March 2, 2015
The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7 p.m. with all members in attendance except Mr. Martinis.
Mr. Connor opened a Public Hearing for a taking of land off North Main Street, Assessor’s Map 36, Parcel 1 for a permanent water pipeline easement taking. Atty. Talerman informed the Board the taking was associated with the Town wide water project and was authorized by Town Meeting. Mr. DiMartino explained the pipeline is located on a partially “landlocked” parcel owned by the Hill family located along Rte. 495 north of the Town’s well #12.
Atty. Batog representing the Hill family stated she has been negotiating on behalf of the Hill’s with the Town’s attorney to secure access to the Hill property from Cliff Road by way of the Town’s well access road. She went on to explain the Hill’s have no objection to the taking of the water main but are seeking an easement in exchange for the taking. Atty. Talerman explained such an agreement would require Town Meeting approval and the matter of the roadway easement is not relative to the Town’s taking which was agreed upon verbally with the Hill family in May of 2014.
Mr. DiMartino explained the taking of the Hill property is necessary to continue the water project without delay. He went on to state the work on the easement will likely begin within days if the easement is approved.
On a Soter/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the Public Hearing.
On a Soter/Spencer motion, the Board voted Mr. Soter, Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Connor in favor and Mr. Spencer opposed to the taking all as read and described on the attached vote entitled “Decision of the Board of Selectmen and Order of Taking” dated March 2, 2015.
Mr. Phil Carr of Good Energy appeared before the Board to discuss the Municipal Aggregation of Electricity for Bellingham residents. Mr. Carr described the program to the Board stating it was designed to save residents on generation charges within their electric bill. Specifically, Good Energy would solicit bids for a group of municipalities with one bid attempting to obtain the lowest possible generation charge. He stated residents would have the opportunity to “opt” into the program if they chose to do so but would not be required to participate and could leave the program if they were not satisfied.
Mr. Soter expressed concern enduring a preferred vendor for a public utility as he did not believe it was the Board’s role to get involved with electricity choices. He further stated his belief that residents who select a generation suppler other than National Grid or NSTAR would receive a lesser service than those customers who are signed on with the utility. He went on to say this could be problematic during an electrical outage.
Minutes of March 2, 2015
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Mr. Connor suggested Mr. Carr keep the Board informed of the upcoming bid process through Mr. Fraine and it may be something the Selectmen re-visit at a future time.
On a Mayhew/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept the February 23 minutes.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion the Board unanimously voted to recommend Mr. Connor to the School Committee as its choice to serve on the High School Principal Search Committee.
Mr. Soter asked the Board to direct the Town Administrator to solicit RFP’s for Town Counsel services. He stated the current firm has been here for six years and it is time to look for competitive proposals from other firms. He went on to say he hopes the incumbent firm submits a RFP as he is not requesting this action to remove them from consideration.
On a Soter/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to direct the Town Administrator to solicit RFP’s for Town Counsel services. Mr. Connor asked Mr. Fraine to inform Town Counsel of this process and to let him know he is invited to participate.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board was polled with Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Spencer, Mr. Connor and Mr. Soter voting unanimously to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss strategies with regard to collective bargaining with various Town Unions. Chief Gentile and Deputy Chief Poirier were invited to participate.
Mr. Connor stated there would be no public comment following the Executive Session.
Public Session adjourned at 8 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Denis C. Fraine
Town Administrator
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