Minutes of Selectmen Meeting
June 27, 2000
Present: Judy Murdoch,, Daniel Webster, Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones. (Kuchinski absent) Also present, Executive Secretary Winn Davis.
Chairman Webster announced that the appointments for the Council on Aging, Recreation Commission and Auxiliary police will be tabled until July 11, 2000. He also announced that a vote was taken at the meeting on June 20, 2000 to accept the offer from Joseph Nugent to return the land he purchased at auction in exchange for the purchase price and taxes paid. The vote was 4 – 1 - Cathy Kuchinski against.
I. Dog Pound – Thomas Powers, Jr. of Cross St. was present to request that the Dog Pound on his property be removed. Mr. Davis is looking into the matter through Town Counsel and will report back at the July 11th meeting. Matter tabled until 7/11/00.
II. Connie’s Restaurant – Liquor License Request – Fred Affsa and Jane Whittle were present to request a Wine & Malt License for Connie’s Restaurant at 270 Main Street. All the necessary paper work has been filed. Abutters, Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Hayes, objected to the license. They sited the fact that their 15 year old son was left alone to lock up. The Board requested Mr. Affsa draft and present to the Board policies and procedures for locking up the restaurant and securing the liquor. Tabled the matter until 7/11/00
III. Chief King – Monthly Report – Chief reviewed his monthly report. Requested the Selectmen place an article on the October Special Town Meeting Warrant for a feasibility study for the expansion or construction of a new Police Station. Discussed appointing new auxiliary police officers and requested the Selectmen reconsider the Nepotism Policy adopted in 1994. Officers Richard Nawazelski and Peter Daley addressed the Nepotism Policy.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to authorize Chairman Webster to sign the Lease for the new police cruiser. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to re-appoint Andrew Gilbert, Bruce Humfryes, Algernon Queen, Mark Vigneau, Dial Blais, Bill Strait, Ronald Clark, and Patrick Faiella as Special Police Officers for one year – term to expire June 30, 2001. Voted 4 – 0.
Executive Session – Chairman Webster announced that the Board would be entering Executive Session under Item #3 – Litigation regarding the Board of Appeals and Contract Negotiation with non-union personnel – Fire Chief .
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to enter Executive Session under Item #3. Roll Call, Murdoch aye;Webster aye; McSweeney aye and Jones aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:05 p.m .Returned to open Session.
Planning Session – The Planning Session items not addressed tonight will be continued until July 25, 2000 with no other agenda items.
Purchase Order System - Barbara Gomez requested that purchase orders not be required for purchases under $100.00.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to set the minimum amount for Purchase orders at $100.00 effective July 1, 2000. Voted 4 – 0.
Extended Vacation Time – Mr. Davis suggested that vacation requests be made in advance on a quarterly basis. Discussion regarding grievance potential. Suggestion was made to have requests semi-annually. Block out periods for busy times of the year so that offices are not under staffed were also discussed. Mr. Davis to speak to Labor Counsel regarding the matter.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to request employees submit vacation requests in advance on a semi-annual basis. Voted 4 – 0.
Council on Aging – Job descriptions for the council members were distributed. Board members to review the information and the matter will be address on 7/25/00.
Five-Day Work Week – Discuss various options by decreasing the workday to accommodate adding Friday to the workweek. Additional staffing hours may be necessary to facilitate the five-day workweek.
Board Committee Assignments – The Board reviewed committee assignments and negotiation teams. Clerical Union McSweeney and Kuchinski; Fire Chief – Webster and Murdoch; Highway – Murdoch and McSweeney; Police Chief – Webster and Jones; Police Union – Jones and Murdoch; Cable T.V. – Webster; Capital Improvement – Davis; Central Purchasing – Davis; Drainage Committee – Kuchinski; Fire Chief Search – Murdoch; Government Study – Webster; Housing Partnership Committee – Davis and Kuchinski (maybe be a defunct committee); In-Law Apartment – McSweeney; Master Plan – Kuchinski and Jones; Plymouth County advisory – Murdoch and Jones alternate; Street Safety – Webster and Jones; Thomas Hall Memorial – Kuchinski .
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Jones to appointment Stephanie McSweeney to the Roller Coaster Road Committee. Voted 4 – 0.
Roller Coaster Road Committee – Town meeting approved the creation of a committee consisting of a Selectman, Planning Board member, the Highway Surveyor and two citizens at large. Two applications have been received. Both applicants live on Roller Coaster Road. To avoid a potential Ethic Commission violation, the Board re-opened applications for the Committee and requested Mr. Davis thank the Roller Coaster Road applicants.
Band Concerts – Chairman Webster reported that Cathy Kuchinski informed him that two bands would be willing to play at the Band Concerts. A sponsor has come forward to pay for the concerts. Chairman Webster announced that anyone who would like to sponsor a concert could contact the Selectmen’s Office.
Goose Complaint – The Selectmen’s office has received complaints regarding the goose droppings. Mr. Davis suggested getting a Sheltie dog to herd the geese back into the pond. He will investigate the matter further. Mr. Webster indicated that the geese have destroyed the hydro-seed.
Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Davis met with a SEMASS representative and distributed a packet to the Board. Also provided the members with a copy of the Town of Harvard’s department policies for their review. Received a complaint regarding unregistered vehicles. The General By-Laws address the regulation; consequently the By-law must be enforced by the police department. There are two outstanding matters, one on Lakeside and one on Wood Street. Mr. Davis to contact Chief King. Discussed moving the by-law from the General to the Zoning By-laws. The Board requested an article be placed on the October Special Town Meeting warrant.
Master Plan Committee – Mr. Jones gave an update on the progress of the Master Plan Committee. The plan is coming along and the Committee will be requesting additional funding in October. The Planning Office will be getting an intern in the summer who will be working on the plan.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Jones to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
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