The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutSelect Board -- 2023-03-27 MinutesMINUTES OF THE SELECT BOARD MEETING DATE: March 27, 2023 TIME: 5:45 PM PLACE: 2198 Main Street Off i Select Board Town Manager REGULAR SESSION Participants: Chair Whitney, Selectperson Chatelain, Selectperson Hoffmann, Selectperson Bingham, Selectperson Chaffee, Town Manager Peter Lombardi, Human Resources Director Susan Broderick, Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick Caent and Recording Statement Chair Whitney called the meeting to order at 5:45pm, declared a quorum by announcing all members of the Board are present and read the meeting participation and recording statements. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to enter executive session. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Executive Session • To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Personnel Bylaw) • To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares (SEIU DPW/Golf/Water Union) The Board returned to regular session at 5:58pm. Discuss and Vote on FY24-26_ SEIU DPW/Golf/Water Union Contract Mr. Lombardi shared that the Town has reached a tentative agreement with SEIU Local 888, which represents DPW, Golf and Water employees. The union took a ratification vote in favor of the tentative agreement last week, the contract is subject to appropriation by Town Meeting in May. This contract is for a 3 -year term, with a cost of living adjustment of 2.5% in each of those three years. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to accept the FY24-26 SEIU DPW/Golf/Water Union contract as negotiated. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain- yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No. Public Announcements and Comment: Carol Marie Anderson of Long Pond Road shared her concern of the telephone poles and the tubing that has been placed on these poles, referencing an incident in Chatham where a telephone pole snapped in half on a public road. Ms. Anderson believes this is a safety concern and would like for the Town to consider buried utility lines. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 1 of 7 Town of Brewster Oi(-'E�D6R 89 ci9 -., '= Pear 2198 Main Street s a = Brewster, MA 02631-1898 o < Phone: (508) 896-3701 www.brewster-ma.gov MINUTES OF THE SELECT BOARD MEETING DATE: March 27, 2023 TIME: 5:45 PM PLACE: 2198 Main Street Off i Select Board Town Manager REGULAR SESSION Participants: Chair Whitney, Selectperson Chatelain, Selectperson Hoffmann, Selectperson Bingham, Selectperson Chaffee, Town Manager Peter Lombardi, Human Resources Director Susan Broderick, Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick Caent and Recording Statement Chair Whitney called the meeting to order at 5:45pm, declared a quorum by announcing all members of the Board are present and read the meeting participation and recording statements. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to enter executive session. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Executive Session • To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Personnel Bylaw) • To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares (SEIU DPW/Golf/Water Union) The Board returned to regular session at 5:58pm. Discuss and Vote on FY24-26_ SEIU DPW/Golf/Water Union Contract Mr. Lombardi shared that the Town has reached a tentative agreement with SEIU Local 888, which represents DPW, Golf and Water employees. The union took a ratification vote in favor of the tentative agreement last week, the contract is subject to appropriation by Town Meeting in May. This contract is for a 3 -year term, with a cost of living adjustment of 2.5% in each of those three years. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to accept the FY24-26 SEIU DPW/Golf/Water Union contract as negotiated. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain- yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No. Public Announcements and Comment: Carol Marie Anderson of Long Pond Road shared her concern of the telephone poles and the tubing that has been placed on these poles, referencing an incident in Chatham where a telephone pole snapped in half on a public road. Ms. Anderson believes this is a safety concern and would like for the Town to consider buried utility lines. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 1 of 7 �r"��,G Town of Brewster 0lect ��a q � a �o�e`�, F9 ii off° °A#m a 2198 Main Street Town Manager N = Brewster, MA 02631-1898 C Phone: (508) 896-3701 ~ u www.brewster-ma.gov Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports Selectperson Chaffee shared that Beautify Brewster Day will be held on Saturday April 29, 2023, with a rain date of April 30, 2023. Information is available on the Town website, to sign up, reach out to Ryan Burch at Department of Natural Resources or contact Meg Morris the Recycling Commission Chair at megmorris141@gmail.com. Town Mana ees Report Mr. Lombardi noted Brewster's continued participation in the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund and the Water Resources Task Force meets monthly and is looking forward to a report from the Cape Cod Commission on technical assistance and accessing State and Federal funds to help with some of the non- traditional projects. Mr. Lombardi has recently been appointed to serve on the Executive Committee of the Water Resources Task Force Board, adding that three out of the five seats on the Executive Committee are held by lower and outer cape towns. Consent enda a. Meeting Minutes: January 11, 2023 b. Appointment: Pond Property Planning Committee- Tino Kamarck as Brewster Conservation Trust Representative c. Facility Use Applications: First Parish Brewster- Paines Creek Beach and Brewster Pond Coalition - Upper Mill Pond Landing d. One -Day Entertainment License Applications: First Parish Brewster (Paines Creek Beach), Hackenson (29 Pebble Path), Beck/Fambrough (Crosby Beach), and Beyond the Bounds (1077 Main Street) e. Fee Waiver Request: First Parish Brewster f. Pass Through Town Permission: Harbor to the Bay g. Approved Liquor License Transfer Application Correction: Brewster Village Marketplace Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the Consent Agenda from March 27, 2023. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Discuss and Vote on 2023 Personnel Bylaw Fixed Way es and Salaries Scale Human Resource Director, Susan Broderick presented the amended FY23 and the new FY24 fixed rate and salary scale. The scales encompass all the seasonal positions and some of the part-time positions. The scale is reviewed annually, adding that these positions do not receive an automatic cost of living increase, merit, or step increases. Policy states that the Town will use the States minimum wage as its lowest level of pay on the scale. All Department heads with positions in the scale have reviewed the scale. Changes include: • The Recreation Department added 2 new positions both in FY23 and FY24 (pool attendant and pool manager), lifeguards (FY24 pay $20-$26 per hour) and water safety instructors. The maximum pay was increased. • Other Departments have added a clerical support position. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 2 of 7 100O\eaE'"sr//O9� Town of Brewster O Select Board2198 Main Street Town Manager Brewster, MA 02631-1898 o� Phone: (508) 896-3701 _ s www.brewster-ma.gov Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the Personnel Bylaw Fixed Wages and Salaries Scale as presented. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain- yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No. Review and Vote on FY24 Nauset Public School Budgets- Select Board FY23-24 Strategic Plan Goal G-1 Mr. Lombardi reviewed that the Elementary Schools operating budget is set to increase in FY24 by 7.89% over FY23. The benefits are decreasing by a little over 2.5% and the net increase in their expenses is increasing by 5.54%. The Town had originally anticipated being able to accommodate a 3% operating increase for the schools, which was made clear to them following the 5 -year financial forecast in December. Due to increases in State Aid the Town can now accommodate a 4% increase in the Elementary Schools and on the Regional Assessment. Mr. Lombardi noted that the difference between what has been approved by the Regional School Committee and funding available in the Town's levy limits is $316,878. The Regional Schools proposed operating expenses are set to increase by 7.69%, noting a minor enrollment shift that impacts assessments. Mr. Lombardi noted that the Town has enough funding in our budget for a 4% increase, the operating override is $647,720. Mr. Lombardi noted the expenses for sending kids who live in member towns out through school choice or charter schools has doubled from FY20 actuals to FY24 budget from $1.4M to just under $3M. To help reduce our assessments we have historically used school choice revolving funds to help offset the increased expense, this revenue source has gone down by more than 50% in the same 4 years, from$ 2.1M to $1M. Members of the Select Board expressed their concerns with the presented budgets, including staffing levels, enrollment trends and forecasting. Mr. Lombardi reviewed the overrides for both the Elementary School and Region, noting that if the Elementary School operating overrides fails then the Town won't have increased its levy to fund that portion of the budget. There are two options, reduce the Town's budget by $315K or we go back to the School Committee to revisit the amount they voted on originally and bring the revised budget back to a Special Town Meeting and a Special Town Election. For the Region, the Regional School Committee has certified a certain budgeted amount, we can fund a portion of it, but not all of it. There will be a warrant article and a local election, if either of these fail in Brewster and they don't fail in any of the other three member Towns, the Region budget will have been constructively approved by the other member Towns and we will have to fund it, we will not have a choice. Adding that the Town would have to reduce funding in the Town budget in the amount of $650K or call a Special Town Meeting and Special election. Mr. Lombardi noted that the Regional School Committee is not required to revisit their budget, they may if they so choose. If either the Town Meeting vote or the override fails in Brewster and one other Town, this is considered a failed Regional School budget and the committee is then required to revote their budget. All four Towns would need to vote at a Special Town Meeting and Special Election again. The budget is not considered approved until it is fully funded, and the budget cannot be fully funded within the Town's levy, this requires an override which is a Town Meeting vote and a ballot vote. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 3 of 7 x\400, gREWST oOffice of: Town of Brewster Select Board jr 3 2198 Main Street Town Manager 3 a a = Brewster, MA 02631-1898 ° _ Phone: (508) 896-3701 r = -'' www.brewster-ma.gov /////////m. FB pis°,pi eo Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the Brewster Elementary Schools Budget in the amount of $10, 755,678. Selectperson Chatelain second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -no, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 4 -Yes, 1 -No. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the Nauset Regional Schools Operating Budget for a total of $14, 906,481. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -no, Selectperson Chatelain-no, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -no, Chair Whitney -no. The Board vote was 1 -Yes, 4 -No. Discuss Proposition 2 % Nauset Regional and Brewster Elementary School Operating Overrides Chair Whitney noted the total would be $964,598 if in one article. The Select Board agreed that there should be two separate articles and two separate ballot questions. Discuss and Vote on 2023 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles • Article 1: Cape Cod Tech Regional Operating Budget o The overall budget is increasing by 3.8%, there are significant increases in revenue sources and Brewster enrollment is decreasing. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the Article for the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School Operating budget in the amount of $1,464,365. Selectperson Chatelain second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee - yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. • Article 6: Town Operating Budget o Overall, the Town's operating expenses, apart from transfers to the Housing Trust, OPEB, Water Quality Capital Stabilization, and Capital Stabilization is increasing by a little under 4.2%. Changes include: General Government: Moderator — originally proposed an increase of his compensation, which was declined. Level funded at $300. Select Board/Town Administration — was increased by $4300 to account for the salary of a part time administrative floater. Insurance, Utilities, and Fringe Benefits- shifted a little over $15K from health insurance to contractual obligations. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Town Operating Budget for a grand total of $25,309,899. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain- yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 4 of 7 % Town of Brewster \� � 6LDEq"'°?t.� I! oel "'°%9 Select Board m 2198 Main Street Town Manager U a Brewster, MA 02631-1898 os _� Phone: (508) 896-3701 www.brewster-ma.gov • Article 7: Water Department Operating Budget Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Water Department Enterprise Fund Operating Budget for a total of $2,897,932. Selectperson Chatelain second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. • Article 8: Golf Department Operating Budget Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Golf Department Enterprise Fund Operating Budget for a total of $4,386,855. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Article 10: Capital & Special Projects Expenditures o New capital requests that were not originally included: • Select Board- supplemental funding to complete the fertilizer leaching rate study at the Captains Golf Course. Seeking $40K through Water Quality Stabilization fund for supplemental data collection that needs to be completed. ■ Select Board- Vesper Pond Road Betterment transfer from Road Betterments Receipt Reserved for Appropriation Fund to fund engineering for the project that has already been approved by Town Meeting. The Town will fully recoup the costs of the work of $26K. ■ Police -$20K from free cash to support development of a 5 -year strategic plan. ■ Brewster Elementary Schools — upgrades to the roof and HVAC system at the Stony Brook School. In all project scenarios, giving the size, scale, and costs, will trigger other code compliance, seeking $100K from free cash to undertake the effort. ■ Anticipated Spring 23 Capital Request, $80K funding for the Stony Brook generator has been moved back to accommodate the code compliant study request. ■ Public Works- Dog Park Repairs & Maintenance $10K from free cash, will be drawn down on over multiple fiscal years. ■ Water Enterprise- Hydration Station Program, $25K from Water Retained Earnings. Decreased the water meter replacement project to help cover this cost. ■ Cemetery Improvements $40K for all Town cemeteries funded through the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. ■ Brewster Ladies Library — IT &Telephone Equipment Upgrades funding source changed to Telecommunication Revolving Fund. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Capital and Special Project Expenditures for a total of $1,951,748. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 5 of 7 'Fu��%, Town of Brewster _ Rm 2198 Main Street c Brewster, MA 02631-1898 _ Phone: (508) 896-3701 www.brewster-ma.gov RFB RP • Article 11: Free Cash Appropriations, will have a balance of about $1.61VI o $250K to Capital Stabilization Fund o $250K to Short-term Debt Office of, Select Board Town Manager Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Free Cash Appropriations as follows: from Free Cash to Capital Stabilization Fund- $250K and from Free Cash to Short-term Debt -$250K. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. • Article 12: Special Revenue Fund/Cable Franchise Fee Account Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the transfer for the Special Revenue Fund for the Cable Franchise Fee Account in the amount of $250K. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee - yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Article 13: Town Bylaw Amendment: Creation of New Community Garden and Wetlands Protection Revolving Funds o The Community Garden has a long-standing partnership with Brewster Conservation Trust and includes about 65 plots that residents use and has a long waitlist. The fund will properly account for the collection of fees and expenditures of the Community Garden. o Wetland Protection Revolving Fund creates an appropriate mechanism to access the funds. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the creation of a new community garden and wetlands protection revolving fund for $50K each, for a total of $100K. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. • Article 19: SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement as printed. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain- yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No. • Article 22: Special Act: Transfer Care, Custody, and Control & Change Uses of Wing Island o The new purposes of Wing Island in the first paragraph in the article language and the special act language should state that it is being changed to "conservation and open space purposes". Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Special Act: Transfer care, Custody, and Control & Change Uses of Wing Island as written and amended. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 6 of 7 ' OEIva'-' �� Town of Brewster �+ � �.a'tLDiq "r,. �� Select Board o Town Manager 2198 Main Street I. 3 =, a = Brewster, MA 02631-1898 01 —�` Phone: (508) 896-3701 —_—� www.brewster-ma.gov R a Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee - yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Article 23: Town Bylaw Amendment: Building Needs and Assessment Committee o Identified this committee that has been inactive for almost a decade and requires Town Meeting to dissolve the committee. Responsibilities have been assumed by other committees and by Town staff. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to recommend the Town Bylaw Amendment: Building Needs and Assessment Committee to be deleted as printed. Selectperson Bingham second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Ms. Kalinick noted that a pre -Town Meeting forum will be held on April 18 at 6pm. FYIs None Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair None Questions from the Media None Next Meetings April 3, April 24, and May 1, 2023 Adjournment Selectperson Hoffmann moved to adjourn at 7:35pm. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Chair Whitney -yes. The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 -No. Respectfully submitted by Erika Mawn, Signed: Selectperson H ann, Clerk of the Select Board Executive Assistant Approved: Date Accompanying Documents in Packet; Agenda, Consent Agenda items, Fixed Rate and Salary Scale, FY24 Nauset Public School Budgets, Proposition 2'/: Nauset Regional and Brewster Elementary School Operating Overrides, 2023 Draft Annual Town Meeting warrant Articles, For Your Information Select Board 3.27.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 7 of 7