BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES Date: September 12, 2005
Present: Elizabeth Sullivan, Vice-Chair and Andre Martecchini, Clerk.
Absent: John Tuffy, Chair.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Acting Town Manager; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
OPEN FORUM
Ms. Annie Eldridge of Harrison Street, read a letter to the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Friends of the Duxbury Animal Shelter. This letter thanked Police Chief Mark DeLuca for including the Friends of the Animal Shelter in the hiring process for the new Animal Control Officer, and for involving the group in the development of animal control and rescue policies. She announced that the opening ceremony for the new animal shelter is planned for November 19, 2005.
INTRODUCTION OF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER AND INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS: Eduardo Ramos
Mr. MacDonald introduced Mr. Eduardo Ramos as the new Animal Control Officer and Inspector of Animals. Mr. Tom Daley, DPW Director, was also present. Mr. Daley said that the new animal shelter is currently ninety-five percent complete.
CONDUIT LOCATION HEARING FOR N-STAR ELECTRIC/ Mayflower Street
Ms. Barbara Trocchi, from Commonwealth Electric Company (known as N-Star) was present to answer questions. Abutters were notified by certified mail, but no abutters appeared. Mr. Tom Daley, DPW Director, was also present. Mr. Daley explained that the need has arisen to install a radiation detector at the Transfer Station. Additional power is required to run the detector. Mr. Martecchini suggested that a spare conduit be installed for future needs.
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve the petition from Commonwealth Electric Company to install one four-inch conduit and one spare four-inch conduit at Mayflower Street, to service the Transfer Station. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
REQUEST FOR EVENT PERMIT: Alden Reach-Out Program Walk-a-Thon/October 6, 2005
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to grant permission for the annual Walk-A-Thon on Thursday, October 6th (rain date October 11th). Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
This item was taken early, due to the progress of the meeting. When Ms. Mary Norris arrived at the appointed time, she explained that proceeds from the Walk-a-Thon will be donated to Hurricane Katrina victims.
REQUEST FOR TWO-DAY RUG SALE: NEWTON ORIENTAL RUGS/ October 22 & 23, 2005
Ms. Karen Alpert from Newton Oriental Rugs was present. She explained that there have been no problems with this event in the past, because the number of attendees is small.
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to grant permission for a two-day rug sale for Newton Oriental Rugs, to be held on October 22 and 23 at the Masonic Hall at 585 Washington Street, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
REQUEST FOR ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE: DUXBURY BAY MARITIME SCHOOL BOAT FESTIVAL/ September 24, 2005
Mr. Edward Lawson, DBMS Director, was present. Ms. Sullivan emphasized that a police detail will be needed. Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve a One-Day Liquor license for Mr. Edward Lawson, as Director of the Duxbury Bay Maritime School, for the Shindig in the Shed event to be held on September 24, 2005 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, at 457 Washington Street. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
REQUEST FOR ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE: DUXBURY RURAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/ Wedding Rehearsal Dinner on September 30, 2005
Mr. Patrick Browne, DRHS Director, was present. Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve a One-Day Liquor license for Mr. Patrick Browne, as Director of the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society, for a wedding rehearsal dinner to be held on September 30, 2005 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at 479 Washington Street. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
DISCUSSION WITH TOWN TREASURER RE: BILLING SCHEDULE
Ms. Conway said that the Town could realize approximately $5,000.00 in savings by mailing the two estimated real estate tax bills together, and the two actual real estate bills together. Selectmen expressed a concern that people may forget to pay the second bill that arrives in each envelope, since it will not be due for three months afterward. Ms. Conway replied that other Towns have not experienced this problem. It was agreed to try the new billing schedule.
DISCUSSION WITH HEALTH AGENT RE: EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS
Mr. MacDonald outlined the campaign undertaken by the Duxbury Board of Health, and the Town’s Health agent, Ms. Dalrymple, to educate the public about EEE and to coordinate the Town’s response to the situation. Ms. Dalrymple said that the Board ordered school and Town playing fields closed last week until spraying could be conducted. Mosquito counts were reduced after the spraying. Therefore, the ban was lifted, effective today, except from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM (when mosquitos are most active). Ms. Dalrymple thanked the School Department for their cooperation and assistance. Dr. David Brumley, Board of Health member, explained some facts about mosquitos and EEE. The Board praised the Board and Ms. Dalrymple for their efforts to protect public safety.
CONSIDERATION OF BONUS SHELLFISH SEASON
Mr. Martecchini said that the Harbormaster has noted abundant shellfish resources, and pent-up demand due to RED TIDE restrictions imposed earlier in the season. Mr. Martecchini made a motion to declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the commercial harvesting of softshell clams for the month of September 2005, as per regulations in Attachment B & C of the Harbormaster’s memorandum dated 9/9/05; and to declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the commercial harvesting of quahog clams for the month of September 2005, as per regulations in Attachment A & C of the Harbormaster’s memorandum dated 9/9/05; and to declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the recreational harvesting of softshell clams for the month of September 2005, as
per regulations in Attachment D of the Harbormaster’s memorandum dated 9/9/05. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
1) Construction continues to flourish in Duxbury, with $1.9 million in permits issued in August 2005.
2) The Fire Dept received a $167,000 grant which will be used for ventilation systems and turn-out gear. There were 25,000 applications competing for the grant.
3) The Civil Service Commission issued a twenty-one page decision to uphold the suspension and termination of former Duxbury Police Officer Meyers.
4) Entergy has not yet supplied a response to the Town Manager’s request for information on supplying safety and communications equipment for the Emergency Operations Center. However, their headquarters is located in New Orleans, where the recent hurricane disaster is likely to have slowed down operations.
MINUTES
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve the minutes of September 12, 2005 as written. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to appoint Mr. Gerald Nightingale for a three-year term on the Municipal Commission on Disabilities, to expire 6/30/08. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
Ms. Sullivan acknowledged receipt of resignations by Mr. Mark Moriarty and Mr. Paul Keohan as alternate members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and by Ms. Jennifer Niles as a member of the Municipal Commission on Disabilities. The Board thanked them for their service to the Town.
OTHER BUSINESS
Warrant: Staff was asked to set up a time for Town Counsel to work with the Board on this year’s Town Meeting warrant, given that procedures will change to require complete language on submitted articles.
MEETING OF THE WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Board of Selectmen, in order to meet as the Water and Sewer Commissioners, with the intent to re-convene the Board of Selectmen meeting afterward. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
Mr. MacDonald reported that the voluntary water ban was very successful in reducing pumping requirements for existing Town wells. With the cooler weather, and sufficient water capacity, the Water Advisory Board has recommended a lifting of the voluntary ban. Mr. Martecchini made a motion to lift the voluntary ban on outdoor watering, effective immediately. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0). The Board thanked citizens for their cooperation.
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Duxbury Water and Sewer Commissioners, and to re-convene in Open Session of the Duxbury Board of Selectmen. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to adjourn the Board of Selectmen meeting at 8:42 PM. Ms. Sullivan provided a second for the motion, which carried unanimously (2:0).
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