PHILLIPSTON — A change order for the Town Hall roof replacement project was approved by selectmen this week.
It provides $6,500 to cover the cost of additional slates. The roof is expected to be completed by the end of the week, and painting of Town Hall is now one of the board’s top priorities. It was noted previously that the paint is already in house.
As directed by annual Town Meeting voters, selectmen approved minor changes in the wage classification plan for town employees. Selectman Terry Dymek reported the total financial impact to the town is $20,943.12.
“This is slightly more than the 2 ½ percent increase we would have given (across the board) at the annual Town Meeting,” he said, and reflects “transparency, fairness and guidelines.” All new employees will fall within the established guidelines.
The walk-through for the elevator projects in Phillipston and Royalston is Tuesday, July 3, at 10 a.m. (Phillipston) and 11:30 a.m. in Royalston. The projects are funded by a joint Community Development Block Grant. Sub-bids are due July 18, and general bids are due July 25.
The town will set up a small committee to address the town’s needs in regard to the dispatch agreement with Templeton. Tom Specht suggested the town clarify its representation for negotiation of any new contract, and introduce wording to include a continuation clause that the current agreement will continue until changes are made. Other specific changes suggested were actual figures in relation to cost to the town, rather than percentages. It was also suggested that negotiations be started a year prior to the end of the contract.
Highway Superintendent Rick Tenney favors a five-year contract. He also asked if the town could inquire whether the highway department could have its own radio frequency, similar to the police department.
“We have a gentleman’s agreement,” said Tenney. “We (highway employees) don’t talk on the channel. We pull over and text when we have to communicate with each other. We need our own channel.”
He said it might just be a matter of paying for the license fee.
The town has received $6,000 from the Massachusetts Association of the Councils on Aging to purchase assisted-hearing devices for use at town meetings and other town-related programs.
The following appointments were approved (terms run through June 30 of the years indicated):
Agricultural Commission: Marilyn Holway, 2021; Cable Advisory Committee: Charles Kolbenson, 2019; Community Preservation: Kevin Flynn and Bonnie House, both 2021; Caretaker of the Commons Cemetery Commission: Garrett Foley, Paul Bauch and Ronald Richard, all 2019; Council on Aging: Barbara Strom, 2023; Cultural Council: Bonnie House and Nancy MacEwen, 2021; Historical Commission: Richard Hamel, 2021; Open Space Committee: Bonnie House, 2021; Parks and Recreation Committee: Wayne Richard, 2021;
Phillipston Memorial Elementary School Building Committee: John Telepciak, Tom Specht, Dan Sanden, Bernie Malouin, Rick Moulton and Jason Hunt, all 2019; Queen Lake Dam Repair Committee: Richard Tenney, Craig Twohey, Gerald Gariepy, Frederick French, Russ Flagg, Terry Dymek, George Dakin, Scott Conti, John Colby, Joann Augustino and Tony Wagner, all 2019; Zoning Board of Appeals: John Telepciak and alternate Richard Tenney, both 2021; Zoning Board of Appeals: alternate Linda Ellis, 2020.
The selectmen listed their priorities list for Fiscal Year 2019, starting July 1:
Complete the painting of Town Hall; develop and adopt financial policies; implement central tracking of employee leave time; update old and create new policies; update regional agreements: school and dispatch; elevator installation and plans for renovations for second floor of the Town Hall; install front steps for Town Hall; convert the job description of administrative assistant to town administrator.
Selectmen signed the $8,250 contract with Nault Architect to conduct the feasibility study for Phillipston Elementary School. It was noted that four firms were interviewed, and Nault was recommended by the Renovation Committee.
Highway Superintendent Rick Tenney said the project to connect the water well from Town Hall to the police station is complete and went smoothly, as no huge boulders were encountered. He noted the area where the trench was dug has been filled in and will be covered with loam once the dirt has had a chance to settle.
Selectmen also voted to approve the carry-over of vacation time for the highway superintendent and town administrative assistant. The next meeting will be Monday, July 16.