Selectmen’s Meeting of February 9, 1999
Present: Chairman Peter Jones, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Charles Flynn (arrived at 8:00 p.m.)and Executive Secretary Joseph F. Nugent.
I. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order by holding a moment of silence in memory of Charles Valene who had served on the Whitman Hanson School Committee for many years.
Motion by Kuchinski to open the May Special Town Meeting Warrant to close on March 30, 1999 all articles should must be in by March 23, 1999, second by Murdoch. 4-0 vote
II. Request for a one day liquor license for Steve Pangione for a Family Celebration at Camp Kiwanee on September 4, 1999 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Liquor to be sold by “Professional Bartending Services, Inc.” Motion by Kuchinski to allow the one day liquor license on 9/4/99 at Camp Kiwanee, second by Webster. 4-0 Vote (Flynn was not present).
Request for a one day liquor license for Sean P. Lafferty for a Wedding to be held on April 25, 1999 at Camp Kiwanee between the hours of 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Liquor to be sold by “Professional Bartending Services Inc.” Motion by Kuchinski to allow a one day liquor license for 4/25/99, second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote (Flynn was not present)
III. Request for approval of Norfolk County Agricultural Student for next year. The Board reminded the citizens that the deadline for approval is April 1, 1999. Motion by Kuchinski to approve Scott Trefethen for Norfolk County Agricultural School, second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote.
IV. Mark Vess was present to discuss the Plymouth County Property Land Advisory Committee. The Committee has been meeting regularly and is making their first suggestions to the Board of Selectmen.
It is important to locate Grant money quickly. Three Grant sources: Division of Conservation Services, the Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement.
The Town will need at least 2 appraisals to compete in the grant application process.
The Board should allow the Committee to obtain several estimates for the demolition and removal of the County Hospital Building. This is necessary to accommodate several land use scenarios.
Vess explained they will be meeting with the Conservation Commission as well as the Planning Board in the near future. The Board asked that they also meet with the Housing Authority.
After some discussion Kuchinski asked the Committee to also add the Housing Authority to the list of those they will be meeting with. Vess asked for 21E information and also asked the Board if they would like the Committee to go through with an article for Appraisal Funds. Lila Coyle asked that the committee also consult with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
V. Bruce Young present to discuss the Minority Report he had submitted with the Building Inspector Panel Report. Jones discussed the advisory opinion from the Department of Public Records, which advises the town should release the minority report with the Panel’s Report and would be able to mark the report as unapproved if necessary. Jones mentioned that Kopelman and Paige, Town Counsel still believe that this is only an advisory opinion and the Town is not bound by this opinion.
Jones advised the Board to rescind the previous vote and release the minority report marked unapproved by the Board of Selectmen.
Kuchinski did not believe the Selectmen should mark the report unapproved. Motion by Flynn to release the minority report and mark as approved and unapproved, second by Webster for discussion. Webster stated that the Chairman is right, lets get this done with and mark it unapproved. Webster moved the motion, 4-1 Vote. Kuchinski, nay. Kuchinski stated for the record that she believes the record should not have any comments written on it from the Board. Any comments from Selectmen should be a separate document.
VI. Wage and Personnel Issues - There are 3 evaluations: Kathy Dyer with a 4.6% increase, Carole McCormack with a 3.7% increase and Barbara Gomez with a 3.8% increase. These evaluations will be sent to the Wage and Personnel Board for deliberations on the ranges. The Board of Selectmen will be evaluating the Executive Secretary and Police Chief next. Webster advised that the subcommittee go over the evaluations with Town Accountant and Treasurer Collector.
Another issue is the Health Agent and Building Inspector - Apparently the Health Agent is paid hourly and would like to be paid salary. The Board is concerned that the Agent is working 40 hours a week already and this is a professional position. Webster recommends staying by the hour. The Consensus of the Board is to stay at 35 hours per week at either salary or hourly- no contract. The Board of Health should also do evaluations for this position. Webster would like feed back from the Board of Health before recommending any salary increase. Kuchinski recommended asking the Board of Health to complete evaluations and return one week from tonight.
Kuchinski made a motion to have Ray Towne named “Town Historian” at the next Selectmen’s Meeting to commemorate the 179th Anniversary of the Town. by consensus the Board agreed.
The Board took a fifteen minute recess to make copies of the Building Inspector Panel Report.
VII. Action Requests -
Kuchinski read Street Lighting Committee’s letter requesting Street Lights at the following locations: Liberty Street poles - 5,8,12, 15, 18, 23, 26, 31; Pine Grove poles- 6, 11 and at West and Pine; E. Washington Street pole 75; Whitman Street pole 74. Motion by Kuchinski to accept these recommendations, second by Webster. 5-0 Vote.
Executive Secretary Report-
Rickart Cannole will be coming before the Board on February 23, 1999 to make a presentation regarding the 61A land.
The Police Chief interviewed Saturday for the Patrolman’s Position and had an assessment center for the Lt. Position. The Board should be prepared to take action on March 9, 1999. The Police Chief would like to know if the Board would also like to conduct interviews. There are 2 Sergeants up for the Lieutenant position and the course is offered in April.
The Board has received the draft of the Street Safety and Development Committee Charter: The final draft will be ready on the 23rd.
Request for Executive Session under Items 3 & 6. Motion by Murdoch to enter into executive session to discuss negotiations and purchase of property, second by Flynn.
Roll Call vote: Murdoch, aye; Kuchinski, aye; Webster, aye; Flynn, aye; Jones, aye.
VIII. Adjournment: Motion by Flynn, second by Kuchinski. 5-0 vote. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
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