The weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2003.
Present: James M. Hardy, Chairman
Eric W. Greene, Clerk
George Samia, Interim Executive Secretary
Catherine Johnson, Senior Clerk
Public Hearing
Cheryl Pooler, Administrative Assessor as well as Linda Libby and Curtis Gluck of the Board of Assessors were present for the Classification Hearing.
Cheryl Pooler and the Board of Assessors suggested the Board of Selectmen not split the tax rate, due to the burden it would put on the businesses in Town.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, a unanimous vote, to not split the tax rate between commercial and residential property.
Appointment
Marcia Weidenfeller, Town Clerk and Peter Spagone, Town Moderator were present to go over the Articles for the October 20, 2003 Special Town Meeting.
Appointment
Howard Wilbur of the Bay Circuit Trail Alliance and Marge Windsor of the Friends of Sachem Rail Trail were present to update the Board on the recent changes made by the MBTA with respect to it's policy on disposal of abandoned rail beds. Mr. Wilbur stated that the MBTA is now offering them to municipalities for "rail trail" purposes by granting 99 year leases at no (or $1.00 nominal) rent.
A lengthy discussion was held with regards to the history of the Bay Circuit Trail and the interest here in Town to have our portion of it completed.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, a unanimous vote, move to authorize the Open Space Committee and the Friends of Sachem Rail Trail to contact Town Counsel to begin the process of acquiring the rail bed from the MBTA for a 99 year lease, at no cost to the Town, and to come back to the board for final approval.
Public Meeting
A Public Meeting was held to discuss the Town Administrator job description draft.
No one present.
Board of Selectmen 2- October 14, 2003
Mr. Greene informed the public of the availability of the draft at the Special Town Meeting on October 20, 2003.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, a unanimous vote, move to formally accept the job description as printed for the Town's approval at the October 20, 2003 Special Town Meeting.
Open Forum
Frank Savino, Treasurer/Collector was present to inform the Board on new legislation, as of August 1, 2003, which would now have all interest on a stabilization fund go into the general fund.
Mr. Greene stated he would like to make a request of Town Counsel to put together a summary of items and a legislative update.
Action Items
A request was made by the Samoset Rod & Gun Club to have "No Hunting" signs removed from Leland Farms.
Mr. Greene stated that those signs should have come down and replaced with new signs indicating the hunting season, as well as the time of day hunting is allowed. Mr. Greene stated that he thought the Tree Warden had replaced the signs, will have George Samia talk with John Haines.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, a unanimous vote, approve the minutes of the October 6, 2003 meeting.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, a unanimous vote, approve the request of the Kiwanis Club for use of the Town Hall and Town Common for the following:
for the sale of Christmas trees as well as the decoration of the Town Common (from mid November to mid January);
for the Christmas on the Common activities that are scheduled for December 6th (alternative date is the 13th), with set-up activities taking place on the 5th;
use of Town roads for the Christmas on the Common Parade on the 6th of December.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, a unanimous vote, approve the request of Susan Hartman of the
Hockomock Association of Antique Dealer, Inc. for use of the Town Common on Saturday, June 5, 2004 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for the annual "Antiques on the Common" show.
Board of Selectmen -3- October 14, 2003
Reminders
Recycling week
BOARD/COMMITTEE VACANCIES
Planning Board Alternate - 2 vacancies
Finance Committee - 3 years (to June 30, 2006)
Southeastern Regional Open House - 10/18/03 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fall Festival @ Sachem Rock Farm - 10/18/03
Homecoming Parade & Game - 10/25/03
Forum on Assessments - S.E. Regional - Cinema 1 on 11/6/03
Veterans' Day Parade - step-off Foxboro area - 11/11/03
Flu Clinic - 10/25/03 from 9-11 a.m. at Town Hall
Executive Secretary Report
Mr. Samia gave the Board an update on the Rt. 18 and Rt. 106 intersection study. George relayed to the Board that he spoke with Pat Chimerella of OCPC and she stated to him that people had already been sent out, that the count should be available within three weeks, and that she would be able to give us a total package at that time.
Board Discussion
ZBA packet regarding Cavendish Place, ZBA would like to have a member of the Board of Selectmen present at their Hearing on November 5, 2003 @ 7:30 p.m. Mr. Hardy and Mr. Greene will both be attending.
m/Greene, s/Hardy, move to close Open Session.
VOTE: Yes - Greene, Hardy; a unanimous vote in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
_________________________Clerk
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