Memorial Town Hall, 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
Ph. (978) 352-5755 z Fax (978) 352-5727
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
Memorial Town Hall
Third Floor Meeting Room
1/25/10
7:00 PM
Selectmen Present: Evan O’Reilly; Gary Fowler; Stephen Smith, Clerk; C. David Surface
Others Present: Michael Farrell, Interim Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant;
Absent: Philip Trapani, Chairman
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Call to Order
Mr. Trapani called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
Warrant & Minutes
Mr. O’Reilly stated that there is a warrant to be signed.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the minutes of the Executive Session on January 11, 2010. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Correspondence
Mr. O’Reilly stated that they have a Request from the GAA Baseball and Softball to hold their Annual Opening Day Parade on Sunday, May 2, 2010.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the GAA Baseball and Softball Opening Day Parade on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 12:30PM. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Board Business
Proclaim Heart Healthy Day
Request from Anna Jaques Hospital to proclaim Heart Healthy Day on Thursday, February 18, 2010.
Mr. Smith moved to proclaim Thursday, February 18, 2010 as Heart Healthy Day. Mr. Surface seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Planning Board
Planning Board-donation from Georgetown Shopping Center
Mr. O’Reilly read the request from the Planning Board regarding a donation to plant trees as part of the agreement for the removal of two trees for a new sign. Mr. Surface stated that the Shopping Center will replace their sign and plant trees somewhere else in town to offset what they were planning to plant at the Shopping Center. He stated that the request is to approve the donation and setting up an account for the funds. Mr. Surface asked if the sign meets all town bylaws. Mr. Fowler stated that he talked with Mr. Cracknell and it does. Mr. O’Reilly stated that he talked with the Town Planner and the sign is of high quality.
Mr. Surface moved to approve/accept the donation of $2750 from the Georgetown Shopping Center to purchase and plant trees within town property. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mike Donohoe Run/Walk for Melanoma
Mr. O’Reilly stated that they have a request from Laura LaFlamme to hold the Mike Donohoe Run/Walk for Melanoma on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 12:00PM.
Mr. Smith moved to approve the Mike Donohoe Run/Walk for Melanoma to be held on Sunday, October 3, 2010. Mr. Surface seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Traffic Committee-parking changes
Sharon Freeman, Peter Durkee, Highway Surveyor; and Sgt. Defeo of the Traffic Committee were present.
Ms. Freeman stated that in December they had a meeting with the Business Owners and Residents in the downtown area and that is were these changes come from.
Sgt Defeo stated that they propose a 2 hour parking limit in these areas in the downtown:
- Winter Street to Richdale on West Main Street
- North Street in square to Pleasant Street
- Central Street to Andover Street/Clark Street to Post Office
He stated that the Highway Department would mark the spots and any that are not now marked. He stated that the businesses are complaining that commuters are parking on the street all day instead of in the Park & Ride.
He stated some of these cars park in front of the Bank of America and the Smith’s Family Day Care and they propose making these areas 15 minute parking.
Mr. Durkee stated that right now there are no HP spaces downtown the spaces that they have are only in the Park & Ride lot. He stated that they propose to put three (3) in the downtown area:
- one on East Main St in front of the Georgetown Savings Bank
- one across the street from the Park & Ride but before the crosswalk
- one in front of the Littles Block of Shoppes on West Main Street.
Mr. Smith asked if there would be any time limits on the 2 hour parking limits. Mr. DeFeo stated that the 2 hour parking limit would be only from 9:00AM-5:00PM or 6:00PM. Mr. Surface stated that now they have 1 hour parking in some areas but beyond that no limit. He asked if there would be an additional cost for signs. Mr. Durkee stated that he has some signs that he can reuse and he can absorb the cost. Mr. Surface asked if the Georgetown Savings Bank is okay with the HP parking spot in front of their building. Ms. Freeman stated that they were invited to the Traffic Committee meeting on downtown traffic issues.
Mr. Durkee stated that also they want to have parking during Snow Emergencies on the West side of the lot. Mr. Surface stated that at the last meeting it was mentioned to be all year at night. He stated that he felt if would be a safety issue and better to have all the cars on one side of the street. Sgt. Defeo stated that on average they have 6-12 cars at night and some times if there is an event at the school additional parking. He stated that in the summer there are more cars in the lot. Discussion on Snow Emergency parking and the Winter Parking Ban and when this parking change should be in effect.
Mr. Farrell explained that for any changes they must post a Public Hearing and advertize the changes with the wording for the public. He stated that they must get the language to legal counsel to make sure it is enforceable and then go forward. Mr. O’Reilly stated he agrees with the HP spaces but he is concerned about enforcement of the 2-hour parking after talking with the Police Chief. Mr. Surface stated that they need the wording and then put the legal notice in. Mr. Smith stated that he agrees with hours and HP spaces, but what about winter parking ban. Mr. Durkee stated he likes the westerly parking for 365 days. Sgt. Defeo stated that they can make an exception for special events held in town. Committee to come back with finished wording.
Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market-Update Sharon Freeman
Ms. Freeman wanted to alert the residents that the Farmer’s Market would be returning to Town from July 10 to October 9, 2010. She stated that the hours would be from 9:30AM to 1:00PM. She stated that they may move the market to Crosby’s parking lot but they have not finalized this. She stated that they are looking for volunteers and vendors for the event.
Town Administrator’s Report
Budget update
Mr. Farrell stated that he, Mr. Trapani, and Mr. Fowler attended the FinCom meeting last week and presented that budget books. He stated that he attended the MMA conference and received mixed messages on the budget. He stated that the Governor stated Chapter 70 funds would not be cut and that Charles Murphy stated good luck at a meeting the next day. He stated that they do not have revenue numbers yet and that the bigger ticket items such as health insurance would come in February.
Mr. Farrell stated that Wednesday would be the first session of union negations with the representatives. He stated that he will first meet with the board and that the negotiations could have an impact on budget. He stated that he hopes to have the contracts settled by the ATM in May.
He stated that the first FinCom meeting with departments will be Thursday, January 28, with Library, Assessors, and Finance and Administration. He stated that Mr. Trapani had hoped to have one or two members at each FinCom Meeting to limit the number of times departments have to give their presentation.
Mr. Smith stated that there was an issue of a gas odor at Perley School today and he wanted to say that the information and communication was phenomenal by the School, Police, and Fire Departments.
Mr. Surface moved to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45PM.
Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.
Minutes approved on February 8, 2010.
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