Selectmen’s Meeting ~
December 1, 2009
Present: ~Donald Howard, Stephen Amico, James Egan, and~Christopher Colclough. James Armstrong absent. Also present Interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini. ~~
7:35 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Town Administrator’s Report ~ Set Meeting Dates for January, February and March. Mrs. Marini recommended meeting on January 5th & 19th, February 2nd & 16th and March 9th & 23rd. Mrs. Marini also pointed out that additional meetings may be recommended by the new Town Administrator and a meeting of the Wage & Personnel Board will be necessary before the close of the Special Town Meeting Warrant. The Board concurred with the meeting dates.
Christmas Schedule ~ Mrs. Marini indicated that with the Christmas and New Years holidays occurring on Friday, the Town Hall clerical staff will be off on Thursday leaving only the Department Heads working.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Amico to close all Town offices at noon on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Voted 4 – 0.
Set up office hour schedule – Mrs. Marini recommended that the Board setup a schedule and guidelines for the offices hours. The Board agreed the office hours would be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. prior to the Selectmen’s meetings. The appointments would be scheduled for 10 minutes each with a sign up sheet for residents the night of the office hours. Mr. Amico and Mr. Colclough will hold office hours on January 5th and Mr. Howard and Mr. Egan will be available on January 19th. Mrs. Marini suggested that the first question the Selectmen should ask is whether the matter or issue has been brought to the Town Administrator’s attention. If a complaint is being made, then a complaint form should be given to the resident. Mr. Egan indicated
that any discussion held during the office hours should not be discussed at the following selectmen’s meeting. The issues discussed in office hours should conveyed to the Town Administrator. The Board needs to be honest to the process and the Town Administrator’s Act. The Board should avoid circumventing the Town Administrator’s role.
Change polling hours for Annual May Town elections – Mrs. Marini reported that Town Clerk Sandra Harris had planned to attend the meeting but went home ill. Mrs. Harris has requested that the Board set the polling hours for the Annual May Town elections from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The request reduces the polling time by one hour. According to Mrs. Harris she is trying to save money as she had two unanticipated elections this year and fears she will run out of money. She also indicated that there are very few voters between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Marini pointed out that Mrs. Harris has requested this change now because she sends out a Town Meeting and election schedule in January with the census information.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Amico to change and set the polling hours for the Annual Town Elections to 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voted 4 – 0.
Item II Vote Private Way Plow List - - Mrs. Marini presented the Board with the Annual Private Way Plow list which has been reviewed and approved by the Highway Surveyor. The following streets are on the list:
Alden Way, Arthur Avenue, Arthur Street, Azalea Way, Boston Avenue, Briggs Street, Charles Street, Christopher Lane, Cushman Street, Emory Street, Fallon Point Road, French Street, Gray Lane, Hanson Court, Hawthorne Street, Hemlock Drive, Hill Road (Off Monponsett), Indian Head Pond Development, Lakeside Road, Leon Court, Ocean Avenue, Ext., Pearl Street, Pine Grove Colony, Rollercoaster Road, Santos Court, Snow Street, Spofford Avenue, Station Street, Stringer Lane, Union Park Street, Valley Forge Road, Village Road, Wilbur Avenue, Wilkie Terrace- entrances only, Woodbine Avenue Ext., Woodman Terrace.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to approve the Private Way Plow list as presented.
Voted 4 – 0.
Item III One Day Liquor License - Jeff Landerville, Pembroke, Saturday, Dec. 12th 7:00 p.m. to 12:00a.m. for a Dance .
MOTION by Colclough, second by Howard to approve the One Day Liquor License as presented. Voted 4 – 0.
Item IV December Re-appointment ~ Noreen O’Toole – Old Colony Planning Council – Transportation Committee – Term Expires 12/31/10
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to reappoint Noreen O’Toole to the Old Colony Planning Council – Transportation Committee. Voted 4 – 0.
Item V Committee Reports – Mr. Howard indicated that he has been compiling information regarding retention basins and will be meeting with the appropriate boards in the very near future. Mr. Egan reported that he attended an Open Space Meeting on Monday. The State has offered to allow communities to expand their Open Space Plans from five years to seven years. The Committee is considering the option.
Item V I Executive Session – Chairman Egan announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under exemption 3 – Contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Amico to go into Executive Session under exemption 3. Roll Call – Howard aye; Amico aye; Egan aye; and Colclough aye. Voted 4 – 0.
8:05 p.m. Brief Recess
8:40 p.m. Returned to open session.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Amico to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
8:41 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Interim Town Administrator
Approved and Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Armstrong)
January 19, 2010
| 
