Shutesbury Board of Selectmen January 6, 2009 Meeting Minutes Members present: Chairman Rebecca “Becky” Torres, Ralph Armstrong and Al Springer. Also Present: Town Administrator David C. Dann and Leslie Bracebridge, recording. Meeting opened at 7:05 P.M. Appointments Police Chief Harding: * Discussion of police procedures during arrest or other call events. * Cost of fuel with idling; no longer than 10 minutes; use the shed or patrol. * Quinn Bill: Chief Harding will work with Town Administrator and the Town Treasurer concerning the paper work for payment adjustments that need to start. * Schedule adjustments will be made for a management class and vacation scheduling. Justin Wall will be Officer in Charge. * Marijuana violations with new statute: Fine payments of $100, made through town clerks go to the towns. The police department must monitor violators following up on drug education classes and letters to parents of violators under 18 years old. Non-compliance with procedures carries a $1,000 fine which is split with the courts and the town. This is a new law and the process will have to be worked through. An issue is how to certify that the quantity is more or less than an ounce. Topics 1. In response to an October 28 email request from School Committee Chairman Michael DeChiara, Selectmen discussed when elected officials’ terms take effect: * By a 1974 Shutesbury town meeting vote, the effective date has been July 1. * The School Committee would have it sooner in keeping with other Amherst-Pelham Region and Union 28 member towns. * MGL 41§107 is specific about the Town Clerk, which states (in conflict with the 1974 vote) that town clerks take office “on the 7th day succeeding election,” and perhaps with the Moderator, who would assume office “on the day after his election, or as soon thereafter as he is qualified”. * Because a uniform July 1 date is preferred, Becky will talk with School Committee members about their specific needs as to how the 1974 vote affects the School Committee. * David and Leslie (in her capacity as Town Clerk) will discuss with Town Counsel how MGL 41§107 and the 1974 town meeting vote dovetail with each other legally. 2. Thank you letters for assistance with the ice storm will be sent to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the National Guard, Governor Deval Patrick and President Bush. Also, thank you letters will be sent to Governor Patrick and Springfield Governor’s Office Director Elizabeth Cardozza for assistance with funding for the dam. 3. The Wendell Road culvert qualifies as a “ready to go” project for a possible federal economic recovery bill that could be enacted as soon as President-Elect Barack Obama is inaugurated. The Fire Station soil contamination clean-up will also be submitted to the Massachusetts Municipal Facilities Task Force Chairman Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, who is collecting a list of potential projects for that funding. Select Board Action Items 1. Selectmen unanimously voted to accept the executive session minutes for November 25 and December 16, 2008 as written. Selectmen voted to accept the minutes of the December 6 with a change of wording on the final page to clarify that Chairman Torres was referring to school budgets, and December 23, 2008 as written, with Ralph abstaining due to not having been present at the meetings. Selectmen unanimously voted to accept Select Board meeting minutes for December 9 and 16, 2008 as written. 2. Selectmen unanimously voted to sign vendor warrants totaling $188,442.19 and payroll warrants totaling $82,411.65. 3. Selectmen unanimously voted to sign letters of requests for recommendations for election workers from the town Democratic and Republican Town Committees. 4. Selectmen unanimously voted to sign Personnel Action Forms (PAF) for terminations of employment for Christopher Phillips and Roland Dragon. Selectmen unanimously voted to sign a PAF hiring Ralph Hillock as a part time snow plow operator. New Topics * Selectmen will get as much storm clean-up work done as soon as possible so that the work could be reimbursed up to 70% by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. * Highway Superintendent Tim Hunting has reported that the Magic Salt being used on Leverett Road from the center of town to the Leverett Town Line is working well. * A volunteer activities release form will be sent to Town Counsel MacNicol to review so that people can offer assistance and the town can accept it without concern for liability. * Discussion of the Black Board Connect system for the trash day exchange: People really appreciated the message. The message should come from someone other than the Emergency Management Director as some people were alarmed to hear who it was from, only to find that it was an important information call rather than an emergency. * Ralph reported that he did not get any new information on new solar panel technology when he was in Germany. Other comments on energy savings included: o Becky would like a seminar to bring town departments to focus on alternate energy possibilities that will reduce future energy costs. o Fans will be installed at the Highway Garage to circulate heat collected below the roof of the garage. The Buildings Committee will discuss this on January 7. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:06 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Leslie Bracebridge Administrative Secretary 090106 Selectboard 1