| ARTICLE 8: |
AMEND GENERAL BY-LAW BY ADDING SECTION 2.2.1.6.
ASSESSING OFFICE |
Moved: That the Town amend its General By-Laws by
inserting the following new section:
"Section 2.2.1.6 Assessing Office: There shall be
an Assessing Office which shall be under the jurisdiction of the Finance
Director. There shall be a Director of Assessing responsible for the
Administration of the Assessing Office. The Director
of Assessing shall be appointed by a five person committee composed of
two Selectmen, two Assessors and the Finance Director. The Director of
Assessing and his staff shall report to the Finance Director. The Finance
Director and Town Administrator shall ensure that the Director of Assessing
and his staff provide assistance to the Board of Assessors sufficient for
the Board of Assessors to discharge its statutory functions. The Board
of Assessors shall have access to all facts, figures, records and other
information pertaining to its statutory functions, and shall be furnished
with such information forthwith, in the form it may require when requested
from the Finance Director or Town Administrator. The Finance Director shall
consult with the Board of Assessors prior to submitting budget recommendations
to the Board of Selectmen relating to staffing, technology, and other resources
affecting assessing functions. The Board of Assessors shall retain its
own budget with respect to ordinary and necessary expenses of the Board
of Assessors as distinguished from the Assessor's Office. The Board of
Assessors shall submit to the Finance Director, at least annually, its
performance evaluation of the Director of Assessing; which shall be taken
into consideration by the Finance Director in his/her performance evaluation
of the Director of Assessing. The Director of Assessing shall not be terminated
without prior consultation by the Finance Director with the Board of Assessors."
INSERTED BY: Committee to Study the Town's Assessing Function
- Defeated 91-105
- Discussion 8:38-9:55 pm 11/17/97: Mr. James Bucking
discussed the written report and the history behind it. Although the assessing
office is indeed involved with assessing, it also has a large function in town
finance. The commitee felt that having them report to Finance, as many towns
do, is a better proposal. This should Improve both the Assessing Office and
the Board of Assessors. The proposal Includes safeguards to ensure that the
Board of Assessors can continue to do their statutory functions.
Mr. Russel Broad stated his support for this proposal. Mr. Jay Ziegler, one of
the new assessors, spoke of his opposition. He felt that the context of the
elected board should be maintained.
Mr. Cahill of Precinct J supported the proposal due to his own problems with
assessments. Mr. James H. Powers said to look beyond personalities and see if
this makes sense.
Motion to Refer:Mr. James Powers moved that the matter be referred
to the Town Government Review Committee.
- Approved 116-82.
| ARTICLE 9: |
APPROPRIATE FOR ASSESSING VALUATION STUDY |
Moved: That the town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $75,000 to conduct a review of the Town's assessments of real
estate, to be spent undo the direction of the Board of Assessors and raised
from the tax levy.
INSERTED BY: Committee to Study the Town's Assessing
Function
- Withdrawn by Unanimous Consent
| ARTICLE 10: |
APPROPRIATE FOR HILLSIDE BOILER DESIGN
SPECIFICATIONS |
Moved: That the town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $18,000 for the Hillside School boiler design specifications,
to be spent under the direction of the Municipal Building Maintenance Board,
to be raised from the tax levy.
INSERTED BY: Municipal Building Maintenance Board
- Approved
- Discussion 11/17/97 10:07-10:16 pm: Mr. John Marr,
Selectman, introduced Mr. Mark LaFleur, Director of the MBMB, to discuss this
article. It refers to the number 1 boiler at Hillside. The situation has
actually become dangerous because of an undersize burner, leaving soot in the
flue, which could result in an accident. Mr. Smith of Fincom said they support
this article. Mr. Matthews said it is the philosophy of the Selectmen to Study
first. Thus this article and the next address studies that can lead to
proposals by the next Annual Meeting.
| ARTICLE 11: |
APPROPRIATE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ROOF DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS |
Moved: That the town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $50,000 for the High School Roof Design Specifications, to be
spent under the direction of the Permanent Public Building Committee and
that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the
Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow up to $50,000 for a period
of up to five years under M.G.L. Ch. 44, Sec. 7; or take any other action
relative thereto.
INSERTED BY: Municipal Building Maintenance Board
- Approved 175-1
- Discussion 10:17-10:35 pm 11/17/97: Mr. Marr said
that these are sections of the roof that were not done when the school was
renovated. There are 26 separate roof surfaces that need to be studied for the
specification. It is proposed to be bonded because the whole project will be
bonded..
| ARTICLE 12: |
APPROPRIATE FOR COMPREHENSIVE
FACILITY STUDY |
Moved: That the town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $85,000 for a comprehensive facility study of Town real estate
and buildings, to be spent under the direction of the Board of Selectmen
and raised from the tax levy.
INSERTED BY: Board of Selectmen/School Committee
- Approved
- Discussion 10:36-11:00 pm 11/17/97: Mr. Ted Owens,
Selectman, discussed the history of the proposal. They have identified over 40
million dollars of building work. Town Meeting has asked for this sort of
overview in the past. Mr. Klausett showed the enrollment changes. that are
seen for the next few years. The focus will be on elementary schools. Among
the questions are whether a building should be renovated or replaced.. Mr.
Ryan said that the Fincom supports this proposal. Mrs. Helen Jursek said that
the Committee Center Study Commitee supports this proposal. Ms. Jill Owens
urged that cost be important in this study.
| ARTICLE 13: |
APPROPRIATE TO THE STABILIZATION FUND |
Moved: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $380,000 to the Stabilization Fund, as provided for under M.G.L..
Ch. 40, Sec. 5B as amended.
INSERTED BY: Finance Committee
- Approved
- Amendments:
- Mr. John Ryan made motion to amend the sum to $463,379. Increase due to
the withdrawal of article 9.
- Approved
- Discussion 7:35 - 7:40 pm 11/19/97:
After passage of this article, the stabilization fund would be around $1.5M.
| ARTICLE 14: |
ACCEPT M.G.L. CH. 71 OF THE ACTS OF 1996 (VETERAN'S
RETIREMENT INCENTIVE LEGISLATION) |
Moved: That the Town vote to accept Ch. 71 of the
Acts of 1996, as amended by Ch. 188 of the Acts of 1996.
INSERTED BY: Needham Contributory Retirement Board
- Approved 100-77
- Amendments:
- Mr. Richard Weitzen made a motion to refer the
question back to the Retirement Board.
- Defeated
- Discussion 7:40 - 8:33 pm 11/19/97:
Presentation by Thomas Welsh, elected citizen to the Retirement Board.
Article is a local option. Will provide for veterans who were in
recognized conflicts (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, etc). to buy
back 4 years of service for 10% of their starting salary. At this
point there are 71 people in town who would qualify. 54 would be
interested in pursuing (15 in FY98, 6 in FY99). Cost will range from
$54,300 to $100,000 per year for approx 10 years. Dan Matthews aid
that the selectmen could not come to a unamious vote. The FInance
Committee voted not to adopt; they felt veterans already got
prefential hiring and this should be discussed in May along with the
other major money requests. There was considerable discussion. An
important point was that Vietnam Veterans have not been treated well
and that THEY would be the ones to benefit from this. Also that
Teachers can particpate.
Summary of Ch. 71 of the Acts of 1996 -
These acts amend M.G.L., Ch. 32, Sec. 3, g, (2) and Sec. 4, h, (1) to allow
town employees, who have completed ten or more years of creditable service
and who are veterans to purchase up to four years of creditable service
corresponding to their period of active service in the armed forces.
