Date: October 15, 2007
Date Minutes Approved: October 22, 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; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
TRANSFER STATION UPDATE: DPW DIRECTOR
Mr. Martecchini explained that there have been many recent comments about problems with the layout of the recycling area at the Transfer Station. Mr. Thomas Daley, DPW Director, explained that the Transfer Station is over thirty years old, and was designed for half of its present capacity. Given public comments, Mr. Daley described proposed layout changes that were developed in consultation with the Transfer Station Advisory Committee.
The major change will be to reverse the entrance and exit. At the new entrance, users will proceed to one of two complete recycling areas, before making their way to other areas of the facility. Traffic markings and signage, and the availability of an extra recycling area, should address the backlog which occurs in the current recycling area.
The name of the facility will also change to: The Duxbury Recycling Center. The Transfer Station Advisory Committee has been in favor of this change for a long time, in order to reflect the environmentally-proactive focus.
Mr. Daley said that his goal is to implement these changes by the end of October. Future changes may also include a change in days and hours, but this has not been finalized yet.
Ms. Sullivan raised the concern of whether traffic could back out onto Mayflower Street as patrons line up to use the recycling areas. Mr. Daley said that the traffic markings and signage should prevent that problem.
Mr. Witten asked whether there has been enough advance notice to the public. Mr. Daley said that tonight's press coverage will help. In addition, he will post signs at the transfer station this weekend, to advise the public of the upcoming changes. If possible, he will use the large electronic sign which is often used by the public safety departments.
Ms. Ruth Rowley, 546 Washington Street, sent written comments to the Board about the upcoming changes. She was concerned that the changes could impact the landfill area, which would require State approval. Mr. Daley said that none of the layout changes would involve the landfill area.
Mr. Daley said that he will be attending the Board of Health meeting on October 18, 2007, to see whether they have any concerns about the proposed changes.
Mr. Mangione, 19 Sampson Street, asked whether co-mingling of recyclables has been investigated. If people do not have to separate their plastics, cardboard, glass, cans and paper from one another, recycling would be much easier for them, and there would be less of a back-log at the station. Mr. Daley said that, at this point, the cost is too high, but he is hopeful that this option will be available in the future.
Mr. Daley was thanked for his presentation.
MEETING OF THE WATER & SEWER COMMISSIONERS: COMMITMENT OF CHARGES
At 7:40 PM, Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen adjourn their meeting for the purpose of convening as Water & Sewer Commissioners, with the intention of re-convening as Selectmen immediately afterward. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
Mr. Witten moved that the Water & Sewer Commissioners commit the amount of $1,023,636.41 to the Treasurer for collection for water, sewer and service. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
At 7:42 PM, Mr. Martecchini moved that the Water & Sewer Commissioners adjourn their meeting, and that the Board of Selectmen re-convene their meeting. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
NORTH HILL ADVISORY COMMITTEE: UPDATE ON GOLF COURSE
Mr. Mike Doolin, Chairman, introduced the members of the committee who were present: Michael Rufo, Richard Manning, Thomas Garrity, Robert Mustard, Michael Marlborough, Robert McGill, Anthony Floreano, and James Ford. Also present was Mr. Gordon Cushing, ex-officio member, and Recreation Department Head.
Mr. Doolin noted that the ten-year North Hill Golf Course management contract with Johnson Management is due to expire in December of 2008. It is time for the Town to consider its options for the future. Next, Mr. Anthony Floreano gave a Power-Point presentation about those possibilities.
The three options considered were: 1) The Town takes over full operational responsibility; 2) The Town contracts out service to several service providers (one each for Turf Management, Food and Beverage, and Pro Shop); and 3) The Town issues an RFP requiring one service provider with proper experience and financial stability.
Option One was rejected for reasons including financial risks and the requirement for significant capital investment. Option Two was rejected for reasons including the challenge of managing multiple service providers. Option Three was selected as the best option, for reasons including: a) The Town's familiarity with this type of relationship; b) The guaranteed annual fee; c) Economies of scale for a management company that is managing more than one course in terms of equipment and personnel; and d) Experience of golf management companies in maintaining top quality conditions and environment.
The group noted that the contract with Johnson Management was made for a ten-year period because of the need to amortize the Clubhouse, which they built as part of the contract. It is anticipated that the next contract would be for a shorter period. Mr. MacDonald said that, regardless of the length of the contract, that the lease of Town property will have to be approved by Town Meeting (per Town Counsel's advice).
Mr. Martecchini asked about the state of the golf industry. Mr. Cushing said that the number of golf rounds played nationally has grown smaller over the last few years. In addition, there is a lot of competition from new courses, especially in this area. Nonetheless, the North Hill course seems to be keeping up its number of rounds, perhaps because it is still relatively inexpensive to play there.
One possibility being considered by the Advisory Group is the addition of a driving range to the facility. This would make it more of a teaching facility which would be beneficial to the community. All of the members of the Advisory Group are in favor of this.
Finally, Mr. Doolin noted that the group plans to make a $7,500 capital request to the 2008 Annual Town Meeting, for sprinkler system maintenance.
ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE: DUXBURY BAY MARITIME SCHOOL
Ms. Sullivan moved that the Board of Selectmen grant a One-Day Wine & Malt License to Mr. Edward Lawson, as a representative of the Duxbury Bay Maritime School, to hold a fundraising event on November 4, 2007 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Duxbury Senior Center, subject to the conditions outlined in memoranda from the Police, Fire, Inspectional Services and Board of Health departments. Second by Mr. Witten. Vote: 3:0:0.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
· There will be a meeting of the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority on October 24, 2007. At that time, GATRA will vote on the inclusion of Duxbury in the GATRA region. Ms. Joanne Moore, Council on Aging Director, will represent the Town of Duxbury at the meeting.
· Building permits for $4.3 million dollars worth of construction were issued.
· Duxbury Town Hall has a new telephone system. This will result in fewer busy signals experienced by callers. All calls will be routed to an Auto-Attendant which will direct callers to the proper extensions.
· The Town Manager and Finance Director are working on the FY09 Capital and Operating Budgets.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Martecchini announced that there will be a test by Pilgrim Station of the Prompt Alert and Notification System (sirens) on Thursday, October 18, 2007. The test will begin at 3:45 PM with a sounding of the sirens for approximately 3 minutes. No action is required by the public.
MINUTES
Mr. Witten moved that the Board accept the minutes of the October 1, 2007 Board of Selectmen meeting as written. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
Mr. Witten moved that the Board accept the minutes of the October 1, 2007 Executive Session as written, with the condition that the minutes remain sealed until the matters included have been resolved. Second by Ms. Sullivan. Vote: 3:0:0.
OPEN MEETING LAW
Mr. Martecchini noted that there were questions about a recent violation of the Open Meeting Law requirement for timely posting of public meetings. It turns out that a violation did not occur. However, the incident pointed out the need for a "refresher course" in Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest. The Town Manager's office will be scheduling this shortly. Chairs and Vice-Chairs of committees will be encouraged to attend. We will also try to see if it can be taped for viewing on the Duxbury cable television channel.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Sullivan moved for adjournment at 8:45 PM. Second by Mr. Witten. Vote: 3:0:0.
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