Paula Grover

The meeting focused on new business, including the ratification of Department of Public Works (DPW) seasonal staff appointments. One seasonal laborer, Marcus Lee, was appointed to support DPW with vegetation management and other town services. Additionally, the board ratified the appointment of Brian Marco as Operator 1 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to address staffing shortages due to departures and medical leave, aiming to bring staffing levels up. The board also discussed and approved an amendment to the liquor license for Forest Park Country Club to include service on their covered porch for a temporary period until November 1st, updating premises description and capacity from an initial 55 to 39 people. A discussion on extending outdoor alcohol service hours beyond the existing permit limits (like until 11:30 p.m. based on original licenses) was noted as an issue to address during permanent amendment applications.

The meeting included an informational update from the Adams Fire District regarding the potential replacement of water lines in Bellevue Cemetery, discussing the current reliance on old galvanized lines and proposing a new system using PEX piping connected to the garage water line for easier maintenance and winterization. The commission voted to delay the approval of the May 19, 2021 minutes. Old business included confirmation that the commission is empowered to alter deed language for the Faith Memorial Bench in Bellevue Cemetery and an approved bid of $2,750 from Toys Tree Service to remove three trees in Bellevue Cemetery, with a discount applicable if only two trees were removed. Funding for the Harrington Mausoleum cleaning, estimated at $4,608 from the Harrington Trust Fund, was discussed. Additionally, the commission discussed passing the Quaker Meeting House Maple Street Cemetery Grant Application to new community development staff for processing. Finally, a concern regarding stakes being placed on the boundary line of Burlingame Cemetery was addressed by passing the inquiry to the town administrator. The commission also began reviewing cemetery fee structures by comparing data from neighboring towns.

This joint session addressed the Fiscal Year 2021 budget workshops, noting that the initial budget development preceded the COVID-19 pandemic and that revenue projections would likely be affected. The strategy involves submitting a conservative budget based on original revenue estimates alongside a companion contingency plan for expenditure reductions as data becomes available. Key fiscal points discussed included a continued annual appropriation of $175,000 to the reserve fund, use of $250,000 from free cash to offset the tax rate, and the proposal to add $165,000 to the trust fund. The overall budget proposal reflected a 5.49 percent increase over FY2020, with personnel costs up 3.96 percent and operating costs up 3.91 percent. Non-discretionary capital outlay increased by 17 percent, largely due to $513,950 funded by free cash for infrastructure and equipment. The meeting was conducted remotely due to public health restrictions, and no votes on budget items were taken; the session functioned as a workshop.

The meeting commenced with procedural announcements regarding remote participation due to public health orders. The committee approved the minutes from the August 31st meeting. Discussions centered on the town's warrant articles, with several articles held for further discussion, including Article 4 concerning the salaries of elected officials (Treasurer, Board of Assessors, Town Clerk) in relation to the town hall's transition to a four-day work week. Article 5, concerning school budget maintenance allocations, was also held due to concerns over lack of transparency regarding how school districts allocate maintenance funds from year to year. Article 10 (transfers) prompted a discussion regarding the law allowing municipalities to move money within the budget, specifically noting the one-time reconciliation opportunity available during the end-of-year budget process.

The Board of Selectmen held a workshop focused primarily on the Wastewater Treatment Facility and Pump Station Capital Needs Assessment. The discussion reviewed the plant's history, noting it was built in 1968 for a 10 million gallon per day capacity, but currently averages only two million gallons per day. The Board discussed the capital investment required, estimated between $4.5 to $5 million over a 10-year planning period, categorized into high, medium, and lower priorities. Key points included the aging mechanical and electrical equipment, existing redundancy in some systems (which allows for current operational flexibility), and the potential cost implications of downsizing the plant versus performing necessary upgrades while maintaining the current capacity structure. The relevance of this capital plan to the potential implementation of a user fee structure and the possibility of accepting additional effluent (like septic waste) was also noted.