We received the following summary of the 2/18/10 BOS Meeting from a resident in attendance, and wanted to pass along the information.
Before we begin that summary, the resident issued a word of caution: NEVER sit in the back of the room when meetings are held at the Douglas Library! It’s almost impossible to hear, even though microphones are set up.
- There were not many people in attendance: 6 residents, the Probate Judge, 3 children “who were as quiet as church mice,” the video cameraperson, 3 selectmen: Dan Larson, Gayle Mulligan, and Brian O’Connell, and management team members Andy Tierney and Donna Lanza.
- There was one public comment requesting the town to consider videotaping the meetings and having them shown on LIVE television. Ms. Lanza said they would investigate the suggestion, and also if the technology could even be set up to allow comments from the viewing audience calling in from home. Discussion ensued on the up front costs.
- Probate Judge explained the downsizing (merging) of the districts – the issues involved with combining towns and what residents can expect. The final set up for Hebron is the Glastonbury-Hebron district, which is now the 3rd smallest of the 54 combined districts. He said that he would come into our town for any probate issues. The record storage issues are huge; apparently anything from a certain date (some date in the '70's) would be computerized for a state data base. Prior to that time, everything goes onto microfiche.
- It was announced that the 1772 Foundation grant for restoration of the Peters House ell was successful, and that a check for $35,000 had already been mailed to the Hebron Historical Society.
- Mr. Tierney stated that management from the town department heads have met, and that they are close to a 0% increase budget request, although NOT quite there yet. They believe the insurance discussions will positively help, and will positively impact the town, RHAM and the BOE budgets.
- The management team reminded everyone that the RHAM meeting is next Monday at the high school and encouraged everyone to go. Ms. Lanza reminded everyone that they usually hold budget meetings every Thursday in March and set up Tuesdays for additional meetings (if needed).
- The CIP Committee will give a review on March 4th.
- There was discussion about e-mails, and setting up some guidelines for replies. There is a new email for residents to use for budget issues for the BOS: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The link will be posted on the main Hebron site.
- The figures for the snow removal budget are fine so far this year and obviously will be "perfect" if we have no more major storms. Mr. Tierney stated that the town used up all the sand/salt reserves last fiscal year, so when the new year started, the town had to fill the reserves before anything else. Even with that expense, the waste, sand and salt are still below the budget figures to date.
- It was announced that Route 316 was going to be re-worked to Bolton.
- The Selectmen voted to aware the traffic light contract ($20,000) to the engineering firm which has been involved with the project from the beginning.
- The meeting adjourned around 8:30 p.m.