September 14, 2015
Chairman Soter called the September 14 meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7 p.m. with all members in attendance except Mr. Martinis.
Mr. Fraine stated he had appointed Mr. James Kupfer to the position of Town Planner/Compliance Officer and asked for the Board to ratify the appointment. Mr. Fraine explained he had interviewed candidates along with Mr. Salisbury and Atty. Talerman and Mr. Kupfer was the unanimous choice. Mr. Fraine reviewed Mr. Kupfer’s qualifications with the Board and stated he would start on October 5 at the salary of $69,000.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board voted to ratify the appointment of Mr. Kupfer to the Town Planner position.
Town Auditor, Mr. Bob Brown, appeared before the Board to present the Town’s annual audit results. Mr. Brown stated the Town remains in a strong revenue position as evidenced by the high Free Cash certification. He stated the Federal Government will now require municipalities report its full unfunded liability for pensions even though the County is responsible for the funding. Mr. Brown stated this will not alter the Town’s position but does disclose the liability for bonding transparency.
Mr. Brown stated the primary finding involved the lack of hard copy applications for the Free and Reduced meal program for the year 2014. He explained the school district is required to maintain these records to provide as backup for reimbursements the Town receives. In response to this finding, Mr. Soter requested Mr. Fraine send a letter to the School Superintendent requesting he conduct a thorough search for the documents and ensure measures are taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
PUBLIC HEARING: JALAPENOS GRILL III
Mr. Peter Gumas, d/b/a Jalapenos Grill III, appeared before the Board requesting the transfer of the Restaurant All Alcohol, Common Victualler and Weekday and Sunday Entertainment licenses from the UnCommon Place, 15 North Main Street.
Mr. Gumas appeared before the Board and stated he has been in the industry for 40 years and has always operated family restaurants which will be the case with Jalapeno’s. Mr. Fraine asked about the entertainment and whether there will be a night club atmosphere at night. Mr. Gumas stated there will be soft music and there is no intention to operate a bar or night club. The entertainment will strictly compliment the dining. Mr. Spencer asked about the hours of operation. After some discussion, the applicant requested 11:30 a.m. to 12 midnight seven days a week.
Minutes of September 14, 2015
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On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the Public Hearing.
On a Connor/Mayhew motion, the Board approved the application for Jalapeno’s Grill III with the stated hours of operation.
PUBLIC HEARING
Application of Plaza Mexico Restaurant 4 for the transfer of a Restaurant All Alcohol and Common Victualler license from Caridi Brothers Twelve Inc.
Mr. David Alvarez and Mr. Tom McGlaughlin appeared before the Board. Mr. McGlaughlin stated they will operate a Mexican style restaurant similar to their operation in Woonsocket. Mr. Spencer asked if current staff will transfer. Mr. McGlaughlin explained current staff will be used to train new staff and all employees will be T.I.P.S. and safe serve certified.
Mr. Connor asked for hours of operation. Mr. McGlaughlin stated Monday – Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
On a Connor/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the Public Hearing.
On a Spencer/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to grant the license as requested at the stipulated hours.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to authorize Chairman Soter to sign a Mass Works Economic Development Grant.
PUBLIC HEARING
Application of Beef Barn Mass Inc. for the transfer of the Restaurant All Alcohol and Common Victualler license from the Department of Revenue as a successor in interest of C.J.P. Restaurant Corp.
Mr. Marc Branchaud appeared before the Board to present his plans to open a sandwich restaurant similar to the one he operates presently in North Smithfield. Mr. Branchaud stated all employees will be Safe Serve and T.I.P.S. certified. The applicant requested operating hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to grant the license as requested at the stipulated hours.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the Public Hearing.
Mr. Jon Shaw appeared before the Board to present plans to create a splash park at Silver Lake as a tribute to his son who passed away in the spring. Mr. Shaw stated the project is a way of his family thanking the community for the support it received during their time of need. Mr. Shaw explained the project will require 30K to 50K of private donations. The splash pad was originally proposed as part of the playground at Silver Lake and approved for future expansion. Mr. Fraine stated there will be a need to discuss the project with the Conservation Committee prior to construction.
On a Connor/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to support and advocate for the project. Under discussion, Mr. Connor expressed interest in learning more about the life span of the apparatus before it is installed as well as the average water consumption.
Minutes of September 14, 2015
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Beacon Compassion Center – Mr. Steve Angelo and Ms. Rina Cametti appeared before the Board to present their plans to site a medical marijuana grow facility at an existing building on Williams Way.
Mr. Angelo explained his company had provided the Board with additional information to follow up on the company’s previous presentation last month.
Mr. Soter asked how the firm had done with their dispensary proposal in Walpole. Mr. Angelo stated it had been taken under advisement by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Connor questioned whether the firm was Colorado based as opposed to Massachusetts based as was stated previously. Mr. Angelo stated his firm is entirely Massachusetts based.
Mr. Spencer expressed concern with being a test community for this new law. Specifically, he stated his preference to see how other communities handle this new law prior to considering facilities in Bellingham. Mr. Mayhew stated his agreement with Mr. Spencer as he is also concerned with being a “pilot” program for anything.
Mr. Soter explained to the applicants that Bellingham is a small community and is not prepared to handle the financial impacts associated with bringing a grow facility to Town.
Mr. Angelo stated an impact fee is provided to assist the Town’s with any financial burden associated with the grow facility.
Mr. Spencer expressed concern with the general lack of information associated with the program due to the fact no communities have granted approvals. In a few years we will be able to judge whether they are acceptable or not.
Mr. Soter stated to the applicant his opinion that they are good people and they may very well have a good company, but Bellingham is simply not the location for the facility at this time. He further stated his preference to see how the new law is implemented and works in other communities.
Mr. Spencer stated his opposition is not based on whether the new law is a good thing or a bad thing; it is simply not something Bellingham is ready for.
On a Spencer/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to not grant a “letter of non-opposition” as requested by the Beacon Compassion Center relative to their medical marijuana grow facility.
On a Connor/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to recommend the following Capital requests: 2 police vehicles, fire department apparatus depending on the final cost and the demolition of Macy School, Pearl Street Mill and the $125,000 addition for the library.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Denis C. Fraine
Town Administrator
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