MINUTES OF MEETING OF SELECTMEN/SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Date of Meeting: April 19, 2005
Date of Transcription: April 20, 2005
Transcribed by: Kelly Barrasso
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman Pro Tem, Bruce Sauvageau called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Selectmen Present: Bruce Sauvageau, Chairman Pro Tem
Mary Jane Pillsbury, Clerk Pro Tem
Cindy Parola
Brenda Eckstrom
Selectman Absent: Renee Fernandes-Abbott
Present: Michael Hartman, Town Administrator
II. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Present before the Board: William Miller
Mr. Miller stated he was under the impression that the Onset Blues Café application was to be on the agenda this evening. Selectman Sauvageau stated that this application would be on the agenda for the Board’s first meeting in May.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
(NONE)
IV. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
1. Chapter 59, Section 2D, Supplemental Tax Assessment. The Board voted 11/4/03 to reject MA General Laws, Chapter 59, §2D or the so-called Hopkinton Bill, which pertained to fiscal years beginning 7/1/03.
At this time, the Board is asked to rescind this rejection. Rescinding will result in the Town being able to issue supplemental tax bills during the fiscal year on certain parcels that have an increased value due to construction & will result in increased revenues of approximately $100,000 per year. The Board has an attached memo from Steve Curry, Chairman of the Board of Assessors recommending that this action be taken.
Selectman Pillsbury stated she couldn’t recall why this was rejected in the past. The Administrator stated that the Administrator of Assessment at the time had recommended the Board reject it. He stated now there is a new Director of Assessment who has asked the Board to reconsider its prior decision. Brief discussion ensued.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved & Selectman Parola seconded that the Board approve the following:
“That the Town of Wareham rescind its vote of November 4, 2003 to reject the provisions of MA General Laws, Chapter 59, §2D & make those provisions applicable in the Town for fiscal years that begin on or after July 1, 2005.”
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
2. Snow & Ice. The snow & ice books have been closed. Approx. $761,901.99 was spent over budget. A $200,000 FEMA reimbursement is expected. The Administrator stated there is a bill pending in the Legislature that will offer assistance to communities.
The Administrator added that after the $200,000 FEMA reimbursement, the rest of the balance would come right off the balance sheet & most likely have to be paid for w/ free cash.
Discussion ensued re: if the Board should contact anyone at the State level. The Administrator stated the Senate understands that towns & cities are strapped & it is being discussed in committee presently.
V. LICENSES & PERMITS
A. Application of the Wareham YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham for the use of Town roads for the 3rd Annual 5K Road Race through the village of Onset beginning at 8:30 A.M. Sunday, May 1, 2005 & ending at approximately 12:00 noon.
B. Application of the Wareham YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham for the use of Town roads for the “Make It Happen” youth triathlon beginning at 8:00 A.M. Sunday, June 5, 2005 & ending at 10:30 A.M.
Present before the Board: Nancy Bonell, YMCA Director
Ms. Bonell discussed the first event. She discussed the re-routing of the course due to the closure of Dummy Bridge. She distributed a map of the new route to the Board members. She stated the purpose of this event is for the support campaign for scholarships to the YMCA. She discussed how to register for the race.
Ms. Bonell discussed the second event for youth ages seven through seventeen. She discussed the route & that the purpose of this event is the same as the first event.
Selectman Sauvageau asked re: police services needed. Ms. Bonell stated that the YMCA is paying for police services. Discussion ensued re: the number of officers & costs for each event.
Ms. Bonell stated money raised for the events will go towards scholarships, but money has to be set aside for police services. She discussed possibly offsetting costs by utilizing volunteers.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board approve the Application of the Wareham YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham for the use of Town roads for the 3rd Annual 5K Road Race through the village of Onset beginning at 8:30 A.M. Sunday, May 1, 2005 & ending at approximately 12:00 noon & the application of the Wareham YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham for the use of Town roads for the “Make It Happen” youth triathlon beginning at 8:00 A.M. Sunday, June 5, 2005 & ending at 10:30 A.M. Selectman Eckstrom seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
C. Application of the Wareham Little League, Inc., Charge Pond Road, Wareham for the use of Town roads for the Annual Parade beginning at 11:30 A.M. at the Town Green & ending at Rte. 28/Charge Pond Road at approx. 12:30 P.M. on 4/24/05 w/ a rain date of 5/1/05.
No one was present to represent the application.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board approve the application of the Wareham Little League, Inc., Charge Pond Road, Wareham for the use of Town roads for the Annual Parade beginning at 11:30 A.M. at the Town Green & ending at Rte. 28/Charge Pond Road at approx. 12:30 P.M. on 4/24/05 w/ a rain date of 5/1/05. Selectman Parola seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. The Board of Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners meeting schedule during Town Meeting will be as follows:
· April 25th at 6:00 P.M., Wareham High School Cafeteria
· April 26th at 6:00 P.M., Wareham High School Cafeteria
· May 2nd at 6:00 P.M., Wareham High School Cafeteria
If Town Meeting business is completed at any previous meeting, the remaining scheduled meetings are thereby cancelled.
B. The Carver, Marion, Wareham Refuse District will hold a hazardous waste day on 5/7/05.
VII. BUSINESS
A. Discuss Warrant articles.
1. Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
Article 5 – Elected Officials’ Salaries
The Administrator discussed the elected officials’ salary figures.
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved Favorable Action on Article 5 of the 4/25/05 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Pillsbury seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
Article 6 – Budget
The Administrator discussed figures.
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved Favorable Action on Article 6 of the 4/25/05 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Pillsbury seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
Article 9 – Sewer Enterprise Fund
The Administrator discussed the total budget figure of $5,294,201.
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved Favorable Action on Article 9 of the 4/25/05 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Eckstrom seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (4-0-0)
B. Any other business.
1. Highway Interchange Project.
Selectman Parola stated that the she attended the SRPEDD MPO meeting. She stated the Administrator should contact Ken Miller & ask him to expend the $500,000 study monies for the interchange project. The Administrator stated he would do so.
2. Sewer System.
Selectman Parola expressed concern re: a number of letters received from residents in the vicinity of sewer betterment/improvement areas which are requesting to be hooked up so that their properties can be improved.
Selectman Parola stated the purpose of the sewer system is to improve & preserve natural resources, not to improve properties/buildings. She stated there are an increasing number of requests from large building developments to extend the sewer to their area. She stated these requests have not been incorporated into the plan. She stated if these requests were approved, it would be doing the opposite of what the environmental agencies & the Federal agencies want the Town to do. She stated for example, one request came from a property owner whose property is on the market & asked to tie-in to improve the property value.
The Administrator stated that the sewer expansion program is as such that the Town is unable to extend to any other area other than the 12 needs areas designated at this time. He stated after these designated areas are sewered the Town may then be able to offer additional connections.
Selectman Sauvageau suggested a letter be drafted so as to be available to give to these people making these requests.
The Board members concurred that a letter be delivered to each inquiry. The Administrator stated he could provide a draft letter to the Board at their next meeting. He briefly discussed the 12 needs areas.
VIII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
(NONE)
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Selectman Parola moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 P.M. Selectman Pillsbury 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 May 10, 2005.
Attest: Mary Jane Pillsbury
Mary Jane Pillsbury, Clerk Pro Tem
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Date signed: May 10, 2005
Date copy sent to Wareham Free Library: May 11, 2005
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