June 9, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Goodnow with all members in attendance.
PUBLIC HEARING – application of Blue Chip Auto Sales, Inc. to increase the storage of vehicles from ten to thirty, 57 Mendon Street
Mr. Goodnow read the public hearing notice.
Mr. Richard Bell owner of Blue Chip Auto Sales, Inc. stated he is requesting the increase in vehicles from ten to thirty to offer a larger selection of vehicles to his customers. Mrs. Davies asked Mr. Bell why he was asking for such a large increase. Mr. Bell feels that with the larger amount, this will offer a greater variety of vehicles and will hopefully allow him to sell more. He also went on to state that after he purchases a vehicle at auction, it does not go on his lot until it has been detailed and looked at by his mechanic and is ready for sale.
Mr. Bell stated the owner of the property, Mr. Stern, paved the area where the cars will be parked. Mrs. Chaves expressed her concern with the water runoff from the property due to this area being paved. Mr. Stern stated he removed a pool and deck from the area in question and noted the water will run off the property as it has in the past. Mr. Stern answered in the affirmative to Mrs. Chaves’ question if he had contacted and received approval from the Conservation Commission and Planning Board before paving this area.
Mr. Mayhew asked Mr. Bell what his hours of operation would be. He stated his hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 AM – 7 PM and by appointment until 9 PM. He is closed on Sunday.
Mr. Goodnow asked if there was anyone present in opposition to this application. Mr. Michael White of 84 Rose Avenue asked if all vehicles would remain in the front of the property. Mr. Bell answered in the affirmative. No one spoke in favor of the application.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application of Blue Chip Auto Sales, Inc., 57 Mendon Street to increase the storage of vehicles from ten to thirty with business hours as stated this evening.
Minutes of June 9, 2008
Page 2
Housing Authority Applicants
- Ms. June Kermode stated she is a resident of Wrentham Manor and feels it would be important to have a resident on the Housing Authority. She is aware that Depot Court is represented on the Housing Authority by Mr. Taft. She stated she has attended meetings in the past and would like to get involved. She also noted she served on the Community Development Commission in the 1990’s.
- Mr. Jason Tucker stated he has been working in the residential property management field for the past seven years and is currently employed as a Senior Property Manager. He stated he has developed working relationships with many organizations including DHCD, HUD, Spectrum and MassHousing and has extensive experience with budgeting, financial reporting and capital project management. Mr. Tucker stated he has applied for this position to share his experience in affordable housing management and would like to make sure the needs of the residents are being met and they have access to the resources and services they may require.
- Mrs. Debra Sacco stated that as a life-long resident of Bellingham, she believes her experience and dedication to the town would make her a valuable member of the Housing Authority. She also noted that she was a Housing Authority candidate in May’s Annual Town Election and came in second place.
Mr. Goodnow asked for nominations for the Housing Authority position. Mr. Taft nominated Jason Tucker, seconded by Mr. Guzowski. Mrs. Cartier nominated Debra Sacco, seconded by Mrs. Lavallee.
A vote was taken on Mr. Taft’s nomination, with Mr. Guzowski and the Board of Selectmen Members, after being polled, voting in the affirmative. Mrs. Cartier and Mrs. Lavallee opposed.
Mr. Tucker was appointed to fill Mr. Marcoux’s unexpired term on the Housing Authority until the 2009 Annual Town Election.
ZBA Applicant
Mr. Ron Lussier was not present this evening since he had been interviewed at a previous meeting, but did want the Selectmen to be aware of his interest in the Alternate Position.
Mr. Mario Castagna was interviewed for the Zoning Board’s Alternate Member. Mr. Castagna stated he has lived in Bellingham for ten years. He feels zoning is important to the community and would like to be a part of upholding the town’s by-laws. As an owner of a sign company, Mr. Castagna stated he has attended zoning meetings in this town and other towns for his business and because of this, he has some working knowledge of the meetings.
Mr. Delsignore and Mr. Andrews were in attendance and stated the Zoning Board recommends Mr. Castagna for appointment.
Minutes of June 9, 2008
Page 3
On a Chaves/Davies motion, the Board unanimously voted to appoint Mario Castagna to fill the ZBA Alternate position vacated by Douglas Cochrane.
On a Martinelli/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the May 19th minutes as submitted.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve water abatements in the amount of $4603.65 and sewer abatements in the amount of $467.09.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to award the 2008 Roadway Crack Sealing Contract 2008-CR to the low bidder, Sealcoating, Inc. of Hingham, MA per Mr. DiMartino’s recommendation.
Mr. Mayhew made a motion, seconded by Mr. Martinelli to reappoint Town Administrator, Denis Fraine for a three-year term and Town Counsel, Ambler & Ambler for a one-year term. Mrs. Chaves requested a hold on the Town Counsel appointment. A vote was taken on the Town Administrator’s appointment with all voting in the affirmative.
Mrs. Chaves stated she would like the town to seek RFQ’s for the Town Counsel position from applicants outside of Bellingham and placed this in the form of a motion, seconded by Mrs. Davies. A vote was taken on this motion with Mrs. Chaves, Mrs. Davies and Mr. Goodnow voting in the affirmative. Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Martinelli opposed.
On a Martinelli/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s appointment of John Sexton as an Auxiliary/Special Police Officer for a one-year term.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s reappointment of Animal Control Officers Cindy Souza and Tracey Taddeo for a one-year term.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s reappointment of Chief Financial Officer, Marilyn Mathieu for a three-year term.
On a Martinelli/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s reappointment of Inspector of Buildings, Stuart LeClaire for a three-year term.
On a Martinelli/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the petition of Verizon and NSTAR for the relocation of six joint poles on Hartford Avenue. This work is needed for the Hartford Ave. street widening project.
Minutes of June 9, 2008
Page 4
On a Mayhew/Chaves motion, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to the School Dept. to dispose of 25 desks that are in poor condition per request of Kathryn Wilson, South Elementary School Principal.
On a Mayhew/Martinelli motion, the Board unanimously voted to authorize Town Administrator, Denis Fraine to sign the agreement between the Town of Bellingham and Land Street Realty Trust, Andrew M. Bissanti, Trustee pertaining to a Betterment Assessment Waiver for property located on Wrentham Street.
On a Mayhew/Chaves motion, the Board unanimously voted to authorize Chairman Goodnow to inform Mass Highway of Bellingham’s interest of ensuring the Pulaski Blvd. infrastructure project is recognized as this community’s number one transportation project. Bellingham residents have spent more than three million dollars on the design of this work as well as the installation of underground utilities. Further, while the Board is supportive of improvements to the Hartford Avenue/Rte. 126 corridor, this work is not to be considered as Bellingham’s top priority.
On a Martinelli/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to send VIP parking passes to former selectmen.
On a Mayhew/Davies motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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