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HomeMy Public PortalAboutSelect Board -- 2002-11-25 Minutes � '� 'wsr '''�% Board of Selectmen ��\\i\\(\1��UUt11t1U1(IllltlUl/////j� \�\\ ok f k4o � � , � Town Administrator r A BREWSTER BICENTENNIAL vy 2198 Main Street Brewster , Massachusetts 02631 - 1898 N (508) 896 - 3701 1 /// Rpoft aoo \\\\\��~�� FAX (508 ) 896 - 8089 ///// tl11fi1111111I1ti1\\\\\\\\\\ BOARD OF SELECTMEN REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING DATE : November 25 , 2002 TIME : 7 : 00 p . m . PRESENT : Selectmen Levasseur , Hirschman , Mitchell and Norton ; Town Administrator Sumner ; Assistant Town Administrator Douglass ; Jean Sears , Council on Aging Director ; Bruce Anderson , Deputy Assessor ; Roy Jones , Fire Chief; Lew Stead , Information Technology Director ; Keith Arnold , Recreation Director ; David Thyng , Building Commissioner ; Nancy Thyng , Treasurer / Collector ; James Ehrhart , Police Chief; Robert Mant , Natural Resources Director ; Lisa Souve , Town Accountant ; Susan Carr , Library Director ; Mark O 'Brien , Director of Operations ; Nancy Ice , Health Director ; Allan Tkaczyk , DPW Superintendent ; Mike Gradone , Superintendent of Schools ; Joanna Krauss , Town Clerk; Robert Whinn , Finance Committee ; John O 'Reilly , Elizabeth Taylor , Rick Wood , James Geisler and other interested parties . At 7 : 00 p . m . , Chairman Levasseur called the meeting to order with a quorum present . He introduced Mrs . Roebach from Sen . O 'Leary 's office . APPROVE PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT FOR WHITEGATE FARMS On a motion by Mr . Hirschman , seconded by Mr . Mitchell , it was unanimously voted to approve the purchase for Whitegate Farms and to sign the Purchase and Sales agreement when completed . DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING - DISCUSSION OF, FY2004 BUDGET PROCESS Mr . Levasseur stated that it was going to be a difficult year . Mr . Sumner then walked the Selectmen and Department Heads through the financial forecast . He BOARD OF SELECTMEN NOVEMBER 25 , 2002 PAGE 2 explained that the town cannot sacrifice the money that is used for equipment replacement and facility maintenance , which averages about $ 1 , 000 , 000 to $ 1 , 200 , 000 . He then explained that the town has hit the levy limit . With regard to fees , the Town has relied on fees to allow the continuation of providing services . Mr . Sumner said considering what is going to happen with fringe benefits , there will be no money to go around . Mr . Levasseur said that this is also a year for negotiations with all unions and the Personnel Bylaw . Nauset Schools ' enrollment is increasing in Brewster while the other towns are decreasing , and the Town will be paying 48 . 2 % of Nauset 's costs . Brewster has said that it could fund a 2 % increase and anything over that will have to be an override . Mr . Levasseur said that the problem is that if the three other towns approve the Nauset Budget, Brewster must pay for it , no matter what the cost . It would be necessary to call a special town meeting to fund this cost . Mr . Levasseur then challenged all departments to bring in some revenue , and see whether they can make some cuts in the budget . Mr . Sumner said this is a year when the department heads need to look at what things in their departments do not make any sense , and make some cuts . Mr . Mitchell said he will also bring some ideas to the new Governor and would like ideas from the Departments . Mr . Anderson did not think it would be possible to reduce the needs for one year . It will be an ongoing process . It will be necessary to come up with some new revenue sources , feeling that it will be necessary to get an override for government services . He believed that the people of the town needed to know that if they want the services , they will need to pay for them . Mr . Levasseur said that he has painted the worst scenario . Nauset School has a great program , but they have not gone to the taxpayers to ask if they want to pay fo these services . Mr . Mitchell suggested that the zero - base budget be applied again this year . In th ., way the department head must look at every line to see whether services could be cut . Mr . Hirschman said that the purpose of this meeting is to present some facts and the department heads know that the town has to be extremely conservative . Whe BOARD OF SELECTMEN NOVEMBER 25 , 2002 PAGE 3 asked by Mr . Hirschman , Mr . Sumner said that free cash is declining yearly . The town needs to maintain free cash of a minimum of $ 1 , 500 , 000 . Presently , Brewster has about $ 1 , 600 , 000 , and Mr . Sumner is trying to put more into that fund . Mr . Wood said that Nauset Regional School System would like to present two budgets in case their override fails . APPOINTMENTS TO POLICE DEPARTMENT On a motion by Mr . Mitchell , seconded by Mr . Norton , it was unanimously voted to approve the following police appointments : 1 . Richard J . Koch , Jr . is being promoted to Detective as a results of the retirement of Richard Barber December 31 , 2002 . 2 . Shannon C . Parks has been hired as a Patrol Officer to fill the vacancy created by Officer Koch 's promotion . 3 . Felipe Martinez and Jonathon P . O 'Leary will fill the vacancies created by two retirements and subsequent in - house promotions . 4 . Officer Jefferson K . Krauss is being promoted to the rank of Sergeant . RESIGNATION OF STEVEN ELDREDGE Mr . Levasseur said that Selectman Eldredge has resigned from the Board of Selectmen , effective November 22 , 2002 . After speaking with the Town Clerk , Mr . Levasseur said that the Selectmen have to declare the vacancy . One option would be to hold a special election this winter to fill the vacancy until the May , 2003 election . If the vacancy is not filled until May, there will be three people running for Selectmen in May . On a motion by Mr . Norton , seconded by Mr . Mitchell , it was unanimously voted to declare a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen . With regard to holding a special election , Mr . Norton did not feel it made sense for such a short period of time . Mr . Mitchell and Mr . Hirschman agreed . Mr . Hirschman did say that he will be away the month of January , so there will only be three Selectmen in town . Mr . Mitchell suggested letting the selectmen know if they are going to be away . Mr . Levasseur agreed but said that the citizens do have a right to petition a special election , if they so choose . BOARD OF SELECTMEN NOVEMBER 25 , 2002 PAGE 4 Mr . Norton agreed to assume the responsibilities of Clerk and also said he would like to serve as the Selectmen 's representative to the Open Space Committee . Mr . Levasseur suggested and it was agreed that Elizabeth Taylor will ask the Planning Board whether they want to make an appointment or wait until the election in May to fill the position . REOUEST FOR ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE FROM EDWARD H. BILL, TRUSTEE OF E & J REALTY TRUST TO PETER BRANDT d/b/a EURO CLASSICS Mr . Sumner said that Mr . Brandt would like to move part of his business to the vacant Franklin Fixtures location at Commerce Park . He said he has asked Mr . Brandt to pursue a dual path with the Commerce Park and Underpass Road , since Mr . Sumner has some concerns about the Franklin Fixtures site because it is in a water resource area . He did encourage Mr . Brandt to meet with the Selectmen . Town Counsel feels strongly that in order to consider this assignment of lease , it will be necessary for Mr . Brandt to file for a Chapter 138 , Section 13 license . He did correspond with Mr . Brandt stating that it was a critical issue of the assignment of the lease . As of this date , Mr . Sumner has received no response from Mr . Brandt regarding the Chapter 138 , Section 13 . Mr . Levasseur asked Mr . Sumner to check to see whether a joint application for lease assignment is legal , since presently only one client holds the lease . Mr . Levasseur believes that only one person can be the lessee . DISCUSSION OF LICENSING FEES Mr . Levasseur said that the information was for a future meeting some time in December . If the Board wants to do something about the licensing fees , it will have to be advertised . ACTION ITEMS On a motion by Mr . Mitchell , seconded by Mr . Hirschman , it was unanimously voted to approve action items 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 . On a motion by Mr . Mitchell , seconded by Mr . Hirschman , it was unanimously voted to waive the transfer station fees for the Brewster Conservation Trust in order for them to remove some illegally dumped material from Brewster Conservation Trust land . It is understood that only the transfer station fee will be waived . Any fees that are charged to the transfer station will have to be paid by the Conservation Trust . On a motion by Mr . Mitchell , seconded by Mr . Norton , it was unanimously voted that Mr . Hirschman will serve as the Selectmen 's alternate to the Water Quality Review Committee . A copy of the Action Items is attached . BOARD OF SELECTMEN NOVEMBER 25 , 2002 PAGE 5 SELECTMEN 1 . Brewster Ovsters—Based on a recommendation from Mr . Hirschman , it was agreed to hold a hearing to consider an increase in non - resident Shellfish Permits . 2 . WORC—Mr . Norton said that on a 6 - 1 vote (Mr . Norton was opposed) , the WQRC voted in favor of the project presented by Mr . Brandt for the Franklin Fixtures building at the Commerce Park , 3 . 70 Equity—Mr . Norton said he attended a productive meeting last Tuesday of the 70 Equity Committee . He said the representation from Cape Cod was very strong . Although there is no State money , he did say the Committee is looking into other resources for assistance . MINUTES 1 . November 4 , 2002—On a motion by Mr . Mitchell , seconded by Mr . Hirschman , I t was unanimously voted to approve the Regular Session November 4th Selectmen 's Minutes as printed . On a motion by Mr . Mitchell , seconded by Mr . Hirschman , it was unanimously voted to approve the Executive Session November 4th Selectmen 's Minutes as printed . The meeting adjourned at 8 : 30 p . m . December 16 . 2002 Approved Peter G . Norton , Clerk / meg ACTION ITEMS TOWN ADMINISTRATOR NrOVEM_3ER 25, 2002 RECOMMENDATIONS 1 Request from Brewster Fish House I would recommend to remain open until 12 / 15 / 02 . approval of this request . 2 Letter from Bailey Boyd Associates We have joined the other asking that the Board sign the Joint town in this grant several Application Authorization Form for times , and I would Participation in Business Builders recommend the Board Program . sign the form . 3 Note from Jillian Douglass in which As I stated in my response , Jim Maddocks asks that the town the Town cannot use its assist the Brewster Conservation Trust labor on private property , in removing some illegal dumped although the Board could material from Brewster Conservation vote to waive any transfer Trust land . station fees , as long as It will not cost the Town any money for its disposal . 4 I received a memo from the Water Quality Review Committee asking that the various members of the committee be allowed to appoint an alternate to represent them in their absence . I have attached a copy of the Town Code regarding this Committee . 5 I held a pole hearing on November 20 , 2002 . There was no opposition to the work being done , and I would recommend the Board sign the documents . OTHER ,BUSINESS 6 The Swap Shop Volunteers Group would like to have Meribeth Bassett and Bill Adler appointed as volunteers , and I would recommend those appointments .