SELECTMEN'S MEETING & FINANCE COMMITTEE Wednesday ...

SELECTMEN’S MEETING & FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 6:00 PM 

Dennis Town Hall, Hearing Room 

Page 1 of 5 

Attendees: Board of Selectmen; Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, Heidi Schadt, 

Wayne Bergeron and Alan Tuttle. Town Administrator Rick White, Assistant Town 

Administrator Sandra Fife and Wendy Pells Recording Secretary. 

Finance Committee: Jim Plath, Jay Murphy, Jackie Souza, Bill Crowell, Bob Prall 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Rick White introduced Betty Clark MacLeay. He explained that she was recently selected 

for the Treasurer/ Collector position. He explained that 25 resumes were received for the 

Treasurer/ Collector position. The search team then narrowed the field to three applicants. 

Final interviews were held and the most outstanding candidate was Betty Clark MacLeay. 

She will begin her employment on May 22, 2010. 

Motion: 

Heidi Schadt moved to appoint Betty Clark MacLeay as Treasurer/ Collector for a 

term to expire on 3/31/2011. Wayne Bergeron seconded. The Board of Selectmen 

voted 5-0-0. 

Motion: 

Sheryl McMahon moved to approve the salary for the Treasurer/ Collector at 

$78,000. Wayne Bergeron seconded. The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0-0. 

Rick White stated that the Town is being presented with an opportunity through the 

County to participate in a study for regionalizing assessing. He asked the Board if they 

would like to participate. 

Motion: 

Wayne Bergeron moved to participate in a study for regional assessing. Heidi 

Schadt seconded. The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0-0. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Declare Equipment Surplus 

Accept Resignation from Capital Outlay Committee 

Motion: 

Sheryl McMahon moved to declare equipment surplus and to accept the resignation 

from Patrick McDowell from the Capital Outlay Committee. Wayne Bergeron 

seconded.The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0-0. 

Board of Selectmen Approved 05/18/2010




Page 2 of 5 

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 

Review and Recommend Solar Farm Article 

Rick White explained that we are asking Town Meeting to approve a request for an RFP. 

David Johansen explained that we spend $25,000 per year for the inspections on the 

landfill. The Town owns 30 acres of land that could be used for this purpose of a solar 

farm on top of the landfill. 

Omer Dumais, Vice President of Tighe & Bond presented some background information 

on the solar panel farm. He explained that the production of solar energy is a good 

application for this land use. He added that there are federal and state tax credits. If the 

facility generates more energy than needed it could then be sold back to the grid. The 

permitting process is relatively smooth. Potentially 30 acres could be used. The total 

installation cost would be approximately $15 million dollars. The project life of 25-30 

years offers steady predictable income for the property owner. He explained that each 

1MW of installed capacity will be viable for 20-30 years and will generate over 1.2 

million kWhs of electricity per year. This project also has the benefit of local job 

creation. This is a very safe application. He explained that the system is very clean. 

Wayne Bergeron noted that the lease is for 20 years. The life of the panels is 25-30 years. 

Wayne Bergeron asked how the value of the project be determined after 20 years? 

Omer Dumais explained the residual value would remain. The capital cost would have 

been paid for by then. The goal would be to have a lease signed this fall with construction 

beginning before the end of the year. All the bidders would like to be up and running by 

the Spring of 2011. 

Sheryl McMahon stated that she would like to see a copy of a contract. She also 

mentioned that she would like to know where the nearest landfill solar farm is located. 

Sheryl McMahon asked if the solar panels move? 

Omer Dumais stated that some types do, but for a farm this size these panels would be 

fixed. 

Wayne Bergeron stated that this is very exciting. This is cutting edge technology. This is 

an opportunity to generate revenue and reduce costs for the Town. 

Jim Plath mentioned that we need to do this right as this is a long term commitment. 





Page 3 of 5 

Board of Selectmen 

Motion: 

Wayne Bergeron moved to support and place Article 23 on the warrant. Heidi 


Finance Committee 

Motion: 

Jay Murphy moved to recommend Article 23 in the amount of $25,000. Bill Crowell 

seconded. The Finance Committee voted 5-0-0. 

Review and Recommend Composting Article 

David Johansen explained that this request is for $60,000.00 to develop an RFP. 

Whitney Hall from Peninsula Composting Group explained that they have been on 

Nantucket for the past 13 years. He added that they also operate a 160,000,000 ton 

factory in Wilmington, Delaware. The GORE process takes roughly 8 weeks to produce 

quality compost. There are other methods that may take as long as a year. All air is 

filtered through a biofilter. Whitney Hall also explained the composting process. There 

are many environmental benefits, as composting eliminates methane gas from the 

atmosphere. The operation would provide compost to Dennis residents at no charge; it 

would also create 10-15 jobs. This would also reduce the yard waste generated in Dennis. 

Wayne Bergeron inquired as to how much revenue would be generated for the Town? 

Rick White mentioned that this will generate roughly $500,000.00. 

Sheryl McMahon asked how many acres would be needed. 

Whitney Hall stated that 10 acres would be needed. 

Alan Tuttle asked how long it would take to have the operation up and running. 

Whitney Hall stated that it could take roughly six months. 

David Johansen explained that this is a much more complicated process than the solar 

farm. 


Motion: 

Wayne Bergeron moved to support and place Article 24 on the warrant. Heidi 






Page 4 of 5 


Motion: 

Jay Murphy moved to recommend Article 24 in the amount of $60,000.00. Jackie 

Souza seconded. The Finance Committee voted 5-0-0. 

Annual Town Final Warrant Review 

The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed Article 12 Capital Equipment/ 

Meals Tax 


Motion: 

Heidi Schadt moved to place Article 12 on the warrant. Wayne Bergeron seconded. 

The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0-0. 


Motion: 

Bill Crowell moved to recommend Article 12. Jay Murphy seconded. The Finance 

Committee voted 5-0-0. 

The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed Article 19/ WDGS Painting 

Rick White explained that the paint on the outside of the building is in an extreme state of 

disrepair. 

Greg Rounsville stated that the estimates he has received to paint the West Dennis 

Graded House are in excess of $100,000.00. He explained that if lead paint is found to be 

on the building, the building would have to be encapsulated during the removal. Greg 

Rounsville asked the Selectmen if they want to move forward or proceed in phases. 

Rick White suggested that Greg Rounsville meet with 1867 West Dennis Graded School 

House Committee and discuss the process with them. 

There was a consenus from the Selectmen to discuss the issue with Committee and to 

report back to the Selectmen. 


Motion: 

Heidi Schadt moved to indefinitely postpone the Article. Sheryl McMahon seconded. 

The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1-0 (WB) 





Page 5 of 5 


Motion: 

Jay Murphy moved to indefinitely postpone the Article. Bob Prall seconded. The 

Finance Committee voted 5-0-0. 

Article 25 Road Acceptances 


Motion: 

Jackie Souza moved to recommend Article. Jay Murphy seconded. The Finance 

Committee voted 5-0-0. 

Police Negotiations Update 

Rick White noted that the Selectmen have reached an agreement with the Police Union to 

develop a program that funds 75% of the Quinn Bill that was cut by the State. 

9:30AM 

Motion: 

Wayne Bergeron moved to adjourn. Heidi Schadt seconded. The Board of 

Selectmen voted 5-0-0.

SELECTMEN'S MEETING & FINANCE COMMITTEE Wednesday ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?