MassVoter.com← Boxborough Select BoardBoxborough Select Board · 2022–2023 Board · Regular meeting
January 9, 2023
6 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Diana Lipari, Wesley Fowlks, Leslie Fox, John Markiewicz
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- John Markiewicz joined the meeting after it began.
Every vote, in order
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve the meeting minutes of November 28, 2022; December 12, 2022; and December 21, 2022
Member Fowlks moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 28, 2022; December 12, 2022; and December 21, 2022. Seconded by Member Fox. Approved: 3-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Lipari "aye."
Yes: Fowlks, Fox, LipariJohn Markiewicz joined the meeting after it began (the minutes record this after the vote), so is not shown in this vote.
From the minutes
“Member Fowlks moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 28, 2022; December 12, 2022; and December 21, 2022. Seconded by Member Fox. Approved: 3-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Lipari "aye.".” (Motion: Fowlks, second: Fox)
NEW BUSINESS
Accept the fiscal year 2023 State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant in the amount of $28,985, for the purposes stated therein
Member Fowlks moved to accept the fiscal year 2023 State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant in the amount of $28,985, for the purposes stated therein. Seconded by Member Fowlks. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye." b.
The minutes name Wesley Fowlks as both the mover and the seconder, so no seconder is shown.
From the minutes
“Member Fowlks moved to accept the fiscal year 2023 State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant in the amount of $28,985, for the purposes stated therein. Seconded by Member Fowlks. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye." b..” (Motion: Fowlks)
b. Action: Cost of Living Allowance for Non-Union & Non-Contract Employees FY24
Approve the Cost of Living Allowance for the non-union and non-contract employees for fiscal year 2024 to 2.9%
Chair Lipari moved to approve the Cost of Living Allowance for the non-union and non-contract employees for fiscal year 2024 to 2.9%. Seconded by Member Fox. Discussion: Member Fowlks stated that last year's COLA was 1.9%. He stated that the 2.9% is a punt down the road to future years. He stated that the COLA increase for future years will likely be much higher. He wants to make sure the Town is taking care of its employees. Chair Lipari stated that Town Administrator Johns was planning to analyze this in comparison to other towns. Town Administrator Johns stated that, across the State, 2.9% is not out of line and potentially a bit higher than most communities. It is also higher based on other comparable communities. Assistant Town Administrator Hudson stated that the average COLA increase for comparable communities was approximately 3.5% Maria Neyland stated that the Finance Committee has not yet voted on this item directly, but she does not anticipate an issue with the proposal. This is an item the Personnel Board put forward. Member Markiewicz asked how many employees are impacted by this and the cost of the proposed increase. Assistant Town Administrator Hudson stated that this mainly impacts Town Hall and Library employees. Town Administrator Johns stated that the approximate cost is $23,000. Member Fowlks stated that moving forward he would like to see an MOU with the Personnel Board and Finance Committee stating that, for the next three years, the new mechanism used o
From the minutes
“Chair Lipari moved to approve the Cost of Living Allowance for the non-union and non-contract employees for fiscal year 2024 to 2.9%. Seconded by Member Fox. Discussion: Member Fowlks stated that last year's COLA was 1.9%. He stated that the 2.9% is a punt down the road to future years. He stated that the COLA increase for future years will likely be much higher. He wants to make sure the Town is taking care of its employees. Chair Lipari stated that Town Administrator Johns was planning to analyze this in comparison to other towns. Town Administrator Johns stated that, across the State, 2.9% is not out of line and potentially a bit higher than most communities. It is also higher based on other comparable communities. Assistant Town Administrator Hudson stated that the average COLA increase for comparable communities was approximately 3.5% Maria Neyland stated that the Finance Committee has not yet voted on this item directly, but she does not anticipate an issue with the proposal. This is an item the Personnel Board put forward. Member Markiewicz asked how many employees are impacted by this and the cost of the proposed increase. Assistant Town Administrator Hudson stated that this mainly impacts Town Hall and Library employees. Town Administrator Johns stated that the approximate cost is $23,000. Member Fowlks stated that moving forward he would like to see an MOU with the Personnel Board and Finance Committee stating that, for the next three years, the new mechanism used or the rolling three-year average, will have a percentage with no less than the highest number seen. He wants to make sure the Town employees are taken care of properly. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye.".” (Motion: Lipari, second: Fox)
c. Discussion: Form 250 Committee RE: 250th Anniversary of Nation's Founding
Form a 250th Anniversary Committee and to come back at a later meeting to present a charge to the Board
Chair Lipari moved that the Board form a 250th Anniversary Committee and to come back at a later meeting to present a charge to the Board. Seconded by Member Fox. Discussion: Member Fox stated that he has a concern that this could end up being a lot of work. Member Markiewicz stated that the charge needs to be reviewed. Chair Lipari stated that the charge for Concord and Acton can be reviewed but does not need to be as detailed for Boxborough. This would be an opportunity to educate the public on the Town's history. Chair Lipari AMENDED her motion that John Markiewicz and the Town Administrator discuss and review the charters of the 250th committees and come back to the Board at a later meeting to discuss. I do any further discussion. Seconded by Member Fox. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye." d.
From the minutes
“Chair Lipari moved that the Board form a 250th Anniversary Committee and to come back at a later meeting to present a charge to the Board. Seconded by Member Fox. Discussion: Member Fox stated that he has a concern that this could end up being a lot of work. Member Markiewicz stated that the charge needs to be reviewed. Chair Lipari stated that the charge for Concord and Acton can be reviewed but does not need to be as detailed for Boxborough. This would be an opportunity to educate the public on the Town's history. Chair Lipari AMENDED her motion that John Markiewicz and the Town Administrator discuss and review the charters of the 250th committees and come back to the Board at a later meeting to discuss. I do any further discussion. Seconded by Member Fox. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye." d..” (Motion: Lipari, second: Fox)
e. Action: Close Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Close the Annual 2023 Town Meeting Warrant
Chair Lipari moved to close the Annual 2023 Town Meeting Warrant Seconded by Member Fowlks. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye."
From the minutes
“Chair Lipari moved to close the Annual 2023 Town Meeting Warrant Seconded by Member Fowlks. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Markiewicz "aye," Lipari "aye.".” (Motion: Lipari, second: Fowlks)
ADJOURN
Adjourn
Member Markiewicz moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 p.m. Seconded by Member Fox. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Markiewicz, "aye," Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Lipari "aye."
From the minutes
“Member Markiewicz moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 p.m. Seconded by Member Fox. Approved: 4-0-0 by Roll Call Markiewicz, "aye," Fox "aye," Fowlks "aye," Lipari "aye.".” (Motion: Markiewicz, second: Fox)
From the Boxborough Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Boxborough Select Board page (named group photo, LCTV) — Sam Anderson, Priya Sundaram, Wes Fowlks, Bob Stemple and Kristin Hilberg. Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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