May 16 2022 meeting

Chair Crawford called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

Recommendation on town meeting warrant articles 4 and 5

The Board had previously voted its recommendation on all town meeting warrant articles other than Articles 4, transfers within the current fiscal year budget, and Article 5, payment of overdue bills from a prior fiscal year. The Town Accountant has completed work on these articles and provided her recommendations to the Board.

 MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board vote to recommend Articles 4 and 5 as presented in the annual town meeting handout. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 4 

ARTICLE 5

Town Administrator Robert Dolan explained that a final review of the cost estimates for the planning, design and studies of the proposed Public Safety and Town Hall Building Project by the Town’s consultants has indicated that the previous cost estimates for the entire project may have been too low in light of recent changes to the economy, including inflation and supply chain issues. In addition, initial studies have indicated some soil issues at the proposed building site near the current South Fire Station. As this new information came too late to provide the public with adequate time to consider whether it wishes to move forward with full funding of the project design, which would have been a commitment of $3.85 million, the recommendation is now to appropriate $325,000 from the Capital Facilities Maintenance Fund to conduct the necessary cost estimate reviews and soil and environmental testing necessary to provide a more accurate estimate of the project costs.

Board members all agreed that this was a prudent decision given the new information that came to light last week.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board vote to reconsider the recommendation on Article 12 due to new information received. The vote was unanimous.

 MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board recommend the following motion on Article 12.

I move that the Town vote to vote to appropriate $325,000.00 from the Capital Facilities Maintenance Fund to be expended under the direction of the Select Board and the Public Safety Building Committee, for architectural and engineering designs, plans and other specifications, bid documents, permitting and any associated costs related to the renovation of the existing Police and Fire Station and Town Hall at 55 Summer Street and the building of a new Public Safety Building, and for any costs in connection therewith

Use of facilities

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Block Party application for Mayberry Lane for June 11, 2022 be approved. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board remain in session for the duration of tonight’s session of the annual town meeting and adjourn at its conclusion. Vote was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned after the close of town meeting with no further action taken.