2 – 18 – 09
At the meeting of the Randolph Board of Selectmen held Wednesday, February 18, 2009, the following were present: Chairman Paul Connors, Vice Chairman James Burgess, Maureen Kenney, Paul Fernandes, Executive Secretary David Murphy and Recording Secretary Cheryl Sass. Meeting opened by Mr. Connors at 6:40 pm.
Mr. Murphy made the following recommendations for the FY 2009 Budget and noted that each department head and affected employee has been notified of the recommendation and thanked them for their cooperation.
A budgetary freeze in the Assessor’s Salary Line Item in the amount of $15,000. The Board of Assessors has agreed with the recommendation.
The Department of Public works has two open positions due to worker’s compensation, leaving a surplus of approximately $20,000. David Zecchini has agreed to freeze expenditures and will bring to Public Works Board next week.
Health Department: Refuse/Trash collection. There is a surplus $60,000. Board of Health’s approval pending.
Library salary: Mr. Michaud has agreed to freeze salary line item for $10,000.
Schools have agreed to freeze spending in the amount of $200,000.
Building Department has a salary surplus of $5,000. Mr. Burgess made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Ms. Kenney. Voted 4-0.
Property/Casualty Insurance. Mr. Murphy is expecting more than $50,000 savings. Does not intend to deplete that line for coverage for the rest of the year. Mr. Burgess made a Motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Mr. Fernandes. Voted 4-0.
Medical Insurance $75,000 savings, due to the fact that fewer new employees are signing up for health insurance. Mr. Burgess made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Ms. Kenney. Voted 4-0.
Finance Committee: Chairman Mr. Azer agreed to freeze $40,000. Vote of the Finance Committee is necessary.
Mr. Burgess made a motion to request the Department of Public Works, the Board of Health, the Library and the Finance Committee to take votes supporting the recommendations and requesting a letter from the Board of Assessors. Seconded by Ms. Kenney. Voted 4-0.
Mr. Murphy recommended combining custodial services between the Library, Town Hall and Police Station. Currently, there is a separate, vacant position for a library custodian. Mr. Murphy is working with Union to add efficiencies. The current full time custodian serves the library Monday through Friday at a salary of $45,000.00. Mr. Murphy believes it will be more efficient for the Custodian to start day at the day at Town Hall/Police Department, then move over to the Library in a Building Maintenance role, and if a clean up at the Town Hall/Police Department if clean up was necessary, he would be on call. The present contract expired at end of calendar year 2008. A regular schedule for the custodian would be established. Mr. Connors asked for more information before allowing Mr. Murphy
to create the position. It was determined that Mr. Murphy would report back to the board on Monday. .
Telephone services – phone audit resulted in a $7,500 savings. Cell phone usage is also being audited. While there is a cost in auditing the phone services, the savings far outweigh the cost. Ms. Kenney made a motion to accept the recommendation of $7,500, seconded by Mr. Fernandes. Voted 4-0.
Unused Encumbrances $50,000. Departments involved are aware. Mr. Fernandes made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Ms. Kenney. Voted 4-0.
Mr. Murphy recommended terminating the Assistant Town Accountant’s position. It will save approximately $15,000 for the remainder of FY 2009 and will cause a reduction in FY 2010 budget. Mr. Murphy stated that it was a difficult decision, and he has worked it out that lay offs or terminations would be effective March 1, so that affected employees can keep town benefits. He is working with the unemployment office with regard to health insurance and providing employees with COBRA coverage. Mr. Burgess made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Ms. Kenney. Voted 4-0.
Mr. Murphy recommended a reduction in the Wiring Inspector’s hours to no lower than 20 hours so that he will still be eligible for benefits. His rationale is that there are fewer permits being issued since there is no construction going on. The plumbing inspector is a part time position and he believes that based on the work load and the economy, a reduction of hours makes sense for FY 09 and FY10. Mr. Murphy stated that the only major project going on in the town is Avalon. Mr. Connors disagreed with reducing the hours of the wiring inspector and believes it has to be a full time position based on the size of the town. Mr. Murphy stated that this recommendation has a larger impact on the 2010 budget, and that revisiting it in the context of the FY2010 budget discussions is another
option. Mr. Connors made a motion to take no action on the Wiring Inspector’s Hours. Motion failed due to no second.
Mr. Burgess made a motion to instruct Mr. Murphy to come up w/other options for the $9,000 savings, which may include wiring inspector, to be dealt with at next Selectmen’s Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Fernandes. Voted 4-0.
Receation Salary Line Item Reduction of $27,319. The Board of Recreation has asked the Selectmen not to renew the Assistant Rick Manager after his 6 month probationary period. He will be the only employee not affected by the March 1 date. The employee would be not renewed as opposed to terminated or laid off. The Board of Recreation voted unanimously not to renew, and he will be before the Board of Recreation on Monday. The recommendation also includes cutting the position of the program Coordinator, Liz Allard. Mr. Burgess made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Ms Kenney. Voted 4-0.
Mr. Fernandes asked about the possibility of making adjustments to the following FY 2009 Items:
Animal Control – Kennel Expenses $2,300. Mr. Murphy stated that it is a contractual obligation and will require expenditure by the end of the year. Expenses: $2,200. Mr. Murphy can’t say with certainty that there will be surplus at the end of the year, but it might be a place to consider in making up some of the $9,000.
Health Department – South Shore VNA - $5,600. Mr. Murphy stated that this is a contractual amount that will be expended by the end of the year.
Town Office Utilities – surplus of $12,000. Mr. Murphy stated that the electrical supply contract is going to o up significantly, and he is reluctant to touch utilities and street lights due to unpredictability and change in rate.
Other Business:
Floyd Francis has requested a hearing with regard to his suspension. The Board will need to schedule a hearing within 5 days of notice. Chief Porter will be on vacation and asked that the hearing be scheduled for after March 9th. The Board agreed to schedule the hearing in accordance with Chief Porter’s schedule.
Darren Wolfe has appealed his bypass. He has been scheduled for a pre-hearing on March 5th.
At 7:15 p.m., Mr. Burgess made a motion to adjourn seconded by Mr. Connors. Voted 5-0.
Clerk of the Board
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