Selectmen's Meeting - January 2, 1996
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch, Charles Flynn, James
Haggerty, Chair; Peter Jones; and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk.
Also: Joseph Nugent, Board of Selectmen's Executive Secretary.
Haggerty called meeting to order at 7:37pm. No Cable due to
weather conditions.
I. Highway Surveyor - Harris - Snow Emergency: On this snowy
evening, Dick Harris came before the Selectmen to announce that
the snow budget is depleted and that conditions necessitate
action by the Selectmen in order to continue snowclearing related
activities. Motion 1/2/96.1: move that the Board of Selectmen
declare a snow emergency. Motion by Murdoch with second by
Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. Harris was also thanked for the good
job he and his men are doing this winter.
II.Public Hearing for Northland Cranberry re:License for Above
ground storage tanks: Several residents present (Ms. Nelson,
Pleasant Street; Keith OBillo, Elm Street; Jack Behan, Elm Street
with others) Company representative John Wilson requesting the
Selectmen issue a license for 9 propane tanks [two 1,000 gallons
and seven other smaller sizes] and two 2,000 diesel tanks.
Wilson stated that Chief Huska was present during inspections and
installation of containment areas. Wilson reported that upon the
purchasing of the property last June, Northland removed the three
underground oil tanks on the property known as BOG 18. It
appears that the previous owner, UCCC, had no license for the
numerous above ground tanks and he was here to rectify that
situation sunce the Fire Marshall office (Mass. Public Safety)
requires a license for these tanks. Kuchinski requested he
explain the EPA, DEP, UCCC settlement for the Northland purchase
of the property which necessitated correction of wetland
violations. Motion 1/2/96.2: move that the Board of Selectmen
continue this public hearing until January 9, 1996 at 7:30pm.
Motion by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0.
Nugent requested to invite the Fire Chief and Mr. Wilson was
requested to bring the tank specifications, the national board
numbers, and type of leak detection in place as well as a list of
the tanks and locations on a sheet for each selectmen.
III. Class II License Renewal: No known problems, all fees paid.
Motion 1/2/96.3: move to approve the renewal of Class II license
for Automotive Depot, Inc. (Spensley) located at 1 Liberty St.
Motion by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0.
IV. Renewal of Taxi License: No problems and fees paid. Motion
1/2/96.4: move to approve the renewal of a Taxi license for
Cabbie Taxi, located at 457 Franklin Street, Whitman for three
taxis with three drivers. Motion by Murdoch with second by
Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0.
V. Request for two Conservation Commission Appointments:
Selectmen presented with two names for the recent two vacancies
on this Board. Kuchinski voiced her approval of the candidates
but yet stated her concern for the procedure of having these
names before the Board without an announcment to the public that
the vacancies existed. Motion 1/2/96.5: move to approve the
appointment of Stephen Croghan and George Cirillo to terms ending
June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997 respectively. Motion by Murdoch
with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
VI. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Vehicles: Fire Dept has
forwarded a memo requesting that the Board of Selectmen declare
two vehicles (1953 Dodge and 1941 Dodge) as surplus. Vote to be
taken 1/16. (2) South Shore Habitat: will need a tax title deed
prepared by the Treasurer-Collector. Selectmen to vote on 1/16.
(3) Burial Tomb at Fern Hill Cemetery: Building Inspector to
forward a written report and Nugent to seek a letter from the
Historical Commission on their intentions. (4) AAB Meeting: Jan.
22 is date set for a meeting with the Architectural Access board
on the school issues. Waivers will be sought. (5) Proposed Snow
Policy: the drafted policy was up for discussion. Kuchinski
noted that the Board should consider voting for one member to
make decision so that telephone decisions are not made. Haggerty
noted that the Wage and Personnel By-law and Collective
Bargaining Agreements do not address snow cancellation policies
and therefore should all employees should report to work. Motion
1/2/96.6: move that as a temporary measure the Chair of the Board
should be designated to decide tomorrow if Town employees should
stay home. Motion by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion
carried 5-0. (6) NyNex Tower: 1/9 meeting set on this issue.
VII. Action Requests: (1) Flynn: State Street Bridge: concrete
needs to be poured - possibly this week. (2) Factory Pond Dam:
work is hampered by the weather. (3) Flynn: 175th Anniversary:
requested that Kuchinski and the entire committee be thanked for
a wonderful year of activities.
VIII. Adjournment. Motion 1/2/96.7: move to adjourn. Motion by
Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. Adjourned at
8:25pm.
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