Town of Warwick
Selectboard
January 9, 2012
Minutes 
Members present: Patricia Lemon, Dawn Magi, Nick Arguimbau
Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Patricia Ernest, Steve
Pontz, Reva Reck

I.   Call to Order 
Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in Town Hall. 

Public Comment 
Patty Ernest informed the board that the Selectboard years ago had
designated the position of town hall janitor to be a "special municipal
employee" while she and Charlie were janitors and that the action was
unnecessary. She also had a concern about janitor back pay for the
pay-date November 30, 2010. She was advised to consult the Accountant
and the Treasurer because payroll records show a check issued and if it
was lost it can be re-issued without Town Meeting action as a prior year
bill.
Reva Reck informed the board that WiredWest, the association of western
MA lighting companies formed to bring fiber-optic service to Western
Mass homes, is seeking a Community Innovation Grant from the MA
Executive Office of Administration and Finance.  The grant application
is due the 17th of January and is being submitted on WiredWest's behalf
by Berkshire Regional Planning. "Participating Entities" are being
sought to sign on to the grant.  Funds will be used to make the fiber
project ready for public bond financing. The amount sought will be in
the range of $400k to $500k. Nick wondered if this ought to have been on
the agenda and if it is allowable under the open meeting law for the
board to act on this since it wasn't on the agenda.  Young's opinion was
that as no effort had been made to sneak the matter in, he had been away
for five days due to a death in the family, that there were no financial
implications to the Town as we are not the grantee, that Town Meeting
has annually voted to apply for and accept grants anyway, that Town
Meeting took action to create a municipal lighting plant previously, and
because the meeting notice was posted early because of his absence, his
opinion is it is not unlawful to take action.
Lemon MOVED that the Warwick Selectboard sign the application as a
"Supporting Entity", as described. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED by
a vote of 3-0-0.

III.	Minutes
Lemon MOVED that the Board accept the minutes of December 27, 2011 as
printed. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED by a vote of 3-0-0.

IV. Presentations and Discussions
1.   Halloween Storm Power and Phone Outage Survey--Young distributed
copies of survey responses from residents to each board member. He
reported in summary that folks don't want to stay overnight in a shelter
and if they did stay they would want to bring their dogs and cats.
Moreover, most residents preferred to have a place to drop in for food,
hot drinks, warmth and communication. Most preferred the Town Hall as
the site to the school.
2.   Housing Rehab/Program Income Error Update--Young had nothing to
report in addition to what is in his coordinator report.
Selectboard Reports --Lemon said she had been contacted by a resident
property owner who has concerns about proposed cutting on Hastings
Heights Road. The board discussed the upcoming Scenic Roads hearing on
January 18. Young explained that only hazard trees may be removed
without a hearing on any road with the exception of Route 78.
      Lemon also distributed URLs for wording that may be used in the
      Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Magi reported that she had been in communication with Robert Raymond of
the Bernardston Selectboard regarding wage increases with respect to
school district labor contracts under negotiation. Magi told Raymond,
who represents four town Selectboards that she recommends merit pay
increases only for staff. Raymond reported to her that 0% pay increases
would increase the budget by $215k and 3% increases would cost the
district $500k. Young noted that each time Bernardston reduces the
budget we in Warwick get a savings and they do not because of the
minimum contribution calculation under education reform. Young also
cautioned that it is to our advantage to maintain the quality of
teaching at the schools, as we have a huge cash inflow from
school-choice students whose per-pupil costs from their home district
are paid to our district. This influx is entirely discretionary and
based on the quality of education offered.
Coordinator Report-- Arguimbau asked about Community Development Block
Grant Program Income (PI) and the Housing Rehab Program. Young said that
he now understands that the HRA has lately begun to refer to the PI as
the revolving loan fund. He said he instructed them that only FY'09 PI
should be used without Selectboard prior authorization and asked that
they provide detail on restrictions on the money on account. They were
able to provide information that $36k from repayments prior to FY '92 is
available for any lawful public purpose upon appropriation by the
Selectboard. Young had previously written and gotten $25k of the $36k
into the Town's possession.  $10k was appropriated to the Internet
customer- premises -equipment project leaving $15k on hand. Lemon
wondered if we should write and get the remaining $9k. Young felt the
letter of instruction he sent would safeguard the money and the
consensus was that we wait for the final accounting before doing so.
With respect to potential uses of these CDBG funds and other capital
needs, the board decided to update the CDBG project list with
departmental input. This would define the "blue sky" wish list. Then
following this process, we could assess projects more carefully and
create a capital plan in conjunction with the Finance Committee.  Steve
Pontz thought it a good idea to ask each board / department for its
top-five-list and a second five list, as well.
	
5.   Correspondence-- The board reviewed the schedule for annual town
elections, the Beach Committee agenda, and MMA meeting notice.
6.	New and Other Business-- Young said the Recreation Committee needs
new members and folks interested should contact him. 

VI. Adjournment
At 6:54 pm, Lemon MOVED to adjourn the meeting.  Arguimbau SECONDED.
Motion CARRIED by a vote of 3-0-0.
Minutes taken by J. David Young