Selectmen’s Meeting of August 31, 1999
Present: Chairman Daniel Webster, Cathy Kuchinski, Judy Murdoch, Peter Jones, Charles Flynn.
I. Chairman Webster called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. The first item on the Agenda was Police Chief Russell King to discuss his goals and objectives. Chief King had five suggestions for Goals and Objectives:
Budget preparation and planning for the next fiscal year for the Police and Emergency Communication Center.
School Officer- the department is awaiting final approval of a grant for this position. The Police Officer will be working with the schools. His responsibilities will be fine tuned through out the year. Over the summer the Sgts and Lts. will be attending a seminar “dealing with crisis situations” There is also a Dare Officer assigned to the Schools.
Grants- Stay active in Federal and State Grants. King discussed the COPS Grant- this position should be filled soon. Chief King added that the Police Department will receive a 50% reimbursement for the bullet proof vests through an Internet grant.
Directed Patrols and Patrol Plans- will revise these plans to statistically needed areas.
Monthly reports- proposing to implement in September oral or written monthly reports.
Board Comments:
Jones would like to see communications objective- encompassing his fifth goal and adding academy updates and updates on projects such as the Senior Center.
Flynn agreed that the fifth item should be a communication process to keep the Board up to date. Flynn commended the Chief in his efforts to do an excellent job with budgets and being very proactive with Grants.
Murdoch would be pleased to have the Chief here every month.
Kuchinski asked if there was anything the Chief could add dealing with disaster planning. The Chief explained that there is an emergency plan in place.
Webster asked the Chief to look into zoning enforcement. King explained that the Police Department does not want to get involved in zoning enforcement, they are willing to assist in court. Webster thanked the Chief for his work on the Goals and Objectives.
II. Adult Entertainment Bylaw- Noreen O’Toole, Town Planner and Phil Lindquist were present to present to the Selectmen a map showing some possible areas where adult entertainment could go. The Planning Board discussed the Industrial Area as the safest place to allow Adult Entertainment. They would like to create a zone in the industrial area, describe the area and designate that area for Adult Entertainment. The Boards discussed the chosen area which is about 35 acres and set back far from the road. There was some discussion as to whether or not it was wetlands. Kuchinski asked why the Planning Board did not come up with a map of drawn circles showing the potential areas where it could go. O’Toole explained that when she attempted to do
that the only areas she came up with were in a residential zone. There was much discussion regarding the industrial park. The Board decided the Planning Board would present both proposals to Attorney Richard Bowen and see which is best fit for the zoning bylaw and they should also check with Conservation regarding the area they were speaking about.
III. Discussion regarding the advertisement of the Executive Secretary’s Position. Jones suggested the Board start the search for an interim Exec. Sec. and at the same time begin the search for a permanent replacement. The Board discussed the interim Exec. Sec. - Webster explained that based on the results of the search- if the Board needs to expand the search an interim can be used. Webster suggested formulating a three member committee consisting of a member of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Wage and Personnel who would screen and come up with finalists. Kuchinski would like to develop a questionnaire to let the search committee know what they would like to see in the position. Jones would like to see an assessment center- the Police Chief
would be helpful as an advisor. Kuchinski suggested a member of the Public be a part of the Committee. Jones suggested a 5 member committee adding a member of the public and the Police Chief. Motion by Jones to formulate a 5 member Search Committee to work on the Executive Secretary Position consisting of a member of Board of Selectmen, Management, Public, Finance Committee, Wage and Personnel, second by Flynn. 5-0 Vote.
III. Webster mentioned that he has heard a petition article may come in to abolish the Executive Secretary Position in the Town. Webster stated that he feels this is a serious mistake that would set the Town back 25 years. The Town needs a Chief Executive to be at the Town Hall everyday to run the day to day business. Mrs. Merry from the audience asked what the difference is between the Executive Secretary and Town Administrator or Town Manager. Webster explained that the Executive Secretary can have as much or as little authority as the Board of Selectmen chooses. A Town Manager is a strong position that has authority to fire, hire and negotiate with Unions. A Town Administrator is somewhere in between.
IV. Webster referred to a letter he had drafted to return to the District Attorney’s Office regarding a response to the Open Meeting Law Inquiry regarding the Dias Auction Gallery situation. Jones has no problem, Flynn has no problem, Murdoch has no problem and Kuchinski will call Webster with Final Comments.
Motion by Jones to have the Chairman send the letter as rough drafted with additional comments by any other members, 2nd Murdoch for discussion- Murdoch wants to know the changes before the letter goes out. Jones withdrew his motion.
Jones made a motion to have the Chairman send the letter by noon in substantive agreement with this drafted letter- only clarification changes, 2nd by Murdoch. 4-0-1 Vote (Kuchinski abstained)
On the issue of the Dias Letter- Webster explained that after reading Kathy Marini’s letter Webster spoke with Town Counsel who advises the Board that although there may be certain sections in the Code that discuss potential business uses the key issue is the # of people that use the establishment. Dias has told us that there are a number of occasions where there are more than 50 people which is what triggers the inspection certificate. Webster suggests we move forward with and send the matter to the State Building Inspector. Murdoch made a motion to contact the State Building Inspector regarding the Certificate of Inspection at the Dias Auction Gallery, second by Jones - Kuchinski believes we should try and work this out with Paul Dias before calling the State Inspector-
Webster explained that rules apply to everyone in this town. Kuchinski does not believe the Town has done enough. Murdoch stated that Mr. Dias has had every opportunity to comply and he refuses. 4-0 -1Vote (Kuchinski thinks one more cordial attempt should be made).
V. Webster requests that the Board move into Executive Session to discuss a matter of the Executive Secretary’s resignation. Motion by Murdoch to move into Executive Session under #3 , second by Jones. Roll Call Vote: Murdoch, aye; Kuchinski, aye; Webster, aye; Jones, aye; Flynn abstained. 4-0-1 Vote.
VI. The Board entered into Open Session to announce that no votes were taken in Executive Session. Motion by Murdoch to adjourn, second by Kuchinski. 4-0 Vote.
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