Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01-19 Board of Public Works Minutes January 19 , 1981 Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Muni- cipal Building at 7:30 P . M. Present were Chairman Cowell , Secretary Wood, Board Members DeHart , Fallon, Barker, Superintendent Louanis, Assistant Super- intendent Bergeron , Assistant Superintendent McIntire and Finance Committee Member Cloonan . Minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of January 12, 1981 were accepted as corrected . Mr. Barker requested , and the Board agreed that the 10: 15 A.M. meeting to have been held on Saturday, January 17th and postponed due to the weather take place on Saturday, January 24th at the same time . The Board met at 7:45 P .M. with Tax Collector C. Dewey Smith and members of his staff to review the proposed water and sewer billing procedure. Chairman Cowell stated that with the computer it is now possible to issue the water and sewer bills for the entire town on a quarterly basis thereby stimulating the cash flow and questioned what impact this would have on the work load in the Collector ' s Office . Mr. Cowell also stated that the proposed time frame for the discount period is thirty rather than forty-five days and it is hoped that since the bills will be of lesser amounts the towns- people may find them easier to pay. Mr . Smith stated that the re- sulting traffic flow could create a problem and as the work load would be doubled it would be necessary to add a part time clerk which along with the cost of aterminal would add to the cost of running his De- partment . Chairman Cowell indicated that it would be necessary to determine whether the more rapid cash flow would be sufficient to justify the expense of the terminal . Assistant Superintendent Ber- geron pointed out the variety of tasks such as the lien list that could be accomplished with the computer and indicated how the cash flow would be increased. Following a lengthy discussion Finance Committee Member Cloonan suggested that since so many variables were involved the Board request the Town Treasurer, Elizabeth Kelpeis check into the idea of the investment in the terminal to determine whether the result would warrant the expenditure. Mr. Barker requested the Superintendent consult with Mrs. Klepeis and Mr. Smith and allow sufficient time for an investigation before asking Mrs. Klepeis to appear before the Board. In response to Mr . Fallon ' s question , Chairman Cowell stated he would prefer to discuss the I matter at a later date rather than reconsidering the previous action of the Board . Following a short recess the meeting reconvened at 9 :00 P.M. Chairman Cowell requested that the Board resume the discussion of the Budget starting with Item I on the agenda: Sanitary landfill use charge. Mrs. Wood moved that for FY-82, sheet 28 be deleted. Chairman Cowell ruled this out of order. Mr . Fallon moved that in- asmuch as we will hear next week on the rubbish collection to table discussion on Items I and J, Sanitary Landfill use charge and Rubbish Collection Fees. Mr. Barker seconded for purpose of dis- cussion stating he could understand the reason for tabling discussion on rubbish collection but failed to see the wisdom of tabling land- fill since the contract does not involve that . Mr. Fallon continued the discussion stating there is a possibility of closing the dump and what the fees will be and what we shall charge others could be dis- cussed later. Mr. Cowell added that the Board has requested a two phase bid : one very much as is and the second for unlimited collec- tion . Mr. Cowell called for a vote on the motion to table Items I and J - 5:0:0. The Board then discussed Item K - Fee for snow plowing on private ways. Mrs. Wood moved that the private ways be plowed and the rate for doing so be determined at a later date. It was seconded and voted 0: 5:0 - the motion lost. Item L - Park charges for the use of fields was the next item on the agenda and Mrs. Wood stated that she felt the concept might not be too far out but that the fee schedule was. A lengthy dis- cussion concerning the amount of fees, who would handle the funds, maintain records for fees vs. expense and the feasibility of one part time individual maintaining all fields for the various organ- izations ensued . Mrs. Wood moved that a users fee be established as follows: baseball teams - $15.00 per game, softball teems $10.00 ' per game and little league $7.50 per game . Mr. DeHart seconded and the vote was 1:4:0 - the motion lost. Minutes - continued January 19, 1981 1 Item M. Charge for tree replacement - Superintendent Louanis reported that the Tree Warden was opposed to this proposal as the trees are planted for the benefit of the Town . It was moved , seconded and voted 5:0 to table this item until a later time when Mr. Dickey is available. Chairman Cowell informed the Board that he would like the Board to look at our budget as it deals with projects, i .e, whether the project is needed . The Finance Committee wants the bottom line not to exceed last year ' s figure of 2.78 million. Mr. Cowell stated he had asked the Superintendent to take a hard line look at our budget and come up with a budget that would meet the Finance Committee request. The Chairman stated that as of December 31, 1980 the depart- ment was operating with a total of 67 employees and this has been re- duced in size resulting in a saving of about $48 ,000. The absolute minimum that will allow the department to function is approximately 65 people . The budget as prepared by the Superintendent calls for the employment of 67 people and the Chairman has requested the Super- intendent hire four part time people to help in the Park Department during the summer season in order to provide the service requested by the Recreation Committee and others using the parks and playgrounds. Chairman Cowell requested that the Board examine the budget as it has been prepared to meet the request of the Finance Committee keep- ing in mind that equipment replacement, programa and projects have been cut back to meet the requirement of level funding and be pre- pared to discuss the budget as modified on Thursday, January 22, 1981, The Board signed the Payroll and the Bill Roll for the period ending January 16, 1981. Meeting adjourned at 10: 30 P. M. Rully submitted, Secretary