Town of Warwick Selectboard March 2, 2015 Minutes Members present: Dawn Magi, Nick Arguimbau Member Absent: Patricia Lemon Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa Fratangelo, Steve Ruggiero, Maria Ruggerio, Bob Kirley, Richard Condon, David Bruce, Larry Cirillo, Steve Pontz, Delores Pontz, Rita McConville, Leanne Limoges, Tracey Kirley, Vern Bass, Bill Lyman, Broadband Committee Chair Tom Wyatt, Jon Calcari, David Rainville (Greenfield Recorder) I. Call to Order Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm in Town Hall. Bill Lyman was recording the meeting. II. Public Comment Steve Ruggiero said that he had called people around town to get their input as to their feelings and concerns about their taxes and the high tax rate. Ruggiero listed several suggestions based on his conversations with residents: roll back the Police Department budget to $22,000.00; cut out Saturday morning hours at the Library; have coffee at Town Hall on Saturdays after the Transfer Station closes instead of coffee and cookies at the Library on Saturday mornings; review the Librarian's salary; have the Highway Department perform the mowing and maintenance instead of a private contractor; cut the Celebration budget in half; cut the Coordinator's salary. Magi said that she and her fellow Selectboard members are trying to keep taking care of residents. Bill Lyman noted that it is hard to strike a balance, that we need certain services such as first responders in a timely fashion, and that it is risky to cut budgets that might result in a negative impact on certain services. Arguimbau said that if we want to save on taxes we will leave David's job alone, as he keeps an eye on the cost of things and brings down budgets all the time. Arguimbau said that the Town needs Young to keep our taxes down. Young pointed out that we lack an industrial tax base, so 97% of the tax burden falls on residences. III. Minutes Arguimbau MOVED to accept the minutes of February 17, 2015 as printed. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. IV. Presentations and Discussions 1. Broadband and Fiber to the Home--Broadband Committee Chair Tom Wyatt announced that there will be an informational meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall regarding the WiredWest project. He said that this meeting, which is a joint meeting of the Selectboard and Finance Committee, will have representatives from WiredWest and FRCOG in attendance to address financial issues specifically for Warwick. Wyatt said that there will be figures presented, but that they will not be the final ones with respect to the projected costs, because the actual cost will depend upon how many towns actually vote at their respective Annual Town Meetings to move ahead with the WiredWest project. Young said that the WiredWest business model is designed to resolve capital cost, and that it is modeled much the same as Warwick Broadband (WBS). Young noted that problems could arise if the business plan proves to be faulty or unanticipated expenditures come up. Wyatt encouraged people to attend the meeting to gain information. He noted that both best and worst case scenarios will be discussed. Ruggiero said that if the WiredWest project ends up like WBS where only subscribers incur the costs, he would have no problem with it. Wyatt pointed out that utilities like Verizon typically have not been interested in towns like Warwick because of the large amount of miles to be covered relative to the small population. He said that WiredWest funds will come from the State. Arguimbau expressed concern that the technology will become obsolete during the twenty years we would be financially liable. Wyatt explained that the fiber cables are capable of providing data for the foreseeable future. He said that while the equipment will be upgraded, the wire will remain the conduit for data. FY 16 Warwick Broadband Enterprise Fund Proposed Budget--Young handed out copies of the proposed FY 16 WBS Enterprise Fund budget. Arguimbau asked the public if anyone had any issues to address with this draft budget. Vern Bass asked if we really need it, and said that it was too much money. Rita McConville said that residents need to have a reliable connection to the internet. Arguimbau MOVED that the Selectboard, pursuant to Chapter 44 Section 53 , recommend the draft FY16 Broadband Enterprise Fund budget in the amount of $98,000.00 which includes estimated revenue and proposed expense budget, and place it on the annual town meeting warrant for action by the Town Meeting. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Arguimbau read the motion aloud prior to Magi's Second. Young explained that both WBS and the Transfer Station operate on enterprise funds, and that the Selectboard must review and approve any enterprise fund budget and place it on the ATM warrant. Town Meeting votes on whether or not to approve the appropriation, which allows for funds to be expended. Young reminded everyone that these funds do not impact the tax levy unless they become revenue deficient. 3. Fuel Bids--Young said that the Town traditionally bids for heating oil and diesel fuel through FRCOG. He noted that action must be taken quickly once the bids come in. Arguimbau MOVED that the Town Coordinator, in his capacity as procurement officer, be authorized to appoint FRCOG to contract on our behalf in cooperative bidding for fuel oil and diesel bids for FY 16 and further, that he be authorized to enter into a fixed price contract on behalf of the Town at his discretion. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Arguimbau read the motion aloud prior to Magi's Second. 4. Selectboard Reports--Magi said that she was encouraged to see more members of the public at the Selectboard meetings, and that she was sorry that it was something negative (taxes) was what it took to generate so much interest. She said that one of the reasons she first ran for a seat on the Board was to keep the taxes down. Magi noted that the Police Department had not had a new cruiser in years, and that crime is going up everywhere. She pointed out that all of the Selectboard and the Finance Committee members did not recommend the PVRS budget increase, but it was approved at the Annual Town Meeting anyway. Magi asked the public not to make snap judgments and think that the Board just wants to raise taxes. David Bruce wanted to know if it is true that our police vehicle is used to go to another town for private detail work. He also wanted to know if one of our officers were injured while on a private detail, would the Town be responsible for any bills incurred due to the injury. Young said that police officers and fire department members are covered by the Police and Fire accident insurance and not workers' compensation. He explained that the company requiring the detail pays the Town the hourly rate for the officer plus an additional 10% administrative fee which the Town keeps. The figures given were $40.00 per hour for the officer and $4.00 per hour for the Town. Young also said that the Town does not pay the officer for his detail work until the company has paid the Town, even though it can take up top six months to receive payment from the companies. Larry Cirillo pointed out that if the Town vehicle is used while an officer is working a private detail, the Town pays for the fuel, which likely costs more than the $4.00 an hour while the vehicle idles. Cirillo suggested that the officer wear the Town police uniform for private detail work but use his own vehicle. He also inquired about the use of the Town cruiser for duty in another town. Magi said that she will have the Police Chief attend the next meeting so that these issues can be explored further and the Chief can provide answers. 5. Coordinator Report--Arguimbau said that he was concerned about the ramifications if the DOR thinks we are somewhat wealthier than we think. He said that we could receive less revenue from the State. V. Adjournment At 6:58 p.m., Arguimbau MOVED to adjourn. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0. Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo