Information for Meeting of Town Caucus
Tuesday January 26, 2016 7:00 PM EST

WARRANT 
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
FISCAL YEAR 2016

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
HAMPSHIRE, SS.

TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS

TUESDAY, JAN 26, 2016 AT 7:00 PM

CAFETERIA/GYMNASIUM
WILLIAM E. NORRIS SCHOOL
34 POMEROY MEADOW RD
SOUTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS


To the Constables of the Town of Southampton, in said County:

GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Southampton, qualified to vote on Town affairs, to meet at William E. Norris Elementary School, located at 34 Pomeroy Meadow Road, in said Southampton on Tuesday, January 26th of next, at seven in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles: 

ADMINISTRATIVE

ARTICLE 1		PROPERTY ACQUISITION
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL	To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, on such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen shall determine, temporary easements on the parcels of land shown on plans entitled “William E. Norris School Route 10 College Highway SRTS Project,” dated December 28, 2015, prepared by TEC, Inc., said plans on file with the Town Clerk, and such property interests within 50 feet of said easements, for public way purposes, including, but not limited to, the construction, alteration, maintenance, improvement, repair and/or replacement of rights of way, driveways, sidewalks, ramps, parking areas, utilities and/or traffic control devices, to be undertaken in connection with a Safe Routes To School project at the William E. Norris School, located at the intersection of Route 10 and College Highway, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant such easements in the William E. Norris School and other Town property shown on said plans as may be required under said project, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into all agreements and take all related actions necessary or appropriate to carry out said acquisitions, or take any other action related thereto.
	Note: See Attachment A.  This is needed in order to allow the Board of Selectmen to pursue temporary construction easements to build the Sidewalk on Route 10 for the Safe Routes to School Project.  Funds, if any needed, for acquisition will be taken from Chapter 90 funds.
Sponsor: Board of Selectmen

ARTICLE 2		ACCEPTANCE OF MGL C 44§ 53F ¾ 
PEG ACCESS FUND	To see if the Town to vote to accept the provisions of M.G.L. c 44 SS 53F ¾ to authorize the town to establish in the treasury a separate revenue account to be known as the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund, into which may be deposited funds received in connection with a franchise agreement between a cable operator and the municipality. Monies in the fund shall only be appropriated for cable-related purposes consistent with the franchise agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) support of public, educational or governmental access cable television services; (ii) monitor compliance of the cable operator with the franchise agreement; or (iii) prepare for renewal of the franchise license; or take any other action related thereto.
	Note: See Attachment B.  This is a housekeeping matter which allows the Town to have a separate revenue account for Community TV, which we have already set-up and have been using for a period of time.
Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
	


FISCAL YEAR FY-16 OPERATING APPROPRIATIONS
PART I.  CPC

NOTE: The Current Balances for Community Preservation Funds are as follows:
Undesignated (Funds available)  :           $1,119,576

ARTICLE 3		TRANSFER/UNDESIGNATED RESERVED
CONANT PARK ROOF	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the amount of $16,000 to fund the Conant Park Pavilion Roof, said sums shall be taken from the Community Preservation Surcharges-Undesignated Account; or take any action related thereto.
	Note: CPC Article.  Balance of Undesignated Reserve is $1,119,576
	Sponsor: Community Preservation

PART II.  FY16 BUDGET LINE-ITEM TRANSFERS

SECTION A. VARIOUS LINE-ITEMS

NOTE:    Balances are as follows:
Police Chief Incentive:	$13,481.73
Building Clerical:		    2,480.00
	Vocational Tuition:		  55,000.00	(Approx)


ARTICLE 4		TRANSFER/POLICE CHIEF INCENTIVE
POLICE CHIEF SALARY	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $13,481.73 to Police Chief Salary, said sums shall be taken from Police Chief Incentive; or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: Beginning with the Interim Police Chief’s Contract, the police chief incentive is included in the Salary line and is no longer needed as an independent line item.
			Sponsor: Town Accountant
ARTICLE 5		TRANSFER/BUILDING CLERICAL WAGES
E-PERMITTING	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $2000 to fund an E-permitting System for the Building Department, said sums shall be taken from Building Clerical Wages; or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: This will allow for an e-permitting system in the Building Department.  Current balance of unused Building Clerical account is $2,480.
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator
ARTICLE 6		TRANSFER/VOCATION TUITION LINE ITEM
COLA NORRIS SCHOOL
	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $30,000 to the Elementary School Line Item; said sums shall be taken from Vocational Tuition, or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: This will cover 1% of the 2% COLA.  Teachers’ totals at $ 53,834 and Paraprofessionals’ total at $ 7,596.
	Sponsor: Norris School Committee

SECTION B. GAS & ELECTRIC LARRABEE TRANSFERS

NOTE:    Balances is as follows:
Gas and Electric-Larrabee:	$8,000.00

ARTICLE 7		TRANSFER/ GAS AND ELECTRIC-LARRABEE
LARRABEE BLD EXPENSES	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $5000 to the Larrabee Hall Building Expenses account, said sums shall be taken from Gas and Electric-Larrabee account; or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: There continue to be unexpected costs for the Town Hall (Larrabee Building).  Including, but not limited to, the cost of the Bay State re-inspection of the Elevator and Simplex Grinnell’s inspection for the wet system.
	Sponsor: Town Administrator

ARTICLE 8		TRANSFER/GAS AND ELECTRIC-LARRABEE
FINANCE COMMITTEE RESERVE	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $2,500.00 to the Finance Committee Reserve Fund item line, said sums shall be taken from the Gas and Electric-Larrabee account; or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: This will reinstate FinCom for an earlier transfer.  According to Division of Local Services (DOR), MGL Chapter 40, Sec 6 was cited and it appears that funds can be transferred into the Reserve Fund.
	Sponsor: Finance Committee











SECTION C. GAS & ELECTRIC TOWN HALL TRANSFERS

NOTE:    Balances is as follows:
Gas and Electric-Town Hall:	$9,000.00

ARTICLE 9		TRANSFER/GAS AND ELECTRIC-TOWN HALL
POLICE DEPARTMENT GARAGE DOOR
	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $5000 to fund the modification of the Town Hall Police Station building to change the entry way to the Booking room in order to comply with Department of Public Health requirements, said sums shall be taken from the Gas and Electric-Town Hall; or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note:  As noted in our most recent inspection, this modification will bring the Police Station into compliance with the State Department of Public Health’s requirement for a separate entrance for arrestees and visitors.  
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Police Chief

SECTION D. OPERATING STABLIZATION TRANSFER

NOTE:    Balances is as follows:
Operating Stabilization:		$218,061

ARTICLE 10		TRANSFER/OPERATING STABILIZATION
POLICE DEPARTMENT WAGES
	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $10,000 to the Police Department Wage item line, said sums shall be taken from the Operating Stabilization; or take any action related thereto.
Requires 2/3rds Vote
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: See Attachment C. Concern of over spending budget.
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Police Chief










PART III.  FY15 FREE CASH TRANSFERS

SECTION A. FREE CASH POLICY TRANSFERS

NOTE:    Balances is as follows:
	   Free Cash FY15:		222,104
	
ARTICLE 11		TRANSFER/FREE CASH FY15
CAPITAL STABILIZATION	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $77,736 to Capital Stabilization, said sums shall be taken from FY15 Free Cash, or take any action related thereto.     
Requires 2/3rds Vote
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: Capital Stabilization, 35% of Free Cash transferred in consistency with Free Policy adopted by the BOS.  Balance to date is $48,943.
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator

ARTICLE 12		TRANSFER/FREE CASH FY15
OPERATING STABILIZATION	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $66,631 to Operating Stabilization, said sums shall be taken from FY15 Free Cash, or take any action related thereto.       
Requires 2/3rds Vote 
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: Operating Stabilization, 30% of Free Cash transferred in consistency with Free Policy adopted by the BOS.  Balance to date is $218,061.
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator

ARTICLE 13		TRANSFER/FREE CASH FY15
OPEB	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $22,210 to OPEB Liability Trust, said sums shall be taken from FY15 Free Cash.         
Requires 2/3rds Vote
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB), 10% of Free Cash transferred in consistency with Free Policy adopted by the BOS.  Balance to date is $52,629.
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator
	








SECTION B. UNDESIGNATED FREE CASH TRANSFERS

NOTE:    Balances is as follows, conditional upon approval of prior articles:
	  Undesignated Free Cash FY15:		$55,526

ARTICLE 14		TRANSFER/FREE CASH FY15
BOARD OF HEALTH WAGES
	To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $3,700 to the Board of Health Wage item line, said sums shall be taken from Free Cash FY15; or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Not Recommended
	Note: Requested to increase wages for BOH.  Current FY16 $35,182; Current Balance 46%, $18,963.36.
	Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Board of Health

ARTICLE 15		TRANSFER/FREE CASH FY15
COLA UNION/NON-UNION	To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s FY16 omnibus budget in the manner and amounts reflected in the attached revised FY2016 omnibus budget and to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $33,400.41 necessary to fund the changes as reflected in said FY2016 Omnibus Budget, or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended
	Note: See Attachment D.  This article will fund a 2% COLA for Union and Non-Union Employees.  This article includes the funding for the first year for the following Union Agreements: 
1.	International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 604;
2.	Southampton Emergency Telecommunication Dispatchers; and
3.	Local 98 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
Sponsor: Board of Selectmen

FISCAL YEAR FY-17 

ARTICLE 16		PROPOSITION 2 ½ / 2ND SHIFT ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (FY17)
PROP 2 ½ FIRE/EMS DEPT
	To see if the Town to vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $135,000, to supplement the Fire Department’s Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service to add a 2nd shift for Fiscal Year 2017, contingent upon the passage of a Proposition 2 ½ so-called override, pursuant to a Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 21C, or take any action related thereto.
	Finance Committee Recommendation: Recommended.
	Sponsor: Fire Chief
	

 


INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
 
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at six usual places in said Town, fourteen days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this 7th day of January in the year two thousand and sixteen.  

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
_______________________
ELIZABETH MOULTON
_______________________
JOHN MARTIN
_______________________
SHANNON CUTLER
_______________________
JACQUELINE SEARS
______________________
CHARLES KANIECKI
										A True Attest Copy
Attest:_____________________
											    Constable