Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2004
Present: Robert Forte, Mark Gallivan, Jesse McSweeney and Rebecca Coletta. (Catherine Kuchinski absent). Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and executive assistant Meredith Marini.
7:31 p.m. Vice Chairman Mark Gallivan called the meeting to order and read the announcements.
Item I – Joint Pole Re-location hearing – Greg Tostano was present from Mass. Electric. Vice Chairman Gallivan announced the hearing had been continued from July 13, 2004 and the hearing was still open. Mr. Tostano indicated the relocation was required as the pole was blocking the entrance to a new development, Stonebridge Commons. Abutter Mr. Smith inquired whether the relocation indicated a change in the location of the entrance. Mr. Tostano did not believe it did. Mr. Smith also inquired as to the length of time in the disruption of service. Mr. Tostano indicated unless there was a problem, there would be no disruption in serve to the abutters.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to grant the pole re-location of Pole #9 forty feet south on Winter Street. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to close the hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
Item II GIS update – Bob Sutter – Mr. Sutter informed the Board that the GIS link to the website is ready to be activated and would be turned on Wednesday with the Board’s approval. Mr. Sutter provided the Board with an information sheet for using the GIS link. Mr. Sutter indicated that training would be provided to staff if needed, but believed the link was self-explanatory and user friendly. Vice-Chairman Gallivan inquired about additional layering and the cost associated with the layers. Mr. Sutter indicated that would be minimal cost but did not have the figures. Mr. Sutter explained that the next step in the process is to provide forms and applications on the website to alleviate the need of residents
coming to Town Hall for the forms. He is working on the project. He also indicated a list of software inventory should be taken of all the computers. The Board thanked Mr. Sutter for his efforts and approved the link to the website.
Item III Old Business - Maquan School Playground update - Mrs. Fox requested the matter to postponed to August 10th. Mr. Armstrong of the School Committee was present and inquired as to the demolition of the playground. He requested it be removed prior to the start of school. He was informed that the Town’s engineer was putting the project out to bid and indicated the demolition would be complete prior to the start of school.
Appoint Labor Counsel – Vice-Chairman Gallivan briefly reviewed the RFP process for labor counsel indicating that seven proposals were received and interviews of five firms were conducted on July 20th. It was the understanding of the Board that current labor counsel Earl Wilson did not need to apply but could be considered along with the interviewees. Vice-Chairman Gallivan requested the Board members force rank the six firms and list their top three choices. Mrs. Coletta indicated that the firm Collins, Coughlin and Peloquin was top on her list and didn’t consider the other firms. Mr. McSweeney placed Donovan Hatem first, Murphy Hesse, Toomey and Lehane second and Kopelman and Paige third. Mr. Forte echoed Mrs. Coletta’s remarks regarding Collins, Coughlin
and Peloquin and placed Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane second and Kopelman & Paige third. Mr. Gallivan agreed with Mr. Forte’s assessment. A majority of the Board members believed Collins, Coughlin and Peloquin provided the Town with the most depth in the labor relations field and the best hourly rate.
MOTION by Coletta, second by Forte to appoint Collins, Coughlin and Peloquin as labor counsel. Voted 4 – 0.
Baran Discussion – Mr. McSweeney recused himself from the table and set in the audience. Mr. Gallivan reviewed Baran’s request to reduce the affordability component from the project. Mr. Gallivan indicated that Baran was requested to provide specific documentation and financial information as to the cost of a wastewater treatment plant and the impact on the project. Mr. Gallivan provided the Board with his analysis of the information Baran provided. Mr. Gallivan indicated that he could not substantiate the figures Baran provide which necessitated the Board’s approval of reducing the affordability component. The Board discussed the matter.
MOTION by Coletta, second Forte to respond to Baran, after receiving advice of Town Counsel, that based on the evidence and information received that Board cannot support the change in the affordability of the project. Voted 3 – 0.
8:28 p.m. Mr. McSweeney return to the table.
Item IV New Business - Open October Special Town Meeting Warrant – Mrs. Marini recommended a closing date of August 24th. She pointed out that the warrant must be posted no later than September 17th as the town meeting is October 4th.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to open the October Special Town Meeting warrant. Voted 4 - 0.
Item V Appointments & Resignation –Leslie Prario of 181 Holmes St. has submitted an application for appointment to the Capital Improvement Committee and the Historical Commission. Both terms will expire 6/30/07.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Coletta to appointment Leslie Prario to the Capital Improvement Committee to fill a vacancy. Term to expire June 30, 2007. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to appoint Leslie Prario to the Historical Commission to fill a vacancy. Term to expire June 30, 2007. Voted 4 – 0.
Item VI Correspondence – Mrs. Coletta informed the Board that the Plymouth County Advisory Board sent notice of appointment of the Executive Board and that Vice-Chairman Mark Gallivan was elected as a member of the Board. The Board congratulated Mr. Gallivan.
Item VII Licenses – The Board received five applications for the One Day Liquor licenses at Camp Kiwanee: Theresa Lozeau of Hanson, for Sat. August 7th from 2 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. for a Wedding Reception; Lindsey Audette of Hanson for Sun. August 8th from 2 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for a Wedding Reception; Glenn McDonald of Cambridge, for Sat. August 14th from 6 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. for a Wedding; Tom Hennessey of Acton, for Sat. August 21st from 11 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a Family reunion and Roberts Animal Hospital, Hanover, for Sun. August 22nd from 11 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a Company Outing.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to approve the one-day liquor licenses at Camp Kiwanee as printed on the agenda. Voted 4 – 0.
Item VIII Financial Warrants – MOTION by McSweeney, second by Coletta to sign FY05 payroll warrant #5 and expense warrants 5 and 5A. Voted 4 – 0.
Item IX Committee Reports - Street Safety – Mr. McSweeney inquired as to the status of the no parking signs on Catherine Road and whether there is additional backup to the traffic study on Main Street. Mrs. Marini to check on the traffic study. She advised that Board that the Highway Surveyor indicated that he would have the no parking signs up prior to the start of school. CATV – Mrs. Coletta indicated that the CATV committee continues to move forward on negotiations with Comcast and Whitman.
Item X Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Finglas informed the Board he distributed copies of his job description and an evaluation tool for the Board’s review. He indicated that Gerard Flynn of High Street has been hired as the Library/Senior Center Custodian. He requested the department head draft job descriptions for their positions. He will be scheduling a meeting with the chairman of the Land use boards. He provided the Board with a copy of a Cell Tower by-law from Swansea. He passed around a sample of new letterhead. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that Mrs. Marini worked on transportation of the Norfolk Agricultural Student saving the Town $4,000.00.
Polling Hours – Town Clerk Sandra Harris requested the Board set the polling hours for the State Primary on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Maquan School.
MOTION by Forte, second by McSweeney to set the polling hours for the State Primary on September 14, 2004 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voted 4 – 0.
Adjournment
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
8:46 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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