Westport News

Present:    Lisa Arnold (LA), Bob McCarthy (BM), Warren Messier (WM), Tony Vieira (TV), Hugh Morton (HM), Tracy Priestner (TP), Jack Baughan (JB), Charles Barron (CB), John Miller (JM)

1.    TV, Chair, opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the traditional salute to the flag.

2.    Board of Health:    Dr. John Colletti, Jim Walsh and Sean Leach were in attendance to represent the Board of Health.  They talked about the audit performed by Tony Roselli last year.  The answered some questions that had been circulated.  (See attached.)  The Landfill was closed in 1991 and became a Transfer Station.  These are two separate items.  The Landfill still requires monitoring for a period determined by the DEP.  These costs remain even if the Transfer Station were to close.  JW stated that the transfer station is not allowed to make a profit by law, they can only break even.  Currently they are running at a deficit.  The BOH has received a grant of a person from DEP to come down and evaluated the Transfer Station and give ideas on changes that could be made to be more efficient.  SL said we have the highest rate of recycling.  One thing that they have asked for is a surveillance camera and Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator, is going to look into it with Charter.  TV thanked the members for their time.

3.    Minutes:    The minutes of 8/11 were presented for approval.  WM made a motion and LA seconded the motion to approve the minutes as amended.  The vote was unanimous in favor.

4.    Highway Department:        JM distributed a handout (see attached) on items needing to be done at the Highway Department per the audit.  He feels we need a mentor in place to help the transition of a new clerk and soon to be new general foreman.  MC said he looked into an outside mentor and it would cost around $10k.  JM said that Jack Sisson, Highway Surveyor, has someone in mind that would do at no charge.

5.    Agricultural/Open Space Bond:    TV touched briefly on the $1.5 million bond that was authorized at Town Meeting.  Some parties in town are interested in using this.  The Land Conservation Trust is coming to Fincom to request a bond issue for the Oscar Palmer Farm.  Much homework is needed to research this bond to find out the correct way to use it and if the town will get any return on its investment.  TV tabled this matter for further discussion at another meeting.

6.    Town Administrator:    MC spoke on the date of October 27th for a Special Town Meeting.  He estimated only 4 articles:    Town Farm lease, union contracts, school budget and taxes.  TV asked about the hiring freeze and the two letters the Fincom received regarding it.  MC said there is a process in place and will bring it to the Fincom when necessary.  He was going to the BOS on Monday with the three requests in hand for hiring.  Carol Borden, Tax Collector, was in attendance to ask about her vacancy and TV assigned TP to come up with a model of expenses in the Collectors department for the next meeting.  BM feels we need to fill core positions.  MC said that if public safety or health is a factor then the position will be considered.  TV asked MC for a model of labor costs for the next meeting.  MC mentioned the September 2nd ceremony at the wharf celebrating the end of the dredging project.  He stated the Commissioner of Finance was in attendance at the ceremony and mentioned that the Governor is making more cuts on or about October 15th.  The budget that Town Meeting approved in May is now out of balance due to the cut to Chapter 70 monies.  TP and MC were invited to attend the next school committee meeting to discuss covering the shortfall.  

7.    Other:        TV reminded everyone that the Annual Meeting is on October 24th and everyone is encouraged to attend.  There is also a meeting on October 2nd regarding changes in municipal law if anyone is interested.  
                            
 Adjournment and next meeting: There being no further business to come before this meeting, BM moved and WM seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:00pm.  The vote in favor was unanimous.   The next meeting will be October 13th at 7:00 p.m.
                            
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Botelho, Recording Secretary