July 9, 2019

“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve bill and payroll warrants. Second Mr. LaMattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to accept correspondence in the Read File. Second Mr. Lamattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to appoint the following to the Budget Override Evaluation Committee: John Galvin, Citizen at Large Christopher George, Citizen at Large David Codero, Finance Committee Representative Scott Lambiase, Finance Committee Representative Timothy Grenno, Public Safety Representative Bruce Martin, Public Works Representative Jeffrey Szymaniak, School Admin. Representative Dawn Byers, WHRSDC Representative Justin Evans, Bd. of Selectmen Representative Randy LaMattina, Bd. of Selectmen Representative Francis Lynam, Town Admin. Representative Second Mr. LaMattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the Contract of Employment between the Town of Whitman and Town Accountant Kenneth Lytle for the period July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022. Second Mr. Lamattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the request of Chief Grenno to increase the rates for ambulance service, effective July 14, 2019. Second Mr. Lamattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to accept the resignation of Heidi Hosmer from the position of Member, Whitman Cultural Council, effective June 25, 2019. Second Mr. Lamattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to appoint Joe Kleinmann to the position of Member, Whitman Cultural Council for a three-year term, through June 30, 2020, in order to fill an existing vacancy. Second Mr. LaMattina, so voted 3-0.” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the request of the town administrator to transfer $355.28 from Miscellaneous Salary to Line Item #7 Administrative Assistant. Second Mr. LaMattina. Mr. Lynam explained that the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee previously voted to transfer $750.00 to Line Item #7; however, there is an additional shortfall of $355.28. Hearing nothing further, Vice Chairman Salvucci called for a vote in connection with the motion on the floor. So voted 3-0. (Finance Committee vote: 6-0-1. Ms. Connolly abstained).” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the request of the town administrator to transfer $12,000.00 from Line Item #172 Norfolk Agricultural to Line Item #57 Law Account. Second Mr. LaMattina, so voted 3-0. (Finance Committee vote: 7-0.).” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the request of Treasurer- Collector Mary Beth Carter to transfer $2,230.42 from Line Item #256 Medical and Life Insurance Town Match to Line Item #257 Medicare Tax Town Match. Second Mr. LaMattina, so voted 3-0. (Finance Committee vote: 7-0).” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the request of Treasurer-Collector Mary Beth Carter to transfer $140.30 from Line Item #48 Treasurer-Collector Clerical (Victoria Campanile) to Line Item #50 Treasurer-Collector Clerical (Sheri Maroney). Second Mr. LaMattina, so voted 3-0. (Finance Committee vote: 7-0).” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

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“Mr. Bezanson MOVED to approve the request of the town administrator to transfer $45,816.28 from Line Item #123 Police All Other Services to (New) Line Item #124 Vacation Earned Not Used. Second Mr. LaMattina. Mr. Lynam advised the Board that the chief of police is planning to retire within the next year, possibly within the calendar year. Over the years the chief has accumulated a significant amount of vacation time. This is time earned and we are obligated to pay it. If it is paid from the salary line, it will result in a shortfall in the salary line. Mr. Lynam then read into the record the following explanation noted on the transfer request: The Police Chief has accrued unused vacation totaling 95.5 days. At his current salary his per diem rate is $661.73. I believe it is his intent to retire sometime in calendar year 2019. As of July 1, 2019, the chief will accrue an additional 35 days, bringing the total number of days to 130 ½ days. While we are developing policies to prevent this type of accrual in future years, we are obligated to pay unused vacation on termination of employment. Recognizing this liability, it is my recommendation that we set aside what is anticipated to be unexpended funds to lessen the financial impact when the chief does retire. Given there are only 244 ½ work days in FY2020, it is likely that a significant number of days will be payable, and this transfer will permit the Town to accrue for a large portion of this liability. The funds will be encumbered in appropriation number 01.210.1000.285. Mr. Lynam noted the chief is currently not under contract; however, he is a Civil Service chief and he is entitled to the benefits he began the year with. He also advised that a policy will be developed that will stop this from happening in the future; and will allow for no more than 5 vacation days to be carried over at the end of each fiscal year. Finance Committee Vice Chairman David Codero stated that over the last budget season department heads indicated that in order to save the town money, they would be able to absorb any increases to their departments. This transfer represents approximately $80,000 that has been transferred within the police budget. He went on to say that he does not think it is prudent for this department head to have $80,000 sitting in an account that could have been used for other services that were cut this year. Mr. Lynam advised Mr. Codero that the $80,000 represents approximately 2.2 percent of the entire police budget; and Chief Benton has made an effort over the years to reduce the amount of overtime within the department rather than spending the money on filling shifts. The reason for requesting this transfer is because the opportunity is there for us to pay for it; otherwise, it would need to go before a special Town Meeting. Mr. Lynam also advised that unlike other departments where costs are fixed, s specific amount of funds cannot be budgeted for public safety due to the number of items that are unpredictable. Essentially, we're paying for something the town agreed to. Chief Benton stepped up to the podium. Mr. DiOrio exited the meeting. Chief Benton questioned the $80,000 Mr. Codero spoke of and was advised that it was an approximate total of line item transfers made within the police budget. Chief Benton advised Mr. Codero that when he appears before the Finance Committee each year, he lets the committee know that he does not fill 500 to 700 shifts; and that he cannot anticipate things like snow and emergencies. He noted that having a mild winter this year helped as well. Chief Benton also stated that he felt that transferring the funds in this manner would be better than crippling the police budget for the next year. Finance Committee Chairman Richard Anderson suggested the Board of Selectmen move quickly on developing and implementing a policy because large payouts have a tendency to cripple budgets. Mr. Colby agreed. Vice Chairman Salvucci asked Mr. Lynam if there are employees who would be grandfathered in. Mr. Lynam advised Mr. Salvucci that this is an issue that will have to be looked at. Mr. LaMattina advised the Finance Committee that the Board of Selectmen has addressed the issue regarding Chief Benton's accrued vacation with town counsel and the town is obligated to pay it. Hearing nothing further, Vice Chairman Salvucci called for a vote in connection with the motion on the floor. So voted 3-0. (Finance Committee vote: 6-0).” (Motion: Bezanson, second: LaMattina)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)