Date: September 24, 2007
Date Minutes Approved: October 1, 2007
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
Present: Andre Martecchini, Chair; Jon Witten, Vice-Chair, and Elizabeth Sullivan, Clerk.
Absent: No members were absent.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Town Manager; John Madden, Finance Director; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
OPEN FORUM
Mr. Richard Serkey, Attorney for Mr. Warren Bush, had notified the Selectmen that he intended to speak at Open Forum about a problem that his client was having with a gate at the northerly end of Duxbury Beach Park. Mr. Serkey stated during the Open Forum that he met with the Harbormaster and Mr. Shawn Dahlen prior to the meeting, and he believed the matter could be resolved without assistance from the Selectmen. Mr. Martecchini suggested that if it turns out that assistance from the Selectmen is required after all, that Mr. Serkey request to be put on a future Selectmen meeting agenda.
(Some items were taken out of order, to allow the cable television videographer to set up.)
MINUTES
Ms. Sullivan moved that the Board approve the Executive Session minutes of September 10, 2007 as presented, under the condition that these minutes remain sealed until the matters under consideration have been resolved. Second by Mr. Witten. Vote: 3:0:0.
Ms. Sullivan moved that the Board approve the Open Session minutes of September 10, 2007 as presented. Second by Mr. Witten. Vote: 3:0:0.
EVENT PERMIT
Mr. Witten moved that the Board grant an Event Permit for the placePlaceNameAlden PlaceTypeSchool Reach Out Walkathon to be held on October 17, with a rain-date of October 18, contingent upon the event being conducted as described in their letter of September 10, 2007. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
LIFE-LONG LEARNING PROGRAM
Ms. Jennifer Reid, member of the Council on Aging, and Ms. Joanne Moore, Council on Aging Director, were present to describe this program, which is now entering its fourth semester. Current weekday offerings include courses in Poetry, Math, Literary discussions based on the New Yorker magazine, and an introduction to Islamic religion and culture. Weekend offerings include the art of conducting, baroque music, blues & jazz, and opera. Courses are open to interested parties of all ages. Response has been terrific. Several of the courses are already full. The Board of Selectmen expressed appreciation to the placePlaceNameSenior PlaceTypeCenter staff who have made this program available.
RECOGNITION OF JOHN R. MADDEN: SENIOR TAX ASSISTANCE
Mr. Dick Whitney, former chairman of the Duxbury Council on Aging, was present to describe the volunteer contributions of Mr. John R. Madden (not to be confused with John M. Madden, Town of Duxbury Finance Director). Mr. John R. Madden is a retired controller and benefits director of a Fortune 500 company. For the past five years, he has provided pro bono tax preparation assistance to hundreds of Duxbury seniors. Mr. Madden was present to receive a certificate of appreciation from the Board of Selectmen. However, he downplayed his contributions, saying that he is just one of many volunteers. The Selectmen said that they were very pleased to honor his outstanding volunteerism.
WEBSTER ISLAND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Mr. David C. Hawkins, President of the Webster Island Improvement Association was present to describe the depletion of the sand dunes at North Duxbury Beach, and the possible threat to homes and property in the area. Members of the Association are hopeful that the Selectmen can join their efforts to convince the State to take action on the problem. Mr. Hawkins noted that the Association residents pay a substantial amount of taxes to the Town, but ask for little in return. He said that very few of the Association members have children in the school system. However, now the residents are in need. Mr. Martecchini directed Mr. MacDonald to set up a meeting between the Town of Marshfield, the Army Corps of Engineers, our representatives to the State legislature, Congressman Delahunt, and the placePlaceNameWebster
PlaceNameIsland Improvement Association. He also suggested that the parties might want to consider the development of a task force on beach restoration and nourishment. This could include, for example, the DPW Director, the Duxbury Beach Reservation, the Duxbury Bay Management Commission, and the Conservation Commission. Such a task force might be able to provide encouragement and support to the Finance Committee to consider this as a priority issue. Finally, Mr. Martecchini suggested that that if the Association would like to consider a Town Meeting article, that they work with the Town Manager's office to learn deadlines and procedures for article submission.
ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST: SUSAN BRADFORD FOR CROSSROADS FOR KIDS/ Harvest Moon Fundraiser on October 13, 2007
Ms. Sullivan moved that the Board of Selectmen grant a one-day All-Alcohol license to Ms. Susan Bradford, as a representative of Crossroads for Kids, Inc., to hold the Harvest Moon fundraiser at 742 Myrtle Street on October 13, 2007 from 6:00 PM to midnight, contingent upon the conditions cited by Town Department heads which are listed on the event permit. Second by Mr. Witten. Vote: 3:0:0.
PRESENTATION BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMITTEE (PSBFSC)
The following members of the PSBFSC were present: Mr. Neil Johnson (chair), Mr. Andre Martecchini, Chief Kevin Nord, Chief Mark Deluca, Assistant Harbormaster Jake Emerson, Mr. Dennis Nolan, Mr. Frank Mangione, and Mr. Paul Brogna. Police Lieutenant Chip Chubb and Deputy Fire Chief Chris West were also present. Mr. Greg Carrell, principal of The Carrell Group, Inc., and author of the Duxbury Fire Headquarters Space & Feasibility Study, was present.
Mr. Johnson explained that the committee was charged to examine the need for new or renovated facilites for the Police and Fire Departments. Questions about the police facility were easier to answer. The current police station is clearly inadequate, and there is not sufficient space on the parcel to expand it. A new facility in a new location will be required. The location of the police facility is not crucial, since most police work is done through mobile units. The Police Department has already determined that a building like the Rockland, Mass. Police Station would meet the department's needs, now and in the future.
Fire facility questions were more complicated. Committee members did not have the expertise to evaluate whether it is feasible to renovate the current main fire station. The structural integrity of the building was unknown, as well as the costs of upgrading the building. It was clear, however, that the main fire facility must be located within a quarter mile of the existing building, due to emergency response times. In order to answer the questions about renovating or re-building the fire facility, Town Meeting granted the PSBFSC thirty-thousand dollars to complete a study of the building, and to make proposals.
Police: Parcel 070-500-058 is being considered. This parcel came under Town ownership through tax foreclosure. It is located on Congress Street, immediately adjacent to Route 3, and consists of approximately 10.3 acres. Mr. Dennis Nolan made a sketch showing the possibility that a Rockland-like facility could fit on the parcel. The suitability of the parcel is not guaranteed, however, because there are some wetlands issues.
Fire: Mr. Greg Carell presented the results of the Duxbury Fire Headquarters Space and Feasibility Study. Four strategies were considered:
Strategy A: Replace the existing facility with a new facility built directly behind it. Benefits include: continued operation during construction with little disruption; not having to compromise on program needs in order to accommodate existing conditions in the "old" building; and lower cost than a renovation/addition solution. Disadvantages include: limitations on backyard training space and apparatus access from the rear of the building. Mr. Carell said that by increasing the number of bays to five (5) that rapid response for all front-line vehicles is provided. The cost of this option is $8,389,341.00. The price would be reduced by $1,500,000.00 if Entergy Corporation agrees to pay for the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) portion of the building.
Strategy B: Replace the existing facility with a new facility in approximately the same location on the site. Benefits include: a larger backyard for outdoor training; rear access for emergency vehicles; and the same new construction advantages as Strategy A. The major disadvantage is the high cost and inconvenience of maintaining operations during construction. These costs make Strategy B more expensive than Strategy A by approximately one-million dollars.
Strategy C: This involves a phased renovation and addition to the existing building. The building would be operating while under construction for about eighteen months. While the delivery of services can be maintained, the conditions would be disruptive over this protracted schedule. The cost of working in an occupied building make Strategy C more expensive than Strategy A by approximately $640,000.00.
Strategy D: This is the "minimal" approach to the project. It involves the removal of the existing staff quarter's wing, and the construction in its place of a new 8,000 square foot addition containing staff quarters and administration spaces. The rest of the building would receive upgrades required for code compliance. There would be little functional improvements to the apparatus, operations and EOC facilities.
The Carell Group and the PSBFSC recommend Strategy A. Chief Nord commented that the mission of the Fire Department has changed since the original facility was built. Advanced Life Support services are now being provided. This requires the storage of medications in climate-controlled and secure environments, which is not possible in the existing building. In addition, the presence of female public safety personnel creates privacy space needs for the Police and Fire Departments. Mr. Martecchini added that the PSBFSC would be looking for design money for both buildings from the March 2008 Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Witten asked whether there are any grants available. Chief DeLuca said that his department has applied for a grant from the State, but he has learned that the chances for success are minimal.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
Transfer Station: Publicity about a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) proposal at the transfer station has led to numerous complaints about the current configuration of the recycling area. The Transfer Station Advisory Committee will be meeting to make recommendations about this issue. The Town is hopeful to have a public hearing about the PAYT proposal in early November.
Commons at Tarkiln: Notification was received today that Tarkiln Commons, LLC has
re-applied for site eligibility for a comprehensive permit on the Duxbury/Kingston line. This application had been previously rejected, due to the State's position that a nine-million dollar purchase and sale price was not realistic. The new application lists the same purchase and sale price. The Town must comment on the proposal again. Mr. Witten asked staff to invite the developer to an upcoming Selectmen's meeting.
Tragic Accident: Mr. MacDonald commended the Police, Fire, and School Department for their professionalism in responding to the tragic accident on Union Bridge Road on September 14, which claimed the life of Duxbury student, Steven Laramee, and seriously injured two other students.
Triathlon: No complaints were received about traffic and beach access disruption. Mr. Martecchini said that the new race design seemed to work better logistically.
Wright Building: The opening ceremony was held on September 22. It was a very nice event which offered tours of the recently completed building.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Martecchini announced that the Duxbury Cultural Council will hold a workshop for members of organizations that intend to apply for Duxbury Cultural Council Grants, in the Senior Center on September 25 at 7:30 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Witten moved for adjournment at 9:23 PM. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
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