MINUTES OF MEETING OF SELECTMEN/SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Date of Meeting: October 25, 2004
Date of Transcription: October 26, 2004
Transcribed by: Kelly Barrasso
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman Tropeano called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Selectmen Present: Patrick G. Tropeano, Chairman
Bruce Sauvageau, Clerk
Mary Jane Pillsbury
Renee Fernandes-Abbott (Arrived at 6:10 P.M.)
Cindy Parola
Present: Michael Hartman, Town Administrator
II. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
(NONE)
III. CONSENT AGENDA
(NONE)
NOTE: The meeting proceeded w/ item VI. Business – A. Discuss Town Meeting Warrant articles.
Chairmen Tropeano stated there are some issues/questions re: some zoning articles that will be addressed by the Zoning Re-write Committee on Town Meeting floor. He stated it is hard for the Board to vote on these articles when some of the articles are not accurate.
Selectman Parola stated that Mr. Gricus submitted various changes to these articles today that were addressed at the Planning Board’s public hearing. Chairman Tropeano stated he is unprepared to make decisions on a 25-page document that was submitted today. Selectman Parola stated she doesn’t want it to be perceived that an absence of a vote by the Board is something negative relative to the Zoning Re-write Committee’s efforts, but in fact she wants to show them support. She feels a Board member should stand on Town Meeting floor & speak re: this issue.
NOTE: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott arrived at this time.
Selectman Fernandes-Abbott updated the Board on the articles that the Planning Board voted upon. She stated the Planning Board has voted Further Study on Article 21. She discussed an amendment to Article 16.
Selectman Sauvageau feels the Chairman of the Planning Board will make an effective presentation re: the zoning articles & he feels the Board should remain neutral. Chairman Tropeano feels that the Board should state they are not prepared to vote due to the late submission of information, but that the Board does support the Zoning Re-write Committee’s efforts.
IV. LICENSES & PERMITS
A. Hearing – Re-open hearing on an application by Cumberland Farms, Inc., 2863 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, MA for an inflammable fluids license.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved to re-open the hearing. Selectman Sauvageau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
Present before the Board: Mr. Pellegrini, Cumberland Farms Attorney
Chairman Tropeano discussed new information submitted by Cumberland Farms & a letter from Chief Joyce. Selectman Sauvageau read the letter from Chief Joyce into the record. (Attached as reference).
Selectman Pillsbury stated the Board discussed a number of issues that Chief Joyce indicated in his letter dated 10/25/04, for example, how the west bound intersection shows a current capacity utilization of 77% & Depot St. & the east bound intersection is already at 90.7%. She stated contrary to what Cumberland Farm has stated the length of Depot St. is (they stated it is 500 ft.) the Town’s Municipal Maintenance Dept. has measured it at 420 ft. She discussed how traffic in this area more than doubles at morning peak time.
Selectman Parola stated after reviewing information from Bryant Associates, Inc. (for Cumberland Farms) re: traffic issues, she had Selectman Pillsbury read a letter into the record on her (Selectman Parola) behalf relative to her concerns. She stated the Board supported the Planning Board two years ago re: concerns over filling stations on Cranberry Highway. She stated subsequently an article requesting a change in zoning relative to filling stations passed Town Meeting. She stated Town Meeting voted unanimously to ask the Board & the Planning Board to change zoning By-laws for filling stations on Cranberry Highway.
Selectman Parola stated she finds it amusing that Cumberland Farms has stated they will work w/ MA Highway relative to re-timing the lights at the intersections. She discussed concerns over this, for example, when the power goes out & how timing of the lights is done. She stated she doesn’t accept this offer to work w/ MA Highway as a mitigation point.
Selectman Parola expressed confusion as to how the intersection will be changed re: turns to be taken on both sides. She expressed concern re: the entrance & one exit & people using it as a pass through.
Selectman Pillsbury discussed traffic on Rtes. 6 & 28 & on Depot St.
Selectman Sauvageau expressed concern re: Cumberland Farms reconfiguration. He stated the exit going west onto Rte. 6 is taking a 32% increase in volume & bypassing this will pour an increase into the face of Rte. 6 traffic. He expressed concern re: the percentage of traffic accident statistics for this area. He feels if traffic is pulled into Rte. 6 a disaster will happen.
Selectman Sauvageau expressed concern re: traffic volume & capacity that is already present. He feels Cumberland Farms is relying on a one-day’s activity borrowed from the Town’s reports & he feels they are ignoring the conclusion that states not to use these study reports for any other purpose. He feels Cumberland Farms’ report doesn’t address questions. He feels there is not enough data available at this time.
Selectman Parola discussed Cumberland Farms proposed exit. She expressed concern re: this exit & people exiting the Lodge of Elks after a function.
Selectman Parola stated that the Zoning Board’s Vice Chairman never closes a hearing w/out placing a standard condition stating that …”contingent upon approve of other relative boards…”.
Chairman Tropeano stated traffic is a big issue & he doesn’t feel this is a good spot to have a filling station. He added that this site already has problems.
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved to close the hearing. Selectman Sauvageau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
B. MOTION: Selectman Sauvageau moved the Board deny the application of Cumberland Farms, Inc., 2863 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, MA for an inflammable fluids license, pursuant to a final written draft decision & to authorize the Chair to render & sign this decision on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Pillsbury seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Selectman Sauvageau read the notice of elections into the record. (Attached as reference).
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board sign the notice of elections. Selectman Parola seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
2. The following is the Board of Selectmen’s meeting schedule for 10/26/04:
· 7:00 P.M. in Room 320, Multi-Service Center if Town Meeting concludes on 10/25/04 or;
· 6:00 P.M. in the High School Cafeteria if Town Meeting does not conclude on 10/25/04.
VI. BUSINESS
A. Discuss Town Meeting Warrant articles.
Discussion ensued re: Article 3 – Capital Improvements. The Town Administrator discussed this article & the requested appropriation. Discussion ensued re: capital items requested. The Town Administrator recommended the Board leave Article 3 the way it is.
MOTION: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott moved Favorable Action on Article 3 of the 10/25/04 Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Pillsbury seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
Brief discussion ensued re: Article 10.
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved No Action on Article 10 of the 10/25/04 Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Pillsbury seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
Discussion ensued re: Article 9. The Town Administrator stated tentative agreements have been reached with three bargaining units (Wareham Public Employees Union, Wareham Clerical Union of Public Employees, & Wareham Foreperson’s Association) & all three units have voted to approve the proposed agreements. He asked for the Board to approve the economic conditions associated w/ each of the agreements. He added that all of the agreements are retroactive to 7/1/04.
MOTION: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott moved the Board approve the economic conditions set forth for the Wareham Public Employees Union – Unit B as described by the Town Administrator. Selectman Sauvageau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
MOTION: Selectman Sauvageau moved the Board approve the economic conditions set forth for the Wareham Clerical Union of Public Employees & the Wareham
Foreperson’s Association as described by the Town Administrator. Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
MOTION: Selectman Sauvageau moved Favorable Action on Article 9 of the 10/25/04 Town Meeting Warrant in the amount of $20,760.00. Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
B. Any other business
(NONE)
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
(NONE)
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved to adjourn the meeting to Town Meeting at 7:47 P.M. Selectman Sauvageau seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Barrasso
Kelly Barrasso, Transcriptionist
The foregoing minutes were submitted to the Board of Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners for their approval on 11/16/04.
Attest: Bruce Sauvageau
Bruce Sauvageau, Clerk
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Date signed: 11/16/04
Date copy sent to Wareham Free Library: 11/17/04
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