Approved 12-19-05
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES Date: December 12, 2005
Present: Elizabeth Sullivan, Vice-Chair and Andre Martecchini, Clerk.
Absent: John Tuffy, Chair, was absent until he arrived at 8:28 PM.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Acting Town Manager; and C. Anne Murray, Dept. Secretary.
In Mr. Tuffy’s absence, Ms. Sullivan chaired the meeting.
Upon convening the meeting at 6:30 PM Ms. Sullivan made a motion to enter into Executive Session, for the purposes of considering the taking, purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property if such discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiation position of the governmental body in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 39, Section 23B, Subsections 6, and to reconvene in Open Session afterward.
Second by Mr. Martecchini. A roll call vote was taken: Ms. Sullivan “aye” and
Mr. Martecchini “aye”. The motion passed unanimously. VOTE (2:0)
Having completed the Executive Session business at 7:20 PM, Mr. Marteccini made a motion to reconvene in Open Session. Second by Ms. Sullivan. A roll call vote was taken:
Ms. Sullivan “aye” and Mr. Martecchini “aye”. The motion passed unanimously. VOTE (2:0)
Brief recess taken and then Ms. Sullivan called the meeting back to order at 7:30 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Martecchini welcomed Mr. MacDonald to his first Board of Selectmen meeting as Town Manager of the Town of Duxbury. Mr. MacDonald took this opportunity to thank the Board, the Department Heads and town employees, and citizens who have been so supportive. He stated he is looking forward to continuing to serve the Town of Duxbury.
EXECUTION OF CPA RESTRICTION ON SWANSON PROPERTY
Present was Ms. Pat Loring of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC).
Ms. Sullivan mentioned this agenda item was in regard to the signing of documentation regarding a conservation restriction and asked Ms. Loring to briefly explain. Ms. Loring stated that the Swanson property, an 11.5 acre parcel off Franklin Street was purchased in the Spring of 2003 with Community Preservation funds. It was an important parcel, which connects 350 acres of other conservation lands. It has been standard practice that a conservation restriction to the Wildlands Trust is placed on all such purchases. The Conservation Commission and the Community Preservation Committee had both signed off on this.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board execute a conservation restriction on the “Swanson Property”, lot number 020-033-000. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion passed unanimously. VOTE (2:0).
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION(S) TO THE BLUEFISH RIVER FIREHOUSE RESTORATION PROJECT
Ms. Nancy Bennett, from the Bluefish River Firehouse Restoration Committee, was present.
She requested that the Board accept a donation from Ms. Annie Eldridge and Mr. Charles F. “Cap” Kane, Jr. of Harrison Lane in the amount of two-hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
The Board asked how much has been raised so far and what the goal was. Ms. Bennett replied an amount between $8,000.00-$9,000.00 has been raised towards a goal of $20,000.00.
Mr. Martecchini moved that with gratitude we accept the generous donation of
two-hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) from Ms. Annie Eldridge and Mr. Charles F. “Cap” Kane, Jr. of Harrison Lane for the restoration of the Bluefish River Firehouse. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion passed unanimously. VOTE (2:0).
PUBLIC HEARING: SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
Present were: Mr. Al Hoban, Chair of the Shellfish Advisory Committee (SAC); Mr. Don Beers, Duxbury Harbormaster; and the four applicants: Arthur W. Bennett, Paul McCarthy, Henry McCarthy and Stephen Gilbert.
Mr. Hoban discussed the applicants as a group with respect to the process. Each applicant submitted a renewal application and appeared before the SAC. The SAC recommended favorable action by the Board of Selectmen to renew the leases of these applicants for terms not to exceed ten years as allowed by law.
With respect to the applications of Mr. Paul McCarthy and Mr. Henry McCarthy at the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 24, 2005 both received approval of new aquaculture grants pending all Federal, State, and Local reviews and conditioned on the release of a portion of their existing grants. If the existing grants are approved for renewal and the new grants also receive full approval, then both applicants are prepared to relinquish in writing the agreed to acreage under these existing grants. Mr. Beers and Mr. Hoban anticipate no problems and will see that appropriate notification is sent to Federal, State, and Local authorities to document the relinquished acreage.
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to renew the Shellfish Aquaculture License #2409-1 for
Mr. Arthur W. Bennett, Jr., located in licensed area 200202381 (approx. 1000 feet east of a point ½ way between Federal aids to navigation 20 and 22 of the Federal channel), for a period of ten years. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion unanimously passed. VOTE (2:0).
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to renew the Shellfish Aquaculture Licenses #2811-1-57 and #2811-2-39 for Mr. Paul McCarthy, located North East of Clarks Island on Beach Flat, for a period of ten years. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion unanimously passed. VOTE (2:0).
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to renew the Shellfish Aquaculture License #6424-6 for
Mr. Henry S. McCarthy, located approximately one mile north of Clarks Island on Beach Flat, for a period of ten years. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion unanimously passed. VOTE (2:0).
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to renew the Shellfish Aquaculture License #6277-1 for
Mr. Stephen Gilbert, located East of Eagles Nest Point, for a period of ten years.
Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion unanimously passed. VOTE (2:0).
DISCUSSION RE: EMERGENCY ROOM SERVICES AND EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS/ JORDAN HOSPITAL / Betsy Sullivan
Ms. Sullivan explained that the Emergency Room physicians at Jordan Hospital and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts have yet to agree on a contract for services. This is causing hardship for our health insurance members. Therefore, the Board will be executing a letter to Jordan Hospital to urge them to work with BCBS of Massachusetts to come to a contract agreement as soon as possible.
MINUTES
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to approved the Minutes of December 5, 2005 as written.
Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion unanimously passed. VOTE (2:0).
EXECUTION OF BOND SALE
Ms. Sullivan announced that we have received a 3.966… bond rating, which is very favorable. Ms. Sullivan praised the efforts of the Treasurer and Town Accountant for their roles in accomplishing this.
Mr. Martecchini moved that we execute the $15,552,000 bond issuance at an interest rate of 3.966 +/-%. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Motion unanimously passed. VOTE (2:0)
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FY07 BUDGET / Tom Daley
Present was Mr. Tom Daley, Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Mr. Daley gave a PowerPoint presentation of the proposed FY’07 operating budget and capital requests for all the departments within the DPW. The presentation provided comparisons with the FY’06 DPW budget and explanations as to variations in the costs. It was noted that a primary factor affecting the budget during the current fiscal year and anticipated for the next fiscal year are the fuel costs.
Regarding the Transfer Station there was discussion regarding the escalating costs of disposing of Construction and Demolition Debris and how that has impacted the FY’07 budget.
During the portion on the Cemetery budget comment was made about the need to increase fees to cover escalating costs. Mr. MacDonald informed the Board that just such a discussion has tentatively been scheduled for the January 9, 2006 Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
Mr. Tuffy arrived at 8:28 PM.
HEALTH INSURANCE & OTHER SHARED COSTS / Sheryl Strother
Present was Ms. Sheryl Strother, Town Accountant.
In response to citizen requests, Ms. Strother provided a departmental breakdown of the shared costs; including health insurance, pension funds, Medicare, Worker’s Compensation and all other insurance. The school costs will be partially offset by transfers from the School Lunch, Magic Dragon, and Grants totaling approximately $543,305.00
BUSINESS
LETTER IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NOMINATION FOR
ALDEN FAMILY SITES
Ms. Sullivan explained that the Board was concerned because the cellar hole was actually on school property. The Board has now received a letter from the Superintendent of Schools confirming that they are also in support of having the Alden Family Sites receive designation as a National Historic Landmark.
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to execute a letter to the National Historic Landmarks Program supporting designation of the John and Priscilla Alden family sites as National Historic Landmarks. Second by Ms. Sullivan. The motion passed unanimously. VOTE (3:0).
TOWN MANAGER’S BRIEF
Mr. MacDonald reported on the following items:
1) Stetson Place will be closed on Thursday, December 15th due to some water main work. Notices have been sent to abutters in the area.
2) Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Attorney Troy has meet with individuals twice to assist with drafting articles and that seems to have been generally well-accepted and helpful. Just a reminder that the Warrant will be closed on Monday, December 19, 2005.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Martecchini made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 PM. Second by
Mr. Tuffy. The motion passed unanimously. VOTE (3:0).
Respectfully Submitted,
C. Anne Murray
Dept. Secretary
Town Manager / Board of Selectmen
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