Town of Warwick Selectboard August 28, 2017 Minutes Members present: Dawn Magi, Lawrence Pruyne, James Erviti Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary and Town Clerk Rosa Fratangelo, Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero, 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 Magi MOVED to approve the minutes of August 14, 2017 as printed. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. III.Presentations and Discussions 1. MGL Chapter 268 Section 20 D Exemptions--Young advised the Board that the position of Representative to the Veteran's Advisory Board had yet to be designated as Special Municipal Employee, and that Steve Ruggiero would need a Chapter 268 Section 20 D exemption to be able to serve as the Representative to the Veteran's Advisory Board and as a member of the Finance Committee. Magi MOVED to designate the position of Representative to the Veteran’s Advisory Board as Special Municipal Employee. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. Magi MOVED to grant Stephen Ruggiero a MGL Chapter 268 Section 20D exemption to serve as a Finance Committee member and Representative to the Veteran’s Advisory Board. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 2. Outsourcing --The topic began with a brief review of procurement standards and the State procurement law. Young said that he had not looked much beyond the Town Accountant position, and that while some professional services are not subject to bidding, outsourcing our accounting to a firm would be subject to procurement regulations. Erviti said that we must identify three reputable firms and ask them to submit quotes. It was pointed out that we are required to accept the lowest qualified quote. Erviti said that Charlemont and Colrain use Bay State Municipal Accounting Group and Colrain is currently under a three-year contract with BMAG. Erviti said that perhaps some funds form the Community Compact grant could be used for new software associated with outsourcing the accounting. Young and Erviti cited potential cost savings to the Town, an increase in hours of coverage, and potentially a greater level of expertise and experience as reasons to pursue a change. Young suggested having the current Accountant come before the Board to discuss the matter before any decision is made. Erviti said he will attempt to identify two more reputable, well-known firms. 3. Mukesh Patel --Young said that Mukesh Patel had contacted him with an inquiry into whether the Town might be open to a marijuana grow and/or a dispensary. He noted that Patel was scheduled to appear before the Board seeking a letter affirming the Town's openness to a commercial marijuana farm/grow. Mr. Patel did not show, and Young told the Board of an upcoming FRCOG training session regarding this type of issue. Magi said that she was not opposed to a grow but was seriously against a dispensary. She and Erviti both wanted more information on the subject. There was a consensus of the Board that attending this training should precede any discussion with Mr. Patel. 4. Falling Dock on Town-owned Land on Moore's Pond --Young said that an abutter to a dock on Moore's Pond had contacted him about a failing dock. He said he referred the matter to the Building Inspector, who came back and said it was not within his purview. Young explained that the dock once belonged to someone on Pine Street but now the land belongs to the Town. He said that the dock is listing towards the abutter's property and needs to either be repaired or removed; he recommended removal. Young said that a filing would have to be made with the Conservation Commission for work within 100 feet of the pond. Magi said that the options should be made known to the area residents and they should be given the opportunity to provide feedback before a final decision is made. Erviti said that the dock must be marked as unsafe, even with just a sign such as "broken dock" and a couple of cones from the Highway Department to warn the public and relieve the Town of any liability. Erviti MOVED that some type of signage and/or restraint be implemented to keep people off the dock. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. Young cautioned the Board about losing sight of the long-term solution in favor of short-term risk mitigation. Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero suggested offering the property to the abutters to see if anyone wants to purchase the 30-foot piece of land. Young noted that the land is subject to deed restrictions. Magi MOVED to approach abutters about purchasing the land in question. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 5. Solid Waste MOU's --Young said that there were two MOU's (Memorandum of Understanding) from the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District: $150.00 for mandatory third-party inspections of the Transfer Station and $500.00 for Household Hazardous Waste Day. Magi MOVED to approve and sign the two Franklin County Solid Waste Management District MOU’s. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. 6. Selectboard Reports --Magi said that some Moore's Pond area residents have been complaining about the speed of traffic around the pond and want speed bumps installed. She was concerned that that would be a problem on a main road and instead favored increased police patrols. Young suggested that residents take note of the time they see any speeding vehicle, along with the type, color, and the license plate if possible. Pruyne said that Old Home Days was a pleasure to attend for everybody. Erviti said that he will be unavailable from October 11th through November 1st. 7. Coordinator Report--Young said that he received a letter from the Athol Board of Health and a copy of that town's by-laws regarding feeding or baiting of waterfowl. He noted that the letter mentioned the Athol Board of Health's ability to obtain a permit from Mass. Fisheries and Wildlife to addle Canada goose eggs. 8. Public Comment--None. 9. New and Other Business Unanticipated at Time of Meeting Posting--Erviti commented that we need to revisit the issue of salt use on our roads. There was a consensus of the Board to put this on the agenda for the next meeting. IV.Adjournment At 7:00 p.m., Magi MOVED to adjourn. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0. Documents consulted at this meeting: *Draft Minutes of August 14, 2017 Selectboard meeting *MOU's from FCSWMD Re: 3rd party Transfer Station Inspections ($150.00) and Household Hazardous Waste Day ($500.00) *Letter from Athol Board of Health to Warwick Selectboard and Athol Town By-Laws Re: Feeding or Baiting of Waterfowl *FRCOG forms for Appointment of Representative to FRCOG Council, Alternate Representative to FRCOG Council, and Appointment of FY 18 Representatives to the Regional Emergency Planning Committee *Letter from Sean Cronin of DCR to David Young dated August 25, 2017 Re: Community Compact Grant *Town of Warwick FY 2018 General Fund Expenditure Report as of 8/25/2017 *Town of Warwick FY 2018 Other Funds Expense Report as of 8/25/2017