Town of Warwick Selectboard July 31, 2017 Minutes Members present: Dawn Magi, Lawrence Pruyne, James Erviti Others present: Town Secretary and Town Clerk Rosa Fratangelo, Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero, School Committee and HEART Committee member Sue O'Reilly-McRae, Jared Robinson (Athol Daily News) I. Call to Order Chair Pruyne called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. II. Minutes Erviti MOVED to approve the minutes of July 17, 2017 as printed. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. III.Presentations and Discussions 1. Execute Transfer Station Hauling MOU with Solid Waste District--There was a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District and the Town of Warwick regarding hauling of recyclables and hauling and disposal of solid waste, bulky wastes, scrap metal and appliances. Magi MOVED to authorize the Chair to sign the Solid Waste Management agreement. Erviti SECONDED. After some discussion of figures regarding cost to the Town of either $3.00 or $4.00 per ton, which caused some confusion, the motion was TABLED. After further discussion, it was agreed that the $3.00 per ton figure read from the Coordinator's report was an estimated increase and not a firm figure. It was noted that all three Board members were to sign the document, which they did following this motion: Magi MOVED to sign the FCSWMD Memorandum of Understanding. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-1; Magi and Pruyne: AYE, Erviti: ABSTAIN 2. Update on Community Compact Grant Application --HEART (Honest Education and Retaining Trust) Committee and School Committee member Sue O'Reilly-McRae spoke to the Board and presented a revamped scope document for the grant application. She explained that the grant would provide $20,000.00 for data gathering and analysis with the use of an independent consultant and $5,000.00 for the facilitator to continue working. O'Reilly-McRae said that this will go out to bid and will be completely independent of the School District. She said that things to be looked at will include enrollment trends, analysis of costs, retirement plans, and ways to support better enrollment. O'Reilly-McRae explained that this study will provide common information on which to base future decisions. Erviti stressed that an outside, neutral source is crucial and the only way to get the School to listen. O'Reilly-McRae said that the HEART Committee has been meeting twice a month for the past few months and she characterized the committee as committed to robust discussion and positive change for the PVRS District. She noted that the results of the consultant's findings will be a public document posted on the State website. Erviti MOVED to approve the Scope document Northfield-Warwick Community Compact Statement of Work. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 3. Fall Special Town Meeting --Magi said that a Fall Special Town Meeting could be called to reduce the tax levy by $35,000.00. At the May 1, 2017 Annual Town Meeting there was a vote to raise and appropriate $75,000.00 for a fire rescue/brush truck. Since only $40,000.00 needed to be spent on the vehicle and new tires, a Special Town Meeting vote could reduce the tax levy by $35,000.00; without such a vote we would be required to raise the entire $75,000.00. Magi MOVED to approve a Special Town Meeting for Fall with a date to be determined after consulting with the Moderator. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 4. Old Home Days --Magi asked if more picnic tables could be acquired before Old Home Days. The Board agreed to discuss this at their next meeting (August 14th). 5. Selectboard Appointment to Franklin County Planning Board --Pruyne said that David Young has gone to some meetings, but he would like to attend one himself before committing to being the Board's representative. Magi suggested that he ask Young to notify him of the next meeting. Erviti said that he would also like to attend with Pruyne. 6. Selectboard Reports --Magi noted with sadness the recent passing of her aunt Hilda Kolka Campbell, a former resident who will be laid to rest in the Warwick Cemetery. Magi also noted problems with the Canada geese in the Moore's Pond area. She said that a resident has been seen feeding the geese and thought because it is illegal to feed wildlife maybe Police Chief Shoemaker could be asked to speak to this person. Erviti said that this falls within the purview of the Massachusetts Environmental Police. Magi MOVED to contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police regarding the feeding of wildlife by Moore’s Pond. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 7. Public Comment--Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero said that he had selected 48 days at random from the last ten months' worth of Highway reports. He said that he found that 40 out of those 48 days at least one, and sometimes two were not at work for a total of 344 hours. In addition, Ruggiero noted that there were 3 days of comp. time taken and five days out, and that in his opinion the Highway crew is not working enough. He questioned how compensatory time works relative to whether it rolls over from one fiscal year to another. Ruggiero suggested hiring as Highway Manager a private, independent contractor such as Wiggins in Northfield as a way to save costs even on equipment. There was a consensus of the Board to look into this in an effort to get answers to the questions raised and to explore the private contractor option. 8. New and Other Business Unanticipated at Time of Meeting Posting--Erviti said that he has been looking into the cost of hiring a subcontracted accountant as opposed to an employee. He said that FRCOG told him all their accountants are busy and none would be available for Warwick at this time. Erviti showed a quote from Bay State Municipal Accounting Group for all costs for an accountant in FY17 for $15,0000 He pointed out that our total Town Accountant budget for FY 18 was around $17,000.00 and that Bay State Municipal Accounting Group provides comprehensive services from a professional organization. Erviti said he would follow up and come back to the Board with more information at a future meeting as a possible option for some point down the road. IV.Adjournment At 6:52 p.m., Magi MOVED to adjourn. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. Documents consulted at this meeting: *Draft Minutes of July 17, 2017 Selectboard meeting *Coordinator Report dated July 26, 2017 *MOU between the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District and the Town of Warwick *FRCOG letter to Selectboard dated July 5, 2017 Re: Selectboard Representative to the Franklin Regional Planning Board *Email from Air Source Heat Pump to David Young dated July 24, 2017 Re: MassCEC Air-Source Heat Pump Rebate Application Received *Email from Kelly Brissette to Warwick Town Coordinator dated July 27, 2017 Re: Municipal Listening Session with Congressman Jim McGovern *Northfield-Warwick Community Compact Statement of Work revised July 23, 2017