MINUTES OF MEETING OF SELECTMEN/SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Date: December 20, 2005
Date of Transcription: December 21, 2005
Transcribed by: Kelly Barrasso
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman Sauvageau called the meeting to order at 7:06 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Selectmen Present: Bruce Sauvageau, Chairman
Mary Jane Pillsbury, Clerk
Renee Fernandes-Abbott
Cindy Parola
Brenda Eckstrom
Present: Michael Hartman, Town Administrator
II. AWARDS OF RECOGNITION FOR EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NOTE: To be done later in the meeting.
III. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Present before the Board: Joan Brighton, Agawam Beach
Ms. Brighton submitted a letter to the Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners for their review relative to sewer matters & notification issues. (Attached as reference). She expressed the importance of notifying residents re: pending sewer projects. She inquired re: estimated sewer project assessment costs for pending projects, such as the Agawam Beach sewer project.
Chairman Sauvageau stated the Board is approaching projects on a case-by-case basis. He stated costing depends on each individual neighborhood/project due to matters such as the number of homes, length of roadways, paving, etc. Each area is different. The number of homes in an area is only one factor in the overall cost of a project. Once the process reaches the stage of potential action on a project, notification is given, takings are done, etc. & once notification of the project has been complete, the Board holds neighborhood meetings for discussion.
The Administrator explained that the Board hasn’t made a decision yet on the preliminary plan submitted by CDM re: the remaining mandated projects, but he hopes that further presentation of a final plan will be submitted by the end of January 2006. He added that it is anticipated that at the 4/06 Town Meeting design funds will be sought. The design cost is also included in a project cost. At the 10/06 Town Meeting, if an article is submitted & approved to move forward w/ the design & funded, w/in three to four months the project can commence.
Chairman Sauvageau stated the Board is willing to look at consolidating sewer projects for cost savings. Selectman Pillsbury stated until CDM reviews the plan further to determine which areas could be combined, the Board can not do anything. The Board also has to consider the size of bids (making sure the bids are not too high or too low), which could influence bids negatively. She expressed the importance of getting more sewer users into the system to bring down the sewer user fees, but until CDM gives the Board some idea on what the best way to go is w/ the remaining projects, nothing can be done. She also explained the importance of looking at SRF funds, which she discussed briefly. If the bids go too far outside the SRF loan, there will be potential impacts to residents.
Ms. Brighton discussed other towns she has lived in where larger sewer projects have been conducted, such as the Town of Tewksbury, where there were minimal assessments. Selectman Parola stated the towns Ms. Brighton has referred to are inland towns. She stated there are different cost structures to areas with, for example, high water tables, such as Briarwood Beach, different soil make-ups, etc. The areas Ms. Brighton has referred to are not near the water.
Ms. Brighton expressed the importance of notifying seasonal residents very early in the process. Chairman Sauvageau stated this is when the Board relies on associations to help w/ communication & dialog w/ its members/residents.
The Administrator stated that when the Board holds a public hearing w/ a neighborhood, they send the notices to where the tax bills go & they utilize the Assessors list.
Chairman Sauvageau briefly discussed various ways the Town is trying to make these sewer projects less burdensome to homeowners.
Ms. Brighton asked if the areas of Little Harbor & Burgess Point would be considered as well. Selectman Pillsbury stated these areas are not on the list mandated to be sewered.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Authorization to sign bills, documents, etc.
(NONE)
B. Approve minutes from previous Regular Session meetings: 10/11/05, 11/29/05 & 12/6/05.
Selectman Pillsbury asked that the Board not vote on the 12/6/05 meeting minutes due to the fact that they have not been reviewed as of yet.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board approve the Regular Session meeting minutes of 10/11/05 as corrected. Selectman Parola seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved the Board approve the Regular Session meeting minutes of 11/29/05 as corrected. Selectman Parola seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
V. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
1. Town Hall Renovation Update Work has started on replacing the steps from the grassed area to the sidewalk along the Viking Drive side of Town Hall. Municipal Maintenance removed the old steps & walkway & will be replacing them as soon as the weather permits. This is the last project under the $300,000 that started w/ the replacement of steps & columns in the front.
Upper Cape has agreed to build new steps from the replaced walkway down the side to the rear parking lot. This will provide better access to Town Hall by people who park in the rear lot & want to access Town Hall other than by the entrance by the Inspections Dept.
2. Conservation Restriction – Wareham Land Trust Town Meeting voted in 2002 to authorize the Board to acquire the Prager property on Fearing Hill Road for conservation & passive recreation purposes. Town Meeting further authorized the Board to petition the Legislature for a special act to authorize the execution of a conservation restriction in favor of the Wareham Land Trust, which was subsequently granted by Chapter 198 of the Acts of 2004.
The language of the restriction has been approved by Town Counsel and accepted by the Wareham Land Trust, Inc., and the Board needs to now sign. No vote is necessary, as it has already been approved by Town Meeting. The document will then be forwarded to the Secretary of Environmental Affairs for approval.
3. Weweantic Shores Betterments A special meeting of the Board is required to discuss the Weweantic Shores sewer betterments. This needs to be done before 12/31/05.
Brief discussion ensued re: when to hold this meeting. The Board members concurred to hold this special meeting on 12/22/05 at 4:00 P.M.
VI. LICENSES & PERMITS
A. Attestation by the Board of Selectmen of its possession of copies of a Certification of Inspection for licensees, under MA General Law c. 138 s.12 in the Town of Wareham in accordance w/ Chapter 304 of the Acts of 2004: An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the Commonwealth:
1. 99 Boston, Inc. d/b/a 99 Restaurant & Pub
2. American Legion, Inc.
3. Trova, Inc. d/b/a Bailey’s Surf’N’Turf
4. Welch’s Bill’s, Inc. d/b/a Barnacle Bill’s
5. Bay Point Country Club
6. Brinker Massachusetts Corp. d/b/a Chili’s Grill & Bar
7. Cromesett Tribe #156 Improved Order of Redmen, Inc.
8. Dudley L. Brown Post #28-46 VFW of U.S., Inc.
9. Fan Club, Inc.
10. GS Corp. d/b/a Gateway Tavern
11. Harbor Watch Inn, Ltd.
12. Hong Kong Island Restaurant, Inc.
13. Lindsey’s, Inc.
14. Little Harbor Country Club, Inc.
15. Marc Anthony’s LaPizzeria, Ltd.
16. Tsika, Inc d/b/a Minerva’s Pizza
17. Concol, Inc. d/b/a Narrows Crossing Restaurant
18. Stevie B’s, Inc. d/b/a Onset Sports Resort
19. Pier View Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Stephen’s Lounge
20. Welch Restaurant & Lounge, Inc. d/b/a Pomodore’s Restaurant
21. Hadley-Macintosh Enterprises d/b/a The Stonebridge
22. Thai Cape Cod Corp.
23. Vel’s, Inc.
24. Wareham Lodge of Elks #1528
25. Tsintas, LLC d/b/a Webster Hall
26. Charlie’s Place, Inc. d/b/a Charlie’s Place
Chairman Sauvageau read that per order of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for this year’s renewal of the pouring licenses, the Board acting as the licensing authority is required to hold copies of the new certificates of inspection that the chief fire official must now sign & are issued by the Board’s office. Going forward, when the current certificates expire during the year & new certificates are issued, copies of the certificates must be forwarded to the Board’s office.
MOTION: Selectman Pillsbury moved & Selectman Fernandes-Abbott seconded that the Board attest that they have in their possession copies of a Certification of Inspection for licensees, under MA General Law c. 138 s.12 in the Town of Wareham in accordance w/ Chapter 304 of the Acts of 2004: An Act Relative to Fire Safety in the Commonwealth:
27. 99 Boston, Inc. d/b/a 99 Restaurant & Pub
28. American Legion, Inc.
29. Trova, Inc. d/b/a Bailey’s Surf’N’Turf
30. Welch’s Bill’s, Inc. d/b/a Barnacle Bill’s
31. Bay Point Country Club
32. Brinker Massachusetts Corp. d/b/a Chili’s Grill & Bar
33. Cromesett Tribe #156 Improved Order of Redmen, Inc.
34. Dudley L. Brown Post #28-46 VFW of U.S., Inc.
35. Fan Club, Inc.
36. GS Corp. d/b/a Gateway Tavern
37. Harbor Watch Inn, Ltd.
38. Hong Kong Island Restaurant, Inc.
39. Lindsey’s, Inc.
40. Little Harbor Country Club, Inc.
41. Marc Anthony’s LaPizzeria, Ltd.
42. Tsika, Inc d/b/a Minerva’s Pizza
43. Concol, Inc. d/b/a Narrows Crossing Restaurant
44. Stevie B’s, Inc. d/b/a Onset Sports Resort
45. Pier View Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Stephen’s Lounge
46. Welch Restaurant & Lounge, Inc. d/b/a Pomodore’s Restaurant
47. Hadley-Macintosh Enterprises d/b/a The Stonebridge
48. Thai Cape Cod Corp.
49. Vel’s, Inc.
50. Wareham Lodge of Elks #1528
51. Tsintas, LLC d/b/a Webster Hall
52. Charlie’s Place, Inc. d/b/a Charlie’s Place
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. The Board’s office has received word from the daughter of Barlena Hagen that she is doing very well & is going on 104 years old! Ms. Hagen received, in a ceremony on 5/25/04 (her 102 birthday), the distinction as Wareham’s oldest citizen.
B. The next meeting of the Board will be on 1/3/06.
VIII. BUSINESS
A. Bike Path discussion.
Selectman Parola stated she has a document that states what the goals of the Bike Path Committee should be, what the ad-hoc Bike Path Committee has been working on, & what representation should be on the committee which should mirror the South Coast Bike Path Committee.
Selectman Parola stated that a meeting would be held on 1/5/06 to finalize the list of representatives to be on the committee, which will then be forwarded to the Board. There is an attempt to get representation from various Town depts.
Chairman Sauvageau expressed the need for designating a charge for this committee & establish if it is an advisory committee or if it should be structured differently due to the involvement of SRPEDD. He also feels there is a need to know any potential impacts, for example, fiscal, takings, municipal service use, etc. He feels there needs to be a method to ask these questions.
Selectman Parola stated all towns involved have appointed a committee & the goal of the Wareham Bike Path Committee is to partner w/ the South Coast Bike Path Committee. She stated that 90% of these endeavors are paid w/ Federal & State Grant monies & 10% from funding. Chairman Sauvageau stated costing out of a bike path involves some form of ongoing funding for services. Selectman Parola stated there would be a measure of grant money to apply for and, as an example, when upgrades are needed. She explained that the Federal Government appropriates transportation funding & 10% needs to go towards alternative transportation, such as the bike path.
Chairman Sauvageau again reiterated that he wants to make sure that somewhere in the process there is a time to raise questions to be answered. Brief discussion ensued.
B. Any other business
1. Stonebridge Restaurant extended hours.
Selectman Eckstrom asked if the Board was going to act on the request of the Stonebridge Restaurant to stay open until 12:30 A.M. on New Year’s Eve for a private dinner party.
MOTION: Selectman Eckstrom moved the Board grant the request of the Stonebridge Restaurant to remain open until 12:30 A.M. on New Year’s Eve for a private dinner party. Selectman Pillsbury seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
2. Housing Development Application of Louise Marotta.
Chairman Sauvageau read the memorandum from the Administrator to the Board into the record re: a housing development application of Louise Marotta. (Attached as reference).
IX. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
(NONE)
NOTE: The meeting proceeded w/ item II. Awards of Recognition for Extraordinary Accomplishments
The Veteran’s Council members proceeded to award Certificates of Appreciation to the following for participating in the Memorial Day Parade:
1. The Board of Selectmen
2. Police Department
3. Police Honor Guard
4. High School Band
5. ROTC
6. Middle School
The Board members proceeded to award various Certificate of Recognition & Certificates of Appreciation to the following individuals:
1. Mark Gifford – 15-year member (two years as president) of the Highway Commission.
2. Barbara Bailey – Member of Wareham Historic Commission & Strategic Planning Commission.
3. Joshua Knight – (Accepting award – Mr. & Mrs. Knight) – First Place 2005 MA Future Farmers Competition.
4. John Foster – Treasurer/Collector – Services & performance in the Treasurer/Collector’s office
NOTE: Selectman Fernandes-Abbott read a letter into the record from John Foster that stated how proud he is of the employees in the Treasurer/Collector’s Office & how hard they work.
5. Leonard Berube – Life saving efforts.
6. Joanne Nilsen – Life saving efforts.
7. Terrance Thrower – Life saving efforts.
8. Walter W. Correia, Jr., Detective – Commendable performance & exceptional service.
9. Peter F. Flannery, Detective – Outstanding professional performance
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: A motion was made & seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 P.M.
VOTE: Unanimous (5-0-0)
Transcribed and respectfully submitted by,
Kelly Barrasso
Kelly Barrasso
The aforementioned minutes were submitted to the Board of Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners & approved on 2/7/06
Attest: Mary Jane Pillsbury
Mary Jane Pillsbury, Clerk
Date signed: February 7, 2006 Date copy sent to Wareham Free Library: February 8, 2006
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