Town of Warwick Selectboard April 16, 2013 Minutes Members present: Dawn Magi, Nick Arguimbau, Patricia Lemon Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa Fratangelo Calcari, PVRS Assistant Superintendent Gail Healy, Fire Chief Ron Gates, Firefighters Joe Paul and Adam Holloway, Police Chief David Shoemaker, Jon Calcari I. Call to Order Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in Town Hall. Public Comment None. III. Minutes Lemon MOVED to approve the minutes of April 1, 2013 as printed. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. IV. Presentations and Discussions 1. Franklin Regional Housing Authority (FRHA)--Young explained that FRHA had contacted the Town regarding potential interest in participating in a new multi-town CDBG housing rehabilitation application. He noted that he would have to fast track planning documents and project list should the Board approve the Town's participation. He also noted the general decline in equity as well as willingness of people to incur debt. Lemon MOVED to join the application by FRHA for CDBG funded housing rehabilitation. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 2. Revised FY 14 Transfer Station Enterprise Fund Budget --Young said that the reason for the budget revision was that the initial estimated surplus was less than the certified amount. He said that the Transfer Station Commissioners had voted to ask for $3,237.00 from taxation, and that they requested Selectboard approval of this change. Selectboard action is necessary prior to a Town Meeting vote. Lemon MOVED to accept the amended Transfer Station Enterprise Fund budget for FY 14. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 3. Perambulation of Warwick and Richmond, NH Boundaries --Young said that Jim Toth has agreed to join Dawn Magi and the representative from Richmond, NH in the perambulation of the boundaries of the two towns. 4. Provisional Chapter 90 Funding Letter--Young said that Massachusetts towns have received a provisional award letter of Chapter 90 funds for FY 14. The provisional amount, $341,974.00, is conditioned upon the Legislature's passage of the proposed bond bill. 5. Pioneer Regional School--Assistant Superintendent Gail Healy came before the Board to request a reversal of a previous denial of reimbursement for repairs to the WCS water system's submersible water pump. An invoice, dated March 18, 2013 in the amount of $4,407.31 was sent by Lynde Well Drilling, Inc to the Pioneer Valley Regional School District. Young explained that the claim for reimbursement had been denied because this was a repair and not a capital expense item, it did not meet the $5,000.00 threshold, and no prior approval was sought by the District. Young's decision that this expense should come from the PVRS operating budget and not the Warwick capital expense budget was based on the language of the current lease and District agreement. He did note that the emergency situation superseded protocol, as the repair was required in order for the children to return to school. Ms. Healy inquired whom to contact for future issues, and was told either the Town Coordinator or Selectboard Chair. Arguimbau MOVED to deny the request for reimbursement. Lemon SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. Ms. Healy addressed the delay in the School Committee's vote on the proposed FY 14 PVRS budget. She said that the School Committee is waiting for further information from the State before voting. She said that more information may come later this week. She noted that the budget sub-committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23rd and the School Committee will meet on Thursday, April 25th. Young said that if the proposed budget is presented, Warwick's contribution would be about $80,000.00 over and above the 4% ($26,000.00) increase for which we have already increased the school budget. Arguimbau gave three possible budget reduction figures: $200,000.00 (from the reprieve on the equalization for Leyden); $150,000.00; $100,000.00. Healy noted that the $100,000.00 budget cut would result in reduction in personnel. She encouraged participation from Warwick in the upcoming budget meetings. 6. Buildings and Energy Committee--Young said that the Buildings and Energy Committee will meet this week (April 17). Their goal is to develop a plan to insulate the Highway Department's equipment shed. Young said that he has recommended $3.80 per gallon for fuel costs in modeling their project. He also proposed that the project be funded from capital stabilization rather than taxation. 7. Fire Chief Evaluation --Young said that Fire Chief Ron gates has used the self-evaluation tool developed by Dawn Magi. Magi said that the evaluation process will continue. 8. Public Safety Building Update--Chief Gates said that he has no new updates. He said that he has a copy of the proposed plans. He explained that he does not yet have the stamped plans, and is unsure when he will receive them. He said that he spoke with Brian Gale who told him to check with Donnie Matthews about the location of the septic system. Young suggested that the Chief check with the Board of Health, as they have those records. Chief Gates said that the Public Safety Building Committee will hold its next meeting soon, possibly next week. Arguimbau asked if there was a date certain when the fire trucks would have a roof over them. Chief Gates said that he will have a better idea after the next meeting, but that as of now there was no definitive date. The Chief said that Engine #1 still was not inspected. Police Chief Shoemaker said that the 1957 engine pre-dates titles and is not recognized in the RMV's computerized system. Chief Shoemaker will assist Chief Gates in getting the truck inspected and registered. Chief Gates spoke about the need for a new fire truck at some point in the future. He said that it will have to have the capacity to hold at least 1,000 more gallons and pump at a minimum of 1,200 - 1,250 gallons per minute. He noted that federal budget cuts preclude the possibility of using grant funds for a newer truck. Lastly, the Chief noted that while he is highly confident that the building will be closed in this year, Captain Joe Paul has offered to rent his garage to house the truck if purchase of a new truck precedes completion of the new Public Safety building. 9. Tax Collector Appointment--Young said that he had legally posted and advertised the position, and that the sole applicant is Terry Kemerer. Young recommended that the Board appoint Kemerer effective April 20, 2013. Lemon MOVED to appoint Terry Kemerer Tax Collector for a three-year term commencing on April 20, 2013. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 10. FY 14 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and Budget Review--The twenty-seven warrant articles were reviewed one by one. Young explained the implications of each article to the Board and answered their questions. He noted that Town Counsel is still reviewing the language of the proposed by-law changes. The spreadsheet for the budget was also reviewed, which included a 2.5% wage increase for hourly and salaried employees. Young pointed out that the $15,000.00 figure for the snow and ice deficit did not reflect expenses incurred in last week's storm. He said that he will meet with the Finance Committee on April 25th with an updated budget. Lemon MOVED to close the Annual Town Meeting warrant as of 7 pm tonight. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 11. Selectboard Reports--Lemon said that more than half of the households in Town have sent in support cards for WiredWest. 12. Coordinator Report--Young recommended a special meeting to sign the Annual Town Meeting warrants. The meeting was set for Wednesday, April 24th at 3:30 pm in Town Hall. Magi suggested the evaluation of Fire Chief Gates be addressed at that meeting. 13. New and Other Business--Magi noted with sadness the recent deaths of residents Paul Hadsel Sr. and Sonny Fournier. Magi also praised the Pioneer production of "Once Upon a Mattress", especially the performances of Liam and Dana McRae. V. Adjournment At 8:02 pm, Lemon MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari