AGENDA
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2007
6:30 p.m. - Convene Meeting - Conference Room 1
MINUTES
APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS
6:30 Public Comment
6:40 Joint Appointment – Planning Board
6:50 Certification & Confirmation of Appointment Process – Police Department
- Patrol Officer
- Dispatcher
COMMUNICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE
1) Route 130 Safety Audit Draft – Request for Comment
OLD BUSINESS
1) Senior Property Tax Abatement Program
NEW BUSINESS
1) Recommendation for Bid Acceptance – Irrigation System at Heritage Park
2) Request for Approval – Leave of Absence – DPW
3) Recommendation for Appointment – Cultural Council
4) Review and Execution of Order of Taking – “Greenwood” Development
MMR ISSUES
ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Board of Selectmen
Minutes
October 1, 2007
Present: Selectman Cook, Selectman Cahalane,
Selectman Green, Selectman Taylor
Town Manager Joyce Mason
Assistant Town Manager René Read
Absent: Selectman Myers
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Cook at 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall, Conference Room #1
APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS:
Public Comment: None at this time.
Certification & Confirmation of Appointment Process – Police Department:
Patrol Officer:
Correspondence was received from Rodney Collins; Chief of Police dated September 26, 2007 recommending the appointment of William Blodgett as Police Officer for the Town of Mashpee in accordance with Town policy.
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to certify and confirm the appointment of William Blodgett as Police Officer.
Motion seconded by Selectman Taylor.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Dispatcher:
Additional communication was received from Chief Collins on the date of September 26, 2007 recommending the appointment of Theresa Lambert as Public Safety Dispatcher for the Town in concurrence with the Hiring Policy of the Town of Mashpee.
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to certify and confirm the appointment of Theresa Lambert as Public Safety Dispatcher.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
Route 130 Safety Audit Draft – Request for Comment:
The Board of Selectmen received a draft of the Mashpee Road Safety Audit Report for Route 130 from Bonnie Leclerc, Senior Transportation Planner for the Cape Cod Commission.
Speed was deemed a significant factor in roadway crashes along Route 130. Given the reported prevalence of speed, the Mashpee Police Department continues to enforce this area.
Greg Taylor, Director of the Department of Public Works gave an overview of the comprehensive safety audit document. It was agreed that the continued promotion of public awareness would most likely benefit future road safety. Presently, the DPW is installing 4”x8” reflectors to add a higher visibility to the utility poles along the Route 130 corridor.
The Board suggested that low-cost speed-related strategies, such as re-striping narrower lanes with optical speed bars be considered as a possible countermeasure. It was agreed that additional comments from the Selectmen would be directed to the Town Manager within the next few weeks before the finalization of the road safety report.
Certification of Free Cash:
The Town received confirmation regarding the certification of free cash. As of July 2007, the certified amount is $2,182,771. The figure is $1.8 million dollars less than last year which represents another challenging budget season.
Joint Appointment – Planning Board:
The Board of Selectmen met in joint convention with the Planning Board for the purpose of appointing a member to the Planning Board to fill the present vacancy. In response to advertisement, two individuals remitted a letter of interest. The Planning Board members present were Beverly Kane, Dennis Balzarini, Myrna Nuey and Thomas O’Hara. Associate Planning Board member Harvey Cohen was at hand. The candidates, Joseph Mullin and Oskar Heinrich Klenert were also in attendance. It was agreed the two applicants are well-qualified to serve on the Planning Board.
Each candidate briefly discussed their qualifications and objectives regarding service on the Planning Board. Mr. Mullin, an attorney in private practice on the Cape indicated that he desires to take upon an active role in the Mashpee community. Mr. Mullin stated that he would be able to offer his legal experience in the area of land use and zoning as a member of the Planning Board. Mr. Mullin also noted he has the time to commit to the position and would consider running in May to continue his service if he has seen a positive result of his tenure on the Planning Board.
Mr. Klenert, a former principal engineer has experienced the demeanor of many planning boards to ensure compliance with local and state codes and regulations. As a retiree, Mr. Klenert made note of his goal to be on the “other side” to serve as a planning board member. Mr. Klenert indicated he is able to commit to the position until May, but he was unable to give a definitive answer regarding the continuance of his membership to the Planning Board beyond the term of vacancy.
Motion made by Planning Board member Beverly Kane to nominate Joseph Mullin to the Planning Board.
Motion seconded by Planning Board member Dennis Balzarani.
VOTE: Unanimous. 8-0.
Roll Call Vote: Board of Selectmen/Planning Board
Selectman Cook, yes Selectman Cahalane, yes
Selectman Myers, absent Selectman Green, yes
Selectman Taylor, yes
Beverly Kane, yes Dennis Balzarini, yes
Myrna Nuey, yes Thomas O’Hara, yes
VOTE: Unanimous. 8-0. Opposed, none
OLD BUSINESS:
Senior Property Tax Abatement Program:
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to place the above topic on the Selectmen’s agenda.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
At their last meeting, the Board of Selectmen agreed to revisit the Senior Property Tax Abatement Program administered by the Council on Aging.
The program is designed to match municipal position opportunities with eligible senior Mashpee taxpayers seeking tax relief. It also assists them in the payment of property tax bills through a tax abatement payment for volunteer services rendered to the Town.
The Selectmen at their last meeting approved a funding request of $18,000 to continue the Senior Tax Abatement Program anticipating thirty positions at $600 per participant for 89 hours of service.
Since there has been a large response, the Selectmen referred the matter to the Finance Committee for input. The Finance Committee voted to increase participation to thirty-five positions for a total funding request of $21,000.
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to continue the Senior Property Tax Abatement Program allowing 35 participants, $21,000 in total funding for the period October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Recommendation for Bid Acceptance – Irrigation System at Heritage Park:
Catherine Laurent, Assistant Director to the Department of Public Works was in attendance to request the Selectmen award the contract for the irrigation system at Heritage Park to Briggs Landscape Construction, Inc. in the amount of $55,250. Briggs Landscape was the low bidder for the project that will provide irrigation to the four new athletic fields. The bid was noted to be lower than anticipated.
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to award the Irrigation Contract at Heritage Park to Briggs Landscape Construction, Inc. in the amount of $55,250.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Request for Approval – Leave of Absence – DPW:
The Selectmen were in receipt of correspondence from Marcus Hendricks requesting approval of a (9) month leave of absence. Mr. Hendricks will be participating in a volunteer position with the AmeriCorps Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corp located in Hoopa, CA.
Communication was received from the Town Manager dated September 26, 2007 with respect to this regard. As stipulated, this is a discretionary unpaid leave with no precedent. Mr. Hendricks must communicate with the Town in writing as to his status and his continued desire to return to the Town of Mashpee on January 1, 2008 and April 1, 2008.
Town Counsel and the Director of Public Works have also reviewed the request and agreed with the above referenced stipulations.
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to grant Marcus Hendricks a leave of absence that is a discretionary unpaid leave, and require Mr. Hendricks to communicate to the Town in writing as to his status and his continued desire to return to the Town of Mashpee on January 1, 2008 and April 1, 2008.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Recommendation for Appointment – Cultural Council:
A letter of interest was received from Carol Skogstrom dated September 18, 2007 to serve on the Mashpee Cultural Council. Correspondence was received from Kathleen Moore; Cultural Council Chair dated September 27, 2007 recommending the appointment. Upon her appointment, the Council will have a full membership of five.
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to appoint Carol Skogstrom to the Mashpee Cultural Council.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Review and Execution of Order of Taking – “Greenwood” Development:
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to approve and execute the Order of Taking for the “Greenwood Development” with the names, Bearberry Circle, Chicory Circle, Grassy Knoll Circle, Great Pines Drive, Green Meadow Circle, Heron Circle, Shadbush Circle, Tern Circle and Yachtsman Circle.
Motion seconded by Selectman Green.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
The Selectmen agreed to review the amount of roads taken as public ways prior to the May 2008 Town Meeting. The issue will appear as an agenda topic of discussion in February or March of 2008.
Adjournment:
Motion made by Selectman Green to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.
The Board will enter into Executive Session at this time for the purpose of discussing potential litigation. The Board will not reconvene in Open Session.
Motion seconded by Selectman Taylor.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Roll Call Vote:
Selectman Cook, yes Selectman Cahalane, yes
Selectman Myers, absent Selectman Green, yes
Selectman Taylor, yes Opposed, none
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
Secretary to the Board of Selectmen
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