HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes Meeting Notes
10/17/83
Members Present: J. Russell, M. O'Brien, P. Dustin and M. Rosenthal.
The Board met with the Board of Health and the Treasurer to discuss problems
relating to the Hirtle property. Mr. Russell opened the meeting by asking
members of both Boards their feelings on holding the meeting in Executive
Session. After a discussion in which some members felt the Hirtles should have
the opportunity of being present Mr. Rosenthal moved that the matter be tabled
until the following week and that the Hirtles be notified and given the
opportunity of appearing. It was so approved by both Boards. The Board then
asked the Treasurer if her Court action against the Hirtles would or could
effect the current status of the situation. She replied the Court could take
whatever action it- wanted to whereupon the Selectmen asked if she could
postpone the Court action. She stated she could not and to do so would be
costly. She also stated she had postponed action several times in the past and
she wanted to proceed. A brief discussion followed in which the Selectmen
restated that they would like more time and that the Hirtles should be given a
chance to respond. Finally Mrs. O'Brien moved that the Selectmen appear in
Court and request a continuance of the case for one month. The Treasurer
vigorously objected to this action. After more discussion the Treasurer
finally agreed to swap cases which would have the effect of delaying Court
action for a week. Both Boards then agreed to adjourn until the next Selectmen's
meeting at which time the Board of Health would provide more backup information.
The Board then voted to go into Executive Session to hear a labor grievance
brought by Charles W. Johnson and the D.P.W. Union. People present were the
Selectmen (Mr. Landers was absent) , Charles Johnson, Michael Debrigard, Ted
McIntire, John AgnewandMike McCarron of the Finance Committee. The Board voted
also to come out of Executive Session into regular session.
The Board met briefly with a few members of the Cable T.V. Committee. Other
members and the representative from Continental Television had left as the
Selectmen's meeting was an hour behind schedule due to unexpected delays of
their previous appointments. The brief discussion involved possible extensions
of Continental's contracts with the School Department and the Bear Hill contract
to possibly have them end at the same time. Mr. Agnew suggested that by having
the contracts end at different times the Board had more opportunity to negotiate
problems that might arise. Consideration was given to extending the two contracts
to 71-2 and 121-2 years.
The Board then met with two of the four fire dispatchers; Dick Monroe and John
Rockcliff as well as Chief Redfern to discuss the concerns of the dispatchers.
The dispatchers stated their concerns were 1. extension of their "cramped"
quarters, 2. elimination of diesel fumes from their work area, 3. obtaining a
personal day, 4. increase in wages to 1300 per week. During the discussion the
fact was brought out that the dispatchers had never been graded or made part of
the personnel schedule by the Personnel Board. The Selectmen asked Mr. Agnew to
take action to rectify this. The current dispatches were hired at $2-30 per week
and now receive $256 or an 11% increase. The dispatchers cited Acton ($277.20) ,
Arlington ($283.04) , Belmont ($366.98) , Saugus ($155) and Tewksbury ($304.85) .
The Board stated that action was being considered on the elimination of the diesel
fumes, the personal day and the quarters. Any wage action would be dependent on
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action by the Personnel Board and Finance Committee at the Annual Town Meeting.
The Board read a letter from Carl Amon requesting certain labor information in
the future. Mrs. O'Brien stated she would answer the letter.
The Board read a letter from Chief Marchand commending actions of Sgt. Richard
Parry and three other officers regarding a break-in at Cumberland Farms Stores
on October 7, 1983. The Board voted to commend all officers and a letter stating
so be sent to each to be made. part of their record and that in addition Sgt.
Parry be given a day off with pay.
10/21/83