There was one major order of business left for Annual Town Meeting last night and that was approving the next steps in the establishment of a new facilities department.

There were two articles related to this. One was the establishment of the department. By law, a consolidated facilities department, one that combines maintenance of all town and school buildings, requires the approval of the school committee and town meeting. The second article authorized $138,402 in seed funding. According to Tony Cichello, Chairman of the Consolidated Facilities Committee, that funding would allow for the hiring of a director and administrative assistant for a partial year, a capital needs assessment, and office supplies.

In short, the initiative is intended to address a deficiency that has existed to date in town operations. Namely, the concerted upkeep and maintenance of all town buildings in a strategic, accountable, and responsible manner. Many of the town’s buildings are new and in relatively good shape. These include the schools, police department, library, and Council on Aging. Attention needs to be paid to them, Cichello argued. The DPW and Fire department buildings on the other hand both require attention. Cichello also noted that the Parks & Recreation Department and Cemetary have voted not to join the effort at this time.

There were some objections and concerns raised by members. These were principally with regard to cost savings, collective bargaining issues, and organizational structure. The structure was viewed as potentially problematic in two ways: it was a new department in town and where it fit and related to other departments was not clear, and it’s reporting structure was seen as awkward in that the director would be reporting to both the Town Administrator and School Superintendent.

In response to these concerns Cichello and others stated that the savings were hard to quantify, the issues in reporting structure can be ironed out over time, and that collective bargaining is an issue that is going to exist regardless of a new department and the timing is actually favorable in that collective bargaining agreements will be coming up relatively soon.

The crucial next step is for consensus to be reached on a Memorandum of Agreement between the school committee and town. This document will address and iron out a number of the thorny issues that have yet to be resolved. Mr. Pavlicek, vice-chair of the school committee, said it would be a difficult agreement to write. He recommended a “yes” vote as that would enable the town to take that on. “A ‘no’ vote and it stops here,” he said.

Mr. Cichello stated the argument simply. He said, “If we don’t take responsibility [for the buildings] we are going to pay .  .  . much sooner than we think.  .  . It’s not going to solve every problem and it’s not going to be easy but I don’t think we have any choice.”

The majority of town meeting agreed. The article passed as did the remaining articles in the warrant.

In other business;

• Ed Duffy gave a warm tribute to M Joseph Manning for his long years of service to town and country. Moderator Brian Walsh was not certain but believed that Mr. Manning’s 63 years a Town Meeting Member might be a state record.
• Ms. McEttrick also formally introduced the newest member of the Board of Selectmen, Bob Sweeney who said, “I am ready to go full steam ahead!”