Mr. Childs opened the public hearing regarding the police donation account. Chief Consentino requested of the Board to withdraw $1,217 from the police donation account, broken down as follows: $150 to help an elderly resident to pay utilities, $250 for prescriptions, $250 for baseball league sponsorship, $450 for cameras in the police cars, and $117 for postage. The Board approved the withdrawal of the monies. Mr. Childs closed the public hearing on the police donation withdrawal at 7:35 p.m.

Police Business: Chief Consentino presented to the Board following issues:

1. The appointment of John Murray to the position of school crossing guard. This position is a standard civilian appointment to be paid at $10/hour. The salary and the position are both within the Police budget.

2. The Timberlane pops concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 18, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets and information can be obtained through Victoria Bassi.

3. The wheelchair van drive received $1,000 in donations towards van. The wheelchair van is for a good cause and the seniors really appreciate it.

In getting ready for the election, Ted Stewart lined the Community Center and the trailers have been removed. It is suggested that the people who are working the polls should park out back or where the trucks go out towards the bridge. Chief Consentino suggested that the on-duty officer can block off the back of the Community Center for the people who are working the polls. Mr. Childs informed the Chief that the new light would be arriving in the afternoon. Mr. Childs read a letter thanking those involved in teaching the first aid/CPR classes and a card to Chief Consentino thanking him for his recent assistance with one of the residents in Town.

Deb DeSimone: Ms. DeSimone informed the Board that she has received and reviewed resumes for the Deputy Tax Collector. She had a difficult time finding someone to fill the position because of the limited hours. She would like to hire Susan Grant. Ms. DeSimone feels she would fit the bill and the Town will be happy with her.

Lt. Baldwin: Lt. Baldwin is before the Board to present information regarding the communications tower and questions that have arisen to try to alleviate the confusion. Mr. Sullivan feels that because it is the night before the election, they should not be commenting on what is being voted on. He feels there have been two public meetings, and Lt. Baldwin has had plenty of opportunity to address the issue, and he does not want the Board to be electioning or swaying votes. Mr. Sapia asks Lt. Baldwin not speak about anything regarding the election or the warrant articles and only to report specific facts to the Board. Mr. Sullivan feels there should be someone here to reply to what Lt. Baldwin has to say on the matter. Lt. Baldwin informs the Board that he would like to reiterate the needs, the solutions and the other options that have been researched to try to alleviate the confusion. Mr. Sullivan informs Lt. Baldwin that he has had ample time to address the confusion. Mr. Childs agrees with Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Sapia questions the fact that Lt. Baldwin only wants to report to the Board facts, and if he does not refer to the warrant articles, is that illegal to do? Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Childs agree it is not illegal, but it is improper. Lt. Baldwin then chooses not to address the Board. Mr. Sullivan wants to go into the election clean, and allowing Lt. Baldwin to speak on the matter the night before the election is improper. The standard procedure is not to address the warrant articles the night before the election.

Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the March 5, 2007 meeting minutes.

Mr. McAllister is not present tonight, and therefore, the Board cannot address some of the items on the agenda.

Assessing Clerk Position: The Board discussed the hiring of the Assessing Clerk to replace Shirley, who at the end of the month will be returning to the Planning Department. The first and second candidates the Board had selected have both changed their minds regarding the position. Mr. Sapia indicated the Board had interviewed 4 or 5 candidates, and their first choice was excellent, and it is unfortunate that she has turned down the offer. Mr. Sapia feels the third applicant is very capable.

Board Discussion: Mr. Sullivan indicates that the Board interviewed 5 candidates and selected three. The third person did not submit a resume, only a cover letter, and he did not think she was right for the position. He would like to advertise the position again, but the remainder of the Board wants to hire the candidate. Mr. Sullivan feels there is a conflict with the Chairman of the Board because he knows and worked with the candidate, feels the position should be advertised again and absolutely does not second the motion. Mr. Sullivan feels the vote should wait for the new Board. Mr. Sapia comments that he has received many recommendations about the candidate, is very confident she can do the job, and would not have made the motion if he did not feel she was qualified for the position. Mr. Sullivan comments that he is just trying to do the right thing and that the candidate should have knowledge of the assessing system. Mr. Childs feels the candidate is capable and seconds the motion. 2 yes, 1 no. The vote is approved and so moved.

AMR Contract: Mr. Sullivan has concerns with Article 11 – Indemnity clause of the contract. He has received feedback from Janet Pinette that the clause must be removed and an exchange of certificates of insurance naming the other as additional insured should be used. Mr. Sullivan went to the meeting without the contract which he learned was e-mailed to Mr. McAllister. AMR changed the indemnity clause so that AMR was indemnifying the Town rather than indemnifying each other. Mr. Sullivan has not seen the new contract. Mr. Sapia informed the Board that the new contract was received, sent to Primex who approved it, and if Mr. McAllister had been present at tonight’s meeting, the Board would be signing the contract. Mr. Childs spoke with Mr. McAllister, who is satisfied with the changes and indicated the contract was approved by Town Counsel and set to go. Mr. Sullivan also had an issue with the paramedic intercept and indemnity. The Town provides basic and immediate, not paramedic. Mr. Sapia recommended posting a meeting on Wednesday morning to sign the contract. Mr. Sullivan wants to make sure that the changes are what was discussed previously. Mr. Sullivan also indicated that the other towns had not received a copy of the contract. Mr. Sullivan indicates he cannot meet on Wednesday morning, but he can meet on Thursday morning. The Board of Selectmen will meet on Thursday morning to discuss the contract.

Highway Department: Ted Stewart is requesting internet and cable access at the Highway Department to track the weather and plan for storms.

Old Business: Mr. Sapia presents a slideshow presentation of the year in review of the Board. Some of the topics he touches upon are: waste management contract, camera equipment, AMR contract, proposed library, communication committee, and recreation/Pope Field commission. He also presents graphs showing department budgets, road allocations, and tax rates.

New Business: Mr. Sullivan comments on the Annual Report and requests that bonded debt schedule, town salaries and vendor payments should be printed. They should not be mailed, but should be made available to the residents. Mr. Sapia agrees that some pages were left out of the report, and after reviewing other town reports, suggests a committee be put together for next year’s report. Mr. Sullivan indicates the TA has had help in the past and the effort has always been a collaborative effort among the departments. Mr. Childs indicates that no one wanted to help get the report together this year, and it was thrust upon Ms. Galvin and Mr. McAllister to be put together, and Mr. McAllister did not have the time to put it together. Mr. Childs feels Mr. Sapia’s suggestion of a committee is a good one. Mr. Polito addresses the Board and asks if any missed information can be put on the web and possibly starting next year putting the Annual Report on the web. Mr. Sapia feels with the demographics of the Town, a hard copy of the report would be in order.

Mr. Sullivan informs the Board that there was a fire in Town and commends the Police and Fire Departments and everyone involved. He indicates that there were two injuries involving Town employees, and they are both recuperating.

Mr. Childs informs the residents to go out and vote on election day.

Respectfully

Raelene McBride

Recording Secretary

Fred Childs, Chair

Jack Sapia

Paul Sullivan