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
12/07/09
7:00 PM
Selectmen Present: Philip Trapani, Chairman; Gary Fowler; Stephen Smith, Clerk; C. David Surface
Others Present: Michael Farrell, Interim Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant;
Absent: Evan O’Reilly
_______________________________________________________________________
Call to Order
Mr. Trapani called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
Continued Tax Classification Hearing
Mr. Trapani opened the continued Tax Classification Hearing. Mr. Surface gave an update to the board. He stated that he had talked to Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Barbara L’Italien’s office regarding the hold up at DoR. He explained that Georgetown is not the only city/town affected. He stated that at 3:45PM today there was an email that we have a preliminary certification and he thanked Rep. L’Italien. He stated that the Legislature voted and that the House will vote Thursday to allow tax bills to be sent out late and payments due by January 30th. Mr. Farrell stated that he met with the Assessors this afternoon and the Public Hearing must still be continued. Mr. Trapani stated that the board will continue the Tax Classification Hearing to December 14,
2009 at 7PM.
Mr. Trapani stated that Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager in Reading, MA is present tonight for a presentation on the Forms of Town Government.
Minutes
Mr. Fowler moved to approve the Executive Session minutes of November 23, 2009 Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote. Mr. Surface abstained.
Mr. Fowler moved to approve the minutes of November 30, 2009. Mr. Surface seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote. Mr. Smith abstained.
Correspondence
Mr. Trapani stated that they have received an Affordable Housing Overview Report from Barbara Hart, Chair of the AHTF. He thanked Ms. Hart for the report and all those who participated in its preparation. Mr. Surface requested the report be sent to the Affordable Housing Trust members.
Mr. Trapani congratulated the Fire Department on the approval for receiving a FY10 Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Grant for $1912.00.
Board Business
Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager of Reading, MA and past Chair of the MMMA Form of Government Committee was present.
Mr. Trapani thanked Mr. Hechenbleikner for attending and talking with the board. He explained that Georgetown now has an Interim Town Administrator and the board is looking at the Georgetown form of Government to see what the best authority is for the Town Administrator. He stated that they may not need a change but they are going through the exercise of reviewing the position.
Mr. Hechenbleikner gave some background on himself and stated that he is a member of the MMMA and has chaired the Form of Government Committee. He handed out some pamphlets and copies of his presentation. Mr. Hechenbleikner went over the presentation. Mr. Trapani explained that the Town Administrator now has one direct report and that is his Administrative Staff. Mr. Trapani stated that he wants to be sure the Town Administrator position is right for Georgetown. He asked if you should make changes to this position before you make changes to the form of government. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that the change does not have to be for 100 years it could be for a year, 5 or 10. He stated baby steps are a good way to go. He stated that the Town Administrator position is a good place
to start. He stated looking at should positions be elected or appointed is a place to start. He gave information to the board regarding the Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston and stated that he is not pitching this group but this may be a resource. Mr. Surface stated that you can pick and choose how you want to go forward. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that you can and that the appointing authority and reporting authority is always an issue. Mr. Trapani asked if MMMA had any case studies for review. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that there are some case studies on the web site. Mr. Trapani stated that they also have the Acting Finance Director position to deal with.
Mr. Fowler stated that there was an issue of who are in charge the Finance Director and/or the Town Administrator. Mr. Hechenbleikner explained that in Reading they had the Treasurer/Collector as Finance Director and now they have an Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director. He stated that the FinCom may be able to help the Town decide how they want this position to be staffed. Mr. Trapani asked for questions from the audience.
Sandy Gerraughty asked if there are some baseline questions that need to be asked of what residents and staff want. Mr. Trapani asked if there is a playbook. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that he gave some information in the handout but that they do not have a playbook. He stated that the Grafton study may help them.
Mr. Trapani thanked Mr. Hechenbleikner for coming in and talking to them. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that if they were interested they could invite a Town Administrator or Finance Director to come in and talk with them in more detail.
Lee Unitt/Pineneedle Lane
Mr. Trapani stated that he understands that Ms. Unitt has not been happy with the information that she has received from the Board of Health. He stated that the BoH has told her what they can do under the current laws.
Ms. Unitt stated that she had requested an Executive Session but was told this discussion did not fall under the requirements of Executive Session. She stated that a BoH member told her the issue may fall under 105 CMR 410. She stated that the home is not fit to be inhabited. She stated that the BoH voted at their meeting to get a ruling from town counsel but she has not received anything. Mr. Trapani asked what she is looking for from this board. She stated that she is looking for a ruling from the BoH that there is a safety issue that may impair future residents at 1 Pineneedle Lane. She stated that they have vacated the home and now commutes her child a half hour a day to school. She stated that they have issues with the HVAC system and filter. She stated that the State said
the Building Inspector and BoH can deem the home uninhabitable. Mr. Trapani stated that Town Counsel has confirmed that the BoH does not have air quality standards and can not make a decision on the report Ms. Unit has provided. He stated that he does not know what the board can do or as a community what they can do. Ms. Unitt stated that people are stuck on Air Quality and that the issue is with the vents. She explained that the inspector came to their home two weeks after they closed because her husband could not breathe. She stated that if Town Counsel states that they can not do anything then she asks for a letter from the board stating this. Ms. Unitt stated some issues she had with the BoH agent and their records. Mr. Trapani stated that he is not going to take sides but he will check that all is done that should be done. Mr. Surface asked if any steps have been taken to repair or replace the system. Ms. Unitt stated that
fiberglass is in everyone’s home and that the Building Inspector stated that this is not what caused her husband to be sick. ? then she went to vacation. She explained the health issues to her family. Mr. Surface asked if they have had anyone in to remedy the home. Ms. Unitt stated that she has had testing done and again talked about health of her family. She stated she has filed a civil suit against the builder. Mr. Surface stated that is what he wanted to know.
Mr. Smith stated that he has the same home and it was built by the same builder and does not have an issue. Ms. Unitt stated to Mr. Trapani that she is not interested in coming after the town and will not file any legal action against the Town. She stated does not know the process or how they will go. She stated they want to list the home and have a document in hand to give to those who look at the home. Mr. Trapani stated that he is sorry for what she has gone through and that he will be sure that the process has been correct and sure that the BoH process is correct. He stated that he will look into this and that someone will connect with her within two weeks. Ms. Unitt stated that she asked for minutes and has waited 12 weeks.
AHTF-Peer to Peer Technical Assistance Program
Mr. Trapani welcomed Mr. Nelson and asked him to explain the Peer to Peer Grant. Mr. Nelson explained that that most board members are volunteers and do not have the time to do in depth studies but this grant is a place to start. He stated that these funds will allow someone to analyze the town needs for affordable housing. He stated that the $1,000 will not get them much but is a start and that he is also going to the CPA for an additional $10K. Mr. Trapani stated that someone from outside the community is sometimes good to take a look at what we are doing. Mr. Surface stated that he has some concerns and was happy with the report from AHTF. He wanted to be sure that Mr. Nelson is not on an island by himself with this grant. Mr. Nelson stated no that he has a signature from Ms. Hart. Mr. Surface asked that all this information be shared with the trustees. He asked that the information be shared with Affordable Housing Trustees, AHTF, CPA, and Planning Board. He stated that
the AH Trust should be providing these funds but that they do not have any funds as of yet. He stated that he wants a united front and as long as this is a joint venture then he is okay with the Grant.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the application for the Peer to Peer Grant for the Affordable Housing Task Force. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
License Renewals
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Common Victualler Licenses for Jimmy K’s, Niki’s Pizza, and Johnnies Place to expire December 31, 2009. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Class II-Used Car Sales Licenses for Georgetown Auto Brokers, LLC, Georgetown Citgo, and B & B Auto Clinic, Inc. to expire December 31, 2009. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Surface moved to approve the Alcohol License for C.J. Liquors, Inc. (Johnnies Place)-Package Store/All Alcohol to expire December 31, 2009. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Selectman’s Report
Mr. Trapani reminded residents that there would be a Stroll downtown this weekend and to support our local businesses.
Mr. Trapani stated that they have received the resignation from Joe Young from ZBA and he thanked Mr. Young for his service to the Town.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Farrell stated that the roofer started on the Public Safety Roof on Friday. He stated that the weather has held up the project.
Mr. Farrell stated that the first draft budgets are coming into the office this week.
Mr. Trapani stated that at next weeks meeting they will hold the continuation of the Tax Classification Public Hearing.
Mr. Surface moved to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30PM.
Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.
Minutes approved December 21, 2009.
| 
