Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of April 13, 1999
Present: Chairman Peter Jones, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Charles Flynn and Executive Secretary Joseph Nugent.(Webster arrived at 8:00p.m.)
(The Board will be having a picture taken tonight by Sue Moss for the website)
I. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. by reviewing the Evaluations for the Executive Secretary and Police Chief. Nugent received an evaluation which figured a 4.36% increase and Chief King received an evaluation which figured a 4.56%.
II. Request for reappointment - Bernard Delorey, Animal Officer to expire 3/31/00.
Motion by Murdoch to reappoint Bernard Delorey as Animal Officer second by Flynn. 4-0 Vote (Webster absent).
III. Vote to accept minutes of 2/2/99, 2/10/99, 2/9/99, 2/23/99, 3/2/99, 3/9/99,3/16/99 3/23/99 and Executive Session Minutes of 11/10/98, 11/24/98, 12/29/98, 2/9/99, 2/10/99 & 3/2/99, 3/9/99, 3/16/99, 3/23/99. Motion by Kuchinski to accept minutes as printed, second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote. (Webster absent)
IV. Donald Ferguson, Tree Warden was present to discuss Arbor Day. Ferguson is able to acquire 6 trees for the Town for Arbor Day, the Board of Selectmen need to approve the acceptance of this gift for the Town. The Town would also be responsible for the planting of the trees. There was some discussion over the location of the new trees. The consensus was to allow the landscape committee agree on a location. The Board also would like these trees to be flowering trees if possible. Motion by Kuchinski to accept the donation of trees, the type to be decided by the Landscaping Committee, second by Flynn. 4-0 Vote. (Webster absent).
V. Plymouth County Hospital Property Advisory Committee - present to discuss recommendations for the property. Mark Vess, Chairman of the committee listed many uses for the property i.e.. library, municipal offices, police station, senior center, athletic fields, DPW yard and offices, water yard and offices, cemetery, passive recreation i.e. walking trails- biking trails- horseback riding-victory garden, recreation center i.e. skating rink-tennis-indoor swimming, housing, i.e. private development-public/private development-assisted living for the elderly- senior housing, medical facilities and/or dialysis center, nursing home, satellite college campus, Barry Clifford’s pirate ship museum, a Plymouth County museum, any combination of the above.
The Committee also recommends wording the article for Town Meeting to directly reflect an intention to purchase the property. The Committee strongly supports the purchase of the property.
Several committee members would like to recommend the inclusion of two appraisals on the Town Meeting Warrant.
Vess presented a map for the Selectmen which outlined a recommended footprint for open space area. Jones is reluctant to go forward with the footprint as it stands. The Board discussed grants. Kuchinski believes this can be waived by the Division of Conservation Services if a letter is sent stating the intention to purchase the property. Jones asked who would apply for the grant- typically it is the Conservation Commission.
V. Hearing - Live Entertainment License, Damien Cahill dba Damien’s at 279 Spring Street. Motion by Murdoch to enter hearing for Live Entertainment License, second by Kuchinski. 5-0. Damien Cahill was present for the hearing and clarified that the license would be used to have no more than 3 man bands Thursday through Saturdays and other special occasions. There will be no change in hours. Motion by Kuchinski to issue the live entertainment license, second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote.
VI. Request for release of Chapter 61A Land- Gary Thorpe- The request is to release property located on White Street and listed as : Map 7, portion of lot 6, lots 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722 and portion of Map 2, lot 4-3. Planning Board and Assessors have replied with no objections. Have heard from no other Boards. Thorpe would like action on this release tonight. Kuchinski asked Thorpe if any conservation land was involved or Town owned land abutting the property. There is none. Motion by Flynn to release the land from Chapter 61A, second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote.
VII. Financial Update
A. Town Accountant, Barbara Gomez reviewed the budget with the Board of Selectmen and explained the budget looks good. The overtime lines for Police, Fire, Highway and Clerical are running over but there are Articles in the Warrant to cover this shortfall. The Town Insurance line looks high but most of the policies have already been paid. Other lines looked fine. Barbara offered to send a monthly report to the Selectmen. The Board thanked the Town Accountant for her time and efforts.
B. Treasurer/Collector, Carole McCormack reviewed the financial status of the Town. Cash flow is in good shape. We have not had to borrow from stabilization but it is a great source of comfort to have money in the Stabilization Fund.
VIII. Review and Recommend Articles
Article
Special Town Meeting Assigned To:
Article 1 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 2 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Kuchinski
Article 3 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Murdoch
Article 4 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Flynn
Article 5 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
(the motion is to recommend the ranges)
Special Town Meeting (cont’d) Assigned To:
Article 6 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Jones
Article 7 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Jones
Article 8 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Webster
Article 9 - Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Kuchinski
Article 10- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Kuchinski
Article 11- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend Kuchinski
Article 12- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 13- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 14- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 15- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 16- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 17- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 18- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
(Nugent should talk to Sandra Harris, Cemetery Commissioner & Bob Arsenault, Veteran’s agent)
Article 19- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 20- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 21- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Annual Town Meeting Assigned To:
Article 1 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 4-0-1 Vote to Recommend Jones
(Kuchinski abstained)
Article 2 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend Flynn
Article 3 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 4 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend Kuchinski
Article 5 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend Murdoch
Article 6 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend Flynn
Article 7 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend Kuchinski
Article 8 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 9 - Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 10-Motion by Flynn, 2nd by Kuchinski 4-0-1 Vote to Recommend
(Webster abstained)
Article 11- Motion by Flynn, 2nd Murdoch - Flynn withdrew the motion
(The Board would like to hold recommendation for more information)
Article 12- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 13- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 14- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 15- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 16- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 17- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 4-0-1 Vote to Recommend
(Webster abstained)
Article 18- Motion by Webster, 2nd Kuchinski 4-0-1 Vote to Recommend
(Jones abstained)
Article 19- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 20- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 21- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 22- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Hold Recommendation
for further information.
Article 23- Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski 4-1-0 Vote to Recommend
(Webster nay)
Article 24- 5-0 Vote to Hold Recommendation for further information
Article 25- Nugent informed the Board the Article will be passed over.
Article 26- 5-0 Vote to hold for clarification as to what phase will encompass
and also to see what the source of funding will be.
Article 27- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 28- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 29- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 30- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 31- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 32- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 33- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Article 34- 5-0 Vote to Hold for more information
Article 35- Motion by Webster, 2nd Flynn 5-0 Vote to Recommend
Jones read a press release regarding the Democratic and Republican Town Committees Candidates Night at the Senior Center on Sunday, May 2nd.
Action Requests:
Kuchinski: (1) announcement: Executive Office of Environmental Affairs has invited Hanson Committee Members to the Preservation Summit on May 14th at the Sheraton Inn, Plymouth. (2) What is the status of the Chapter 90 money. (3) Read an Article regarding using the issue of Y2K to exercise emergency preparedness. and also read an Article regarding Pembroke’s Citizen of the Year award and suggest Hanson do something like it.
Webster: (1) Town Hall Building Committee has been making landscaping decisions. There is an issue with the ducks destroying the new lawn and asphalt. A decision must be made as to how to control the ducks i.e.. signs asking people not to feed the ducks, or fencing to keep the ducks off the lawn, or relocating the ducks. There was much discussion concerning this issue. The Town of Abington has had similar situation and has put up signs and snow fencing and this has worked. Murdoch stated that she is against any signs, the citizens should be able to feed the ducks here at the pond. Kuchinski does not want to relocate but is in favor of signs on backs of benches or on posts encouraging people not to feed the ducks as it is harmful to wildlife. Lila Coyle says there are lots of ducks over
at the Conway Building and they don’t feed them so she believes that signs won’t work and suggested calling Wildlife Associations. (2) Webster requested the Board send a letter to the Highway Surveyor regarding the status of the Island on Franklin Street. (3) Status of Sidewalks? We are preparing to go to bid.
Murdoch: What will be done to State Street. Jones - the Water Department will be finishing work soon.
Executive Secretary’s Report:
1. RFP for the Plymouth County Hospital Property Environment Study - please have comments in by Thursday.
2. Audit Services- One bidder- Thevinan O’Grady
Kuchinski suggested advertising in the Beacon if there is no cost. Jones agreed.
Request for Executive Session: Motion by Webster to move into Executive Session under items 3 and 6 for Fire Negotiations and Plymouth County Property, 2nd by Murdoch. Roll call vote Murdoch, aye; Kuchinski, aye; Webster, aye; Flynn, aye; Jones, aye. 5-0 Vote.
Adjournment: Motion by Flynn to adjourn, 2nd by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
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