BOARD OF SELECTMEN April 14, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman Elizabeth Sullivan, Selectman Andre Martecchini and Town Manager Rocco Longo. John Tuffy arrived at 7:40 pm.
OPEN FORUM: John Kelly, 20 Homestead Place, addressed the board regarding having no parking signs posted on islands in town-owned cul-de-sacs. He was concerned that some citizens treated these areas as their own parking areas instead of publicly owned areas. Andre Martecchini is familiar with the issue and will refer it to the Highway Safety Committee and ask them to report back to the Board of Selectmen. When they do so, Mr. Kelly will be invited to attend the meeting to hear their comments.
Sue Mangione of Sampson Street spoke about having American flags flown on both ends of Washington Street 24/7 as the US armed forces are doing in Iraq. She said high winds were cited as one reason they are not always flown but special flags could be purchased to withstand high winds. Mrs. Sullivan indicated the board would look into the situation.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLE – FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN: Proponents of this article addressed the Board with information in support of this program.
Sue Barron, parent advocate, gave a brief presentation describing the group’s research and a general overview of benefits. They have found that there is a high degree of interest in offering this program on a voluntary basis.
Nancy Wohler, Kindergarten teacher, discussed the benefits of full day kindergarten to both the children and the teachers.
Deborah Zetterberg, Chandler School principal, discussed the equity of full day kindergarten versus half-day. The core curriculum is the same for both. She pointed out that children arrive at kindergarten with various preschool backgrounds. Offering full day kindergarten allows families to choose the option that best fits their child’s and their family’s needs. She also discussed financial assistance that could be offered if needed.
Mickey McGonagle, School Business Manager, talked about how the current construction projects had been designed with this program in mind. The school budget had been level funded with the exception of full day kindergarten. Unfortunately, due to local aid budget cuts and the elimination of the full day kindergarten grant program, even this program had to be cut from the operating budget. But the physical area is there for the program, and it can be put into place on a tuition basis. He discussed suggested ways of doing this and the most appropriate way is to make the program fee based, appropriated into the annual budget but accounted for separately, like the transfer station is.
Mr. Martecchini asked if any other towns were utilizing tuition based systems. Mr. McGonagle responded that approximately 25 were and another 140 were presently full day but cost-free; however that would probably start changing due to increased costs and decreased aid.
He also pointed out that the state requires half-day kindergarten to be offered, but attendance is not required. Therefore, offering an extension of a program that is not required on a paying basis is not creating a disadvantage to those who choose not to attend.
Robert Mastrovida expressed his opinion that full day kindergarten is far from a necessity and will ultimately end up in the pockets of the taxpayer. He intends to be at the special town meeting in opposition.
Mrs. Sullivan thanked the group for their presentation.
Mr. Tuffy moved to support Article I from the Special Town Meeting Warrant of May 5, 2003. Andre Martecchini seconded. Discussion followed. Mr. Martecchini indicated he would be voting NO. A revolving account protected the town from risk but since this will not be that type of account, he is not comfortable with that kind of funding. Mr. McGonagle explained this fund would be separate and closed out at each year end. The expenses would be added to the general budget and offset by fees collected.
Mr. Martecchini indicated he was not ready to vote. Mr. Tuffy withdrew his motion. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLE – DRY CASK STORAGE: Becky Chin of the Nuclear Advisory Committee presented the Board with an article for the upcoming Special Town Meeting, along with a resolution that states the committee’s reasons for encouraging safe dry cask storage technology now. She asked that, rather than the article being a citizen’s petition, it be sponsored by the Nuclear Advisory Committee.
Representatives of Pilgrim Nuclear Power spoke regarding inaccuracies in the NAC’s resolution. Also they indicated that changes in storage practices may not make the world safer from nuclear attacks, and that the type of dry cask storage technology needed does not exist at the Pilgrim site. It would cost roughly $100million to bring this type of storage to Pilgrim.
Bill Riggs of Simmons Drive referenced the Nuclear Energy Information site (www.NEI.org) where they conclude that spent fuel rods at Pilgrim would remain intact if the structure were hit by a 767 jet. Linda Garrity asked if that site was funded by the nuclear industry; it is.
Jeanne Clark asked if Pilgrim has exceeded the licensed number of spent rods. They are presently licensed for 3,659 rods and have 2,278 on site. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission provides licensing for storage.
Andre Martecchini moved to support this article on dry cask storage of spent nuclear rods. John Tuffy seconded. Discussion followed. Mr. Tuffy admitted that he was confused as to the vote. This article appears innocuous; it does not include mention of 60 foot separation of rods, or hardened bunker storage that other materials mention. He does not want to upgrade local storage to current technology and prefers permanent storage solutions elsewhere.
A vote was taken. Mr. Martecchini in favor; Mrs. Sullivan and Mr. Tuffy opposed. The motion to support this article failed, 1-2.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF: There was no report this week
ELLISON FUND – REBUILDING ELLISON PLAYGROUND: Gordon Cushing addressed the Board to discuss the Ellison Fund, a $394,000 fund that distributes half its interest each year to Ellison Playgrounds and half to other worthy town projects. This year, Gordon Cushing suggested that the entire amount be used to help fund the completion of the Ellison Playground, located between the Alden School and the Duxbury Free Library. The volunteer committee has raised $120,000 and an additional $30,000 was approved in the town’s capital budget. This $12,000 contribution will allow the project to be completely funded. A May 19 groundbreaking is anticipated with an early June completion date expected.
Andre Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of $12,000 from the Ellison Fund to rebuild the Ellison Playground subject to the approval of the Trustees of the Ellison Fund. John Tuffy seconded.
The motion passed, 3-0.
ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE – SNUG HARBOR COMMUNITY CHORUS: The Snug Harbor Community Chorus will be sponsoring two concerts on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 at the Ellison Center for the Arts. They have met all the requirements to serve beer and wine and have requested a one-day license from the Board of Selectmen. Approving a license for 2 days is a legal and appropriate act. John Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen grant a one-day liquor license to the Snug Harbor Community Chorus as noted. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
YOUTH COMMISSION LIAISON: Article 20 of the Annual Town Meeting calls for the creation of a Student Union study committee. John Tuffy will serve as liaison. May 12 will be the first practical meeting to address the actual formation of the membership. Mr. Tuffy will need to receive all talent bank forms for interested individuals before May 12.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Christine Stickney, Town Planner, addressed the Board to discuss a $30,000 grant awarded by the Interagency Work Group for housing and Economic Development projects. The consulting firm of Dufresne-Henry will be working with the town on these projects. Participation requires the formation of a Community Development Committee.
Andre Martecchini proposed abolishing the Affordable Housing Committee and creating the Community development Committee (CDC) per the attached outline. He suggested the existing six members of the Affordable Housing Committee fill the spots of the citizens at large and the Housing Authority representative.
This outline also included a charge for the committee’s activities. This is an ad-hoc committee.
Other discussion on this subject included 40B projects, rentals, and their impact on meeting the 10% affordability quota requirement.
Members of this committee must be made aware of possible conflicts of interest prior to joining. Andre Martecchini will be the Board of Selectmen representative to the committee. It is the intent of the board to make appointments at the May 12 meeting. No votes were taken on this issue at this meeting.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT – MAY 5, 2003: John Tuffy moved to accept the articles as presented in the draft warrant of May 5, 2003 consisting of six articles. Andre Martecchini seconded. The articles were read for the benefit of the audience. The Town Manager indicated that there may be verbiage changes made to Articles 2 and 5, as the Town Counsel and Moderator were reviewing them.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 3-0.
John Tuffy moved to close the warrant. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
At 10:30 John Tuffy moved to adjourn. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
Nancy Moody
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