upgrading the Open Space Plan. Toth
MOVED to authorize the Chair to sign the Letter of Intent, noting that
the full Board will sign a Letter of Support.  Abbott Seconded.  VOTED.


5. Letter of Appreciation to Dawn Magi - Lemon presented Magi with a
letter of appreciation from the Board for her work on the Finance
Committee and service to the Town, while expressing her gratitude for
Magi's fine work.

6. Selectboard Reports - The Highway's Snow and Ice budget has expended
$24,260.01 of its appropriated total of $66,600.00, which represents 36%
of the account. Toth said he expects Highway Superintendent Tim Kilhart
to, in the not too distant future, request authorization of deficit
spending for the Snow and Ice budget, which is the only Town account
that may legally deficit spend.
Magi stated that she appreciates Kilhart's efforts to keep costs
low, but said that she has heard many complaints about the roads and
expressed her own concerns about losing emergency services due to
poor road conditions. Toth explained the standard policy for
legitimate complaints requires the complaint to first go through the
Highway Superintendent, then to the Board via liaison Toth when
necessary. He also outlined the current process, implemented by Tim
Kilhart to be as follows: sand roads early in a storm, with the
initial application on paved roads being 1 part salt to three or
four parts sand. A plowing cycle is around three hours, with two
trucks plowing in tandem on the four main roads. They plow the snow
during the storm, applying sand as needed, and finish with a
sand-salt application that is intended to try and break up any
remaining snow pack the next day after the storm. They also try to
eliminate the second salt and sand application for the low salt area
in the center of town as long as the traffic is sufficient to break
up remaining snow and ice.
J. Calcari asked why the slush was not scraped off last week when
the weather was warmer, to which Toth replied that the irregularity
of the roads would result in little success. Williamson said Kilhart
cannot please everyone, as he cannot simultaneously keep costs down
and have perfect roads. Lemon said Kilhart's job often requires
judgment calls, noting he often exhibits solid judgment. She stated
we should tell him what we want, but not how he should do things,
which would let Kilhart make the necessary decisions.

In speaking of the DOR Review, Lemon said it was brought to her
attention that most school districts have completed their audits, but
PVRSD has not as yet done theirs, which could result in the loss of
$130,000.00 in reimbursement money next year. Lemon noted that
subsequent discussions with assistant superintendent Dayle Doiran
revealed that PVRSD was aware of the situation and that actions have
been taken to remedy the issue.

In an update of the WCS sprinkler system situation, Toth said the Board
received a request from an attorney representing the PVRSD's insurance
firm for a copy of the contract, which may be needed as part of legal
action against those who installed the system. Lemon noted that
$200,000.00 has been paid by the insurance company Toth said the
sprinkler system is almost ready for pressure testing. Toth pointed out
that the Board, as representatives of the Town, must witness the test.
He also brought up that an independent engineer who is a specialist in
sprinkler systems needs to be hired to review the recent repairs to the
system and the testing lab data and give an opinion as to the adequacy
of repair and the need for treatment of the water.  Huguenot Labs found
corrosive elements in the water used for the system, and implementation
of treatment to neutralize the effects of aggressive bacteria was
advised. The engineer will be needed to witness the pressure test as
well.  Toth cited a $5,000.00 line item in Community School Improvements
Account as a funding source, as well as a possible second source of
$3,000.00 from another WCS account, which must be verified as to its
availability for such expenses.
	

Lemon MOVED that Jim Toth and David Young be authorized to contact the
independent engineer previously discussed to determine the scope of
services. Toth Seconded.  VOTED.


Lemon said she contacted Philip D'Avanza for an update on the Town
Clock, in hopes the bells might be chiming for the New Year. One more
part needs to be fabricated, so it will be several more weeks before he
is able to complete re-installation of the mechanism.

It was then noted by Toth that the name of the independent engineer is
Bob Busolari.


7. Personnel Evaluation Process - Lemon expressed her desire to begin
the process of annual personnel evaluations per the Personnel Policy.
Toth said the Board delegates the responsibility for conducting each
evaluation to the appropriate liaison, who then brings the evaluation
before the rest of the Board for discussion and concurrence.

Lemon MOVED to authorize David Young to identify various instruments to
use for personnel evaluations, in conjunction with Jim Toth and to
include the Alan Genovese version which was voted at the March 13, 2007
meeting.  Toth Seconded.  VOTED.


8. Town Coordinator Report - Young stated that the Town Hall fire
extinguishers were inspected, and a new 20-pound extinguisher was
ordered for the elevator machine room. He said the elevator passed
inspection, and noted that replacement of the lighting and ballasts is
well underway.

Young reported meeting with the insurance representative to discuss the
Town Hall Use Policy. Young said the representative recommended the use
of a liability waiver, and preferred a no alcohol policy. The
representative told Young if alcohol is permitted, the event holder
should purchase a one-day policy, which would cost about $300.00. Young
stated that he recommends considering the community value of the Town
Hall as a meeting place rather than looking merely for recovery through
fees.

He noted that he was impressed with the responsiveness and preparedness
of those interviewed during the DOR Review. Young next discussed the
Broadband Committee and internet service in Town. Toth concurred that
its slow and unreliable internet does not adequately serve the Town
Hall, which is problematic since internet connection is now a basic tool
of business. He stated improvements are essential to boost efficiency.


Toth MOVED that the Board charge the Broadband Committee with making
adequate internet service to the Town Hall its top priority.  Lemon
Seconded.  VOTED.

Toth publicly recognized the efforts of Steve and Janice Kurkoski  and
their outstanding work in implementing lighting changes as per the
National Grid energy audit. The final result will be a 25% - 30%
reduction in energy use with brighter, more efficient lighting. Kurkoski
identified the new lighting as Super T8 lights. Lemon expressed
appreciation and gratitude to Toth and Young for their work on this
project as well.

9. Capital Improvements Program - The DOR recommended looking into this
to better prepare for capital planning.

IV. Public Comment

None.

V. Adjournment

Toth MOVED at 8:10 pm. to adjourn the meeting.  Lemon seconded.  VOTED. 

Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari