Date: December 18, 2006
Date Minutes Approved: January 8, 2007
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
Present: Elizabeth Sullivan, Chair; Andre Martecchini, Vice-Chair (arrived mid-meeting), and John Tuffy, Clerk.
Absent: No members were absent.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Town Manager; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
DECLANS FOUNDATION
Present were:
Kerri Nagle, Foundation co-founder
Declan Nagle
Declan Nagle’s caretaker and sister
Ms. Nagle explained that Declan’s Foundation is a non-profit group formed by the family and friends of Declan Nagle, who is living with Cerebral Palsy. The goal of the group is to build a “Boundless Playground” in Duxbury. A Boundless Playground is a specially designed and equipped playground that is fully accessible to all children and their families, regardless of ability.
Foundation representatives have been working with the Director of Lands and Natural Resources and the Recreation Director about possibly using Town-owned land for the property. They have identified a parcel on Lincoln Street, adjacent to the current soccer fields which may be suitable. Ms. Sullivan noted that Town Meeting approval may not be required for such a project, since a handicapped playground may be within the already accepted uses for the Town-owned parcel. Ms. Sullivan suggested that the matter be turned over to the Town Manager for consultation with Town Counsel as to the necessary steps.
DUXBURY BAY MANAGEMENT COMMISSION (DBMC): AQUACULTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Shawn Dahlen reported that on January 14, 2005, the Board of Selectmen imposed a moratorium on the approval of additional aquaculture leases. The moratorium was temporarily lifted in September 2005, but then re-instated. In order to assist the Board of Selectmen in deciding whether the moratorium should be continued, modified, or lifted, the DBMS and the Duxbury Shellfish Advisory Committee (DSAC) created a joint sub-committee to review the moratorium. After conducting substantial research, and after holding a series of meetings, the joint committee developed a set of recommendations for the Board of Selectmen to consider. The two major findings were that 1) Aquaculture is a viable business in Duxbury that should be encouraged and supported; and 2) That the moratorium should continue until the DBMC
completes a comprehensive Aquaculture Management Plan, such as the one developed for the Town of Wellfleet.
(The full report is attached to these minutes.)
Mr. Dick Loring (245 Washington Street), who has an aquaculture grant, commented that he agrees with the DBMC report, except for the recommendations to prohibit the use of certain buoys, racks, and bottom structures. Ms. Sullivan responded that the Board would be likely to accept the report, and a plan to develop a management plan, but not to make new recommendations or policy prior to the report.
Members of the Duxbury Shellfish Growers Association, also in attendance, provided the Selectmen with a written response to the DBMC report.
Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen accept the report of the Duxbury Bay Management Commission, dated November 27, 2006. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
TOWN MANAGER BUDGET PRESENTATION
Mr. MacDonald presented his proposed budget for FY08. Highlights included the following:
· Revenues are limited by the constraints of Proposition 2 ½
· Health Insurance costs continue to rise at double-digit rates. Measures are being taken to mitigate these increases through negotiations with the Town’s unions and retirees.
· The Pension Reserve Fund has been utilized to balance the budget.
· All available Free Cash will be required to balance the budget.
· The proposed budget shows a 2.6% increase for the Duxbury Public Schools.
· The proposed budget reflects no override, but if the Town is expected to provide the same level of service, future budget discussions may have to include the possibility of a Proposition 2 ½ override.
(Mr. Martecchini arrived during the presentation.)
Selectmen thanked the Town Manager and the Finance Director for their hard work in preparing the proposed budget. Mr. Tuffy said that while he appreciates the hard work, it is hard to get excited about the fairly bleak financial picture. Ms. Sullivan expressed concern about spending all of our Free Cash. She acknowledged that we have few choices, given the Town’s financial situation, but it is extremely concerning to not leave any Free Cash for next year.
Ms. Anne Ward, School Committee member, wondered aloud about when it would be appropriate to begin talking about an override.
Ms. Sullivan noted that the budget process would continue over the next several months and culminate in a Town Meeting vote.
CLOSE TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Ms. Ripley provided the Selectmen with a DRAFT warrant for the 2007 Annual Town Meeting, based on submissions from Town committees and citizens.
Mr. Martecchini moved to close the 2007 Annual Town Meeting warrant, and to include the articles as presented in the Draft Warrant of December 14, 2006. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
Ms. Sullivan noted that the deadline for submission of March 2007 Special Town Meeting articles is
January 4, 2007.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
· Town Offices will close on December 22, 2006 at Noon for the Christmas Holiday.
· The Transfer Station will close at Noon on Sunday, December 24, 2006 for the Christmas Holiday.
BONUS SHELLFISH SEASON
Mr. Tuffy moved to declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the commercial harvesting of softshell clams for the month of January, per the regulations described in the Duxbury Harbormaster’s memorandum of December 15, 2006 (Attachments B & C); and to declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the commercial harvesting of quahog clams for the month of December , per the regulations described in the aforementioned memorandum (Attachments A & C), and to declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the recreational harvesting of softshell clams for the month of January, per the regulations described in the aforementioned memorandum (Attachment D). Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
MINUTES
Mr. Martecchini moved to accept the Board of Selectmen minutes of December 11, 2006 as written.
Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Tuffy moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 PM. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara A. Ripley
Attachment:
*Report to the Board of Selectmen from the Duxbury Bay Management Commission Concerning Aquaculture, dated November 27, 2006, including charts.
(*See Attachment A 12-18-06 and Attachment B 12-18-06 Minutes.)
| 
