1985-12-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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' Board of Selectmen Meeting December 30, 1985 Present were Chairman Paul Dustin, Mary Ziegler, John Russell, Euguene Nigro, Paul Landers, John Agnew, Executive Secretary, Don Farnham, Bill Locke. Discussion/Action Items Cable TV Contract — Don Farnham of the Cable TV Committee asked the Board of Selectmen to approve the changes in the contract with Continental Cablevision that have been approved by the School Committee. The major changes include an increase in staff hours to full time, refurbishment of the I-loop and payment of$500 per month rent for the space at the High School. They will continue paying utilities. Bill Locke from the Board of Assessors asked the Selectmen to defer action until after a January performance hearing with Cable TV is held, and citizens have an opportunity to voice their concerns with the service. He felt that contract conditions had changed as a result of the court case, and the Town should be entitled to change conditions as well. After discussion, John Russell moved and Mary Ziegler seconded a motion to approve the contract between Continental Cablevision and the School Committee for a period of ' five years. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote. The Cable TV Committee was asked to address the concerns of the Assessors. Appointment of Police Officers—The four candidates that the Board interviewed have all taken physical and psychological exams. Chief Marchand requested that all of them be appointed in order to bring his staff up to 43. There are sufficient funds to pay all four Officers until the end of the fiscal year. Two Officers may need to be laid off on July 1". Another Officer is submitting a disability retirement. Schooling will take three months. Assuming a level funded budget for Fiscal '87, the Chief felt he could afford three positions but he has asked for an increase of$80,000. Paul Dustin asked whether any of the money he is earmarking for these positions should be reserved for the back wages labor settlement. The Chief felt there were sufficient funds. The list does not expire until June. There will be a new exam in the Spring with results in the Fall. There are only reservations for two Officers for training but there are several programs starting in January. The Chief recommended David Richards, James Collins, Anthony Caturello and John Kyle based on the recommendations of brass and psychological screening. Eugene Nigro stated he was abstaining because he was not present during the interviews but thought that the Board should appoint four Officers based on their interviews and not on the order recommended by the Chief. This action would follow the process followed with the Fire Department.