Selectmen Minutes
June 4, 2002
Present: Robert Forte, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones. Also present Executive Secretary Winn Davis and Management Assistant Meredith Scozzari.
7:36 p.m. Chairman Webster called the meeting to order and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. Observed a moment of silence for Frank Romano who passed away last week. Also thanked Bob Arsenault for organizing the Memorial Day Parade and Wayne Petersen for Biodiversity Days. Thank you letters to be sent to both.
I. Letter from District Attorney’s Office – Open Meeting issue – Chairman Webster read the letter from the District Attorney’s Office citing an open violation on June 12, 2001- no further action required.
II. Mass. Electric – Joint Pole hearing – Robinson Street
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to open pole hearing. Voted 5 – 0.
Doris Philips, Mass. Electric representative, was present to request the pole relocation. She indicated that a neighbor had requested the move because it was impeding the access to a neighbor’s property and causing the neighbor to drive on her property. The pole to be moved 13 feet.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to grant a pole relocation 13 feet south on Robinson Street. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to close hearing. Voted 5 – 0.
III. July 4th Schedule – Mr. Davis informed the Board that a request had been made regarding closing the Town Hall on Friday, July 5th. He also informed the Board there maybe repercussions with the Senior Center and the Library staff. After brief discussion, the Board decided that the Town Hall will be open and employees will have to take a vacation day if they choose to be off on Friday, July 5th.
IV. Appointment members of the Betterment Committee – Three applications have been received, two from precinct 2 and 1 precinct 3. TABLED until 6/18.
V. Request to plant tree at Town Hall in remembrance of Erin Croghan – The Board received a request from Sarah Molinari from Whitman Hanson High School requesting permission to plant a tree at the Town Hall in memory of classmate Erin Croghan.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Jones to authorize the planting of a tree in Erin Croghan’s memory. Voted 5 – 0.
VI. Review amendment to AKRO contract – Mrs. McSweeney excused herself from the discussion and sat in the audience. The Board discussed the proposed plan offered by Baran Partners of adding the senior center to the back wing of the hospital where the assisted living facility will be located. The senior center would be joined to the hospital with a corridor and both facilities would share the kitchen facilities. Board also discussed the feasibility of exploring an addition to the current senior center. Feasibility study committee members, Judy Murdoch, Wilbur Danner and Mary Lou Sutter participated in the discussion. Mr. Davis pointed out that if an addition is put on the senior center, the library trustee should be involved in the process as they
would be utilizing the facility after the seniors relocate. After a lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled until June 12th, to allow the Feasibility Study committee had an opportunity to meet and finalize its direction. The Board’s consensus was to have the architect address the feasibility of a free standing building at the Plymouth County Hospital and review plans for a 2,000 sf addition.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Jones to table the signing of the amendment until the feasibility study committee meets. Voted 4 – 0 (McSweeney not participating).
VII. Jean Allen – Monponsett Street – Mrs. Allen requested the Board look into a water problem behind her house. She had never had water before. Ms. Kuchinski indicated that the Drainage Committee had been referred the complaint and looked into it and determined it was not a drainage problem. The Board was informed the matter was also referred to Conservation. Chairman Webster advised Mrs. Allen to contact Mr. Davis who will look into that matter and discuss it at the department head meeting on Thursday.
VIII. John Aiello – Disciplinary Hearing – Ms. Kuchinski excused herself from the discussion and left the room. Mr. Davis made a statement regarding Mr. Aiello’s recent letter. Chairman Webster announced that after speaking with Special Counsel Thomas, there would be no hearing. The Board’s only remedy in the matter would be to remove Mr. Aiello from the Board. As Mr. Aiello had previously submitted his resignation, the Board has no other recourse as the appointment authority but to refer the matter to Ethics. Chairman Webster recommended that the Board instruct Attorney Thomas to refer his report and findings to the Ethics Commission.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to instruct Attorney Thomas to refer his report to the Ethics Commission. Voted 4 – 0 (Kuchinski not participating).
IX. Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Davis informed the Board that the School Building Committee is looking for members from the Board to serve on the committee, one member as a primary member and one as an alternate. Mr. Jones offered to serve as the primary and Mrs. McSweeney to serve as the alternate, Board concurred. Received a MMA budget alert regarding local aid. Chief Hoyt has presented a schedule of three conferences he will be attending. The EPA has sent a settlement figure for the Beede Waste oil of $11,093.75. Town Counsel will review the settlement agreement. Notice of vacancies on the Conservation Commission, they do not have a quorum. Mr. Davis is checking with VHB regarding contracting with one of their associates to
fill in a conservation agent. Discussed the early retirement and request actuary figures for the next meeting on June 11th.
Ms. Kuchinski updated the Board on the status of the Police Station Feasibility Study committee and indicated that the meeting of June 6th has been cancelled. The committee is considering an addition.
Mrs. McSweeney requested information on reappointment of general and labor counsel. Mr. Davis to provide process used for the RFP. Matter tabled until June 11th. Mr. Jones requested evaluation forms for Chief Hoyt. Evaluations due Monday, June 10th, for discussion on June 11th. Ms. Kuchinski requested a marker be placed inside the Sealer’s cabinet indicating that the cabinet was refurbished with funds from the 175th Anniversary Committee and announced that the Historical Society has a display in the cabinet outside the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Chairman Webster announced the Board would be going into Executive Session under Item #6 purchase or sale of real estate, Northland matter and Item #3 Union negotiations with the fire union.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to go into Executive Session under Items #3 Fire Union Negotiations and #6 Northland sale. Roll Call –Forte aye; Kuchinski aye; Webster aye; McSweeney aye, Jones aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:13 p.m. Brief Recess
9:50 p.m. Returned to open session – No votes taken.
Chairman Webster reminded everyone to get the Fire Chief’s evaluations into the office on Monday. Mr. Forte requested that he not participate in the evaluation process at this time. Board concurred.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
10:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned
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