Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2001
Mr. Merritt opened the meeting and introduced the Board members and Jim Boudreau, Town Administrator. Paul Gaynor was not present.
MOTION: Mr. Merritt moved the Board approve the agenda as written. Second by Mr. Mariano.
Voted.
At 7:30 , Boy Scout Troup 66 earning their Citizen in the Community Badge.
Matt Coyne asked what the average tax bill on the average house is?
Mr. Merritt responded $5,113.02.
Cole Hagar asked if any of the Selectmen have worked for another Department in Norwell?
Mr. Mariano said that he was a member of the Advisory Board for 6 years.
Kristen Jevne asked if there are plans to repair route 123 and when?
Mr. Mariano answered, it is scheduled for 2003 from the center to Scituate.
Chris O’Neil asked if the delay building Cole School is effecting taxes?
Mr. Mariano responded no it is not at present.
Greg Pacella asked is the Norwell Skate Park going to be reconstructed and where and when?
Mr. Mariano responded it is currently scheduled for the High School in the Parking Lot/basketball area when the project is finished around the Spring of 2003.
The next question was how long have you been in office and will you run another term?
Mr. Merritt responded that he’s been in office since 1979, spending 14 years on the Planning Board, and I’m in my 9th year on the Board of Selectmen. And he is reasonably sure that he will run again.
Mr. Mariano said that this is his 2nd year on the Board of Selectmen and he will seek re-election.
Steve Burke asked what is your biggest concern about the town?
Mr. Mariano responded affordability and balancing the needs of the community from education to public safety.
Greg Lamkin asked why did you join the Board of Selectmen?
Mr. Merritt responded that he grew up in Norwell, spent time on the Planning Board, professionally he is a Chief Financial Officer and Administrator, and felt he had something to offer to the town.
Mr. Mariano said he thinks everyone needs to be involved In the community.
Bike Paths in Norwell?
Involved land taking, and not in the planning stages as of now.
MOTION: Mr. Marino moved the Board adjourn to Public Hearing to Set Tax Rate with Assessors.
Voted.
Upon returning to open session, Mr. Merritt introduced Gertrude Daneau, chairwoman of
the Norwell Cemetery Committee for an update.
Ms. Daneau started by introducing members of the committee, Mary Lizotte, Ted Balwin
Frank Nagle. She said there is an opening for a 5th member who can devote on evening
a month for a meeting, may be available one morning a week and has an interest in
helping develop a new cemetery.
At the Washington Street Cemetery this past year;
· 42 graves have been sold
· 31 burials
· have taken in $21,450.00 which goes directly to the town coffin.
· In return, we ask for a budget of $3,000.00 for the fiscal year, which does not include the salary of our part time worker from the Tree & Grounds department.
· Lots in the Washington Street Cemetery are only sold to Norwell residents, and maybe used by the purchaser, spouse and children and grand-children.
· At present they are $450.00 each.
· The full rules and regulations are available at the town clerks office or by calling Gertrude Daneau.
· They are in the process of re-evaluating the fee schedule. Planning on submitting to the Selectmen a new fee schedule that reflects a more realistic view of what the charges should be.
· If moving, and wish to have Norwell as the final resting place, purchase before moving.
· Cremations are increasing, we are looking into building a cremation wall. It will be less expensive for the residents, but it will give more room for the traditional burial, thus prolonging the life of the cemetery.
· We discovered we have more grave sites than we thought we had, and the cemetery has never been surveyed. There is 4 acres at the rear right, which we should find out if it is usable.
· The Wildcat Cemetery will eventually be needed. Its been surveyed, the boundaries marked, soil tests done, and we will have a plan as to what it will look like and develop it a section at a time.
· Lastly, our monthly meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7PM in Room 3.
At 8:00 , Mr. Merritt introduced Bruce Burgess the acting Chair of the Insurance Advisory
Committee to give an update.
Mr. Burgess introduced the Board members Dennis Hurley, Nancy Pitrowski, Tom Cain.
He started by saying that not much is new with the exception of the occurrance of September 11th , it appeared as if we would be impacted in some manner with the overall insurance program cost over the next fiscal year. Basically because the re-insurance companies took a heavy hit. Talking to Jeff Helm, there are no hard figures at this point. At this stage we feel that there is efficient monies in the tentative appropriations that will go before the Town Meeting to deal with that issue.
· Health Insurance program with Plymouth county insurance plan we feel the town has the right to information from them.
Mr. Merritt said as a Board they have discussed Employee Assistance Program where the town would contract with a third party to provide employee assistance for various issues such as alcoholism, family problems etc.
New Business
Selectmen’s meeting schedule for December. Tentatively will be December 17 at 6:00PM, and December 26 at 7:30 PM. And cancel December 19, 2001.
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the Board ratify the contract between the Town of Norwell and the Call Fire-fighters union. Second by Mr. Merritt.
Voted.
Items of Interest
Special Town Meeting – December 17, 2001, Norwell High School 7:30PM. The Selectmen urge all registered voters to come out and express their opinions and vote on the articles. There are 8 articles to vote on. There is a special section for anyone who is not registered to vote to come and observe how town meeting works. The selectmen urge anyone who has questions as to what they read in the warrant to call town hall or the selectmen directly. There will be a presentation at town meeting as to why we are doing it and what it means. We will have better maps at town meeting for overhead display.
MOTION: Mr. Mariano moved the Board adjourn. Second by Mr. Gaynor.
Unanimously Voted.
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James M. Boudreau, Town Administrator
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