Town of Warwick Selectboard February 22, 2010 Minutes Members present: Rick Abbott, Nick Arguimbau, Patricia Lemon (arrived at 6:22 pm) Others present: Town Secretary Rosa Fratangelo Calcari, Dawn Magi, Jon Calcari, Paula Robinson (Athol Daily News- arrived at 6:50 pm) Call to Order Chair Arguimbau called to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Warwick Free Public Library. Arguimbau said that from now on he wanted a motion to approve the agenda at the beginning of each meeting, as the agenda belongs to the Board as a whole. Abbott MOVED the agenda with the addition of an item for the Highway Department and the temporary closing of unpaved roads. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. Minutes Abbott MOVED to approve the minutes of February 8, 2010 as presented. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. Presentations/Discussions Broadband Installer Appointments -- Arguimbau said that the two individuals need to be appointed so they may be paid for their work.. Both men will continue training. Abbott MOVED that Ray Lemek and Kevin Cooke be appointed permanent part-time broadband installers. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. Adoption of Proclamation for Local Emergency Planning-- Arguimbau explained that this is an annual certification, which requires the Board's approval for both the FRCOG proclamation and Warwick's participation in the local plan. Abbott MOVED to adopt the attached proclamation for local emergency planning and authorize Chair Nicholas C. Arguimbau to sign the letter. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. 3. Temporary Closing of Unpaved Roads -- Highway Superintendent Tim Kilhart had requested the Board's permission to allow him to post the dirt roads if necessary due to muddy conditions. This practice has been done in the past. Abbott MOVED to authorize the Highway Superintendent to implement, as he deems necessary, temporary closing of unpaved roads to vehicles over 10,000 pounds, excepting school busses, necessary delivery vehicles, and emergency vehicles. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. 4. Selectboard Reports --Abbott said that he reviewed Warwick's personnel policy regarding overtime for snow and ice. Lemon arrived at 6:22 pm, during the discussion. There was a consensus of the Board that there is concern over the number of hours worked, especially when a full day's work is put in knowing a large amount of snow and ice hours will occur later the same day. It was unclear whether an actual rule was adopted by the Board in the past covering the maximum hours worked, or if a consensus was reached on the matter. The Board agreed that the Highway employees must follow any rules the Board set forth; Lemon will research the matter and report back at the next meeting. Lemon said that she is almost finished with the FY 09 Annual Town Report, having a few calculations regarding school costs to be checked. Arguimbau noted that David Shoemaker has resigned as the Transfer Station Attendant, saying that Shoemaker intends to move his family to a nearby town, in part because the teens feel there is not enough to do here in Warwick. Arguimbau said that this accentuated the need to place a high priority on establishing a teen recreation center in Warwick. 5. Town Coordinator Report -- None given orally, as Town Coordinator David Young was absent due to illness. His written report was part of the Selectboard packet for this meeting. Paula Robinson from the Athol Daily News arrived at 6:50 pm. 6. New and Other Business -- Lemon said she would like to see an article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant requesting the Attorney General or the Governor to ask Congress to impeach five members of the Supreme Court. Arguimbau suggested a resolution supporting both pending legislation in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling, and a constitutional amendment limiting the First Amendment rights of corporations. Arguimbau MOVED a letter of thanks to Tim Kilhart for his February 10 report, which absent of any additional complaints, satisfies the Board's concerns. Lemon SECONDED with a friendly amendment to replace the words following "report" with the words "on noise abatement". Arguimbau accepted the friendly amendment. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-1; Abbott abstained. IV. Public Comment J. Calcari said that he would like to remind the Board that it is the governing body in Warwick, and that the Board does not need to please the employees, but rather they need to do as the Board deems fit. A discussion ensued, which resulted in the Board feeling further investigation into the matter was warranted. V. Adjournment Lemon MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 pm. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 3-0-0. Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari