Board of Selectmen, April 23, 2018
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
April 23, 2018
6:35PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Robert Lavigne, Geri Herlihy, Jeremy Kurtz, Anthony Renzoni
Others Present: Peter Lukes, Town Manager
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
Not Present: Tim Ethier, Stephanie Bacon, Assistant Town Manager, Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel
Chairman Lavigne called the meeting to order at 6:35PM. The Board stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Appointments, Licenses, and Permits
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPOINT CATHY DOHERTY TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO FILL A CURRENT VACANCY.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE STEPHEN GROSS ON BEHALF OF CENTRAL MASS ONSTAGE FOR A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE / PLAY PERFORMANCE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY JUNE 15 AND 16 FROM 7:00PM TO 10:00PM AND SUNDAY, JUNE 17 FROM 1:00PM TO 4:00PM
- Water/Sewer Rate Presentation (J. Woodsmall)
J. Woodsmall, Director DPW and Ryan Mouradian, Water/ Sewer Superintendent were present at the meeting.
J. Woodsmall stated that for the purpose of overview, as many people are aware the budget process with Fin Com has been underway. He stated that over the past several months, they have submitted budget and expenditures for water and sewer with a less than 1% increase. He stated that the increases that they were seeing were coming from health insurance and the increase to the transport rate from Worcester to Blackstone. He stated that the last increase was in 2016.
J. Woodsmall stated that as a reminder DPW has four cost centers for rate revenue; Water and Sewer and Fixed and Variable are each of the fees assigned monthly. Based on the budget that was requested by the Town Manager, DPW requires $220,000 to balance this fund. He stated that they were using about $1.3 million in free cash/retained earnings that would be going towards one time costs such as legal fees, operation and maintenance, reserve fund, or capital.
J. Woodsmall stated that with the rates being raised it would be coming from the two fixed fees; Water and Sewer. He stated that 22% was coming from an increase in Water Fixed fee and the remaining 78% was coming from an increase in the Sewer Fixed Fee. He stated that the last water increase was in 2012/2013 and stated that a 2.8% increase for the average single family home would equal .65 cents/ month. He stated on the sewer side it was 17.5% increase or $2.93/ month ($35.18/ year). He stated on average the increase would be $3.58 / month or $42.96/ year. He stated that combined with the $220,000 represented the increase to budget this year.
Sel. Kurtz left the meeting at 6:48PM.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that there was also an attached memo for the Board regarding a five year budget plan that he had put together to see trends and pitfalls. He stated that there was also a table that broke out meter sizes and changes. He stated that in the packet is also the proposed water/sewer rate table that they recommend the Board votes on effective for water/sewer rates after July 1.
Sel. Renzoni thanked Mr. Woodsmall for all his work. He asked why all the increases were occurring on the fixed side.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that he looks at the total revenue from all the sources and looks for additional revenue and then asks Mr. Mouradian to do the same. He stated this model was created in 2011 when the rate structure was changed and they look at the revenue that is collected and what they need and then do analysis on it.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was concerned with all the increases being on the fixed side. He stated he felt that they should be seeing it on the variable side as he thinks that some percentage of this could be passed along to the commodity itself. He asked why Mr. Woodsmall did not do it in this manner.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that they did look at that and it came down to the fact that there was still an excess of revenue on variable side versus the fixed cost. He stated that what they saw was there was still subsidy of the fixed cost by the variable to some extent.
Sel. Renzoni stated that they look at the variable side as the business side and that is where they could see the money being made. He stated that they needed to make some sort of profit off of this.
Sel. Kurtz returned to the meeting at 6:52PM.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was strongly in favor of putting some of the increase on the variable side. He stated that he would need to be talked out of putting some of this on the variable side.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that they were generating a profit off the variable side. He stated that if they were truly trying to balance all the revenue streams they would have to decrease the water variable. He stated that basically at this point the water user was subsidizing the water fixed by about $50,000.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that on the sewer side, the sewer user is providing subsidy of about $170,000 to the Sewer Fixed. He stated that Water fixed generated about $1.7 million, Water Users about $1.1 million, Sewer Fixed about $827,000 and Sewer Users about $2.1 million.
Sel. Renzoni stated that this was understood when they changed the model. He stated that they understood that they would attempt to make a profit because they were in the business of selling water so they could make a small profit to stabilize the fund.
Sel. Renzoni asked about reserves.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that the recommendation is to have Operations and Maintenance reserves for one month of operation.
Sel. Renzoni asked what that was.
Mr. Woodsmall replied about $450,000.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was looking ahead to the five year budget when the increases were higher. He stated he understood it was a worst case scenario but he felt that they needed to look at a way to level it off at least a little bit.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that this is allowing them to look long term. He stated that each year there is a great deal of variability in the increase. He stated that they have managed to do zero and small increases as much as possible to help avoid the spike.
Sel. Renzoni suggested looking at tweaking the model a little. He stated that instead of 3.8% increase, they could take it down to 3% and then a different amount of the variable side.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that they would be then using a one time fund for regular operating funds. He stated that next year they would need to replenish the O & M Fund.
Sel. Renzoni replied that was the point of the rate stabilization.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that to build up the fund to smooth out the increase they could raise rates even more so you were getting more upfront and then let things pan out rather than using one time funds for operating.
Sel. Renzoni replied that Rate Stabilization Funds were supposed to do that so for rate increasing like this you could offset it.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that they would not be able to count on those funds next year.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was asking because next years projection was showing zero. He stated that they could use the Rate Stabilization this year and then 2% with 0 projection next year could replenish the fund and prepared for a larger increase down the line.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that they have to remember that they were not generating revenue to replenish the reserve fund. He stated that it floated year over year so they use the O & M and then that turns into the rate reserve. He stated that if they dip into that reserve then they would need to recoup additional revenue. He stated that they also need to keep in mind that they cannot bet on a 0% increase in the future. He stated that they were investing in a sewer litigation case and if that does not happen then the picture changes substantially and then having the rate reserve next years is even more helpful.
Sel. Renzoni asked what they were applying from Free Cash.
Mr. Woodsmall replied $1.3 Million.
Sel. Renzoni asked about the following year.
Mr. Woodsmall replied they were predicting about $ 785,000.
Sel. Renzoni asked about the Water/ Sewer Depreciation Fund.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that the last money that was put into it was in 2015.
Sel. Renzoni asked the balance of that fund.
Mr. Woodsmall replied about $200,000.
Sel. Renzoni asked if that was meeting a goal.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that he was not sure they had a specific goal for that fund. He stated that it was previously used for equipment and they had not been putting additional funds into the account recently. He stated that the funds were there but were not dedicated to any specific use. He stated that he felt that perhaps some of those funds could be used towards the DPW Facility.
Chairman Lavigne interrupted Mr. Woodsmall to call Citizens Address
- Citizen’s Address
Diane Payton, Jefferson, MA was present at the meeting. She stated that she was present at the meeting because she presented a letter to the Landmark and they did not publish it. She stated that the Towns’ people needed to know that the Executive Director had been encouraging people to vote out current officers. She stated that some tenants do not want a tenant organization but that the tenants are entitled to one. She stated that they are required to abide by the CBTO and Mass Unions. She stated that these people were against the tenants because they have exposed fraud and that she had proof and witnesses to this fraud. She stated that they had notified the tenant president and Mass Unions and they had also notified the Holden Board of Selectmen, the Police, and the Landmark.
No other Citizens stepped forward to speak. Chairman Lavigne closed Citizens Address
Water/ Sewer Rate Presentation Cont.
J. Woodsmall stated that there was a Deprecation Fund and then there was a separate Water/ Sewer Fund that could only be spent on Water/ Sewer. He stated that any use from the Stabilization Fund would required a 2/3 vote.
Sel. Renzoni stated that currently they need $220,000. He stated that they were looking for those funds because they were going to fall short and that the Town needed to fund the Water/Sewer the $220,000 or we would have to go back to the operational budget.
Chairman Lavigne asked where we were with the budget to the actual.
Mr. Woodsmall replied he did not have those exact numbers.
Chairman Lavigne asked if we were close.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that one thing that always happens with how the figures look is that it always appears they were underperforming because they need to appropriate funds for the Emergency Reserve. He stated that although it needs to be funded, they have no intention of using it unless something catastrophic happens.
Sel. Renzoni asked if the $20,000 increase was for health insurance.
Mr. Woodsmall confirmed it was.
Sel. Renzoni asked if the other increase was due to the rate of water that we buy.
Mr. Woodsmall replied the increase was mainly health insurance, retirement, and the cost of city sewer rates that increased 5% from Upper Blackstone. He stated in FY 18 it was a little over $1.5 million budgeted for debt services. He stated that in FY 19 there was $1.72million for debt services.
Sel. Renzoni stated that it also looked like labor costs had increased. He stated that we had not increases staff.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that we had no increases staff from the allotted number but there was turnover so if you look at actual number for labor line it is getting positions filled with no increase to staff.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that the budget had been reviewed by Fin Com as well.
Chairman Lavigne stated that there was no huge one time thing that was driving the increase in the budget. He stated that the bottom line increase was only for $54,000, and asked what the driving need for $220,000 was.
Mr. Lukes stated that it was projected. He stated that they were looking at next fiscal year and looking at greater costs.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that part of it goes back to revenue. He stated that what you see for revenue is different than what is budgeted. He stated that they needed to conservatively estimate it and they look at years past and take into account weather and growth and total expected rate and then use that as a baseline to work the rest of the numbers out.
Chairman Lavigne stated that this appeared to be a function of revenue going down not expenses going up.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that it was a combination; retained earnings played into it as well.
Sel. Herlihy asked if they split debt out.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that for each project they have a debt schedule for and it all goes into a fixed cost calculator.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was looking at the budget book and the total revenue for 2018 was $6.5 million and requested this year was $8.1 million. He asked what he was missing.
Mr. Woodsmall replied retained earnings and it included deductions for FY 19. He stated that in 2018 they see the $1.4 million and when they did the budget last year it was zero because they did not know what they were going to use this year.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was looking at the numbers on the fixed and adjustable side. He stated that he would hate to put this off but he thinks that they should put some of these increases on the variable side and continue to subsidize the fixed fee. He stated that he did not think it was fair to the rate payer for it all to be on the fixed side. He said that other Board members may see it differently but that he would like to see some of the increase on the variable side.
Sel. Renzoni stated that this year was going to be the largest projected increase in taxes. He stated that the Town Manager did a solid budget but that it was still a larger increase for tax payers. He stated that this was too much too fast and that he felt that it could be stretched out. He said that they should put a rate increase on the commodity; put it for those who use it and it will offset the lowest end users.
Chairman Lavigne stated that this was an interesting point because operating expenses were not dramatically increased. He stated that if fixed expenses were not dramatically increasing then they could charge for the water.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that the variable is already subsidizing the fixed and to increase that would only increase the uncertainty because it was water dependent.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he agreed they could assume some risk. He stated that he knew that the analysis stated that they were subsidizing but the risk was not outweighing the benefit. He stated that they have a healthy Water/ Sewer fund and as a Water/Sewer Commissioner he would be in favor of assuming more risk.
Chairman Lavigne asked what the revenue was from the fixed fees.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that the value of water fixed was $1.7 million and the value of water uses is $1.1 million.
Chairman Lavigne interrupted Mr. Woodsmall for a scheduled Public Hearing.
- Public Hearing- Street Layout// Shady Lane//Snowberry Lane
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR STREET ACCEPTANCE FOR WACHUSETT WOODS.
Sel. Renzoni read the Notice of layout of Streets, Wachusett Woods into record.
Chairman Lavigne asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. No members of the public stepped forward.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE STREET LAYOUT FOR WACHUSETT WOODS.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF HOLDEN LAYOUT THE FOLLOWING:
SHADY LANE from Station 0+25.00 to Station 10+52.50 for a distance of approximately 1,027 feet along the centerline;
As shown on a plan of land entitled, “Taking and Layout Plan Shady Lane and Snowberry Lane, Holden Massachusetts” prepared by Finlay Engineering Service, dated November 2017, Sheet 1 of 1; and as shown on a plan of land entitled “Definitive Subdivision Plan, Owned by Holden Heights, LLC, Daisan Realty Trust, Wachusett & Highland Street, Holden, Massachusetts”, prepared by Jarvis Land Survey, Inc. dated April 26, 2006 and record with the Worcester County South Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 844 Plan 107.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF HOLDEN LAYOUT THE FOLLOWING:
SNOWBERRY LANE from Station 0+00 to Station 8+78.74 for a distance of approximately 878.74 feet along the centerline;
As shown on a plan of land entitled, “Taking and Layout Plan Shady Lane and Snowberry Lane, Holden, Massachusetts”, prepared by Finlay Engineering Services, dated November 2017, Sheet 1 of 1; and as shown on a plan of land entitled “Definitive Subdivision Plan, Owned by Holden Heights, LLC, Daisan Realty Trust, Wachusett & Highland Street, Holden, Massachusetts,” prepared by Jarvis Land Survey Inc, dated April 26, 2006 and recorded with the Worcester County South Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 844 Plan 107.
Water/ Sewer Rate Presentation Cont.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that in addition to what he already indicated, they are collecting about $1.7 million in revenue for the Water Fixed Side. He stated there was 65% difference from what there is to spend and what was being subsidized by the water users. He stated on the sewer side it was 35%.
Sel. Renzoni stated that the fixed costs were subjective though.
Mr. Woodsmall agreed but stated that they had been using the same classification all along. He stated that water user charges go to electrical costs, chemical costs and the cost of water that is purchased from the City of Worcester. He stated that the sewer side user fee goes to the cost of sewer transport, and the electricity of pump stations. He stated that there were a lot more fixed costs but that the variable costs were a large portion
Sel. Renzoni stated that using the 2011 rate schedule they assumed some risk but they took a lot of the risk out of the equation. He stated that they put the fixed portion in place so a big potion would be paid for yearly. He stated that he thinks that there was a lot of ways to look at the fixed versus the variable.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that it was more of an art than a science.
Sel. Renzoni replied that he would say that while there is some risk that he believes that it has paid off and they continue to see surplus in that accounts that roll over.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that there was a surplus but it was allocated in many different ways. He stated that ultimately, looking at the fund, in the short term, they need $220,000. He stated how that gets split up is a question that he does not have the specific answer to yet.
Sel. Renzoni asked if there was a Water/Sewer Advisory Board.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that there was no longer enough members for a quorum.
Sel. Renzoni stated that they should plan to reestablish that. He suggested that they revisit the rates and that he is dedicated to putting the money in place as the budget went through Fin Com and has been justified. He stated it was his suggestions that 25% of the increase, so about $10 goes to the variable side to shorten the blow to the rate payer.
Mr. Woodsmall replied he was still looking at the distribution but that the money was still the same.
Sel. Renzoni replied that it was not because the larger value user would go to the person who uses the most. He stated that he thinks they should take $10 and put it on the variable side to help the lower end users.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that it was also hard to quantify but as you increase rates, people also become more conservative minded.
Sel. Renzoni stated that calculation would need to be figured out. He stated that there was a contradiction of selling water and then saying don’t use it for the summer months.
Chairman Lavigne asked if there was an analysis done that if it was not put on the fixed side what the cost would be / gallon. He asked what the price increase would be for 100 cubic feet.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that they did not run any other scenarios besides the one he presented.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he looks at it similar to last years Recycling and Rates. He stated that the five year plan had the Town at $8.7 million. If some of the Rate Stabilization was used and they increase 2% over five years that would put us at $8.8 Million. He stated that his concern was that in 2020 they see a drop. He stated they were not going to reduce rates so how do they make this something people can plan on. He stated he was looking at a five year plan to soften the blow and he would like them to look at it in that way as well.
Sel. Renzoni left the meeting at 7:44PM.
Chairman Lavigne asked if they could use the Stabilization to lesson the increase.
Sel. Renzoni returned to the meeting at 7:45PM.
Sel. Kurtz stated that doing that would offset going into 2021/ 2022.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that the Board should not take these numbers verbatim. He stated that when looking back, when you get five years out there is not a high level of accuracy.
Sel. Kurtz replied that he understood that but he wanted to understand how they could help stabilize the expenditures and revenue in a five year plan. He stated that he felt that small steady increases would allow the Board to measure and revalue. He stated these small increases were more palpable and stable.
Mr. Woodsmall replied that increase of 3%-5% were standard.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he would like to shave off some of the cost to the lowest end user who is the person that is going to feel this the hardest. He asked if asking the Director to revisit this in the next few week and come up with an alternative plan was something the Board was interested in exploring.
Sel. Herlihy replied that she was interested in looking at the fixed versus variable. She asked when the last time the variable was changed.
Mr. Woodsmall replied it had been a number of years.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he felt that they could justify taking some risk with these rates. He suggested the 25% because that seemed like it would be acceptable risk.
Mr. Lukes stated that Fin com had voted the budget and the Town would be posting the warrant so although they may move the numbers around, the bottom line was going to stay the same.
Chairman Lavigne stated that they were not arguing the bottom line.
Sel. Renzoni stated that the Warrant was safe to post and they support the raise to rates. He stated that it seemed as the Board understood the rate increase he just wanted to approach it in a slightly different manner.
Sel. Herlihy asked if they changed the variable rates does it make it too variable for DPW Planning purposes.
Mr. Woodsmall replied he did not know and did not know what the risk was. He stated that for a municipality, the lower the risk the better.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he supported tabling this until next meeting. He stated that if the Board had any questions they could forward them through the Town Managers Office or to the Director as it related to this matter.
Chairman Lavigne stated he was in favor of this.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was UNANIMSOULY VOTED TO TABLE THE WATER RATE PRESENTATION UNTIL THE NEXT BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING.
- Finance Committee Update
Dave White was present at the meeting.
Fin com
Dave White was present at the meeting. He stated that before he got started he wanted to thank Steve Gross for getting Fin Com up to date technology wise. He stated that Fin Com received tablets and it had made the process easier so he wanted to thank Steve Gross and the Town Manager for taking them in a better direction technology wise.
Mr. White also thanked all the Department Heads in Holden. He stated that they did an unbelievable job presenting a budget that was incredibly responsible and very affordable. He stated that there are a lot of needs and wants and with the growing school population it was a challenge and the Department Heads stepped up and developed a budget that maintained and increased services and did it all affordably.
Mr. White stated that each Department Head created budgets that were professional and were presented in the right way. He stated the Town was fortunate to have each of the Department Heads working in Town.
Mr. White thanked the Town Manager and his staff and all the members of Fin Com for their hard work as well as the Board of Selectmen. He stated that he could not remember a time where the relationship between Town Administration, the School System, and Fin Com was better. He stated that they may not always agree but the relationship was exception and they all do a good job.
Mr. White stated that they did vote and they were going to recommend fully funding the school budget as presented.
Paul Challenger was present at the meeting. He stated that Fin Com had approved the Education Budget given to them by Monty Tech and Wachusett Regional School District. He stated that Monty Tech gave a significant increase of $74,000 but that Holden was sending more kids to them so more money was required.
Mr. Challenger stated that on the Municipal side the budget was up about 1% and on the school side it was up about 3% and the assessment made it closer to 6 or 7%. He stated that was a tremendous amount to swallow at a $1.7million increase. He stated that since they have been under 2.5% limits for 5 years there was enough of a cushion that they could absorb this for this year without going fully on the tax payer. He stated that this probably could not be done next year. He stated that this year the superintendent came forward and made a good argument. He stated that after some initial debate, Fin Com decided that they could afford to recommend the entire budget and decided to do so.
Mr. Challenger stated that the educational increase would be $266/ household and the municipal increase would be $127/ household. He stated that they can do it this year but he does not believe that they can do it in the future.
Mr. White stated that Fin Com also considered three capital projects. He stated the first was a Resource Drain at the ECC. He stated that it was about $27,000 and it needed to be done so they were recommending to pass that. He stated another article was to redo the athletic fields at the High School. He stated that Fin Com voted to recommend improving the field. Mr. White stated that the third project was $35,000 to do an energy management system at Mayo. He stated that Fin Com voted against this. Mr. White stated that the Town Manager budgeted $150,000 for capital assessment to develop a capital plan for 10-15 years. He stated once this is completed they will have a plan in front of them to see what is needed. He stated that additionally the limit on the lease agreement indicates under $35,000. He stated that this project did not make sense to him because the only way it works is if comes in exactly at $35,000 to trigger the lease agreement. He stated that he thinks this needs to be looked at more clearly and feels that they need more facts before this is approved.
Al Berg, Fin Com was present at the meeting. He stated that Fin Com did vote to approve the Wachusett School Budget. He stated with the budget in mind the increase to tax rate will be 94 cent/ thousand. He stated the average house which this year is valued at $314,000 will see an increase in property tax of $404. He stated about 70% of this is due to education and 30% to municipal services.
Mr. Berg stated that the school budget was up over 7%. He stated that they were taking a large amount of money from Free Cash. He stated that people need to think about their own budgets and expenses and then take half of your savings to pay it. He stated it could be one maybe two years but not over the long term. He stated that while Fin Com was recommending this budget, they were doing so with an implicit warning behind it; this cannot continue. He stated that they have to expect that the School Committee hears them and that they know it is difficult but it is mathematically impossibly to sustain this. He stated this year they can go into Town Meeting on the same page.
Mr. White stated that he also wanted to add that a few weeks ago he saw a Board of Selectmen meeting and a Board members made a proclamation that the Board of Selectmen and Fin Com tried to highjack the school budget. He stated that this person said that this was the only time that the School Board did not present the budget. Mr. White stated that he wanted to clear the record and state that this was not a fact. He stated that he went back and looked at the website and the motion maker for the School Budget had always been Fin Com. He stated he was unsure where this person was getting his information from but he did want to set the record straight.
Chairman Lavigne stated that Mr. White did not have to set the record straight as this was the opinion of one person and not the Board.
Mr. White stated that during budget season there is a lot of angst and a lot of fingers get pointed at Fin Com. He stated that all Fin Com does is reviews the information and sanitize it and then make recommendations. He stated Town Meeting is who decides all these matters. He stated that they do the research but it is up to Town Meeting to decide and they decide to do it non politically. He asked if there were any questions that they could answer.
Chairman Lavigne thanked Mr. White and Fin Com. He stated that having a strong Fin Com was incredibly beneficial and they all understand the endless hours that go into it.
Sel. Kurtz thanked Fin Com and asked what the percentage increase they were looking at.
Mr. White replied it was 94 cents/ thousand.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he wanted to echo Mr. White’s comments about working together. He stated that he appreciated Fin Com entertaining him as the liaison and that he felt that this set up served everyone well. He stated that he thought this was a great budget and that going forward the school budget was not sustainable. He stated that we were at the point of no return and this was the conversation that they had yearly. He stated that this needs to be a conversation after budget.
Mr. White stated that the School Budget was 4%. He stated that the state formula was not in favor of us this year.
Sel. Renzoni agreed but said that this increase was not sustainable. He stated that as a community we were going to have to look at this as there was not much more to give from the municipal side.
Sel. Herlihy thanked Fin Com for all their work and said she appreciated that they go through the budget line by line.
Chairman Lavigne thanked Mr. White and Fin Com for all the hours they put in.
Mr. White stated that additionally Fin Com voted to not support the Citizen Petition for the Educational Enrichment Fund. He stated to report on that he understood that the Town Manager was given goals to work on but this fund seemed counter productive. He stated that he thinks the grant portion of the Education Options recommendation may be a good option. He stated the Citizen Petition would be for non school people to spend tax dollars so Fin Com could not support that and would speak against it at Town Meeting.
Sel. Renzoni stated that they credit the Education Options Committee with the capital inventory goal that was set along with the grant programs. He stated that the big failure of the Citizen Petition Fund was that you were then hoping for the budget to fail. He stated that the majority of the Board supported the assessment so this fund then became counterintuitive. He stated that this fund was similar to the IIF which was just drained to dissolve.
The Board again thanked everyone for their hard work.
- Town Manager Update
MMWEC Francis King Leadership Award: The Holden Municipal Light Department will receive the prestigious Francis King Leadership Award from MMWEC at their annual conference in May. The King Award recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication to public power joint action, demonstrated by a long-term commitment to the ideals of public power and the philosophy of MMWEC. Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations (SELCO) won the award two years ago and we are very proud of out department; all of the employees and our outgoing General Manager Jim Robinson for their work in making HMLD an outstanding municipal electric power utility.
3rd Annual Holden DPW Open House: The Holden Department of Public Works will be holding their third annual open house event at the Adams Road Facility on April 28 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. In conjunction with the Open House and with National Public Works a Public Works Truck” donation campaign. The DPW will be parking a truck in a visible public area during the open house and asking residents to donate canned goods or other food for delivery to a local food pantry.
Year to Date Expense/ Revenue Reports: Attached are the year-to-date revenue and expense reports for the month of March, 2018 prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
FY 19 Finance Committee Budget Review: I am happy to announce that the Finance Committee has concluded their review of the FY 19 Municipal budget. The hearing went well and I would like to thank the committee members for their hard work and collaborative spirit. The Fin Com meets at least once per week starting in January and goes through most of April, holding hearings at which they ask questions and receive presentation from myself and our Department Heads. Chairman Dave White, along with other members of Fin Com will be at the Board of Selectmen meeting to present the Finance Committee’s report later in the agenda.
Registered Voters: New residents or those who have not registered to vote are asked to do so by tomorrow, April 24 in order to be eligible to vote in the May 14 town elections and the May 21 Town Meeting. They can register online through the Secretary of State’s website or at the Towns Clerks office in Town Hall. The Clerk’s office will be open until 8:00 pm tomorrow, April 24.
Composting Schedule: The Department of Public Works has set the following schedule for spring composting which takes place at the Composting Facility located at the former landfill, 560 River Street. These dates will be Saturdays; April 28, May 5, 12, and 19.
- DPW Facility Committee Update
Mr. Lukes stated that the DPW Facility Committee moved their meeting and would be meeting tonight (April 23, 2018). He stated that he would be working on a subcommittee for public outreach and they were currently asking for volunteers now. He stated this would be a very active committee for a few months.
Chairman Lavigne asked if the Committee could updated the Board via email. Mr. Lukes replied they could.
- Open, Set, Close Town Warrants
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE 2018 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED.
Chairman Lavigne stated that he had been working with the Chair of Fin Com and that there was money set aside to support Eagle Lake. He said with that being said he wished to remove this article.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET THE 2018 WARRANT ARTICLES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ARTICLE 39.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOSULY VOTED TO CLOSE THE 2018 WARRANT ARTICLES.
- Selectmen Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 5, 2018 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 19, 2018 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUES BY A VOTE OF 2-2.
- Selectmen Misc.
Sel. Kurtz stated that Town Counsel should have a letter drafted to vote on as a Board for state delegation and congress.
Sel. Renzoni stated that the VA Advisory was moving along with their plans for the Memorial Day Parade. He stated there would be a trolley again as this helped move people across town. He stated after the parade there will be a short patriotic concert and wind instruments to disperse from the fields. He stated that there will be a key note speaker and they were doing a dedication at the Senior Center. He stated that next meeting he will have a final timeline and anyone interested in helping can reach out via the Town Website. He stated all were welcome to help.
Sel. Herlihy stated that she had heard from a number of people regarding their curbs; she urged them to call DPW to alert them to the correct locations.
Chairman Lavigne stated that everyone should get out and vote.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 23, 2018 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 8:52PM.
APPROVED: __June 18, 2018____________