APPROVED 12-12-05
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES Date: December 5, 2005
Present: John Tuffy, Chair; Elizabeth Sullivan, Vice-Chair and Andre Martecchini.
Absent: No members were absent.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Acting Town Manager; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
UPDATE ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FINANCING AND BOND SALE
Beth Conway, Town Treasurer, and Sheryl Strother, Town Accountant were present. Ms. Conway explained that on November 30, 2005, the Massachusetts School Building Authority approved school construction reimbursement grants totaling $28.7 million dollars to the Town of Duxbury. The grant represents 67% of the outstanding principal and interest for the Alden and Chandler School Construction projects and 50% for the High School Sewer project.
In addition, Ms. Conway explained that a $15.5 million dollar bond sale has been scheduled for December 7, 2005. The money will be used to retire notes for the Alden, Chandler, and High School Sewer projects and to finance other projects (Departmental equipment, PCE Water projects, Planning fees for the water main on Tremont Street, and Animal Shelter construction). The bonds are issued pursuant to action by the Duxbury Town Meeting approving specific capital expenditures and authorizing the Town Treasurer to borrow funds with the approval of the Board of Selectmen.
The Selectmen praised the efforts of the Treasurer, Accountant, and School Business Manager for their efforts to obtain the grants by November 30, which avoids the need for interim short-term borrowing.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Fire Chief Kevin Nord presented his proposed FY07 budget. The proposed budget represents an 8.9 percent increase over FY06. Proposed salary increases are largely due to the establishment of paramedic service. However, some of these costs are offset by the increased revenue to the Town in ambulance fees. Proposed expense increases cover rising costs of ambulance billing services, clothing purchase and cleaning, facility maintenance, training, and utilities. Proposed capital items include a new ambulance, refurbishment of two forest fire trucks, and a new Jaws of Life unit.
Mr. Tuffy commented that the Town is committed to the Fire Service and the establishment of paramedic service, but that given current fiscal constraints, the full complement of budget requests may not be possible.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: AQUACULTURE GRANT/ Bezdek
Present were: Ms. Claire Bezdek (applicant), Mr. Paul Binsfield (Member, Shellfish Advisory Committee), and Mr. Don Beers (Duxbury Harbormaster).
Mr. Binsfield reported that Ms. Bezdek’s original application met with some controversy from various people with concerns about the Bay and shellfishing. However, Ms. Bezdek subsequently proposed an alternate location. Mr. Binsfield stated that the Shellfish Advisory Committee (SAC) held a posted, advertised hearing on December 1, 2005 for the new location. As a result of the hearing, the membership of the SAC recommends favorable action on the application.
Mr. Beers said that he has no issues with the location.
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to recommend approval of the aquaculture license for Ms. Claire Bezdek, pending all local, state, and federal reviews and approvals. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote in favor of the motion (3:0).
JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD TO FILL VACANCY
Present from the Planning Board were: Ms. MacNab (Chairman), Mr. Wadsworth (Vice-Chairman), Mr. Al-Zaim, Mr. Bear, Mr. Kimball, and Ms. Scieszka. Ms. MacNab explained that Mr. Robert Wilson resigned from the Planning Board. The Planning Board and Board of Selectmen must appoint a member to serve until the March election. There are two applicants: Mr. Douglas Carver and Mr. Harold Moody. Both applicants are currently serving as alternate members of the Planning Board. Both applicants were present, and answered questions posed by both Boards. Members of the Boards were polled for their preferences. The following officials preferred to appoint Mr. Moody: Mr. Martecchini, Ms. MacNab, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Bear, Ms. Scieszka, and Mr. Kimball. The following officials preferred to
appoint Mr. Carver: Mr. Al-Zaim, Ms. Sullivan, and Mr. Tuffy.
Ms. MacNab made a motion for the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen to jointly appoint Mr. Harold Moody to the Planning Board, until the March Town Election. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Roll call vote: Ms. MacNab-aye; Mr. Bear-aye; Mr. Al-Zaim-nay; Mr. Wadsworth-aye; Ms. Scieszka-aye; Mr. Kimball-aye; Mr. Martecchini-aye; Ms. Sullivan-nay; Mr. Tuffy-nay. Motion passed (6:3).
SIDEWALK AND BIKE PATH COMMITTEE UPDATE
The following members of the Committee were present: Mr. Lewis (Chairman), Ms. Bockard, Mr. Rothschild, Ms. Johnson, and Mr. Reinhart. Mr. Lewis presented the results of the 2005 Sidewalk & Bike Path questionnaire. The results show that a large majority of the 365 respondents favored both more sidewalks and more bike paths in Town. The Committee stated that their priority would be to create a path connecting the Senior Center, Main Fire Station, and Town Hall. Mr. Martecchini said that the results of the survey are not surprising, but that the question is, “Where do we go from here?” Ms. Sullivan said that tax money for this purpose is hard to obtain in the current fiscal climate. Perhaps grants could be sought. Mr. Lewis said that the Committee may make an application to the
Community Preservation Committee. Mr. Tuffy said that some residents still feel that sidewalks are not in keeping with the semi-rural character of the community. The option of stone dust paths was discussed. Mr. Martecchini said that the paths would have to be ADA compliant, and therefore paved.
ALCOHOL LICENSE RENEWALS FOR 2006
Ms. Ripley explained that all fifteen Duxbury liquor licensees applied for renewal of their licenses. Eleven are ready for approval. The remaining four have outstanding issues regarding one or more of the following issues: taxes, fire safety compliance, or server training certification.
Ms. Sullivan made a motion to approve the following liquor licenses, subject to payment of the renewal fee:
COMMON VICTUALLER ALL-ALCOHOL:
The MilePost Tavern
Tsang’s Café
Wildflower Café
North Hill Country Club
CLUB ALL-ALCOHOL
Veteran’s Club
Village at Duxbury
RETAIL ALL-ALCOHOL
Osborn’s Country Store, Inc.
Bennett’s General Store, Inc.
Millbrook Market
Wine Depot and Liquors
Duxbury Wine & Spirits
Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote in favor of the motion was (3:0).
EXECUTION OF DEED FOR CHARLES AND SHEILA GAVONI
Ms. Sullivan made a motion to execute the deed which transfers the land known as parcel 161-959-013 (Alden Avenue) from the Town of Duxbury to Mr. and Mrs. Gavoni as authorized by the 1996 Annual Town Meeting. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote in favor of the motion: (3:0).
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Building permits were issued in Duxbury for $2.5 million in construction. Nineteen quick permits have been issued since their inauguration this summer. The Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership and Fish America have awarded grants to the Town of Duxbury in the amounts of $4,500 and $10,000 respectively for the restoration of the Island Creek Fish Ladder.
MINUTES
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve the minutes of the open sessions of November 14, 2005 and November 19, 2005 as written. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote in favor of the motion was (3:0).
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve the executive session minutes of November 14, 2005 and November 28, 2005 as written, and to keep those minutes under seal until the need for confidentiality has expired. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote in favor of the motion was (3:0).
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approve the minutes of the open session of November 28, 2005 as written. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote in favor of the motion was (3:0).
CONGRATULATIONS TO DUXBURY HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM
Mr. Tuffy offered congratulations to the Duxbury High School Varsity Football team which won the Superbowl Championship game in their division for the first time in the Town’s history. This occurred on December 3.
TOWN MANAGER SELECTION PROCESS
Mr. Tuffy said that Mr. Boudreau met with Town Department Heads on December 2. The Board of Selectmen plan to visit Norwell, where Mr. Boudreau is currently Town Administrator, on December 7. The Board will meet on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 9:00 AM in the Mural Room of Town Hall in order to discuss the two finalists (Mr. James Boudreau and Mr. Richard MacDonald) and expect to reach a decision at that time.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Sullivan made a motion to adjourn at 9:37 PM. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote in favor of the motion was (3:0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Ripley
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