Selectmen’s Minutes
November 25, 2003
Present: Present were Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Robert Forte and Jesse McSweeney. Peter Jones absent. Also present Acting Executive Secretary Meredith Scozzari.
7:39 p.m. Vice-Chairman Forte called the meeting to order and read the announcements and up coming meeting schedule.
I. Board of Health Appointment – Board of Health member Terry McSweeney was present along with Board of Health candidate Joseph Pelligra of 72 Lakeside Terrace. Mr. Pelligra gave the Boards a brief history on has personal and professional background. Mr. Pelligra was the only applicant for the position. Mr. Gallivan inquired whether Mr. Pelligra would be willing to take the necessary courses for the position and Mr. Pelligra indicated he would.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to appoint Joseph Pelligra of 72 Lakeside Terrace to the Board of the Health with a term to expire on May 15, 2004. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Forte aye, Jesse McSweeney aye and Terry McSweeney aye. Voted 5 – 0.
II. Moment of Silence – The Board observed a moment of silence for the former Treasurer/Collector Erma Burke.
III. Treasurer/Collector Carole McCormack – Mrs. McCormack informed the Board that she would be borrowing until May 1, 2004 against stabilization in order to pay bills. When the real estate taxes are in she will repay the borrowing. Mr. Gallivan inquired about the repayment of interest. Mrs. McCormack indicated that she would reimburse the interest as well.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to sign the borrowing against stabilization until May 2004. Voted 4 – 0.
The Board inquired as to the status of the HIPPA results and public records request. The acting executive secretary informed the Board that Mr. Jones had not received an official opinion from HHS and Mr. Jones recommended getting an opinion from Kopelman & Paige. Mrs. McCormack indicated that she has not received anything additional from Public Records.
MOTION by Gallivan second by McSweeney to get an opinion from Town Counsel regarding public records and HIPPA inquiry. Voted 3– 1 (Kuchinski).
Insurance Program - Mrs. McCormack informed the Board that the County Commissioners will be drafting a report regarding the deficit in the Health Insurance program. Mrs. McCormack to get a copy of the report for the Board.
Extra Hours in Treasurer/Collectors Office – Mr. Forte recused himself from the discussion and stepped away from the table. Mrs. McCormack has requested additional hours for her office consisting of two hours per day, four days a week for six weeks during tax time. Mrs. McCormack reported that her office is at full staff. She also indicated that the water bills would be going out shortly. The Board discussed the matter.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to approve additional hours from December 8, 2003 to December 22, 2003. Voted 3 – 0.
Mr. Forte returned to the table.
IV. Transport Fee Increases for Fire Dept. – Chief Hoyt was present along with Management Assistant Barbara Murphy to discuss the increases in the transport fees. Chief Hoyt indicated that he has surveyed area towns and the fee changes are in line with other departments. Mrs. Murphy informed the Board that health insurance providers do not cover some of the services provided during transport.
MOTION by Gallivan second by Kuchinski to approve the increase in transport fees for the ambulance as requested by Chief Hoyt. Voted 4 – 0.
V. Fire Department Surplus Vehicles - Chief Hoyt requested that two vehicles be declared surplus as salvage only. The vehicles were1976 Farrar-Hendrickson Pumping Engine VIN 7612879 and a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria VIN 2FALP71W2VX208142.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to surplus the 1976 Farrar-Hendrickson Pumping Engine VIN 7612879 and the1997 Ford Crown Victor VIN 2FALP71W2VX208142 as salvage surplus. Voted 4 – 0.
The Chief also informed the Board of a problem with Massachusetts Electric and a wire, which was down for 10 hours. No overtime was incurred, but he Chief will be speaking to Mass. Electric about the delay. Ms. Kuchinski thanked Chief Hoyt for his assistance with Cable T.V.
VI. Appointments:
Cable T.V. Committee:
Paul Taber 23 Wagon Trail Term to Expire 6/30/04
Judy Braley 144 Indian Head St. Term to Expire 6/30/05
Arlene Dias 18 Briggs St. Term to Expire 6/30/05
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to appoint Paul Taber to the CATV committee with a term to expire 6/30/04. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to appointment Judy Braley and Arlene Dias to the CATV committee with terms to expire 6/30/05. Voted 4 – 0.
Cultural Council:
Frances Forte 109 Thayer Drive - Term to Expire 6/30/05
Eileen Penney 75 Spring Street Term to Expire 6/30/05
Patricia Rich 193 Holly Ridge Term to Expire 6/30/04
Frank Schellenger 75 Spring Street Term to Expire 6/30/05
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to appoint Frances Forte to the Cultural Council with a term to expire 6/30/05. Voted 3 – 0 ( Mr. Forte recused himself)
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to appoint to the Cultural Council Eileen Penney and Frank Schellenger with terms to the expire 6/30/05 and Patricia Rich 193 Holly Ridge with a Term to Expire 6/30/04.
VII. Approve & Vote Minutes -Reg. & Exe. Session Sept. 16, 2003; Reg. & Exe. Session Sept. 23; Reg. & Exe. Session Sept. 30; Reg. & Exe. Session Oct. 6th ; Reg. & Exe. Session Oct. 14th
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to approve the Regular and Executive Session minutes of September 16th, 23rd, 30th and October 6th, 2003. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the Regular and Executive Session minutes of October 14th. Voted 4 – 0.
VIII. Vote Surplus Equipment: - Police Chief Savage has requested the following vehicles be declared surplus: 2000 Ford Crown Victoria 2FAFP71W3YX19386, 1997 Ford Crown Victoria 2FALP71W9VX202032, 1994 Ford Crown Victoria 2FALP71W8RX201038, 1990 Dodge Power Ram pick-up 1B7KM3687LS647046 and 1967 Dodge Ram pick-up VIN 2461817546
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to declare the above listed vehicles surplus. Voted 4 – 0.
IX. Disclosure of Al Kantos – Disposal Area Attendant Al Kantos has informed the Board that he will be plowing for the Highway Department and has requested the Board of Selectmen approve his disclosure.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski to approve Al Kantos’ Financial Disclosure. Voted 4 – 0.
X. Award Siding Bid for the Library/Senior Center – The Acting Executive Secretary informed the Board that only one bid was received for the siding replacement at the Library/Senior Center. The sole bid was received from TEI Technical Enterprises, Inc. of Bridgewater in the amount of $22,500.00. Al Hanscom has reviewed the bid and determined everything is in order and recommended awarding the project to TEI.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to award the siding replacement bid to Technical Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $22,500.00. Voted 4 – 0.
XI. Committee Report – Open Space Committee – Ms. Kuchinski reported that the committee would be meeting on December 1st. Executive Secretary Search Committee – Mr. Gallivan informed the Board that the Search Committee met and reviewed the preliminary search process and deadlines. Mr. Gallivan requested the Board review the Executive Secretary’s job description and forward changes to Meredith Scozzari as the Search Committee would be finalizing it on December 3rd. CATV – Ms. Kuchinski informed the Board that the committee has been on site visits to other studios and anticipated the Board receiving a report in January.
XII. Executive Secretary Report – Mrs. Scozzari reported that the Grade Crossing at West Washington Street will be repaired on Friday, December 5th from Midnight until 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6th. The MBTA has posted signs and the police will have detail officers. A request has been received from Mr. Murrow of Bay Communications inquiring about the feasibility of the Town putting out an RFP for a communications tower on Town property. The Board to review the matter. Franklin Street reconstruction project set to begin in the Spring of 2005. Highway Surveyor Richard Harris was recommended as Hanson’s liaison to work with East Bridgewater.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to have Richard Harris act as the Town’s liaison for the Franklin Street project. Mr. Harris to file reports monthly. Voted 4 – 0.
XIII. Special Recognition to Town Employees – The office has received a letter from the Friends of the Library thanking Donald Colon for his assistance with the Friends of the Library Book Faire and the Director of Elder Affairs, Jean Marie Smith has commended Highway employee Matt Libby for his conscientious work on the Senior Citizen van. The office received notification from Chief Hoyt that four firefighters Jerry Thompson, John Rothwell, Rob O’Brien and James Van Bibber will be honored at the 14 Annual Mass. Firefighters of the Year Awards on December 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Faneuil Hall. The Board is invited. Mrs. Scozzari relayed to the Board the outstanding work by Elder Affairs Director Jean Marie Smith during trying times when the heat was out at the Senior
Center. Mrs. Smith handled the situation professionally.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to put letters of appreciation in the personnel files and forward Verizon Business Rewards Gift Certificate to the employees. Voted 4 – 0
XIV. Christmas Holiday Schedule – Mrs. Scozzari reminded the Board that the Town Hall has historically closed at 12:00 noon on Christmas Eve. She recommended suggesting to the Library Trustees that the library be open from 8 a.m. – 12 noon on Dec. 24th in order to avoid potential grievances.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to close the Town Hall at 12:00 noon on December 24th and to recommended change to Library Trustees.Voted 3 – 1 (Kuchinski).
The Board rejected closing the Town Hall on December 26th. Employees wishing to have the day off must take a vacation day.
XV. Sunday Liquor Store Openings – Vote to approve Sunday Liquor Store openings between Thanksgiving and New Years.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to approve the Sunday liquor sales from Thanksgiving through January 1, 2004. Voted 4 – 0.
Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board that there will be a 40B Conference at Holy Cross on Thursday December 11th 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. She provided the Board with a memo regarding the sale of Lot 14 Industrial Way. The buyer is looking for an extension. The matter tabled until December 2nd. A copy of a letter from the Inspector General was given to the Board on the Baran Project. The matter was tabled until December 2nd.
Executive Session – Update on Fire Union Negotiations & contract – Ms. Kuchinski informed the Board that she needed to update them on the status of the union negotiations.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under Item #3 – Union Negotiations. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Forte aye and McSweeney aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:20 p.m. Brief Recess
9:40 p.m. Returned to Open Session – No votes were taken.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
9:41 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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