Legal Advertisements - Week of March 21, 2024
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
PLYMOUTH, SS
WAREHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
WARRANT OF THE WAREHAM FIRE DISTRICT
To the Constables of the Town of Wareham:
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the legal voters of the Wareham Fire District, Wareham, Massachusetts, qualified to vote in Fire District affairs to meet at the Wareham High School Auditorium, Viking Drive Wareham, Massachusetts on Monday evening, April 8, 2024 at 7:00 o’clock p.m. and to continue said meeting by adjourning until 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 for election of officers only to the Wareham Fire District, 2550 Cranberry Highway, Wareham, Massachusetts, to act on the following articles:
Article 1:
To choose by ballot a moderator to preside at said meeting.
Inserted by the Prudential Committee
Article 2:
To see if the District will vote to act on the reports of the Water Commissioners, Board of Engineers, Prudential Committee and all other officers and committees and accept the same as printed in the Annual Report of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, and that any and all reports be accepted as submitted at this meeting.
Inserted by the Prudential Committee
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 3: Contractual Liabilities
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of $50,000.00 to fund a Contractual Liabilities Account, or to act anything thereon, or thereunto.
Explanation: This Article is available at the discretion of the Prudential Committee to fund unforeseen costs of Retirement or separation of employment from the District and to fund obligations from contract negotiations not anticipated in the budget.
.
Inserted by the Prudential Committee
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 4: OPEB Liability
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $110,000.00 for the purpose of funding the District’s OPEB liability or to act anything thereon, or thereunto.
Explanation: This Article is a request to continue to fund the Other Post/employment Benefits liability and to meet this appropriation, $75,000.00 will be transferred from free cash and $35,000.00 from water surplus revenue.
Inserted by the Prudential Committee:
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Water Commissioners Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Article 5: Vehicle Replacement
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $170,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing two service technicians utility body pickup trucks with snowplow prep packages, including all costs incidental, and related thereto, for Water Department use, or to act anything thereon or thereunto
Explanation: These two vehicles will replace two 2013 Ford F150 pickup trucks. Both new trucks will be used to provide transportation for technicians to and from service calls and emergency repairs, and to plow the Fire Department and Water Department facilities.
Inserted by the Board of Water Commissioners
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Water Commissioners Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Article 6: Water Purification Plant and Wells Emergency Generators
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $275,000.00 for the acquisition of emergency power generation equipment for use at the Maple Springs Water Purification Plant (MSWPP), and Wells 1,2,3,4, and 9. Including all costs incidental, and related thereto, or to act anything thereon or thereunto.
Explanation: This Article will fund the purchase of all the emergency power generation needs of the new purification plant and the associated five (5) wells in the Maple Springs Wellfield that are treated at the MSWPP. The District has been awarded a Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMG) from FEMA/MEMA. This grant already awarded to the District provides a 90% cost reimbursement to the District. In April 2021 a prior authorization of funds was voted in favor of this project. Due to escalation costs of construction and procurement from 2020-2021 the District needs to request the above additional funding to match current higher cost estimates. The District shall still be eligible for the full 90% reimbursement of the grant award contract listed at $1,063,456.76 with the 90% eligible reimbursement amount to the District at $957,111.06.
Inserted by the Prudential Committee
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Water Commissioners Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Article 7: Return Funds to Undesignated Fund Balance (Water Surplus)
To see if the District will vote to transfer the following article balances back to water surplus, or to act anything thereon or thereunto.
Purpose Vote Amount to Close
Fuel Tank Pump Replacement Article 7 ADM 4/12/21 $2,562.50
Water Dept. Utility Body Pickup Article 13 ADM 4/11/22 $ 11.00
W.D. Painting Water Tanks Article 16 ADM 4/11/22 $ 286,642.64
TOTAL $ 289,216.14
Explanation: This is not a procurement article, rather a housekeeping approval to clear up balances and utilize unspent funds.
Inserted by the Board of Water Commissioners
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Water Commissioners Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 8: Computerized Reporting Software and Equipment
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of equipping all the front-line fire apparatus and command vehicles with mobile mounted data terminals.
Explanation: The article is to provide vital dispatch information to all our front-line fire apparatus, to include all hazards as well as preplans. This will allow us to use computerized dispatch software for the responding apparatus and provide fire prevention inspections to be done on site as well as utilized for training purposes.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 9: Recruit Call Firefighters
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of training and retaining Call Firefighters including of all costs incidental and related thereto, or to act thereon or thereunto.
Explanation: This Article is to train Call Firefighters to the national Pro-Board Standard of Firefighter I/II to include but is not limited to labor materials and related costs.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 10: Gas Detectors
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of $30,000.00 for the purchase of eleven (11) Gas Detectors and equipment related thereon or thereunto.
Explanation: This purchase will allow the fire department to purchase new gas detectors for our main pieces of apparatus and help with standardizing the equipment carried on these trucks.
Currently we are using equipment that is outdated and unable to obtain replacement parts for and devices that are constantly going out of service for faulty equipment. We as firefighters constantly use these pieces of equipment in both commercial and residential settings to help mitigate any hazards to our community. These vital pieces of equipment assist firefighters with location and identifying any leaks of natural gas, propane, carbon monoxide, and various other gases that can contribute to creating a dangerous environment for both us and the public.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 11: Support Vehicles
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $167,437.00 for the purpose of purchasing and equipping two (2) support vehicles including all costs incidental, and related thereto, and to offset this amount by transferring from the following accounts, or to act thereon, or thereunto
AUTHORIZATION DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
Article 6 ADM 4/8/19 Diesel Exhaust System $50,557.00
Article 7 ADM 4/12/21 Diesel Tank & Pump Replacement $ 1,782.50
Article 11 ADM 4/10/23 Mobile Column Lifts $ 1,190.64
TOTAL TO TRANSFER $ 53,530.14
Explanation: This article is to replace two current vehicles, one is a 2008 support vehicle that is currently out of service due to a broken frame, this vehicle was used daily in the fire prevention division to conduct daily inspections as well as responding to emergencies. The second vehicle is a 2011 support vehicle which is used by a Chief Officer to respond to emergencies and be utilized as a command vehicle at incidents.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 12: Training
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of providing training and equipment for specialized technical emergency response training.
Explanation: This article is to train and equip the department staff in the specialized training program that prepares personnel to respond and mitigate life threatening injuries to include but not limiting it to a hostile related event. The ASHER program is part of the NFPA 3000, which identifies the minimum program elements needed to organize, manage, and sustain an active shooter and/or hostile event response. This training will be performed with several public safety agencies
.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 13: AFG Grant – REQUIRES 2/3 VOTE
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $40,059.00 representing the districts share for an anticipated Grant Award administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Health and Wellness and Training Grant program. The items requested in the grant include fitness equipment, alterations to our department gym, Special training in the disciplines of Rope Rescue, Trench Rescue and Confined Space Rescue. The grant request also includes associated and specialized equipment required to perform these Technical Rescues.
Explanation: The Wareham Fire Department has applied to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $400,590.00 for updating our physical fitness room and for Specialized Technical Rescue Training and associated equipment. If we receive funds for these programs, we will be able to upgrade the physical fitness equipment that is vital to keeping our members healthy. We will also be able to have our department members train in the complex environment of Technical Rescues. This article represents the 10% matching funds required as part of the Grant.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 4-0-0
Article 14: Return Funds to Stabilization
To see if the District will vote to return the following funds back to Stabilization
AUTHORIZATION DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
Article 20 ADM 4/10/23 District Share of FEMA Grant $3,014.00
Explanation: This is not a procurement article, rather a housekeeping approval to clear up the balance and return unspent funds to stabilization.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 5-0-0
Article 15:
To see what sum of money the District will vote to raise and appropriate for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, for the following operating purposes: Prudential Committee, Mechanic, Fire Department, Clerk/Treasurer, Bond Issue Expenses, Medicare and FICA Taxes, Liability Insurance Premiums, Group Insurance Absorptions, Insured and Uninsured Losses and Legal Expenses.
Inserted by the Board of Engineers
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action: 4-0-0
Operating Budget - FISCAL YEAR
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE:
Proposed 2025 Voted 2024 Increase/(Decrease)
Operating Expenses:
Committee Salaries $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00
Prudential Committee Expense 500.00 1,000.00
Annual/Special Meetings 2,500.00 3,000.00
Membership/Subscriptions - 100.00
Advertising 4,000.00 4,000.00
Grounds & Buildings 30,000.00 30,000.00
Audit 16,750.00 16,750.00
Consulting Fees 3,700.00 3,075.00
Liability Insurance 216,700.00 197,000.00
Group Insurance Absorptions 1,743,890.00 1,532,500.00
Legal Expenses 25,000.00 15,000.00
Bond Issues 1.00 1,000.00
Medicare & FICA taxes 81,000.00 79,500.00
Interest & Maturing Debt 287,650.00 244,225.00
Insured & Uninsured Losses 1000.00 1000.00
Town of Wareham Clerical & Admin. 61,878.00 58,255.00
Plymouth County Retirement Assess. 958,858.00 878,171.00
Reserve Fund 75,000.00 75,000.00
Fire Capability Charge 502,884.00 505,089.00
Total Operating Expenses $ 4,036,311.00 $ 3,669,665.00 $ 366,646.00
Total Prudential Committee Budget $ 4,036,311.00 $ 3,669,665.00 $ 366,646.00
Proposed 2025 Voted 2024 Increase/(Decrease)
CLERK/TREASURER:
Salaries & Wages:
Clerk/Treasurer $ 100,418.00 $ 98,488.00
Accountant - 61,000.00
Asst. Treasurer Salary 50,390.00 46,800.00
Contractual Benefits 2,500.00 2,500.00
Total Salaries & Wages $ 153,308.00 $ 208,788.00 $ (55,480.00)
Operating Expenses:
Treasurer’s Bond $ 600.00 $ 500.00
Elections 3,000.00 3,000.00
Annual Reports 500.00 500.00
Office Supplies 4,000.00 2,000.00
Machines/Maintenance 5,000.00 3,700.00
Postage 2,000.00 1,700.00
Seminars/Training 3,000.00 3,000.00
Computer Agreements/Supplies 7,500.00 6,000.00
Subscriptions/Memberships 500.00 500.00
Software Updates 1,000.00 1,000.00
Legal Fees 1.00 1.00
Consulting Fees 38,000.00 20,000.00
Telephone 3,500.00 3,000.00
Miscellaneous 200.00 200.00
Payroll Service Fees 9,000.00 8,250.00
Maintenance 1.00 1.00
Total Operating Expenses $ 77,802.00 $ 53,352.00 $ 24,450.00
Total Clerk/Treasurer Budget $ 231,110.00 $ 262,140.00 $ (31,030.00)
Proposed 2025 Voted 2024 Increase/(Decrease)
MECHANICS DIVISION:
Salaries & Wages:
Mechanic $ 75,282.84 $ 73,807.00
Overtime 5,250.00 5,250.00
Contractual Benefits 9,110.00 7,250.00
Temporary Labor 1,800.00 1,800.00
Total Salaries & Wages $ 91,442.84 $ 88,107.00 $ 3,335.84
Operating Expenses:
Subscriptions/Dues $ 300.00 $ 200.00
Training/Seminars 2,000.00 2,000.00
Tools/Equipment 5,665.00 5,500.00
Maintenance & Operations 3,200.00 3,200.00
Equipment: Replace, repair, maintain 86,025.00 83,520.00
Clothing allowance & Safety equip. - 1,250.00
Materials & Supplies 1,250.00 1,250.00
Miscellaneous 750.00 750.00
Postage 50.00 50.00
Annual Apparatus/Equipment Inspections 11,000.00 11,000.00
Total Operating Expenses $ 110,240.00 $ 108,720.00 $ 1,520.00
Consumables:
Telephone $ 2,250.00 $ 3,250.00
Utilities 500.00 500.00
Fuel/Additives/Licensing Fees 38,000.00 36,000.00
Total Consumables $ 40,750.00 $ 39,750.00 $ 1,000.00
Total Mechanics Division Budget $ 242,432.84 $ 236,577.00 $ 5,855.84
Proposed 2025 Voted 2024 Increase/(Decrease)
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Salaries & Wages:
Chief’s Salary $ 135,252.00 $ 133,134.00
1st Assistant Chief’s Salary 102,411.87 99,429.00
2nd Assistant Chief’s Salary 99,358.20 97,410.00
Career Officers’ Salaries 567,669.12 556,539.00
Career Firefighters’ Salaries 1,271,726.00 1,263,605.83
Overtime (Career Personnel) 620,024.00 590,499.00
Fires, Drills & Details (Call Force) 117,360.00 117,360.00
Fire Alarm Salaries 7,000.00 7,000.00
Contractual Benefits 463,436.00 439,259.17
Clerical Salaries 132,356.44 128,008.82
Dispatchers Salaries 194,442.00 193,792.32
Specialized Training 10,000.00 10,000.00
Total Salaries & Wages $ 3,721,035.63 $ 3,636,037.14 $ 84,998.49
Operating Expenses:
Call Firefighter Pensions $ 500.00 $ 1,000.00
Maintenance Operations 38,950.00 38,950.00
Breathing Equipment & Supplies 12,500.00 10,000.00
Equipment 12, 400.00 11,000.00
Membership/Subscriptions 5,000.00 5,000.00
Protective Clothing 35,000.00 32,500.00
Materials & Supplies 14,000.00 12,500.00
Radios & Repairs 9,000.00 8,000.00
Fire Alarm Expenses 5,000.00 5,000.00
Training 10,000.00 10,000.00
Clothing Allowance (Career Personnel) 7,000.00 35,000.00
Miscellaneous 6,000.00 6,000.00
Postage 1,000.00 1,000.00
Fire Prevention Expenses 5,000.00 5,000.00
Ballistic Protection 5,000.00 5,000.00
Wellness 10,000.00 5,000.00
Hose 9,000.00 8,000.00
Clothing Allowance (Call Force) 7,000.00 7,000.00
Technology 67,000.00 34,083.00
Total Operating Expenses $ 259,350.00 $ 240,033.00 $ 19,317.00
Consumables:
Telephone/Online Service $ 29,000.00 $ 24,500.00
Utilities 42,000.00 42,000.00
Heating 34,000.00 34,000.00
Total Consumables $ 105,000.00 $ 100,500.00 $ 4,500.00
Total Fire Department Budget $ 4,085,385.63 $ 3,976,570.14 $ 108,815.49
Prudential Committee $ 4,036,311.00 $ 3,669,665.00 $ 366,646.00
Clerk/Treasurer 231,110.00 262,140.00 (31,030.00)
Mechanics Division 242,432.84 236,577.00 5,855.84
Fire Department 4,085,385.63 3,976,570.14 108,815.49
Grand Totals $ 8,595,239.47 $ 8,144,952.14 $ 450,287.33
Article 16:
To see what sum of money the District will vote to raise and appropriate for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, for the following operating purposes: Water Department, Interest and Maturing Debts, Bond Issue Expenses, Medicare and FICA Taxes, Liability Insurance Premiums, Group Insurance Absorptions, Insured and Uninsured Losses and Legal Expenses.
Inserted by the Board of Water Commissioners
Water Commissioners Voted Favorable Action: 3-0-0
Prudential Committee Voted Favorable Action:3-0-0
Operating Budget - FISCAL YEAR
Proposed 2025 Voted 2024 Increase/(Decrease)
WATER DEPARTMENT:
Salaries & Wages:
Water Commissioners $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00
Clerical 200,000.00 192,000.00
Overtime 90,000.00 90,000.00
Contractual Obligations 50,000.00 60,000.00
Superintendent 140,849.00 130,000.00
Supervisory Staff 180,000.00 180,000.00
Technicians 438,800.00 591,200.00
Temporary Labor 10,000.00 10,000.00
Education & Training 8,000.00 8,000.00
Total Salaries & Wages $ 1,132,649.00 $ 1,276,200.00 $ (143,551.00)
Consumables:
Vehicle Fuel $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00
Office Supplies 5,000.00 4,000.00
Statements/Past Due/CCR 17,000.00 17,000.00
Custodial Supplies 2,500.00 2,500.00
Paving Materials 20,000.00 20,000.00
Vehicle Maintenance 30,000.00 30,000.00
Shop Expenses 10,000.00 10,000.00
Meters & Parts 50,000.00 50,000.00
Hydrants & Parts 25,000.00 20,000.00
Maintenance to Mains 80,000.00 50,000.00
Seawood Springs Wellfield (Formally Corrosion Control) 50,000.00 50,000.00
Services & Extensions 15,000.00 14,000.00
Office Equipment Maintenance 10,000.00 10,000.00
Leak Detection 20,000.00 1,000.00
Standpipe Maintenance 5,000.00 5,000.00
Total Consumables $ 389,500.00 $ 333,500.00 $56,000.00
Purchases of Services:
Service Contracts $ 158,000.00 $ 165,750.00
Electric 160,000.00 150,000.00
Heating - 2550 Cranberry Hwy. 10,000.00 12,750.00
Building & Ground Maintenance 25,000.00 25,000.00
Well Field LP Gas 20,000.00 20,000.00
Technology/GIS Upgrade/Service 50,000.00 60,000.00
Advertising/Emergency Notifications 3,000.00 3,000.00
Telephone/Pagers 20,000.00 20,000.00
Postage 10,000.00 10,000.00
Water Testing 40,000.00 35,000.00
Consulting/Engineering Fees 159,000.00 156,000.00
Legal Fees 75,000.00 75,000.00
Groundwater Monitoring & Well Test. 60,000.00 60,000.00
Total Purchases of Services $ 790,000.00 $ 792,500.00 $ (2,500.00)
Other Charges & Expenses:
Travel Expenses $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
Licenses 2,000.00 2,000.00
Trade Organization Memberships 4,000.00 4,000.00
Safety Equipment 8,000.00 8,000.00
Miscellaneous 4,000.00 4,000.00
Safe Drinking Water Act 6,500.00 6,500.00
Maple Springs Wellfield (Formerly Wtr Treatment Plant) 100,000.00 100,000.00
Total Other Charges & Expenses $ 125,500.00 $ 125,500.00 -
Insurance & Benefits:
Liability Insurance $ 144,375.00 $ 131,250.00
Bond Issue Expense 25,000.00 25,000.00
Interest & Maturing Debt Water 1,540,176.00 1,567,316.00
Group Insurance 696,570.00 651,000.00
Medicare/FICA 22,493.00 25,364.00
Audit 16,750.00 16,750.00
Interest & Maturing Debt Betterments 431,648.00 446,816.00
Insured and Uninsured 1.00 1.00
Plymouth County Retirement Assoc. 451,227.00 413,257.00
Town of Wareham Clerical & Admin. 61,878.00 58,255.00
Total Insurance & Benefits $ 3,390,118.00 $ 3,335,009.00 $ 55,109.00
Total Water Department Budget $ 5,827,767.00 $ 5,862,709.00 $ (34,942.00)
To choose the following officers: Two (2) members of the Prudential Committee for three (3) years, and one (1) Water Commissioner for three (3) years. The above-mentioned officers are to be voted for on one ballot. The polls will be open at the Wareham Fire District, 2550 Cranberry Highway, Wareham, Massachusetts at ten o’clock a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and shall be closed at four o’clock p.m. You are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting in six or more public places in the District or who by direction of the Prudential Committee cause a copy of the Warrant to be published in a newspaper published in the town, if any, otherwise in a newspaper published in the County, in an issue or issues immediately preceding the date of the meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of the Warrant with doings thereon to the District Clerk at the time and place of said meeting. Given into our hands at Wareham on this fourteenth day of March in the year, 2024.
ATT. True Copy:
Constable
A TRUE COPY ATTEST:
Wendy A. Lemieux
District Clerk
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE:
George T. Barrett, Chairman
Dean J. Decas, Clerk
Ronald A. Enos
Richard H. England, Jr.
Brian M. Crocker