Date: January 8, 2007
Date Minutes Approved: January 16, 2007
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
Present: Elizabeth Sullivan, Chair and Andre Martecchini, Vice-Chair.
Absent: John Tuffy, Clerk.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Town Manager; and C. Anne Murray, Dept. Secretary- Town Manager/Board of Selectmen.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
SWEARING-IN OF FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDICS:
JOHN MONTOSI AND KIRSTEN PIPER
Fire Chief Kevin Nord, Deputy Chiefs West and Carrico, and a contingent of firefighters in dress uniform and accompanied by an Honor Guard were present for the ceremonial swearing-in of Duxbury’s newest firefighter/paramedics John Montosi and Kirsten Piper. Chief Nord introduced Firefighters Montosi and Piper and spoke briefly about their backgrounds. Then Town Clerk Nancy Oates administered the oath. The honor of pinning the firefighter badge on Firefighter Montosi was given to his mother, Martha Montosi, while his father proudly looked on. Firefighter Piper’s son, Craig, had the honor of pinning the firefighter badge on his mother. Mr. MacDonald welcomed both on behalf of the Town and the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Sullivan, while welcoming both, did make mention of the fact that Ms. Piper is the first female firefighter/paramedic to join the Duxbury Fire Department.
As it was too early for the first scheduled hearing the Chair moved to the Business section of the meeting and the Town Manager Brief.
BUSINESS
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
Mr. MacDonald reported the following items:
1. Open Space Committee Survey – The Open Space Committee has prepared a survey which will distributed to Duxbury residents beginning on January 15, 2007. The survey will also be available on the Town website. The survey is intended to get a sense of the Duxbury resident’s opinions regarding open space so the hope is that residents will take the time to fill out a survey. There are also plans to get the Open Space Maps online by July, 2007.
2. Fish Ladder – Work on the fish ladder restoration project has been completed. The total project cost was about $180,000, but of that Duxbury received $90,000. in grants. Joe Grady is to be commended for that.
3. Bogs – Round Pond Bog and O’Brien Bogs received two responses to the request for proposals (RFPs) to operate the bogs. Doyle Cranberry has been awarded a ten-year contract to farm the bogs. It is Mr. MacDonald’s understanding that when the market is over $30.00 per barrel the Town will receive funds, but the price is not there yet.
No bids were received for the Nudd Bog. Mr. MacDonald stated that he has been told the Nudd Bog would require a capital outlay of about $40,000 to get it to the level where it is ready to farm. Some thought is being given to turning it into a nursery for vines for the other bogs.
4. Construction Costs – Construction for the month of December came in at $1.5 Mil.
Mr. MacDonald noted that unfortunately, as he anticipated, the 2006 construction costs were $ 5 Mil less than the 2005 figures.
As a follow up Ms. Sullivan ask if some of the construction for 40B’s, such as Merry Village, were included in the 2006 figures? Mr. MacDonald indicated the figures included 4 permitted units in the Merry Village so those were included, but how many more of the proposed 40Bs will be built remains to be determined.
Ms. Sullivan also ask Mr. MacDonald to find out whether any decisions have been made as to how the affordable units are going to be awarded as people have asked her for that information.
At 7:45 PM Mr. Martecchini moved to adjourn the meeting of the Board of Selectmen and to convene a meeting of the Water & Sewer Commissioners.
Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
MEETING OF WATER & SEWER COMMISSIONERS
FEE HEARING: PROPOSED FEE CHANGES FOR DUXBURY RESIDENTS SERVED BY THE MARSHFIELD SEWER TREATMENT PLANT
Mr. Tom Daley, DPW Director; Mr. Paul Anderson, Water Superintendent, and Ms. Louise Hatfield, Water Dept. Office Manager were present.
To facilitate the discussion a handout providing some historical revenue and expenditure information and projected figures was provided.
An extensive discussion followed including comments regarding:
-how the rates are determined
-the current reserve capacity of 150,000 gals per day allotted by Marshfield for Duxbury users in the Duxbury Beach area and the price being paid for that level of reserve capacity
-Whether that much of a reserve allotment should be maintained or reduced to help with cost management.
-The need for further analysis regarding the number of potential build outs and/or potential conversions from seasonal to year-round residences in this area in order to make informed decisions regarding the reserve capacity in preparation for negotiating a new contract in May, 2007.
From the discussion it was clear that an increase was needed as revenues were not covering costs.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Water and Sewer Commissioners vote to increase the fees for the Duxbury Beach area sewer users to a minimum charge of $769.00 annually based on 40,000 gallons of annual water usage billed semi-annually with an excess charge of $3.50 per 1000 gallons over 20,000 gallons of water usage also billed semi-annually to be effective with water readings taken on or after September 1, 2006. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
OTHER BUSINESS: ISSUE SHARED SEWER SYSTEMS USER CHARGE COMMITMENTS (SNUG HARBOR & BLUEFISH)
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Water and Sewer Commissioners issue a commitment in the amount of $4,474.86 for the Bay Road shared sewer user charges and authorize the Treasurer/Collector to collect upon it. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Water and Sewer Commissioners issue a commitment in the amount of $11,653.51 for the Blue Fish / Snug Harbor shared sewer user charges and authorize the Treasurer/Collector to collect upon it. Second by Ms. Sullivan.
Vote: 2:0:0.
At 8:50 PM Mr. Martecchini moved to adjourn the meeting of the Water & Sewer Commissioners and to reconvene the meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLE: Sidewalk & Bike Path Committee
Mr. Jeff Lewis, Chair of the Sidewalk and Bike Path Committee, was present to discuss an Annual Town Meeting article his committee is bringing forward.
At a previous Selectmen’s Meeting Mr. Lewis and members of his committee presented and answered questions about their proposal for a shared use path along the east side of Route 3A between Chestnut ST and Depot ST. All but 2 property owners are in favor. The Duxbury Rural & Historical Society voted not to support a path across their property. The other property owners have not been approached because that property is in a tentative sale situation. Tonight he is asking the Selectmen to support inclusion of an article so that in ATM they can find out whether the community is in support of the this shared path in terms of concept.
Mr. Martecchini again stated his preference would be for the shared path to be on the west side of 3A, but he understands the issues regarding why this is not possible.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen support the article from the Sidewalk and Bike Path Committee to authorize the Town’s Sidewalk and Bike Path Committee to pursue the design of a shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the east side of Tremont ST (Route 3A) with funds provided by grants, private sources and donated labor. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
CLOSE MARCH 2007 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Ms. Sullivan explained the purpose of presenting some articles in a Special Town Meeting versus in the Annual Town Meeting is so that funding is available in the current fiscal year (FY’07) and does not have to wait until the next fiscal year, which does not begin until July 1, 2007.
Ms. Sullivan gave a brief overview of the nine articles scheduled for the March 10, 2007 Special Town Meeting.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen close the Special Town Meeting warrant scheduled for March 10, 2007 with the nine (9) articles as listed. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
BUSINESS
MINUTES
Mr. Martecchini moved to accept the Board of Selectmen minutes of December 18, 2006 as written. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 2:0:0.
APPOINTMENTS/RE-APPOINTMENTS
No appointments made, but a resignation was received.
Resignation: Ms. Sullivan announced that Mr. Paul D. Christo, Democratic Representative to Registrars of Voters has tendered his resignation and on behalf of the Board thanked him for his service. Mr. Christo’s unexpired term is due to end as of June 30, 2007.
If anyone is interested in filling this unexpired term then appointment to the Registrars of Voters does have slightly different requirements from other boards. This board includes the Town Clerk plus 3 other members; The Registrars of Voters must always contain, as nearly as possible, representatives of the two leading political parties (i.e., Democrats and Republicans) and no more than 2 members of each. Since Mr. Christo was a Democratic representative his seat must be filled by a registered Democrat. Nominations for the appointment are made via the Town Democratic or Republican Committee. Interested parties should contact Ms. Linda Garrity. The typical term is for 3 years, but since this would be to fill an unexpired term it is just to 6/30/07. So it is a good opportunity to for someone
to try it.
Other Qualifications of Registrars of Voters:
· Must be registered voters in the town
· Must hold no other public office by public election or direct appointment by the Selectmen or Town Manager
· May be a justice of the peace, notary public or militia officer or hold an office by public election or appointment by the federal government or by the Commonwealth; and
· Must subscribe an oath to faithfully perform the duties of registrar
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Martecchini moved for adjournment at 9:07 PM. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote in favor of the motion was (2:0:0). Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
C. Anne Murray
Dept. Secretary, Town Manager / Board of Selectmen
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