I. CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairman James Persano. Members present were Steve Krasinski, George Warner, Marilyn Provonost and Michael Parker. Also attending: First Selectman David Pinney, Treasurer Ed Sullivan, Tim Potrikus and BOE Business Manager Bill Boutwell.

II. BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE

Tim Potrikus notified the BOF that another student requiring special services has enrolled in the Somers school system. Providing the extra staffing necessary for this student will cost the Town an additional $53,000.00. The State will reimburse about $8,000.00 of this expense. A memo about this was also distributed to the BOF.

The BOE is updating their long-range plan for 3 to 5 years in the future. Currently, teacher negotiations are in progress.

III. SELECTMAN’S UPDATE

David Pinney offered to have a representative from the Department of Economic & Community Development come to discuss the economic functioning of Housing Authorities (H.A.) and how these projects are funded. The BOF said it would not be necessary.

Greg Simmons, a Somers resident, has been appointed as the new Financial Director. He had served in this position in Enfield and will begin here on November 13^th. Ed Sullivan will leave November 19^th but will be available to answer questions until January.

Bob Cafarelli has been appointed as the new Town Engineer and Director of Public Works and will begin in this position November 5^th. He is a civil engineer from East Longmeadow and served the Town of Wilbraham as their Director of Public Works.

Ken Anderson presented his letter of retirement on November 2^nd.

The Executive Assistant and Operations Manager position has been filled by Marsha Mitchell. Connie Corenzo, the current Administrative Assistant to the Selectman, will stay on to focus on Social Services.

There was a comprehensive meeting with the Town’s employees to review the restructured organization plan. Under the new system everyone will report to a director.

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IV. HOUSING AUTHORITY - TOWN PILOT GRANT

Michael Parker said that he does not support the PILOT waiver for the following reasons:

1. All Town citizens are obligated to pay their fair share of taxes.

2. In the case of H.A. residents, their taxes are paid through the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). The PILOT is paid by the H.A. as a percentage of the rent collected. The rent is set by statute and cannot be waived, but is based on the person’s income.

3. If the H.A. residents need assistance, the correct way to have those needs met is to request from the Selectmen an appropriation that can be added to the budget.

4. An open 30-year waiver of PILOT payments is not the correct way to address H.A. resident’s needs.

5. He believes the PILOT waiver is a way to increase the net return for the investors in the housing.

Steve Krasinski concurred with Mr. Parker’s opinion. He added that he asked Jim Burgess and Connie Corenzo what requests for assistance were made by the H.A. residents. He was informed that only fuel assistance has been requested and that is provided with Federal funding. Furthermore, he believes that adding the Resident Service Coordinator (RSC) position would be duplicating services already provided by the Town.

Marilyn Provonost said that she understood that the H.A. needs the RSC to obtain financing for the project. Mike Parker stated that this requirement is no different than any other requirement of the project, and should come out of the income of the project.

Mr. Parker moved to deny the request for waiver of the PILOT. Attached to this motion he recommends that the Selectman recommend to the H.A. that if assistance is required to facilitate their project, that the H.A. present that to the Selectman and have it included in the budget. Mr. Krasinski seconded and the motion carried; Marilyn Provonost was opposed and James Persano abstained.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

VI. MINUTES APPROVAL – September 24, 2007

A motion was made by Mr. Parker to approve the minutes of September 24, 2007 as written; it was seconded by Mr. Krasinski and unanimously voted to approve.

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VII. BILLS, TRANSFERS, AND APPROPRIATIONS

A motion was made by George Warner, seconded by Mike Parker and unanimously voted to approve the following bill:

A bill from Carlin, Charron & Rosen, LLP for $25,000.00 for Town of Somers’ audit of year ending June 30, 2007.

A motion was made by Marilyn Provonost, seconded by Steve Krasinski and unanimously voted to approve the following transfers and appropriations:

By the Selectmen a reimbursement appropriation of $150.00 to Kibbe Fuller Maintenance

(10-10-531.2).

By the CIP for a transfer of $1,000.00 from SHS Track (68-10-485.6) to Steam Oven

(68-10-487.3).

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. was made by Steve Krasinski and seconded by Mike Parker; the motion carried by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne Reed, Recording Secretary

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING