TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN
Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
March 22, 2010

MINUTES

PRESENT: Larry Hebert - Vice Chair, Chris Peloquin, Rodney Graham, Art Stone, Bill Ashe

Town Manager: Garrett Earls

VISITORS: Mike Sprano, Irvin Stevenson, Monique Hayden

SELECTBOARD WORKSHOP

At 7:10 P.M. Larry Hebert – Chair called the meeting to order of the Williamstown Selectboard Special Meeting

Larry explained this meeting was to discuss sending out an informational letter to the Towns people about the up coming vote whether or not to retain the Town Manager for the Town. The Town’s people have expressed confusion about the petition they signed and the understanding of the Article they are to vote on.

Larry presented to the Board a sample letter explaining the differences of the management of a Town Manager and a Town Administrator. A discussion followed with the Board’s input on preparing the letter for a Town wide mailing. The letter explained the different roles between the Manager and an Administrator. Also included was a chart of the Towns with populations +/- % of Williamstown that employee a manager or administrator.

A concern about the powers a Town Manager has is a concern to Mike and Irvin. Rodney explained the Manager has some authority to do day to day business that basically is what the Statutes give him the power to do. The Selectboard hires and fires the Town Manager. The letter was approved and a date for mailing was set, Tuesday April 6th.

The Board approved an amendment to the Town of Williamstown’s Personnel Policy to add “In the event a husband and wife are both employed by the Town, the Town reserves the right to provide insurance benefit to reflect the best cost savings for the Town. Rodney motion to approve the amendment and Francis seconded. Motion pass by voice vote of 3-0.

The auditor’s bill was due and it was asked permission to do a warrant to pay it. A discussion followed and it was voted on to pay the whole amount due, not deducting the postage and printing costs of the part not sent to the printers from the auditors. Rodney made the motion to pay the full invoice. Seconded by Francis and the motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

Francis motioned to end the Selectboard meeting at 8:45 pm. Seconded by Rodney and the motion passed by voice vote 3-0.