Town of Warwick
Selectboard
February 9, 2009
Minutes
Members present: Rick Abbott, Nick Arguimbau
Member absent: Patricia Lemon
Others present:	Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa
Calcari, Miryam Williamson, Board of Health member Dick Whiting,
Planning Board Chairman Ted Cady, Cemetery Commissioner/ Buildings &
Energy Committee member Jim Toth, Mary Thomas, Dawn Magi, Warwick Police
Officer David Shoemaker, Jon Calcari, Paula Robinson (Athol Daily News)
I.	Call to Order 
The Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Warwick Free Library
by Vice-Chair Abbott.
II.	Minutes
Arguimbau asked that the minutes of the January 26 meeting be corrected
to include the words underlined below: Upon Shoemaker's arrival,
Arguimbau questioned him on just what kind of enforcement the police
will do with regards to the speed limits.  Shoemaker flatly contradicted
the information Arguimbau had recently received from someone who is not
a police officer, saying that the claim that the police do not enforce
the speed limits until someone is clocked as is driving more than 10
miles over the limit untrue and said he was speaking for the police
department and that it was committed to enforcing the limits to be
adopted - in particular a maximum of 50 mph and low speeds in the
village center and around Moore's Pond.  He commented that presently
there are missing signs, and the posted limits are from a speed study
done more than thirty years ago when roads and vehicles were less safe.
He also explained that enforcement will be made much easier with new,
black and white posted speed limits, as there will no longer be any gray
areas.  The Selectboard, Police Department, and drivers all will know
the signs are correct and placed in the proper places. Shoemaker
predicted better...
Arguimbau MOVED to accept the Minutes of the January 26 meeting with his
corrections. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
III.		Presentations/Discussions
1.	Relief for Ice Storm Expenses - Young explained that under MGL
44:31, budget line items may be exceeded in the event of an emergency
such as the ice storm of December, 2008. A request for relief for ice
storm expenses is ready to be sent to Gerald Perry, Director of Accounts
at the DOR.
Arguimbau MOVED to petition the Department of Revenue Account Director
for relief under MGL 44:21. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Free Cash - Young said that the free cash, once certified, will be in
the $60,000.00 to $62,000.00 range. Official word should be received
from the DOR prior to the next Board meeting.
3.	Buildings and Energy Committee/ Investment Grade Audit - Toth said
the Buildings and Energy Committee met last Thursday and recommended the
Board proceed with an investment-grade audit on the Warwick Community
School. The Committee felt that other municipal buildings did not
require this action.  The audit will evaluate the school and identify
necessary modifications or replacements to maximize energy efficiency
and operating cost reduction. The sprinkler system is not included in
the audit. Toth noted that Town Counsel advised  the signature block on
the document authorizing the audit include signatures from both the
school district and the Selectboard. He pointed out that this level of
the audit process could potentially cost approximately $1,800.00 should
Siemens, the firm conducting the audit, not win the bid to perform the
necessary work.
Arguimbau MOVED to authorize the investment-grade audit of the Warwick
Community School by Siemens. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV.  	REPORTS
1.	Board of Health Report - Whiting said the locks at the Transfer
Station are going to be changed. Problems cited included the existence
of too many keys in the possession of too many people, and additional
trash appearing during the week when the Transfer Station is closed.
Whiting also reported that the Board of Health will send letters to the
Selectboard and the WCS informing them that as of July 1st, there will
be a charge of $1.50 per bag for trash from Town Hall and the school.
This is the same rate as that paid by the general public.
2.	Winter Road Expenses and Practices Report - Young reminded the
Board members that last August they had requested Highway Superintendent
Tim Kilhart try various ways to reduce spending and present a report
during the mid-point of the Winter season. The detailed report noted
overall savings, increases in costs, and procedures for the storms. Cady
said he appreciated the recent road maintenance. The road grader pushed
back snow banks on the main roads and was followed by the loader which
cleaned debris out of driveways. He also noted that the elevation of
Town contributes to the severity of storms and the damage incurred.
Arguimbau said he was quite impressed with the organization and
presentation of Kilhart's report. He wanted it noted that the cost of
salt, sand, and fuel are each higher than employee wages or contractors'
pay respectively. He commended Kilhart for doing his job well.
Cady suggested the Board hold an informal open meeting during which all
costs associated with snow and ice expense and winter road maintenance
could be clearly presented. Townspeople would then have an opportunity
to express their opinions on future expenditure allocations. This would
help inform the Board and Finance Committee's recommendation for the FY
10 budget.
3.	Town Coordinator's Report - Young said the WCS had been broken
into last week, and the safe was stolen. Shoemaker commented that after
a previous break-in it was recommended that surveillance and alarm
systems be installed, but no action was taken. He also suggested the new
safe be stationary and therefore non-portable. Young said he has spoken
with Police Chief Brian Peters regarding the installation of
surveillance cameras.
* Shepardson Place Pole Hearing - Young said the hearing will be held at
the next Board meeting.
* Transfer Station Trash Bags - Young reported that Kulick's in
Winchester, NH will sell Warwick trash bags [at the Customer Service
window] starting next week.
* WCS Sprinkler System - Young has begun the appeal of Fire Chief Gunnar
Lambert's order to repair the WCS sprinkler system.
* FY 10 Fuel-Oil Bids - With respect to the FY 10 fuel oil bids, Young
recommended bidding on half of the requirements, and purchasing the
remainder at market price as needed. Last year we did well with our bid,
but this year the locked price is much higher than market. Since the
market continues to be highly unpredictable, Young said this approach
could mitigate some of the negative financial impact by blending the two
prices over the season.
* Personnel - Young presented a letter for Selectboard approval that
would allow Fire Chief Lambert to join the Franklin County Regional
Retirement System. Arguimabau MOVED to authorize Vice Chair Abbott to
sign the letter to Franklin Regional Retirement System for the Fire
Chief. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY
* Assistant Treasurer - Young said Treasure Terry Kemerer has requested
that Janice Alden be appointed Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer makes
the appointment, which must be confirmed by the Selectboard. This
appointment involves no additional funding.
Arguimbau MOVED to appoint Janice Alden Assistant Treasurer. Abbott
SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4.  Selectboard Reports - Abbott reported that a decision was made at
the FRCOG meeting last week that resulted in a 10% reduction in our
county levy.  This reduces what we owe FRCOG for the remainder of FY '09
and also for FY '10. Young and Cady both noted how much the Town gets
from the FRCOG for the money we pay.
V.	Public Comment
* Open Space Plan - Cady relayed that Peggy Sloan of the Franklin
Regional Planning Board gave high praise to Reva Reck for her
presentation on Broadband. Sloan wished she had videotaped the
presentation. Sloan also gave Cady "an informal heads-up" that the
Selectboard will be receiving a letter indicating we will be getting the
requested technical assistance with the Open Space Plan. The first
meeting will be held in March.
* Selectboard Meeting Times - Robinson asked if the Board would consider
returning to a meeting start time of 6 p.m., once the winter season
ends. Young said the 5:30 p.m. time was intended for the cold months.
* Speed Study - Thomas expressed her concern about the proposed speed
limit of 45 mph in front of her house. Shoemaker pointed out that the
recent speed study and proposed speed limits are but the first step in
the process. The state has yet to conduct its own study. Young explained
there are two more levels of oversight by the State; Mass Highway and
the Registry of Motor Vehicles must both approve the proposed speed
limits. The final decision rests with the Selectboard, as their vote
will determine acceptance or rejection of the state's findings. Thomas
hoped her objection will be shared by other townspeople.
* 2009 Rabies Clinic - Rosa Calcari announced that our 2009 Rabies
Clinic will be held Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fire
Station. Brian Hurley, DVM, and staff from Gardner Animal Care Center
will once again provide the services. Animal Control and Care arranges
and advertises the annual clinic.
VI.	Adjournment
Arguimbau MOVED at 7:05 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.  Abbott SECONDED. 
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 
Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari

 		 		 
Frederick H. Abbott III,		Nicholas C. Arguimbau		James David Young
Selectboard Vice-Chair		Selectboard Member		Town Coordinator

Rosa Fratangelo Calcari
Selectboard Secretary