Date: June 26, 2006
Date Minutes Approved:July10, 2006
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
Present: Elizabeth Sullivan, Chair; Andre Martecchini, Vice-Chair, 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.
BLOCK PARTY REQUEST: FOREST STREET
Ms. Barbara Ripley was present to speak for the neighborhood’s request to have a block party on Forest Street on July 22. She said that the road would be blocked by cones, so that emergency vehicles would not be hampered. She noted that approvals were received from the Police, Fire, Inspectional Services, and Health departments. Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen grant permission to the Hemlock Woods neighborhood to hold a block party on Forest Street, on Saturday, July 22 from 4:00 PM until dark. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR RE: SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Present were Ms. Elaine Winquist, Library Director, and Ms. Nancy Denman, Library Division Head (Childrens’ Services). Ms. Winquist noted that, for many years the library has offered incentive programs for children to read over the summer. A few years ago, the program became a charity-based program, whereby contributions were made to various charities as books were read. This year, the beneficiary will be the Cameron Parish Library in Louisiana. This library was decimated by Hurricane Katrina. In addition, the program has been extended to teenagers and adults, in an effort to get the whole community involved. Details are available on the Library website: www.duxburyfreelibrary.org
END OF FISCAL YEAR DEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER REQUESTS
Present were:
John Madden, Town Accountant
Gordon Cushing, Recreation Director
Mark Deluca, Police Chief
Patricia Pappas, Cemetery Director
Kevin Nord, Fire Chief
Mr. Madden explained that Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2006 made permanent the ability (formerly given through Special Acts in 2003, 2004, and 2005) to make certain transfers
within and between Town departments, upon concurrence of the Selectmen and the Finance Committee. Transfers have been requested to cover costs at the Percy Walker Pool, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the DPW (Street Lights and Cemetery). Most can be explained by unexpectedly high utility costs. The Finance Committee approved all of these requests at their meeting of June 22, 2006.
After discussion, Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen vote to transfer funds as allowed by Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2006, as outlined by the Town Accountant. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
PRESERVE AMERICA PROGRAM
Present were:
Mr. Alden Ringquist, Alden Kindred of America, Inc.
Patrick Browne, Duxbury Rural & Historical Society (DHRS) Director
Mr. Ringquist described a federal government initiative which designates certain U.S. cities and towns as “Preserve America Communities”. The designation recognizes communities who have dedicated resources to historic preservation. The designation may increase tourism, which would be a plus for the business community, according to Mr. Ringquist. The designation also makes the community eligible to apply for matching grants from the federal government.
Mr. Browne said that he would be willing to help with applying for the designation, since most of the required information has already been gathered by the DHRS. The Selectmen endorsed the idea of trying to seek grant money wherever possible, so long as the grants would not come with problematic conditions.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
· Mr. MacDonald announced that the Fire Department received a $9,700 Homeland Security grant for a Thermal Imaging Camera. The funds will cover the item purchase, training, and travel to the training site. Chief Nord was present to describe potential uses of the camera.
· The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Team was awarded a $12,800 grant from the Massachusetts GIS program. The GIS Team should be commended for meeting the requirements of this award.
· N-STAR has been very responsive to the Selectmen’s request for improved customer service in Town. Two long-standing needs are currently being addressed: Heritage Lane and Gurnet Road.
· FY06 Performance Evaluations have been conducted for all Town of Duxbury managers. Mr. MacDonald will be meeting with the Town Accountant to determine how these evaluations will be tied to pay raises.
· Mr. Dick Finnegan, Deputy Assessor, underwent a very serious surgical procedure on June 23. Reports on his progress are favorable, and he is wished a speedy and complete recovery.
· Ms. Jackie Riccio will be serving as an intern in the Town Manager’s office this summer. She is a graduate of Duxbury High School, and just completed her freshman year at Wheaton College. She will be working with the Town’s website, as well as other projects.
BONUS SHELLFISH SEASON
Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen a) Declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the commercial harvesting of softshell clams for the month of July (regulations as per Attachment B & C of Duxbury Harbormaster memo dated June 21, 2006); and
b) Declare a temporary Bonus Shellfish Season for the commercial harvesting of quahog clams for the month of July (regulations as per Attachment A & C of Duxbury Harbormaster memo dated June 21, 2006). Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Council on Aging: Ms. Sullivan moved that Mr. Robert Burnham, Mr. Henry O. Milliken, and Mr. Richard D. Sigrist, Jr., be appointed to the Council on Aging for three-year terms, to expire on 6/30/09. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
Local Housing Partnership: Mr. Martecchini moved that the following persons be re-appointed to the Local Housing Partnership for three-year terms, to expire on 6/30/09:
· Ms. Diane Bartlett (Member-At-Large)
· Ms. Barbara Kelley (Conservation Commission Representative)
· Mr. John Griffin (Duxbury Housing Authority Representative)
· Mr. William (Bud) Childs (Member-At-Large)
Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
Shellfish Advisory Committee: Mr. Martecchini moved that Mr. John Brawley, Mr. Dan Baker, and Mr. Robert Loring, be re-appointed to the Shellfish Advisory Committee for three-year terms, to expire on 6/30/09; and that Mr. Marc Riley be re-appointed to the
Shellfish Advisory Committee for a two-year term, to expire on 6/30/08. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Tuffy moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara A. Ripley
Executive Assistant to the Town Manager
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