Sunday, July 24, 2005
Saturday, July 23, 2005
The Savoy Volunteer Fire Department has a new Chief. Keven Krutiak was sworn in on Tuesday, July 19th, as the Fire Chief. He replaces Richard T. Krutiak, his father, who has held the post for many years. Also sworn in to fill vacant town positions were: Allan Carlow, John Del'Assandro and Susan McGrath for the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee's previous members all declined to serve under this Select Board, stating their frustration in separate letters.
The Treasurer's job, vacant when Sandra Brazee resigned in June, has been filled by the appointment of Beverly Cooper, the newly appointed accountant. Ms. Cooper has agreed to serve as temporary Treasurer until a candidate can be found to take on the work on a permanent basis. The Treasurer is an elected official. There is one more year to go in Brazee's term before the job is up for re-election. From the Town Clerk's Office
The Treasurer's job, vacant when Sandra Brazee resigned in June, has been filled by the appointment of Beverly Cooper, the newly appointed accountant. Ms. Cooper has agreed to serve as temporary Treasurer until a candidate can be found to take on the work on a permanent basis. The Treasurer is an elected official. There is one more year to go in Brazee's term before the job is up for re-election. From the Town Clerk's Office
Monday, July 11, 2005
New town appointments include Karen Freitag of Tilton Road who was sworn in as the new Assistant Town Clerk and Beverly Cooper of North Adams as the new Accountant. Many other appointees need to contact the Town Clerk to be sworn in for this year. Please call 743-3759 and make arrangements to take your oath of office. Duties can not be assumed until this process is completed. Regular office hours for the clerk are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1PM to 5PM. from Town Clerk's Office
Friday, July 08, 2005
Emile steps down as Select Board Chairman, Tuesday, July 2. He resigned at the beginning of the meeting stating after two years of being the Select Board Chairman, he was burnt out and needs to step back and take it easy. Emile nominated Peter Kelleher to be Chairman. Both Emile and Rita concurred. Peter took charge of the meeting. Emile said he was staying on the Board of Health as Chairman by court order. Emile said he had eleven more months and would stick to his term and make his decision as to what he wanted to do at that time.
(I have tried to incorporate dialogue from the Select Board meeting so you can have a view of just how the meeting flowed. This was one of the more lively meetings I have attended.)
Peter said the Board would like to move forward with meeting with the union and proposed to have the meeting on an off night and not on a Tuesday night. Emile suggested “keep the meeting with the union on a Tuesday night so the general public could come in and listen to the negotiations. A night other than a Tuesday night would not be appropriate.”
Peter replied, “as Mr. Scully had suggested the public doesn’t have input on what we decide with the union. The public has hired us, so to speak, to make these decisions. So, I don’t believe the public needs to be involved in these negotiations.”
“But they are open to the public as far as I know” commented Emile.
It was resolved to keep the meeting open and on a Tuesday night. Meeting with the union tentatively scheduled for August 16 provided all three Select Board members are available.
There was a discussion whether or not to give Ray the 10% wage increase appropriated in the FY2006 Budget and approved by the townspeople at the Annual Town Meeting. Peter did not feel Ray should be given the 10%. He felt that the 10% should be spread over two years. Rita and Emile said the 10% should be given to Ray because it was supported at the Annual Town Meeting. “Ray is not part of the union negotiations; he is supervision and should get the 10%”. Emile felt if Ray wants a raise in the future he would have to talk to the town. The employees who want the union, their wages will be held back until the negotiations are complete. At that time their wages will be retroactive to July 1, 2005.
Peter didn’t agree Ray should get the 10% now, he felt Ray should get 5% now. “The Town appropriated the 10% so we as a Select Board could use up to 10%. The Town did not vote on his raise, we do that.”
Rita replied, “the Town appropriated the money, we ask them to do that.”
The Select Board said this is a one-time wage increase. Ray is not involved in contract negotiations.
I asked the Select Board “when you asked the townspeople to vote for the 2006 budget that was the understanding when they voted, he (Ray) would get a 10% pay raise. Why would the Select Board change that figure and want to put it over 2 years?”
Peter restated the question, “If the town appropriated 10% for the raises, why would the select board come back and change that rate to a lower value?” Peter’s answer, “it has always been my opinion that Ray does not deserve a 10% raise. So, I am taking this opportunity to exercise my right on the Board to say I think it should be cut. These folks next to me say 10% and the Board will carry. So it will be 10%; but for the record I think it should be 5%.”
Mr. Rosenthal commented, “I think you are getting a bargain. The man plows the road 24/7.” Mr. Rosenthal further explained he felt for the responsibility Mr. LaBonte has as the Road Superintendent, the town was getting a bargain.
“If Mr. LaBonte decided to leave the position, we would not be able to get anyone to come in here for that job for that cost. I have always contented we should raise the position not the individual”, Emile said.
Peter said there was a little bit more behind the situation than we are aware of. He further explained. “The package that these gentlemen get, not only compensation, but the enormous, in my opinion, amount of time they have off, the vacation pay that if they don’t use it they get cash for it, and sick time, if they don’t use it, they get cash for it. So, in other words, they are guaranteed above and beyond, not just their salary or wage, they are guaranteed almost $8,000 more a year that you, the townspeople, don’t every hear about.” If they don’t use vacation or sick time, they get the cash at the end of the year.
Peter asked Phil O’Brien to show the Select Board the compensation package because they are not underpaid. Hourly wage, they may be underpaid; but total compensation they may get much more than the other towns around.
The question was asked what was Ray’s main job. Emile explained Ray works for the Highway Department. That is his main job. Anything else is on Ray’s own time. He is the Highway Superintendent and has no other job.
(From the June 28, 2005 Select Board Meeting minutes relating to the other Highway Department employees: “Any raises negotiated in the contract will be retroactive to July 1, 2005. As of now the raise is not in effect. Discussion continued as to whether a one- year or three year contract was in the best interest of either party. The Select Board on the advice from Mr. Scully reconsidered the raise structure of the Highway Department. The Select Board was reminded that they are not rushed into by any time limit making these decisions. Select Board proposed a 5%, 2 ½%, 2 ½% raise spread over the next three years, which is equal in total to 10%. The decision was rejected by the Highway Department. Listing the main reason for objection as: It as agreed upon in the town meeting to give the Highway Department a raise on July 1, 2005 of 10%. Discussion concerning the benefits the Savoy Highway Department workers receive was discussed compared to other town highway workers. Documentation will be presented by Phillip O’Brien regarding these differences.”)
The next Select Board Meeting is scheduled for July 19. by Brenda Smith
(I have tried to incorporate dialogue from the Select Board meeting so you can have a view of just how the meeting flowed. This was one of the more lively meetings I have attended.)
Peter said the Board would like to move forward with meeting with the union and proposed to have the meeting on an off night and not on a Tuesday night. Emile suggested “keep the meeting with the union on a Tuesday night so the general public could come in and listen to the negotiations. A night other than a Tuesday night would not be appropriate.”
Peter replied, “as Mr. Scully had suggested the public doesn’t have input on what we decide with the union. The public has hired us, so to speak, to make these decisions. So, I don’t believe the public needs to be involved in these negotiations.”
“But they are open to the public as far as I know” commented Emile.
It was resolved to keep the meeting open and on a Tuesday night. Meeting with the union tentatively scheduled for August 16 provided all three Select Board members are available.
There was a discussion whether or not to give Ray the 10% wage increase appropriated in the FY2006 Budget and approved by the townspeople at the Annual Town Meeting. Peter did not feel Ray should be given the 10%. He felt that the 10% should be spread over two years. Rita and Emile said the 10% should be given to Ray because it was supported at the Annual Town Meeting. “Ray is not part of the union negotiations; he is supervision and should get the 10%”. Emile felt if Ray wants a raise in the future he would have to talk to the town. The employees who want the union, their wages will be held back until the negotiations are complete. At that time their wages will be retroactive to July 1, 2005.
Peter didn’t agree Ray should get the 10% now, he felt Ray should get 5% now. “The Town appropriated the 10% so we as a Select Board could use up to 10%. The Town did not vote on his raise, we do that.”
Rita replied, “the Town appropriated the money, we ask them to do that.”
The Select Board said this is a one-time wage increase. Ray is not involved in contract negotiations.
I asked the Select Board “when you asked the townspeople to vote for the 2006 budget that was the understanding when they voted, he (Ray) would get a 10% pay raise. Why would the Select Board change that figure and want to put it over 2 years?”
Peter restated the question, “If the town appropriated 10% for the raises, why would the select board come back and change that rate to a lower value?” Peter’s answer, “it has always been my opinion that Ray does not deserve a 10% raise. So, I am taking this opportunity to exercise my right on the Board to say I think it should be cut. These folks next to me say 10% and the Board will carry. So it will be 10%; but for the record I think it should be 5%.”
Mr. Rosenthal commented, “I think you are getting a bargain. The man plows the road 24/7.” Mr. Rosenthal further explained he felt for the responsibility Mr. LaBonte has as the Road Superintendent, the town was getting a bargain.
“If Mr. LaBonte decided to leave the position, we would not be able to get anyone to come in here for that job for that cost. I have always contented we should raise the position not the individual”, Emile said.
Peter said there was a little bit more behind the situation than we are aware of. He further explained. “The package that these gentlemen get, not only compensation, but the enormous, in my opinion, amount of time they have off, the vacation pay that if they don’t use it they get cash for it, and sick time, if they don’t use it, they get cash for it. So, in other words, they are guaranteed above and beyond, not just their salary or wage, they are guaranteed almost $8,000 more a year that you, the townspeople, don’t every hear about.” If they don’t use vacation or sick time, they get the cash at the end of the year.
Peter asked Phil O’Brien to show the Select Board the compensation package because they are not underpaid. Hourly wage, they may be underpaid; but total compensation they may get much more than the other towns around.
The question was asked what was Ray’s main job. Emile explained Ray works for the Highway Department. That is his main job. Anything else is on Ray’s own time. He is the Highway Superintendent and has no other job.
(From the June 28, 2005 Select Board Meeting minutes relating to the other Highway Department employees: “Any raises negotiated in the contract will be retroactive to July 1, 2005. As of now the raise is not in effect. Discussion continued as to whether a one- year or three year contract was in the best interest of either party. The Select Board on the advice from Mr. Scully reconsidered the raise structure of the Highway Department. The Select Board was reminded that they are not rushed into by any time limit making these decisions. Select Board proposed a 5%, 2 ½%, 2 ½% raise spread over the next three years, which is equal in total to 10%. The decision was rejected by the Highway Department. Listing the main reason for objection as: It as agreed upon in the town meeting to give the Highway Department a raise on July 1, 2005 of 10%. Discussion concerning the benefits the Savoy Highway Department workers receive was discussed compared to other town highway workers. Documentation will be presented by Phillip O’Brien regarding these differences.”)
The next Select Board Meeting is scheduled for July 19. by Brenda Smith
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Reconstruction of Adams Road to begin this summer. The project on Adams Road will cost $147,000 which is all of the Chapter 90 money plus $8,000 from the road improvement fund. The highway department was planning on using Chapter 90 money to buy an excavator, but this money will be consumed by the cost of the Adams Road project. The town will have to rent an excavator for the work. Ray will do ditch work and whatever else he can do to prepare the road and then hire out the remainder of the work on Adams Road.
2005 PAINT COLLECTIONS
Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management is again offering a paint disposal and recycling program. The district has covered the cost of paint disposal in the past but due to increased cost they needed to pass on the costs to residents. It will cost $4 a gallon to dispose
(recycle) paint. Centers recycling paint are:
Williamstown Transfer Station: July 16, August 20, September 17 and October 22
Cheshire Shed: July 9, August 13, September 10 and October 15
Hinsdale Shed: July 23, August 27, September 24 and October 29
Coupons in $2, $10 or $20 denominations can be purchased from transfer station attendants or at the paint sheds on collection days.
These collections are for PAINT ONLY. "Paint" can be latex, oil-based, alkyd, stains or polyurethane. Hazardous waste will NOT be accepted at this time. That collection will be held in early November.
2005 PAINT COLLECTIONS
Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management is again offering a paint disposal and recycling program. The district has covered the cost of paint disposal in the past but due to increased cost they needed to pass on the costs to residents. It will cost $4 a gallon to dispose
(recycle) paint. Centers recycling paint are:
Williamstown Transfer Station: July 16, August 20, September 17 and October 22
Cheshire Shed: July 9, August 13, September 10 and October 15
Hinsdale Shed: July 23, August 27, September 24 and October 29
Coupons in $2, $10 or $20 denominations can be purchased from transfer station attendants or at the paint sheds on collection days.
These collections are for PAINT ONLY. "Paint" can be latex, oil-based, alkyd, stains or polyurethane. Hazardous waste will NOT be accepted at this time. That collection will be held in early November.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: The June 30th special town meeting was off to a good start with forty registered voters unanimously passing the first six (6) articles which dealt mostly with the transfer of end-of-fiscal-year-funds from one account to another. Article #4 addressed the $1,500 from the Free Cash Account to purchase the 1983 Mack Truck for the Fire Department. It generated a lively discussion on how many calls the fire department answered during the year and how much money would be left in the Free Cash account. The discussion influenced the vote on Article #5 as well, which also took $4,077 from the Free Cash account to repair the same truck. In the end, the voters unanimously approved both articles.
The five remaining articles involved bylaws and bylaw changes. Each article produced a number of interesting questions as well as criticism. Article #7, addressing handicap parking, caused the least concern for the voters, but Articles 9,10, and 11, all of which were eventually approved by the voters, generated a great deal of debate as to their merit. These three articles concerned the responsibility for mailboxes along the roadside, which barly passed by a 14 to 13 vote, the raising of fines for littering, which passed with a 19 in favor to one opposed in the final vote, but at least half of the town's voters in attendance abstaining on each of these two article. The street numbers bylaw went through easily. Only one article (#8) which dealth with the logging issue was defeated. Voters did not think the wording of the bylaw was sufficient to address the issue and asked the Select Board to go "back to the drawing board" on that one.
The meeting began promptly at 7PM and ended at 8:05. From the Town Clerk's Office
The five remaining articles involved bylaws and bylaw changes. Each article produced a number of interesting questions as well as criticism. Article #7, addressing handicap parking, caused the least concern for the voters, but Articles 9,10, and 11, all of which were eventually approved by the voters, generated a great deal of debate as to their merit. These three articles concerned the responsibility for mailboxes along the roadside, which barly passed by a 14 to 13 vote, the raising of fines for littering, which passed with a 19 in favor to one opposed in the final vote, but at least half of the town's voters in attendance abstaining on each of these two article. The street numbers bylaw went through easily. Only one article (#8) which dealth with the logging issue was defeated. Voters did not think the wording of the bylaw was sufficient to address the issue and asked the Select Board to go "back to the drawing board" on that one.
The meeting began promptly at 7PM and ended at 8:05. From the Town Clerk's Office
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