Warrant 2011 Posted

The Cotuit Fire District Warrant is now posted.

You may download a copy by clicking on the District folder on the Documents page.

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TO THE CLERK OF THE COTUIT FIRE DISTRICT, GREETING:

You are hereby required and directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Barnstable residing within the territory comprising the Cotuit Fire District qualified to vote in District elections and affairs to meet at the Fire Station, 64 High Street, Cotuit, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, between the hours of four o’clock and eight o’clock PM, then and there to vote for the following officers:

One member of the Prudential Committee, for three years

One member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, for three years

One member of the Board of Water Commissioners, for three years

Warning shall also be given to said inhabitants to meet on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Freedom Hall, Main Street, Cotuit, at seven-thirty o’clock PM, when action will be taken on the following articles:

(All articles which are not followed by the words “by request of . . .” are inserted by the Prudential Committee.)

Article 1: To see if the District will vote to accept the reports of the officers and committees of the District as printed.

Article 2: To see if the District will vote to set the annual salaries of the elected officials as follows: Prudential Committee Members, Members of the Board of Fire Commissioners and Members of the Board of Water Commissioners: $1,250.00 each; Moderator: $250.00.

Article 3: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $130,000.00 for the expenses of the Financial Department.

Article 4: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $200,345.00 for the Barnstable County Retirement Assessment.

Article 5: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $30,000.00 to maintain the street lights of the District.

Article 6: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $13,400.00 for the maintenance of the Cotuit Library.

Article 7: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $410,000.00 for group insurance.

Article 8: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $25,000.00 for the maintenance and operation of Freedom Hall.

Article 9: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $6,808.00 for the purpose of reimbursing the Town of Barnstable for services provided by the offices of the tax collector and assessors to collect the taxes of the District
.
Article 10: To see if the District will vote to adopt the provisions of Chapter 479 of the Acts of 2008 , AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS LIABILITY TRUST FUNDS IN MUNICIPALITIES AND CERTAIN OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.

Article 11: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $1,320,330.48 for the labor and salaries of the Fire Department; and to raise and appropriate $288,074.50 for the remaining expenses of the Fire Department, to be apportioned approximately as follows:
Maintenance, $58,300.00
Operating expenses, $229,774.50
for a total appropriation of $1,608,404.98
(Requested by the Board of Fire Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends the Article.

Article 12: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $9,500.00 to provide for the ambulance service
billing. (Requested by the Board of Fire Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this article.

Article 13: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $38,500.00 to provide for the purchase of patient medical supplies and related equipment for the operation of the ambulance. (Requested by the Board of Fire Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article

Article 14: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $9,700.00 to fund expenses associated with the initial hiring of New Call Firefighters.(Requested by the Board of Fire Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 15: To if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $25,000.00 to purchase and replace fourteen (14) portable radios. (Requested by the Board of Fire Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 16: To see if the District will vote to appropriate and transfer from available funds a sum of money to the current Fire Department operating budget to cover unforeseen emergency expenses which occurred during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. (Requested by the Board of Fire Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 17: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate:
$26,000.00 for the Water Department for service connections
$291,550.00 for labor and salaries; and
$307,400.00 for the remaining expenses of the Water Department, to be apportioned approximately as follows:
$76,000.00 for maintenance;
$179,400.00 for operations; and
$52,000.00 for miscellaneous expenses
for a total appropriation of $624,950.00 and that the receipts and revenues of the Water Department be applied to these amounts. (Requested by the Board of Water Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 18: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds the sum of $50,000.00 for the meter replacement program. (Requested by the Board of Water Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 19: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds or borrow and appropriate the sum of $275,000.00 for road repair at the pumping stations. (Requested by the Board of Water Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 20: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds or borrow and appropriate the sum of $200,000.00 for a comprehensive security system replacement. (Requested by the Board of Water Commissioners)
The Prudential Committee recommends this Article.

Article 21: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $176,900.00 for notes and interest.

Article 22: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to hire a part time Assistant Treasurer commencing on or about July 1, 2011.

Article 23: To see if the District will raise and appropriate $25,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing, training, networking, licensing and any related costs of a new financial software program.

Article 24: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $45,000 for the purpose of water and mold remediation at Freedom Hall.

Article 25: To see if the District will vote to amend Article II, by adding “Section 6: All Committees/Boards of the District shall publish notice of all meetings, special and regular, in accordance with the Massachusetts open meeting law by posting on the District web site and by posting on any bulletin board designated by the Prudential Committee as an official place of posting.”

Article 26: To see if the District will vote to delete Article V, Section 6; Article VIII, Section 8; and Article IX, Section 7; and add to Article XI, a new section,
“Section 10: The Clerks of all Committees and Commissions, including any standing or Ad Hoc Committees, shall post the minutes of each meeting as kept in accordance with Chapter 39, Section 23B, of the Massachusetts General Laws, on the District web site upon approval of said minutes. A summary thereof may also be posted on any bulletin board designated by the Prudential Committee as an official place of posting.”

Article 27: To see if the District will vote to add to Article XI of the By-laws of the District, the following: “Article 11: The Prudential Committee, The Board of Fire Commissioners, and The Board of Water Commissioners may from time to time appoint a panel of citizens of the District to act as an ad hoc committee to study and advise on subjects of interest to the District.

Article 28: To see if the District will vote to add to Article XI, Section 6, and Article XI, Section 9, after the words “said appointments to be made each year at the time of the Annual Meeting,” the words “appointments are to be made each year at the time of the Annual Meeting” “or subsequent to the Annual Meeting should no District citizens volunteer before said Meeting.

Article 29: To see if the Cotuit District voters will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,500.00 for the purpose of painting “Santuit” on the water tower located off Newtown Road. (Submitted by Citizen Petition)

Article 30: To see if the District will vote to support petitioned legislation given below and to adopt the legislation upon approval by the Massachusetts General Court. Legislation under consideration by Massachusetts General Court. “Notwithstanding the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 32B, elected officials of the Cotuit Fire District who receive a salary or a stipend shall not be eligible for participation in the District’s contributory health and life insurance plan, as soon as applicable or at the end of their current term, whichever comes first. Elected official who receive a salary or a stipend and who elect to pay one hundred of the cost of the District health and life insurance benefit plan may be deemed eligible to so participate. (Submitted by Citizen Petition)

Article 31: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $25,000.00 for the Stabilization Fund as provided under Section 5B, Chapter 40, of the General Laws.

Article 32: To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate $50,000.00 to the reserve fund as provided under Section 5C, Chapter 40 of the General Laws.

Article 33: To see if the District will vote to appropriate and transfer a sum of money from free cash in the Treasury toward the tax levy of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011.

Hereof fail not to make due return of this warrant and your doings thereon at said meeting.

Given under our hands this Twenty-Fifth day of April, 2011.

PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE

Amy M. Kates
Richard G. Barry
Laurie C. Hadley

A True Copy, attest:

_________________________
Charles W. Eager, Clerk
Cotuit Fire District

 

Meeting Minutes 1-24-11 Posted

The minutes from the Prudential Committee Meeting have been posted.

You may download them by clicking on the Prudential Committee file folder on Document page

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COTUIT FIRE DISTRICT

Prudential Committee

January 24, 2011
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Amy Kates. Members Rick Barry and Laurie Hadley were present. The Chairman then called for any public comments.

Ms Paula Fay read a letter into the record which she then presented to the Prudential Committee (see copy attached) regarding Article 10 in the warrant of the District Meeting held in May pertaining to health insurance for elected officials.

Ms Jessica Grassetti volunteered to become a member of the by-law committee. She also questioned whether or not the Moderator had the ability to remove an article from a district meeting warrant based on a legal opinion or whether a vote of the District should have been taken.

Ms Dolores Lowe asked if the 2009 audit had been completed.

Alison Lowe, the Moderator, stated she had sent a request for public records to the District Treasurer by registered mail and the request had never been picked up from the Post Office. She then delivered a copy to the Treasurer, Ms Agnes Murray.

Ms Diane Fay brought to the attention of the Prudential Committee the fact that the Governor has a plan that will allow municipal employees to become part of the GIC (Group Insurance Commission) insurance plan. Because of the large number of people in the plan, it has lower costs and includes $1,700.00 every three years for hearing aids, a benefit not found in other plans. This would of course require negotiation with the Firefighters union.

The minutes of the December 22 and January 12 meetings, as well as the January 6 non-meeting, were approved with one correction.

Ms Kates explained the reasons that the health insurance issue regarding active and retired officials had not yet been acted upon by the Prudential Committee. Opinions were received from the District’s counsel, Mark Boudreau, from Attorney Edward Gargiulo and the Massachusetts Retired Employees Association. It appears no action can be taken regarding former Fire Commissioner Michael Lloyd’s insurance. She also covered some of the history leading to the May District Meeting warrant articles and what had transpired since.

After much discussion between members of the Committee and members of the public, a motion was made and seconded that the Prudential Committee to reduce the elected officials insurance from 75% to 50%. The motion passed on a vote of two to one.

A motion was made that the Prudential Committee vote to petition the legislature through a home rule petition to remove the elected officials from the benefit of receiving health insurance. The motion was amended to include wording that would allow elected officials to remain in the health insurance plan by contributing 100% of their costs. The motion was seconded and passed on a vote of two to one.

At that point discussion was held on when to make effective the cut from 75% to 50% percent which had been voted earlier in the meeting. That motion was rescinded by the mover, Mr Barry, and a motion was made containing the same wording, with the addition that it become effective with the swearing in of newly elected officials after the District Meeting to be held on May 25th, 2011. A motion was made and seconded to rescind the earlier vote and passed on a two to one vote. The motion to reduce the District’s contribution to the health insurance for elected officials from 75% to 50%, to commence at our next District Meeting, May 25th, 2011, was then made and seconded and did not pass on a two to one vote.

The next subject discussed was open meeting postings. Ms Kates had some information on outdoor bulletin boards which was made available to the other members. No action was taken and further information will be sought. Use of the District’s existing web site was also discussed. Apparently the Water and Fire Departments also have web sites, so the District may be paying for three individual web sites.

With regard to Freedom Hall, the present custodian, Steve Murray, wishes to stay on. Apparently some of the groups using Freedom Hall have keys, and we’re not always aware when it’s being used. Any group using the hall needs to go through the Prudential Committee. A motion was made and seconded that the locks on Freedom Hall be changed, and passed unanimously. A third estimate on the much needed clean-up has been requested. One company who had submitted an estimate is no longer interested. Ms Kates will be contacting an additional company.

It was suggested that the level of custodial service for Freedom Hall needs to be clarified. Previously there has been no set number of hours required, and with a major cleanup to be undertaken soon, this may be a good time to determine what’s required on an on-going basis. There was also discussion on removing a lot of the material that is now in Freedom Hall, renting a dumpster, and throwing out the “junk” that’s there. The members of the Prudential Committee will do a site inspection of Freedom Hall on Monday, January 31st. A motion was made and seconded that the Prudential Committee coordinate with the Chief in his capacity as Scout Leader to select a date when the Scouts will remove all their items, assist with removal of the District’s unneeded articles, and a dumpster will be provided for their material as well as the District’s, with work to be completed by March 1st. The motion passed unanimously.

No one volunteered for the by-law committee so none were appointed at the District Meeting. The Moderator stated that the by-laws specify the appointments are to be made at the District meeting so no members can be appointed until the next meeting. The committee can meet with only the three members from the Boards.

The street light on Old Kings Road has not yet been fixed. Republic Electric is the company who now has the contract. If service continues to be unsatisfactory, the Prudential Committee will consider a change. The Treasurer added that she believes the contract will be up this year.

The Chairman wanted to get an estimate of the cost of fulfilling the response to the request for Public records. Ms Lowe stated she would do the copying required. Ms Murray was unable to give an estimate of the time that would be required researching the records as she hadn’t had time to study the request. However, a response is required by statute within ten days of receiving the request. After much discussion, it was agreed that Ms Murray would provide an estimate of the earliest date she could comply with all the parts of the request.

Mr Barry was nominated and unanimously elected to attend the Fire Department contract negotiations with their union.

The Treasurer made available to the members the investment report for December 2010. Mr Barry questioned the Treasurer as to whether all accounts were insured and received the answer that they were. The appropriations and expenditures report for December 2010 was also made available.

Bills for legal services were discussed. The Fire Department budgeted $30,000; has spent through September $30,376; and has a pending bill of $6,000. There is no insurance reimbursement for these costs. There is reimbursement through a policy that is the equivalent of Workmen’s Compensation that partially reimburses the District for money paid out to an injured firefighter. Last year the amount was $48,000 and $3,000 the year before that.

The 2009 audit has been completed and the draft form is available.

A question was asked regarding the cost to the District for sending out the separate District tax bills. The cost is estimated between $7,500 and $13,000. This could come out of the reserve fund if so voted by the Prudential Committee.

A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session, not to return to a public forum, for the purpose of negotiating with nonunion personnel. Ms Murray indicated she would prefer it be done in Executive Session.

Respectfully submitted

LAURIE C. HADLEY, Clerk
Prudential Committee

 

Meeting Minutes 1-12-11 Posted

The Minutes from the Prudential Committee meeting on 1-12-11 have been posted.

You can download the minutes clicking on the Prudential Committee folder on the Document page.

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MINUTES OF THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE
OF THE COTUIT FIRE DISTRICT
January 12, 2011

Chairman Kates opened the meeting and welcomed members of the public who were in attendance. She explained that the purpose of the meeting was strictly “housekeeping” or organizational. An executive session planned to follow the meeting would not be held because of the absence of the Treasurer, Mrs. Agnes Murray.

Posting of meetings was the first topic of discussion. In the past, meetings were posted only at the post office. As of July 1 of 2010, the revised open meeting law required posting at Town Hall. It was stated that a letter had been received from the Attorney General stating that we must post at the Town Hall. Ms. Hadley suggested an outdoor bulletin board at the Fire Station. It was moved that meeting notices be posted at the post office, the library, the fire station, and the water department in addition to the Town Hall and that we pursue getting an outdoor bulletin board. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Ms. Kates will try to find out what work has already been done toward obtaining an outdoor bulletin board. There was also discussion regarding keys to the bulletin board at the post office.

Ms. Hadley volunteered to be the Prudential Committee member assigned to the By-law committee. A motion to that effect was made and seconded and passed unanimously.

Ms Kates will remain on the Policy Advisory Committee.

It was agreed that one member of the Prudential Committee will attend Fire Commissioners meeting and one will attend Water Commissioners meetings. A motion was made and seconded that Ms. Kates will attend Fire Commissioners meetings through May and Ms. Hadley will attend Water Commissioners meetings. It passed unanimously.

A motion was made and seconded that Mr. Barry will be the committee’s contact for street lights. It passed unanimously.

It was stated that Mrs Murray has been in charge of scheduling the use of Freedom Hall as well as for opening the building and closing it for each usage. Her son, Stephen Murray has been the custodian. Ms Kates made a motion that Cotuit and nonprofit groups be allowed to continue using the hall for not charge, that for profit groups would pay a fee of $25, that the scheduling will be the responsibility of Ms Kates and that she will determine whether or not the present custodian wishes to continue to perform those duties and that she will monitor the condition of the hall. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

After discussion about proceeding with an executive session in the absence of Mrs Murray, who had chosen not to attend the meeting, and upon a motion made and seconded to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing strategies in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel, and not to return to a public session, a roll call vote was taken and with Mr. Barry and Ms Hadley voting in favor, Ms Kates voting against..

Respectfully submitted

LAURIE C. HADLEY
Clerk, Prudential Committee

Meeting Minutes 1-6-11 Posted

The minutes from the Prudential Committee meeting on 1-16-11 have been posted.

You may download these minutes by clicking on the Prudential Committee folder on the Documents page.

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MINUTES OF THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE
OF THE COTUIT FIRE DISTRICT
January 6, 201l

Present were Chairman Amy Kates, Members Rick Barry and Laurie Hadley, as well as several members of the public.

As notice of the meeting had not been posted within the required forty-eight hours, no official business could be conducted.

Respectfully submitted

LAURIE C. HADLEY
Clerk, Prudential Committee