11/10/1981 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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Admin. Mtg. Page 2 . 11/10/81 The Executive Secretary questioned the Selectmen as to whether or not they wanted a follow-up discussion on the Town Accountant? Since Mr. Culp has failed to comply with their direction to be in the Town Hall during normal working hours , it would seem some expla- nation is due to them. Sel. Thomas said that when she had complained about the hours kept by the prior Town Accountant, she was told that as a Department Head , unless the hours have been. spelled out when the g as got his own hours as long the job person was hired, he could keep J done. She continued that the Town Accountant is bright, and probably y is well aware of that. She asked if the job description for that job had been changed before he was hired. It does not appear that it was , but Mr . Murphy explained that his resignation could be requested "for cause" , or "Non=performance" . Sel, Thomas said she wouldn 't want to see the present situation continue indefinitely; we have a Town Accountant , an Assistant Town Accountant, and someone on wages . Mr. Murphy feels the Selectmen should demand to know when the Town Accountant will have the estimated receipts and actual receipts , for the benefit of the Asses- sors. Chm. Garland stated that at the proper time, he thinks the Board should request his immediate resignation. 'Mr . Murphy stated he still finds hard to understand his non-appearance in the mornings; no explana- tion has been offered. Chm. Garland suggested Mr. Culp be required to come in next Wednesday, November 18 , for a serious discussion. Sel. Thomas questioned what the Selectmen' s reaction would be if Mr. Culp said circumstances at his home require him to keep these hours? Are we going to let it go on? Mr. Murphy stated that he does not find find his working schedule to be satisfactory; he can see varying one ' s schedule maybe one or two days a week, but he should be required to keep normal working hours most of the time. Chm. Garland wondered if we are getting value received for what we're paying? Set . Thomas feels to Mr . Culp it is just a job, that he may not be Town oriented - she doesn't feel that he is really concerned about the Town. She feels perhaps a request for his resignation would be best for everyone. Chm. Garland cautioned that it should be properly times ; would prefer waiting until after we get the figure on estimated receipts . But Mr. Murphy said we don't have to have an accountant to get that figure. Sel. Thomas asked if Mr. Murphy feels Mr. Culp really wants this job? Mr. Murpjy feels he may want to keep it until he builds up his own private practice. 4) Cemetery. Mr. Murphy asked what the Selectmen had decided after visiting the cemetery site with Mr. Rowley? Both Selectmen present felt that Mr . Rowley should be instructed to proceed, as things were going along well. 5 ) Mr. Murphy reported that the Finance Committee has requested that budgets be scheduled to come before them on a staggered basis. The Finance Com- mittee is setting up a schedule. Sel. Thomas stated she would like to have a copy of the proposed budgets delivered to the Selectmen, also. Mr. Murphy suggested it might be a good idea for each Selectmen to get a copy of each budget, to keep in a notebook. 6 ) The Executive Secretary has received a letter from Town Counsel saying the Town' s lease with Xerox is invalid. He has also learned that Cheif Frye has signed a lease with them, but he questions his right to do so. Mr . Murphy doubts , after receiving Town Counsel ' s letter, that either contract is legal. The Highway Dept. copy machine has broken down, also, and the .repairman has stated that it is not worth repairing. The Execu- tive Secretary advises that it might be a good idea to rent machine for the rest of this fiscal year , rather than to buy any. There is money in the budget to do so. Then we can go out for bids before Town Meeting, and know how much money to ask for.