Present:            Thomas P. O’Toole, Nicholas A. Hay, John F. Fairbanks

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

The following warrants were reviewed and approved:

October 6, 2008 Accounts Payable                     $    127,051.17

October 14, 2008           Accounts Payable                     $    389,176.82

Payroll                                      $    163,550.30

Deduction                                 $    111,176.56

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

The Board agreed with PTO representative Heather Leger regarding the annual tree lighting which will be held at Academy Hill on December 7, 2008:

The PTO will;

1.       Take care of the pruning, and lights for the tree.

2.       Ensure that the lights are removed within one month (January 7, 2009) of the event.

3.       Speak with Mrs. Jones regarding her contribution towards the pruning, lighting and electrical work.

The Board of Selectmen agreed that the Town will;

1.       Organize the electrical work.

2.       Assist with plowing, sanding and shoveling as needed.

3.       Provide the sound system

FREDERICK W. SMITH FUND

Mr. Hay moved that the Board vote to authorize the transfer of $80,000 from the Frederick W. Smith Fund to the General Fund.  It was noted that this money would be used for the Home Heating Assistance Program and at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2009) all unused funds will be transferred back to the Frederick W. Smith Fund.  Mr. Fairbanks seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION – FIRE CHIEF

Mr. Fairbanks moved that the Board authorize Chief MacAloney to accept and manage the grant through the Commonwealth’s Firefighting Equipment Grant Program in the amount of $5,296.  Mr. Hay seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

SPRINGFIELD TERMINAL RAILWAY COMPANY SETTLEMENT

Mr. Fairbanks moved that the Board sign the settlement agreement for $16,000 with the Springfield Terminal Railway Company.  Mr. Hay seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

APPOINTMENTS

Mr. Hay moved that the Board appoint John Bowen as an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Carrie Monty to the Conservation Commission.  Mr. Fairbanks seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

BONFIRE PERMIT

Mr. Fairbanks moved that the Board approve the request from the Friends of the Library to hold their annual Halloween Bonfire at 8 pm on October 31, 2008.  Mr. Hay seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

WESTMINSTER BUSINESS PARK

Chuck Scott of CFS Engineering, Dave Pogorelc of Westminster Business Park and Steve Powell of Powell Stone and Gravel were on hand to discuss the traffic control situation.

Police Chief Sam Albert stated that MRPC conducted a traffic count survey and found that signal lights were not warranted but did suggest geometric improvements be looked at.

It was agreed that the Police detail would continue and in the meantime WBP would pursue the possibility of geometric improvements which would be turning lanes in all directions at the Route 2A/Depot Road intersection.

In the meantime, the Board asked Town Coordinator Karen Murphy to contact Representatives at the State level to help in making the traffic lights an exception.

8:17 PM ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Hay moved that the Board adjourn.  Mr. Fairbanks seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

John F. Fairbanks, Clerk

(Prepared by B. Kazan)