Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
November 30, 2004
Present: Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski, Jesse McSweeney and Rebecca Coletta. Robert Forte absent. Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and executive assistant Meredith Marini.
7:35 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Alliegence and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Public Hearing - Comcast Cable Television License Renewal –
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to opening the hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
Rebecca Coletta, Chairman of Cable Committee introduced Comcast Representative Lu Russo, Cable TV Committee members, Sonny Gerraughty, Paul Taber, Arlene Dias, Cathy Kuchinski as well as Steve Roy the current director of the community access program. Mrs. Coletta also acknowledged CATV member Carol McCormack who was unable to attend. Mrs. Coletta gave a brief history of the work the CATV Committee had done to get to this point of an early license renewal. Mrs. Coletta pointed out that this current license is in effect until October of 2008. The proposed license will terminate the existing license and start a new ten year contact effective November 30, 2004 through November 29, 2014. Mrs. Coletta pointed out that Comcast will pay the Town $140,000 for start up costs to equip a new studio,
Comcast will continue to provide the Town with related cable services, the Town will maintain the senior discount and Comcast will complete the cable needs of the new high school. A percentage of the cable fees will be paid to the Town Mr. McSweeney requested that an adjustment be made on Page 33, Section 9.2 (e) subsection IV to delete the word broker and insert in its place the word “producer”. Mrs. Coletta explained the Non-Profit organization, which will run the Whitman Hanson studio. Mr. Roy will serve as the director. Mrs. Coletta solicited volunteers to assist with programming and filming of meetings.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to terminate the current contract through October 3, 2008 and execute a new license with the Terms and Conditions as discussed. The license to become effective November 30, 2004 through November 29, 2014. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to close the hearing. Voted 4 – 0
Non-profit Corporation – Chairman Kuchinski and Mrs. Coletta explained the relationship between Cable T.V. and the non-profit corporation. They pointed out that a Board of Selectmen needed to appoint the first Board of Directors for the Non-Profit Corporation. The Board of Selectmen received four applications from Paul Taber, Arlene Dias, Frank Gerraughty and David Beauvias. The Town of Whitman would appoint four members as well.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to appoint Paul Taber of Wagon Trail, Arlene Dias of Briggs Street, Frank Gerraughty of Wagon Trail and David Beauvais of Holmes Street to the Board of Directors of the Non-profit Corporation. Voted 4 – 0.
Item II Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that he signed Payroll Warrant 22 in the amount of $85,796.82, Expense Warrant 22 in the amount of $82,167.94, Expense Warrant 22A in the amount of $14,471.70 and Expense warrant 22W $17,524.00. BCI Building – Mr. Finglas reported that the heating system at the BCI Building has been completed and the final inspection have been conducted. Paving of Roller Coaster Road is scheduled for December 1st. The clerical union job description discussions are on going. Negotiations with the police union are on going. The Police Station Building Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday. He provided the Board with the monthly expense reports. Mr. Finglas submitted
a Capital Improvement Report and cautioned that due to the lack of available funds, not all the capital improvement projects will be funded. He provided the board with a new Use of Town Counsel request form. The Board discussed the use of town counsel by other departments. The Board reviewed the legal update from Kopelman & Paige. By consensus the Board agreed a personal appearance by Attorney Bowen is not warranted. Mr. Finglas presented the Board with a new format for reporting from the Town Accountant.
Disclosure – Mr. Gallivan informed the Board that he filed a disclosure regarding his position with Sovereign Bank in the event the Town has any financial dealing with Sovereign.
Item III New Business - Abandon Pole – Mr. McSweeney indicated that the Street Safety Committee had discussed the installation of a new utility pole on Monponsett St. However Verizon did not remove the old pole which is suspended from the wires. He requested a letter be forwarded to Verizon as public safety is at risk.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to send a letter to Verizon regarding Pole 13 on Monponsett Street requesting removal of the old pole. Voted 4 – 0
Item IV Committee Reports - Street Safety – Mr. McSweeney reported that the Street Safety Committee discussed the lighting at Roller Coaster and Crescent Street and did not recommend a light on Pole 12 as discussed the previous meeting. The Board agreed to accept the Street Safety Committee’s findings. Mr. McSweeney indicated that the Street Safety Committee has discussed charging the developers of private ways for snow removal and will be drafting a contract. Government Study – Mr. McSweeney reported that the committee has reviewed the duties of the Treasurer/Collector and has concluded that the position will not change. The Government Study Committee suggests that the Board commence the process for a new
Treasurer/Collector. Mr. Gallivan requested a copy of the job description and salary survey.
Item V Approve Minutes - Reg. Session – November 9, 2004 and Reg. & Ex. Session of November 16, 2004 – TABLED
Executive Session – Chairman Kuchinski announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Item #3 – Collective Bargaining.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under Item #3. Roll Call – Gallivan aye, Kuchinski aye, McSweeney aye and Coletta aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:10 p.m. Brief Recess
10:00 p.m. Return to Open Session –
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
10:02 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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