June 24, 2013
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Connor with all members in attendance except Mr. Featherston.
Public Hearing – application of Nancy Pinheiro d/b/a Sandy’s Chill Spot for a Common Victualler License, 800 Pulaski Blvd.
Mr. Connor read the public hearing notice.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to continue this hearing at the conclusion of the Bond Anticipation Note Signing.
Treasurer/Collector Grace Devitt and Town Clerk Ann Odabahian were present for the signing.
Mr. Connor explained there are four ongoing capital projects which received borrowing authorization at Town Meeting. They include Athletic Field Construction, Road Improvements, Drinking Water Treatment Plant Construction and Drinking Water Treatment Plant Planning & Engineering. The BANs for these projects total $2,105,195 and the low bidder is T.D. Securities with a .2758% rate.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to award the BAN to the low bidder T.D. Securities with a .2758% rate.
Public Hearing – application of PJ’s Bar & Grill, Inc., Paul Rogers, Jr., Mgr. for the transfer of the Restaurant All Alcohol License, Common Victualler License & Pledge of License from Bison Burger, Inc., Paul Winshman, Mgr., 191 Mechanic St., Unit #9
Mr. Connor read the public hearing notice.
On a Soter/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to continue this hearing at the conclusion of the hearing for Nancy Pinheiro.
Sandy’s Chill Spot (continued)
Ms. Pinheiro stated she is requesting a Common Victualler License because she would like seating at her establishment. She stated her hours of operation will be Noon – 11 PM, 7 days a week.
Mr. Connor asked if there was anyone present to speak on this application. No one responded.
On a Soter/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing. On a Spencer/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application of Nancy Pinheiro d/b/a Sandy’s Chill Spot for a Common Victualler License, 800 Pulaski Blvd., with hours as stated.
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PJ’s Bar & Grill (continued)
The applicant, Paul Rogers, introduced himself to the Board of Selectmen. He stated he is here this evening requesting the transfer of the Restaurant All Alcohol & Common Victualler License from Paul Winshman.
Mr. Rogers stated he plans on operating a family friendly restaurant with good food. Board members asked him if he has any restaurant experience. He stated he has been in the restaurant business for 25 years and is a graduate of Johnson & Wales Culinary School. Owning a restaurant has always been his dream. Mr. Rogers stated his hours of operation will be 11 AM – 1 AM, Sunday – Saturday.
He was asked if employees will be TIPS certified and answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Connor asked if there was anyone present to speak on this application. Quite a few individuals were present to speak in favor including Sean Casey, 30 Rawson Road; Joyce Casey, 41 Mohawk Path; Jim Hastings, Plymouth Road and Cathy Clougher, Stella Road. No one opposed.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application of PJ’s Bar & Grill, Inc., Paul Rogers, Jr., Mgr. for the transfer of the Restaurant All Alcohol License, Common Victualler License and Pledge of License from Bison Burger, Inc., Paul Winshman, Mgr., 191 Mechanic St., Unit #9, with hours as stated this evening.
Planning Board Associate Member – joint appointment with Selectmen
On a Soter/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to open the joint meeting with the Planning Board members.
Present from the Planning Board were Peter Pappas, Brian Salisbury and Andrew Greene. Mr. Pappas stated the Board received one application after having the vacancy posted for approximately a month. The applicant, Nikyda Resto, has been attending Planning Board meetings for quite a while and has shown interest in serving as the Associate Member. Mr. Pappas stated the Planning Board recommends her.
A joint vote was taken on a Mayhew/Spencer motion, to appoint Nikyda Resto to fill the Associate Member vacancy with all present voting in the affirmative. This term expires March, 2014.
Mr. DiMartino – Water/Sewer/Trash Billing Procedure
Mr. DiMartino stated his office has been working with the Treasurer/Collector’s Office and the Chief Financial Officer to switch to a new billing procedure. This new procedure will allow trash to be included in the water/sewer bill. He went on to state that all involved were hoping to start this new process in July. However, this new process is much more involved than originally expected and the July date will not be met.
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The Selectmen expressed their desire for the Town to get on a quarterly billing cycle. Mr. DiMartino stated the quarterly billing process will begin in January.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to award Contract 2013-SSX, Annual Street Sweeping to the low bidder Hi-Way Safety Systems, Inc., per Mr. DiMartino’s recommendation.
Mr. DiMartino gave an update on the milling and overlay project scheduled for the middle of July. This project will run from the Town Center to the Mendon town line. All work & financial aspects of this project will be handled by the State Highway Dept. The State has proposed performing the work at night rather than closing this section of roadway during the day. The night work will shorten the length of the project to three days.
Mr. DiMartino stated he has scheduled a meeting for June 26 at 6 PM in the Arcand Meeting Room to update residents and businesses along this route.
Mr. Soter asked Mr. DiMartino to look into the possibility of installing a traffic light on Pulaski Blvd. at the Lake Street intersection stating this is a very dangerous intersection. He also requested the possible installation of a traffic light at the intersection of South Main St. & Mann Street.
Mr. Soter asked Mr. DiMartino to establish a list which will prioritize areas in town where sidewalks are needed.
Commission on Disability member Patrick Callahan updated the Selectmen on a warrant article the Commission will be submitting for placement on the October Town Meeting. He stated the article will request approval to create a special revolving fund from revenues received from handicap parking fines to use on officer details and funding of Commission projects.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept the minutes of May 20th & May 22nd as submitted.
On a Spencer/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following abatements: residential water, $2,370.51; residential sewer, $559.02; municipal water, $7,485.80 and municipal sewer $109.50.
On a Soter/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s reappointment of Tracey Taddeo & Cindy Souza – Animal Control Officers for 1 year; Don DiMartino – DPW Director for 3 years; and Grace Devitt – Treasurer for 3 years.
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Town Counsel Annual Appointment – Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead, LLC
Mr. Soter stated he wants to go on record that he feels the Board should go out for RFP’s for Town Counsel. He stated that he has attended meetings for different Town Boards and feels Mr. Talaerman did not show respect for the taxpayers.
Mr. Soter also feels Mr. Talerman doesn’t give definitive answers when they are needed.
He stated he received some negative feedback from a few department heads.
He stated he was willing to entertain reappointing Blatman, Bobrowksi & Mead, but having an attorney other than Mr. Talerman representing the Town. He noted that after a meeting, the law firm was not willing to go forward with this reassignment.
He stated the Town Administrator recommends this appointment and noted if something goes wrong, it will reflect poorly on Mr. Fraine.
Mr. Fraine stated if he was receiving negative feedback from department heads, he would act on it, but that has not been the case. He noted the Town Counsel position is the Selectmen’s appointment and ultimately the Board’s decision to reappoint or go out for RFP’s.
Mr. Connor recommended working with Mr. Soter on establishing a formal annual review process. Evaluation forms to be filled out by department heads will be forwarded to them about two months before the Annual Town Meeting. This matter will be discussed at the All Board’s Meeting.
Mr. Spencer made a motion to reappoint Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead, LLC as Town Counsel, seconded by Mr. Soter for discussion.
Mr. Soter stated he will be willing to work with Mr. Connor on the evaluation process and noted it is late to begin this process for this appointment period and for this reason, he will vote in favor of Mr. Spencer’s motion.
A vote was taken on Mr. Spencer’s motion, with all members voting in the affirmative.
Veteran’s Tax Work-off
Mr. Fraine stated he met with Laura DeMattia and believes the Veteran’s program should be administered in pretty much the same manner as the Senior Work-off program. The Veteran’s Agent will determine the Veteran’s eligibility. After this initial process, the Senior Center will manage the program.
Discussion was held on placing a cap on the dollar amount for each work-off program and it was voted on a Mayhew/Spencer motion that the total would be $125,000, with $100,000 set aside for the Senior Program and $25,000 for the Veteran’s Program. The program will be administered by the Senior Center and quarterly updates will be requested. If during the year, it is determined that either the Senior or Veteran’s Program will have remaining funds, the money can be used in either of the programs.
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Discussion was held regarding the possibility of charging fees for electronics collected at the Recycling Center. Mr. Fraine stated the most disposed of items are televisions. He suggested no charge for the first item and then charging after that.
Mr. Soter asked to look into the possibility of a per bag charge for trash brought to the Recycling Center. These items will be discussed further.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to go forward with the Energy in the Bank proposal, reviewed by Town Counsel.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s appointment of Lisa Mattola to the Senior Center Outreach Coordinator’s position as recommended by COA Director, Laura DeMattia.
Mr. Connor gave an update on the turf field noting the contractor is on-site, work has begun and is on schedule to be completed the first week of September.
Mr. Connor requested Mr. Fraine generate a list of goals he would like to reach.
Mr. Connor stated it has been a few years since a “selling alcohol to minors” sting has been held in Bellingham. He recommends a sting be coordinated by Chief Daigle.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the placement of a street light on pole #50, Second Avenue per Sgt. Rolls’ recommendation.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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