Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
June 22, 2004
Present: Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Robert Forte, Jesse McSweeney. (Rebecca Coletta absent) Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini.
7:34 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and read the announcements. She read a thank you letter from the Veterans’ agent for the Board participation in the Memorial Day parade.
Item I – Department Report – Director Elder Affairs – Jean Marie Smith was present and updated the Board on the status of the building improvements. The Whitman VFW donated $500.00 as start up for TRIAD. She informed the Board that the Masons’ awarded the Senior Center with a $2,000 grant for Meal-on-Wheels. She indicated she is looking into grants to replace the 1994 van. Mrs. Smith announced the need for volunteer drivers. Chairman Kuchinski requested a thank you letter be sent to the Masons.
Item II- Attorney for Labor Negotiations and Counsel – Review Proposals – The Board discussed the proposals received as a result of the RFP. Mr. Gallivan shared Mrs. Coletta’s comments. Mr. McSweeney indicated he would like to interview Donovan Hatem only if Attorney David Thomas would be the primary counsel. After a lengthy discussion, the Board instructed Mr. Finglas to arrange interviews.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to set up interviews as soon as possible for Kopelman & Paige, Donovan Hatem, Collins, Loughran & Peloquin, Deutsch Williams and Murphy Hesse, Toomey & Lehane. Voted 4 – 0
Item III – Correspondence – Chairman Kuchinski read the list of correspondence received including letter from Paul J. Dias to the District Attorney’s Office regarding the April 20, 2004 Open Meeting law inquiry, Executive Secretary’s letter to Richard Edgehille regarding Lake Street, M.M.A. Alert – State Lottery Money. Mr. Finglas indicated he spoke with Representative Webster who informed him that the Lottery monies will most likely be level funded. The Board also received a letter from A. C. L.U. regarding the USA Patriot Act.
Item IV - Appointments- The Board received a letter from Zoning Board of Appeals relative to the appointment of Robert Overholtzer to fill the vacancy left by David Soper. Mr. Overholtzer was present and answered questions of the Board. He indicated he served 13 years on the Planning Board and 15 years at the Old Colony Planning Council.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to appoint Mr. Overholtzer to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Term to expire June 20, 2005. Voted 4 – 0
Recreation Commission – The Board received a letter of application from John Weydt for appointment to the Recreation Commission. The Board tabled the matter until July 13th for additional information.
Item V - Citation – Former Housing Authority member and Building Inspector David Bonney was present to received a citation from the Board for his service to the Town. Chairman Kuchinski presented him the citation.
Item VI – Licenses – One-day liquor license request from Professional Bartending Services at Camp Kiwanee on Saturday, July 31st from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. for a Luau sponsored by Recreation.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to grant a one-day liquor license to Professional Bartending Services on Saturday, July 31st from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. for a Luau. Voted 4 – 0.
Item VII – Financial Warrants – MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to sign financial warrants numbers 52, 52A, 52B, 52C. Voted 4 – 0.
Item VIII – Approval of Minutes – Regular session minutes of June 15, 2004. Chairman Kuchinski requested the minutes be amended by correcting in Item I the Garden Club should read Cobb Library Garden Walk. Item V should reflect Exemption No. 3 relative to executive session. Mr. Gallivan indicated that the last line in Item IV should be revised to include “Items discussed and voted”.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve the minutes of June 15, 2004 as amended. Voted 4 – 0
Item IX – Committee Reports – School Building – Mr. Forte reported that the school building committee has eliminated the wind turbine from the project. Plymouth County Advisory – Mr. Gallivan advised the Board that he would be attending the annual meeting on Wednesday,
June 23rd. He will be inquiring about several budget items. Chairman Kuchinski indicated that she would also be attending. Plymouth County Hospital – Mr. Gallivan informed the Board that letters were sent to Baran last week regarding the extension and he received a voice mail from Paul Ferreira that they have not yet filed with Board of Health. A tentative meeting has been scheduled at MassDevelopment on Thursday. The maturity date of the mortgage is June 30, 2004. Mr. Gallivan recommended the Board authorize the Chairman to forward a demand on July 1st in the event no payment is received on June 30th. Chairman Kuchinski indicated that she would be out of town and recommended Mr. Gallivan sign the letter.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte in the event Baran does not make payment on
June 30, 2004 to authorize Mr. Gallivan on July 1, 2004 to sign a letter demanding payment on the mortgage. Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (McSweeney)
The Board also discussed the fill which Baran has been dumping at the site. Mr. Gallivan indicated that he has inspected the fill and spoken with Mr. Ferreira who indicated the materials would be used to bring the site up to grade prior to construction.
CATV – Chairman Kuchinski indicated that the Whitman Board of Selectmen is scheduled tonight to address the 50/50 structure of the studio. Street Safety – Mr. McSweeney inquired as to Whitman’s decision on Catherine Road. Mr. Finglas to check. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that the Highway Surveyor will be purchasing the signs by June 30th and will be erecting them prior to the start of school in September.
Item X – Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Finglas indicated that he is working on a job description for the Town Administrator’s position and an evaluation tool. The interim Treasurer/Collector, Jeannie Sullivan, will be starting on Monday. Mr. Finglas is working on an advertisement for the position. Mr. Gallivan requested that the Board start working on the creation of a Government Study Committee. The matter to be placed on the July 13th agenda. Mr. McSweeney indicated he would be willing to be the Board’s representative on the committee. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that one of the clerical staff will be out on medical leave for approximately six weeks. He will be handling coverage for the office with the union
steward.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
8:50 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
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