February 3, 2014
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 Ngoc Suong Tran d/b/a Annam Jewelry Gifts for a Second Hand Dealer’s License, 5 North Main St.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to delay this hearing until the conclusion of a brief discussion with Supt. Fleury.
Mr. Fleury stated he is requesting a vote by the Selectmen authorizing him to submit a statement of interest to the MSBA for the South Elementary School – renovation or modernization of the school facility systems.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the following vote was unanimously approved:
“Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on Monday, February 3, 2014, prior to the closing date, the Board of Selectmen of Bellingham, MA, in accordance with its charter, bylaws, and ordinances, requests to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest dated on or before February 14, 2014 for the South Elementary School located at 70 Harpin Street, Bellingham, MA, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which the Town of Bellingham may be invited to apply to the MSBA in the future.
Statement of Interest Priority: Replacement, renovation or modernization of the school facility system such as a room or any related matters, windows, boilers, heating ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest, the MSBA in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the MSBA, or commits the Town of Bellingham and the Bellingham School Department from filing an application for funding with the MSBA.”
Public Hearing – application of Ngoc Suong Tran (continued)
Ms. Tran stated she was here this evening for a Second Hand Dealer’s License for her jewelry store located at 5 North Main St.
Board members asked if a Police Officer had advised her of the rules and regulations associated with this license. She stated she had been advised.
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Mr. Connor asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak on this application. No one responded.
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 Ngoc Suong Tran d/b/a Annam Jewelry & Gifts for a Second Hand Dealer’s License, 5 North Main St.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept the minutes of January 6th and January 21st as submitted.
On a Spencer/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following abatements: residential water - $418.69; residential sewer - $696.08; residential trash - $82.00 and municipal water - $3,468.63.
Purple Heart Town – A memo was read from the Dept. of MA Military Order of the Purple Heart offering the Town of Bellingham the opportunity in becoming a Purple Heart Town and requesting a proclamation be drafted honoring these veterans on Purple Heart Day, August 7th.
Mr. Mayhew stated he is very much in favor of honoring the Town’s veterans, however, he expressed his reservation that this day may become another holiday. Board members stated they did not feel it was a request for another holiday.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to forward a proclamation to the Dept. of MA Military Order of the Purple Heart for Bellingham to become a Purple Heart Town, provided if the government moves to make this day a holiday, this matter will be revisited.
Public Hearing – application of Raymond P. Bruneault and Richard Gentes d/b/a Roadrunner Auto Sales for the transfer of the Class II Used Car Dealers License from Robert & Pauline Sevigny d/b/a Danny’s Motor Sales, 151 Pulaski Blvd.
Mr. Connor read the public hearing notice.
Present for the hearing were Mr. Bruneault, Mr. Gentes and Mr. Giardino, Executor of the Estate at 151 Pulaski. Mr. Giardino stated his father ran Danny’s Motor Sales at that location for 40 years. He noted this application is to transfer the Class II license for that location and will continue to be operated as his father had for 40 years. Mr. Giardino was asked how many vehicles are sold from that location. He stated his father would sell an average of 50 vehicles per year.
Board members asked the applicants how many vehicles they are requesting. They stated they are requesting 12 vehicles which is what the original license was limited to. They noted there will not be any changes other than the new name.
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On a Spencer/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 Raymond P. Bruneault and Richard Gentes d/b/a Roadrunner Auto Sales for the transfer of the Class II Used Car Dealers License from Robert & Pauline Sevigny d/b/a Danny’s Motor Sales, 151 Pulaski Blvd. with no changes to the business other than the new name.
On a Soter/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept & sign the Social Media Policy as presented.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s appointment of Bob Greenhalgh as Veteran’s Agent to fill the position vacated by Ray Richards.
A budget review meeting will be scheduled for February 22nd beginning at 9 AM. Department Heads will be sent a schedule of the meeting times.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board voted to place the Solicitation Bylaw Article on the May 28th Town Meeting Warrant, with wording recommended by the Attorney General’s Office. The article will be sponsored by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Spencer and Mr. Connor voted in the affirmative; Mr. Soter opposed feeling the decision of the Attorney General’s Office to reject the Bylaw should be challenged. Mr. Soter opposed feeling that the public statements from a previous meeting with Town Counsel assured us that the language presented to Town Meeting would pass based on discussion he had with the Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Soter stated that our law presented is similar to two other towns’ “no soliciting laws”. Mr. Soter felt we
should fight this based on Town Counsel’s original advice that our version was watered-down to pass Attorney General’s review of the original article. The motion passed on a 3-1 vote.
A joint letter was sent from Sen. Moore & Rep. Kuros pertaining to the petition to authorize an additional Package Store All Alcohol License in Bellingham. This petition was placed as an article on the 2013 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and was approved.
The joint letter went on to state that during and since a public hearing held by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure, the committee has heard from several residents of Bellingham opposed to the additional license.
At this time, Sen. Moore & Rep. Kuros are asking if the Board can confirm the community’s support for this article.
On a Spencer/Mayhew motion, the Board voted to place an article on the 2014 Annual Town Meeting warrant to confirm the community’s support for this additional Package Store All Alcohol License. Mr. Spencer, Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Connor voted in the affirmative; Mr. Soter opposed. The motion passed on a 3-1 vote.
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On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Common Victualler License for Joff’s Backyard Grill, 61 Mechanic St. and the Class II Used Car Dealers License for Affordable Auto Credit, 230 Pulaski Blvd.
It was noted that taxes are owed by the owner of Blvd. Auto Sales, 700 Pulaski Blvd. & according to Town Bylaw, the Class II License cannot be renewed until the taxes are paid in full or a payment plan is in place. A letter will be sent to the licensee advising him that a hearing will be scheduled for the possible revocation of his license due to the lack of payment.
Mr. Connor highlighted a memo sent jointly by Mr. Lavallee, Chair of the CIC and Mr. Collamati, Chair of the FinCom pertaining to the creation of a permanent building committee.
Fire Chief Gentile requested an Executive Session to discuss negotiations relative to overall staffing within the Fire Department with Deputy Chief Poirier also present.
Members of the Board were polled with all voting in the affirmative.
With no further business for the regular session, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:30 PM on a Mayhew/Spencer motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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