BOARD OF SELECTMEN October 27, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. Present were Chairman Elizabeth Sullivan, Selectmen John Tuffy and Andre Martecchini, and Town Manager Rocco Longo.
OPEN FORUM
Representative Tom O’Brien appeared at Open Forum to discuss the town’s participation in the Community Preservation Act. Earlier this month, the Commonwealth provided $922,706 in funds matching the town’s assessment to property owners. Last year, the state matched $845,267 of town assessment.
In contrast, the town of Plymouth, who assessed a lower percentage to its residents, had a lower assessment to begin with, and received only about $960,000, giving Duxbury a substantially higher percentage of funds from the Community Preservation Act pool. The state collects their pool of funds from registry fees; approximately $40,000,000 remain in the fund this year after all eligible distributions were made.
Representative O’Brien suggested holding a public forum to inform interested residents about the program. It could include facts about how the funds are collected and what kinds of uses are permitted.
The Representative also discussed his concerns and efforts to assist with the Health Insurance Trust Fund and the Department of Revenue issues. He is working with Representative Daniel Webster and key town staff, along with the Department of Revenue and the town auditing firm, to resolve this issue. He asked the Board members for additional time to work on this issue and they agreed. He will report back to the Town Manager.
The Board thanked him for his efforts on both matters.
David Hines asked if the Community Preservation Committee could present a review to the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Sullivan agreed that it would benefit everyone involved, and asked that it include an update on laws and the status of current projects.
POLE HEARING – 390 WASHINGTON STREET
Karen Rae of Nstar Electric was present to request approval for installation of two 4” conduit and cable locations at 390 Washington Street to provide service for a new residence. Peter Buttkus, Tree Warden, had no objection. No one else was present at the hearing, and no other objections were received in writing.
The Board requested that this work be done prior to Washington Street being repaved.
Andre Martecchini moved to approve the petition by Nstar for the installation of two 4” conduit and cable locations as shown on Plan No. 03-33 dated October 3, 2003. John Tuffy seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
The Town Manager presented the nine articles included in the Special Town Meeting scheduled for November 24. Article 1 is to resolve the Health Trust Fund deficit. Articles 2 deals with settling any union contracts, if applicable. Articles 3 and 4 clarify the wording in prior Special Town Meeting articles dealing with Merlet and Delano properties. Articles 5, 6 and 7 all address property maintenance fees at properties previously acquired by the Community Preservation Committee. Article 8 deals with the replacement of a water main on Route 3A prior to the state repaving that portion of the road. Article 9 corrects a typographical error in Article 25 of the March, 2003 Annual Town Meeting Zoning Bylaw.
John Tuffy moved to open the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on November 24, 2003. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
John Tuffy moved to include all 9 articles as presented by the Town Manager. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
John Tuffy moved to close the warrant for the Special Town Meeting of November 24, 2003. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
UPCOMING SELECTMENS MEEETING SCHEDULE
November meetings are as follows:
November 3, 2003
November 10, 2003 will be postponed to November 12, 2003. An executive session may be called at 6:30 pm. The meeting will include Community Development Committee and start at 7:00. Bond signatures may be required at this meeting
November 17 will take place on an “as-needed” basis
November 24 Special Town Meeting
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Longo informed the Board that EntEnergy will be testing the Nuclear Alert alarms on Thursday, November 13 at 3:45 pm for 3 minutes.
He noted that state revenue was up for the first quarter by 4.4%. However, sales tax and withholdings were flat.
He reported that the Uncompensated Care Pool, mandated by the State Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, has increased its assessment percentage from 1.85% to 3.25%. The state assesses all health insurance providers this percentage-based fee, which is used to subsidize free care to uninsured patients. In dollars, this will translate to an increase from $46,574 this fiscal year to $81,505 over the next fiscal year. This will result in an additional cost of approximately $35,000 to the town.
Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) for the architectural assessment of the Wright building have been solicited and are due on December 6. Holly Morris, Nancy Shine and Martha Himes coordinated the specs for the RFP. Members of the Designer Selection Committee will review the submissions.
ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE – HOLY FAMILY PARISH
Holy Family Parish has requested a one-day liquor license for their Annual Harvest Social on November 29 from 7pm to 11pm in the Parish Center. Liquor liability insurance, TIPS certification, and department approvals are in place.
Andre Martecchini moved to grant a one-day liquor license to Holy Family for their Harvest Social on November 29 from 7pm to 11pm, with the stipulation that at the start of the evening, the Master of Ceremonies point out to the participants the locations of the fire exits for the room that the function being held. John Tuffy seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20, 2003
John Tuffy moved to accept the minutes of October 20 as presented. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
John Tuffy moved to accept the executive session minutes of October 20 as presented, but that they remain sealed until the need has passed. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
BONUS SHELLFISH SEASON
John Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish season for the commercial harvesting of softshell clams for the month of November per attachments B & C of Don Beers’ memo of October 25. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
John Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen declare a temporary bonus shellfish season for the commercial harvesting of quahog clams for the month of November per attachments A & C of Don Beers’ memo of October 25. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
John Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish season for the recreational harvesting of soft shelled clams for the month of November per attachment D of Don Beers’ memo of October 25. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Andre Martecchini moved to appoint Ron McCarthy to the Youth Commission for a term to expire 6/30/04, and that Tom Holdgate serve as ex-officio on this committee. John Tuffy seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
RESIGNATIONS
The board accepted the following resignations:
Y. Oktay, Design Review Board
Nancy Shine, Municipal Commission on Disability
Wayne Dennison, Historical Commission
Letters of acceptance of resignation and appreciation of their work were signed and sent to each of these volunteers.
Mrs. Sullivan pointed out that there are presently no talent bank forms on file for the MCD opening, one on file for the Historical Commission and two for the Design Review Board. She encouraged interested residents to submit talent bank forms for consideration.
At 8:15 pm, John Tuffy moved to adjourn. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
Nancy Moody
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