Was That One Fire Truck or Two?

By John Mauer

That’s the question the Board of Selectmen addressed last night at their regular meeting. The subject was the five and ten year plans for the capital and non-recurring account. They also talked again about the future benefits for the Tax Collector, but made very little headway.

The answer, of course, was three fire trucks for a total of $1,850,000, although only two are currently in the five year plan. The Board of Finance had started saving for a new fire truck, Engine 5, two years ago at $50,000 a year. Although that was delayed last year by the school roof, it appears in the current capital plan. In addition, the fire department has requested the replacement of Engine 1 in the 2014-2015 fiscal year; the BOF would typically save for that at $100,000 per year. Lastly, the ladder truck, at $850,000, has now moved up a year in the 10 year plan.

Other than note the rather large amount being requested by the KVFD, the Selectman decided to wait until later for a full discussion.

When the agenda turned to the benefits for the Tax Collector, First Selectman Bruce Adams listed five possibilities that the Selectmen had discussed at a recent workshop:

Deem the Tax Collector’s position as full time thus granting benefits in the future.
Create a new Accounts Receivable position for the Town to include the collection of both property taxes and sewer user fees.
Give all part-time employees the privilege of buying heath insurance under the Town’s group plan, and raise the salary of the Tax Collector to cover that expense.
Create an appointed position for the Tax Collector similar to the Town Treasurer.
Outsource the collection of taxes.

Adams did not list the current situation as one of the possibilities, although it would obviously continue if no decision is made.

Selectman George Jacobsen moved that the position of Tax Collector be deemed a full time position, but then, with Selectman Karren Garrity, voted against that possibility. Adams spoke in favor of it, and thought it was the right thing to do.

Garrity then noted that the new Policy & Procedures subcommittee had suggested that they make a recommendation rather than the BOS. However, the members of that committee now include Debbie Devaux, the Tax Collector, which would have placed the entire process in doubt. The town’s ethical policy would be violated by allowing her to decide her own compensation.

Jacobsen then suggested that a new subcommittee be formed, similar to the committee that recommended the change in the position of Town Treasurer, that is, one member of the BOS, one member of the BOF, and one member from the community. This suggestion was adopted by consensus, and the decision on benefits was thus deferred. The committee will be given the charge to recommend whether the Tax Collector should be an appointed or elected position. Adams will represent the BOS.

Editor’s Note: This article has been edited to reflect the actual charge to the committee and its BOS representative.