Meeting called to order at 9:10 A.M. at Town Hall.
Present: Barbara A. Sheehan, Elizabeth A. Gorski and William H. Darke, Chairman.
Also present were Town Counsel Brian Riley, Finance Director Greg Labrecque, and Finance Committee member Tom Minichiello.
The Board had asked Town Counsel to meet with them to discuss their concerns with the towns of placeWest Newbury and Merrimac choosing not to follow the Regional Agreement as it applies to the assessment method. Selectman Gorski asked what the town’s options are; that if we have to cut a million dollars from the town government portion of the budget it would devastate our town. Attorney Riley was asked if a Board of Selectmen can just choose not follow the regional agreement voted by all three towns and signed by the Commissioner of Education and if not, whether the town has a breach of contract case against the other two towns; the procedure for removing our elementary school from the District; and whether an injunction can be sought to make the district follow the Regional Agreement. Attorney
Riley responded that we may be able to seek a Declaratory Judgment; that he will research our options when he gets back to his office and he will get back to the Board as quickly as he can next week with the answers to their questions.
Riley also cautioned the Board that if you say past precedent to a Judge he will tell you you are not supposed to use the per pupil method of assessment, that you are supposed to use the State recommended two-step method.
Chairman Darke asked the Board’s Assistant to send a letter to the Superintendent’s Office asking that the Board be copied on all correspondence being sent to the School Committee’s legal counsel, DOR and DOE.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, moved Sheehan, seconded Gorski, and it was
VOTED: To adjourn at 10:38 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Nancy Lewandowski, Administrative Assistant
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