HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002-05-06 Special Town Mtg Report Report of the
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
MAY 61 2002
In accordance with the Warrant, the Special Town Meeting was held in the
Stonybrook Elementary School Cafetorium, Monday May 6, 2002 .
The Meeting was called to order at 7 : 10 p . m . by the Moderator, Stephen L.
Doyle. The tellers were, Jean Gage, Althea Alling, Ken Berbrick, Sheila gerhardt,
June Gallant, and Ruth Hanlon . The Checkers were, Mitzi Unger, Sandra Joseph,
Ann Golini , Maureen Steinmann, Dorothy Leone, Joan Mitchell and Nancy
Berbrick.
A quorum was present.
The Town Clerk, Joanna Krauss, read the Special Town Meeting Warrant and the
return of the Warrant. There being no objection, the Moderator dispensed with
the reading of all the articles.
UNPAID BILLS
ARTICLE NO, 1: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available
funds the sum of TWO THOUSAND AND 00/ 100 ($ 2,000 .00) DOLLARSto
pay unpaid bills from a previous fiscal year, as follows :
1 . Charles McKendree $21000 . 00
2. Devine Products 961 . 00
Grand-total $2,961 . 00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Nine-Tenths Vote Required) ( Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
This article will authorize the payment of outstanding bills from a previous fiscal
year. According to Massachusetts General Laws a town cannot pay a bill from a
previous fiscal year with the current year's appropriation . Therefore, town
meeting authorization is required . This article will be amended on town meeting
floor to eliminate item no . 2 from Devine Products in the amount of $961 . 00 .
BOS: S-YES; 0- NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: &YES; 0- NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION : I move that the town vote to approve Article No, 1 as printed
in the warrant, however, that item no 2, (Devine Products) he
amended from $961, 00 to $0. 00, and that the town transfer the sum of
$2,000, 00 from free cash for this purpose,
ACTION : Adopted unanimously
BUDGETARY TRANSFERS
ARTICLE NO. 2; To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available
funds and/or appropriate from surplus funds in some departments an amount of
money to be used in conjunction with funds appropriated under current fiscal
year budgets during the current fiscal year to pay shortfalls that would otherwise
exist in the Fiscal Year 2002 budgets of other departments, as follows :
a ) Transfer the sum of $ 16,000 . 00 from the Golf Receipts Reserved for
Appropriation Account to Line Item No . 39 of Article No . 7 (Golf
Department Expenses) of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting .
b) Transfer the sum of $ 10,000 . 00 from Line Item No . 31 ( DPW Snow & Ice)
of Article No. 7 of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting to Line
Item No. 7 of Article No . 7 (Board of Assessors Expenses) of the 2001
Annual Town Meeting .
c) Transfer the sum of $5,000 . 00 from the Ambulance Receipts Reserved for
Appropriation Account to Line Item No. 26 of Article No . 7 ( Fire
Department Expenses) of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting .
d) Transfer the sum of $2,000 . 00 from Line Item No. 31 (DPW Snow & Ice)
of Article No . 7 of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting to Line Item No . 38 of
Article No . 7 ( Recreation Department Expenses) of the 2001 Annual Town
Meeting .
e) Transfer the sum of $2,500 . 00 from Line Item No . 31 (DPW Wages) of
Article No. 7 of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting to Line Item No. 28 of
Article No. 7 (Natural Resources and Conservation Wages) of the 2001
Annual Town Meeting .
f) Transfer the sum of $3,000 . 00 from Line Item No . 31 ( DPW Snow & Ice)
of Article No . 7 of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting to Line Item No . 9 of
Article No. 7 ( Legal Expenses) of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting .
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) ( Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
This article would authorize the transfer of surplus funds appropriated for certain
departmental budgets for Fiscal Year 2002 to other accounts, which have
experienced problems and are running shortfalls.
BOS : RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION : I move that the town vote to approve Article No. 2 as printed
in the warrant and to transfer the total sum of$38,500, 00 for these
purposes,
ACTION : Adopted
WATER STANDPIPESECURITYFENCINGPROJECT
ARTICLE NO. 3: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available
funds the additional sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND AND 00/100
($15,000, 00) DOLLARSto Article No . 11 , Item No . 2h, of the May 1, 2000
Annual Town Meeting (Capital Expenditures, Fence Installation Project), or to
take any other action relative thereto .
( Majority Vote Required) (Water Commission)
SUMMARY
In Fiscal Year 2000 the Water Department was awarded a wellhead protection
grant for security fencing to bring the department's original two wellhouses,
located off Freeman 's Way, into compliance with the current security standards.
This original grant award was a 100% reimbursement program in the amount of
$ 15,400 . 00, whereby the total construction and material cost for this project
would have been reimbursed to the town by the state. The initial bids received
for the fencing materials and labor for this project exceeded the project
estimate, and therefore the grant award, by $ 12,000 . 00 . We recently re-bid this
project and received a proposal that exceeded the grant award by the sum of
$5,500 . 00 . This article will be amended at town meeting to reflect this recent
pricing . The work is basic fencing and therefore there is little that can be
removed or modified from the project scope that would result in a price
reduction . This project will be re-bid, but additional funding is necessary to
complete the work. The State has agreed to allow the town to proceed with this
grant project in the amount of $ 15,400 . 00 if the town supplies the balance of the
necessary funding . In the current atmosphere of security, the need for the
fencing is greater than ever. If additional funds are not provided, the town will
lose this grant opportunity.
BOS: S-YES; 0- NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: S-YES; 1- NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION : I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 3 as printed
in the warrant, however, that the request be amended from the sum of
$15,000, 00 to $5,500, 00, and that the town transfer the sum of
$5,500, 00 from the water revenue account for this purpose.
ACTION : Adopted Unanimously
STONYBROOKELEMENTARYSCHOOL SUILDINGREPAIRS
ARTICLE NO. 4: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available
funds a sum of money for various architectural, design, engineering, renovation
and construction expenses to make a series of extraordinary repairs to the Stony
Brook Elementary School building and site, and to authorize the Brewster School
Department to solicit bids and/or proposals, enter into a contract or contracts
and expend said funds for this purpose, or to take any other action relative
thereto .
(Majority Vote Required) (Elementary School Committee)
SUMMARY
The following is a list of the existing conditions at Stony Brook Elementary School
that need to be addressed over a period of time :
i . Deteriorated and rotted wood trim and framing on various portions of the
building's exterior.
2 . Cracked and broken cement asbestos shingles.
3 . Water stained acoustic ceiling tiles and blistered paint from roof, wall,
glazing and flashing leaks.
4. Mold growth on the cathedral ceiling vapor barrier and fiberglass
insulation .
5 . Roofing concerns, consisting of rotted framing, lack of ventilation,
insufficient drainage ( ponding of water), leaks, inadequate flashing,
clogged or blocked roof drains, failed expansion joint covers and shingle
failure .
We were informed that the wood roof framing was rotted when skylights were
installed . In addition, areas where the roof framing and sheathing are located in
the valleys between the sloped roofs show clear indications of severe
deterioration .
The original school was constructed in 1975, just prior to the energy crisis of
1978 . The construction drawings show 2 x 6 wood framing with a 6" fiberglass
insulation blanket. The drawings did not require soffit and/or ridge ventilation
and therefore none was provided . There was a belief, in the construction and
design professions at the time this building was being built that ventilation was
not required if the entire space between the rafters was filled with insulation . In
addition, the seams of the plastic vapor barrier are unsealed . It is now known
that this construction practice is problematic.
Maintenance personnel informed us that when the acoustic the ceilings were
being replaced, they observed several areas where the plastic vapor barrier was
wet and black with mold and/or mildew. Lack of ventilation of the roof above
the insulation and the lack of airtight seals on the vapor barrier seams resulted in
trapped moisture in the insulation above the vapor barrier. The moisture
trapped in the insulation causes the wood framing and plywood roof sheathing to
decay. In addition, it permits the unhealthy growth of mold in the school .
The following is a summary of the steps necessary to correct these deficiencies :
i . Replace rotted wood roof framing and plywood sheathing to correct the
problem of the unhealthy mold growth .
2 . Replace the flat ballasted, roof above the school addition .
3 . Replace the fully adhered or mechanically fastened flat, roof above the
original school by removing the existing material and rigid insulation .
4. Replace the deteriorated wood trim on the original school .
5 . Replace the cement asbestos shingle siding on the original school .
At the time of the printing of this warrant the preliminary scope of this
rehabilitation effort is estimated to cost $ 1,700,000 .00 . Town and School
officials are working cooperatively to create a multi-year phased construction
program to remedy these problems.
BOS : RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION : I move that the town vote to approve Article no, 4 as printed
in the warrant and to appropriate the tota/ sum of$1,700,000. 00 for
this purpose, and in order to fund this appropriation that the town
transfer the following sums of money for this purpose;
•
$40,000. 00 from article no, 6 of the May 2001 Special Town
Meeting,
• $560,000, 00 from Free Cash and,
• $1,100,000, 00 from the Stabilization Fund
ACTION : Adopted Yes- 360 No- 94
FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
ARTICLE NO, 5; To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available
funds the sum of FOURTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND 00/100
($14,500, 00) DOLLARSfor the following items :
a . Ladder Truck Repairs $ 12,000 . 00
b . Hazardous Materials $ 2 .500 . 00
Total $ 14,500 . 00
and to authorize the Fire Chief to solicit bids and/or proposals, enter into a
contract or contracts and expend said funds for these purposes, or to take any
other action relative thereto .
( Majority Vote Required ) ( Fire Chief)
SUMMARY
This year some major expenses were incurred maintaining the older vehicles and
equipment within the department. The annual inspection of the ladder truck
indicates that the vehicle's stabilization system needs to be rebuilt for safety and
longevity reasons. These funds will allow the town to contract with a vendor to
carry out these important repairs.
BOS : S-YES; 0- NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION : I move that the town vote to approve Article no, 5 as printed
in the warrant and to transfer the sum of$14,500, 00 from the
Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account for this
purpose.
ACTION : Adopted
STREET SWEEPER REPLACEMENT/ DPW
ARTICLENO, 6; To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available
funds the sum of NINETY-SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($96,000, 00)
DOLLARSfor the purpose of funding the purchase of a replacement street
sweeper for the Department of Public Works and to authorize the Town
Administrator to sell, trade, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of, in the best
interests of the Town, old equipment deemed available, the proceeds from any
disposition to be applied towards the cost of acquiring the new equipment and to
provide authorization to solicit bids and/or proposals, enter into a contract or
contracts and expend said funds for this purpose, or to take any other action
relative thereto.
( Majority Vote Required) ( Board of Selectmen )
SUMMARY
This piece of equipment is necessary to maintain the town 's roadway network
and public areas in a safe and well-groomed manner. The current street
sweeper is 12 years old . This unit is currently out of service and needs
approximately $27,000 . 00 in repairs to make the vehicle operational . The guide
system for the rear wheel failed, which resulted in significant damage to the
sweeping and conveyor systems. Due to the age of this unit and its demanding
work environment it was determined that the purchase of a new unit was the
most cost effective solution .
BOS : S-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: &YES, 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION : I move that the town vote to approve Article no, 6 as
printed in the warrant, however, that the request of$96,000. 00 be
amended to $71,000, 00 and that the town transfers the sum of
$71,000. 00 from Free Cash for this purpose,
ACTION : Adopted