Westport News

Members present:        Steven J. Ouellette, Chairman  
                                  David P. Dionne, Vice Chairman
                                  Veronica F. Beaulieu
                                  J. Duncan Albert
                                  Robert P. Rebello, Clerk

Also present:            Charlene R. Wood, Town Administrator

Chairman Ouellette called the Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, Westport, MA with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ms. Wood stated that she received an email from Paul Schmid, Finance Committee and the Finance Committee would possibly be having a powerpoint presentation on Monday, January 29, 2007 for the meeting with department heads and employees regarding budgets.  The meeting will be in the cafeteria of the High School and will begin at 3:30 p.m.  Ms. Wood asked if the Board would take a vote to allow employees to attend the meeting.
Motion made by Mr. Albert to allow any employee who wishes to attend the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, January 29, 2007 to leave early in order to attend and should the office need to be closed because of employee attendance, it will be allowed.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Budgets
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 122 – Selectmen at $243,365.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 135 – Town Accountant at $93,927.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 151 – Legal Expense at $105,000.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 152 – Personnel Board at $564.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 163 – Board of Registrars at $66,010.37.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 176 – Appeals Board at $6,499.00.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 192 – Town Hall/Annex at $133,956.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 193 – Property Insurance at $231,000.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 194 – Housing Partnership Committee at $6,928.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 195 – Town Reports at $4,200.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 198 – Town Farm at $2,816.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 244 – Sealer of Weights & Measures at $2,205.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 291 – Emergency Management at $4,128.00.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 292 – Dog Officer at $31,683.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 294 – State Boat Ramp at $18,143.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 295 – Harbor Master at $51,221.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Rebello to approve Budget # 296 – Wharfinger at $27,553.00.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 297 – Shellfish at $87,455.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 298 – Parking Tickets at $3,285.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 424 – Street Lights at $20,000.00.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve Budget # 450 – Waterline Enterprise at $60,000.00.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 492 – Veteran’s Graves at $2,945.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 543 – Veteran’s Benefits & Services at $112,244.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Mr. Rebello to approve Budget # 631 – Town Beach at $35,150.00.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 710 – Retirement of Debt at $389,088.00.  Second by Mr. Albert. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 751 – Interest on Long Term Debt at $109,013.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve Budget # 752 – Interest on Short Term Debt at $25,000.00.  Second by Mr. Dionne. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Other Issues
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to present an article at Town Meeting for the Annual Sick Leave Buyback, subject to Town Counsel’s approval.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to invite the Police, Fire and Cemetery Departments in to discuss their budgets.  Second by Mr. Dionne.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to change the start time of the Board of Selectmen meeting of January 25, 2007 to 5:30 p.m.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Ms. Beaulieu stated to the Board members that she was speaking with a constituent about a child in Westport who has a passion for animals and it is his goal to work with them someday. Ms. Beaulieu would like to make him an honorary “Dog Officer” at a Board of Selectmen meeting and asked that the Board consider this.

Motion made by Mr. Rebello that this board initiates action on Conservation Commission conduct.  The above referenced actions file and complaint letters, be furnished to the Conservation Commission for their comments, explanations, and what steps will be taken to prevent future repetition of such events, all of them.  That within two weeks of the January 25, 2007 meeting with the Conservation Commission, this Board receives replies in writing regarding the forward mentioned.  This list will also be furnished to Town Counsel along with some sample videodisks of Conservation Commission meetings.  Town Counsel will provide applicable comments about possible violations of state ethics laws, malfeasance, violations of the Open Meeting Laws, abuse of power, recommendations related to termination of appointments, or other applicable issues.  That Town Counsel replies to this Board, within two weeks of the January 25 meeting, unless this Board approves more time at Town Counsel’s request.  After which the Board will take appropriate action.  Special note: some complaint letters to be supplied separately not released to the public at this time, pending Town Counsel’s advice.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu.    (see attached motion)

Following discussion, the motion and second was withdrawn.  A copy of the information packet is to be forwarded to Town Counsel.  It was agreed that the video must be directly connected to the letter.  Mr. Rebello agreed to hold his motion until Monday’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

Motion made by Mr. Dionne to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Second by Ms. Beaulieu.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Adjournment.

Respectfully submitted,
Diane Pelland, Confidential Clerk
to the Board of Selectmen

APPROVED:      Robert P. Rebello, Clerk