LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
WORK SESSION MINUTES
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
OCTOBER 4, 2006

Present: Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Ed Farrell, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Interim Town Manager Tony Mincu, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent

Chairman Hicks opened the work session at 2:00 pm.

Tony informed everyone present that the Police C hief has officially resigned from his position and the resignation is effective the end of October. This will allow the town time to implement some interim measures until the position of Police Chief can be filled. A couple of resumes have already been received from parties interested in the position. There is one candidate from within the department who may be qualified for the position. Sgt. Smith has been out due to personal tragedy and is expected back to work on Monday. Tony stated it will take Sgt. Smith a while to become re-acclimated to the job. If Sgt Smith is interested in the position of Police Chief, he will need time to get back into the routine and may require some further training some of the training may be very extensive. Tony can pursue this with Sgt. Smith in greater detail. Selectman Farrell stated that they have to see whether Sgt Smith is indeed interested in the position. Tony has contacted a couple of outside agencies to see if they can help by providing someone on a limited basis to come in help. The advantage of this would be that whoever comes would have no Littleton ties and could look at the Town and the police department operation objectively. This person could come 2-3 days a week and help mend communications with the public and help to restore the bad morale presently in the Department. Selectman Hicks stated that it would be his preference to promote from within the Department if there is a qualified person to assume the position of Police Chief.

Art Tighe stated he does not think this is necessarily the best way to go. He stated that whoever ends up in the position will need to be a strong manager and will need to address serious issues with the Police Department budget.

Eddy Moore stated that Sgt. Smith could be tried on a trial basis. Selectman Farrell agreed stating that someone could also be hired to come in and help him through the transition period.

Brien Ward stated that there is still a need for a management analysis of the Police Department and this information could be very helpful to the Department and could be done during this time.

Tony informed everyone that the Moore Dam Committee has accepted the valuation figures from Synapse for Moore Dam. The assessment came in at $307 million. There was discussion on the allocation of the property as there are conflicting percentages at this time. Brien Ward added that in 1995 Sancousy went over the land mass and data from that office supports the allocation of 97% for Littleton.

Tony advised that the Budge Committee member’s appointments have all expired. The Selectmen will need to discuss this appointment and decide if they want to re-appoint the existing members or add new members on to the committee. Eddy Moore asked the Selectmen to consider appointing Art Tighe to the Budget Committee. Art told the Selectmen he would serve if asked. Selectman Ingerson also stated he had talked to Linda Warden recently and she had indicated that she would also serve on the Committee if requested.

Tony, Joe Mercieri and Adam Smith have been working on updating the ambulance contract. The contract will be for one year and will contain some changes, primarily upgrades.

Brien Ward suggested that the Town speak with Ed Hennessey, Paul McGoldrick or Georgine Novak regarding health insurance. Brien noted that these individuals have recently or currently been addressing health insurance issues similar to what the town is faced with regarding health insurance costs. He added that these individuals could perhaps offer some helpful information.

Brien also asked the Selectmen to revisit evaluation on Meadow Street. He added there have been some huge changes in the area and property has been sold at very high prices. He feels that the valuations in this area need to be updated.

Selectman Farrell stated that they can ask Carol to contact Joe Lessard and get some feedback from him regarding this issue.

Tony handed out a spreadsheet outlining Chief Brown’s severance package. He noted that there were some areas in which the Town did not have any control such as the leave time agreement which Chief Brown had with the former Town Manager. The position of Executive Assistant for the Police Department will not be refilled. They will be bringing some one in part time to enable the pd office to be open some on weekends.

Karen Noyes told the Selectmen we are currently at 20% of our budget and should be at 25%. This is a slight improvement from what it has been up to now.

The meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted, ________________________
Cheryl Sargent Selectman Burton E. Ingerson
Executive Assistant
________________________
__________________________ Selectman Edward Farrell
Chairman George O. Hicks