AGENDA
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010
6:30 p.m. - Convene Meeting – Conference Room 1 – Mashpee Town Hall
MINUTES
Approval of the following:
Monday, December 21, 2009 Regular Session
APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS
6:30 Public Comment
Mashpee Reads Presentation
6:40 Public Hearing – ABD Limousine
6:50 Superintendent – State of Schools
7:05 Tribal Court Update
COMMUNICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1) Recommendation for Appointment – Waterways Commission
2) Street Betterment Abatement Request
3) Authorization to Deficit Spend – Snow & Ice Account
MMR ISSUES
ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Board of Selectmen
Minutes
January 4, 2010
Present: Selectman Cook, Selectman Cahalane,
Selectman Taylor, Selectman Richardson
Town Manager Joyce Mason
Absent: Selectman Myers
Meeting Called to Order by Vice-Chairman Cook at 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall, Conference Room #1
MINUTES:
Monday, December 21, 2009 Regular Session:
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to approve the Regular Session
minutes of Monday, December 21, 2009 as presented.
Motion seconded by Selectman Richardson.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS:
Public Comment: None at this time.
Mashpee Reads Presentation:
Sheila Arnold introduced the Costa triplets, students attending the 4th grade at the Quashnet School to discuss the Mashpee Reads program, a Town-wide initiative to encourage Mashpee residents and students to read more books. The activity is a joint venture supported by the Town Manager, the Mashpee Public Schools and Mashpee Teachers Association. The “fun” raiser is to read 150,000 books by April 2010 to coordinate with the opening of the new Mashpee Library. Interested participants may register online at the following website: www.readsinma.org/mashpee. To assist the Mashpee Reads program and its goal and to encourage reading, the initiative is also open to those who work and engage in recreation in the Town of Mashpee.
To date 2790 people have registered in the program. As of this date, 25,862 books have been read. Bookmarks and buttons designed for the Mashpee Reads program are currently being sold. Upcoming events include the monthly D.E.A.R., a Drop Everything and Read program to encourage fifteen minutes of additional reading. The Selectmen applauded the efforts of the Costa children attending the meeting to gain further support to ensure the success of the Town-wide activity.
APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS:
Public Hearing – ABD Limousine:
The Board of Selectmen acting as the Licensing Board for the Town of Mashpee opened the Public Hearing on the application of A.B.D. Coach and Limousine Service, Lorna A. Johnson, Owner, to modify its Livery License as follows;
Increase Service from One Vehicle to Four Vehicles
One Vehicle to be parked at 36 Papnomett Road, Mashpee, MA
Three Vehicles to be garaged at 11 Cape Drive, Suite #3, Mashpee, MA
The Hearing notice was read aloud for informational purposes. Lorna A. Johnson, Owner was in attendance to discuss the license application with members of the Board of Selectmen.
The license currently granted by the Town of Mashpee permits (1) vehicle, a 2005 Chrysler 300 Touring Sedan at the subject licensed location 36 Papnomett Road, Mashpee.
It was disclosed the commercial lease agreement between A.B.D. Limousine Service and Lighthouse Place, LLC, Geoffrey Willis, Manager for the lease of premises known as 11 Cape Drive, Suite #3 states under section X; No overnight parking of vehicles without consent from the landlord. With respect to this concern, the Selectmen requested the applicant obtain a letter from Mr. Willis stating the three parking spaces as referenced are available to the applicant for use 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Being no further comment, the Board motioned to close the Public Hearing.
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to close the Public Hearing.
Motion seconded by Selectman Taylor.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to grant the modification of the Livery License of A.B.D. Coach and Limousine Service, Lorna A. Johnson, Owner to increase the service from One Vehicle to Four Vehicles; One Vehicle to be parked at 36 Papnomett Road, Mashpee, MA and Three Vehicles to be garaged at 11 Cape Drive, Suite #3, Mashpee, MA subject to a letter from the landlord stating the 3 parking spots shall be available for use on a 24/7 basis.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS:
Superintendent – State of Schools:
Ann Bradshaw, Superintendent of Schools updated the Selectmen on the state of the Mashpee Public Schools. Information relative to academic achievement included areas of strength, areas of challenge and areas of growth as it pertains to the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System), the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test), and AP (Advanced Placement) program were discussed.
Mrs. Bradshaw made note of the new MCAS standard, a goal for students to reach advanced and/or proficient placement in English and Math in lieu of the former pass/fail testing designation. The MCAS test is administered to students in grades three through eight and to students in grade ten. It was announced that presently Mashpee students are placing above average in every grade level in the English/Language Arts category. With regards to the Mathematics portion of the MCAS test there are signs of improved growth. However, grades five, seven and eight show the need for improvement.
At this time, the SAT testing presents a challenge for the schools. Approximately 90% of the students are participating in the testing, but grades are currently below national and state averages. Students who participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) program are taking college level courses, 53% of the 116 tests issued have received qualifying scores.
Mrs. Bradshaw explained the School Department has researched the most favorable approaches towards academic achievement improvement. The main focus is on mathematics, the SAT and AP program. The research based approach has incorporated additional instructional strategies, and new math curriculum materials to help increase overall test scores. This includes added math instructional time, a new math lab and math block and allocating more time and practice for students taking the SAT.
The School Department is also focusing on professional development. This includes participation in select conferences and offering in-district graduate courses of study. There are also professional learning committees by grades level to improve student achievement. More instructional time with updated curriculum materials in the collaboration approach will allow for an increased focus on students’ progress with respect to achieving curriculum standards.
To improve on the SAT and the outcome of college acceptances, the high school is now offering the PSAT exam during the day. With the acceptance of the Teachers Association, the School Department is hopeful to participate in the advanced placement and training award program (AP/TAP).
Ms. Bradshaw made note of the list of college bound students and the goal of the School Department to increase awareness and raise expectations for college acceptance.
Advanced learning tools such as the smart board, and mobile computer
laptop cart were pictured as was photographs of community engagement, school spirit, school support, volunteerism and community service. Mrs. Bradshaw indicated she would email the documentation relative to the presentation to the Board of Selectmen for additional review. (enclosed)
Tribal Court Update:
Vivian Bussiere, Chair of the Mashpee Wampanoag Elders Judiciary Committee was before the Selectmen with additional members of the Tribal Judiciary to request the Town’s support to assist the Tribe in its endeavor to secure funding for the Tribal Judicial System.
In an effort to maintain an open and constructive dialogue with Tribe members, the Board of Selectmen was requested to appoint representation to the advisory board. It was agreed that Selectman John Cahalane, liaison to the Wampanoag Tribe and Selectmen Theresa Cook in the absence of Selectmen Myers, the additional Tribe liaison would serve as representatives to the advisory committee on behalf of the Town of Mashpee.
Henry Sockbeson and Robert Mills, two of the three Judges of the Tribal Supreme Court sworn in last August were also in attendance for discussion purposes. Mr. Sockbeson indicated the backing of the Selectmen with a letter of support would enhance the Tribe’s application to secure federal grant funding to support the administrative structure of the Tribal Judiciary and other regulations and procedures required to govern the judicial system.
In response to the request, the Board of Selectmen announced their full support and continued cooperation to the Wampanoag Tribe and its application for funding from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to implement a Tribal Constitutional mandate to establish a Tribal Judiciary. The letter as described would be sent to the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans in Washington, D.C.
At this time, the Tribal Supreme Court is developing infrastructure components which would support an internal Tribal operation. This includes rules, procedures, sovereign unity, judicial ethics, the taking of trust lands; outreach, the enrollment standard for admission and employment appeals, etc.
NEW BUSINESS:
Recommendation for Appointment – Waterways Commission:
In response to advertisement, Paul Zammito submitted a letter of interest for consideration to be appointed to the vacancy posted for the Waterways Commission. Correspondence was received from the Waterways Commission Chair Ken Bates dated December 22, 2009 recommending his appointment.
Motion made by Selectman Richardson to appoint Paul Zammito to the Waterways Commission as recommended.
Motion seconded by Selectman Cahalane.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Street Betterment Abatement Request:
The Board of Selectmen was in receipt of an application for abatement of a street betterment for property identified as Map 21, Lot 14 known as 26 Melissa Avenue, Mashpee.
Upon review of the abatement it was determined the property as identified did in fact receive benefit by easier access from arterial roads through the private to public road conversion. Correspondence received from the Town Manager dated December 29, 2009 recommended denial of the abatement request.
Motion made by Selectman Richardson to support the recommendation of the Town Manager to deny the street betterment abatement request for property identified as Map 21, Lot 14 based upon the fact, the property received benefit from the betterment of the road conversion.
Motion seconded by Selectman Cahalane.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Authorization to Deficit Spend – Snow & Ice Account:
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to place the above referenced topic on the Selectmen’s agenda.
Motion seconded by Selectman Cahalane.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Due to unforeseen winter conditions and budgetary constraints, the Selectmen were requested to authorize the deficit spending of the Snow & Ice Account.
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to authorize deficit spending in the Snow & Ice Account.
Motion seconded by Selectman Cahalane.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Adjournment:
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to adjourn at 7:32 p.m.
The Board will enter into Executive Session at this time for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. The Board will not resume in Open Session following Executive Session.
Motion seconded by Selectman Richardson.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Roll Call Vote:
Selectman Myers, absent Selectman Cook, yes
Selectman Cahalane, yes Selectman Taylor, yes
Selectman Richardson, yes Opposed, none
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
Secretary to the Board of Selectmen
| 
