Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting of Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Present were Matthew P. Albanese, Chairman; Eldon F. Moreira, Clerk; and Jerry D. Lawrence, Member. Also present was Elizabeth D. Faricy, Administrator. The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
At 6:01 p.m., the Board MOVED into Executive Session pursuant MGL Chapter 39, Section 23 B exception 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining or litigating position. Also, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, to actually conduct collective bargaining contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Open Session will reconvene. Albanese, yes; Moreira, yes; Lawrence, yes.
The meeting reconvened at 6:38 p.m.
Present at this time were:
Attorney Amy Hanson, representing the business owners along United Drive
Mr. Mark Souza of Equal Exchange
Mr. Tom Nowicki of Liberty Properties
Mr. Steve Horsefall of Kelly Engineering Group
Mr. Ed Wilbur, property owner on United Drive
Mr. Daniel Houf of Boston Apparel Group
Mr. Mike Shute of Boston Apparel Group
Mr. Hugh Hurley, Chairman of the Planning Board.
Ms. Sandra Churchill of The Enterprise
Chairman Albanese read a notice of the public hearing to discuss accepting United Drive as a public way. Mr. Moreira MOVED to open the public hearing. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
Ms. Amy Hanson, Esq., discussed the business owners’ request that the Town take over United Drive as a public way as they have paid high costs to repair the road to make it ready for Town acceptance in addition to paying taxes to the Town. She stated that the public has been using this street and that the Town reroutes traffic onto the street when repairs are being done to other Town roads.
Chairman Albanese stated that Acting Highway Superintendent reported that the road would need $350,000 in repairs to get it into compliance with the Highway Department requirements. Mr. Hugh Hurley, Chairman of the Planning Board, stated that his board voted to recommend that the road be accepted as a Town road.
Mr. Moreira MOVED to take the matter under advisement. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
Mr. Moreira MOVED to close the hearing. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
At 6:49, Ms. Hanson, Mr. Souza, Mr. Horsefall, Mr. Shute, Mr. Nowicki, Mr. Houf, Mr. Wilbur, and Mr. Hurley left the room.
There were no bills to pay.
Mr. Moreira MOVED to approve the minutes of November 17, 2009. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to accept for review the minutes of December 1 and December 8. Seconded by Mr. Moreira and so voted unanimously.
Chairman Albanese then updated the Board on the latest meeting of the Regional Task Force on the Brockton Power Plant. Chairman Albanese stated that the Task Force has agreed to develop comprehensive legislation that would ban the building of fossil fuel or Biomass power plants anywhere in the Commonwealth.
The Board then discussed the possibility of merging the Highway, Forestry and Vehicle Maintenance departments into a Department of Public Works but took no vote on the proposal. Chairman Albanese announced the Highway Superintendent vacancy.
Mr. Moreira MOVED to post the job description and advertise it in The Enterprise. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
The Board reviewed a letter from Fire Chief Leonard Hunt requesting that the Town commemorate the approaching 100th Anniversary for the Fire Department with a parade. Mr. Lawrence MOVED to endorse the parade and approve the request to hold it in August. Seconded by Mr. Moreira and so voted unanimously.
The Board reviewed a notice regarding a Logan Airport Noise Study. There was brief discussion of appointing a study review member. No appointment was made.
Ms. Sandra Churchill left the room at 6:57 p.m.
During the public comment period, Mrs. Faricy stated that the Rose L. MacDonald Third Grade students participated in the annual contest to design the holiday card for Boston Apparel Group and that the entries are on display in the Library.
The Board then reviewed a request from Girl Scout Troop #80556 to sell cookies at the Transfer Station. Mr. Moreira MOVED to approve the request. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
Mr. Moreira wished everyone a safe, happy holiday and merry Christmas.
The Administrator gave her report. Mrs. Faricy stated that some Department Heads have asked what the Board may be expecting for the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
Mr. Moreira MOVED for each department to present a level funded budget as well as a budget with a five percent cut. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
Chairman Albanese discussed a copy of a letter from Governor Deval Patrick addressed to Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo that he received from the Casino Task Force. He stated that there will most likely be an expanding gaming bill in the Spring.
At 7:01 p.m., Mr. Timothy Hay, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, and Mr. Maurice McCarthy of 23 Captain Carlson’s Way entered the room.
Mr. Hay stated that the Conservation Commission members have unanimously voted to recommend Mr. McCarthy as an alternate member of the Commission. Mr. Hay stated that Mr. McCarthy had been regularly attending meetings for the last few months. Mr. McCarthy said that he is retired and interested in public service and preserving the wetlands and open space.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to appoint Mr. McCarthy as an alternate to the Conservation Commission. Seconded by Mr. Moreira and so voted unanimously.
The Board took a brief recess at 7:04 p.m.
The Board reconvened at 7:05 p.m. and MOVED back into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B exception 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining or litigating position. Also, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, to actually conduct collective bargaining contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Open session will not reconvene. Roll call vote showed: Albanese, yes; Moreira, yes; Lawrence, yes.
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