Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – October 19, 2009
Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room, 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Maria Anderson, Keith Garte, Donald Gilligan, Gordon Gladstone,
Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Josh Kiernan, Joel Lessard, Ira
Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, (Hamilton)
Absent: Brian Fitzgerald
1. On the agenda, Fire Chief Dennis Mann and Police Chief Joseph Bernstein to separately discuss issues and questions as they relate to various Warrant articles; Article 2, zoning-fire station, Article 3, changes to MOU.
2. John Twohig, Attorney for Brickstone, announced the MOU would be posted the next day.
3. Jon Hitter announced that the Selectmen were having an open meeting to discuss the MOU tomorrow. Chief Mann provided changes to Attorney Gelerman that were incorporated in the draft.
4. Chief Mann reported that there are two plans. One is 9,000 sq. ft. station, more desirable. That would be built basically reviewing some design plans other than just a footprint. Our needs are six bunk rooms, kitchen. That would be if the Financing District goes through. 7,000 sq. ft. station would be built out in smaller fashion. Town responsible for buying fire trucks or shifting from the main station. New type of equipment responsibility of town. One is bigger plan which would be able to hold a bigger meeting room, training room, fitness room which is eliminated in the smaller plan.
5. There was much discussion regarding the sub-fire station, how much it would cost to equip, staff, and run it. One estimate was $200,000 without fire trucks. Another was approximately $2M for total budget for this fire station. Also discussed need for more firefighters.
6. Next on the agenda was Chief Joseph Bernstein.
7. Chief Bernstein reported on the traffic patterns and traffic plans. Workers vehicles are six wheels or less. Anything above six wheels follows designated loop access to Bay Road. All other vehicles filter through to getting to certain locations. Most of workers on site before Middle School traffic. Workers start at 7 a.m. Middle School starts after. Middle School gets out at 2:45 p.m. Workers do not leave until 3:30 p.m. We don’t want them using that part of Mountain Street while Middle School is opening or closing. No vehicle over six wheels allowed anything except route from Bay Road.
8. There was considerable discussion regarding the traffic situation and how it was worked out. Concern over Chief Bernstein having right to make changes or improvements to plan, if needed. Also need for more officers.
9. Chief Bernstein commented on off-premises consumption licenses in town districts. It was a question of monitoring these places. If all in one place, easier to monitor. Responsibility to license and monitor.
10. There was some discussion on Article 4, Finance District. Not enough information regarding bond issue. Have Town Counsel at next meeting to discuss.
11. Asked Rich Powell about Article 15, Roadway Acceptance. The Selectmen will discuss tomorrow night.
12. There were some comments by Rich Powell regarding Article 8, Off Premises Consumption, that a developer might like to have opportunity for a license. Increasing amount of licenses at a later date is a process of Town Meeting and Legislature.
13. There was more discussion with Rich Powell regarding Article 4, Finance District, and reasons why Brickstone might need a municipal bond and what the risks are to the town.
14. Discussion with Rich Powell on Article 13, Purchase of Land in Water Zone. Town owned equipment may be on the property.
15. Discussion regarding Article 17, Sign By-law, about discrepancies between General and Zoning By-law versions. Susan Price and Marlene Chused asked to explain.
16. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to reconsider Article 17, Sign by-law change.
17. VOTED: 9-1-1. For: Anderson, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Against: Garte. Abstain: Hitter.
18. A MOTION was made by Laura Nelson and SECONDED by Joel Lessard to recommend Article 17, Sign by-law change, at Town Meeting.
19. VOTED: 9-2-0. For: Anderson, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson. Against: Garte, Philips.
20. Ira Miller reported on Article 14, Animal Control changes in by-law, to changing wording. In the motion it will be amended.
21. Article 6, Middle School costs for architectural, engineering and owners project manager expenses.
22. At May Town Meeting enough money was appropriated to get everyone to January.
23. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to recommend Article 5, Middle School Override, to appropriate or borrow in the amount of $50,540,287.
24. VOTED: 10-0-1. For: Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Abstain: Anderson.
25. A MOTION was made by Ted Philips and SECONDED by Josh Kiernan to reconsider Article 6, Middle School costs for architect and OPM.
26. VOTED: 10-0-1. For: Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Abstain: Anderson.
27. A MOTION was made by Ira Miller and SECONDED by Ted Philips to indefinitely postpone Article 6, Middle School costs for architect and OPM.
28. VOTED: 10-0-1. For: Garte, Gilligan, Gladstone, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Lessard, Miller, Nelson, Philips. Abstain: Anderson.
29. A MOTION was made by Gordon Gladstone and SECONDED by Laura Nelson to amend the motion to add Heights and P.O. Square to existing district for a total of five licenses, Article 8, Off Premises consumption for Square and Heights – beer and wine only.
30. VOTED: 6-5-0. For: Anderson, Gilligan, Gladstone, Lessard, Miller, Nelson. Against: Garte, Goodman, Hitter, Kiernan, Philips.
31. There was a suggestion for Legislature to authorize ten licenses, but only allow Selectmen to issue five.
32. Ask Dick Gelerman to be here to discuss Finance District and Second Amendment for MOU. Ask Susan Price and Marlene Chused for sign by-law explanation. Ask Historic Commission regarding inventory survey.
33. The next meeting will be October 26, 2009.
34. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.
35. VOTED: 11-0-0.
36. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.