MINUTES OF MEETING OF SELECTMEN/SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Date of Meeting: November 4, 2003
Date of Transcription: November 5, 2003
Transcribed by: Kelly Barrasso
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman Chamberlain called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Selectmen Present: Cindy Chamberlain, Chairman
Patrick G. Tropeano, Clerk
Mary Jane Pillsbury
Renee Fernandes-Abbott
Bruce Savaugeau
Present: Michael Hartman, Town Administrator
II. BUZZARDS BAY ESTUARY PRESENTATION - ARIA BRISSETT
Ms. Brissett introduced herself & stated she is a Natural Resource Analyst at the Buzzards Bay Project National Estuary Program. She stated part of her job is to coordinate salt marsh restoration projects. She stated last fall her agency released an “Atlas of Tidally Restricted Salt Marshes in the Buzzards Bay Watershed”, which documents all of the tidal restrictions located in the Buzzards Bay Watershed.
Ms. Brissett briefly discussed free technical & financial help that is available through her office. She stated funding comes from the EPA housed as the Coastal Zone Management presently. She stated the goal is to protect water & resources of Buzzards Bay. She gave a brief informational presentation. (Attached as reference).
Discussion ensued re: available funding.
Ms. Brissett stated that her office helps w/ storm water remediation issues & they help w/ locating funding.
III. CDM - UPDATE ON PROJECTS
Present before the Board: Gerald Furrier, CDM
Mark Gifford, Municipal Maintenance Director
Mr. Furrier updated the Board on the following projects:
WPCF Upgrade:
-50% complete on schedule & budget.
-Build-out of ground & masonry on going.
-Equalization basins being worked on, liner installed, & piping moving along.
-Administration building utilities have been installed & being worked on.
-Major equipment on site for plant.
-Aeration tank will be installed in next few months.
-Electric work on-going as well as plumbing.
-Costs below 1% change order threshold.
Weweantic Shores Sewer Project:
-Project has been bid & letter issued to low bidder & awarded.
-Execution of plans & specs. to come shortly.
-Contractor has decided not to work through the winter months.
-Project to start in Spring 2004.
-Paving will be done in Spring 2005.
-Sewer betterment assessment & determination complete showing all property numbers.
-There are approx. 291 units, & Board will have to execute.
Rose Point, Briarwood Beach, & Beaver Dam Estates Sewer Project:
-Suggested that Briarwood Beach & Beaver Dam Estates be considered one project &
Rose Point the second project due to contractor bonding issues.
Selectman Tropeano discussed the issue re: number of homes divided into dollar
amounts & not having some pay a bigger betterment than others. Discussion ensued re:
combining projects. Mr. Furrier stated he could provide various scenarios.
-Survey complete on these projects.
-Working on spring construction, but will need DEP approval. May be delayed if DEP
doesn’t respond in a timely fashion.
-Coordinated w/ Water District re: water mains in Rose Point & sharing costs.
Discussion ensued re: gas company involvement. Mr. Furrier will look into this.
Infiltration/Inflow Study:
-Working on preparing plan.
-Discussed what will need to be shown on plan.
Onset Island Sewers:
-Reviewed plan & river crossing.
-Need to obtain number of homes on island.
-This area not on Management Plan.
-Cost will be large.
Mr. Gifford will provide more information to Mr. Furrier w/in the next few weeks.
Discussion ensued re: the fact that most of these homes are seasonal.
Discussion ensued re: the contractor for the Weweantic Shores Sewer Project choosing
not to work through the winter.
Discussion ensued re: future meetings to be held w/ the residents of Beaver Dam Estates,
Rose Point, & Briarwood Beach.
NOTE: The meeting proceeded w/ item VII. Licenses & Permits - Hearing - Application to transfer an existing Year Round Retail Package Goods Store All Alcoholic Beverages License from Palmer Properties, Inc. d/b/a Hilltop Package Store, Hugh Boynton, Manager, 45 Sandwich Rd., Wareham, MA to P&D Hilltop Enterprizes, Inc. d/b/a Hilltop Package Store, Paul L. Hurley, Manager, 45 Sandwich Rd., Wareham, MA, under the provisions of Chapter 138 of the MA General Laws for the year 2003.
Present before the BOS: Mr. Hurley
NOTE: Selectman Tropeano departed at this time to attend another meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved to open the hearing. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
Mr. Hurley stated he would be operating the business w/ his sister. He stated the agreement is a straightforward lease. He added that it is a corporation.
No-one spoke in favor or against the application.
Selectman Savaugeau asked if there is a need to have Mr. Hurley’s sister listed on documentation. Chairman Chamberlain stated usually it is just the name of the manager that is needed.
MOTION: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott moved to close the hearing. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the BOS approve the application to transfer an existing Year Round Retail Package Goods Store All Alcoholic Beverages License from Palmer Properties, Inc. d/b/a Hilltop Package Store, Hugh Boynton, Manager, 45 Sandwich Rd., Wareham, MA to P&D Hilltop Enterprizes, Inc. d/b/a Hilltop Package Store, Paul L. Hurley, Manager, 45 Sandwich Rd., Wareham, MA, under the provisions of Chapter 138 of the MA General Laws for the year 2003 contingent upon receipt of a favorable CORI report. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
IV. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Present before the BOS: George Barrett, Planning Board
Mr. Barrett discussed Town Meeting discussion relative to nitrogen loading issues. He feels this issue needs to be addressed. He stated nitrogen loading has been restricted & there are other ways to accomplish this goal between the BOS, Planning Board, & Board of Health.
Chairman Chamberlain stated that on 11/17/03 the Chair of the Planning Board would be holding a workshop meeting relative to this matter w/ the BOS & the Board of Health. Brief discussion ensued.
MOTION: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott moved to appoint Selectman Pillsbury as Temporary Clerk for this meeting. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
V. CONSENT AGENDA
C1. Authorization to sign bills, documents, etc.
(NONE)
C2. Approve minutes from previous meetings: 10/21/03 - Regular Session
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the BOS approve the Regular Session meeting minutes of 10/21/03. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
C3. Appointment to Historical Commission.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the BOS appoint James Mellon as a member to the Historical Commission to a term to expire 6/30/04. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the BOS appoint Susan Mellon as a member to the Historical Commission to a term to expire 6/30/05. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
NOTE: The BOS dealt w/ a CDM bill & the Early Retirement Incentive.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board approve invoice #80160064/1 from Camp, Dresser, & McKee in the amount of $27,005.12 re: bidding, permitting, & construction services for the Weweantic Shores Sewer Project. Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
MOTION: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott moved that Town Meeting ratified the vote of the Board of Selectmen to participate in an early retirement incentive (ERI) & that all applications must be received by November 7, 2003 & that November 8, 2003 shall be the earliest retirement date & all persons must retire no later than December 31, 2003. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: (3-0-1)
Selectman Pillsbury abstained
VI. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
1. Sewer Betterment Assessment Notice. The Board is asked to approve the Sewer Betterment Assessment Notice for the Weweantic Shores Sewer Project area.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved for the Board to order sewers & appurtenances to be laid out & constructed in the Weweantic Shores & Linwood Estates areas of Wareham, MA also referred to as Weweantic Shores Sewer Project Area, as voted under Article 27 of the 4/28/03 Spring Town Meeting. Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
2. CDM Contract. The Board has been given a copy of the Standard Agreement Between Owner & Engineer for Study & Report & Professional Design, Bidding, & Construction Services between the Town & Camp, Dresser & McKee, for design & construction services to prepare final design plans, specifications, & contract documents suitable for bidding two construction contracts for the Rose Point & Briarwood Beach/Beaver Dam Estates areas. Cost of the contract is not to exceed $324,944 for Basic Services & $170,538 for Special Services.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved for the Board to accept & authorize the Chair to sign an Agreement w/ Camp, Dresser & McKee to provide services related to the Rose Point & Briarwood Beach/Beaver Dam Estates areas. Said agreement not to exceed $324,944 for Basic Services & $170,538 for Special Services. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
NOTE: Admin. stated the sewers will be going down Rte. 6 in the right-of-way area, but will not include houses on Rte. 6. He stated the sewers would cross Hathaway Rd. Brief discussion ensued.
3. Bourne Sewer Bill - Actual Cost FY2003. Bourne was billed $146,231.18 during FY2003 for sewer usage. Their actual cost has been calculated at $177,719.86, resulting in a balance due of $31,488.68.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved for the Board to approve the balance due for actual sewer usage costs for FY2003 for the Town of Bourne in the amount $31,488.68 & to commit this amount to the Town Treasurer-Collector. Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
4. Bourne Sewer Bill. The Board is asked to approve the first quarter FY04 sewer use bill to the Town of Bourne in the amount of $47,539.50 for the period 7/1/03 through 9/30/03.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board approve the first quarter Fiscal 2004 sewer use bill to the Town of Bourne in the amount of $47,539.50 and to commit this amount to the Town Treasurer-Collector. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
5. Bid Award - Wastewater Pump Station Improvements - Phase I. Bids were received 10/15/03 for the Wastewater Pump Station Improvements - Phase I project. At the recommendations of Mark McIntire, Vice President at Weston & Sampson Services and David Simmons, WPCF Superintendent, Admin. has awarded the bid to the low bidder, Delray Contracting, Inc. of Ellington, CT in the amount of $783,675.00.
6. Department of Revenue/Notice of Rejection. The Board needs to submit a written notification that the Town is rejecting the provisions of G.L. Chapter 59 §2D. This does not affect the earlier acceptance of Chapter 59, §2A, which allows for accelerated assessments. The new section deals w/ supplemental tax assessment on new construction and would only apply if the property were assessed at 50% more than its January 1 valuation. Unless rejected, it is automatically considered to be in place and is not a local acceptance statute. The Assessors have requested that the statute be rejected because revenues gained are likely to be less than the additional work expense the section requires.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the BOS reject the provisions of G.L. Chapter 59 §2D, which imposes a supplemental property tax assessment on certain improvements to real estate constructed after January 1 once an occupancy permit is issued, for fiscal years that begin on or after July 1, 2003. Selectman Savaugeau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
7. Civilian Recognition. Spoke re: report from Chief Joyce relative to an accident that occurred 6/14/03. Officer Douglas McCulloch became incapacitated and was subsequently involved in a motor vehicle accident. Christina Gabriel, who provided immediate assistance to Officer McCulloch, witnessed this and her actions are credited as being responsible for saving Officer McCulloch’s life.
In addition to Ms. Gabriel’s actions on 6/14/03, Robert Byam of Bridgewater also stopped to assist Officer McCulloch. Mr. Byam calmly radioed for assistance and provided the location. Responding personnel credited Mr. Byam’s calm transmission as being acceptable.
Chief Joyce on behalf of the Dept has forwarded letters of commendation to both Ms. Gabriel and Mr. Byam.
The BOS members concurred to invite these two citizens to a recognition night on 12/16/03.
VII. LICENSES & PERMITS
A. Hearing - Application to transfer an existing Year Round Retail Package Goods Store All Alcoholic Beverages License from Palmer Properties, Inc. d/b/a Hilltop Package Store, Hugh Boynton, Manager, 45 Sandwich Rd., Wareham, MA to P&D Hilltop Enterprizes, Inc. d/b/a Hilltop Package Store, Paul L. Hurley, Manager, 45 Sandwich Rd., Wareham, MA, under the provisions of Chapter 138 of the MA General Laws for the year 2003.
(DONE)
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Town committee and board vacancies.
Chairman Chamberlain read vacancies on various boards, committees, etc. (Attached as reference).
B. Appointees not yet sworn in.
Chairman Chamberlain stated that appointees not yet sworn in need to do so immediately.
C. MA Collectors/Treasurers Association Letter.
Chairman Chamberlain read letter into the record re: John Foster, Collector/Treasurer.
D. RIF Program.
Chairman Chamberlain stated the RIF dates are 11/17/03 through 11/21/03. She asked that BOS members call individual schools for specific reading times if they wish to participate.
E. BOS Schedule of Meetings.
Chairman Chamberlain stated the following would be the next BOS meeting dates: 11/18, 12/2, & 12/16.
F. Joint BOS/School Committee Meeting.
Chairman Chamberlain stated this meeting would be held on 11/19/03 at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the vacancy on the School Committee to be held in the Middle School Library.
IX. BUSINESS
A. 40B Seminar
Chairman Chamberlain stated a 40B seminar will be held at the Middleboro Town Hall on 11/5/03 & she will be attending.
B. SEED Membership.
Chairman Chamberlain stated she has asked the Admin. if the Town is currently a member & he answered “No”. Admin. stated he will look into retaining membership if needed.
C. Any other business.
1. Newspaper Article.
Chairman Chamberlain stated there was an article in the Cape Cod Times re: the Town & its “no smoking” ban.
2. Eagle Scout Ceremony.
Selectman Fernandes-Abbott stated she attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for two Wareham Eagle Scouts, Mr. Barth & Mr. Fichtenmeyer on 11/1/03. She described the incredible event.
3. Town Emergency Plan.
Selectman Pillsbury asked if w/in the Town’s existing emergency plan if there is an evacuation plan, for example, if a problem arises at the Plymouth Nuclear Power Plant. She discussed the Cape’s emergency evacuation plan, which would bring all traffic through Town.
Selectman Pillsbury feels the power plant should provide some sort of planning help for the Town if there is an emergency at the plant.
Selectman Savaugeau discussed the plan implemented in Connecticut where two power plants are located.
Admin. stated the Federal Government requires the power plant to have a plan for a “core area”. He stated due to the new safety bill, there is a lot of paperwork, but staff is working w/ filling out a Federal document, which requires information on emergency plans, etc.
Selectman Pillsbury stated there is a Town resident, Mr. Fensel that has volunteered to help w/ this matter because it is w/in his field of specialized knowledge.
4. Special Dates.
Chairman Chamberlain stated the following:
A. Veteran’s Day Parade to be held on 11/11/03 at 1:00 P.M.
B. The BOS will host a Recognition Night on 12/16/03 to recognize former BOS members.
C. A joint board summit will be held on 11/8/03.
X. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
1. Selectman Chamberlain - Feels the BOS should sponsor a family this holiday season and provide what is needed for the family, for example, presents for children.
2. Selectman Pillsbury briefly spoke re: resignation of a Commission on Disability member.
Selectman Pillsbury spoke re: the Winter St. area (a paper street) w/in the Rose Point area. She stated there are concerns w/ access to this way; for example, someone is parking a boat there. She would like this matter looked into.
Discussion ensued re: this paper street & if they are public or private. Admin. stated he will look into this matter.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M. Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Barrasso
Kelly Barrasso, Transcriptionist
The foregoing minutes were submitted to the Board of Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners for their approval on 12/02/03.
Attest: Mary Jane Pillsbury
Mary Jane Pillsbury, Clerk Pro Tem
Date signed: 12/02/03
Date copy sent to Wareham Free Library: 12/03/03.
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