Town of Warwick
Selectboard
June 30, 2008
Minutes
Members present: Patricia Lemon, Rick Abbott
Member absent:	Nick Arguimbau, who arrived after the meeting had been
called to order
Others present:	David Young, Rosa Calcari, Miryam Williamson, Jon
Calcari, Terry Kemerer, 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
Abbott MOVED to accept the minutes of the June 16 meeting as printed. 
Lemon SECONDED. VOTED UNAMINOUSLY.
III.  Presentations/Discussions
1.	Committee and Other Appointments
Lemon MOVED to change the appointments for the Open Space Committee to
reflect the reappointment of Christine Duerring, and Clare Green, Mary
Williamson, Maria Whitney to terms commencing July 1, 2008 and ending
June 30, 2009. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Lemon MOVED to appoint Joseph Paul to the Zoning Board of Appeals
and Robert Croke as alternate on the same board for five-year terms
ending June 30, 2013.  Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Lemon MOVED to appoint Brian Peters as Police Chief for a three-year
term commencing July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2011. Arguimbau
SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Performance Evaluations and Reappointments - Young noted that Highway
Superintendent Tim Kilhart received a strongly positive evaluation.
Lemon MOVED that the Board accept Town Coordinator Young's and
Selectboard Liaison Arguimbau's review and recommendations with regard
to Highway Superintendent Kilhart and reappoint him to the position for
a three-year term ending June 30, 2011, at the compensation level
authorized by the Annual Town Meeting.  Arguimbau SECONDED for the
purpose of discussion.
Young noted that while the matter of overtime and the Snow-and-Ice
Budget need not be decided at this meeting, he strongly advises that the
Board take some action so as to clarify its intent. Lemon asked for
recommendations from the other Board members on the issue of overtime.
Arguimbau wanted to hash it all out prior to making the reappointment.
Lemon wanted to take overtime off the table until the Board can delve
into the issue more deeply. She said that Kilhart had previously asked
for overtime, and the Personnel Committee had recommended overtime for
the Superintendent with a three-man crew. Young will work with Kilhart
and the Finance Committee to come up with a recommendation by September.
 Once a recommendation is given to the Board, Lemon will forward it to
the Personnel Committee for review.
Lemon said that Kilhart's appointment letter should include a sentence
informing him that the issue of snow and ice and overtime will be
revisited by September. Abbott inquired as to whether Kilhart was aware
that his performance evaluation was being brought before the entire
Board, to which Young responded in the affirmative.  Arguimbau spoke of
the number of consecutive hours that the Highway crew sometimes worked
during winter storms.  Members agreed that the number of hours worked
should be guided by safety concerns rather than the standard of no
complaints. Williamson said that in that case, the Board must back
Kilhart and his crew with the public.
Lemon said that it has come to her attention that Kilhart's crew is
indignant at the notion of being reappointed, as they consider
themselves to be hired by the Superintendent, and to have become
permanent employees once they had been employed for six months. Section
VI, Paragraphs D and E of the Personnel Policy support that view. 
Members noted that the Personnel Policy is silent on the issue of the
six-month review for exempt vs. hourly employees and that this is an
issue on which they need the Personnel Committee to consider and make
recommendations.  Arguimbau wanted to set the date for review of the
Personnel Policy by September 30, 2008.
VOTE TAKEN on Lemon's Motion: VOTED UNANIMOUSLY  
The review of the Snow and Ice Budget may culminate in the matter being
brought to a Special Town Meeting. Abbott wants Kilhart to come before
the Selectboard with a plan, as requested earlier.
3. Registrar of Voters Appointment - Lemon explained that, by law, the
Registrar of Voters may not include more than one registered voter
(including the Town Clerk) from any political party. The Town Clerk
nominates the choices, and the Board approves and makes the
appointments.  Town Clerk Jeannette Fellows nominated Rosa Calcari, as
there is currently no Democrat among the Registrars of Voters.

Lemon MOVED to accept the Town Clerk Jeannette Fellows' request to
appoint Rosa Calcari to the Registrar of Voters for a term commencing
July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Buildings and Energy Committee - The desired end result is to
transition this ad hoc committee to an "official" status.

Lemon MOVED that the Selectboard establish an advisory committee to
succeed the ad hoc group called the Buildings and Energy Committee with
the same name; that it be given the charge of assessing town buildings'
energy and maintenance needs, researching and recommending options to
reduce energy consumption in town properties and optimize their
maintenance, and encouraging Warwick townspeople's own efforts in
renewable energy production and carbon footprint reduction; that at the
next Town Meeting, townspeople be asked to establish this committee as
an official town entity with six members serving overlapping three-year
terms; and that in the meantime Steve and Janice Kurkoski be appointed
to terms beginning July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2011; Dan Dibble
and Jim Toth be appointed to terms beginning July 1, 2008, and ending
June 30, 2010; and Jack Cadwell and Les Goodman be appointed to terms
beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009.  Arguimbau SECONDED.
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Chapter 90 Authorization - Kilhart's project request must be accepted
by the Board.  Arguimbau congratulated Kilhart for being able to pull
this project together. Lemon concurred.
Arguimbau MOVED that the Selectboard authorize the Chair to sign the
Massachusetts Highways Chapter 90 Project Request Number 51015 for
Orange Road in the amount of $320,500.00. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY.
6.	Date and Warrant Articles for Special Town Meeting - In a
discussion involving setting a date for a Special Town Meeting, Young
said he was in favor or holding the meeting sooner rather than later. 
He pointed out that the Broadband Committee is ready to act once it
receives funding, and there is intense competition for a place on the
installer's schedule before winter.  Dates in August were considered,
with the understanding that the meeting must be posted two weeks in
advance.
Lemon MOVED to open the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held
Monday, August 18 at 7 pm. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7.	Tax Collector Authorization to Pay Assistant Out of His Salary
Line - The Board previously allowed the appointment of Janice Alden to
the unpaid position of Assistant Tax Collector. As Alden's period of
training is now complete, and she has been bonded, Tax Collector Terry
Kemerer would like to be able to pay his assistant out of his salary
line. This will not cost the Town any additional money. Arguimbau
questioned this at some length, but was satisfied with the assurance
that there is precedent for this practice in Warwick.
Lemon MOVED the Selectboard authorize the Tax Collector to pay the
Assistant Tax Collector from the Tax Collector salary line item at his
discretion without additional funding for the office of Tax Collector
requested or provided. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8.	WCS Sprinkler System Update - Young reported that last Thursday
and Friday, and again today, the plumber was at the school. He said
Bussolari e-mailed him that the system is being tested for air leaks and
progress is being made. Building Inspector Phil Delorey wants the system
up and running by August 15.
9.	Selectboard Reports - Abbott gave an update on the Veterans
Monument, in which he informed the Board that the hole has been dug and
filled with concrete, which needs three weeks to dry. He said the stone
is on the way to Athol Granite Works, and the monument should be
completed in time for Old Home Days.
Arguimbau said he talked with Kilhart and Young about the access road to
Mt. Grace. He said he is convinced that, because the Town is not
required to do repairs with gravel, this is not a "black hole"
provision. He reported that Kilhart is still opposed to the involvement
of the Highway Department, because although it is the responsibility of
the Town, it is a State road and not a Town road and therefore may not
be within the Highway Department's purview.  Lemon commented that it
would seem to be up to a Town vote and the Board to determine the
responsibility of performing the repair work.
Lemon said she called the ADA 's office in hopes of scheduling a seminar
on both the Open Meeting law and conflicts of interest. The seminar(s)
would be open to the public. She also reported that there was a good
turnout for the Friends of Mt. Grace State Park meeting on June 27. She
described the event as cooperative and productive. DCR 's Conrad
Crawford will provide advice on organizing, including the possibility of
incorporation as the best manner in which to proceed.
Lemon broached the subject of purchasing a Town of Warwick flag to be
placed in the Hall of Flags at the Statehouse in Boston.
Lemon MOVED the Selectboard order a Warwick flag for the Hall of Flags
and to encumber $354.50 for the purchase of the flag. Abbott SECONDED.
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Lemon said that for $350, Dale Woods will make another pendant sign in
time for Old Home Days just like the first one he donated on behalf of
the TCC.
Lemon MOVED to order one pendant sign from Dale Woods, and to encumber
$350.00 for the purchase of the sign, which Woods will make in time for
Old Home Days. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Lemon mentioned that Jim Vitous, who made the Welcome to Warwick sign,
will make individual event inserts for $35.00 apiece. Young said he
wanted to hold off ordering anything more, preferring for now to make do
with what we already have.
10. Town Coordinator Report - Young said that lightning damaged the
satellite Internet system and the Town Hall fire/heat/smoke detection
system. Greenwood made repairs on the Town Hall alarm system, adding
lightning arresting technology. Soundpower was working on the Hughes
Internet system.
He also reported being able to get the bond company to combine the
Treasurer and Tax Collector bonds, despite their initial refusal. The
bond is for the person, not the position, and currently the same person
holds both positions. This change resulted in a $400.00 savings to the
Town.
Young also said that he has written a letter of thanks to Peter Gerry of
Pete's Tire Barn for his gift of tires to the Fire Department for one of
their fire trucks.
IV.  Public Comment
None.
V.   Adjournment
Arguimbau MOVED at 7:52 pm. to adjourn the meeting.  Lemon SECONDED. 
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari

			
Patricia Lemon,	Frederick H. Abbott III,	Nicholas Clapp Arguimbau,
Selectboard Chair	Selectboard Member	Selectboard Member

				
Rosa Fratangelo Calcari		James David Young
Selectboard Secretary		Town Coordinator