Merrimac Board of Selectmen
Nov. 17, 2008
APPROVED
Sign bid in the amount of $46,205 with low bidder Air Cleaning Specialists of New England for Fire Department ventilation system work. This amount is entirely covered by a grant.
Give non-profit Bridgewell $10,000 of Home Consortium Funds for their affordable housing project at 40 Church St., a five-bed home for disabled men.
Submit to MassHighway the 25 percent submission plan for the engineering work for the Town Square renovations.
A single tax rate of $11.86 per $1,000. Vote was 2-0 with abstention from Chairman Carol Traynor because she owns commercial property.
Allow the sale of trash stickers at Francesca's at 123 East Main St.
Waive the $45 electrical permit fee for repairs to the baseboard heaters at the Sweetsir School.
Sign the Medicaid portion of the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) Health Benefits Rates Renewal for Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2009.
Use an old Fire Department car for parts because it cannot pass inspection.
Waive the $30 electrical permit fee for heating repairs at the Highway Department.
DISCUSSED
The Open Space Committee will attend the Board of Selectmen meeting on Dec. 1 to finalize the Perkins Conservation Restriction and discuss with fire Chief Ralph Spencer a boat ramp on River Road property.
Michael Miracle resigned his volunteer position of Web master for the town's Web site. He will meet with Treasurer and Finance Director Carol McLeod to discuss programs to update the Web site, e.g., Virtual Town Hall.
Selectman Earl Baumgardner will be interviewed on Lowell radio station WCAP for their show "Merrimack Magazine."
Selectmen will continue to look into a request from Piece of Cake Catering to put a link on the town's Web site while they consider link options for businesses.
Request from the town's department managers to switch cell phone service away from Nextel because quality has deteriorated. The 34 phones are used by the highway, water, sewer, light, police and fire departments and Building Inspector Phil Hagopian. Selectmen will try to schedule a meeting with managers on Nov. 25.
Baumgardner will attend the second annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Dec. 5 at Vet NE Outreach Center in Haverhill.
AGREED
To initiate on a trial basis a once-a-month drop-off of electronics at no charge to residents or the town.
To ask John Stewart and Robert Fogarty to attend a Board of Selectmen meeting with Highway Foreman Tom Barry to discuss repairs to Stewart's Pine Bluff Avenue property.
To refer to the police chief and the Pentucket School Committee a safety concern from Trina Condon of 19 Broad St. regarding children walking home from Donaghue School.
To send a letter to Verizon, which Baumgardner prepared, in response to his meeting with Verizon to bring FIOS (fiber optic service) to Merrimac. The letter described resident complaints and reduced competitiveness in bringing businesses to town.
To refer to the Light Department an invitation from Glacial Energy, Inc. to their Alternative Energy Seminar on Dec. 4.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Police contract
Pending litigation
