Computer problem solved

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD – The first agenda item at Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting was the announcement by Chairman Jason Petraitis and vice-chair Robert Filipkowski that the ongoing problem with the town accountant’s computer server problem has been solved.

Petraitis said the Whalley company had come to the office, rearranged some programs, removed some unneeded ones, and in the process had doubled the space anticipated when the changes were contemplated.

According to Filipkowski, “although we will continue to analyze the situation, we now believe that the computer server should last another two years or more. That is the time frame we’d been looking at when the server was installed, so we’re back on track.” Whalley’s work had taken three and one-half hours, he said, at $72.50 per hour.

Petraitis and Filipkowski, in the absence of third member Mary Walter, approved and signed the application of the Wendemuth Meadow group for a grant to cover the cost of appraising the property, as had been requested and verbally approved last week. The grant, if received, will reimburse the ad-hoc committee for funds already raised for the appraisal. Filipkowski commented that the application and the board’s approval, will entail no expense to the town.

Chuck Winn, representing Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) regarding the town’s insurance coverage for fiscal year 2011, reported costs would rise to a total of $140,071 for the year, but with various reductions credited, the actual amount would be $126,825. He remarked that there were savings to be had if the town should take advantage of rewards programs, mentioning specifically the area of driver safety training for town personnel.

The training can be provided at no cost to the town, and with a 60 percent or greater participation, insurance costs may be lowered. Credit may also be given for training received independently if it is approved by MIIA, he said.

Filipkowski read a letter the board had sent on May 18 to state Sen. Stephen Brewer, detailing the town’s financial concerns, and requesting that Brewer vote against any further reductions in local aid, seek a reduction in the state sales tax, and pursue, through any means possible, relief for the town’s perilous financial position.

Finance Committee Chairman Robert Smith reported that his committee has “reached the end of our ability to dodge the bullet. We’ve reached solutions that we’re not happy with, but it’s where we are now. Possible changes in the future might involve reorganization, rearranging and re-thinking the way things are done now. In the last two years, state cuts to North Brookfield have amounted to 32 percent of local aid.”

He continued, stating that “it’s a pretty well established fact that, within five years, the state will be reorganizing all of the schools in Massachusetts. We’ll continue to persist, but there appears to be little we can do that we haven’t already done.”

The board acknowledged receipt of a letter from Second Chance Animal Shelter of East Brookfield, registering disappointment that the town had refused the shelter’s application to operate a shelter in this town, and seeking reconsideration.

Petraitis said that such permits are granted through the planning and zoning boards. “They are elected boards, and applications have to go through them,” he said.

Filipkowski added that the boards had considered the application carefully, and had refused permission due to regulations that are in place, and cannot be ignored. “Believe me, they dotted all of the I’s and crossed all of the t’s. I believe there is a perception in town that the permit was refused because the town officials just don’t want an animal shelter here. We plan to ask the officials involved in this decision to come to a meeting and explain just what processes they used to make the determination, and why.”

Following a reminder for the Fisher House fund raiser, to be held this evening (Friday, May 28) and another reminder that dog licenses are now due, the meeting was adjourned.