BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014
In attendance: Denis F. Keohane, J. Thomas Hurley, Kathleen M. Conlon, Annemarie Fagan, Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary
1. Chairman Keohane convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Cronin Conference Room of the Town Hall.
2. The Board deferred approval of the December 30, 2013 meeting minutes to the January 21, 2014 meeting.
3. The Board confirmed January 11 and 21, 2014 as future meeting dates.
4. The Board met with Police Chief Richard Wells who delivered his quarterly departmental report. Discussion included updates on Personnel matters such as the recruit officers currently enrolled in the Boston Police Academy, second school resource officer, the hiring of a police dispatcher and school critical response planning and training. Also discussed was the increase in the applications for a license to carry firearms, the increase in hunting in the town, training for critical incidents, the increase of residential housebreaks and car breaks. Chief Wells also reviewed the ongoing criminal investigations.
The Board and Chief Wells discussed traffic issues on Lodge Street and Governors Road and parking in East Milton Square. Selectman Conlon inquired about a revolving fund for the Traffic Commission and whether Chief Wells thought the article that was defeated at the October 28, 2013 Town Meeting should be submitted for consideration at the May Annual Town Meeting. The Chief feels that more consideration should be given to parking enforcement and the establishment of pay stations in the business areas before submitting a revolving fund article.
In response to the need for more Traffic Commission meetings, the Chief agreed to conduct monthly Traffic Commission meetings going forward.
5. The Board deferred discussion on a sewer abatement request from a resident at 703 Brush Hill Road because the resident was unable to attend the meeting.
6. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Alec Sartanowicz, 60 Dudley Street, Medford and Anthony Nocella, 2369 Salem Street, Woburn, as seasonal employees/interns in the Engineering Department. Both applicants are currently enrolled in engineering programs at Wentworth Institute of Technology and approval was given contingent upon approval by the Personnel Board.
7. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the change of the 2014 Annual Town Meeting warrant closing date from Monday, January 6, 2014 to Friday, January 10, 2014 at 1:30 p.m.
8. The Board deferred approval of a signage request for 502 Granite Avenue to the January 21, 2014 meeting.
9. Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Massworks contract for streetscape and lighting improvements along Eliot Street and to authorize the Director of Public Works to sign all contractual material on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.
10. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the use of the Town’s streets and ways for the 2014 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on both Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2014 and to give permission to mark the route on Friday, May 2014, using temporary plastic signs on trees and permanent sign posts. All temporary signage will be removed on Sunday, May 18 and approval is given contingent upon approval by the Police Chief.
11. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to appoint Selectman Conlon as its voting delegate at the MIIA Annual meeting on January 25, 2014.
12. Denis F. Keohane moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 7:35 p.m., with Denis F. Keohane voting yes, J. Thomas Hurley voting yes and Kathleen M. Conlon voting yes, to enter executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining believing that having this discussion in open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and to return to open session to adjourn.
13. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
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