Town of Georgetown, MA - December 19, 2011

December 19, 2011


	Memorial Town Hall, 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833 Ph. (978) 352-5755 lor="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Memorial Town Hall 12/19/11 6:00 PM – Executive Session 2^nd Floor Meeting Room 7:00 PM – General Meeting 3^rd Floor Meeting Room Selectmen Present: C. David Surface, Chairman; Philip Trapani; Stephen Smith; Gary Fowler, Clerk; Stuart M. Egenberg Others Present: Michael Farrell, Town Administrator; Janet Pantano, Administrative Assistant Absent: _______________________________________________________________________ 6:00PM-EXECUTIVE SESSION To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the governmental body and the Chair so declares …; Call to Order Mr. Surface called the meeting to order at 7:08PM. Pledge of Allegiance 7:00PM-WARRANT & MINUTES Warrant to be signed Minutes October 3, November 21, and December 5, 2011 Mr. Trapani moved to approve the minutes of October 3, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Mr. Trapani moved to approve the minutes of November 21, 2011. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 4-0 vote. Mr. Smith abstained Mr. Trapani moved to approve the minutes of December 5, 2011. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. CORRESPONDENCE Notice from the Town Clerk of the resignation of Martha Robertson from the Georgetown Housing Authority. Mr. Surface stated that they will look to make the appointment at the next meeting to fill the unexpired term until the next election. Mr. Fowler asked if a Selectman could be appointed to the board. Mr. Farrell stated that they could appoint a Selectman. Mr. Trapani asked if they knew of an appointee. Mr. Smith stated he would be interested in the appointment. Mr. Farrell stated that this would be a joint appointment with the Housing Authority and a roll call vote. Mr. Surface asked that a letter be sent to the Housing Authority that they will vote at the next meeting January 9, 2012 to fill the opening. BOARD BUSINESS Accreditation Update Police Chief Mulligan, Lt. Cudmore, and Officer Dechene were present Chief Mulligan stated that the new vehicle will be in soon and that they will be retiring the Explorer. Chief Mulligan stated that 5 members of the Accreditation group were here last week to review the department and policies. He stated that they were here for 3 days. He stated that Lt. Cudmore and his assistant Officer Hatch worked with the group. He explained the process and discussed the departments that are accredited, certified, and in self assessment. He stated that the Police Policy and Procedure Manual are in the BoS office for all to view. He stated that any items that needed to be updated were done before the group left. Lt. Cudmore asked that the board vote on the manual. Mr. Surface asked for an executive summary of the changes to the manual. Mr. Smith moved to accept the Georgetown Police Department Policy and Procedure Manual. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Radio project for the Town Lt. Cudmore explained the radio changes that are coming from the FCC and that they have some CPA funds to help make the needed changes. He stated that they formed a radio committee to review the changes and to work as a team. He stated that they have been meeting since June and will be bringing the board their plan to go forward. He stated the Fire Department needs an antenna and repeater and this will be that largest cost. He stated that this may be an obstacle. He gave Officer Dechene’s background on radios. He stated that they would like to appoint Officer Dechene as coordinator so he can work with the FCC. He stated that Wayne Snow, Light Department has agreed to pay for some of the studies this summer and will pay for the license for Water, Highway, and Light departments. He passed out a job description for Officer Dechene. He stated that the committee will come back to the board with a report. Lt. Cudmore stated that they meet once a month with Water, Highway, Light, Police and Fire. He stated that they will have to come back to the Town for funding. He stated that they want to come to the ATM in May so they will have the funding in the fall. He stated that any equipment the Police Department has purchased has the capabilities for the new technology. Discussion on the Towers, water tank on Baldpate Hill. Mr. Smith asked if there are any revenue options with this tower. Officer Dechene stated that they have not looked into this but they could look into it. Lt. Cudmore stated that the tower we have is full but there is a lookout that the State owns and a Verizon tower, and a water tower. Mr. Trapani asked that they are looking into a strategic long term plan and have looked at regional/joint call center. Police Chief stated that some entities will not be involved in the regional call center such as Water, Light, and Highway. He stated that they have to move forward as we do not know where this will go and any technology that they improve would be used by the call center. Officer Dechene stated that the regional call center is in its infancy of that program that there is no plan for a larger network and we will need to use our own technology. Discussion Mr. Surface asked if they have to appoint someone. Lt. Cudmore stated that they need someone appointed to talk with the FCC. Mr. Surface stated that these should be roles and responsibilities and not a job description as they are not making a new position. Lt Cudmore stated that their next joint meeting is January 30^th and Officer Dechene is working on a license. Mr. Smith moved to approve the roles and responsibilities for the Communication Coordinator. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion. Discussion Mr. Fowler asked is this position would have a cost to the Town. Police Chief stated that there would be none as Officer Dechene would do this during his normal hours and reserve rate. Motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Mr. Trapani moved to appoint Officer Tyler Dechene as Communication Coordinator for the radio update term to expire June 30, 2012. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Mr. Fowler asked if they could add to the water tower. Officer Dechene stated that Verizon has antennae on the tower and we may be able to add to the tower also. Mr. Fowler asked about Groveland and if we could work on this together to help each other out. Officer Dechene stated that this is a good question and he will look into this but for now we have some dead areas in the downtown and they are working for Georgetown. Conservation Restriction-Vanessa Johnson to be present Driftway Farm-Essex County Greenbelt Ms. Johnson explained the process and that they have been working with the owner to purchase the land with CPC funds and will close early next year. She stated ECG will purchase the property now and wait to transfer to the town but are waiting to see if Georgetown will be receiving a grant. ECG has agreed to hold the conservation restriction and explained who has reviewed the document to be signed. She stated that Town Counsel, Conservation Commission, and the State have reviewed the document. Mr. Trapani moved to approve the conservation restriction for Driftway Farm, Wells Ave to the Essex County Greenbelt Association pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 184, Section 32 and in compliance with Section 12(a) of M.GL. Chapter 44B, the Community Preservation Act. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Fowler asked about a tower ever being built on the property and that the restriction does not allow this but it could be built with just a small roadway. Ms. Johnson stated that this is usually not allowed. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Metromedia Energy, Inc.-Natural Gas Sale Contract Mr. Farrell explained that this contract is to purchase natural gas and they are going through a broker and are piggybacking on the School contract and will save 11%. Mr. Smith asked if when we renew we will still get this discount. Mr. Farrell stated that he hopes it will be at least this amount. Mr. Surface asked what buildings are on natural gas. Mr. Farrell that all are on natural gas. Mr. Fowler asked if the will have more bargaining power joining with the Schools. Mr. Farrell stated that the town has $80K and the Schools $160K and they need over $200K to negotiate a better number. Discussion on the Energy contract and if this will have an impact. Mr. Smith stated that the savings should not be that large an impact to the contract. Mr. Egenberg asked when they will work on the new contract for next year. Mr. Farrell stated that we will have to coordinate with the Schools. Mr. Trapani moved to authorize the town to enter into a contract with Metromedia Energy, Inc. –Natural Gas and for Mr. Surface to sign the contract as Chair of the board. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. APPOINTMENTS & APPROVALS Fire Chief Al Beardsley extension of appointment Mr. Surface stated that the board is working on the Fire Chief contract and he wants to extend his contract to June 30, 2012 until they finish. Mr. Smith moved to extend the contract with Fire Chief Albert Beardsley to June 30, 2012. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Selectman Goals Mr. Surface stated that he has forwarded to Ms. Pantano the selectman goals and asked that she forward to all board members. Police Chief Review Mr. Surface stated that the board is working on the review of Police Chief Jim Mulligan and that he has one member review and needs the others. ABCC License Renewals Sports Depot at Rock Pond License Renewal Mr. Trapani asked about the Light Department deposit from Sports Depot and if it has been paid. Mr. Farrell explained that the deposit has not been paid but his Light and Water bills are paid up to date. Mr. Farrell stated that Mr. Snow has asked that if the license is approved it be conditional that the $6K deposit be paid before the license is released. Mr. Surface stated that deposit would be returned when the new owner pays his deposit. He stated that the last deposit was returned to the previous owner after Mr. Buswell had paid his past bills and this should not have happened he should have only returned over what was owed. Mr. Fowler stated he talked to Mr. Snow and the deposit is required only from renters it is up to the tenant to pay the deposit. Mr. Trapani stated that the board allowed the license to be approved before without the deposit paid but that does not mean they should do it again they should fix the issue now and not set a precedent. Mr. Farrell stated that if a building is used by an owner and they are delinquent the Light Dept can put a lien on the property but not with a renter. Mr. Smith stated is this money due or a deposit. Discussion All Alcohol Restaurant-Sports Depot at Rock Pond Mr. Smith moved to renew the 2012 All Alcohol license for the Sports Depot at Rock Pond contingent on the payment of the Georgetown Electric $6,000 deposit paid in full by 12/31/11. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-2 vote. License Renewals Automatic Amusement- Sports Depot at Rock Pond Mr. Smith moved to renew the 2012 Automatic Amusement License for the Sports Depot at Rock Pond contingent on the payment of the Georgetown Electric $6,000 deposit paid in full by 12/31/11. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-2 vote. Common Victualler-Jimmy K’s Restaurant; Charles C. Dame Lodge AF & AM; Mr. Smith moved to approve the Common Victualler License for Jimmy K’s Restaurant; Charles C. Dame Lodge AF & AM. Mr. Egenberg seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote. Mr. Surface and Mr. Trapani abstained. Common Victualler-Sports Depot at Rock Pond Mr. Smith moved to renew the 2012 Common Victualler License for the Sports Depot at Rock Pond contingent on the payment of the Georgetown Electric $6,000 deposit paid in full by 12/31/11. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-2 vote. Weekly Entertainment- Sports Depot at Rock Pond Mr. Smith moved to renew the 2012 Weekly Entertainment License for the Sports Depot at Rock Pond contingent on the payment of the Georgetown Electric $6,000 deposit paid in full by 12/31/11. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-2 vote. Mr. Smith asked about the hours of the Entertainment license. Mr. Farrell stated the license goes with the hours of the restaurant the town does not have entertainment regulations. Mr. Trapani stated that he has had some calls but neighbors have not been complaining. Sunday Entertainment- Sports Depot at Rock Pond Mr. Smith moved to renew the 2012 Sunday Entertainment License for the Sports Depot at Rock Pond contingent on the payment of the Georgetown Electric $6,000 deposit paid in full by 12/31/11. Mr. Trapani seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a 3-2 vote. NEXT MEETING Monday, January 9, 2012 at 7:00PM, Town Hall, 3^rd Floor meeting room. Mr. Trapani moved to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. Minutes transcribed by J. Pantano.