The weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday evening, January 5, 2004 at 7:35 p.m.
Present: Eric W. Greene, Clerk; David L. Walsh
George Samia, Interim Executive Secretary
Karen Grabau, Adm. Assistant
Atty. Rob Kerwin, Town Counsel
John Stuebing, Town Counsel
Not Present: James M. Hardy, Chairman
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to appoint Eric W. Greene, Chairman pro-tem for the evening.
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to appoint David L. Walsh, Clerk pro-tem for the evening.
Mr. Greene announced that the Board of Selectmen had come to a mutual agreement with Police Office John L. Silva III and read the following statement:
The Board of Selectmen of the Town of East Bridgewater today announced that the Town
has reached a settlement agreement with East Bridgewater Police Officer John L. Silva, III relative to a disciplinary action commenced on November 21, 2003. The allegations against Officer Silva stemmed from a November 21, 2003 automotive accident in the town of Halifax, Massachusetts. Officer Silva was initially placed on administrative leave pending a hearing on the charges.
The resolution concluded after investigation and provides for a period of suspension without pay for no less than one hundred and twenty days, mandatory counseling, and a number of administrative precautions relative to Officer Silva’s ability to return to full duty at the conclusion of his suspension period.
Mr. Greene extended the Board’s appreciation to Sgt. John Cowan for his assistance to the Board during their investigation of the allegations. Also thanked Town Counsel for their work during the past few weeks.
Mr. Greene stated that he felt the settlement was fair and just; noted that a career hung in the balance; agreement covers all bases and protects the Town.
Mr. Greene asked if there were any questions relative to the agreement. No one present expressed any questions.
NOTE: Channel 25 FOX News was present during the announcement and taped that portion of the Selectmen’s meeting.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to approve the minutes of the December 22, 2003 meeting.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to accept, with regret, the resignation of Barbara Benson as a member of the Council on Aging effective immediately.
Mr. Greene questioned the position of Interim Director of Elderly Affairs and how it should be appointed. Atty. Kerwin noted that the appointment of Committee members per the Council on Aging By-Laws requires the COA to recommend persons for appointment and the Board of Selectmen then appoint. It was agreed that the Board of Selectmen would confirm the appointment of Jane Haines as Interim Director of Elder Affairs.
Board of Selectmen -2- January 5, 2004
M/Greene, s/Walsh, a unanimous vote, move to appoint Jane Haines as Interim Director of Elder Affairs.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to accept with regret the resignation of Robert B. Duncan, Jr. as a member of the Council on Aging effective immediately.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to approve the renewal of the following Class Ii License:
LICENSE #20
Edwin L. Reed, Jr. dba Reed’s Auto Sales & Service 357 Thatcher Street
Restrictions: 1. Stockade fence not to exceed 6’ on southeast side of property within 6
months
2. Surface lighting on building
3. No junk cars
4. Cars “for sale” must be in the appropriate sale area as noted on plan.
Hours: Mon – Sat. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to approve the renewal of the following Taxi License:
Bill’s Taxi
Thomas P. Arrighi
1001 Bedford Street
Bridgewater
3 vehicles
m/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to approve Sunday Package Store Openings for the 2004 license period.
Mrs. Grabau noted that two package stores, Cumberland Farms and Croccetti-Oakdale, have decided not to be open for liquor sales on Sunday. All other licensees have notified the Board that they will be open on Sundays.
Public Hearing
Mr. Walsh read the following hearing notice:
A Public Hearing will be held at the Town Hall, Main Conference Room, First Floor, 175
Central Street, East Bridgewater on Monday evening, January 5, 2004 at 7:45 p.m. regarding the joint petition of VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. and MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY to place one new Pole 191-1 on Central Street. This petition is necessary in order to maintain support to the existing pole line and to provide facilities to a new sub-division (Arista Road).
Ronald Keefe, 1527 Central Street questioned whether the electricity to the abutters homes would be shut down during the placement of the new pole. As there was not one present representing the electric company the Board agreed that they would request that abutters be notified of the date and time of the pole work and whether or not electric service would be shut off.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to approve the placement of one new pole 191-1 on Central Street with the provision that abutters be notified prior to installation of the date of work.
Board of Selectmen -3- January 5, 2004
Appointment
Fire Chief Ryon Pratt, Chairman of the Town Administrator Search Committee met with the Board to update them on the status of the committee.
Chief Pratt noted that the Committee had met on Saturday and organized with Ryon Pratt Chairman, Bernard Smith Vice-Chairman and Theresa McNulty Secretary.
Noted that 41 applications have been received. Committee has set up the following schedule:
January 3 – February 9 – organize committee, meet with department heads, review
submitted applications and interview candidates.
February 23 – tentative target date to submit three final candidates to Selectmen with an
accompanying final report from the Committee.
Chief Pratt noted that he would like to correct one error in the newspaper article this weekend. Noted that the Committee will provide the names of three finalists to the Selectmen; the committee will not be recommending the hiring of any one person only submitting the finalists.
Mr. Greene stated that he felt that the schedule was a good one and that it should provide for the hiring in a reasonable time frame.
Chief Pratt explained that he has invited all department heads to meet with the Committee on Monday, January 12. Noted that this will enable Committee to be aware of what department heads feel are qualities/needs for the position. Explained that this will encourage communication, which was one of the needs that the Government Review Study Committee found to be needed.
Mr. Walsh stated that the Committee would use the information received from the Department Heads by looking for the qualities in the applicants that the department heads have suggested.
Board thanked Chief Pratt for his presentation.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to approve the renewal of the Fortune Teller license for Jeanne Eli dba Jeanne Psychic Studio, 15 North Bedford Street, hours of operation: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday.
Executive Secretary Report
1. Franklin Street Intersection – will be setting up a meeting with Hanson officials either end of this week or next week. State Highway representative will also attend meeting.
2. Captain’s Way/FI – letter of complaint; has spoken to Board of Health and Planning Board and both departments will put together answers to question in letter.
Reminders:
Recycling Week; Bridge street facility open on January 24 only – winter hours.
Council on Aging – 3 openings – letters of interest to Board of Selectmen
Jane Haines, Interim Director of Elder Affairs, discussed with the Board the vacancies on the Council on Aging and noted that all three vacancies could be filled by someone under the age of 60. Noted that this is a great committee for people to become involved in town affairs.
Mrs. Haines also stated that they are in need of volunteers for Meals on Wheels; have 20 persons who receive meals at this time. Delivery takes place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Anyone wishing to volunteer should call her office.
Board of Selectmen -4- January 5, 2004
Mr. Greene suggested that there might be High School students that could volunteer. Mrs. Haines noted that in the past the Key Club has volunteered on occasion. Stated that she would be looking into this further.
Open Forum
Mr. Greene opened Open Forum at 8:12 p.m.
A representative of the electric company apologized for not being at the hearing and noted that she was held up by traffic. As Mr. Keefe was still present, she was able to answer his questions relative to the placement of the pole on Central Street. She noted that there would not be any interruption of electric service during the placement.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, a unanimous vote, move to remove the requirement of notification to abutters from the prior vote regarding the pole placement on Central Street.
Town Counsel, John Stuebing updated the Board on his meetings with Rivers Edge representative and the developer. Noted that there will be a hearing on January 26 with the Planning Board, John Delano, Diane Carchidi and the resident’s representatives to discuss a mutual agreement on this issue.
Open Forum closed.
M/Walsh, s/Greene, move to close Open Session and go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation issues and will not be returning to Open Session.
VOTE: Yes – Greene, Walsh; a unanimous vote in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
________________________________Clerk
Board of Selectmen
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