BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 22, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were Chairman Elizabeth Sullivan, Selectmen Andre Martecchini, John Tuffy and Town Manager Rocco Longo.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present under Open Forum.
CHIEF WILLIAM HARRIMAN – ANNOUNCEMENT
Chief Harriman announced to the Board of Selectmen that he had submitted his letter of intent to resign from his position as Fire Chief. His official date of resignation would be August 10, 2004 but with accrued vacation, his last day of work would probably be sometime around mid-May, 2004.
The Selectmen expressed thanks for the work that Chief Harriman has done over the years and for his participation in a wide variety of activities. These activities reflect the Chief’s commitment to the town and its people. They indicated that he would be missed very much, and wished him the best in his retirement.
TRIATHLON
The Board expressed thanks to the staffs of all of the public safety departments – Harbormaster, Police, and Fire – and to Police Officer Tom Johnson, Liaison and Fire Chief Bill Harriman in particular for their outstanding efforts in coordinating the events of the day. This was a cooperative effort and all events went smoothly.
REQUEST FOR ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE – FRIENDS OF THE COUNCIL ON AGING
Jack Hamilton, President of the Friends of the Council on Aging, had requested a one-day Liquor License for their Octoberfest Party on October 17 from 6 to 9:30 at the Duxbury Senior Center. A liquor liability policy and all other requirements are in place, and approval letters were obtained.
It should be noted that although the Friends have a liquor liability policy in place that allows up to three functions, this permit is good ONLY for the event of October 17, 2003.
John Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen approve a one-day liquor license to the Friends of the Duxbury Council on Aging for an Octoberfest Party to be held at the Duxbury Senior Center on October 17, 2003 from 6:00pm to 9:30pm subject to the conditions outlined by Chief Harriman regarding announcements of exits. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
REQUEST FOR 2-DAY RUG TAG SALE – UNITED RUG AUCTIONEER, INC.
United Rug Auctioneer, Inc. requested permission to hold a 2-day rug tag sale at the United Methodist Church at 298 High Street in Duxbury on November 22 and 23, 2003. The nature of the relationship between the auctioneer and the church was not clear. It was not certain that the sale was to benefit the church, or if the seller was a commercial enterprise renting space from the church. No action was taken on this request until more information could be obtained.
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2003
Andre Martecchini moved to accept the minutes of September 15, 2003, with an amendment to the Town Manager’s Brief portion. The minutes should be amended to reflect that “the cost to purchase retail liquor licenses has increased from $50 to $200 and these rates were set by the state.” John Tuffy seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
TOWN MANAGER’S BRIEF
Mr. Longo noted that, along with the Triathlon, beach activity of the prior weekend also included the annual “Beach Sweep”, but this additional activity went smoothly as well.
On Friday, September 26, a Strategic Planning Retreat has been scheduled at St. Mary’s Conference Center for all Department Heads, Selectmen, Finance Committee and Fiscal Advisory Committee Members, and School Committee Members. The retreat runs from 8:00 to 4:30 PM and is facilitated by Victor DeSantis of Bridgewater State College.
The Baywide Management Committee received a $9,000 grant to investigate the feasibility of restoring the Fish Passage (an inactive, overgrown herring run). Robert Fultz, a former Coastal Zone Management employee, is assisting the committee with this project.
Town Counsel reported on the following litigation: in the matter of Cheryl White vs the Board of Appeals, the decision in favor of the Town was upheld. In the matter of Grace Healey vs ConCom, the decision in favor of ConCom was upheld.
Tom Daley will report to the Board of Selectmen at a future meeting regarding the progress and ideas of the Transfer Station Committee.
Tom has completed a physical survey of property using his “new” total station survey equipment and has located sites for the animal shelter and the new septic system for town hall.
REDISTRICTING – TOWN OF DUXBURY
The Town of Halifax has contacted its two representatives to seek help in returning to single-representative status. This would require redistricting. They have provided the Board of Selectmen with copies of their correspondence, suggesting a cooperative effort in this redistricting so both towns have a single representative.
Andre Martecchini believes that the Town of Pembroke should have a say in this matter, since this kind of change may affect voting in the district. He stressed that taking any action to have a single representative makes no reflection on the quality or the town’s opinion of either of the current representatives.
John Tuffy suggested the first step in the process would be writing a letter similar to Halifax’s expressing interest in pursuing returning to a single representative; then meeting with all parties concerned to discuss the matter further. He feels we should work with Halifax to explore this possibility.
John Tuffy moved that the board join with Halifax to write to representatives O’Brien and Webster to look into and reconsider the present arrangement, with an eye to consolidating the town into one district. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
At 8:00, Andre Martecchini moved to adjourn. John Tuffy seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
Nancy Moody
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