Present: Jack Sapia, Chair, Paul Sullivan, Fred Childs (Selectmen) and Russell McAllister (Town Administrator).

The Board observed a moment of silence.

Don Murphy addressed the Board with a concern the Cemetery Trustees had with a tree that had been split because of a recent lightening strike. The Trustees had a quote from Tamarac Tree Service for $2,000. A crane would be used to remove the tree because of its proximity to the Highway Building and gravestones. Mr. Murphy noted that their budget had only $1,000 and he requested permission to over expend in the amount of $1,000. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to authorize the over expenditure of $1,000 for the tree removal. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Chief Consentino announced that Halloween would be Wednesday from 700pm through 8:00pm. The homeowner’s gun course would be held on November 2^nd from 7:00pm through 10:00pm at the Community Center. The Senior Christmas Party was scheduled for the second week in December. Chief Consentino reported that the senior flu clinic was again very successful with a turn out of over 345 people.

Chief Michael Murphy addressed the Board and provided handouts concerning the department budget. The Board reviewed staffing increases. Chief Murphy explained that staffing was driven by call volume, which has been increasing. It was explained that the department maintains an EMT Intermediate level of expertise. The Board also reviewed and discussed the homeland security budget of $150 and the dispatch contract for $31,500. The Board next discussed the acquisition of a new ambulance. The amount was expected to be approximately $170,000 and the equipment is slated to have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Chief Murphy explained that every time a call was received the ambulance rolled out to the call. More discussion ensued with Mr. Sullivan making the motion to preliminarily approve the Fire Department budget in the amount of $338,262, the homeland security budget for $150, and the Dispatch budget for $31,500. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Noriko Travers presented the above captioned budgets to the Board noting that there was little change in the budgeted numbers from last year. The staffing costs for camp counselors employed during the summer increased because of the increase in the federal minimum wage. Mr. Travers also noted that she was requesting additional funding for the senior luncheons. She noted that the averaged participation in the program has swelled from 60 to almost 100. The additional $600 will be enough to fund the additional participation in the program. The Board reviewed and discussed the budgets. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to preliminarily approve the Community Center budget in the amount of $45,346, the Recreation budget in the amount of $81,669, Memorial Day budget in the amount of $2,100 and the Flags budget in the amount of $1,000. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Ms. Travers noted that the ‘Make a Difference Day’ had been very successful along with the recent recreation trip. She announced that the annual Veterans breakfast was scheduled for November 12^th at the Community Center from 9:00am through 10:30am with a brief ceremony to follow.

The TA provided the Board the SB-2 meeting timetable with respect to meeting dates and submission deadlines.

The TA reported that there was a utility agreement with Unitil that needed to be signed in order for the current pole and power line to be moved to the new location. The Board signed the agreement to expedite the process.

The Board reviewed the new health insurance rates noting that they had increased by 10%. The Board directed the TA to research alternatives. The TA agreed to do so.

The TA read a synopsis of the opinion from the Associate Attorney General relative to the above captioned. "A legal determination of the constitutionality and legality of the ordinance is best resolved in private litigation between a party directly affected and the Town."

The TA explained that Department of Safety was looking to have an appointed liaison to help correct name and address conflicts in the database. He noted that the assessor’s database contained the location and owner information, but apartment information contained only its location. The TA suggested either Barbara Snicer of Shirley Galvin. The Board agreed to review the appointment.

The Board reviewed a request to erect a tent for the panel dedication ceremony in case of inclement weather as well as use of the bathrooms for the public during the ceremony. The Board agreed to allow both.

The Board discussed COLA increases and using CPI as a measure to peg the COLA amount to. The TA was directed to research the issue for the following week.

The Board expressed concern over the lateness of the tax setting date and directed the TA to contact the DRA regarding possible dates. The TA agreed to do so.

The Board re-entered the public session of the meeting at approximately 10:05pm. There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Childs made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The meeting concluded at approximately 10:05pm.

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs