Selectmen approve items for Town Meeting warrant

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March 29, 2012

Selectmen approve items for Town Meeting warrant

By Warren Russo Correspondent The Daily News of Newburyport Thu Mar 29, 2012, 03:39 AM EDT

MERRIMAC — After a 43-minute closed session with Merrimac's police chief, Eric M. Shears, to discuss personnel matters, the three-member Board of Selectmen reviewed a number of routine items, including:

A $31,000 grant received by the Merrimac Police Department to provide certain staff members with emergency medical dispatch (EMD) training. The police department has contracted with APCO for two 40-hour classes, which will enable police dispatchers to provide initial emergency medical assistance to 911 callers.

Approved the amendment of a Class II license currently held by Frank Sowick, who has been doing business as Edgemont Garage, a used car dealership, to the new name of Edgemont Oil.

Special Town Meeting articles approved by the selectmen for inclusion on the warrant included:

$100,000 to repair a fire pumper and other fire apparatus

$50,000 for a new dump truck with plow for the Highway Department

$20,000 fund transfer to the Ambulance Stabilization account

$35,000 for a new "unmarked administrative law enforcement sedan" for the police chief. Selectman Rick Pinciaro decried the need for this expenditure and voted against it, but the measure passed anyway, 2-1.

$35,000 for a new police cruiser and all associated equipment, for use as a marked, front-line police patrol vehicle.

$33,000 free cash appropriation to establish a Capital Stabilization Fund

$20,000 proportional contribution for weed eradication at Lake Attitash

$5,700 for a new server for the public library.

$5,200 to tile restrooms and install game room and kitchen carpeting at the Council On Aging.

5,000 for an actuarial study to comply with state regulations.

$69,000 appropriation from Wastewater Department Retained Earnings for:

$20,000 for west shore pumping station repairs.

$45,000 for a one-ton dump truck with plow, voted down, 0-3.

$4,000 to purchase 8-by-20-foot storage shed for yard equipment.

$150,000 appropriation from Water Department Retained Earnings for:

$125,000 for water main upgrading.

$15,000 for new roof at Water Filtration Plant.

$10,000 to prepare an operation and maintenance manual.

Article 5 authorizes purchase of $130,000 property on School Street, adjacent to the Light Department building. Existing building would be torn down by the current owner as a contingency of the sale to the town.

Other Town Meeting warrants considered included:

Borrowing $300,000 for a wastewater pumping station, passed

Borrowing $1.7 million for water pumps to reach the 35psi requirement. Residential water rates will rise next year, along with the water pressure.

$195,000 allocation for Pentucket Regional School District, approved

$250,000 for renovation of kitchen facilities at Pentucket, approved

$800,000 for buildings and grounds repairs, unanimously opposed

$500,000 to replace the outdoor track, opposed

In other actions, the board:

Unanimously approved the Article 19 Home Rule Petition to count manufactured homes and trailers as affordable housing.

Accepted for the warrant a motion to change Parks & Recreation Department personnel from elected to appointed.

Approved a Proposition 21/2 override to pay for $500,000 Spring Hill Road repairs.

Approved the use of Carey Park for an Easter Sunrise Service