Town Coordinator's Report
February 22, 2008
* Basement sump pump is working almost full time. The historic energy
use in March is significant.  Recommend we look at connecting the catch
basin at the Town hall bulkhead with the one on the curb.
* Considering switching to competitor's measured service phone lines at
$12.60 / line; per minute use is 1.8 cents local, 3.8 cents long
distance
* Provided a copy of most current Assessors map data to FRCOG GIS person
in planning dept.
* The board needs to vote a Veteran's Services Reserve Fund request in
the amount of $855.
MOTION:  I move that the Board request the Finance Committee to approve
the expenditure of $855 from the Reserve Fund to pay the latest
Veterans' Services invoice.
* Massamont provided the town with a very competitive property,
liability and workers compensation insurance offer for the coming fiscal
year. Their price of $24,585 represents a 20% savings over the current
premium of $31,800.  Moreover, Massamont is lowering our "McNamara"
police and fire insurance by $2000 from $5800 to $3800 and can lower our
workers compensation an additional 15%. Massamont's is a one year
proposal.  MIIA offered us a 5% rate decrease in each of the next two
years.
* Status of '09 budget is that the spreadsheet is up to date and we are
waiting for school numbers. I asked Pioneer to provide a "provisional"
number this week. Their budget will be voted in late March. The Finance
Committee has considered the budgets it has and recommended them. There
is an increase in the Recreation Committee budget that its members will
need to be present to speak to. And the Fin Com will be addressing the
method to fund a new large highway truck and sander / dump body.
* Ordered an exterior directional WiFi antenna, wireless bridge and
related equipment in order to make the Town Hall Internet connection
more reliable.
* National Grid changed electrical account numbers. Learned that we rent
a pole and light and buy electricity at the old school and it is costing
us $30 / month.
* The Homeland Security Grant Application I made isn't fundable as I had
asked for the "detail" rate of reimbursement. However, what had appeared
to be a defunct funding option at $15 / hour for classroom training is
still open and the Town will submit a request once signed by the chair.
* Did more work developing employee evaluation tools.  
* Organized testimony to Broadband Bill hearing.  Also the Broadband
Forum scheduled for March 1 is happening in Northampton and I am
coordinating carpooling.
* You will note that in this warrant cycle we have exceeded our quantity
of diesel bid and are paying over $3 a gallon. This is the experience of
other area towns. I'll get department input when I do the bid this
coming year. Tim wasn't involved in the Highway ask last year. I checked
on the gallons bid for heating town buildings and we are thanks to
conservation in very good shape on this count. The Town Hall accounts
are: 1100 of 3000 gallons on the office boiler and 380 delivered of 1100
bid on the dining hall side.  The library has purchased 470 of 1050
gallons bid. Country oil will move allocations of heating fuel around if
needed. We are paying $2.28 / gal.
* The town received the Dept. of Revenue Financial Management Review
this week, copies of which were distributed to all participants.  DOR
makes 19 recommendations but no findings / deficiencies identified.
Recommendations  included making more information available on the
website, getting more organized with computers and information systems;
improving the budget process, forecasting, capital planning, and
creating a financial management team. I have had no reply to date from
the Scanlon firm who undertook our most recent audit regarding sharing
their data on the Town's capital property.
* Began work on a rural broadband grant application. Warwick is not
competitive from an income standpoint. Am continuing to work on this to
make us ready for future / potential MA funding but probably won't
submit to USDA. The application is extensive though only 30 of 100
points are awarded based on the budget, narrative, and plan.  The
balance, 70 of 100 points, are based on "rurality" and poverty, numbers
arrived at by formula. We amass only 35 points of the 70 and none of the
eighteen communities funded last year began with such a low score. Spoke
with representatives of American Tower and with Steeplechase Networks
regarding Warwick's broadband needs.
* I have yet to speak with alarm company regarding codes and then need
to send a letter to Alarm Central informing them of our temporary
deviation from standard practice on line faults and low voltage alarm
system.
* No one has taken out nomination papers for Selectmen. Richard Whiting
has papers out for BOH and there remains to date one seat open.
* Annual Town Meeting warrant articles include appropriations to:
* $308.59 Mary Ann Hastings Fund,
* $1100 Forestry Committee,
* Funding to provide match for a fire department DCR forestry grant ,
* $ to pay for a broadband study or grant match, 
* $100k+ for an IHC dump truck and sander / dump body, 
* $5k to replace the money we spent on WCS sprinkler system engineering
* Vote to approve Zoning changes
* A vote on provision of retiree health insurance benefits
* Funds to excavate and bury the water lines at the old center school
* Vote to change the town hall improvement fund to a town building
improvement fund
* Money to relocate and replace the culvert at the rear of the Town Hall