Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2004
Present: Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Peter Jones, Jesse McSweeney. (Robert Forte Absent) Also present Acting Executive Secretary Meredith Scozzari.
7:45 p.m. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
I. Joint Pole Hearing – Mass Electric request a Joint Pole relocations of Pole 44, Franklin Street.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to open hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
Steve Brenton from Mass. Electric was present and explained the purpose of the relocation was the fact that the pole was obstructing the entrance to the lot. The abutters have been notified. No other questions.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to approve the pole relocation. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to close the hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
II. Department Report
Chief Hoyt Monthly Report – Chief Hoyt gave the fire department’s monthly report. He indicated that the past two months have been the busiest in the department’s history. He commended Lt. Becker while serving as acting chief. Chief Hoyt indicated that he is no back to work full time this week. He informed the Board of some equipment problems and indicated he may be seeking to replace the 1995 engine. Mr. McSweeney inquired about the scheduling issue on Christmas Eve, which attributed to exorbitant overtime costs. The Chief did not have a problem with it and informed the Board that the two junior firefighters’ scheduled were qualified to cover the shift.
Carole McCormack Monthly Report – Mrs. McCormack presented SANs for the Board’s signature in the amount of $367,956.36 for six months at 1.5% interest. The funds will be used for highway projects. She expects to have full reimbursement in six months. Motor vehicle excise bills are due on March 12th. Mrs. McCormack indicated she is investigating Lock Box services and is considering Lighthouse Financial in Lowell as well as other institutions. She explained the service to the Board. Ms. Kuchinski requested a list of pro and cons of the service. The Board discussed at length the various services and costs provided by the banking facilities used by the Town. Mr. Gallivan suggested we consider bundling of the services.
Barbara Gomez Monthly Report – Mrs. Gomez informed the Board that her report is self-explanatory. There is a deficit in the snow and ice line. She has received notification that the Town will receive 75% of the cost of the December storm. She indicated that last year the Town received $35,000 back from the State. She noted that a few of the expense lines were high – Fire was at 77%; police was at 84% and building maintenance was at 86% expenditure. She also noted that the Finance Committee cut both the fire and police lines last year.
Mrs. Gomez recommended that the Board place an article in the May Special Town meeting warrant to pay off the Plymouth County Hospital bond using free cash. She indicated that paying off the bond would save considerable bonding costs. She also reviewed the 2005 budget worksheet.
III. Discuss & Vote Engineering RFP – The Board received three responses to the RFP send out in October. The respondents were SITEC of New Bedford, Norfolk RAM Group of Plymouth and BETA Group of Newton. The Board discussed their findings and commented that all the respondents were qualified, but BETA was most compatible with the Town’s needs.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to award the engineering contract to BETA Group for on call engineering services. Voted 4 – 0.
IV. Approve Disclosure from Amy Gardner – Mrs. Scozzari explained that Amy Gardner is a member of the Conservation Commission. She has disclosed that she has hired Webby Engineering to perform work at her home in the past and will hire them in the future. She indicated that she will abstain from participating on any plans submitted by Webby while they were under contract with her. Ms. Kuchinski felt that Mrs. Gardner should file a disclosure each time such a conflict occurs. After lengthy discussion, the Board instructed Mrs. Scozzari to contract Attorney Goldberg of Kopelman and Paige for a ruling. – Matter Tabled.
V. One Day Liquor License Request Camp Kiwanee – Leigh Ann Silva Middleboro Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Birthday
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to approve a one-day license for Leigh Ann Silva on February 21st at Camp Kiwanee. Voted 4 – 0.
VI. Renewal Automatic Amusement License – Hanson Bowladrome Reed Street. Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board that this is a late renewal. All the paperwork is in place and taxes are paid to date.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to renewal the amusement license for the Hanson Bowladrome. Voted 4 – 0.
VII. Committee Reports – Open Space Committee – Ms. Kuchinski informed the Board that the committee it working on a series of projects and will be meeting in March. CATV continues to work toward negotiations with Comcast regarding studio facilities. Capital Improvement Committee – Mr. Jones informed the Board that he met with CIC along with Ms. Kuchinski and Mrs. Scozzari. They reviewed the Board’s 2005 CIC plan. CIC has requested that the Board prioritize the projects.
VIII. Executive Secretary’s Report – Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board that Barbara Nelson send a letter of thanks to the Fire Dept for their assistance. Lt. Governor Healy will be holding a roundtable discussion Friday, Feb. 13th 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Quincy. Two representative from each community are invited. Mr. McGovern of Fin. Com. has volunteer to go. Mass. Highway has scheduled a site visit at the Franklin Street/West Washington Street reconstruction site on Friday, February 13th . Mr. Harris will be attending. The Board instructed Mrs. Scozzari to attend one of the events on February 13th and report back to the Board. Plymouth County Assessors will be holding a County
Round meeting and have invited area municipal employees to attend. The discussion will address Retirement and the guest speaker will be County Treasurer John McLellan. Mrs. McCormack has offered to attend. Girl Scouts Jingle Bell run – has rescheduled their event to Saturday, April 3rd. The Board previously approved the event, but it was postponed due to weather. The Police Department has been notified of the new date. Mass. Electric is hosting a Municipal Storm Safety Meeting on Thursday, March 11th. Chief Savage & Richard Harris will be attending.
IX. Executive Session – Chairman Jones announced the Board would be going into Executive Session under Item #3 negotiations with union and non-union personnel.
MOTON by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under Item #3 to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining. Roll call – Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Jones aye and McSweeney aye – Voted 4 – 0.
9:15 p.m. Brief Recess
10:12 Returned to open session – Two votes were taken.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
10:12 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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